hopebuilding
@hopebuilding.bsky.social
I read a lot and share stories, especially those focused on solutions. I blog at Hopebuilding.blog and on Substack at Seeing Like A Local.
After a general assessment of street traffic in Stockholm in 2001 that concluded that two-thirds of trees in the city center were dead or dying, Björn Embrén, a former professional gardener, became Stockholm’s first “tree officer” and concocted the “Stockholm tree pit” model.
How Stockholm Is Sprouting Healthy Trees From Concrete | DailyGood
After a general assessment of street traffic in Stockholm in 2001 that concluded that two-thirds of trees in the city center were dead or dying, Björn Embrén,
www.dailygood.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:55 PM
After a general assessment of street traffic in Stockholm in 2001 that concluded that two-thirds of trees in the city center were dead or dying, Björn Embrén, a former professional gardener, became Stockholm’s first “tree officer” and concocted the “Stockholm tree pit” model.
Currently in the concept development stage, the West Somerset Tidal Lagoon power station would generate renewable energy by harnessing the power of the Bristol Channel's 12-metre tidal range, if it gets backing.
Marks Barfield Architects proposes tidal power station in Somerset
Marks Barfield Architects has unveiled designs for a tidal power station that it says could curb the UK's reliance on fossil fuels.
www.dezeen.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Currently in the concept development stage, the West Somerset Tidal Lagoon power station would generate renewable energy by harnessing the power of the Bristol Channel's 12-metre tidal range, if it gets backing.
The design team worked closely with the local fire department to create a building constructed entirely of non-combustible materials: concrete shear walls and floors, steel columns and beams, and metal and cement panel cladding. The school can even serve as a community wildfire shelter.
Threat of wildfire drives design of Malibu High School
Concrete and metal were used to construct a high school in California designed by US firms KoningEizenberg Architecture and NAC Architecture
www.dezeen.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:52 PM
The design team worked closely with the local fire department to create a building constructed entirely of non-combustible materials: concrete shear walls and floors, steel columns and beams, and metal and cement panel cladding. The school can even serve as a community wildfire shelter.
...federal deployments of the National Guard and active-duty Marines cost $496 million in 2025. And continued deployment could cost more than $1 billion for the rest of the year. Each additional troop activation of 1,000 National Guard personnel would cost roughly $20 million per month.
Opinion | Trump’s domestic troop deployments aren’t just authoritarian. They’re also expensive.
The vast amount of money spent on Trump's political theater of domination adds insult to injury.
www.ms.now
January 30, 2026 at 5:48 PM
...federal deployments of the National Guard and active-duty Marines cost $496 million in 2025. And continued deployment could cost more than $1 billion for the rest of the year. Each additional troop activation of 1,000 National Guard personnel would cost roughly $20 million per month.
What is making things much worse for Ukraine and easier for Russia is the widespread prevalence of apartment blocks that rely on communal central heating - where water is heated up elsewhere and then pumped into their radiators.
How Soviet urban planning is helping Russia freeze Ukraine
Thousands of people are affected when heating plants are targeted by Russian forces.
www.bbc.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:47 PM
What is making things much worse for Ukraine and easier for Russia is the widespread prevalence of apartment blocks that rely on communal central heating - where water is heated up elsewhere and then pumped into their radiators.
The bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been returned by Russia, Kyiv has said, in the latest exchange between the warring countries.
Russia received 38 bodies in return, Moscow's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said.
Russia received 38 bodies in return, Moscow's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said.
Ukraine receives 1,000 bodies in latest soldier swap with Russia
Russia received 38 soldiers' bodies in exchange as part of an agreement between the warring countries.
www.bbc.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been returned by Russia, Kyiv has said, in the latest exchange between the warring countries.
Russia received 38 bodies in return, Moscow's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said.
Russia received 38 bodies in return, Moscow's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said.
They are teachers, scientists and stay-at-home parents. They own small businesses and wait tables. They are the ever-moving shadow of the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge.
A Shadow Network in Minneapolis Defies ICE and Protects Immigrants
They are teachers, scientists and stay-at-home parents. They own small businesses and wait tables. They are the ever-moving shadow of the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge.
nextcity.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:44 PM
They are teachers, scientists and stay-at-home parents. They own small businesses and wait tables. They are the ever-moving shadow of the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge.
Tillis was passionate in his plea for the Republican Party to return to its roots of "limited government, free markets and federalism," ahead of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Sen. Tillis: 'Get the amateurs out of the Oval Office' | The Conversation
YouTube video by POLITICO
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Tillis was passionate in his plea for the Republican Party to return to its roots of "limited government, free markets and federalism," ahead of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Many current and former employees fear, however, that the F.B.I. has become a weapon of the White House, and that the firings and the diversion of resources to immigration enforcement have left the country vulnerable to attack.
