The US has reaffirmed “the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Somalia, in a move seen as a blow to Somaliland, the breakaway region recently recognized by Israel and close to the United Arab Emirates. In a report to Congress on “Potential Areas for Improved United States Engagement with Somaliland”, the US State Department stated that Somaliland was included in the Federal Republic of Somalia.
“Within that framework, the United States maintains a positive, constructive relationship with Somaliland and continues to explore additional opportunities for engagement with Somaliland authorities,” the report says. Israel became the first country in the world to formally recognize Somaliland on December 26 last year.
The month before, Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdullahi Mohamed secretly visited Israel, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other “top officials”, according to multiple sources in Somalia and Somaliland.
Those other officials included Mossad chief David Barnea and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who visited Somaliland immediately after Israel formally recognised the former British colony’s sovereignty.
‘Recognition is bigger than anything else. Do you have an alternative for us?’
– Rooble Mohamed, Somaliland government adviser
Somaliland has since recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, establishing an embassy there as meetings between Somaliland and Israeli ministers have continued and pro-Israel figures in the media have taken up the cause of independence for the breakaway Somali region.
Jake Wallis Simons, former editor of the Jewish Chronicle, and Andrew Fox, an associate fellow at the right-wing Henry Jackson Society, were flown out to Somaliland for the May 18th self-declared independence day celebrations in Hargeisa, the region’s capital. Both men are ardent supporters of Israel. The UK’s former defence minister, Conservative MP Gavin Williamson, another keen supporter of Somaliland, was also part of the trip.
Somaliland is hoping that Israel’s recognition will be followed by the UAE, with Ethiopia, India, Cyprus and Georgia also in its sights.
Trump not expected to recognize Somaliland
A congressional source told Middle East Eye they did not expect US President Donald Trump’s administration to recognise Somaliland. Though lobbyists, including former Trump officials Tibor Nagy and Peter Pham, had raised the hopes of Somalilanders over US recognition, “there was never a sign that the president would go through with it,” the source said.
Trump has persistently singled out Somalia and Somali Americans for abuse during his second term in office. He has referred to Somalis as “low IQ people” and said that all Somalis are “crooked as hell”. He has said that Somali American congresswoman Ilhan Omar “is garbage”, and that “her friends are garbage”.
A Somali analyst and policy adviser, who could not be named as he works with officials in both Somalia and Somaliland, told MEE he thought the report to Congress was “a consequential announcement that may effectively close the door on any lingering hopes of US recognition for Somaliland”.
The #UnitedStates affirms its recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of #Somalia, which encompasses the region of Somaliland.
“From a strategic perspective, why settle for part of the cake when the whole cake remains within reach,” he said, referring to US ambitions across the whole of Somalia.
Asked if he agreed with this analysis, Rooble Mohamed, who is a consultant for the Somaliland communications ministry, told MEE: “The United States does not currently recognize Somaliland, so unless there is a formal recognition, such a statement is the reality for now. “The US does not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state but has its own arrangements with it as a separate entity from China. This proposal seems to be the same.”
Somaliland’s strategic importance for Israel, UAE and US
Somaliland and its location on the Red Sea have become more strategically important to the US, Israel and its allies with the rise of the Houthis in Yemen, the war on Iran and threats to shipping in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes. After it entered the war in Yemen, the UAE began building a ring of bases to control the Gulf of Aden.
This was done with the help of Israeli military and intelligence officers, even before relations between the two countries were normalised as part of the Abraham Accords in 2020. Berbera, Somaliland’s main port, was part of this circle of bases, which is no longer fully intact following the rift between the UAE and its coalition partner in Yemen, Saudi Arabia.
The State Department’s report to Congress is clear on this matter. “Somaliland’s strategic location near Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab Strait positions it as a potential partner on shared security interests, including freedom of commercial and military navigation from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean,” it says.
Israeli and Somaliland officials are in talks about the establishment of an Israeli base at Berbera. The UAE’s DP World also runs its own port there, which is co-owned by the British government through its foreign investment arm.
“Somaliland authorities have encouraged US investment in minerals and outlined priorities in infrastructure, trade, and economic growth,” the report to Congress says. Somaliland officials have said their soil is rich in lithium, coltan and other sought-after resources, and they have suggested that US access to these riches could come alongside recognition.
The State Department report also mentions the “ongoing development” of Berbera’s airport and seaports “into a trade and transportation hub for Somaliland and landlocked Ethiopia”, saying this could “create increased opportunities” for the US. However, the report concludes, “regional security concerns and the dispute over Somaliland’s status, including its refusal to cooperate with national authorities, present challenges for investment, banking, and trade.”
Asked if he thought Israel’s recognition was doing Somaliland more harm than good, given the genocide in Gaza and Israel’s plummeting popularity worldwide and particularly in the Muslim world, Rooble Mohamed said the government in Hargeisa had “no alternatives”.
“Recognition is bigger than anything else. Do you have an alternative for us? We are one of the Muslim countries of the world, I don’t think we are different. I think it’s normal to have a relationship with Israel,” Mohamed said. “It does not mean the Palestinians are our enemies.”
‘Putin’s Davos’ Forum Opens Under Heavy Ukrainian Drone Attack, With Candace Owens & Trump Official In Attendance
Ukraine’s President Zelensky has freshly stated that he’s ready for direct talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in order to end the war, but he also warned that the alternative is for Ukraine to increase its retaliatory strikes on Russia,
The head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, stated this week: “Zelensky has instructed officials to try to end this war as quickly as possible, preferably before winter.” But the ground war reality as well the escalating tit-for-tat air campaigns, tell a different story of a brutal and largely stalemated conflict which is likely to just grind on for the foreseeable future.
The last 24 hour period has seen a significant drone wave rain down on Russia’s second largest city of St. Petersburg.
The attack seemed to be met with little in the way of anti-air defenses, with circulating local footage showing security forces trying to shoot down inbound drones only with small arms. Local authorities later said there were several injuries across the region, but no one was killed.
The new attack seemed intentionally timed for the city’s major economic forum designed to attract foreign investment into the country. Putin is scheduled to oversee the three-day St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and will give a keynote address.
