PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Braddock, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Terrance Chatman, 33, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about December 11, 2024, Chatman possessed a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of four prior felonies, including on murder, robbery, criminal conspiracy, and firearms charges. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Home of Royal Navy Type 31 frigates production supports 2,500 Scottish jobs.
Scottish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contributed to the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy today as the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, visited the home of Royal Navy Type 31 frigate production.
Local Scottish SMEs took part in a roundtable discussion at manufacturer Babcock’s site at Rosyth about the upcoming Strategy, emphasising the government’s commitment to fostering growth in the defence sector.
The event, hosted by Minister Eagle, provided a platform for SMEs to explore challenges and opportunities within the shipbuilding industry, reinforcing the Strategy’s goal of ensuring defence investment supports UK-wide prosperity.
With the consultation running until the end of February, the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy seeks to grow a faster, more integrated, more resilient supply chain. Babcock has invested around £200 million in its Rosyth facilities over the last decade, including the development of a state-of-the-art assembly hall that enables the simultaneous construction of two Type 31 frigates.
The Type 31 programme, managed by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), demonstrates the breadth of the UK’s shipbuilding skills, innovation and capability.
Ongoing contracts like Type 31 are a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, safeguarding national security whilst raising living standards across the UK with good, skilled, productive jobs.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:
It was great to visit Rosyth and witness first-hand their world-class shipbuilding programme which will strengthen our national security into the future, whilst boosting jobs and small and medium-sized businesses across Scotland.
This Government is working swiftly to develop a new Defence Industrial Strategy, in partnership with industry, innovators and workers, to drive jobs and growth in every nation and region of the UK, supporting our Plan for Change.
Awarded to Babcock in November 2019, the contract for five Type 31 frigates has secured a legacy of shipbuilding activity at Rosyth, one of the UK’s largest waterside manufacturing and repair facilities. The programme continues to sustain and create 2,500 skilled jobs, reinforcing Scotland’s vital contribution to national defence capabilities.
The T31 class is based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, the parent design for the Type 31 frigate, which is adaptable to meet the needs of export customers, demonstrated in successes with Poland and Indonesia. International interest in further exports of the AH140 remains strong.
Babcock officially commenced construction on HMS Formidable at the end of last year, marking the third of five Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates being built for the Royal Navy. Flexible and adaptable by design, the Type 31 is a general-purpose frigate that will undertake missions such as interception, disruption, intelligence gathering, defence engagement and providing humanitarian support.
Minister Loewen will attend the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah from Feb. 13-17. While in Utah, Minister Loewen and his team will connect with outdoor enthusiasts from around the world to promote the auction of Minister’s Special Licences for elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn, cougar, whitetail deer and turkey.
The auction will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah from Feb. 15 to 16. Funds raised from the auction will be used within Alberta to support conservation initiatives and the management of big game species.
The recipients of the Minister’s Special Licence will be eligible to hunt year-round for one animal of the species associated with their tag from a Wildlife Management Area that has an existing hunting season for the species.
“Alberta is a world-class destination for hunting, fishing and countless other outdoor experiences. We have the most beautiful backyard in the world and I’m proud to promote our province’s visitor economy while also raising support for conservation initiatives across the province.”
The minister will be joined by three government staff members. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.
Itinerary for Minister Loewen
Feb. 13
Travel to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Feb. 13 – 16
Attend the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo.
Meetings with stakeholders.
Attend Auction Banquet.
Feb. 17
Return to Alberta.
*Subject to change.
Quick facts
The Minister’s Special Licence was created in 1995 and offers a unique opportunity each year for non-resident and resident hunters, via auction and raffle, to hunt certain game species with enhanced season lengths and an expanded hunting area.
Eight Minister’s Special Licenses will be sold at auction in 2025, each valid for a different game species.
Last year, the Minister’s Special License program raised more than $1.2 million, supporting conservation projects in Alberta.
The holder of the Minister’s Special Licence is required to follow all applicable legislation, regulations, and municipal by-laws – including weapons use restrictions.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th birthday on June 14, 2025, commemorating the Army’s distinguished service to our nation. The central theme for this year’s celebration is “This We’ll Defend.”
“As we prepare for our future, we also reflect on our past,” said Gen. Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army. “‘This we’ll defend’ was first used as a battle cry by the Continental Army. Today it reminds us that our Army’s purpose is clear: to fight and win the nation’s wars. We remain committed to honing our warfighting skills, enforcing standards and discipline, and living the values that have defined our Army culture for the past 250 years.”
As we enter 2025, the Army’s 250th birthday will be celebrated with a series of commemorations, including leadership engagements, community outreach events and other events showcasing Army units, history, lineage and esprit de corps.
Established on June 14, 1775, the Army is a year older than the United States itself. Since its establishment, Army Soldiers, families and civilians have supported our nation, bearing true faith and allegiance to the country, the Constitution, their units and fellow team members as they defend the nation and provide assistance in times of need, including disaster relief and recovery efforts.
For 250 years, the U.S. Army has offered endless possibilities and opportunities for service to our nation. With over 200 career choices for Soldiers and more than 500 career paths for civilians, Army possibilities are endless. The Army helps create a sense of purpose through personal growth and professional development – empowering Soldiers and civilian employees to be part of something greater than themselves and to be all they can be.
“For 250 years, Soldiers have proudly served our country and protected its people, with our oath to support and defend the Constitution as our guiding principle,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer. “We continue to stand ready to respond to the needs of the nation, and to fight and win when called upon. This we’ll defend!”
To learn more about the Army’s 250th birthday, visit:
U.S. Army Celebrating 250 Years – https://www.army.mil/1775
DVIDS 250th Army Birthday – https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/ARMY250
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Defendant operated stash house and pill press making millions of fentanyl tainted pills
Seattle – A 65-year-old Shelton, Washington resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 90 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Michael Warren was arrested in March 2023, when federal agents moved in following a two-year investigation of drug trafficking activities. A search of Warren’s home in December 2022, turned up two pill presses, more than 640,000 fentanyl pills and a kilo of fentanyl powder to make thousands more. Warren also possessed 23 firearms at the stash house.
At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “the crime is unquestionably serious based on the amount of narcotics found at his residence and the presence of firearms.”
“This defendant demonstrates that drug trafficking is not just a young person’s game,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Mr. Warren was a key drug transporter, manufacturer and distributor causing untold harm in our community.”
According to records filed in the case, Warren served as a trusted co-conspirator to the leader of one of the drug distribution cells led by Bryson Gill. In addition to manufacturing pills and storing them at his Shelton home, Warren drove to Arizona on multiple occasions to pick up methamphetamine and fentanyl from the group’s drug supplier.
Bryson Gill entered a guilty plea today to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and is scheduled for sentencing on May 9, 2025.
Law enforcement made two dozen arrests on federal charges on March 22, 2023. The coordinated takedown involved ten swat teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers. On that day law enforcement seized 177 firearms, more than ten kilos of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills and more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona. Earlier in the investigation law enforcement seized 830,000 fentanyl pills, 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 223 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of heroin, 5 pounds of cocaine, $388,000 in cash, and 48 firearms.
The top-level leader of the drug trafficking ring, Jesse Bailey, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16, 2025, and his wife and co-conspirator Candace Bailey, is scheduled for sentencing on June 13, 2025.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer.
Co-founder Eyal Orgil Transitions to Chief Product Officer; Gilad Zubery Appointed Chief Revenue Officer
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DealHub.io, the leading Revenue AI platform, today announced a strategic leadership transition to drive its next phase of growth and innovation. Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer, Eyal Orgil, will assume the role of Chief Product Officer, focusing on advancing the company’s product vision and development. Stepping into the CRO role is Gilad Zubery, a seasoned leader experienced in building and leading global GTM teams. Zubery comes to DealHub after holding executive leadership positions at Clicktale and Contentsquare.
In his new role, Eyal will lead DealHub’s product strategy to deliver advanced solutions that empower Revenue leaders to navigate evolving sales motions and diverse revenue streams. Under his leadership, DealHub will accelerate its investment in AI to streamline revenue orchestration, optimize deal execution, and enhance predictive insights, helping organizations stay ahead in their multifaceted sales landscape.
“Eyal’s vision for product innovation has been instrumental in building DealHub into the industry leader it is today. His deep understanding of sales processes and extensive sales leadership experience uniquely position him to drive the development of best in class revenue solutions and ensure our continued leadership in the Revenue AI market,” said Eyal Elbahary, CEO of DealHub. “I’m thrilled to welcome Gilad Zubery to the team. His extensive background in leading high-performing global GTM teams and scaling organizations makes him the ideal leader to drive DealHub’s next phase of accelerated growth.”
Gilad will leverage his extensive international experience to spearhead DealHub’s globalgo-to-market strategy and expand its presence in key markets. With his expertise in partner ecosystems, business development, sales and global expansion, Gilad will play a pivotal role in propelling DealHub’s growth and market leadership.
“I am thrilled to be joining DealHub at such an exciting time for the company,” said Zubery. “DealHub’s innovative approach to Revenue AI is transforming how businesses manage their entire sales-to-revenue operations, and I’m looking forward to building on our existing success to take the company to even greater heights.”
This intelligent flow drives revenue execution from new business to renewed customers without delays and errors, ensuring a superior buyer experience across all revenue streams.
For more information, users can visit dealhub.io or follow DealHub on LinkedIn.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces a partnership with Arctic Wolf, a global leader in Security Operations, Arctic Wolf becomes the Official Cybersecurity Partner of BWT Alpine Formula One and will implement its industry-defining security operations platform, including the newly launched Aurora Endpoint Security, into the team’s global security and technology infrastructure.
The partnership between Arctic Wolf and BWT Alpine Formula One Team is forged on a mutual commitment to precision and speed. Each week, the Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform, powered by Alpha AI™, processes over seven trillion security events to deliver security outcomes with the scale and precision necessary to ensure peak performance on and off the track.
Arctic Wolf branding will be featured on BWT Alpine Formula One Team’s car, the race suits of its roster of drivers and the wider team environment.
“The partnership between Arctic Wolf and BWT Alpine Formula One Team reflects a shared commitment to precision, speed, and the pursuit of excellence,” said Dan Larson, Chief Marketing Officer, Arctic Wolf. “The Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform and the newly launched Aurora Endpoint Security are built to help organizations ascend to new heights of cybersecurity and business resilience so that they can focus on what they do best, and for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, that means going fast, pushing boundaries and achieving amazing results.”