Inside Kash Patel’s F.B.I.: Meltdowns, Chaos, Vendettas
Forty-five current and former employees on the changes they say are undermining the agency and making America less safe.
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Many current and former employees fear, however, that the F.B.I. has become a weapon of the White House, and that the firings and the diversion of resources to immigration enforcement have left the country vulnerable to attack.
On January 28, Moscow's Basmanny District Court started to hear the case against the Russian drivers that carried the hidden drones that attacked several military airfields last spring.
Truck driver who unintentionally transported Ukrainian drones to Olenya Air Base faces life sentence
The spectacular Operation Spiderweb damaged 41 aircraft at air bases across Russia, including several strategic bombers parked at the far north airfield on the Kola Peninsula.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:28 PM
On January 28, Moscow's Basmanny District Court started to hear the case against the Russian drivers that carried the hidden drones that attacked several military airfields last spring.
The authority that is headed by security service hawk Nikolai Patrushev says it has elaborated a set of measures aimed at protecting Russian shipping.
The measures were reportedly adopted in a meeting of the Russian Maritime Board on January 21.
The measures were reportedly adopted in a meeting of the Russian Maritime Board on January 21.
Russia hints it will deploy Navy to protect 'shadow fleet'
Putin's Maritime Board warns 'unfriendly states' that measures will be taken to protect Russian shipping interests.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The authority that is headed by security service hawk Nikolai Patrushev says it has elaborated a set of measures aimed at protecting Russian shipping.
The measures were reportedly adopted in a meeting of the Russian Maritime Board on January 21.
The measures were reportedly adopted in a meeting of the Russian Maritime Board on January 21.
"We will not tolerate any violation," said President Emanuell Macron as special forces from the French Navy took control of a 250-metre-long tanker carrying Arctic oil from Murmansk.
French Navy boards shadow tanker carrying Arctic oil
'We will not tolerate any violation,' said President Emanuell Macron as special forces from the French Navy took control of a 250-metre-long tanker carrying Arctic oil from Murmansk.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:25 PM
"We will not tolerate any violation," said President Emanuell Macron as special forces from the French Navy took control of a 250-metre-long tanker carrying Arctic oil from Murmansk.
Several power masts collapsed on January 23 following heavy snow and winds. Major parts of the two cities immediately experienced a power blackout.
Three days later, many still live in dark apartments. It is mid-winter and there are freezing temperatures in the far northern region.
Three days later, many still live in dark apartments. It is mid-winter and there are freezing temperatures in the far northern region.
Darkness descended on Murmansk
Public outrage is on the rise in the cities of Murmansk and Severomorsk as thousands of people are without electric power three days after several power masts collapsed in bad weather. Full restoratio...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Several power masts collapsed on January 23 following heavy snow and winds. Major parts of the two cities immediately experienced a power blackout.
Three days later, many still live in dark apartments. It is mid-winter and there are freezing temperatures in the far northern region.
Three days later, many still live in dark apartments. It is mid-winter and there are freezing temperatures in the far northern region.
Reposted by hopebuilding
The UK and nine other European countries have agreed to accelerate the rollout of offshore windfarms in the 2030s and build a power grid in the North Sea, in a landmark pact to turn the ageing oil basin into a “clean energy reservoir”.
UK joins European offshore windfarm plan to create world’s largest ‘clean energy reservoir’
Britain among 10 countries to build 100GW grid in North Sea linking countries through subsea cables
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:40 AM
The UK and nine other European countries have agreed to accelerate the rollout of offshore windfarms in the 2030s and build a power grid in the North Sea, in a landmark pact to turn the ageing oil basin into a “clean energy reservoir”.
But Trump’s promotion of a broadened mandate and his floating of an idea that the Board of Peace “might” replace the U.N. have put off major players and been dismissed by U.N. officials.
Trump's wide ambitions for Board of Peace spark new support for the United Nations
President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to sidestep the United Nations through his new Board of Peace appears to have inadvertently backfired.
apnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:30 AM
But Trump’s promotion of a broadened mandate and his floating of an idea that the Board of Peace “might” replace the U.N. have put off major players and been dismissed by U.N. officials.
Controversial plans to redevelop Belgrade’s former Yugoslav army headquarters into a luxury complex featuring a Trump International Hotel have collapsed, following the indictment of Serbia’s culture minister and other senior officials.
Plans for Trump hotel in Belgrade collapse after Serbia’s culture minister indicted
Proposals to redevelop a former Yugoslav military headquarters into a branded luxury complex have been dropped following indictments of senior cultural officials
www.theartnewspaper.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Controversial plans to redevelop Belgrade’s former Yugoslav army headquarters into a luxury complex featuring a Trump International Hotel have collapsed, following the indictment of Serbia’s culture minister and other senior officials.
