A newreportfrom UN Human Rights Council-mandated experts monitoring Belarus on Friday said that authorities have been committing widespread human rights violations, some amounting to crimes against humanity, as part of a systematic campaign to silence political opposition.
The Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus established in 2024, was tasked with investigating alleged violations since 2020 – when a disputed election saw President Alexander Lukashenko returned to power for a sixth term – and recommending steps toward accountability.
The group was established last year for a renewable period of a year. Like all independent experts appointed by the Human Rights Council, they serve on a voluntary basis, are not UN staff, receive no salary and are are independent of any government.
In their latest findings presented to the Council, the experts documented arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual violence and the persecution of political opponents.
The report details targeted abuses against LGBTQIA+ individuals, political activists and journalists, alongside sweeping legal changes aimed at eradicating all dissent.
The violations, the experts concluded, are part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilians critical of the Government.
Campaign of fear and repression
The experts’ findings state that Belarusian authorities systematically detain critics on politically motivated charges, often subjecting them to repeated imprisonment under inhumane conditions.
Arrests are frequently carried out using excessive force, together with threats and intimidation.
Detainees report being beaten, subjected to electric shocks, and even threatened with rape – not only against themselves but also against their family members.
The regime’s actions go beyond repression, with reasonable grounds to believe that some violations amount to “imprisonment and persecution on political grounds”, the report said.
Torture and sexual violence
Widespread torture and ill-treatment are documented, particularly within temporary detention facilities and penal colonies.
Men and women detained on political charges are routinely subjected to extreme conditions: some deprived of sleep, packed into overcrowded cells without basic hygiene and denied medical care.
Many detainees describe being forced to make “repentance videos” after suffering physical and psychological abuse.
The targeting of LGBTQIA+ individuals is particularly brutal, with security forces using homophobic slurs, beatings and sexual humiliation.
In one instance, a transgender woman was severely beaten, threatened with rape and forced to confess to crimes she did not commit, the experts report.
A crackdown beyond borders
Hundreds of opposition figures, activists and journalists have been charged in absentia for alleged crimes such as “discrediting” the State. Their properties have been seized and their families in Belarus have faced harassment and intimidation.
“The orchestrated campaign of violence and mistreatment was directed against Belarusians perceived as being critical of, or opposed to, the Government,” the experts noted.
Conclusions show that such persecution extends beyond Belarus’s borders, leaving those in exile vulnerable and their families at home under pressure.
Systematic persecution
The experts determined that Belarus’s actions amount to crimes against humanity, citing imprisonment, torture and persecution on political grounds as part of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians.
They stressed that accountability is critical, emphasising that “identifying and prosecuting perpetrators of human rights violations and crimes against humanity is key to ending Belarus’s culture of impunity and integral for the victims to receive justice.”
In accordance with the Listing Rules of Moscow Exchange PJSC, in connection with the receipt of the relevant application, the Chairman of the Management Board on February 14, 2025 made the following decisions:
to declare the exchange bond programs invalid; to cancel the registration of the exchange bond programs:
Name of the Issuer
Limited Liability Company “Sovcom Finance”
Name of the program
Series 001P Exchange Bond Program
Program registration number
4-00548-R-001P-02E dated 08/07/2020
Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom
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.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
We would like to draw the attention of users to the fact that on 13.02.2025, the values of a number of indices and indicators were not published on the Exchange website and in the information and statistical server (ISS).
Publication restored, all index values are available.
Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom
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.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
NEW YORK, 14 February (United Nations, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs) — The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf will hold its sixty-third session from 17 February to 21 March 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. During the session, plenary meetings will be held from 24 to 28 February and from 10 to 14 March. The remainder of the session will be devoted to the technical examination of submissions by subcommissions on the Division premises, including geographic information systems laboratories and other facilities.
The upcoming session of the Commission will be the first for Ahmed Er Raji (nominated by Morocco) following his election as a member of the Commission at the resumed thirty‑fourth Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, on 27 November 2024. Also, given the recent resignation of Harald Brekke (nominated by Norway) due to health reasons, the Commission will elect a Vice-Chairperson to fill the resulting vacancy.