“BWT Alpine Formula One Team is laser-focused on leveraging the competitive advantage that effective security operations provide in protecting our infrastructure from the factory to the racetrack and everywhere in between,” said Oliver Oakes, Team Principal, BWT Alpine Formula One Team. “Arctic Wolf’s unparalleled expertise and cutting-edge Aurora Platform will provide us with the confidence and protection necessary to safeguard our operations at every level, ensuring we can dedicate our full attention and energy to what matters most: winning races.”
Sports and entertainment organisations face unique cybersecurity challenges due to their dynamic environments, consumer-facing digital platforms, and mobile workforces. These factors make them prime targets for threat actors aiming to exploit vulnerabilities and steal sensitive data, including financial information, intellectual property, and personal details of employees and customers. Arctic Wolf understands these challenges deeply and is trusted by over 50 professional sports teams worldwide, including the Minnesota Wild (NHL), Meyer Shank Racing (IndyCar), the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), and the Parramatta Eels (NRL) to protect against threats and safeguard critical data.
For more information about Arctic Wolf and BWT Alpine Formula One Team’s global partnership, visit arcticwolf.com.
Additional Resources
About Arctic Wolf Arctic Wolf® is a global leader in security operations, enabling customers to manage their cyber risk in the face of modern cyber-attacks via a premier cloud-native security operations platform. The Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform ingests and analyzes more than seven trillion security events a week to help enable cyber defense at an unprecedented capacity and scale, empowering customers of virtually any size across a wide range of industries to feel confident in their security posture, readiness, and long-term resilience. By delivering automated threat protection, response, and remediation capabilities, Arctic Wolf delivers world-class security operations with the push of a button so customers can defend their greatest assets at the speed of data.
About BWT Alpine Formula One Team BWT Alpine Formula One Team competes in the FIA Formula One World Championship with Grand Prix race winner Pierre Gasly and Formula 1 rookie Jack Doohan, under the leadership of Team Principal Oliver Oakes and Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore. The team, bought by the Benetton Family in 1986, was moved to Enstone, Oxfordshire, in 1992 where it is still based today. Renault bought the Italian-run team in 2000 and rebranded as Alpine F1. The team has a winning legacy, having won the Formula One World Championship seven times, including the Drivers’ World Championship (1994, 1995, 2005 and 2006) with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, and the Constructors’ World Championship (1995, 2005 and 2006). The team’s most recent triumph came at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, the 50th victory overall. The team finished the 2024 season strongly with two podium finishes and ended the year sixth place overall in the Constructors’ Championship.
NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — bowmo™, Inc. (OTC: BOMO), a New York City based company powered by AI and XR/VR technologies aiming to provide fully customizable SaaS Platforms to multiple industries (https://bowmo.com) (“bowmo,” “the Company”) and its recent merger partner OWNverse/Digital Tails Group (“DTG”), are pleased to announce release of an expanded family of engineering and industrial automation solutions for industrial manufacturing, healthcare, energy, automotive and aerospace.
Digital Tails Group developed solutions that include 3D Configurators, CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) Automation, XR (Extended Reality) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) designed to make manufacturing simpler and more efficient. Key system capabilities for engineering industries include 3D product visualization, and integrations with ERP, CAD and PLM systems.
Typical customer benefits include streamlined manufacturing and design processes, rapid product customizations and ordering, reduced error rates, and increased sales conversion rates.
Aleksey Shestakov, Chairman of the Board of OWNverse/Digital Tails and the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of bowmo, Inc. summarized, “By integrating several core technologies like 3D visualization, extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) into an intuitive CPQ solution, we are able to rapidly configure customer solutions that deliver significant ROI and value.”
Michael R. Neece, Chief Product Officer of bowmo Inc, stated, “Bowmo’s ‘One Platform for Multiple Verticals‘ product strategy is now revealing the significance of integrating AI, 3D/XR, Blockchain and workflow automation into a single platform that can be rapidly configured for specific needs of multiple industry verticals.”
About bowmo, Inc. Bowmo Inc., (OTC: BOMO) is a New York City–based AI-powered software and services company that incorporates a novel set of technologies to build a platform that will deliver solutions for multiple industries. Bowmo’s flagship product seamlessly integrates AI and extended reality (XR) technologies to revolutionize recruitment and human resource (HR) processes.
Building upon our multi-vertical platform, bowmo is poised to introduce a suite of future products catering to the needs of cybersecurity, SaaS sales, retail, sports, media/entertainment, and real estate sectors. This expansion underscores bowmo’s commitment to diversifying revenue streams and addressing diverse industry needs through advanced technological solutions. bowmo’s platform harnesses AI, machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), blockchain, extended/augmented/virtual realities (XR) and process orchestration.
About Digital Tails Group, LLC. Digital Tails Group (“DTG,” the “Company”) is an IT company specializing in software development using 3D technology, extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI). The DTG expertise in advanced technologies ranges from virtual reality (VR) experiences to smart AI algorithms, enabling us to help our clients improve their competitive strength through the application of advanced UI and knowledge technologies.
About OWNverse, LLC. OWNverse is a virtual platform company that develops unique tools for creating targeted products and services for virtual spaces (“Metaverses”) by using the technology stack available through widely used Web2 platforms driven by AI.
OWNverse allows for the integration of such tools to elevate the dimensionality of products and services, while offering such products and services within the spatially immersive 3D Internet—Web3.
OWNverse aims to empower all users to become co-creators of the content. The main OWNverse ideology is to supply proven tools to users to provide real value for businesses and create virtual communities in numerous business sectors.
Additional Information and Where to Find It Additional information is available on the Company’s website: https://www.bowmo.com. In addition, other information related to the Company is available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Michael E. Lakshin, Chairman of the Board and President, Michael.Lakshin@bowmo.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, BOMO’s ability to successfully execute its expanded business strategy, including by entering into definitive agreements with suppliers, commercial partners and customers; general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various software programs, changes in future customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technical advances and delivering technological innovations, regulatory requirements and the ability to meet them, government agency rules and changes, and various other factors beyond BOMO’s control. Except as may be required by law, bowmo, Inc. undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
Contact: Michael E. Lakshin Chairman of the Board and President Michael.Lakshin@bowmo.com
Today, Landsbankinn completed the sale of Additional Tier 1 (AT1) securities in the amount of USD 100 million. This marks the Bank’s inaugural AT1 securities issuance, with the securities sold to investors at a fixed interest rate of 8.125%.
Total demand was strong, exceeding USD 400 million, with participation from over 70 investors from the US, Europe and Asia.
Lilja B. Einarsdóttir, CEO of Landsbankinn: “This issuance is a further step towards optimisation of the Bank’s capital structure, simultaneously strengthening our capital base and diversifying our funding sources. The favourable terms and strong demand in today’s issuance reflect the Bank’s solid access to international markets.”
The securities have no fixed maturity date but are callable by the issuer after 5.5 years. They are subordinated to all other claims, except equity. The expected credit rating of the AT1 securities is BB from S&P Global Ratings. The aim is to list the securities on Euronext Dublin as of 18 February 2025.
Bank of America, Citibank and JP Morgan acted as joint managers for the issuance.
The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies is an annual economic policy conference, held in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, organized by the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia and the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh. The conference will convene a select group of emerging markets’ ministers of finance, central bank governors, and policymakers, as well as public and private sector leaders, international institutions, and academia. It will offer a unique platform to exchange views on domestic, regional, and global economic developments and discuss policies and reforms to spur inclusive prosperity and build resilience supported by strong international cooperation.
The sessions with an asterisk (*) will be streamed live on this page.
Agenda
Day 1: February 16, 2025
09:30-09:40 – Opening remarks by H.E. Mohammed Al-Jadaan (Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia) and Kristalina Georgieva (Managing Director, IMF) *
09:40-10:00 – Keynote Lecture: Emerging Markets Amid Structural Shifts in the World Economy
The keynote address will discuss global trends and their potential implications for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), as well as the role of international cooperation.
Keynote Address: H.E. Pan Gongsheng (Governor, PBOC)
10:00-10:50 – Emerging Markets: Policy Challenges Amid Structural Shifts in the World Economy
The panel will delve into EMDEs’ policy challenges in the context of the rising uncertainty and the changing global economic landscape. Specifically, it will cover the implications for EMDEs of (i) more frequent external shocks; (ii) elevated uncertainty; and (iii) structural challenges in the context of high debt, weak growth, energy transitions, and new technologies.
Moderator: Jihad Azour (Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF)
Panelists:
H.E. Olayemi Cardoso (Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria)
José De Gregorio (Dean, School of Economics and Business, University of Chile)
H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari (Minister of Finance, Qatar)
Jin Liqun (President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank)
10:50-11:10 – Coffee break
11:10-12:10 – High Debt-Low Fiscal Space—Fiscal Consolidation and Multilateral Solutions to Debt Restructuring
Maintaining or restoring debt sustainability in EMDEs is a challenging task in the context of elevated debt, higher interest rate and weak potential growth, as well as significant spending pressures (e.g., related to sustainable development goals, defense, energy transitions, and economic diversification). The panelists will discuss the pace of the ongoing pivot towards fiscal consolidation and ways to garner support for politically difficult reforms. Potential debt restructuring mechanisms from both creditor and debtor perspectives will also be highlighted.
Moderator: Ryadh Alkhareif (IMFC Deputy, Saudi Arabia)
Panelists:
H.E. Mohammed Al-Jadaan (Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia)
Mauricio Cárdenas (Professor, Columbia University, former Minister of Finance, Colombia)
H.E. Situmbeko Musokotwane (Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zambia)
H.E. Anton Siluanov (Minister of Finance, Russia)
12:10-13:00 – Lunch
13:00-14:00 – Monetary Policy and Capital Flows Amid Elevated Uncertainty
The session will discuss the path of future monetary policy in EMDEs, considering the spillovers from monetary policy in advanced economies and potential swings in global market sentiment, as well as the uncertainty around the implications for inflation, the neutral rate, and capital flows of the changing economic landscape.
Moderator: Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas (Economic Counsellor, Director of the Research Department, IMF)
Author: Hélène Rey (Professor, London Business School)
Discussants:
H.E. Fatih Karahan (Governor, Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye)
H.E. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput (Governor, Bank of Thailand)
14:00-15:00 – Resilience of the Financial System in Emerging Markets
The panel will focus on the implications of the changing global landscape for financial stability in emerging markets, as well as the policy priorities.