Amused residents film Russian servicemembers trying and failing to shoot down Ukrainian one-way drones with automatic rifles during this morning’s large-scale attack against the Northwestern Russian city of St. Petersburg. pic.twitter.com/ecHcM54jfK
The forum has been dubbed as ‘Putin’s Davos’ – and according to CNN:
Ukrainian drones rained down on St. Petersburg late Tuesday, striking infrastructure and wounding several people, just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signature economic forum opened in the city.
Hundreds of drones hit several other Russian cities overnight, with Kyiv claiming to have struck a naval warship and other key assets in a major attack reaching as far as Moscow.
Three districts of St. Petersburg were targeted in the overnight Ukrainian drone assault, according to its governor Aleksandr Beglov. The city is this week hosting the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, often dubbed Putin’s version of Davos.
In the below, the WSJ’s foreign chief correspondent has moved from journalist to advocate:
Ukrainian aircraft arrive to deliver a keynote address at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that opens this morning. Special entertainment for Candace Owens, Andrew Tate and all the other distinguished guests. pic.twitter.com/S8GFB9cTAs
Broke black plumes of smoke rose over St. Petersburg just as thousands of guests from 130 countries were due to attend. Importantly, this has included ‘low level’ Trump administration delegation.
BBC writes, “Mobile internet was disrupted and St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport was temporarily closed, while some regions of nearby Latvia and Estonia also issued air raid alerts.” Dozens of regional flights were also delayed.
President Zelensky boastfully owned up to it, after Kiev has already come under heavy Russian bombardment this week. Zelensky commented Wednesday: “Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer.”
He tweeted footage of the aftermath of Ukrainian drones hitting the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal. Nearby Kronstadt, home to the headquarters base of the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet, also reportedly suffered attack.
Ukrainian attack drones opened this year’s Russian Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, successfully striking the city’s fuel and oil maritime terminal this morning. pic.twitter.com/LHSZkCG7qe
— распад и неуважение (@VictorKvert2008) June 3, 2026
Among the dignitaries attending this year’s SPEIF conference is Rodney Mims Cook Jr., who is overseeing President Trump’s controversial planned White House ballroom.
“The attendance of Cook, the chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, has been portrayed by Russian officials as representing the first official U.S. delegation to SPIEF after years of boycotts,” The Washington Post writes. “Cook has said his participation was approved by the State Department; however, he did not appear to be part of an official delegation appointed by President Donald Trump.”
Also interesting is that Candace Owns is in attendance, and expected to speak at a session on “balancing parenthood in a large family with a successful career.”
The Christian expression and heritage here is unmatched.
Unsurprisingly, they are lying to us about Russia. ✝️ pic.twitter.com/pNbwPmiq3m
One aspect to the forum is Russia asserting itself as a more traditionalist, family-oriented society, compared to the progressiveness and ‘wokeness’ of the West.
Online ‘influencer’ brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have also filmed themselves arriving in Russia, though did not initially confirm whether they planned to attend the forum in St. Petersburg.
Andrew Tate has arrived in Russia
The controversial influencer was welcomed with honors at the airport.
Tate is known for his outspoken views on women and his massive online following.
He and his brother Tristan remain under investigation in Romania and the United Kingdom.… pic.twitter.com/WvmrlpIGK3
Some of the attacks landed in the daylight hours, startling onlookers among St. Petersburg streets…
The Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum of 2026 (SPIEF 2026) in Russia has started with a very fiery keynote speech by the Ukrainian surprise guests. pic.twitter.com/VVIuGcQCO7
From the forum venue itself: large black plumes can be seen enveloping the skyline…
A burning oil terminal in Saint Petersburg, in the background of the SPIEF, while Russia tries to sell its economic resilience.
President Putin and top military brass had last month said strikes would be initiated against “decision-making centers” in response to the dorm attack in the Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic on May 22, which killed 21 people – mostly teenage girls – and injured 70 others.
🇺🇦🇷🇺🛢️ Un terminal pétrolier en feu à Saint-Pétersbourg, en arrière-plan du SPIEF, pendant que la Russie tente de vendre sa “résilience économique”.
Kremlin officials now say that Russian forces have “a right to dismantle any infrastructure that supports terrorism.” This new bus attack strongly suggests there’s no off-ramp or de-escalation on the horizon, but that tit-for-tat strikes will only grow and become more violent. And the fresh attack on St. Petersburg is certainly not going to help matters.
Iran Issues 4-Stage Proposal For Deal With US, After Most Intense Overnight Clashes Since April
Summary
State media issues four-stage proposal for deal with US, says indirect talks are ‘ongoing’.
GCC blasts ‘cowardly attacks’ after Kuwait International Airport rocked by Iranian missiles: one dead, 63 injured.
Overnight saw US-Iran exchange fire in Strait of Hormuz – as US attacked Qeshm Island – and Iran unleashed more projectiles on Gulf states. Most intense fighting since April.
IRGC via state media: Tehran has frozen all back-channel communication with Washington over Israeli operations in Lebanon, calls Trump narrative a fantasy.
Trump says Iran has agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapon, while saying talks are still ongoing. Tells NYP hebelieves the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz will “resolve itself fairly quickly.“
Trump Claims Iran ‘Close’ To Signing Paper ‘In Theory’
The two sides don’t actually appear to be any closer to a deal or so much as a MOU to get back to the table, but President Trump is still signaling optimism:
Trump on Iran:
In theory, they are pretty close to signing the paper.
Fars: Outline of Iran’s 4-Stage Proposal For Deal With US
Fars Politics on Telegram has issued the following outline on Wednesday (machine translated). Also, somewhat contradicting reports from other state media outlets, Fars has stated that indirect talks with Washington are still ongoing, but that no final decision on a MOU has yet been made.
Phase 1: Ending war and halting military actions.
Phase 2: Tangible measures, including: The issue of the strait and the mechanisms related to it,
Lifting the blockade, Removing restrictions and oil sanctions, Releasing part of Iran’s frozen assets and blocked financial resources.
Phase 3: Dedicated to discussions on sanctions and the nuclear file.
Phase 4: Involves establishing a supervisory committee to oversee implementation of the understanding and monitor the commitments of all parties.
Saeed Ajorlou, a member of the media team of the negotiating delegation provided the following commentary via Fars:
Phase One is ending the war and achieving a complete halt to military actions. This must encompass all parties and all fronts—whether Iran and the United States or the so-called Resistance Axis.