During the session, nine subcommissions will continue to consider submissions made by Mauritius in respect of the region of Rodrigues Island (partial submission); Palau in respect of the North Area (partial amended submission); Portugal; Spain in respect of the area of Galicia (partial submission); Namibia; Mozambique; and Madagascar; as well as revised submissions made by Brazil in respect of the Brazilian Oriental and Meridional Margin (partial revised submission); and Cook Islands concerning the Manihiki Plateau (revised submission).
Coastal States that had not yet presented their submissions to the Commission were invited to present them at the plenary part of the session. To date, the following submitting States accepted the invitation: Brazil in respect of the Brazilian Oriental and Meridional Margin (partial revised submission); and Viet Nam in respect of the Central Area (VNM-C).
The plenary of the Commission will commence its consideration of the recommendations prepared by the subcommissions established to consider the submissions made by Brazil in respect of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin (partial revised submission); Cuba in respect the eastern polygon in the Gulf of Mexico; and Iceland in respect of the western, southern and south-eastern parts of the Reykjanes Ridge (partial revised submission), which were transmitted to the Commission during the sixty‑second session.
This session will be the first under the revised pattern of annual meetings in New York, whereby the Commission meets for three sessions of five weeks each, including four weeks of plenary meetings, complemented by increased intersessional work.
Background
Established pursuant to article 2 of annex II to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Commission makes recommendations to coastal States on matters related to the establishment of the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, based on information submitted by those coastal States. The recommendations are based on the scientific data and other material provided by coastal States in relation to the implementation of article 76 of the Convention and do not prejudice matters relating to the delimitation of boundaries between States with opposite or adjacent coasts or prejudice the position of States that are parties to a land or maritime dispute, or application of other parts of the Convention or any other treaties. The limits of the continental shelf established by a coastal State on the basis of the recommendations are final and binding. In the case of disagreement by a coastal State with the recommendations of the Commission, the coastal State shall, within a reasonable time, make a revised or new submission to the Commission.
Under rule 23 of its rules of procedure (Public and private meetings), the meetings of the Commission, its subcommissions and subsidiary bodies are held in private, unless the Commission decides otherwise.
As required under the rules of procedure of the Commission, the executive summaries of all the submissions, including all charts and coordinates, have been made public by the Secretary‑General through continental shelf notifications circulated to Member States of the United Nations, as well as States parties to the Convention. The executive summaries are available on the Division’s website at: www.un.org/depts/los/clcs_new/clcs_home.htm. The summaries of recommendations adopted by the Commission are also available on the above-referenced website.
The Commission is a body of 21 experts in the field of geology, geophysics or hydrography serving in their personal capacities. Members of the Commission are elected for a term of five years by the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention having due regard to the need to ensure equitable geographical representation. Not fewer than three members shall be elected from each geographical region.
A by-election to fill the vacancy resulting from the resignation of Mr. Brekke will be held at the thirty-fifth Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, scheduled to be convened from 23 to 27 June 2025. An election for another seat allocated to members from the Group of Eastern European States which has remained vacant would also be held on that occasion.
The Convention provides that the State party which submitted the nomination of a member of the Commission shall defray the expenses of that member while in performance of Commission duties. A voluntary trust fund for the purpose of defraying the cost of participation of the members of the Commission from developing countries has been established. It has facilitated the participation of several members of the Commission from developing countries in the sessions of the Commission.
The convening by the Secretary-General of the sessions of the Commission, with full conference services, including documentation, for the plenary parts of these sessions, is subject to approval by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Assembly does so in its annual resolutions on oceans and the law of the sea, which also address other matters relevant to the work of the Commission and the conditions of service of its members.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida of the March 17, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that occurred on May 10, 2024.
The disaster declaration covers the counties of Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla in Florida, as well as the counties of Grady and Thomas in Georgia.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs that suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amount terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 17, 2025.
# # #
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle spoke about the the UK’s approach to the responsible development of artificial intelligence at the Munich Security Conference.
Innovation is defined by its ability to surprise.