Moderator: Tobias Adrian (Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF)
Panelists:
H.E. Ayman Mohammad Al-Sayari (Governor, SAMA)
H.E. Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani (Governor, Qatar Central Bank)
H.E. Taleh Kazimov (Governor, Central Bank of Azerbaijan)
H.E. Andriy Pyshnyi (Governor, National Bank of Ukraine)
19:30-21:30 – Dinner hosted by the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia
Day 2: February 17, 2025
09:00-10:00 – Navigating Trade Tensions and Uncertainties
Against the backdrop of mounting risks and uncertainty, the session will discuss (i) how geoeconomic fragmentation and geopolitical risks are affecting trade and investment globally and in EMDEs; (ii) how EMDEs can adapt to these developments and mitigate risks; (iii) what policies to enhance trade and investment flows; and (iv) what changes to the current global trade system to respond to EMDEs’ needs.
Moderator: Indermit Gill (Chief Economist, World Bank Group)
Panelists:
H. E. Adebayo Olawale Edun (Minister of Finance, Nigeria)
H.E. Nadia Fettah (Minister of Economy and Finance, Morocco)
H.E. Sergii Marchenko (Minister of Finance, Ukraine)
10:00-11:00 – Productivity in EMDEs: Challenges and Opportunities
Compared with the pre-pandemic period, the medium-term growth outlook has worsened significantly, including in EMDEs. The projected slowdown jeopardizes income convergence and could also lead to widening income inequality within countries. Against this backdrop, the session will take stock of EMDEs’ growth outlook, including the main headwinds, and discuss the potential challenges and opportunities from shifts in the economic landscape (e.g., AI).
Moderator: H.E. Muhammad Al Jasser (President, Islamic Development Bank)
Author: Leslie Teo (Director, AI Products, AI Singapore; Former chief economist and head of investment strategy, GIC Singapore)
Discussants:
H.E. Faisal F. Alibrahim (Minister of Economy and Planning, Saudi Arabia)
Santiago Levy (Senior Fellow, Brookings)
H.E. Federico Sturzenegger (Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Argentina)
11:00-11:20 – Coffee break
11:20-12:20 – Closing Panel: A Path for Emerging Market Resilience *
The concluding panel will focus on (i) how EMDEs should deal with shocks in the short term, taking into consideration the persistence of some global shocks; (ii) identifying the main trade-offs for fiscal and monetary policymakers to build resilience, maintain stability and spur growth (“rise strong”); and (iii) how the underlying concerns behind “anti-globalization” pressures can be addressed to revitalize global economic integration.
When a person suffers from two or more long-term health conditions at the same time this is known as multimorbidity.
The World Health Organization says multimorbidity puts patients at greater risk and complicates primary care. It also drives up healthcare costs.
People with more than one condition face a higher risk of early death and poorer quality of life. They may also have to take multiple medications. Polypharmacy increases the risk of harmful drug interactions and side effects, and patients find it harder to stick to treatment.
In African countries the situation is further complicated by several disease burdens converging. Individuals may suffer non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes, as well as from infectious diseases like HIV and tuberculosis.
Poverty and unequal access to healthcare add to the impact of multimorbidity.
Most research on multimorbidity has focused on populations of European ancestry. When people of African descent are included, the focus is often on African-Americans. This group does not represent the diversity or health challenges faced in Africa.
As specialists in genetic epidemiology and chronic diseases management, we set out to research the gaps in understanding multimorbidity among people with African ancestry.
Identifying gaps
We examined 232 medical research publications (published from 2010 to June 2022), and included those published in English and French. That’s not a lot if one considers all the different health challenges that people of African descent suffer globally.
Of these studies, 113 focused on continental African populations and 100 on the diaspora. Nineteen included both groups.
Our review spanned five major academic databases. We used search terms such as “multimorbidity”, “comorbidity” and “African population”. Restricting searches to titles and abstracts and relying on texts that our institutions could access may have excluded some studies.
Heart diseases dominate
Cardiometabolic diseases, including hypertension, heart disease and diabetes, were the most studied conditions in both populations (those in Africa and those elsewhere).
But notable differences emerged.
In populations on the continent, cardiometabolic diseases tended to occur along with chronic infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.
In diaspora populations, cardiometabolic diseases more commonly occurred along with other non-communicable diseases and psychiatric conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Age, sex, poverty
As with all populations worldwide, older people in the studies we reviewed were the group most likely to have more than one health condition.
But on the continent, the burden of infectious diseases meant younger adults were also at risk of having more than one illness.
Women were more likely than men to have multiple conditions, particularly in relation to conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. This likely reflects both biological factors, such as hormonal differences, and social influences like income inequalities and differences in working environments.
Individuals with lower socioeconomic status (which often means women) would be more likely to be exposed to unhealthy lifestyles, and to have less access to preventive care.
What can be done?
Our review found that the way health conditions combine differs between people of African descent outside Africa and those on the continent. This means medical research should include a greater diversity of participants.
Expanded data collection should include genetic and metabolomic data.
It is also essential to study a wider range of chronic conditions.
The increasing co-existence of conditions means that treatment for cardiovascular, metabolic and infectious diseases should be integrated.
Some African countries, including South Africa and Kenya, have already introduced integrated care, with encouraging results. A patient with two or more diseases is offered treatment for the conditions at the same facility during the same visit.
Michele Ramsay receives funding from the National Research Foundation (RSA), National Institutes of Health (USA) and Wellcome (UK). She serves on the WHO TAG-G committee.
Isaac Kisiangani and Michelle Kamp do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Were you told that gold mining in southern Africa started after 1852? Or that the export of iron, steel, copper and gold began in the late 19th century? Or that South Africa became integrated into a global trading system only after 1652? Or that the first powerful state in South Africa was the Zulu kingdom?
If you learned that any of these things were true, you are like most South Africans, who have missed out on at least a thousand years of the country’s history.
Both radical and conservative historians have focused heavily on colonial history, a story starting at the Cape and playing out within colonial boundaries. As a result, South Africa’s past has been compressed into a shortened timeline and a limited geography. That shorter version is what’s taught at schools and universities.
If we abandon 1652 – when the first Dutch settlers arrived in the Cape – as the key historical starting point, and go back a thousand years and cast our gaze 2,000km north of Table Mountain, a very different story unfolds.
Our research is attempting to rethink South African history. As many years of work in the interior show, along with our new focus on a central southern African trading landscape, Thulamela, the formative steps in South Africa’s history began here, along the Limpopo River.
Early cooperative relationships
Two thousand years ago, San hunter gatherers were the primary occupants of the region around the Limpopo River valley, an area around the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers that includes Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Contrary to popular opinion, these groups weren’t living in isolated bands. They were connected through regional networks of exchange spanning hundreds, even thousands, of kilometres.
At this time, South Africa was on the brink of fundamental change. From about 350 AD, Bantu-speaking, iron-using, livestock-owning farmers began to settle the Soutpansberg, south of the Limpopo River. They initially established mainly cooperative relationships with the San, especially in hunting and trading.
These farmers introduced a key innovation into the region – the production of metal tools, weapons, currency and jewellery. These goods were for their own use and for expanding trade networks.
At the start, iron was the most important metal but over time, copper and gold became more and more significant. The farmers were skilled in locating and extracting these ores, which, in the case of gold and copper, often involved shaft mining. Metal production also demanded pyrotechnical knowledge to smelt ores and to fashion metals into functional and decorative forms.
Local trade, global connections
Another crucial development took place in the 7th century AD. The Indian Ocean world connected to the expanding regional trade networks which had linked the coast and the interior. The transoceanic sailors and traders were initially motivated by the growing demand for ivory in Asia and the Middle East.
This external demand brought exotic glass beads and cloth deep into the interior, through African traders and rulers. A node in the system was Chibuene, a large coastal trading settlement on the Mozambican coast near modern Vilanculos. From here, beads and cloth travelled south, to the vicinity of Durban in modern-day KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and across the interior, past the Okavango delta to places such as the Tsodilo hills west of the delta’s panhandle in Botswana.
Between the 10th and 15th centuries, the market for gold boomed – especially in Egypt, Persia, India and China. Southern Africa played an important role in meeting this demand because of the rich gold reserves of the Zimbabwe plateau and the adjacent region of the Limpopo valley.
So, it is clear that an economic and mineral revolution took place long before Europeans settled South Africa’s Cape. Colonial processes of globalisation and the mineral revolution in the 19th century trailed far in the wake of African involvement in the vast Indian Ocean economy through their hunting, mining, smelting and artisanal skills.
Rise of states
Indian Ocean trade contributed to major transformations in the interior. The wealth it generated led to social stratification and the emergence of a distinct ruling class. Leaders’ economic, political and spiritual power intensified. These processes found expression in the establishment in 1220 of Mapungubwe, in the middle Limpopo Valley, and the first state in southern Africa.
The little-known trading state, Thulamela, was located in the north of what’s now the Kruger Park. From 1250 to 1650 it was a key node of production and exchange. But for many decades the site was ignored. When intensive research finally started in the 1990s it made very limited progress in revealing the form and nature of the state. But renewed and interdisciplinary research at the site and surrounding areas has already produced new insights into the history of Thulamela and promises to generate many more in the near future.
New windows to a past
Given this deep history of powerful kingdoms connected by an underlying but dynamic economic system, we have to let go of the idea that the Zulu Kingdom, which formed in the early 19th century, was the first powerful state in what was to become South Africa. In fact, it was a relatively recent example of much deeper and wider transformations.
It was only in the 19th century that expanding colonial capitalism and settlement fuelled by the “second” mineral revolution penetrated the interior and encountered its kingdoms and trading opportunities.
The interaction between the two worlds culminated in a hard-fought struggle over trade, land and labour. While the African kingdoms were ultimately defeated and traders and craftsmen were displaced, their impact on the shape and nature of South African society is still felt today.
A challenge to historians now is to deepen our understanding of this missing millennium, and of pre-colonial transformations.
Researchers need to pay greater attention to a wider range of documentary sources (beyond those in English) and to oral traditions. Collaboration with scholars working on archaeology, historical linguistics and genetics will also tell us more about the forces that have shaped our present.
Linell Chewins received funding from the National Research Foundation for her Masters.
Tim Forssman receives funding from the National Research Foundation.
Peter Delius 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 – Africa – By Suleman Lazarus, Visiting Fellow, Mannheim Centre for Criminology, London School of Economics and Political Science
People find love in many ways and through diverse mediums. Online platforms have become popular meeting places for people looking to find intimate partners, making them a prime target for cybercriminals.
Online romance fraud has become a global phenomenon. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US, romance scams accounted for losses to about 24,000 Americans, exceeding US$1 billion, in 2022.
