Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Francis has appointed Rev. Léonidas Nitereka, until now Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi, as Bishop of the Diocese of Rutana (Burundi).His Exc. Msgr. Léonidas Nitereka was born on 1 September 1960 in Martyazo, in the Diocese of Bururi. He studied Philosophy at the Saint Curé d’Ars Major Seminary in Bujumbura and Theology at the Saint John Paul II Major Seminary in Gitega. He was ordained a priest on 17 August 1986 in Bururi.He has held the following positions and carried out further studies: Chaplain of secondary schools in the Diocese (1986-1987); Parish Priest of Murago, Diocese of Bururi (1987-1990); Diocesan Treasurer (1990-1997); Doctorate in Anthropological Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and Pastoral Service in the Diocese of Florence, Italy (1997-2006); Rector of the Minor Seminary of Buta and President of the Clergy of Bururi (2007-2012); since 2010, Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi and Director of the Pastoral Office. (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2025)
Share:
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “Thank you for the affection, prayer… I invite everyone to continue to pray for peace in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and all the Middle East, Myanmar, Kivu and Sudan”. These are the words that Pope Francis sent from Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he has been hospitalized since Friday 14, February for a respiratory infection. Words addressed in particular to the artists gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica for the celebration of their Jubilee.All the Pontiff’s commitments scheduled for these days have been canceled with the exception of the Mass that he himself was supposed to preside over in St. Peter’s for the Jubilee event dedicated to the world of art and culture. On behalf of the Bishop of Rome, who sends his greetings, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, presides over the Eucharistic celebration at the Altar of Confession and read the homily prepared by the Pope for the occasion, commenting on today’s Gospel passage, that of the Beatitudes, a text that Pope Francis has repeatedly defined as the “Magna Carta” of the Christian.In “a time when new walls are being erected”, artists, the Pontiff emphasizes in the homily read by the Portuguese cardinal – are “guardians of the Beatitudes. As artists and representatives of the world of culture, you are called to be witnesses to the revolutionary vision of the Beatitudes. Your mission is not only to create beauty, but to reveal the truth, goodness and beauty hidden within the folds of history. Let the Gospel of the Beatitudes guide you, and may your art be a herald of a new world. Never cease searching, questioning and taking risks. True art is never easy; it offers the peace of restlessness. And do not forget that hope is not an illusion; beauty is not a utopia. Yours is not a random gift but a calling. Respond, then, with generosity, passion and love”.A reference to the homily is also present in the text that had been prepared to accompany the Angelus prayer, a text released at midday by the Press Office: today’s event, it reads, “reminds us of the importance of art as a universal language that spreads beauty and unites peoples, contributing to bringing harmony into the world and silencing every cry of war. I would have liked to be among you but, as you know, I am here at the Gemelli Hospital because I still need some treatment for my bronchitis”. In this regard, the Pope expresses his “thank you” for the spiritual support and also asks to pray for all healthcare workers: “Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you are accompanying me in these days, and I would like to thank the doctors and healthcare workers in this hospital for their care: they do such a valuable and tiring job, let us support them with prayer!” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/2/2025)
Share:
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joint statements to the press in Jerusalem, Israel, on February 16, 2025.
Transcript: https://www.state.gov/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-and-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu/
———-
Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.
Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
X: https://x.com/StateDept
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/
Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw
State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou
The Government has confirmed funding to deliver the Waikare Gorge realignment project, ensuring a resilient and safe connection between Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa District on to Tairawhiti can be restored, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Government is committed to delivering transport infrastructure that boosts economic growth and creates a safer, more resilient transport network for people, vehicles, and freight,” Mr Bishop says. “Currently, the state highway travels through Putorino, and down into Waikare Gorge. This section of road through the gorge has been prone to slips in the past and the gorge bridge was destroyed in Cyclone Gabrielle severing the connection between Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa for a number of months until a Bailey bridge opened across the river. “We know how critical this SH2 connection is for the thousands of road users and freight operators who use this corridor every day, and the local communities and businesses who have been looking forward to this keenly anticipated project going ahead. “Cabinet has now confirmed funding will be provided by the Crown to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to help deliver the Waikare Gorge realignment project, with four kilometres of State Highway 2 realigned between Wairoa and Napier, including a 160-metre-long arch bridge over the top of Waikare Gorge. “This funding allows NZTA to get on with the project and finalise design and complete negotiations with property owners in the area. NZTA wants to work with local contractors for as much of the construction as possible, and I look forward to this beginning once pre-implementation work is completed. “Today marks the two-year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle, and I know recovery work has been a tough grind for the East Coast. The Government is committed to the region and prioritising the delivery of roading investment across New Zealand is part of our plan to boost economic growth. That includes the Waikare Gorge realignment, alongside all the other recovery work currently underway. “I want to acknowledge the patience and persistence of those living, working and traveling through the East Coast. I also want to thank the local MPs Katie Nimon and Dana Kirkpatrick, Wairoa Mayor Craig Little, and other community leaders for their continued strong advocacy for this important project. I look forward to construction starting on the Waikare Gorge realignment as soon as possible.” Notes to Editor
Cabinet has confirmed funding will be provided by the Crown to the NZ Transport Agency to deliver the Waikare Gorge realignment project. This funding will be a drawn down from the tagged contingency set aside in Budget 2024 to enable the NZ Transport Agency to bring forward priority projects that would otherwise be phased to begin from 2027 onwards. Overall funding to deliver the Waikare Gorge Realignment will be confirmed publicly once a contractor is in place to deliver the project. The arch bridge will be 160 metres long and will cross from one side of the gorge to the other. Other examples of an arch bridge can be seen crossing the Waikato River (130 metres span); on the Taupō Bypass (100m span) and near Ngaruawahia as part of Te Awa cycleway (130m span). Construction will begin as soon as NZTA completes pre-implementation work such as negotiations with landowners, detailed design and consenting. Once underway, the project is expected to take 4 years to complete and because it’s constructed mostly away from the existing SH2, there will be no traffic disruption, except when it comes to connecting the new road to the existing state highway. The existing Bailey bridge will remain in place until the realignment is built. The Bailey bridge will follow a routine maintenance schedule with regular monitoring to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose.
Most of us would do anything for our pets if they become unwell. But just as caring for a human loved one can come at great personal cost, a growing body of research shows that’s also true for many pet owners looking after a seriously ill pet.
One 2017 study looked at how people with healthy pets fared compared to those caring for pets with serious diseases.
It found many of those looking after seriously ill animals felt they didn’t have enough time for themselves due to the time they had to spend with their pet.
Compared to owners of healthy pets, those caring for unwell pets experienced:
greater burden, stress and symptoms of depression/anxiety, as well as poorer quality of life.
Our 2023 research into experiences of people looking after older dogs showed similarly concerning results.
We surveyed people with dogs eight years or older. Some of these dogs were living with canine cognitive dysfunction, a form of dementia similar to Alzheimer’s disease in people.
Out of the 637 respondents to our survey, 16% had a high burden of care likely to be associated with negative psychological, physical and financial outcomes.
One respondent told us:
My partner and I cannot leave him home alone for long at all […] I worry about [my pet’s] quality of life. I feel my partner is really struggling with [my pet’s] deterioration and when the time comes for euthanasia I know it will be me forcing the issue. I feel constant anxiety about this decision looming.