Only a few years ago, GPT-2 meant nothing to the public.
For many of us, AI felt like a distant possibility at best.
Something that would never – could never – live up to the hype.
And yet, overnight, ChatGPT became a household name.
It unleashed an unprecedented wave of technological change.
And the pace of progress shows no signs of slowing down.
With DeepSeek, we’ve just seen once again just how sudden, how unpredictable, innovation can be.
The AI revolution is happening.
Ignoring it is simply not an option.
In the UK, we reject the doomsayers and the pessimists.
Because we are optimistic about the extraordinary potential of this technology.
And hopeful for the radical, far-reaching change it will bring.
Working in collaboration with our international partners, we’re going to create one of the biggest clusters of AI innovation in the world and deliver a new era of prosperity and wealth creation for our country.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
If we can seize it, we will close the door on a decade of slow growth and stagnant productivity.
Of taxes that are just too high.
We will deliver new jobs that put more money in working people’s pockets.
And we will drive forward a digital revolution inside government to make our state smaller, smarter, and more efficient.
But none of that is possible unless we can mitigate its risks that AI presents.
After all, businesses will only use these technologies if they can trust them.
Security and innovation go hand in hand.
AI is a powerful tool and powerful tools can be misused.
State-sponsored hackers are using AI to write malicious code and identify system vulnerabilities, increasing the sophistication and efficiency of their attacks.
Criminals are using AI deepfakes to assist in fraud, breaching security by impersonating officials.
Last year, attackers used live deepfake technology during a video call to mimic bank officials.
They stole $25 million.
And now we are seeing instances of people using AI to assist them in planning violent and harmful acts.
These aren’t distant possibilities.
They are real, tangible harms, happening right now.
The implications for our people could be pervasive and profound.
In the UK, we have built the largest team in a government dedicated to understanding AI capabilities and risks in the world.
That work is rooted in the strength of our partnerships with the companies who are right at the frontier of AI.
Working with those companies, the government can conduct scientifically informed tests to understand new AI capabilities and the risks they pose.
Make no mistake, I’m talking about risks to our people, their way of life, and the sovereignty and stability which underpins it.
That is why today, I am renaming our AI Safety Institute as the AI Security Institute.
This change brings us into line with what most people would expect an Institute like this to be doing.
They are not looking into freedom of speech.
They are not deciding what counts as bias or discrimination.
They are not politicians – nor should they be.
They are scientists – scientists who are squarely focused on rigorous research into the most serious emerging risks.
They are researching AI’s potential to assist with the development of chemical and biological weapons.
They are building on the expertise of our National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to understand how this technology could be used to help malicious actors commit cyber-attacks.
They want to understand how AI could undermine human control.
Our research shows that those risks are clear:
There has been a clear upward trend in AI system capabilities most relevant to national security in the past 18 months.
For the first time last year, AI models demonstrated PhD-level performance on chemistry and biology question sets.
The safeguards designed to prevent these models doing harm are not currently sufficient.
Every model tested by the Institute is vulnerable to safeguard evasion attacks.
And it is almost certain that these capabilities will continue to improve, while novel risks will emerge from systems acting as autonomous agents to complete tasks with only limited human instruction.
The more we understand these risks, the better we can work with companies to address them.
And the faster we can keep our nation safe, the faster our people can embrace the potential of AI to create wealth and improve their lives.
There are certain security risks which require immediate action.
That is why the Security Institute will collaborate with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the Ministry of Defence’s science and technology organisation, to assess the dual-use scientific capabilities of frontier AI.
Today, we are also launching a criminal misuse team in the Security Institute, who will partner directly with the Home Office to conduct research on a range of crime and security issues which threaten to harm our citizens.
Earlier this month, the UK set out plans to make it illegal to own AI tools optimised to make images of child sexual abuse.
Reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material found online by the Internet Watch Foundation have quadrupled in a single year.
The Security Institute will work with the Home Office to explore what more we can do to prevent abusers using AI to commit their sickening crimes.
A security risk is a security risk, no matter where it comes from.