On the African continent, Nigeria and Ghana have emerged as hubs for internet fraud. The “Yahoo Boys” operating in Nigeria and “Sakawa Boys” in Ghana have a reputation for engaging in various fraudulent schemes, including online romance scams.
Over the past decade, I have researched cybercrime and criminology, focusing on west African online fraudsters. Coverage of romance scams often centres on victim narratives or sensational headlines, leaving offender-focused research largely unexplored.
In a recent paper, I studied the cases of 50 people convicted of online romance in Nigeria. A separate research study I spearheaded involved interviews with active offenders in Ghana. Rather than relying solely on fragmented media accounts, the two research papers offer a robust, evidence-based understanding of the cultural, economic and historical factors driving cybercriminal behaviour.
My findings from both papers show that romance fraud offenders frequently present themselves as white and primarily target western societies. In framing fraud as a way to reclaim wealth they believed was unjustly taken during colonial rule, many saw their actions as a civic duty. In the case file study on Nigerian fraudsters, I found that many were driven by “socioeconomic needs”.
My findings provide insights into offenders’ tactics and motivations. This could be useful for law enforcement officials developing targeted interventions, and for policymakers wanting to frame informed strategies.
Who, where, how and why
This article uses “scam” and “fraud”, as well as “scammers” and “fraudsters”, interchangeably. The media, financial institutions, and the public typically use “scams” and “scammers”. Academics often prefer “fraud” and “fraudsters” to emphasise the seriousness of these crimes, as noted in my research.
I examined case files of 50 individuals convicted of romance fraud in Nigeria following prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In a separate study I conducted interviews with active romance fraud offenders in Ghana.
My decision to focus on Nigeria and Ghana was based on findings in research done earlier. For example, I co-authored a paper that reviewed 21 years of empirical studies (2000–2021) in which we found that many west African scammers predominantly targeted individuals in the west. Another research study I spearheaded showed how songs by Nigerian artists glamorised the actions of scammers and highlighted their preference for western victims.
Similarly, the Nigeria case file study found that over half of the romance scam victims (56%) were in the US. My interviews with offenders in Ghana further showed that romance scammers viewed their actions as “legitimate retribution for colonial injustice”. These scammers operate within a historical framework in which colonial subjugation narratives influence their motivations and societal attitudes toward cybercrime.
Profile of an online fraudster
The analysis of the case files of the 50 convicted romance scammers showed patterns in offender profiles and strategies. Most were young – 81.7% were under 26. Nearly 60% preferred Apple’s iPhone for their fraudulent schemes. When it came to occupation, 74% were university students.
Offenders carefully constructed their online personas. Nearly half (46%) posed as white American males, 12% as military personnel, and 10% as white European males.
The victims they chose were mostly women: 70% of offenders primarily targeted females, 14% targeted males, 10% targeted both genders and 6% did not specify the victim’s gender.
Facebook was the most commonly used platform, appearing in 46% of the Nigerian cases.
Some of the Ghanaian scammers said they saw their crimes as acts of service to a greater cause. This included loyalty to their communities or the pursuit of economic justice. They portrayed their scams as efforts to reclaim wealth from nations historically exploiting their regions.
Suleman Lazarus 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 – Canada – By Ian H. Rowlands, Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo
In March 2023, Canada and Norway issued a joint statement on bilateral co-operation. Notably, the statement emphasized a commitment to “achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, to promoting research collaboration and to increasing trade and investment in clean technologies and renewables that help enable a green and just transition.”
Co-operation on energy transitions offers a timely way to strengthen this bond from 2025 onwards, more than ever in light of unfolding events on the global stage.
As researchers in environmental policy, we argue that this collaboration should focus on advancing the energy transition. Here, both countries are faced with tremendous opportunities, but also difficult decisions that require political gumption. There are national elections that will take place in each country this year, which makes this a particularly opportune political moment to address this concern.
Both these climate-ambitious petro-powers have great potential to co-create pathways for prosperity. Both could conceivably implement advanced energy transition strategies that focus on the use of fossil fuel reserves judiciously and purposefully to finance climate change goals.
The National Bank of Canada envisioned something like this in a 2023 report, continuing discussions that date back at least a decade. The report concluded that:
Meanwhile, Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global crossed US$1.7 trillion in 2024, bearing testament to the financial strength the country has derived from the petroleum era.
Electrification
The connections between fossil fuel wealth and a climate-friendly transition show much potential. However, too often those advocating for continued exploitation of carbon-based resources fail to acknowledge the accelerated phaseout timetable needed for greenhouse gas emission reductions. The use of natural gas as a transition fuel, for instance, requires a long-term plan for carbon neutrality. Without that, deployment effectively locks in decades of additional emissions.
The real promise these countries hold for the energy transition is in the call to electrify (almost) everything. This approach simultaneously uses two pathways: “greening” the electricity grid with low-carbon energy sources, and moving fossil fuel energy demand onto these clean electricity grids.
Digitalization, which refers to the wider socioeconomic changes inextricably linked to the shift from analog to digital systems, should also be seen as a parallel priority to enable real-time co-ordination of electricity demand and supply across coupled sectors.
For context, these green and greener grids have been achieved in an era of relatively flat electricity demand in many parts of both countries. But that is changing: sector demands like mobility, heating and data centres are already proving to be significant, new consumers of electricity. Huge quantities of additional electricity have to be rapidly generated while maintaining system stability.
How these two frontrunner states replace existing carbon-fuelled infrastructure and meet the anticipated growth in electricity demand is of global interest.
Stronger bilateral collaboration could also result in positive outcomes in geopolitical developments in the Arctic. Rapidly consolidating trade relations more broadly has rarely been so important from a political perspective. Building this collaboration along energy transition synergies presents advantages that remain gravely underexploited.
This is likely due to the political and economic status and sway that petroleum incumbents have held. But the twin transition of low-carbon electrification and digitalization offers Canada and Norway a chance to co-operate and lead their global regions into a new era of greener energy.
Building upon their shared geographies, structures, experiences and values, the time is ripe for collaboration on the sustainable energy transition. This could include government officials, individuals from utilities and regulators, industry representatives, members of civil society and Indigenous organizations, researchers and academics.
Together, Canada and Norway have the potential to work in tandem to move towards a more prosperous and sustainable global future.
Ian H. Rowlands is a member of the Board of Directors of Waterloo Region Community Energy.
Siddharth Sareen has received funding from the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, JPI Climate and JPI Urban Europe programmes of the European Commission.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jennifer A. Selby, Professor, Religious Studies and Political Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Legislation and scrutiny of ‘fraudulent marriage’ subtly position romance as a proxy to assess narrow liberal ideals.(Shutterstock)
Valentine’s Day is sold to us as a moment to celebrate romance: we should buy cards, roses and chocolates. Go for fancy, dimly lit dinners with our significant others. Make loving declarations.
However, romance can also be mobilized to judge and surveil relationships, and determine which are valid and which are not. Numerous countries, including Canada, have laws against what they deem as fraudulent marriages.
To consider the impact of these laws, and to study the colonial legacies within them, I conducted a study of the marriage (and for many, migration) experiences of people of Algerian origin in three contexts: Ghazaouet and Tizi Ouzou in Algeria, a Parisian suburb called Petit-Nanterre and in Montréal from 2011 to 2019. My findings drew on almost 200 personal interviews focused on the marriage partner preferences and ceremonies of my participants.
I was particularly interested in a comparison between France and Canada, where monitoring romance has served as a way to gauge the sincerity of marriages among migrants for whom citizenship is at stake.
Laws targeting fraudulent marriage
In an effort to curb a seeming rise in fraudulent marriages in immigration family sponsorship requests, governments in France and Canada introduced legislation in the 2000s to promote greater surveillance of and penalties for marriage fraud.
In France, this began in 2008 with a law to curb “love fraud with a migratory aim.” Passed in the same year, Canada’s law centred on impeding “bad faith” marriages.
Such legislation often comes with penalties. In France, if one is found guilty of being party to a fraudulent marriage, the penalty can be annulment, five to 10 years in prison, fines or deportation. The impetus for such laws is the unquantified sense that a growing number of foreign nationals take advantage of family unification immigration pathways through disingenuous relationships.
The state’s involvement in France is more acute because the burden of assessment falls primarily on marriage officiants and immigration officers. Civil marriages there must take place in a municipal office and prior to a religious marriage.
A 2010 directive to French marriage officiants is especially revelatory of this surveillance. Evidence of financial and sexual intimacies act as evidence of a sincere marriage. Romance is seen as a reflection of a spontaneous and uncalculated relationship.
Of course, there is no evidence that expressions of romance in an early marriage are signs of success; divorce occurs for almost half of marrying couples, whether couples are transnational or not. Figures in Canada indicate a slightly higher divorce rate than in France.
In Montréal, one can be married outside of a municipal office. Still, my participants in that city shared similar stories of pressures to perform specific sexual politics in the presence of state officials.
One man whose wife wore a hijab was interrogated by first responders about the husband’s involvement when she fainted, while pregnant, outside a grocery store. Bewildered by the situation, he answered their questions about whether theirs was a forced marriage (it was not). In retrospect, he said he would have declined this line of questioning and focused their attention on his wife.
Arranged marriages
One of my notable findings is that many marriages in my sample were quasi-arranged — organized with the assistance of family members (often mothers). Yet, these types of marriages often fall outside idealized ideas of romance, rendering these couples more vulnerable to being accused of fraud.
I also found that potential scrutiny from immigration officials did not impede interest in a transnational marriage partner. Many of my interviewees liked the idea of a partner of the same religion or culture, and who spoke Arabic or Tamazight. In addition, for many, a cosmopolitan transnational life linking Algeria with France or Québec was appealing.
Depending on their gender, social class, religiosity, families and personalities, individuals grapple with these politics differently. The social contexts of a Parisian suburb and Montréal further shaped a participant’s sense of longing and belonging. Fewer Algerian women in Montréal were interested in such arrangements. Invariably, however, individuals of Algerian origin in both contexts knew that transnational unions were highly scrutinized.
Despite the attention granted to curbing marriage fraud, the data suggest that few marriages are annulled. The spectre of this surveillance is greater than its enforcement.
Unfairly penalizing migrants
Legislation and scrutiny of marriages seen as fraudulent subtly position romance as a proxy to assess narrow liberal ideals. Somescholars have called this phenomenon a push for a “sexual democracy,” where women’s bodies are subtly expected to remain visible and sexually available as signs of their putative equality.