A higher burden of care was associated with the dog having more severe canine cognitive dysfunction, pet owners who were aged between 25 and 44 years, and those who lived alone.
This makes sense, because people who live alone don’t have another person to support or help them. The most difficult dog behaviours people reported were night-time disturbances and barking.
Burden of care in other situations
Any significant pet disease or disability is likely to be associated with stress in their caregivers.
Even behavioural problems in dogs, such as aggression or separation-related disorder, have been associated with clinically significant strain in more than 68% of people.
Most of the research has been done in dogs, but owners of ill cats also have a higher burden, although it appears less than owners of an ill dog.
We previously showed that a third of owners of cats with epilepsy are likely to be experiencing high levels of carer stress or strain.
These problems were worse in owners who did not feel supported by their vet. For example, they may feel they’re being rushed through appointments, or that their concerns are being dismissed.
Pet owners more likely to feel this caregiver stress included those who were younger than 55, and those whose cat had uncontrolled seizures.
Strong emotions and complex needs
The burden of caring for an unwell pet is not well recognised, even by vets.
People suffering this kind of carer stress are likely to require more time in consultations at the vet’s office, visit more frequently, and become angry and emotional.
From a vet’s perspective, clients with such strong emotions and complex needs can be challenging.
People suffering a high burden of care are likely to require more time in consultations at the vet. Beach Creatives/Shutterstock
How can you get help?
If you or somebody you know is struggling with caring for a seriously ill pet, find a vet you trust and feel comfortable with. If you can tell them what you are struggling with, the vet may be able to provide some support.
Call on your village! Ask friends and family for help to provide you with respite. We often do it when we first bring a new puppy or kitten home, but don’t think it’s OK to ask for help when they’re sick or ageing and need more care.
Know that it’s OK to sometimes feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or even resentful towards your pet. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them. It means providing this level of care is hard.
I think that most of the people are not aware of the benefits of living with the cat with special needs.
Supporting the human-animal bond means supporting both humans and animals. We’re all better off when we recognise and support people struggling with caring for their pets.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Susan Hazel has received funding from the Waltham Foundation and is affiliated with the Dog and Cat Management Board of South Australia, and the RSPCA South Australia.
Tracey Taylor receives funding from the Waltham Foundation.
When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was established in 2013, one of its driving aims was to make disability services and support systems fairer.
However, our new research shows significant inequalities remain, with some groups finding it much harder than others to be deemed eligible and access a funding plan.
So, what can we do to ensure these reforms don’t further embed existing inequalities? Here’s what we found.
Inequalities in scheme access
To receive funding from the NDIS, participants are required to demonstrate their eligibility.
We wanted to explore whether decisions about eligibility were leading to inequalities in who could access and use NDIS funding.
Our study looked at the individual NDIS applications of 485,676 people aged seven or older, made between 2016 and 2022, to see if they were deemed eligible.
We then compared differences in eligibility rates between groups, considering:
age (applicants 55 or older versus those under 55)
gender (women and girls versus other applicants)
socioeconomic disadvantage (those from the poorest 30% of areas versus all other areas).
Who is deemed ineligible?
We found some groups are more likely to be rejected from the scheme than others: women and girls, people aged 55 and over, and those who live in disadvantaged areas.
Within these groups, eligibility rates also vary.
For example, people with intellectual disability, autism, and brain injury or stroke were very likely to be deemed eligible, regardless of their age, gender or socioeconomic disadvantage (900 or more were accepted per 1,000 applicants).
However, people with physical disability and psychosocial disability (disabilities that can arise from a mental health issue, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia) were significantly more likely to be rejected.
This was true across groups, but particularly evident among women and girls.
We compared eligibility rates within every 1,000 applications made by women and girls versus men and boys.
Among those who had physical disability, 145 more women and girls were rejected, compared to men and boys.
Among those with psychosocial disability, 83 more applications were deemed ineligible for every 1,000 applications made by women, compared to men.
Age was also a factor. Older Australians with a physical disability had 235 fewer approvals per 1,000 applications than those with physical disability under 55.
Inequalities are more pronounced among those trying to prove eligibility for the scheme.
Once accepted into the NDIS, our research found women and girls, and people living in poorer areas, received similar amounts of funding as men and boys, and those living in better-off areas.
This budget is based on what the participant wants to achieve in everyday life and their support needs relating to their disabilities.
However once people receive and are using plans, we then see some differences in how much these people are able to spend. This relates to factors such as the availability of services in an area or whether culturally safe supports are available.
We found that women with psychosocial disability spent more than men with similar sized budgets.
This result could reflect that women with psychosocial disability on the NDIS have higher support needs than men.
It could be that it is harder for women to get onto the scheme in the first place, so those who are deemed eligible have more significant disability than men.
But we need more research to unpack this further.
Why do we see these inequalities?
In the early days of the NDIS, to help fast-track applications, the National Disability Insurance Agency (which runs the NDIS) specified a list of diagnoses closely related to disability.
Known as list A conditions, people with these diagnoses are automatically eligible for the NDIS.
Disabilities likely to be associated with a list A diagnosis include level 2 or 3 autism (requiring substantial or very substantial support) and intellectual disability.
However some people who could have permanent and significant disability, may have a diagnosis not on list A, such as Down syndrome and motor neurone disease. They must provide a broader range of evidence on the impact of their disability to be eligible.
If they face other challenges – such as socioeconomic disadvantage – it may be harder for them to collect this evidence. For example, they may not be able to afford private health care that would help support their application.
This might explain why people who do not have a list A diagnosis are less likely to prove their eligibility for the scheme.
Where next for the scheme?
Following recommendations from an independent review into the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Agency is currently making changes to how it assesses eligibility.
One of the changes suggested is removing list A classifications altogether.
Instead, the agency will use a suite of functional assessment tools. These are still in the process of being designed, but they are one way to assess a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks and identify the level of support they require.
This approach aims to assess more objectively and fairly how much someone is impacted by their disability.
However, there are longstanding critiques of these tools. These include concerns they are not safe for minority groups, such as those with a culturally or linguistically diverse background, LGBTQIA+ people, and First Nations applicants.
Our new research demonstrates how and why some inequalities arise. We should put this understanding front-and-centre in any changes to the NDIS.
Most importantly, we should make sure reforms are co-designed with a broad range of different groups, to ensure we don’t perpetuate old inequalities or introduce new ones.
George has conducted commissioned work for the Australian Department of Social Services (NDIS service use), the Victorian Department of Families Fairness and Housing (inequalities in NDIS service use), and the Queensland Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (NDIS service use in regional and remote Queensland).
Alexandra Devine receives funding from the NHMRC.
Anne Kavanagh receives funding from the ARC, NHMRC, MRFF, MS Australia and the Australian government.
Helen Dickinson receives funding from ARC, NHMRC and Department of Social Services.
Yi Yang has conducted commissioned work for the Australian Department of Social Services (inequalities in NDIS service use), the Victorian Department of Families Fairness and Housing (inequalities in NDIS service use), and the Queensland Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (inequalities in NDIS service use in regional and remote Queensland).
New Zealand’s smokefree law was hailed around the world for creating a smokefree generation that would have lifelong protection from smoking’s harms.