After Phase One is stabilized, the focus shifts to practical and tangible measures. In this phase, four key issues must be addressed:
The issue of the strait and the mechanisms related to it
Lifting the blockade,
Removing restrictions and oil sanctions,
Releasing part of Iran’s frozen assets and blocked financial resources.
Phase Three is dedicated to discussions on sanctions and the nuclear file. At this stage, after concrete and verifiable measures have been implemented, negotiations will begin on broader sanctions relief as well as issues related to the nuclear program.
Phase Four involves establishing a supervisory committee to oversee implementation of the understanding and monitor the commitments of all parties. The members of this committee have not yet been finalized, but Iran is seeking to include friendly and aligned countries in the mechanism so that the implementation process has sufficient backing and support.
By the looks of the above proposal, the warring sides seem very much still at square one.
State Media Still Insists Talks Are Frozen, Amid Most Intense Fighting Since April
State media statement on Wednesday:
IRGC-linked Tasnim claims Tehran has frozen all back-channel communication with Washington over Israeli operations in Lebanon, directly contradicting Trump’s assertion that messages are arriving daily from Iran. Tasnim: “Trump’s claim that Iran is confirming the issue is completely different from reality.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister is meanwhile articulating that Iran will lay down some new red lines via military strikes, which he has dubbed ‘self-defense’ in nature…
Our Armed Forces are conducting self-defense strikes on sites the U.S. is permitted to use to attack civilian shipping and violate the ceasefire.
Any hostile act will be met with an immediate, decisive response. What sanctions and war failed to achieve won’t be won with more war pic.twitter.com/CwjULJ6PeI
President Donald Trump is still trying to present some bright spots, telling NY Post he believes the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will “resolve itself fairly quickly” and went so far to say he expects to meet with Iran’s supreme leader “at some point.”
Major Attack on Kuwait International Airport: One Dead, 63 Injured
Kuwait International Airport has come under Iranian missile and drone attack on Wednesday, in a significant strike thatkilled one person and left 63 people injured – according to the country’s health ministry, with several of the victims being seriously wounded.
A passenger terminal was directly struck, damaging facilities including diplomatic missions at the airport, Kuwaiti authorities have said. Area hospitals conducted seven major emergency surgeries following the incident, underscoring that it was a mass casualty event.
Kuwaiti defense ministry spokesperson Brig Gen Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan described the attack as “criminal Iranian aggression which resulted in significant material damage to the building and injuries.” It confirmed engaging 13 missiles and 17 drones total which were fired from Iran.
Civil aviation authorities immediately suspended traffic and transferred arriving flights to separate unaffected airports after “terminal one came under Iranian attacks causing casualties and damage.” The cross-border airport attack came after violent exchanges of fire between the US and Iran, which at first looked like limited one-off incidents, but then became an extended tit-for-tat.
The Overnight Catalyst: US-Iran Exchange Fire in Hormuz
Overnight, the US military deployed a Hellfire missile to disable a tanker attempting to bypass the American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the intercept, American forces engaged in a wider kinetic exchange, stating they repelled subsequent Iranian reprisal strikes across the region and launched retaliatory attacks against military sites on Iran’s Qeshm Island.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched a missile and drone barrage targeting the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain – an assertion that Central Command (CENTCOM) has explicitly denied. The IRGC had also sent several missiles on two US bases in Kuwait, which were said to have been intercepted.
Serous damage and chaos at Kuwait International Airport:
The Gulf Cooperation Council has in response slammed Iran for their “ongoing aggression” against member states Bahrain and Kuwait, denouncing the “cowardly attacks on civilian objects” which mark a “dangerous and unprecedented escalation.”
But Tehran is not backing down and is instead issuing further hardline warnings and threats, per Al Jazeera citing state media:
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says retaliatory strikes “should serve as a lesson” for the United States after it fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Kuwait and Bahrain.
While Iran’s foreign ministry is warning that the overnight US assault on Qeshm Island continues a severe breach of the ceasefire, President Trump is saying that “conversations between us have been going on continuously” – in reference to the Iranians.
Kuwait’s civil aviation authority confirmed Iranian drones and missiles hit the T1 terminal at Kuwait International Airport. Several people were injured and the building sustained severe damage. Commercial flights have been halted. https://t.co/fbFhjSofIYpic.twitter.com/zOz83Ba6cy
Explosions were heard near Qeshm Island in Iran on Wednesday morning.
Kuwait’s Army announced its air defences were intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks, while reports noted that two US bases were targeted in Kuwait, with explosions in the Ali al-Salem and Arifjan bases where US soldiers are stationed. Furthermore, air raid sirens sounded in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with explosions also reported in Saudi Arabia, while explosions were heard in Qamishli, Syria, and earlier reports noted multiple explosions in the centre of Iraqi Kurdistan with the headquarters of anti-Iranian separatist groups targeted.
IRGC said the US attacked Qeshm Island, and in response, Iran carried out precise and intensive missile strikes on US bases in Kuwait, while it warned further US aggression will be met with a seismic, crushing and decisive response.
IRGC said the headquarters of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain was attacked by missiles and drones from the IRGC Aerospace Force, while it targeted a US-affiliated vessel named Panaya with missiles and clarified the recent attack was in retaliation for the US targeting an IRGC communications tower in the south of Qeshm Island.
US CENTCOM said Iran launched several ballistic missiles towards neighbours and that forces successfully defeated multiple Iranian missiles, while US forces had conducted strikes on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran. CENTCOM stated that forces shot down three one-way attack drones launched by Iran toward civilian mariners that were rightfully transiting regional waters, and US forces also conducted self-defence strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island. Furthermore, it denied IRGC claims that Iran struck the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain and a US airbase in the region, and stated that all Iranian attacks on US forces failed.
US CENTCOM says forces disabled a Botswana-flagged unladen oil tanker that was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on the Arabian Gulf on June 2nd. Says: US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room, preventing the tanker from reaching Iran.
US President Trump is pushing Iran to make firmer nuclear commitments and wants nuclear concessions in writing from Iran, according to ABC News.
US Secretary of State Rubio said that Iran has mined large segments of the Hormuz Strait. Rubio stated that nuclear negotiations with Iran were highly complicated and technical, which would therefore take time, while he added that the war with Iran had made interactions with Tehran more complicated, but also commented that the “war in Iran is over”.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the US attacks on Iranian tanker and Qeshm island. The Foreign Ministry “notes the direct and clear responsibility of the rulers of Kuwait and Bahrain for last night’s aggressive acts.”