Perhaps unexpectedly, niqab bans in both France and Québec further reflect these values. Full-face veils are, tellingly, depicted as lacking sexual agency and individualism, and impeding a cisgender woman’s ability to attract men.
Narrow views of what kind of romance should be legitimized and celebrated are not limited to governments. Such views also manifest in consumer culture and in the wedding industry, and are desired and performed by many of us, including among my research participants in arranged marriages. Romance’s pervasiveness, desirability and seeming spontaneity mask its politics.
As we enjoy romantic gestures on Valentine’s Day, we should also consider the cultural specificity of these tropes and their potentially exclusionary politics in determining whose relationships are deemed legitimate. Entrenchments of patriarchal chivalry, monogamy, consumerism and narrow gender roles can run in tandem.
Jennifer A. Selby receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Masoud Kianpour, Senior Research Fellow, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration program, Toronto Metropolitan University
I teach a course on the relationship between social media and society at Durham College. As part of their assessments, I ask my students to reflect on their social media use.
A recurring theme is that they cannot be separated from their smartphones. Many admit to spending significant time daily on social media watching short videos without a clear purpose and as a way to procrastinate on more productive activities.
There is a term for this kind of behaviour and its impact on mental health, one that was recently named Oxford Word of the Year 2024: “brain rot” — the deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially as the result of over-consuming trivial or unchallenging online content.
For many adults, a diffuse addiction to the internet, or what clinical psychologists call digital drugs (like online shopping, gaming, gambling, pornography), has become a widespread problem, especially since the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While they do enable these possibilities, they also pose significant challenges to our relationship with truth and trust — two pillars of a functioning democracy. By spreading misinformation and creating echo chambers that polarize communities, social media platforms have become a ground for the rise of “hate and extremism.”
In a culture of constant connectivity, many young people are navigating a digital world of idealized images and unrealistic comparisons. (Shutterstock)
In a culture of constant connectivity, many young people are navigating a digital world of idealized images, from beauty influencers who subject them to unrealistic comparisons that often lead to feelings of inadequacy and diminished self-worth to an online bro culture that purveys a toxic form of masculinity as a path to success.
For cultural theorist Byung-Chul Han, this is a sign of the decline in storytelling. Modern readers have lost the ability to engage deeply with narratives. The “long, slow, lingering gaze” that allows for daydreaming and true distraction has been replaced by a hyper-focused engagement with constant streams of information. As a result, narration is in crisis.
Students couldn’t follow the entire video and felt it was too long. As a result, the team had to edit it into a series of much shorter clips — some as brief as 16 seconds — so they could capture the attention of their audience. Should this come as a surprise?
Modern media and technology constantly remind us to preserve our memory and protect our history. However, memory is paradoxical in that it involves forgetting and absence with every act of remembrance.
Online platforms, with their ephemeral content, risk contributing to a cultural memory loss since so much of what’s shared on these platforms is transitory and geared toward superficial engagement rather than meaningful cultural expression.
Online platforms risk contributing to a cultural memory loss as so much of what is shared on these platforms is geared toward superficial engagement rather than meaningful cultural expression. (Shutterstock)
When brains rot, truth fades
In his memoir, American writer and naturalist Henry David Thoreau lamented society’s declining capacity for deep thought and intellectual effort, favouring instead simple and superficial thinking.
“While England endeavors to cure the potato-rot, will not any endeavor to cure the brain-rot, which prevails so much more widely and fatally?”
Thoreau may have seen a future where the U.S. would be led by a president who not only lacks the capacity for deep thought and self-reflection but also disregards historical facts and moral values.
Despite his reputation as a pathological liar, Donald Trump exemplifies what philosopher Harry Frankfurt defined as a bullshitter — a person who does not mislead in the way a liar does, by deliberately making false claims about reality, but rather by speaking without any regard for truth at all.
Bullshitters shift the rules of conversation by making questions of truth and falsehood irrelevant. Lies and the truth simply become tools that can be used to tell their story — regardless of the facts.
Georg Simmel was one of the first social scientists who expressed concern about the impact of modern life on mental health. In 1903, writing about Berlin, he described blasé attitude as a psychological condition that arises when the brain is subjected to an overwhelming number of stimuli. To cope, it develops a defense mechanism: becoming indifferent to its surroundings.
One century later, when our online feeds are flooded with endless digital content, it is uncanny to revisit Simmel’s observation. We must move beyond traditional diagnostic digital literacy and competency frameworks. The problem lies not only in the technology itself, but in the broader socio-economic system in which it operates — a consumer-capitalist-digital complex that is eroding our brains and cultures.
Humans have always been fascinated by stories. We need them to understand ourselves. However, social media’s profit-driven algorithms homogenize experiences and ultimately undermine cultural diversity. We have become storysellers instead of storytellers.
Masoud Kianpour has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Nearly half of EU citizens reported emotional or psychological difficulties in the last 12 months. In this video, we share the powerful stories of three individuals who have battled mental health challenges, faced stigma, and found ways to move forward. Hear their experiences, learn how they cope, and join the conversation about mental health awareness.
The European Commission is dedicated to combating stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health, promoting awareness, and ensuring equal access to support and care for all.
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City of London Policy Chairman visits to strengthen business links
11 February 2025
The City of London Corporation’s Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, was in Derry this week to attend the launch of the MATRIX NI report and a number of engagements to build on the North West’s strong connections with the City of London.
Matrix, Northern Ireland’s Science and Industry Advisory Panel, supported by the Department for the Economy, launched a new report exploring opportunities for the application of regulatory technologies (RegTech).
The report finds that Northern Ireland, with its skilled workforce and strong academic institutions, is strongly positioned to help businesses navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment. This can be achieved by the development of innovative solutions to streamline compliance processes, enhancing transparency, while mitigating any risks in the financial services sector
Mr Hayward and his delegation were welcomed to the city by the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, who took the opportunity to discuss shared interests in business, innovation and culture. The significant work being done by the Council and its delivery partners to bring forward an ambitious suite of innovative City Deal projects that will create jobs, attract investment and growth to the region was also discussed.
Mr Kelpie said it was a great honour to welcome Mr Hayward to the region to talk about the opportunities to promote the RegTech proposition, harnessing the city region’s unique cross-jurisdictional location and collaborative partnerships and to build on existing relationships between the two cities and regions.
He said: “We have extremely strong links with the City of London and it’s hugely encouraging to see Mr Hayward and his delegation taking time out of their schedule to visit our city and meet with industry leaders to hear about the excellent work that is being done here in terms of attracting global investment and helping home-grown success stories compete internationally. The City of London Corporation is a global financial and professional services capital that drives the UK’s economy and the sector is of huge importance to this region.”
During his visit, Mr Hayward met with RegTech Supercluster representatives to hear at first-hand about the collaborative work being done on the ground to develop the region’s RegTech offering.
It was also an opportunity to provide the delegation with an update on the ‘Innovation Challenge’ programme that was launched late last year with the City of London Corporation as a strategic partner, to encourage innovators to develop creative technology solutions to tackle cross border regulatory and compliance challenges.
A key element of the visit was to discuss with key stakeholders the key findings of the Matrix NI report and how to bring forward its recommendations.
The launch provided the opportunity for the RegTech Supercluster to discuss how it can support the Department to shape the RegTech proposition and working with key stakeholders generate economic growth and competitive advantage across the region.
The delegation met with senior officials at the Ulster University to discuss their expansion plans and to receive an update on the work being carried out by the Task Force and key research and development projects.
Mr Heyward also met with representatives from the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce before taking a tour of the local Seagate plant at Springtown and meeting with Chief Operating Officer with EY, Jonathan Williamson, to discuss their future plans for development at Ebrington Plaza and their wider growth across the region.
Upcoming works on the Station Gateway project have been confirmed as the project progresses.
In recent weeks paving has been laid and footpath and kerb improvements are happening near to the Blossom Street Junction. This is creating new high quality public realm in the area where Queen Street Bridge used to be.
Contractors John Sisk & Son have announced upcoming dates to local residents, including some night working during February and March. The work involves using machinery but every effort is being made to keep noise and disruption to a minimum. Night work will start on Monday 17 February and will be from 7.30pm until 5am on weeknights.
During weeknights on the weeks commencing 17 February and 24 February, work will take place opposite the station portico to dig out existing footways and roads so that they can be resurfaced and improved as part of the changes to public spaces in the area. While this is taking place two-way traffic lights will be in place while the overnight works are happening.
Access to the station and nearby properties is being maintained. Further night works are planned mid-March and more details on these will be shared in the coming weeks.
Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the difference that is being made to the area as work continues and really exciting to see the transformation.
“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. Our contractors will be doing all they can to minimise disruption.
“Local businesses, including the station, remain open for business throughout these works.”
This major project is being delivered in partnership by City of York Council, Network Rail, LNER and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority alongside contractor for the highways works for the project John Sisk & Son, and is part funded by the UK government.
The ambitious project will completely transform the station frontage, providing an improved transport interchange, as well as revamping the public space around the station. The scheme will also create an improved setting for the City Walls and other heritage buildings in the area.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the implementation of long-term plans for the integrated socio-economic development of the Khabarovsk urban agglomeration and the urban district “City of Komsomolsk-on-Amur” for the period up to 2030
February 11, 2025
Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the implementation of long-term plans for the integrated socio-economic development of the Khabarovsk urban agglomeration and the urban district “City of Komsomolsk-on-Amur” for the period up to 2030
February 11, 2025
Yuri Trutnev inspected the new modular multifunctional sports hall at School No. 9 in Khabarovsk and attended a training session for children’s sports groups in Kyokushin karate and other martial arts
February 11, 2025
Yuri Trutnev inspected the new modular multifunctional sports hall at School No. 9 in Khabarovsk and attended a training session for children’s sports groups in Kyokushin karate and other martial arts
February 11, 2025
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Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the implementation of long-term plans for the integrated socio-economic development of the Khabarovsk urban agglomeration and the urban district “City of Komsomolsk-on-Amur” for the period up to 2030
During a working visit to Khabarovsk Krai, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev held meetings on the implementation of long-term plans for the comprehensive socio-economic development of the Khabarovsk urban agglomeration and the urban district “City of Komsomolsk-on-Amur” for the period up to 2030, on the implementation of major investment projects in the region, and also visited a number of social facilities.
“In accordance with the instructions of the President of Russia, master plan activities are being implemented in the Khabarovsk agglomeration and Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Khabarovsk Krai. The development plans for the two cities include 48 activities for 414 billion rubles. More than 124 billion rubles have already been allocated from budgets at all levels for the implementation of activities until 2030,” Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting on the implementation of master plans.