US companies have shown the lead in taking security risks seriously.
But we need to scrutinise all models regardless of their jurisdiction of origin.
So I’ve instructed the Security Institute to take a leading role in testing AI models wherever they come from, open or closed.
While we can’t discuss these results publicly, we will share them with our allies.
We are alive to the security risks of today.
But we need to focus on tomorrow, too, and the day after that.
We are now seeing the glimmers of AI agents that can act autonomously, of their own accord.
The 2025 International AI Safety Report, led by Yoshua Bengio, warns us that – without the checks and balances of people directing them – we must consider the possibility that risks won’t just come from malicious actors misusing AI models, but from the models themselves.
We don’t yet know the full extent of these risks.
However, as we deploy AI across our economy, our society, and the critical infrastructure that keeps our nation secure, we cannot afford to ignore them.
Because losing oversight and control of advanced AI systems, particularly Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), would be catastrophic.
It must be avoided at all costs.
I want to be clear exactly what this testing is, and what it’s not.
It’s not a barrier to market access. Not a blocker to innovation.
It is urgent scientific work to understand serious risks to our country.
Governments are not passive bystanders in the AI revolution.
We have agency in how AI shapes our society.
And we have a responsibility to use that agency to defend our democratic way of life.
Only countries with a deep and knowing understanding of this technology will be able to build the capacity they need to deliver for their citizens in the twenty-first century.
But success is not a given.
It depends on the democratic world rallying together to maintain our leadership in AI.
Together, we can protect our fundamental values – freedom, openness, and opportunity.
If we do that, we won’t just keep our people safe.
We will ensure that they are first to benefit from the new era of wealth and prosperity which AI will bring.
A selection of works on paper by 12 contemporary women artists has gone on display at Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Works on paper can include drawings and watercolours, printed material and art photography. There are over 13,000 works on paper in the Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums collection. The new display in Gallery 16 will be refreshed over the coming years to highlight the full range and richness of the collection. One of the priorities for the redevelopment of the Art Gallery, completed in 2019, was for more of the collection to go on display, including works on paper.
Around half of the contemporary artworks in the collection are by women artists. The work of the 12 artists featured in the new exhibition spans 50 years and explores a variety of techniques including printmaking, photography and painting. The artists are Annie Cattrell, Mirian Dokotliver, Amy Gear, Louise Hopkins, Hannah Imlach, Bet Low, Bel McCoig, Nanny Mulder, Elizabeth Ogilvie, Frances Walker, Caroline Walker and Francesca Woodman.
Among the highlights of the display are four photographs by the American photographer Francesca Woodman (1958-1981) who produced a highly-influential body of work during her brief 10-year career, often photographing herself in empty interiors. Her blurry images give a sense of human fragility.
A set of prints, which is a recent addition to the collection, is on display for the first time. ‘Nocturnes’ by Scottish artist Caroline Walker (born Dunfermline, 1982) depicts women in a variety of domestic settings at nighttime.
Frances Walker (born Kirkcaldy, 1930) has been a major contributor to artistic practice and development in Aberdeen, having taught at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen for many years. In 1974 she was a founding member of the city’s Peacock Printmakers. Walker depicts wild and desolate landscapes and terrains in her paintings and prints.
Gallery 16 at Aberdeen Art Gallery, where this new display is on show, is one of 19 spaces in the building that showcase the outstanding collection that is cared for by the Archives, Gallery & Museums team on behalf of the people of Aberdeen. Each Gallery has a different atmosphere and a different story to tell, from Art Deco ceramics, to portraiture, jewellery, processes in art and craft, the influence of 19th century French art on Scottish artists, the artist-adventurer James McBey and the experience of Aberdonians during times of war and conflict. Visitors can discover more about the collection by listening to staff talking about some of the highlights of the displays by downloading the free digital guide to the Art Gallery on the Bloomberg Connects app.