The smokefree generation would have ended sales of tobacco products to anyone born on or after a specific date, thus gradually phasing out smoking. This new approach goes beyond age restriction policies (such as R18 or R21), which may imply smoking is “safe” once people reach the designated age.
However, the coalition government moved swiftly to repeal the smokefree generation measure. That decision did not reflect attitudes towards the policy from young people and the general public.
In an earlier in-depth study, we found young people strongly supported measures restricting their access to tobacco because they understood this policy would protect them from becoming addicted to smoking. Surveys also showed strong support for the smokefree generation policy from young people, the general public and people who smoke.
NZ falls further behind international best practice
As New Zealand went backwards, other jurisdictions, including the UK and several US towns, have proposed or taken more progressive approaches. Recent policies include vapes and other nicotine products, alongside smoked tobacco, and aim to create a nicotine-free generation.
Because many more young people in New Zealand vape than smoke, we were interested in how they viewed a nicotine-free generation policy.
On the one hand, they might support an approach that reduces the shame, stress and stigma nicotine addiction causes. On the other, they might accept arguments tobacco companies have made, claiming birth-year measures remove young people’s freedoms.
We talked in-depth with 20 young people who assessed themselves as addicted to vaping. We asked them to imagine a nicotine-free generation policy was in place and applied to them, before probing how they interpreted and rationalised this approach.
Our participants thought a nicotine-free generation policy would bring several wide-ranging benefits. They outlined personal benefits, such as increased fitness, better overall health and fewer financial concerns.
Participants also envisaged societal benefits, including reduced pollution (from littered disposable vapes), fewer disputes among young people (less fighting over vapes) and a less pressured health system.
Nearly all participants wanted to quit vaping. Several had tried to stop but relapsed. Easy access to vaping products and vaping’s ubiquity made many feel that quitting was impossible.
Some felt targeted by marketers and unable to resist the pro-vaping environment that surrounded them. One person said vape shops were designed to attract younger people.
There’s vape stores everywhere. It’s insane […] they’re always bright[ly] colour[ed] so you can see them.
These feelings of powerlessness led several to view government regulation as the only way to protect young people from vaping. Rather than wanting to assert “choices” and “freedoms”, many of the people who talked with us felt they would be better off if this option simply did not exist.
One participant explained:
Although it is a choice […] it’s never going to be a positive choice. I wouldn’t mind it being taken away because I know it would be for my benefit […] it wouldn’t be a negative thing.
Participants wanted a better future where younger generations did not face the challenges they had found overwhelming.
The generation below me […] I don’t want them to go through [negative] health effects [and] experience that kind of thing.
Nonetheless, a very small minority argued that young people should find out about risks themselves. One person argued:
It’s people’s lives and they should be able to pick what they do […] Let them find out for themselves.
Participants noted concerns about how a nicotine-free generation policy would be implemented and questioned whether retailers would respect this measure. Some thought parents or older siblings would supply vapes, as some already did. Others expected an illicit market could evolve.
However, participants suggested several solutions they thought could address these challenges, including not normalising vaping, reducing retail outlet numbers and vape product marketing, increasing compliance monitoring and providing better support to help people quit vaping.
Time for political leadership
Our findings suggest it is time to discuss whether Aotearoa New Zealand should return to more progressive smokefree policies that recognise how the rapidly evolving nicotine market has undermined young people’s wellbeing.
The current political emphasis on individual responsibility ignores young people’s calls for policies that remove harmful “choices”. It does not address earlier evidence that suggests governments have a responsibility to protect young people from harms.
Reducing the ubiquity and appeal of vaping products should be an urgent policy priority for 2025.
We acknowledge the excellent work undertaken by Renee Hosking, a summer scholarship student with the ASPIRE Aotearoa Centre.
Janet Hoek receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Royal Society Marsden Fund, NZ Cancer Society and NZ Heart Foundation. She is a member of the Health Coalition Aotearoa’s smokefree expert advisory group, a senior editor at Tobacco Control (honorarium paid) and she serves or has served on several government, NGO and community advisory groups.
Lani Teddy receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. She is affiliated with ASPIRE Aotearoa whose members undertake research to inform tobacco policy.
Anna DeMello does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University
The dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is a serious blow to the soft power of the United States and disastrous for many poor countries where it helps provide humanitarian, health and educational services.
One country whose citizens will bear the brunt of it is Afghanistan, under the misogynistic and draconian rule of the Taliban.
According to United Nations reports, more than half of Afghanistan’s estimated 40 million population is dependent on international handouts for their survival. Most of the remaining barely earn enough to exist.
USAID has played a critical part in alleviating the suffering of Afhghans since the hasty retreat of the US and its allies from the country and the return of the Taliban to power in mid-2021.
Since then, the United States has been the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, amounting to US$3.71 billion (A$5.8 billion), channelled through UN agencies and other international organisations. USAID has been responsible for delivering a large proportion of it.
The effects are already being felt. A major midwifery program has closed, while “secret schools” for girls and the American University of Afghanistan has suspended classes.
US aid, along with help from other donors, has also been critical in keeping mass starvation at bay.
Aid propping up the Taliban
Indeed, not all the aid has directly been delivered to the needy. The Taliban have creamed off a portion of it in the process of permitting and supervising its delivery.
As widely reported, the group has indirectly received some US$40 million (A$63 million) a week of donor funds. The United Nations says it’s unavoidable that some money makes its way to Afghanistan’s central bank, which is under the control of the Taliban.
This aid money, together with US$7 billion (A$11 billion) worth of light and heavy arms left behind by the US and its allies, has been crucial in enabling the Taliban to enforce its extremist rule, despite lacking domestic and international legitimacy.
US President Donald Trump’s objection to the flow of any American aid to the Taliban is well placed. He has criticised the Biden administration for its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and failure to curtail the indirect benefits of American aid to the group.
Further, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who both served in Afghanistan, have vowed to continue to fight terrorism around the world. Waltz believes terrorist groups are regrouping in Afghanistan under the Taliban and the Pentagon may need to send US troops back there.
A halt to any aid that can advantage the Taliban is absolutely imperative. Countering the group is vital to combating violent extremism and terrorism.
Afghans still desperately need aid
However, this effort needs to be managed in ways that do not deprive the needy people of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s economy, industries, reconstruction projects and work opportunities have virtually collapsed, while many schools have been closed or transformed into religious institutions.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that in the last three years, Afghanistan’s economy has contracted by 27%, with staggeringly high unemployment and inflation.
Living conditions are so bad that some families are selling their children in order to feed the rest of the family.
No section of the society is in more desperate need than girls and women, who have been stripped of all their basic rights to education, work and public life. They are not even allowed to speak in public or pray outside the four walls of their homes. As put by actor Meryl Streep, a cat has more freedom than women in Afghanistan.
The disembowelling of USAID will have far-reaching consequences for the people of Afghanistan.
If the Trump administration wants to achieve its anti-Taliban objectives, it needs a two-pronged policy approach:
identify new ways to continue humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan in ways that don’t benefit the Taliban
increase pressure on the Taliban by strictly enforcing international sanctions and maintaining its isolation on the international stage.
The suspension of American aid has already resulted in a devaluation of the Afghani currency. This has prompted the Taliban to impose severe restrictions on the transfer of dollars out of the country.