The master plans of the Khabarovsk agglomeration and Komsomolsk-on-Amur were approved by the President of Russia in 2023. Of the 84 objects of the master plans of the Khabarovsk Territory, four have been completed, ten are being designed, 21 are under construction, and 49 are in the planning stage. As part of the implementation of the master plans in Khabarovsk in 2024, 16 trolleybuses and 10 trams were purchased, and preferential financing was approved through VEB.RF for the construction of the Far Eastern bus cluster. New microdistricts with developed social infrastructure and rental housing are being built in the Northern District. Under the Far Eastern concession, projects have begun to build the Far Eastern Art Museum and the Far Eastern Children’s Recreation and Health Center.
“We will complete the design in the first half of the year. I gave instructions to begin preparing the construction sites. The new museum will open to visitors in the first quarter of 2028. Its halls will display over 15 thousand works of art. The first children’s camp created in the region in the post-Soviet period will be completed in 2027. The company has begun preparing the construction site. Once commissioned, the camp will be able to accommodate over 5 thousand children per year,” said Dmitry Demeshin, Governor of Khabarovsk Krai.
In Komsomolsk-on-Amur, the reconstruction of the embankment will be completed in March, and the innovative interactive center “Euristics” is planned to be launched. “The long-term plan for Komsomolsk-on-Amur provides for the revitalization of iconic spaces. It was decided to allocate more than 400 million rubles from the regional reserve fund for the restoration of the Stroitel cultural center. The design and estimate documentation is ready. The work will take two years,” the head of the region specified.
Yuri Trutnev noted the need to complete the construction of social facilities, including a children’s hospital complex and an inter-district oncology dispensary in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and asked Dmitry Demeshin to pay special attention to them.
Funds are allocated for the implementation of master plans from the presidential single subsidy. As explained by the Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic Alexey Chekunkov, the Presidium of the Government Commission on the Socio-Economic Development of the Far East supported three events: the creation of the Far Eastern Children’s Recreation and Health Center, the construction of the Far Eastern Art Museum building, and the fifth stage of the construction of the unified embankment.
The creation of a “Far Eastern quarter” in the Zheleznodorozhny district of Khabarovsk was discussed. The project was developed to support integrated development.
During a meeting on the implementation of major investment projects in the region, Yuri Trutnev noted that Khabarovsk Krai is one of the leaders in attracting investment in the Far East. “Here, 145 investment projects are being implemented with state support. More than 15.3 thousand jobs have been created, 63 enterprises have been introduced. Our priority task is to ensure the timely and successful implementation of investment projects, providing comprehensive support to investors,” Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.
The meeting discussed projects in the fields of mining, logistics, tourism, construction and transport infrastructure. A-Steel presented a project to build a mining and processing plant based on the Milkan iron ore deposit. Amur Minerals, a resident of the priority development area, is building a mining and processing plant at the Malmyzhskoye deposit in the Nanai district. Elga Management Company LLC is creating the Pacific Ocean railway and a sea coal terminal near Cape Manorsky. VB Khabarovsk presented a project to build a high-tech warehouse complex, the implementation of which is planned for the new integrated investment site of the priority development area Khabarovsk – Severnaya. The development of the Kholdomi mountain resort was discussed. The Etalon financial and construction group held a presentation of the Khabarovsk-City project. Projects for the development of port infrastructure were also discussed.
Yuri Trutnev visited the regional branch of the Voin center. The Khabarovsk branch of the Voin center opened its doors on May 11, 2023 and has already achieved significant success. If in 2023, 1,413 people completed its educational programs, then in 2024 it has already trained 3,067 cadets. Over the entire period of its work, the branch team has held about 200 military-patriotic events in educational institutions of the region, master classes with employees of law enforcement agencies, and exhibitions.
On the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister inspected the new modular multifunctional sports hall at School No. 9 in Khabarovsk and attended a training session of children’s sports groups in Kyokushin karate and other types of martial arts. The facility is one of six being built in Khabarovsk under the “50 Sports Halls in Far Eastern Schools” program at the initiative of three-time Kyokushin karate world champion Khaid Mantayev together with the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and with the personal support of Yuri Trutnev. The new sports hall is equipped with all the necessary equipment and was built as part of the social development plan for economic growth centers in Khabarovsk Krai using funds from the presidential single subsidy provided by the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East. The modular hall with an area of 360 square meters will be able to accommodate about 30 sports fans at a time. The sports hall will include mini-football, basketball, volleyball, karate, taekwondo and judo. In the future, there are plans to open hand-to-hand combat and gymnastics sections here, as well as install a boxing ring.
Yuri Trutnev also visited a site in the village of Blagovatnoye where it is planned to create a training ground for UAV operators and conduct classes as part of the development of a system of patriotic education and military-sports training.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
“On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the brilliance and resiliency of women who are transforming the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Their groundbreaking work pushes innovation and inspires future generations to dream big.
“Through initiatives like the Women in STEM Scholarship, Alberta’s government supports women and girls in their pursuit of careers in these essential fields. This scholarship provides funding to help women overcome barriers and excel in education and careers where their talents have often been overlooked. Through community grant programs, Alberta’s government is also supporting non-profit organizations that offer programming that gives girls opportunities to explore STEM, like the grant we announced for Western Mechatronics Association to continue their programming that helps young girls engage with robotics and other STEM-related topics.
“By empowering girls to pursue their passions in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, we unlock their potential and build a future driven by bold ideas.”
Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women
“Inspiring women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are leading innovation in Alberta – but there’s more to achieve. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I encourage every girl and young woman to dream big and explore these exciting fields that offer endless opportunities for creativity, problem-solving and leadership.
“Through targeted supports, we can ensure that every Albertan has the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education and make their mark on the world.
“Alberta proudly partners with several organizations that support women and youth in preparing for successful careers. By investing in bright-minded young women, we are making a strategic investment in Alberta’s future.
“Women in Alberta are not just imagining the future of science – they’re building it. Let’s empower more young women to lead the way. Together, we’re shaping a province that thrives on talent, innovation and limitless potential.”
Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education
Madame Tanya Fir, ministre des Arts, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine, et madame Rajan Sawhney, soulignent la Journée internationale des femmes et des filles en science.
« À l’occasion de la Journée internationale des femmes et des filles de science, nous célébrons la brillance et la résilience des femmes qui transforment la science, la technologie, l’ingénierie et les mathématiques. Leurs travaux remarquables stimulent l’innovation et inspirent les générations futures à voir grand.
« Grâce à des initiatives telles que la bourse Women in STEM, le gouvernement de l’Alberta soutient les femmes et les jeunes filles dans leur poursuite d’une carrière dans ces domaines essentiels. La bourse aide les femmes à surmonter les obstacles qui s’imposent à elles et à exceller dans les études et les carrières où leurs talents ont souvent été négligés. Grâce à des programmes de subvention communautaires, le gouvernement de l’Alberta soutient également des organismes sans but lucratif dont les programmes permettent aux filles d’explorer les STIM, comme la subvention que nous avons annoncée pour la Western Mechatronics Association, qui permet à l’association de continuer à offrir ses programmes en appui aux jeunes filles qui s’intéressent à la robotique et à d’autres sujets liés aux STIM.
« En donnant aux filles les moyens de poursuivre leurs passions dans les domaines des sciences, de la technologie, de l’ingénierie ou des mathématiques, nous libérons leur potentiel et bâtissons un avenir animé par des idées audacieuses. »
Tanya Fir, ministre des Arts, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine
« Des femmes inspirantes dans les domaines des sciences, de la technologie, de l’ingénierie et des mathématiques sont à la tête de l’innovation en Alberta, mais il reste encore beaucoup à faire. En cette Journée internationale des femmes et des filles de science, j’encourage toutes les filles et les jeunes femmes à voir grand et à explorer ces domaines passionnants qui offrent des possibilités infinies de créativité, de résolution de problèmes et de leadership.
« Grâce à des programmes d’aide ciblés, nous pouvons faire en sorte que chaque Albertaine ait la possibilité de poursuivre des études postsecondaires et de laisser sa marque dans le monde.
« L’Alberta est fière de s’associer à plusieurs organismes qui aident les femmes et les jeunes filles à se préparer à une carrière réussie. En investissant dans les jeunes femmes à l’esprit brillant, nous réalisons un investissement stratégique dans l’avenir de l’Alberta.
« Les femmes de l’Alberta ne se contentent pas d’imaginer l’avenir de la science, elles le construisent. Donnons à davantage de jeunes femmes les moyens de montrer la voie. Ensemble, nous façonnons une province qui prospère grâce au talent, à l’innovation et à un potentiel illimité. »
Rajan Sawhney, ministre de l’Enseignement postsecondaire
“CUPE National union with Ontario-based leadership is interfering in what should be local negotiations between school boards and CUPE locals, and in other areas using tactics of fear and intimidation to prevent deals from being signed.
“In Medicine Hat, following an agreement between the Medicine Hat Public School Division and CUPE local 829, the national leadership of CUPE effectively deregistered the local to prevent a ratification vote.
“In Sturgeon School Division, the Alberta Labour Relations Board had to issue an injunction to prevent union activists from blocking school buses.
“In Edmonton, after nurses were contracted to administer insulin and other medications to medically fragile children, CUPE pressured the nursing agency to withdraw service, forcing those students to stay home.
“This pattern of behaviour is disturbing and shows that education support workers who do not yet have a deal will not be permitted to vote on one, under fear of deregistration by union leaders in Ontario.
“At the end of the day the antics and disturbing action taken by union leaders in Ontario is causing extremely detrimental effects to learning outcomes for Alberta students.
“Alberta’s government and school boards have shown up to the table to find a path forward, but CUPE National leaders clearly have ulterior motives that are not in the best interests of their members or Alberta students.
“Alberta’s government calls upon CUPE to allow local bargaining to take place and stop these tactics of fear and intimidation so that kids can be back in school getting the care and education they deserve.”
The Board of Directors of the Bank of Canada today announced the appointment of Michelle Alexopoulos as an external Deputy Governor for a term of two years, effective March 17, 2025. Dr. Alexopoulos’ appointment is the result of a public external recruitment process and will bring the size of the Bank’s Governing Council to seven members on an ongoing basis.
“I am delighted that Michelle Alexopoulos is joining the Bank’s Governing Council and I am looking forward to working with her,” said Governor Tiff Macklem. “She is a top-tier macroeconomist with deep expertise in issues critical to Canada’s economic prospects. I am confident that her knowledge and innovative thinking will contribute importantly to our policy decision making.”