Hardline Iranian lawmaker called for stronger military response to US strikes, Al Jazeera reported.
Kuwait’s General Civil Aviation Authority said an emergency plan at Kuwait International Airport was activated after Terminal 1 was targeted by Iranian drones and missiles.
Hezbollah attacked an Israeli command post in southern Lebanon with a drone strike, which wounded eight Israeli soldiers, according to SNN.
The US has recently launched a new battery production line, which is expected to help researchers develop safer and cheaper energy storage technologies for the electric grid.
The new line is housed at the Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL), a 93,000-square-foot research facility. It is run by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington State.
According to PNNL, the newly commissioned production line features a total of 16 pieces of equipment inside a 1,400-square-foot laboratory. It is reportedly the first prismatic battery cell production line at a US national laboratory.
Researchers at PNNL pointed out that it will allow them to manufacture, test, and validate advanced battery designs at an industrially relevant scale. “This helps our researchers bridge the gap between science and industry,” Adam Jivelekas, GSL operations manager, said.
A New Grid Storage Hub
The line will produce prismatic battery cells. These are rectangular and larger than cylindrical cells, and shaped like a nine-volt battery (9V). As a result, they contain more energy per cell. Developed with a heavier metal casing, they are less prone to overheating, which makes them increasingly popular for storing energy on the electric grid.
Mark Weller, PhD, a PNNL materials scientist and the principal investigator of the project, explained that metal transfers heat more efficiently than most materials. This allows these batteries to cool more easily. “If you have better heat transport, if the cells are more mechanically uniform, if they’re packed more efficiently, all those things can translate to not just higher safety, but lower cost,” he added.
In addition, their rectangular shape means they can be stacked neatly together. This reduces wasted space compared to cylindrical alternatives. Efficient packing helps boost energy density at the pack level.
As per Jivelekas, the facility will help speed up the transition from battery research to production. “We can help external researchers or industry partners test and validate their prismatic cell designs,” he pointed out.
Start Of Operations
PNNL noted that the facility is located inside a specialized dry laboratory, where humidity levels are kept lower than those found in some of the driest places on the planet. Maintaining these conditions is critical, as trace levels of moisture can degrade the sensitive battery components.
The facility wrapped up testing earlier this year. The scientists are now preparing validation projects intended to demonstrate its capabilities. Weller emphasized that the real test is proving it can be used to consistently manufacture high-quality prismatic cells.
“Making a coin cell takes a few milligrams of material; making a prismatic cell takes at least a kilogram,” he elaborated in a press release. “When you scale up like that, you can’t assume that a chemistry that worked well in a coin cell will work just as well in a prismatic cell.”
To demonstrate the approach, the research team will produce and evaluate two promising battery chemistries to use in prismatic cells. These include sodium-ion and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP).
Following production, the researchers will submit these two prismatic cell types to a number of tests to evaluate their performance and safety. “With this capability, we can do the research and development and pilot-scale testing that is difficult for companies to justify and help facilitate a smoother handoff to get advanced battery concepts to market,” Weller concluded.
Samsung Joins Blue-State Exodus, Moves U.S. HQ From New Jersey To Texas
We’re still trying to settle on a name for the new “Rust Belt” for blue states, where high taxes, de-growth climate policies, permitting paralysis, and an obsession with woke governance have sparked a historic outflow of people, businesses, and capital to red states.
The old Rust Belt was hollowed out by decades of deindustrialization. This new version in blue states is being hollowed out by self-inflicted progressive policy failures after policy failures after policy failures.
The latest, and one of the most abrupt examples, is South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics shifting its U.S. headquarters from lefty-controlled New Jersey to red-state Texas, which is governed by common sense.
Samsung is moving its U.S. headquarters to its existing campus in Plano, Texas.
Samsung Electronics America is abandoning its brand-new, 270,000 SF North Jersey headquarters after just eight months to consolidate operations in Plano, Texas.
— The Tenant Advisor (@CoyDavidsonCRE) June 2, 2026
“Samsung Electronics America Inc. is undergoing a business transformation designed to better position our organization for long-term growth and future success. As part of this effort, we are relocating our U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to our existing campus in Plano, Texas, building on our 30-year presence in the state,” the company said in a statement. “The transition, which will be completed by the end of the year, is intended to strengthen alignment across teams and offices, and sharpen our focus on the areas that will drive the greatest impact for our customers, partners, and business.”
The statement by the memory chip giant did not explain why they’re relocating their US headquarters. But we can only guess what it came down to: an unfavorable business environment.
New Jersey has one of the highest corporate tax burdens in the US, coming in at 9% for companies with more than $100,000 in total net income. Smaller companies pay lower rates of 7.5% or 6.5%, depending on income.
For mega corporations, the rate can be even higher. New Jersey added a 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee on businesses with more than $10 million in taxable net income allocated to the state, bringing the effective top rate to 11.5% for those companies.
Samsung’s decision was most likely rooted in Texas’ long-standing policy of no corporate income tax.
“Imagine turning on the morning news in Texas and watching them celebrate jobs leaving New Jersey,” NJ Assembly GOP wrote on X earlier today, adding, “The numbers are damning: New Jersey has the highest corporate tax rate in the nation. Texas has no corporate income tax. We’ve introduced the fixes. Democrats blocked everyone. Texas gets the jobs. New Jersey gets to keep old ribbon-cutting photos.”
Imagine turning on the morning news in Texas and watching them celebrate jobs leaving New Jersey.
That’s exactly what @GoodDayFox4 and @FOX4 are doing after Samsung announced it’s moving its U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to Texas.
Another X user noted, “Whether it’s Samsung, Mercedes-Benz, Hertz, ExxonMobil, or other major employers, the message is becoming impossible to ignore: businesses are voting with their feet. And, the Democrats in the State House are not making it any easier for businesses – the legislation or administrative rules as of late has been so anti-business.”
Woah! I guess the Samsung folks ran into the executives from Mercedes-Benz, Hertz, ExxonMobil, and Budweiser while they were finding the exit door from New Jersey.
Whether it’s Samsung, Mercedes-Benz, Hertz, ExxonMobil, or other major employers, the message is becoming… https://t.co/LBq3yJvLhN
What is significant here is that Samsung opened its headquarters in New Jersey only eight months ago, suggesting that the state’s political and economic environment has deteriorated since.