Some analysts predict that if the economy continues to worsen, it will impact the Taliban’s ability to govern.
In turn, this could strengthen civil and armed opposition groups – including the women’s Purple Saturday movement, which stands for a free and legitimately governed Afghanistan. These groups have increasingly become active in different parts of the country.
Amin Saikal does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abdul Aziz, Lecturer in Media and Communication Studies, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Monash University
Because of the search engine’s enormous scale, its outputs can have outsized effects. And, while Google’s search results are shaped by ostensibly neutral rules and processes, research has shown these algorithms often produce biased results.
This kind of misinformation has been implicated in several riots and violent incidents in Bangladesh.
All of this serves as an important reminder of the power Google’s search engine has in shaping public perceptions of any event – and its vulnerability to being exploited. It’s also an important reminder to anyone who uses Google’s search engine to engage critically with the results it dishes up, rather than accepting them at face value.
What is algorithmic bias?
The algorithms that power Google’s search engine are trained on massive amounts of data. This data is gathered by computer bots which crawl billions of pages on the Internet and automatically analyse their content and quality. This information is stored in a large database, which Google’s search engine relies on to serve up relevant results whenever it receives a query.
But this process doesn’t capture every website on the Internet. It is also governed by predetermined rules about what is high quality and what is low quality, and reflects existing biases in data. For example, even though only 16% of the world’s population speaks English, it accounts for 55% of all written content online.
This means the reality of life on the ground in non-English speaking countries is often not reflected in Google search results. This is especially true for those countries located in the Global South.
This lack of representation perpetuates real-world biases. It can also hinder a nuanced public understanding of global issues.
What’s happening between Bangladesh and India?
Relations between Muslim-majority Bangladesh and neighbouring India, which is currently led by the Hindu nationalist BJP government, have deteriorated recently.
These protests resulted in the downfall of prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s long-lasting autocratic regime, which had been supported by the Indian government.
An interim government filled the void. But certain Indian media outlets have leveraged sensitive issues such as Hindu minority rights to undermine its legitimacy.
In November, Bangladeshi authorities arrested Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges over allegations he had disrespected the Bangladeshi flag. This triggered violent clashes between his supporters and police. These clashes resulted in the death of a Muslim lawyer.
Hindu activists also attacked a Bangladeshi consulate in India.
There have also been verified instances of mob violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. However, the Bangladeshi government claims these incidents are politically motivated rather than communal attacks.
The unrest intensified earlier this month, with thousands of protestors destroying the family home of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka.
This campaign has been boosted by Google’s algorithmic bias.
For example, an analysis by the Tech Global Institute of Google search results about Chinmoy Krishna Das’s arrest between November 25 and December 20 last year found a “consistent pattern of bias”.
Specifically, Indian news outlets – including Hindu ultranationalist news outlets – “disproportionately” dominated the top search results. This overshadowed
factual reporting from credible Bangladeshi media outlets […] despite the search originating from within Bangladesh, the country where the incident originally occurred.
This bias was also evident in search queries coming from overseas. For example, roughly 90% of the top results about Chinmoy Krishna Das were from Indian outlets when searched from Australia and the United States. Bangladeshi news outlets featured on the thirteenth and fourteenth pages of results.
Indian news outlets – unlike their Bangladeshi counterparts – produce a substantial amount of content in English. They also employ more advanced search engine optimisation – or SEO – techniques, such as using effective keywords and sensationalist headlines. This gives them an advantage in Google search results compared to their Bangladeshi counterparts.
Another investigation by Bangladeshi fact-checking outlet Rumor Scanner in December 2024 found 72% of social media accounts spreading fake and misinformation are located in India.
The Conversation asked Google a series of questions about its search engine. It did not receive a response.
An illustrative case of a global problem
Bangladesh is an illustrative case of the global problem of algorithmic bias. It highlights how search engines can be exploited to promote disinformation and misinformation and powerfully shape people’s perceptions about what’s happening in the world.
It also highlights how everybody should think critically about the information they find online about the current situation in Bangladesh. Or about any news event, for that matter.
The case also reinforces the urgent need for policymakers, tech companies and governments to work together to effectively address algorithmic bias. This is especially urgent in the Global South, where marginal voices remain silenced.
Abdul Aziz does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Senators warn major staffing cuts will decimate HUD’s ability to deliver basic services, staffing cuts cannot be easily reversed and will worsen ongoing national housing crisis
Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led a letter—alongside Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)—demanding that U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner halt any further staff cuts at the agency, noting that additional staffing reductions would further exacerbate the housing crisis and would likely prevent HUD from being able to meet critical functions like supporting disaster recovery efforts.
“We are deeply alarmed and troubled by reports that you terminated hundreds of probationary employees on Friday and are planning to cut the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) workforce by 50 percent or nearly 4,300 staff,” wrote the Senators. “Initial reports suggest no program office would be spared, with staffing cuts ranging from 10 percent to 84 percent. Some of the most drastic reductions impact areas that support highly vulnerable people, including seniors, homeless veterans and families, and people with disabilities, and provide billions of dollars to cities and counties across the country. Without sufficient staff to run these programs, community and economic development projects, disaster recovery efforts, and housing development across the country will be delayed and could come to a grinding halt.”
The Senators went on to note that building existing staffing levels at HUD took years of excruciating and incremental progress in order to meet basic and critical functions of the agency, “Between 2012-2019, HUD’s staffing levels fell by over 20 percent. During that time, independent audits from the HUD Office of Inspector General and U.S. Government Accountability Office repeatedly pointed to capacity gaps across HUD. This includes not having enough staff to support communities devastated by disasters, not having enough staff to meet HUD’s legal obligations under the Fair Housing Act, and not having enough staff to process applications that would allow for more housing to be built faster.[1]Congress has worked to address these inadequacies inch by inch through the annual Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. As a result, at the start of your tenure as Secretary, HUD’s staffing capacity was near its 2012 levels with a dedicated workforce ready to advance HUD’s mission. So much of that hard-fought progress has been wiped away in less than three weeks, and between the deferred resignation program and termination of probationary employees, overall staffing levels will be cut by 13 percent at HUD.”
“President Trump’s reckless threats of blanket tariffs on friendly nations could drive up housing costs, deter new development, and slow rebuilding efforts in disaster-impacted communities. Freezing already obligated funds, cancelling necessary program contracts, and hastily gutting HUD’s workforce will inevitably lead to costly delays, and many housing projects will fall apart completely, only making our current housing crisis worse. We urge you to immediately stop any additional cuts to HUD’s workforce,” emphasized the Senators in their letter to Turner.
The Senators went on to demand that Secretary Turner provide answers regarding HUD’s existing capacity, its justification for recent terminations, whether any plans were put in place to ensure continuity of critical services HUD provides following seemingly indiscriminate mass layoffs, and more.
The full letter can be read HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Turner:
We are deeply alarmed and troubled by reports that you terminated hundreds of probationary employees on Friday and are planning to cut the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) workforce by 50 percent or nearly 4,300 staff.Initial reports suggest no program office would be spared, with staffing cuts ranging from 10 percent to 84 percent. Some of the most drastic reductions impact areas that support highly vulnerable people, including seniors, homeless veterans and families, and people with disabilities, and provide billions of dollars to cities and counties across the country. Without sufficient staff to run these programs, community and economic development projects, disaster recovery efforts, and housing development across the country will be delayed and could come to a grinding halt.