The Bank’s Governing Council is its policy-making body, responsible for conducting monetary policy and promoting a safe and efficient financial system. Alongside other members of the Council, Dr. Alexopoulos will also be responsible for communicating with Canadians about the Bank’s policy decisions and its outlook for the economy and inflation.
The Bank created the external Deputy Governor role in 2023 to bring diverse perspectives to its consensus-based policy-making process. The first external Deputy Governor, Nicolas Vincent, was appointed effective March 2023 for a term that has been extended to three years. In October of last year, the Bank announced it would create a second external Deputy Governor position.
In keeping with the nature of the role, Dr. Alexopoulos will work with the Bank of Canada in a part-time capacity and will maintain her affiliation with the University of Toronto, where she is a professor of economics.
Dr. Alexopoulos’ research focuses on the business cycle as well as the effects of technical change and uncertainty. She has conducted innovative work in the application of data mining and textual analysis to create indicators for economic modeling and forecasting. More recently, her research has looked at technological change, productivity and central bank communications. She is past president of the Canadian Economics Association and has been a multi-year recipient of the Bank of Canada’s Fellowship Award.
Born in Toronto, Dr. Alexopoulos received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, as well as a Master’s and a PhD in economics from Northwestern University.
Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison will lead a trade mission to India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) February 11-19 where he will meet with key business groups, buyers and investors, as well as attend the Pulses Conclave in Delhi, India, and the Gulfood Exhibition in Dubai, UAE.
“The United Arab Emirates and India are important export markets for Saskatchewan, especially in the pulse sector,” Harrison said.“We will continue to reinforce our longstanding commitment as a reliable and trustworthy supplier of high-quality agricultural products.”
In 2024, Saskatchewan was the UAE’s and India’s largest supplier of lentils and dry peas. The province was responsible for 70 per cent of the UAE’s lentil imports and 54 per cent of its dry pea imports. The province was responsible for 46 per cent of India’s lentil imports and 43 per cent of its dry pea imports. India was Saskatchewan’s third largest agri-food export market with the UAE being the ninth largest. India is also the world’s largest consumer of pulses.
During the mission, Minister Harrison will promote the sustainability of Saskatchewan’s crop production while strengthening trade, research and investment ties with some of Saskatchewan’s long-standing partners. Additionally, the mission will help companies and industry organizations within the province expand their relationships with stakeholders.
Minister Harrison will begin his trip in Delhi and speak at the Pulses Conclave, a conference focused on bringing together international pulse suppliers and Indian buyers and processers. During the mission, he will meet with the Consul Generals of Canada to India and the UAE. In Dubai, he will attend the Gulfood 2025 trade show and conference, which attracts 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries. He will also meet with industry associations and oilseed, wheat, pulse and ingredient companies.
Saskatchewan has a network of nine international trade offices, two of which are in India and the UAE. The offices are working to grow Saskatchewan’s exports, attract investment into the province and strengthen relationships with our partners in these markets.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Michael J. French, 41, of Pendleton, has pleaded guilty to operating a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme and to stalking two social media content creators.
Evidence put forth at the plea hearing established that French owned MJF Holdings, LLC and MJF Capital, LLC. Beginning in March 2019, through these companies, French offered promissory notes to investors that projected annual returns of 12 percent. He represented to investors that their funds would be used to provide loans to small businesses and that he had experience in the financial industry, including underwriting the loans in which the investor would be invested. French represented to investors that he would not receive compensation unless the promissory notes earned in excess of the 12 percent guaranteed to investors.
These were false representations. French paid previous investors with new investor monies because his investment product was not generating returns. This lulled investors into believing the product was successful, when, in fact, French was spending investor money to maintain a lavish lifestyle that included supporting female social media content creators by paying them thousands of dollars each month.
At one point, the content creators stopped communicating with French. He became angry with the women and began harassing them through various “burner” phone numbers and fake email accounts. French claimed that he was a sniper, had killed people, and that the police could not protect them. French traveled to one woman’s home unannounced, forcing her to hide in a locked vehicle in the garage with her 2-year-old child. She called 911 as French attempted to force his way into the home. He was arrested by local police before he could reach them.
United State Chief District Judge Timothy Cain accepted French’s guilty plea and will sentence him after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office. French faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The FBI Columbia Field Office and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins is prosecuting the case.
A man who converted blank firearms for criminals from a workshop in his back garden has been jailed for more than 10 years.
Luke Parr, 23 (01.04.2001) of Maxey Road, Dagenham, appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 10 February where he was sentenced to a total of 10 and a half years’ imprisonment for two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and manufacturing firearms.
He had previously pleaded guilty, at the same court, to all the allegations against him.
On 10 June 2024, Parr was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder following the near fatal shooting of a man in Dagenham days earlier.
Following his arrest, officers searched Parr’s home and discovered a workshop in his back garden from where he was running a firearms conversion factory. During the search they also found two handguns that had already been converted for potentially lethal use as well as ammunition and all the equipment required to convert more guns.
While he was ultimately not charged in relation to the shooting, the investigation into Parr revealed his focus was on converting blank firing guns.
Some of the guns he was converting included Turkish-manufactured ‘top venting blank firers’.
This sort of gun is increasingly being linked to criminal activity in London and across the UK, including serious violence and even murder. They were previously legal to own and many thousands were bought lawfully, but they have since been found to be easily convertible using household tools and are now, as a result, illegal.
A national amnesty is underway to take as many of them off the streets as possible, depriving criminals like Parr with the opportunity to turn them into lethal weapons.
Detective Superintendent Tim Mustoe, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said:“This case highlights the ongoing risk posed when criminals with the necessary knowledge get their hands on readily convertible blank firing guns.
“From a shed in his back garden, Parr was able to turn blank firers into guns that could be used to cause serious harm on the streets of London. It is right that he has been sentenced to a lengthy term in prison.
“The key to stopping those like Parr is to dramatically reduce the number of these guns in circulation. It’s why it is so important that the ongoing amnesty is a success.
“We know the majority were bought lawfully by people with no ill intent who have done nothing wrong. It’s when they fall into the wrong hands that the damage can be done.
“I would urge anyone who has one of these guns at home to do the responsible thing and hand it in at a police station as part of the amnesty.
“They will not face police action for possession of the gun at the point of surrender if they do so during the amnesty, but if they choose not to do so now and are found to have one of these guns at a later date, then the consequences will be quite different.”
Details of the amnesty can be found below:
Turkish-manufactured top venting blank firers (TVBFs) can be handed in at police stations across London until Friday, 28 February.
This is part of a four week national amnesty taking place across the country.
TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence, unless they are readily convertible.
Tests by the National Crime Agency and police forces show models produced by four Turkish manufacturers – Retay, Ekol, Ceonic and Blow – are readily convertible and are therefore illegal.
Anyone found to be in possession of one, after the amnesty period, could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
During the Amnesty period, those handing in a Turkish manufactured TVBF will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and will not have to give their details.
However, the weapons will be examined to determine if they’ve previously been used in serious violence or other criminality.
While TVBFs can be handed in at any police station during the amnesty, the Met is asking people to aim to go to one of these stations:
Edmonton
Chingford
Colindale
Wembley
Islington
Stoke Newington
Bethnal Green
Ilford
Lewisham
Bexleyheath
Croydon
Bromley
Kingston
Brixton
Acton
Charing Cross
Hammersmith
Anyone intending to hand in a TVBF as part of the amnesty is encouraged to check the opening times of the relevant station on the Met Police website. To receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station, phone 101 before travelling.
If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity, you should call the police on 101 or report the information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Every call to Crimestoppers is anonymous and potentially vital to preventing or solving serious crimes. Removing an illegally held firearm from circulation may just save someone’s life.
The three-day meeting brings together 310 law enforcement officials from 150 countries.
LYON, France – Senior police officials from around the world are gathering in Lyon this week for INTERPOL’s annual Heads of National Central Bureaus (NCBs) Conference.
As the primary point of contact between INTERPOL and national law enforcement agencies in its 196 member countries, NCBs are uniquely positioned to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices in the fight against transnational crime.
Bringing together some 310 delegates from 150 countries, the three-day (11 – 13 February) meeting will discuss strategies for using INTERPOL’s capabilities and network to tackle current and emerging security risks.
Harnessing technology
Through a series of panel-based discussions and regional roundtable sessions, attendees will address a range of crime threats including gang violence, extremism and radicalization and cybercrime, as well as the use of technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence to enhance law enforcement capabilities.
INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi said:
“In today’s world, the importance of cross-border collaboration and data sharing cannot be over-stated.
“National Central Bureaus are the critical link connecting police agencies across INTERPOL’s member countries to the General Secretariat and the wider global security community. The challenges we face are not easy, but together, we are stronger.”
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said:
“INTERPOL’s mission must always stay aligned with its member countries’ needs—needs that are constantly changing as the landscape of international crime evolves.
“The Heads of National Central Bureaus’ conference is an opportunity for us to understand the wide-ranging priorities and challenges of our membership, and more importantly how we can help. There will be no strong INTERPOL without strong NCBs.”
Leading platform
Now in its 20th edition, the Heads of NCB conference is a leading platform for international police cooperation.
The event provides senior policing officials with a valuable opportunity to directly engage with their counterparts from around the world, fostering collaboration and exchanging knowledge to drive progress in the global effort to combat transnational crime.
Major companies to flag business opportunities to energy supply chain at 2025 Share Fair
11 February 2025
Supply chain companies keen to source market intelligence about the pipeline of energy projects and secure meetings with key business contacts are snapping up places at OEUK’s Share Fair on March 19 at Aberdeen’s P&J Live.
With support from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) and Aker Solutions as supporting sponsor, Share Fair illuminates business opportunities for suppliers and enables contract and procurement teams from major companies to broaden their knowledge of the expertise, innovative technology and specialised services offered by the UK supply chain.
The growing list of leading operators, developers and major contractors confirmed as participants in Share Fair includes those with interests across the energy sector ranging from oil and gas, offshore wind, hydrogen and geothermal to carbon capture and storage. All will be sharing details about their upcoming projects and contract opportunities available to the supply chain.
Companies signed up to present or offer the sought after one-to-one appointments include Aker Solutions, Anasuria Operating Company, bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Ltd, Camm-Pro Limited, Ceraphi Energy, Copenhagen Offshore Partners, CNOOC, Dana Petroleum, Energy Pathways, Flotation Energy, Inch Cape Offshore Limited, INEOS, Ithaca Energy, Petrogas, Serica Energy, Spirit Energy, Subsea7, TAQA, Valaris and Wood, with more expected to confirm in due course.