Samsung didn’t want to say if New Jersey’s economics caused them to move to Texas
— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) June 3, 2026
Last month, The Economist published an article titled “Texas Is Becoming America Inc.’s Center of Gravity,” pointing out that corporations are voting with their feet and fleeing blue states.
A new rifle heading to U.S. special operations forces can switch between 7.62mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor ammunition in roughly a minute, giving operators a way to adapt to changing mission requirements without carrying separate weapon systems.
The weapon, known as the MK24 Medium Range Gas Gun Assault (MRGG-A), will begin reaching units before the end of the fiscal year. U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) selected the platform to replace the MK17 SCAR and awarded manufacturer LMT Defense a 10-year, $92 million contract last year. The rifle also supports SOCOM’s broader effort to improve performance at longer ranges while maintaining flexibility in the field.
Built For Flexibility
The MK24’s defining feature is its quick-change barrel system. Operators can swap between 7.62mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor configurations in about a minute, allowing the weapon to adapt to different operational needs.
The requirement emerged from real-world deployment challenges. U.S. forces frequently operate alongside partner militaries that rely on different ammunition stocks. By allowing rapid caliber changes, the MK24 can continue using widely available 7.62mm rounds while giving operators access to 6.5mm Creedmoor when missions demand greater accuracy at distance.
LMT Defense designed the rifle around a 14.5-inch barrel, creating a package closer in size to an M4 carbine. Despite its compact footprint, the weapon aims to deliver the performance expected from larger precision-focused systems.
Why 6.5 Creedmoor
The adoption of 6.5mm Creedmoor reflects years of testing by SOCOM as it evaluated alternatives to legacy military cartridges. The command examined nearly two dozen ammunition types and reportedly found that 6.5mm Creedmoor delivered some of the strongest overall performance at ranges approaching 1,000 meters.
That advantage has attracted growing interest across the military. While 7.62mm NATO remains a mainstay of U.S. forces, newer cartridges have demonstrated improved long-range accuracy and energy retention. The Army has already started introducing its Next Generation Squad Weapons chambered in 6.8x51mm as part of a similar modernization effort.
For SOCOM, the shift is not simply about replacing ammunition. The command has spent several years searching for weapon systems that can engage targets farther away while reducing logistical burdens on deployed units.
Expanding Long-Range Capabilities
The MK24 is one piece of a wider small-arms modernization program. In recent years, SOCOM has explored new rifles and machine guns capable of extending engagement distances beyond those of existing platforms.
Those efforts resulted in contracts for a new 6.5mm sniper rifle from Geissele Automatics and a lightweight machine gun chambered in .338 Norma Magnum from Sig Sauer. Although fielding of the machine gun has been paused, the programs reflect SOCOM’s interest in cartridges that offer greater effectiveness at extended ranges while reducing system weight.
Officials involved with the program have highlighted the MK24’s accuracy and adaptability as major advantages. Beyond replacing the MK17 SCAR, the rifle introduces a modular approach that allows a single platform to fill multiple roles. As fielding begins, the weapon will give special operations units the ability to move between 7.62mm combat loads and 6.5mm long-range configurations with minimal disruption in the field.
Lefty Tech Rag Panics As Manhattan Institute Pivots From Killing DEI To Crushing NGO-Funded Riots
Left-leaning Condé Nast, through Wired, appears to be running narrative cover for the protest-industrial complex, gaslighting readers over efforts to impose real penalties on chaos and disorder stemming from protests and riots.
Wired reporter Ali Winston’s target is the Manhattan Institute. She appears to be upset that the Manhattan Institute is pushing for new state laws that make vandalism, blocking roadways, and trespassing during riots and protests felony offenses.
“The Manhattan Institute, cofounded in 1978 by former Central Intelligence Agency director William Casey, is in the midst of a yearlong campaign to pass state-level legislation reclassifying minor crimes like vandalism, blocking a roadway, or trespassing during a protest as felonies that would carry 18-month prison sentences as punishment,” Winston wrote in the article.
Denver, Colo. (March 28) — Far-left extremists riot at the “No Kings” anti-Trump rally. pic.twitter.com/ny1EESzIq2
That proposal comes as highly organized protest networks have repeatedly used street blockades, property destruction, vehicle burnings, and storefront attacks as pressure tactics, often under the banner of revolutionary Marxist activism and with funding channels routed through opaque NGO networks.
It boggles my mind how at ANY single moment, for ANY reason, HUNDREDS of Leftists can show up instantly with supplies and riot for WEEKS.
Normal people have to rearrange their entire day to show up anywhere…
Jesse Arm, vice president of external affairs at the Manhattan Institute, responded to Wired’s X post promoting Winston’s hit piece on the institution, writing:
In America, free speech rights do not entitle you to block roads, destroy property, illegally trespass, or harass the public—all while hiding behind a mask and using resources from anti-Western funders to wage a campaign of crime designed to coerce the majority into following the whims of a radical minority.
You should be punished for such conduct. And we’ll continue making that case.
If you enjoyed watching the @ManhattanInst take an absolute sledgehammer to DEI, you’re going to love seeing us eviscerate civil terrorism.
Someone has to remind the Democratic Party and their NGO and activist network that the First Amendment protects peaceful speech, assembly, protest, signs, chants, marches, and petitioning the government. It does not give someone a free pass to commit ordinary crimes, which has been an ongoing issue for years with the creep of revolutionary Marxism across the nonprofit world…
Did any BLM protesters get 22 years in prison for burning down our country for months on end or is that only for Trump supporters? pic.twitter.com/wsWkn25ONJ
Wired’s X post was ratio’d, with commentators saying….
“…minor crimes like vandalism, blocking a roadway, or trespassing during a protest as felonies that would carry 18-month prison sentences as punishment.”
So, actual crimes that have nothing to do with free speech, got it. Good for them.
Winston noted that the Manhattan Institute’s push to criminalize forms of nonviolent disobedience as “civil terrorism” comes amid a broader Trump administration effort to crack down on far-left NGOs, as well as foreign influence operations operating through the nonprofit world to sow chaos deep within the nation.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled last week that the crackdown on revolutionary NGOs is ongoing. We made substantial progress, and I think in the weeks and months ahead, we are going to have a lot to report.”