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman, said: “This is a wonderful exhibition of works on paper by women artists. It’s great to see the skills and talent on display. These changing exhibitions give everyone the chance to enjoy different aspects of the Art Gallery collection. These are treasures which belong to all of us in the city and it is good to have the opportunity to view these carefully-chosen artworks. The free digital guide to the Gallery on the Bloomberg Connects app is a really useful way to find out more about the drawings, paintings and other items in the city’s excellent art museum. The app is a good way to familiarise yourself with and learn more about Aberdeen’s outstanding collection.”
Works on Paper – Women Artists is now open at Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill, Aberdeen AB10 1FQ. Open Monday – Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm. Admission is free and donations are welcome.
The special exhibition Artist Textiles: From Picasso to Warhol continues at the Art Gallery until 13 April. This joyful exhibition explores textiles and fashion as popular artforms in 20th century Britain, Europe and the United States through rare examples of textiles by leading artists including Alexander Calder, Salvador Dalí, Sonia Delaunay, Raoul Dufy, Barbara Hepworth, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, Ben Nicholson and Andy Warhol. For ticket and visiting information go to www.aagm.co.uk
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Olga Chesnova
“Rosmolodezh. Grants” is a unique federal service for young people that helps support social initiatives and implement them. Olga Chesnova, an expert of “Rosmolodezh. Grants”, head of the Center for Project and Festival Activities of the St. Petersburg State Institute of Cinema and Television, told students how to become grant recipients.
“The Federal Agency for Youth Affairs implements “Rosmolodezh. Grants” – a system of state support for youth project activities with a grant fund of 2.5 billion rubles, with 50 grant sites and 18 nominations. Citizens aged 14 to 35 who have presented their social projects can take part in the implementation of grants. Social projects provide for a fairly wide range of topics. One of the most popular nominations is
She explained the participation algorithms: young people develop projects, create teams and send applications, which are assessed by the expert community using a point system. Participants who score the highest number of points become grant recipients.
“In addition to the financial opportunity to implement the project, grant recipients gain valuable experience in promoting their ideas and finding like-minded people, which, in turn, increases their chances of receiving new grants, including for larger amounts. By the end of February, we plan to announce another competition. In March, we expect to announce a competition for universities, where applications will be accepted from universities as legal entities, and there will be more serious amounts. Each year, another nomination is added to the nominations related to the theme of the year. So, in the Year of the Family there was a nomination “Relatives and Beloved”, this year it should be patriotic. I advise participants who are applying for the first time to choose a topic that is most familiar and close to them, and it is better to focus on a project where there is already a reserve. For example, if you are a master of sports, have experience in this area, are passionate about this topic, choose it. This is important for success,” advised Olga Chesnova.
Vice-Rector for Youth Policy at SPbGASU Marina Malyutina emphasized that our university has many talented students who have cool ideas and projects, but for some reason they have not yet applied for a grant. “Grants are a good way to self-realization and a way to receive funding for the implementation of a project, an opportunity to attract partners. I have studied the projects of grant recipients of previous years and I want to wish you to be bolder, because your projects and ideas are not only no less, but perhaps even more interesting. Therefore, the chances of winning are high,” she noted.
First-year student of the Automobile and Road Engineering Faculty Sofya Parfyonova said that she and her associates intend to apply for a grant for the project “Fidget Football”. According to her, this team sport, which harmoniously combines eSports and traditional sports, is gaining popularity today.
“Fidget football will allow our university to diversify student sports life and attract even more students to physical activity. We plan to use the grant funds to purchase special equipment and computers. I believe that Rosmolodezh. Grants is a great opportunity to implement a lot of initiatives, so we are already working on other ideas for participation in the next competition. And they are also aimed at promoting new sports among students,” said Sofya.
First-year student of the construction faculty Arseniy Kukhi, having studied the conditions for receiving a grant and the application procedure, confidently says that it is much easier than in the case of other grants.
“But what you need to think about is the idea of the project, and this is much more difficult. I looked at numerous projects of grant recipients and saw that almost all the problematic topics that lie on the surface have already been declared. Therefore, you need to look for more in-depth topics. I am a member of the student media center, perhaps I will focus on this direction, but I do not rule out that I will also work on my new project,” said Arseniy.