Between 2012-2019, HUD’s staffing levels fell by over 20 percent. During that time, independent audits from the HUD Office of Inspector General and U.S. Government Accountability Office repeatedly pointed to capacity gaps across HUD. This includes not having enough staff to support communities devastated by disasters, not having enough staff to meet HUD’s legal obligations under the Fair Housing Act, and not having enough staff to process applications that would allow for more housing to be built faster.[2] Congress has worked to address these inadequacies inch by inch through the annual Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. As a result, at the start of your tenure as Secretary, HUD’s staffing capacity was near its 2012 levels with a dedicated workforce ready to advance HUD’s mission. So much of that hard-fought progress has been wiped away in less than three weeks, and between the deferred resignation program and termination of probationary employees, overall staffing levels will be cut by 13 percent at HUD.
Upon your confirmation, you spoke of the “opportunity to restore HUD to its core mission of supporting strong and sustainable communities and quality, affordable homes — serving our nation’s most vulnerable”.[3] In your address to HUD’s workforce on February 6, you highlighted the many challenges facing HUD and communities: a housing affordability crisis, homelessness,
and disaster recovery efforts.[4] On his very first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order to pursue actions to “lower the cost of housing and expand housing supply”.[5] We could not agree with you more that we need to focus on addressing all of these challenges head on, but nearly every action this Administration has taken to date on housing are completely counter to these goals. President Trump’s reckless threats of blanket tariffs on friendly nations could drive up housing costs, deter new development, and slow rebuilding efforts in disaster-impacted communities.[6] Freezing already obligated funds, cancelling necessary program contracts, and hastily gutting HUD’s workforce will inevitably lead to costly delays, and many housing projects will fall apart completely, only making our current housing crisis worse.
We urge you to immediately stop any additional cuts to HUD’s workforce. We also request that the Department respond to the following by no later than Friday, February 21.
How many probationary employees were terminated – by office, division, and branch?
What factors did HUD consider in determining which probationary employees would and would not be terminated on February 14?
Were there any exceptions for offices that already lack sufficient capacity to address HUD’s legal obligations, statutory mandates, and for the purposes of public safety, law enforcement, and security?
What steps did the Department take to ensure the continuity of programs for families and communities prior to terminating hundreds of employees?
What role did you personally play in directing and reviewing employee lists vis-à-vis the DOGE team and vis-à-vis the political appointees leading each office component?
How much notice was provided to terminated employees?
If terminations were conducted under 5 C.F.R. § 315.804, what justification was provided to employees as the reason for their termination?
Consistent with the staffing review you are conducting in response to the February 11 executive order, please provide HUD’s comprehensive list of the functions performed by each office that are mandated by statute or related to public safety and law enforcement, as well as the current number of staff associated with those functions.[7]
For the employees who have accepted the deferred resignation offer, what is the estimated cost to taxpayers to pay those employees for not working through the end of the year?
The Committees on Appropriations intentionally funds each HUD program office separately to support program execution and fulfillment of HUD’s mission. How are the costs of the deferred resignations and planned reductions in force “necessary expenses” and consistent with appropriation law?
Damage assessed includes the exterior wall of two storage rooms and a maintenance space. External to the ship, damage assessed includes a line handling space, the fantail, and the platform above one of the storage spaces. Aircraft elevator number three sustained no damage and is fully operational. Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) will lead the pier side ERAV, including an assessment and follow-on repairs to damages sustained.
“While the ship is fully mission capable and the ship conducted flight operations following the collision, pulling into port for emergent repairs will enable the ship to continue deployment as scheduled,” said Capt. Dave Snowden, Harry S. Truman’s commanding officer.
An assessment team will conduct a full survey of damaged areas and develop a repair plan to be executed immediately following completion of the assessment. The assessment team includes structural engineers, naval architects, and other personnel from FDRMC and Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY). They will be supported by ship’s force personnel and local industry partners for the repair effort.
“The Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center’s ability to mobilize resources within and outside the theater to conduct repairs underscores the warfighting capability of the world’s most powerful Navy,” said Vice Adm. J. T. Anderson, commander U.S. Sixth Fleet.
Deployed U.S. Navy ships routinely undergo planned and emergent maintenance periods such as mid-deployment voyage repairs and ERAVs, allowing forward-deployed ships to sustain maximal operational readiness. The United States’ relationships with Allies and partners provides access to ports around the world, granting the U.S. Navy strategic pier availability and resources critical for operational flexibility.
“The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) units remain operational across geographic regions in support of their component commanders,” said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of HSTCSG. “Our mission has not changed and we remain committed to responding to any challenge in this dynamic and global security environment.”
The carrier strike group includes the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, with eight embarked aviation squadrons; staffs from CSG-8, CVW-1, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).
HSTCSG’s mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea and maintain a forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities. For more information, visit DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN75.
class=”has-text-align-left”>Today, I look forward to joining tens of thousands of American Patriots in Daytona Beach, Florida, for the “Great American Race”—the legendary Daytona 500—and the official start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.
This iconic race showcases the fastest, most fearless drivers in motorsports, who represent our Nation’s love of tradition, competition, and automotive innovation. The Daytona 500 brings together people from all walks of life—from lifelong racing fans to first-time spectators—they all join in celebrating a shared passion for speed, adrenaline, and the thrill of the race. From the roar of the engines on the track to the echo of “The Star-Spangled Banner” soaring through the stands, the Daytona 500 is a timeless tribute to the speed, strength, and unyielding spirit that make America great. That spirit is what will fuel America’s Golden Age, and if we harness it, the future is truly ours.
Since the very beginning, NASCAR has carried forth a proud tradition of honoring our heroic Service members for their unwavering courage. While fans from around the world gather today at Daytona International Speedway, we extend our unending gratitude to the selfless men and women in uniform who risk their lives to keep us safe. When the engines start or the checkered flag waves, and all 500 thrilling miles in between, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Guardians stand ready to defend cherished traditions like this—and for that, we are truly thankful.
Melania and I send our best wishes for a safe and successful race. May God bless our Armed Forces, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.
class=”has-text-align-left”>Today, we celebrate the birthday of Susan B. Anthony, a warrior for women and hero of Equality, Justice, and the Constitutional rule of law.
For her entire life, Susan B. Anthony was fiercely devoted to the principle that every American, regardless of race or sex, is born with the God-given right to enjoy the blessings of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Years later, her fearless crusade for Equality culminated in the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution, which blocked states from denying citizens the right to vote on the basis of sex. Throughout her storied life, she also emerged as a champion of the abolitionist movement and a tireless advocate for the sanctity of life.
As President, I have already taken historic action to advance the sacred causes that Susan B. Anthony cherished so deeply. I was honored to sign an Executive Order safeguarding women’s sports—ensuring the survival of free and competitive spaces for female athletes. Additionally, I was proud to order the end of taxpayer-funded abortion—a big win for the most vulnerable among us.
While my Administration continues to honor the legacy of Susan B. Anthony and promote our shared cause of Liberty and Justice for all, I also want to thank our Nation’s First Lady, Melania Trump, for previously hosting a White House celebration with America’s youth to honor the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. I know she looks forward to continuing to help empower and support girls and women in the United States and around the globe.