🚨 WOW! Scott Bessent just revealed the IRS has moved to make NGOs LIABLE for violent activity committed by their grant recipients like Antifa
George Soros has been put on NOTICE.
“The IRS is now giving guidance on the Form 990, which nonprofits they have to file. We are going… pic.twitter.com/15ToheHbwa
Democrats might need to reread the First Amendment. It protects only peaceful assembly, as the Supreme Court has ruled. Blocking critical infrastructure, attacking police officers, burning cars and buildings, and using violence of any kind is not protected “speech” in the US.
Even the globalists at The Atlantic have had to admit the uncomfortable truth for Democrats…
Colonoscopy is the most widely used screening test for colon cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.
It is considered the gold standard and is more accurate than two other common screening methods – stool tests and sigmoidoscopy – because it allows doctors to see the entire colon and remove any potentially problematic polyps during the same procedure.
However, there is ongoing debate about who should undergo a colonoscopy and when. Not everyone will get colon cancer, and the procedure could lead to overdiagnosis as well as rare but serious side effects.
The colon is the main part of the large intestine and is about 5 feet long in adults. The rectum stores stool until it passes through the anus. Together, they make up most of the large intestine, absorbing nutrients and converting liquid waste into solid stool.
During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist inserts a thin, flexible tube with a lighted camera (colonoscope) through the anus to examine the lining of the rectum and colon. The tube introduces air to gently inflate the colon so the doctor can see more clearly. If polyps or other abnormalities are found, they can often be removed immediately using tools such as forceps, snares, or electrocautery devices passed through the scope.
The procedure takes about 20 to 45 minutes.
Most colonoscopies in the United States are performed under sedation or anesthesia, so patients may sleep through the entire procedure. Those who choose lighter sedation – or none at all – may feel some discomfort.
The primary purpose of colonoscopy is to prevent or detect colon cancer.
Beyond cancer screening, colonoscopy can be used to both detect and treat a range of problems in the colon and rectum, including polyps, ulcerations, and diverticula (small pouches that can form in the colon wall).
It can also help determine the underlying causes of symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. During the procedure, doctors can identify inflamed tissue, sources of bleeding, and other abnormalities in the colon.
Who Should Have A Colonoscopy, And When?
According to the current guidelines, colonoscopy is recommended for most adults starting at age 45, and repeated every 10 years if results are normal. More frequent screenings may be recommended depending on any abnormal findings.
People at higher risk are suggested to begin screening earlier – at age 40 or 10 years younger than the age at which a first-degree relative was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, whichever comes first.
In older adults, colonoscopy carries a greater risk of complications. After age 75, the decision to continue screening should be made in consultation with a doctor based on potential benefits, risks, and patient preferences.
Beyond the main guidelines, screening recommendations continue to evolve. For instance, some guidelines recommend initiating screening at age 50. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that follow-up intervals after a normal colonoscopy may be safely extended in some people. A 2024 study found that people without a family history of colorectal cancer and with an initial normal colonoscopy may be able to wait up to 15 years before repeat screening.
Some experts suggest weighing the benefits and risks. For a person with a family history of colon cancer, it may be beneficial to keep a close watch, while for someone at low risk, it may be a different story.
These differences highlight continuing uncertainty and the need for individualized clinical judgment as evidence continues to evolve.
In addition, colonoscopy may be avoided or require careful consideration in people who:
Have inadequate bowel preparation
Have a bowel perforation, severe inflammation, or infection
Have unstable health or significant medical conditions (advanced heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease)
Have a life expectancy of less than 10 years, or risks that outweigh the potential benefits
Have blood-clotting disorders
How Effective Is Colonoscopy?
“Colonoscopy has a sensitivity of 88 percent to 98 percent for identifying advanced, precancerous polyps,” Dr. Steven Lee-Kong, chief of colorectal surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center, told The Epoch Times.
The miss rate may be influenced by factors such as inadequate bowel preparation, the type of polyps being examined, and the skill of the endoscopist, noted Dr. Rucha Shah, a gastroenterologist. Small or flat polyps are harder to detect, and in some cases, the entire colon may not be fully visualized.
Colonoscopy allows doctors to remove precancerous polyps during the same procedure – something other screening tests cannot do. Removing these polyps has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of death from colorectal cancer, with one study reporting a 53 percent reduction in mortality associated with polyp removal.
However, recent studies have offered additional perspectives.
For example, colonoscopy is used much more frequently for screening in the United States than in Canada, where only about 15 percent of procedures are performed for screening, and most are diagnostic, yet colorectal cancer survival rates remain similar in both countries.
A major 2022 Nordic-European Initiative on Colorectal Cancer study found a modest reduction in colorectal cancer mortality with colonoscopy screening, no significant difference in overall death rates, and a low rate of serious complications.
What Are The Risks And Complications Of Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is generally safe, but like all medical procedures, it carries some potential risks and complications. Most are minor and resolve quickly.
Gas, Bloating, Cramping, or Stomach Discomfort: These symptoms are mainly caused by air introduced during the exam and temporary changes in gut bacteria from the bowel preparation. These typically resolve within a day or two, although some people may notice symptoms lasting a few weeks.
Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, or Dehydration: These symptoms may occur as a result of the osmotic laxative used for bowel preparation.
Mild Redness or Tenderness at the IV Insertion Site: This may occur in the arm where the intravenous line was placed.
Medication Side Effects: Sedation or anesthesia may cause temporary changes in blood pressure, rash, or breathing difficulties.
Electrolyte Imbalances or Kidney Problems: In some cases, the bowel preparation may lead to low levels of potassium, sodium, or magnesium, or affect kidney function.
Less Common And More Serious Side Effects
Certain complications are directly related to the colonoscopy procedure itself.
Bleeding: Bleeding may occur after a biopsy or polyp removal, usually during or shortly after the procedure, although it can occasionally be delayed for up to one week. It is typically minor, with significant bleeding being rare and occurring in less than 1 percent of cases. The risk increases based on the size of the removed polyp.
Perforation: Perforation during colonoscopy is very rare (less than one in 1,000 procedures) and involves a tear in the intestinal wall that can allow bowel contents to leak into the abdomen, potentially causing infection. It may occur due to mechanical injury from the scope or instruments, overinflation of the bowel, or thermal damage during polyp removal. Symptoms typically include pain during or shortly after the procedure, although small perforations may appear later. Untreated cases can lead to fever and abdominal infection.