Anna Kozhemyak, a second-year student at the construction faculty, admits that she has been a member of Rosmolodezh associations for quite a long time; she is interested in this movement. Last March, she attended the World Youth Festival in Sochi.
“I have been thinking about the idea of getting and implementing a grant for a long time, but I am currently looking for a specific topic that would be significant not only for the university, but also useful for the city’s youth. Now I am interested in traveling, because I love it myself and would like to involve my friends in it. My project should include excursions, exchange of cultural or professional experience among young people,” Anna shared.
Deputy Head of the Youth Policy Department of SPbGASU Ekaterina Kovalenko noted that the university has created all the conditions to help students both in developing projects and in submitting applications. A Telegram channel has been created to inform students about these opportunities #Netolokopars. For consultation and support, please contact office No. 135. We would like to add that Ekaterina Kovalenko is herself a recipient of such grants and can share her personal knowledge and experience.
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.
Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe ordered U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at all government buildings in Macon County on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from sunrise to sunset in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Shelbe Faye Butner, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on January 30, 2025, while conducting a training exercise at Fort Stewart United States Army post in Georgia.
“Staff Sergeant Shelbe Faye Butner was dedicated to serving our country with honor, courage, and unwavering commitment,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “Staff Sergeant Butner considered the welfare of others a personal responsibility and was guided by her love of country to serve our nation. Her sacrifice reminds us of the bravery and dedication of the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedoms. Claudia and I join Shelbe’s family and friends in honoring her service and mourning her loss.”
A 2015 graduate of Macon High School, Staff Sergeant Butner enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 1, 2015. She earned the Military Occupational Specialty Code 88M as an Army Motor Transport Operator and completed several advanced training courses, including the Army Basic Leader Course, Air Assault School, and Drill Sergeant School. She was assigned to the 6th Squadron – 8th Cavalry Regiment, where she was promoted to Staff Sergeant on August 1, 2022.
Staff Sergeant Butner was a proud and accomplished soldier, serving in the United States Army for nine years, including a tour in Kuwait. Throughout her career, Staff Sergeant Butner earned many commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War Expeditionary Medal, and numerous others.
The flags will be flown at half-staff on the day of Butner’s interment services. To view the governor’s proclamation, click here.
How will inflation, conflict and technological change shape economies in the year ahead?
The International Monetary Fund’s First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath sat down with Meet The Leader at the World Economic Forum‘s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland to share what’s next for global growth.
She identified the statistics that she found most compelling and the risks and opportunities leaders must prioritize in 2025. She also described the pivot countries will need to make in fiscal policy to tackle historic levels of global public debt (levels that could hit the $100 trillion mark) and how “optimism bias” could stand in the way.
This special episode of interview of Meet The Leader was recorded at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
About the research cited:IMF World Economic Outlook: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2025/01/17/world-economic-outlook-update-january-2025
Find a transcript here: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/gita-gopinath-imf-economic-outlook
The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
US Vice President JD Vance has been accused of spreading shocking and shameless misinformation about safe access zones in Scotland by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay.
In a speech this morning, VP Vance claimed that people in Scotland were told that private prayer in their own homes would be against the law within a safe access zone and that people were encouraged to report anyone they thought guilty of “thought crime.” This has never been true.
Ms Mackay introduced the bill that secured 200 metre wide safe access zones, or buffer zones, around abortion service providers to stop the intimidating anti-choice protests that were taking place across Scotland. Private prayer at home has never been impacted by this Act.
Ms Mackay said:
“This is shocking and shameless misinformation from VP Vance, who is either very badly informed about what my Act has done or he is knowingly misrepresenting it.
“He is one of the most powerful people in the world but he is peddling total nonsense and dangerous scare mongering.
“Nobody should be intimidated or harassed when accessing healthcare, and I am proud that my Act has put a stop to the graphic banners and the protests that far too many people were being forced to pass in order to access healthcare.
“I was proud that our Parliament voted to back safe access zones so overwhelmingly, and that they stood against the cynical lies and misrepresentation of the kind that Mr Vance is promoting.”