Today, Melania joins me in paying tribute to Susan B. Anthony’s perseverance, leadership, and monumental achievements. Let us continue her life’s work of creating a culture that celebrates the enduring triumph of Freedom, the dignity of life, and the full glory of the American promise.
Governor Kathy Hochul today is warning New York consumers of E-ZPass text message scams. Consumers have reported receiving SMS text messages attempting to collect tolls. These fake texts are often sent from an international number and request the consumer to reply with “Y” to receive a link and contain an unofficial website. Consumers should be aware that E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail will never send a text or email requesting sensitive personal information such as credit card, birthday, Social Security number or other personally identifiable information.
“Public safety is my top priority, which is why I’m urging New Yorkers to take caution against senseless scammers sending fake E-ZPass text messages in an attempt to collect money for fake, unpaid tolls,” Governor Hochul said. “Consumers should know that E-ZPass, or Tolls by Mail, will never send a text or email requesting personal, sensitive information.”
If you are unsure about a message you received, call E-ZPass directly at 1-800-333-8655 or Tolls by Mail at 1-844-826-8400. You may also directly access the official websites from your browser at: EZPassNY.com and TollsByMailNY.com.
If you receive a fraudulent or suspicious SMS text message of any kind and have questions, you can contact the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm; excluding State Holidays. Consumer fraud complaints may also be filed at any time with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Scammers are getting smarter, and by using new technologies and tactics their messages may look legitimate. It’s important for consumers to know the warning signs that a message may be a scam attempt and what actions to take if they do receive a fraudulent message. I encourage all New Yorkers to follow our tips from the Division of Consumer Protection and remain extra cautious when receiving any message from an unknown sender.”
Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “Our focus is on protecting our customers from scams like these and ensuring that they use the correct payment methods. As these types of scams become more frequent, we strongly encourage everyone to stay vigilant and informed to minimize risks and protect personal information. When in doubt, contact E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail via the official channels listed here before clicking any link sent via text message.”
Tips to follow if you or someone you know receives a fraudulent SMS text message:
Don’t reply to text messages from unknown numbers. It could lead to a scam. Be wary of unsolicited messages from unknown senders that request personal information or payments and don’t respond to the message.
Don’t click on any links in the message or attempt to access a website through the text.
Delete and report the message using your phone’s “report junk” option. Forward unwanted texts to 7726 (SPAM) and unwanted emails to your email provider. Use the reporting features that are built into devices or email platforms. Reporting suspicious phishing messages is one of the most efficient methods for protecting you as it helps identify new or trending phishing attacks.
Block the sender’s email address or phone number.
Remember, it’s always better to be cautious. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a message, avoid engaging with the sender.
Clicking a link from a fraudulent text message puts your personal information and money at risk. Scammers may be able to:
Install ransomware or other programs in your device that can spy on your online activity or hold your device hostage by encrypting your data and demanding payment to unscramble it.
Gain access to your personal or sensitive information — including passwords, credit card numbers, banking PINs, etc. This information can be used to take out loans or credit cards in your name or perform other fraudulent financial transactions.
About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection
Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
SPC AC 161710
Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1110 AM CST Sun Feb 16 2025
Valid 171200Z – 181200Z
…NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST…
…SUMMARY… A few thunderstorms may occur over parts of southern Florida and the Keys on Monday.
…Synopsis… As upper short-wave troughing departs the Northeast Monday, briefly zonal/westerly flow aloft will prevail. Later in the period, however, gradual amplification of the flow field will begin over the West, as a short-wave trough digs southeastward out of the Pacific Northwest across the Great Basin toward the Four Corners region.
At the surface, a cold front moving eastward across the western Atlantic will trail southwestward into southern Florida early in the period. Meanwhile, a broad area of lee-side low pressure will prevail over the central/southern High Plains, as strong westerlies aloft persist ahead of the gradually amplifying western trough. A resulting, broad zone of low-level warm advection will remain across the central and southern Plains region through the period.
…South Florida and the Keys… As the trailing portion of the cold front drifts slowly southward across southern Florida and the Florida Keys through the first half of the period, showers and isolated thunderstorms appear likely. The convection should shift southward with time in tandem with the progression of the front, with any lingering lightning overnight likely to have moved south of the Florida mainland.
…Elsewhere… Showers — and a few sporadic lightning flashes — are expected to occur with a diurnally driven peak in activity, from the Pacific Northwest east-southeastward into the Wyoming/Colorado vicinity, in tandem with progression of the short-wave trough. Any lightning activity should remain sparse, thus precluding the need for a 10% thunder area.
..Goss.. 02/16/2025
CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0700Z
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.
Feb 16, 2025 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook
Updated: Sun Feb 16 16:09:38 UTC 2025 (Print Version | | )
Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table
Forecast Discussion
SPC AC 161609
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1009 AM CST Sun Feb 16 2025
Valid 161630Z – 171200Z
…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD INTO THE DELMARVA…
…SUMMARY… Scattered damaging winds and a brief tornado are possible from eastern North Carolina into parts of the Mid-Atlantic region through the afternoon.
…Mid-Atlantic states and eastern NC… A powerful mid-level trough from the Upper Midwest into the Southeast will pivot northeast reaching New England this evening before evolving into a mid-level low. An accompanying 120-kt 500-mb jet over the southern Appalachians late this morning will move to the Mid-Atlantic coast by late afternoon. A broken low-topped squall line extends from eastern VA southward into eastern NC and northeast SC. Strong low-level warm/moist advection to the southeast of a deepening cyclone will act to destabilize parts of the Delmarva ahead of the approaching squall line where temperatures have warmed into the mid 60s with lower 60s dewpoints. Around 250-500 J/kg SBCAPE to the east of the convective line will support a maintenance of convection given the strong large-scale forcing for ascent. Stronger portions within the broken convective line will aid in transporting intense lower tropospheric flow (60-70 kt around 0.5 km AGL) to the surface in the form of sporadic damaging gusts (55-70 mph). The severe risk will cease as the line moves east of the coast later this afternoon.
…North FL… The southern portion of the convective band will continue to gradually shift east across north FL through the mid afternoon. The 12 UTC Jacksonville raob showed considerable inversion around 700 mb which will act to limit overall storm intensity despite diurnal heating. An isolated risk for damaging gusts will be the primary threat with this activity before storms diminish in intensity later this afternoon.
..Smith/Lyons.. 02/16/2025
CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT
.html”>Latest Day 2 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.
Feb 16, 2025 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook
Updated: Sun Feb 16 12:56:20 UTC 2025 (Print Version | | )
Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table
Forecast Discussion
SPC AC 161256
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0656 AM CST Sun Feb 16 2025
Valid 161300Z – 171200Z
…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM PARTS OF NORTH FLORIDA INTO SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA…
…SUMMARY… Scattered damaging winds and a brief tornado or two remain possible through about midday from north Florida to parts of South Carolina. Isolated damaging winds and a brief tornado may also occur northward into parts of the Mid-Atlantic region through the afternoon.
…Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic… As an upper trough pivots northeastward from the Southeast to Mid-Atlantic today, an extensive QLCS in progress this morning will continue moving quickly eastward across north FL, southeast GA, and SC. Greater low-level moisture and related weak instability is present over parts of north FL and vicinity ahead of the line and a surface cold front. Boundary layer moisture and buoyancy quickly drop off with northward extent into GA/SC/NC. Still, very strong low-level flow remains present across these regions, with a 50-70+ kt low-level jet supporting ample 0-3 km SRH. Current expectations are for the northern portion of the line to gradually outpace appreciable surface-based instability, while the southern portion becomes increasingly displaced from the large-scale ascent associated with the departing upper trough. Even so, scattered severe/damaging winds and perhaps a brief tornado or two should remain possible through about midday given the strength of the low-level flow present. See Mesoscale Discussion 108 for more near-term details.
The northern portion this QLCS should remain generally elevated atop a near-surface stable layer in the lee of the Appalachians in NC to VA for the next few hours. But, it should eventually impinge on weak surface-based buoyancy later in the morning across the coastal Carolinas to southeastern VA. With very strong low-level flow/shear expected to be in place across these regions, any intensification of the thin convective line may yield occasional damaging winds and perhaps even a brief tornado. Even so, most guidance continues to suggest the overall severe threat will remain isolated/marginal from roughly NC northward into the Mid-Atlantic.
..Gleason/Broyles.. 02/16/2025
CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT
.html”>Latest Day 2 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Mesoscale Discussion 109
Mesoscale Discussion 0109 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0728 AM CST Sun Feb 16 2025
Areas affected…Northern New York…Northern New England
Concerning…Winter mixed precipitation
Valid 161328Z – 161930Z
SUMMARY…Heavy snow will likely develop across parts of northern New York and northern New England this morning. Further south into parts of east-central New York and central New England, a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will be possible this morning.
DISCUSSION…A mid-level trough will quickly move through the southern and central Appalachians this morning. A surface low will deepen and move northeastward into the Northeast. Ahead of the system, a band of strong warm-advection was located from New York eastward into the southern New England, where widespread precipitation is ongoing. The freezing line is currently located from southern New York eastward into southern New England. A zone (about 100 miles wide) of freezing rain and sleet is located to the north of the freezing line. This freezing rain and sleet will spread northward over the next few hours. A changeover to rain will occur as the freezing line moves northward. In addition, areas that are experiencing snow may changeover to freezing rain. Freezing rain rates could exceed 0.05 inches per hour.
Further north into northern New England, surface temperatures are in the teens and single digits. The cold air in the low to mid-levels will make snow the primary precipitation type. As strong warm advection and isentropic lift increase across the region, the development of heavy snow will likely occur in many areas. Snowfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated: Sun Feb 16 17:31:06 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid
Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei held an introductory call Feb. 15 to exchange views on regional issues and reaffirm the U.S.-UAE defense partnership. The Secretary expressed his desire to continue working with the UAE to address regional security concerns and to coordinate on shared priorities, including defense industry cooperation. The two agreed to remain in contact over the coming months.
An investigation is underway following the death of a man in South Norwood.
Officers were called to High Street, SE25 at 01:27hrs on Sunday, 16 February following reports that a child was being assaulted.
After gaining entry to a property, officers encountered a 45-year-old man who was experiencing a medical emergency. He was very agitated and was actively resisting against officers. He was restrained and paramedics were called.
When paramedics arrived, the man was transported to an ambulance where he became seriously unwell. He was taken to hospital where, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he later died.
His next of kin have been informed.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is aware and a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A referral in these circumstances is not an indication that officers are believed to have done anything wrong. It is a mandatory step when anyone dies or suffers serious injury following contact with the police or while in their custody.
T/Commander Andy Brittain, who is overseeing the response to this incident, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died. We will ensure they are fully supported.
“I know the community in South Norwood will want to be reassured that the incident was handled appropriately. The IOPC is conducting an investigation to provide that independent scrutiny.
“We must also acknowledge the impact that incidents like this have on the officers involved. In this case they were responding to an emergency call involving a child in danger and on arrival at the scene, were met with a very challenging situation.
“No officer ever wants to be involved in an incident where someone loses their life and we will ensure they get all the support they need.”
On the anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death, which followed years of persecution by the Kremlin, we again extend our condolences to his family. We reiterate that the ultimate responsibility for his death lies with the Russian authorities. One year on, Russia’s dire human rights record continues to deteriorate. The Kremlin crushes peaceful dissent, maintains a climate of fear and undermines the rule of law. All to serve its own interests. As we reflect on Navalny’s enduring legacy, we continue to stand with civil society and human rights defenders working tirelessly to build a better future for Russia in the face of immense personal risk.
There are over 800 political prisoners in Russia, including many imprisoned for speaking out against the Kremlin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the brutality shown towards the Ukrainian people. The UN Special Rapporteur’s reports illustrate how many political prisoners are tortured, denied adequate medical treatment and placed in forced psychiatric detention. We are clear: the Russian authorities must uphold their international obligations and release all political prisoners.
Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Iceland, Bulgaria and the United Kingdom.
The Secretary-General met yesterday with H.E. Mrs. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They discussed the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and ongoing regional peace efforts. The Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the populations in need.
***
Le Secrétaire général a rencontré hier S.E. Mme. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Première ministre et Cheffe du Gouvernement de la République démocratique du Congo. Ils ont discuté de la situation à l’est de la République démocratique du Congo et des efforts de paix régionaux en cours. Le Secrétaire général a réitéré l’engagement des Nations Unies à fournir une assistance humanitaire aux populations dans le besoin.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the latest round of hostage releases in Gaza and the continued implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
A note to media correspondents was released by the UN on Sunday, a day after the release of three Israeli hostages from Gaza, in exchange for 369 Palestinians held in Israel’s jails. The exchange forms part of the first phase of a ceasefire deal between the two sides which came into effect on 19 January.
The deal is split into three phases, and phase one also includes the removal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, permission for Palestinians to return to their neighbourhoods and a significant increase in the numbers of aid deliveries allowed into the occupied territory.
Despite tensions, phase one, which is due to be completed on 1 March, has proceeded largely according to plan. After that date, negotiations should begin on the next stage, which involves a permanent ceasefire between the two sides.
The document states that the UN remains fully engaged in supporting the implementation of the deal, including helping to facilitate the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Mr. Guterres reiterates his call for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OPENING REMARKS Sunday, February 16, 2025, 9:30-9:45 a.m. Maraya Conference Hall, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia
February 16, 2025
Al salam Alaikum! Hello everyone and welcome!
Let me start by thanking Minister Aljadaan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting us in beautiful Al Ula. I also want to express my deep appreciation for Minister Aljadaan’s role as chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), where his leadership is critical to the work and effectiveness of our institution.
Minister Aljadaan not only identified a gap in terms of space for emerging markets to discuss policy issues of common interest but decided to close it — and I am delighted that the IMF’s new Regional Office in Riyadh, supported by Saudi Arabia, has played a very important role in turning Minister Aljadaan’s vision into a reality. Here we see an impressive gathering of representatives from all around the world, with one objective: to identify issues that emerging markets face and how they can best address them.
Now is a time of sweeping transformations in the global economy, in terms of technology, demography and geopolitics, creating a more challenging and uncertain environment for policymakers everywhere, with some specificities in terms of both risks and opportunities for emerging economies.