Postpolypectomy Syndrome: This occurs when heat from electrocoagulation (the removal of tissue with an electrical current) injures the colon wall during polyp removal. It is rare, occurring in about three to four per 10,000 colonoscopies. Symptoms may include fever, localized abdominal pain, and an increased white blood cell count.
Splenic Injury: This rare but potentially life-threatening complication can occur when the spleen is directly injured or torn by traction during the procedure. It typically causes pain in the upper left abdomen that may radiate to the left shoulder and can progress to low blood pressure and shock.
Infections: In rare cases, an infection may develop after a colonoscopy and require antibiotic treatment.
Cardiopulmonary events are related to the anesthesia or sedation used during colonoscopy. They can range from temporary issues such as low blood pressure, low oxygen levels, and fainting to more serious complications, including respiratory distress, irregular heartbeat, and acute coronary events.
Contact your doctor if you:
Have abdominal pain that does not improve after passing gas
Develop new or worsening abdominal pain
Feel nauseated or cannot keep fluids down
Notice blood in your stool
Develop a fever (100.4 F or higher)
Are unable to pass stool or gas
How Do I Prepare For A Colonoscopy?
“A successful colonoscopy hinges on a thoroughly cleansed colon, which is achieved through a standard preparation protocol involving dietary changes and a bowel-cleansing agent,” Lee-Kong said.
Special Diet: This bowel-cleaning process usually starts on the day before a colonoscopy. Lee-Kong recommends a low-fiber or clear liquid diet, while avoiding solid foods and red-colored liquids. Avoid fruit punch, cranberry juice, red wine, and red sports drinks. Medical professionals often advise avoiding red, orange, or purple foods and drinks, as the coloring can resemble blood or inflammation in the colon. Clear liquids commonly recommended the day before the procedure include black coffee, plain tea, fat-free broth, gelatin, clear sports drinks without added color, strained fruit juices, and water.
Bowel Preparation: This typically involves laxative solutions or tablets designed to fully cleanse the colon before the procedure. Patients are prescribed a laxative solution, often a polyethylene glycol (PEG) or sodium phosphate formula, to induce frequent bowel movements and clear the colon. The ‘split-dose’ method, where the solution is taken in two parts – the evening before and the morning of the procedure – is commonly recommended for a more effective cleanse, according to Lee-Kong. Other common options include sulfate-based solutions and magnesium citrate products. Some regimens combine laxatives like bisacodyl with PEG solutions or use over-the-counter mixes such as MiraLAX with clear sports drinks.
Temporary Discontinuation of Medications: Before a colonoscopy, you may be asked to temporarily stop certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other blood thinners, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. You will also usually need to stop taking iron supplements a few days before the test because they can darken stool and make it harder to see inside the colon.
General Preparations: On the day of the colonoscopy, you may be allowed to wear dentures, but you may be asked to remove them before the procedure because they can shift during sedation and potentially obstruct the airway. Avoid bringing jewelry or valuables to prevent theft, and don’t wear nail polish as it may interfere with oxygen sensor readings.
Transportation Plan: Since sedation is used during a colonoscopy, you will need someone to drive you home afterward, as you may feel drowsy or dizzy.
According to Lee-Kong and Shah, some groups may need additional preparation.
Pregnant Women: Colonoscopy is generally avoided during pregnancy. If it has to be done, oral laxatives are generally avoided, and tap water enemas may be used instead. Sodium phosphate preparations are particularly avoided due to potential risks for both mother and fetus.
Older Adults (Especially Older Than 75): PEG-based preparations are preferred to reduce the risk of electrolyte imbalances.
People With Kidney or Heart Disease: Sodium phosphate solutions are generally avoided.
People With Chronic Constipation: A more intensive, multiday preparation may be needed.
People With Diabetes: Medication adjustments are required to prevent low blood sugar during preparation.
What Can I Expect After A Colonoscopy?
Recovery is usually quick, with most people returning to normal within about one day. After the procedure, you will spend 30 to 50 minutes recovering at the clinic while the sedative wears off.
Once home, you should rest for the remainder of the day and avoid driving, operating machinery, and drinking alcohol.
You can typically return to your regular diet, but bland, low-fiber foods may be better tolerated during the first 24 hours, since you may experience mild bloating or cramping from the air used during the procedure.
If polyps were removed, you might be advised to follow a more specific diet and avoid certain medications such as blood thinners.
What Are The Alternatives To Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy isn’t the only option – and it may not be your preference. According to a 2025 study, around 75 percent of adults eligible for screening prefer a noncolonoscopy option – such as stool-based or blood-based tests – as their first choice.
Several alternatives to colonoscopy are available, and they are often preferred due to lower invasiveness, patient preference, or medical contraindications, Lee-Kong said. Noninvasive stool-based tests are a primary alternative and include the following:
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): This home-based annual test detects human blood in stool samples and does not require dietary restrictions. If blood is detected, a repeat test or follow-up colonoscopy may be needed. It has a reported 97 percent accuracy for detecting colon cancer.
Multitargeted Stool DNA Test Plus FIT: This test combines FIT with stool DNA analysis using a single sample to check for both blood and abnormal DNA every three years, although it requires collecting an entire bowel movement. It can detect up to 93 percent of cancerous lesions.
High-Sensitivity Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Testing (gFOBT): This noninvasive screening test uses a chemical reaction to detect hidden blood in stool, which may indicate colorectal cancer or polyps. Compared with older gFOBTs, it detects cancers more effectively but often requires dietary restrictions and avoiding vitamin C supplements for three days before testing to reduce false-positive results.
“While convenient, a positive result on any of these tests necessitates a follow-up colonoscopy,” Lee-Kong said. A follow-up colonoscopy is generally recommended within nine months.
Other visual and imaging tests, which also require bowel preparation, include the following:
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Uses a scope to examine only the lower third of the colon. It can be performed while the patient is awake and can detect about 70 percent of polyps or tumors, although it does not assess the upper colon.
Virtual Colonoscopy (CT Colonography): This noninvasive imaging test uses a CT scan after air is introduced into the rectum. It can detect most larger tumors but may miss smaller polyps, which could still require a follow-up colonoscopy for removal.