Ms Mackay added:
“The government that Mr Vance represents is a clear threat to reproductive rights. He has a shocking record on abortion and many other issues. He has supported calls to reduce access to healthcare and has even argued for a national ban on abortion rights across the US.
“Abortion rights are human rights and they are healthcare. Today and every day I will stand with the millions of people across the US who oppose the misogynistic and anti-choice agenda of Donald Trump and JD Vance.”
Detectives from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command have charged a man with causing death by dangerous driving after a nine-year-old girl was killed in a collision with a bus last summer.
Martin Asolo-Agogua 23 (17.07.01) of Nunhead, was also charged on Thursday, 13 February with causing death by careless driving when under influence of drink or drugs and driving whilst over the drug limit.
Police were called to the scene where a bus had collided with two children in Watling Street near the junction with Halcot Avenue on the morning of Saturday, 3 August 2024.
Both children were taken to hospital and, despite the best efforts of medical staff, nine-year-old Ada Bicakci sadly died in the afternoon of Monday, 5 August.
Ada’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers.
Asolo-Agogua, who was driving the bus, was arrested on the day of the incident on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and drug-driving.
He has been bailed and is due to attend Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24 March.
ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — STEALTHGAS INC. (NASDAQ: GASS) (the “Company”), a ship-owning company serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry, announced today that it will release its fourth quarter operating and financial results for the period ended December 31, 2024 before the market opens in New York on February 21, 2025.
On February 21, 2025 at 10:00 am ET, the company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company’s operations and outlook.
Conference Call details: Conference call participants should pre-register using the below link to receive the dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call.
Slides and audio webcast: There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the STEALTHGAS INC. website (www.stealthgas.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
About STEALTHGAS INC. StealthGas Inc. is a ship-owning company serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry. StealthGas Inc.’s fleet consists of fully pressurised, semi refrigerated and fully refrigerated vessels. StealthGas Inc.’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and trade under the symbol “GASS.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The British Embassy in Yerevan invites female citizens in Armenia aged 18 to 22 to enter a competition to be an Ambassador for a Day.
Call for applications for the Ambassador for a Day in Armenia 2025 announced by the British Embassy in Yerevan
What is Ambassador for A Day
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to represent your country on the international stage? The Diplomacy plays a key role in shaping global decisions and women’s voices are truly crucial in this field. This competition gives you a rare chance to step into the shoes of an Ambassador for a day, learn about diplomacy in action and the work of the British Embassy team.
Why you should enter this competition
Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, half of its potential. Yet they are not fully represented in diplomacy, politics and leadership roles.
This is why we are encouraging women to make their voices heard on topics that affect us all. We encourage young students to become leaders and advocates for change by offering them an opportunity to experience diplomacy in action and to Take a glimpse behind the scenes of the British Embassy in Yerevan.
Who can apply?
You can enter this competition if you:
are a female citizen of Armenia
are aged between 18 to 22 years old
have a good command of English
agree to be
available to spend a full day with the British Embassy staff on 20 March 2025
agree to be photographed and filmed throughout the day, with content shared across publicly (in accordance with GDPR guidelines)
How to apply?
To enter, submit a short video (up to 2 minutes) in English answering the following question: “What would you do if you were the British Ambassador in Armenia?”
Important tips:
we will be celebrating Women’s month together and this competition highlights the importance of women’s leadership. Please bear in mind that the topic for International Women’s Day 2024 is “Accelerate Action (IWD 2025) and “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment (UN Women 2025)
creativity will be an important judging criteria. Don’t be afraid to be bold and share your unique perspective.
the selection process will be fair and inclusive with a diverse judging panel to ensure equal evaluation
Please read the information in detail on our Terms and Conditions.
How to submit your entry?
Read the terms and conditions for entering the Ambassador for a Day 2025 competition:
Once you have prepared your video, email it along with the Ambassador for A Day participation form to Enquiries.Yerevan@fcdo.gov.uk before the end of 3 March 2025.