Protesters rallied outside the headquarters of the University of Belgrade on what was a national day of education. The peaceful gathering, dubbed “Knowledge is power,” was in support of professors and teachers who have lost their jobs or positions for taking part in anti-government demonstrations.
Thousands rally in Belgrade against crackdown on student-led protests
Thousands of people have protested in Serbia’s capital against a government crackdown on universities.
apnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Protesters rallied outside the headquarters of the University of Belgrade on what was a national day of education. The peaceful gathering, dubbed “Knowledge is power,” was in support of professors and teachers who have lost their jobs or positions for taking part in anti-government demonstrations.
Reposted by hopebuilding
Ashland, Virginia:
"Despite widespread hazardous road conditions and icy weather from the recent winter storm, more than a thousand residents from across Greater Richmond made their opposition clear..."
www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
"Despite widespread hazardous road conditions and icy weather from the recent winter storm, more than a thousand residents from across Greater Richmond made their opposition clear..."
www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
Hanover County supervisors oppose proposed ICE facility
The locality’s ability to deter the purchase is extremely limited, though.
www.vpm.org
January 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Ashland, Virginia:
"Despite widespread hazardous road conditions and icy weather from the recent winter storm, more than a thousand residents from across Greater Richmond made their opposition clear..."
www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
"Despite widespread hazardous road conditions and icy weather from the recent winter storm, more than a thousand residents from across Greater Richmond made their opposition clear..."
www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said early Thursday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has ended its enhanced immigration operation in the state of Maine.
Sen. Collins says Homeland Security ended enhanced ICE operation in Maine • Maine Morning Star
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said early Thursday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has ended its enhanced immigration operation in the state of Maine. The Republican senator said she had sever...
mainemorningstar.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:03 AM
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said early Thursday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has ended its enhanced immigration operation in the state of Maine.
Reposted by hopebuilding
🚨ICE is teargassing a PRE-SCHOOL! 🚨
#ICEoffOurStreets
#ICEoffOurStreets
January 29, 2026 at 10:05 PM
🚨ICE is teargassing a PRE-SCHOOL! 🚨
#ICEoffOurStreets
#ICEoffOurStreets
In a letter emailed to management, employees called on Target to "do the right thing" and bar federal immigration authorities from its stores. The letter, viewed by Business Insider, was signed by 284 employees, many of whom said they were residents of Minnesota, where Target is headquartered.
Hundreds of Target employees urge the company to keep ICE out of stores. Read the letter to leadership.
More than 275 employees signed a letter to Target leadership that outlined four steps they say the company should take in response to ICE.
www.businessinsider.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:55 AM
In a letter emailed to management, employees called on Target to "do the right thing" and bar federal immigration authorities from its stores. The letter, viewed by Business Insider, was signed by 284 employees, many of whom said they were residents of Minnesota, where Target is headquartered.
Minnesota is home to one of the highest concentrations of Korean adoptees in the United States.
It’s also home to the Adoptee Hub, a volunteer-run nonprofit that teaches native language classes and offers birth family reunification support.
It’s also home to the Adoptee Hub, a volunteer-run nonprofit that teaches native language classes and offers birth family reunification support.
Korean adoptees in Minnesota find community amid ICE raids
As ICE ramps up its presence in Minnesota, a Korean adoptee nonprofit is speaking directly to its community about safety.
www.goodgoodgood.co
January 30, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Minnesota is home to one of the highest concentrations of Korean adoptees in the United States.
It’s also home to the Adoptee Hub, a volunteer-run nonprofit that teaches native language classes and offers birth family reunification support.
It’s also home to the Adoptee Hub, a volunteer-run nonprofit that teaches native language classes and offers birth family reunification support.
And, while United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue what Minnesota officials call “an occupation” across the state, Alverson has decided to do what he can in support of his community.
Minneapolis cafe vows to be 100% free to 'everyone except ICE' as long as agents are in MN: 'We're relying on donations'
Modern Times Cafe has transformed into “Post Modern Times” in an effort to support community members amid ICE occupation.
www.goodgoodgood.co
January 30, 2026 at 12:48 AM
And, while United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue what Minnesota officials call “an occupation” across the state, Alverson has decided to do what he can in support of his community.
Today, as President Zelensky warns that Russia is preparing “a new massive strike”, we examine growing speculation that an undeclared truce may be in place regarding strikes on energy infrastructure.
Zelensky warns of ‘massive’ attack ahead of Sunday peace talks | Ukraine: The Latest
YouTube video by The Telegraph
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Today, as President Zelensky warns that Russia is preparing “a new massive strike”, we examine growing speculation that an undeclared truce may be in place regarding strikes on energy infrastructure.