Katy Heidenreich, OEUK’s Supply Chain and People Director, said:
“The UK’s sustainable energy future depends on our amazing supply chain companies. They employ our talented workforce, and we depend on them to provide the technology, services and solutions to deliver the projects of today and tomorrow. They need visibility of when projects will happen so they can address constraints on people and equipment, and uncertainty on investment decisions. Share Fair provides clear visibility of future confirmed work, enabling them to forecast demand for their goods, services and expertise. It’s the ideal arena for encouraging greater collaboration on demand planning, project scheduling and resource management, helping our industry improve its competitiveness and ensuring resources are available to support the UK’s future sustainable energy supply.”
Bill Cattanach, Head of Supply Chain at the North Sea Transition Authority, said:
“Every year without fail, Share Fair attracts an impressive cast-list of major operators with major opportunities for the supply chain. While more big hitters are expected to confirm their participation before March 19, it is already clear this year’s event will be another success. I’m also encouraged that the involvement of decarbonisation project developers continues to grow at Share Fair. At the NSTA, we’re seeing the same trend with our Energy Pathfinder tool, with details of contracting opportunities for energy transition schemes being added all the time.”
Steve Nicol, Supply Chain Champion for the offshore energies industry, said:
“Our world class supply chain requires knowledge, resources and investment to support the delivery of both homegrown energy and the energy transition. Share Fair creates a fantastic opportunity for collaboration and helps to better inform our supply chain by connecting them to the right people at this critical time. In short, the event can help set businesses up for future success.”
The Share Fair format comprises presentations from operators, developers and contractors on future projects, one-to-one meetings with key decision makers procuring goods and services plus extensive opportunities for suppliers to network with industry peers and book exhibition space.
In late February, when OEUK opens booking for one-to-one appointments, suppliers will be able to secure business appointments with key decision-makers in companies looking to issue contracts to supply chain companies.
The event takes place in Aberdeen’s P&J Live on March 19 and more information about bookings is available on the website here .
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Isaac Kisiangani, Researcher and PhD student, African Population and Health Research Center
When a person suffers from two or more long-term health conditions at the same time this is known as multimorbidity.
The World Health Organization says multimorbidity puts patients at greater risk and complicates primary care. It also drives up healthcare costs.
People with more than one condition face a higher risk of early death and poorer quality of life. They may also have to take multiple medications. Polypharmacy increases the risk of harmful drug interactions and side effects, and patients find it harder to stick to treatment.
In African countries the situation is further complicated by several disease burdens converging. Individuals may suffer non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes, as well as from infectious diseases like HIV and tuberculosis.
Poverty and unequal access to healthcare add to the impact of multimorbidity.
Most research on multimorbidity has focused on populations of European ancestry. When people of African descent are included, the focus is often on African-Americans. This group does not represent the diversity or health challenges faced in Africa.
As specialists in genetic epidemiology and chronic diseases management, we set out to research the gaps in understanding multimorbidity among people with African ancestry.
Identifying gaps
We examined 232 medical research publications (published from 2010 to June 2022), and included those published in English and French. That’s not a lot if one considers all the different health challenges that people of African descent suffer globally.
Of these studies, 113 focused on continental African populations and 100 on the diaspora. Nineteen included both groups.
Our review spanned five major academic databases. We used search terms such as “multimorbidity”, “comorbidity” and “African population”. Restricting searches to titles and abstracts and relying on texts that our institutions could access may have excluded some studies.
Heart diseases dominate
Cardiometabolic diseases, including hypertension, heart disease and diabetes, were the most studied conditions in both populations (those in Africa and those elsewhere).
But notable differences emerged.
In populations on the continent, cardiometabolic diseases tended to occur along with chronic infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.
In diaspora populations, cardiometabolic diseases more commonly occurred along with other non-communicable diseases and psychiatric conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Age, sex, poverty
As with all populations worldwide, older people in the studies we reviewed were the group most likely to have more than one health condition.
But on the continent, the burden of infectious diseases meant younger adults were also at risk of having more than one illness.
Women were more likely than men to have multiple conditions, particularly in relation to conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. This likely reflects both biological factors, such as hormonal differences, and social influences like income inequalities and differences in working environments.
Individuals with lower socioeconomic status (which often means women) would be more likely to be exposed to unhealthy lifestyles, and to have less access to preventive care.
What can be done?
Our review found that the way health conditions combine differs between people of African descent outside Africa and those on the continent. This means medical research should include a greater diversity of participants.
Expanded data collection should include genetic and metabolomic data.
It is also essential to study a wider range of chronic conditions.
The increasing co-existence of conditions means that treatment for cardiovascular, metabolic and infectious diseases should be integrated.
Some African countries, including South Africa and Kenya, have already introduced integrated care, with encouraging results. A patient with two or more diseases is offered treatment for the conditions at the same facility during the same visit.
– Living with multiple chronic conditions cuts lives short – but Africans are overlooked in research – https://theconversation.com/living-with-multiple-chronic-conditions-cuts-lives-short-but-africans-are-overlooked-in-research-241627
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Peter Delius, Professor emeritus, University of the Witwatersrand
Were you told that gold mining in southern Africa started after 1852? Or that the export of iron, steel, copper and gold began in the late 19th century? Or that South Africa became integrated into a global trading system only after 1652? Or that the first powerful state in South Africa was the Zulu kingdom?
If you learned that any of these things were true, you are like most South Africans, who have missed out on at least a thousand years of the country’s history.
Both radical and conservative historians have focused heavily on colonial history, a story starting at the Cape and playing out within colonial boundaries. As a result, South Africa’s past has been compressed into a shortened timeline and a limited geography. That shorter version is what’s taught at schools and universities.
If we abandon 1652 – when the first Dutch settlers arrived in the Cape – as the key historical starting point, and go back a thousand years and cast our gaze 2,000km north of Table Mountain, a very different story unfolds.
Our research is attempting to rethink South African history. As many years of work in the interior show, along with our new focus on a central southern African trading landscape, Thulamela, the formative steps in South Africa’s history began here, along the Limpopo River.
Early cooperative relationships
Two thousand years ago, San hunter gatherers were the primary occupants of the region around the Limpopo River valley, an area around the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers that includes Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Contrary to popular opinion, these groups weren’t living in isolated bands. They were connected through regional networks of exchange spanning hundreds, even thousands, of kilometres.
At this time, South Africa was on the brink of fundamental change. From about 350 AD, Bantu-speaking, iron-using, livestock-owning farmers began to settle the Soutpansberg, south of the Limpopo River. They initially established mainly cooperative relationships with the San, especially in hunting and trading.
These farmers introduced a key innovation into the region – the production of metal tools, weapons, currency and jewellery. These goods were for their own use and for expanding trade networks.
A map showing some of the prominent trading sites in the East African trade network: 1: Kilwa; 2: Tsodilo Hills; 3: Khami; 4: Great Zimbabwe; 5: Initial gold reefs; 6: Chibuene; 7: Schroda, K2 and Mapungubwe; 8: Thulamela and Makahane; 9: Dzata/Venda Capital; 10: KwaGandaganda and Ndondwane (labeled from north to south).Author supplied
At the start, iron was the most important metal but over time, copper and gold became more and more significant. The farmers were skilled in locating and extracting these ores, which, in the case of gold and copper, often involved shaft mining. Metal production also demanded pyrotechnical knowledge to smelt ores and to fashion metals into functional and decorative forms.
Local trade, global connections
Another crucial development took place in the 7th century AD. The Indian Ocean world connected to the expanding regional trade networks which had linked the coast and the interior. The transoceanic sailors and traders were initially motivated by the growing demand for ivory in Asia and the Middle East.
This external demand brought exotic glass beads and cloth deep into the interior, through African traders and rulers. A node in the system was Chibuene, a large coastal trading settlement on the Mozambican coast near modern Vilanculos. From here, beads and cloth travelled south, to the vicinity of Durban in modern-day KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and across the interior, past the Okavango delta to places such as the Tsodilo hills west of the delta’s panhandle in Botswana.
An aerial view of an ancient residential enclosure in Thulamela.Author supplied.
Between the 10th and 15th centuries, the market for gold boomed – especially in Egypt, Persia, India and China. Southern Africa played an important role in meeting this demand because of the rich gold reserves of the Zimbabwe plateau and the adjacent region of the Limpopo valley.
So, it is clear that an economic and mineral revolution took place long before Europeans settled South Africa’s Cape. Colonial processes of globalisation and the mineral revolution in the 19th century trailed far in the wake of African involvement in the vast Indian Ocean economy through their hunting, mining, smelting and artisanal skills.
Rise of states
Indian Ocean trade contributed to major transformations in the interior. The wealth it generated led to social stratification and the emergence of a distinct ruling class. Leaders’ economic, political and spiritual power intensified. These processes found expression in the establishment in 1220 of Mapungubwe, in the middle Limpopo Valley, and the first state in southern Africa.
The little-known trading state, Thulamela, was located in the north of what’s now the Kruger Park. From 1250 to 1650 it was a key node of production and exchange. But for many decades the site was ignored. When intensive research finally started in the 1990s it made very limited progress in revealing the form and nature of the state. But renewed and interdisciplinary research at the site and surrounding areas has already produced new insights into the history of Thulamela and promises to generate many more in the near future.
New windows to a past
Given this deep history of powerful kingdoms connected by an underlying but dynamic economic system, we have to let go of the idea that the Zulu Kingdom, which formed in the early 19th century, was the first powerful state in what was to become South Africa. In fact, it was a relatively recent example of much deeper and wider transformations.
It was only in the 19th century that expanding colonial capitalism and settlement fuelled by the “second” mineral revolution penetrated the interior and encountered its kingdoms and trading opportunities.
Pottery is common at Iron Age sites and their decorations are specific to groups and periods.Author supplied
The interaction between the two worlds culminated in a hard-fought struggle over trade, land and labour. While the African kingdoms were ultimately defeated and traders and craftsmen were displaced, their impact on the shape and nature of South African society is still felt today.
A challenge to historians now is to deepen our understanding of this missing millennium, and of pre-colonial transformations.
Researchers need to pay greater attention to a wider range of documentary sources (beyond those in English) and to oral traditions. Collaboration with scholars working on archaeology, historical linguistics and genetics will also tell us more about the forces that have shaped our present.
– South Africa’s history uncovered: the 1,000-year gap they don’t teach in school – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-history-uncovered-the-1-000-year-gap-they-dont-teach-in-school-248244