We know, for instance, that trade is no longer the engine of growth that it used to be—unlike the decades of the 1990s and 2000s when global trade grew much faster than global GDP, the two are now growing at roughly the same rate (and trade even lags behind). When global trade slows down, opportunities for regional and cross-regional trade become more important.
We also know that governments around the world are shifting policy priorities: the new US administration has been clear that it intends to take action in the areas of trade, tax and spending, deregulation, immigration, and digital assets.
And the technology revolution—especially AI—is upon us, set to transform the way we live and work, with massive impact on jobs as early as the next five years.
What does it all mean for emerging markets? These economies have weathered the shocks of the past few years remarkably well. And your economies have delivered two thirds of global growth.
But the recipes of the past may no longer provide the path to prosperity. Emerging economies will need to be agile, adaptable and resilient—these will be the ingredients for future success.
Looking into the next years, I will highlight three areas to watch.
First, inflation is expected to go back to target levels faster in advanced economies than in most emerging markets. A stronger US dollar could trigger capital outflows. This makes monetary policy more complicated for emerging economies.
Second, like in advanced economies, many emerging economies are dealing with high debt, limited fiscal resources, and mounting spending pressures—a challenging triple threat. Too often, countries use fiscal stimulus to boost short-term domestic demand. While this “sugar rush” provides temporary growth, it often fuels inflation and financial turbulence. In the current environment, stepping on the gas pedal is not the solution — instead we need to focus on the efficiency of the engine.
This takes me to my third point — the critical importance of structural reforms to improve competitiveness, increase productivity and enhance growth prospects.
At the IMF, we are known for our dedication to macroeconomic and financial stability. Yes, it must be preserved or restored to enable growth. But it also must be utilized to pursue reforms, especially those that can boost productivity. Slow productivity growth accounts for more than half the global growth slowdown in recent decades.
Just think: If countries narrow their overall productivity gaps with the United States by just 15 percent, that would add 1.2 percentage points to global growth.
Transformational reforms to improve the business environment will be essential: cutting red tape, increasing competition, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
All of this can help countries create jobs and harness the benefits of promising technologies such as AI. Why is this so important? Because only when we achieve higher productivity growth can we meet the aspirations of people everywhere for better lives for themselves and their children.
So it is clear: we need to double down on policies that we know can lift productivity.
But we also need to redouble our search for promising new ideas.
And this is what we intend to do during this conference. Together, we can look for new ways to jumpstart growth in emerging markets.
At the IMF, we recognize our responsibility in this regard. We are putting together our own IMF Advisory Council on growth and entrepreneurship. I want to thank Minister Sturzenegger of Argentina for agreeing to serve on it. We count on deep engagement with this new Council to find ways in which economies can be stronger for their people.
But we also know that there is huge value in countries working together.
As you said recently, Minister Aljadaan, “Working together to fix our global economic ship so it benefits more people is not a charitable act; it is a wise investment in our common future.”
I couldn’t agree more! And we are seeing a new force for cooperation—sometimes based on areas of common interest, sometimes based on geography—that are crucially important. So we have to be determined and we have to be engaged, but most importantly, we must remain positive.
Together we can do well for our member countries and for their people.
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OPENING REMARKS Sunday, February 16, 2025, 9:30-9:45 a.m. Maraya Conference Hall, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia
February 16, 2025
Al salam Alaikum! Hello everyone and welcome!
Let me start by thanking Minister Aljadaan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting us in beautiful Al Ula. I also want to express my deep appreciation for Minister Aljadaan’s role as chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), where his leadership is critical to the work and effectiveness of our institution.
Minister Aljadaan not only identified a gap in terms of space for emerging markets to discuss policy issues of common interest but decided to close it — and I am delighted that the IMF’s new Regional Office in Riyadh, supported by Saudi Arabia, has played a very important role in turning Minister Aljadaan’s vision into a reality. Here we see an impressive gathering of representatives from all around the world, with one objective: to identify issues that emerging markets face and how they can best address them.
Now is a time of sweeping transformations in the global economy, in terms of technology, demography and geopolitics, creating a more challenging and uncertain environment for policymakers everywhere, with some specificities in terms of both risks and opportunities for emerging economies.
We know, for instance, that trade is no longer the engine of growth that it used to be—unlike the decades of the 1990s and 2000s when global trade grew much faster than global GDP, the two are now growing at roughly the same rate (and trade even lags behind). When global trade slows down, opportunities for regional and cross-regional trade become more important.
We also know that governments around the world are shifting policy priorities: the new US administration has been clear that it intends to take action in the areas of trade, tax and spending, deregulation, immigration, and digital assets.
And the technology revolution—especially AI—is upon us, set to transform the way we live and work, with massive impact on jobs as early as the next five years.
What does it all mean for emerging markets? These economies have weathered the shocks of the past few years remarkably well. And your economies have delivered two thirds of global growth.
But the recipes of the past may no longer provide the path to prosperity. Emerging economies will need to be agile, adaptable and resilient—these will be the ingredients for future success.
Looking into the next years, I will highlight three areas to watch.
First, inflation is expected to go back to target levels faster in advanced economies than in most emerging markets. A stronger US dollar could trigger capital outflows. This makes monetary policy more complicated for emerging economies.
Second, like in advanced economies, many emerging economies are dealing with high debt, limited fiscal resources, and mounting spending pressures—a challenging triple threat. Too often, countries use fiscal stimulus to boost short-term domestic demand. While this “sugar rush” provides temporary growth, it often fuels inflation and financial turbulence. In the current environment, stepping on the gas pedal is not the solution — instead we need to focus on the efficiency of the engine.
This takes me to my third point — the critical importance of structural reforms to improve competitiveness, increase productivity and enhance growth prospects.
At the IMF, we are known for our dedication to macroeconomic and financial stability. Yes, it must be preserved or restored to enable growth. But it also must be utilized to pursue reforms, especially those that can boost productivity. Slow productivity growth accounts for more than half the global growth slowdown in recent decades.
Just think: If countries narrow their overall productivity gaps with the United States by just 15 percent, that would add 1.2 percentage points to global growth.
Transformational reforms to improve the business environment will be essential: cutting red tape, increasing competition, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
All of this can help countries create jobs and harness the benefits of promising technologies such as AI. Why is this so important? Because only when we achieve higher productivity growth can we meet the aspirations of people everywhere for better lives for themselves and their children.
So it is clear: we need to double down on policies that we know can lift productivity.
But we also need to redouble our search for promising new ideas.
And this is what we intend to do during this conference. Together, we can look for new ways to jumpstart growth in emerging markets.
At the IMF, we recognize our responsibility in this regard. We are putting together our own IMF Advisory Council on growth and entrepreneurship. I want to thank Minister Sturzenegger of Argentina for agreeing to serve on it. We count on deep engagement with this new Council to find ways in which economies can be stronger for their people.
But we also know that there is huge value in countries working together.
As you said recently, Minister Aljadaan, “Working together to fix our global economic ship so it benefits more people is not a charitable act; it is a wise investment in our common future.”
I couldn’t agree more! And we are seeing a new force for cooperation—sometimes based on areas of common interest, sometimes based on geography—that are crucially important. So we have to be determined and we have to be engaged, but most importantly, we must remain positive.
Together we can do well for our member countries and for their people.