Lee-Kong noted that these alternatives may be particularly appropriate for average-risk people who decline colonoscopy and for frail older people or others for whom the risks outweigh the benefits.
Texas Republicans handed Sen. John Cornyn one of the most humiliating defeats in the state’s modern political history in this year’s primary runoff. A week after being clobbered by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, he is amplifying a Libertarian candidate, in an apparent attempt to siphon conservative votes from Ken Paxton in the general election in November.
In a post on X, Cornyn shared a Houston Public Media interview profiling Libertarian nominee Ted Brown, whose 2026 Senate campaign is built around courting conservatives dissatisfied with the Republican primary results.
The article itself makes it very clear that Brown has the potential to be a spoiler for Paxton. “Most polling shows Texas’ U.S. Senate race between state Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate, and Austin state Rep. James Talarico, his Democratic opponent, as extremely close,” it opens. “That potentially creates an opening for a third-party candidate, Libertarian Ted Brown, to shape the outcome.”
Rut roh
Libertarian Ted Brown courts disaffected conservative voters in Texas’ U.S. Senate race – Houston Public Media https://t.co/wZ9ipRviE1
Brown pulled more than 267,000 votes in the 2024 Texas Senate race, a record performance for a Libertarian candidate in the state, and Cornyn just handed him a megaphone.
Cornyn had initially signaled he would fall in line behind the GOP nominee.
“I’ve spent most of my time in the Senate building the Republican party in Texas and in the U.S. Senate, and I’ve always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again in this general election,” he said when he addressed his supporters last week after the election results. “I’ve said throughout this race that I trust the voters of Texas, and they’ve made their decision, and I must respect it.“
Since then, however, he has been walking back that pledge.
“I stand by everything I said during the whole campaign,” Cornyn told reporters on Monday, and implied that Paxton can’t win the race.
“I’d prefer a Republican to somebody like James Talarico,” Cornyn said. “But I’m going to concentrate most of my efforts on trying to keep the Senate by helping some of what I consider to be the more winnable races around the country.”
Brown understands exactly what he is doing. He told Houston Public Media he is appealing to voters who “aren’t satisfied with the primary results.” When asked about playing spoiler, he pushed back with characteristic flair: “Frankly, you can’t spoil something that’s rotten and putrid to begin with,” Brown told Houston Public Media. He is clearly hunting for precisely the kind of voter a bitter, defeated incumbent might quietly nudge his direction.
Whether Cornyn intended that outcome or simply failed to think through the signal his post sent is almost beside the point. The effect is the same. A senator who lost to Paxton’s MAGA-aligned coalition is now boosting a third-party candidate whose entire pitch rests on making conservatives feel justified in abandoning the Republican nominee.
Paxton enters the general election with real structural advantages. He has won statewide elections in Texas three times already, while his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, is introducing himself to Texans statewide, giving Republicans the advantage of defining Talarico based on his controversial statements and positions on gender and other issues out of step with mainstream Texas voters.
While polls suggest a tight race, the prediction markets see what’s coming. Polymarket and Kalshi both give Paxton roughly a 60% chance of winning, compared to Talarico’s roughly 40%. Talarico has never led in the prediction markets. Texas remains a fundamentally red state, and the fundamentals favor Paxton.
Promoting a Libertarian candidate who openly fishes for unhappy Republicans while simultaneously calling the Republican nominee a crook sends a message to Texas conservatives that it’s okay not to back the Republican candidate, effectively validating the MAGA base’s concerns about Cornyn.
While Paxton is still favored, Cornyn just made this race harder without delivering any discernible benefit to the party he claims to support. Talarico isn’t the only person to gain from Cornyn amplifying the Libertarian targeting conservative voters. Cornyn himself may see a Paxton defeat as validation of his primary campaign message that he was the best candidate to lead the GOP to victory.
Researchers in South Korea have developed a new catalyst design strategy that boosts the efficiency of reactions used in batteries and hydrogen fuel cells without changing the catalyst itself.
The team, led by Professor Seung Jun Hwang of POSTECH and Professor Jaeyune Ryu of Seoul National University, found that adjusting the electrical environment around a catalyst can significantly improve its performance. The approach could help reduce energy losses in next-generation energy systems while improving efficiency and stability.
Catalysts are materials that speed up chemical reactions. They are essential components in technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and metal-air batteries, where they help drive the reactions that generate electricity.
Traditionally, researchers improve catalysts by changing the central metal, such as iron, cobalt, or nickel, or by redesigning the surrounding molecular structure known as a ligand. The new study takes a different route by leaving the catalyst largely unchanged and instead modifying the electric field around it.
Electric Fields Drive Gains
The researchers demonstrated that placing positively charged ions, known as cations, near the catalyst creates a localized electric field that influences how reactions proceed.
The team focused on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a key electrochemical process that generates electricity in fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Improving this reaction has long been a goal because it directly affects device efficiency and energy consumption.
Experiments showed that the share of the desired reaction pathway increased from roughly 12 percent to as much as 52 percent when the electric field was introduced. This allowed the reaction to occur more efficiently while requiring less energy.
According to the researchers, the results suggest that catalyst performance can be tuned through environmental control rather than by redesigning catalyst materials from scratch. Such an approach could simplify future catalyst development and lower costs associated with creating new materials.
Beyond Batteries And Fuel
The implications may extend beyond energy storage and hydrogen technologies. The researchers believe the same principle could be applied to catalysts used for carbon dioxide conversion and environmentally friendly hydrogen production.
Many clean-energy technologies rely on catalysts to control complex chemical reactions. Being able to improve those reactions by adjusting local electrical conditions could provide a new tool for designing more efficient systems.
“This study demonstrates that reaction properties can be precisely controlled solely through the surrounding electrical environment, without changing the structure of the catalyst itself,” said Hwang.
The researchers say the findings open a new direction for catalyst engineering by shifting attention from the catalyst’s structure to its operating environment.
The oxygen reduction reaction examined in the study is a core process in hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, as well as metal-air batteries that use oxygen from the atmosphere as part of the energy storage process.
“We expect it to present a new direction for developing next-generation batteries, fuel cells, and eco-friendly energy catalyst technologies,” Hwang added.
If the approach can be scaled and applied across different catalyst systems, it could help improve the performance of a wide range of clean-energy technologies without requiring entirely new catalyst materials.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