Key dates to remember
Mark your calendar!
applications open: 14 February 2025
deadline for applications: 3 March 2025
shortlisted winner contacted: 14 March 2025
ambassador for a Day: 19 March 2025
…and for the winner
The winner will spend an entire day shadowing the British Ambassador. This will include attending meetings, learning about international cooperation and engaging with UK-funded projects.
Follow the journey!
Even if you are not selected as the winner, we encourage you to follow the journey on our social media channels. We will be sharing inspirational stories and insights from past winners. This is a chance to engage with a community of young women interested in leadership and diplomacy.
This half term a huge range of free activities are set to take place for children to enjoy over their break.
From sports and physical activities to arts and crafts and day trips there is a wider variety of activities on offer to keep the kids entertained and engaged organised via the City Council.
These free events are open to all families whose children are eligible for free school meals. The activities are free, and a nutritious meal will also be provided over the course of the day.
Addressing hunger over the holiday is a priority for Manchester City Council and around 44,000 children and young people are being supported through payments via Manchester schools. And a further £190,000 has been allocated to the city’s Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) to provide free activities during half term breaks.
You can also find out about even more activities that are taking place over the half term, from fun events at the People’s History Museum, to free swimming sessions to nature walks all of which are open to everyone!
Councillor Julie Reid, Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People said: “Supporting families over the half term period is a really important role that we play as a Council. A huge amount of work has taken place, particularly since the pandemic, to address inequalities across the city and schemes like the Holiday Activities Fund is a big part of that. Holiday hunger can have a real impact on children which is why schemes like this are so vitally important.
“There are a lot of great events that will be running over the half term with a free meal or snack included, so if you have not already been contacted to take part I’d urge families to have a look at our Loads to Do website and see what they think their child would enjoy over the half term.”
Ukrainian authorities said on Friday a Russian drone strike with a high explosive warhead struck the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant overnight, damaging a protective shield which was built following the 1986 disaster in order to prevent further radiation leaks.
Russia has denied any responsibility for the attack. The head of the UN-backed international atomic energy watchdog, IAEA – which has a team based at the former Soviet nuclear site in Ukraine – issued a statement confirming that the strike had caused a fire, describing it as “a deeply concerning incident that underlines the persistent risks to nuclear safety during the military conflict.”
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the team heard the explosion at 1:50am local time followed by smoke and associated fire visible from their dormitory rooms.
“Fire safety personnel and vehicles arrived at the scene within minutes to extinguish the blaze, which still could be seen intermittently for several hours afterwards,” Mr. Grossi added.
Radiation levels ‘normal and stable’
Radiation levels inside and outside the so-called New Safe Confinement building “remain normal and stable,” the team was told, and there are no reports of any casualties or radiation leak.
The damaged cladding around reactor unit 4 was built to seal in the radioactive material from the 1986 fire and meltdown and is intended to last for many generations.
Russian forces briefly occupied the area around Chernobyl shortly after invading Ukraine, but it was recaptured in March 2022.
The explosion sent radioactive material high into the atmosphere and triggered a public health emergency across the whole of Europe.
“The IAEA team could see a breach of the outer layer of the NSC that occurred following the detonation,” Mr. Grossi continued. “Supplementary information from Ukraine’s regulatory body received this morning confirmed that the outer cladding of the NSC arch sustained damage, and investigations are ongoing to determine the status of the inner cladding.”
I would suggest putting the 1986 disaster details at the end as the Grossi quote that follows could be interpreted as referring to it.
Constant threat
Coming soon after a recent increase in military activity near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Director General Grossi said it once again demonstrated that nuclear safety remains under constant threat for as long as the conflict continues.
“There is no room for complacency, and the IAEA remains on high alert,” he said. “I once again call for maximum military restraint around Ukraine’s nuclear sites.”
The agency said it would continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
The IAEA will provide further updates about the situation at Chornobyl as relevant information becomes available.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on asteroid 2024 YR4 which may hit Earth in 2032.
Prof Martin Ward, Emeritus Temple Chevallier Professor of Astronomy, Durham University, said:
“The way these percentages for the chance of impact are calculated are based on extrapolations of the asteroid trajectory and the position of the Earth when the asteroid arrives. They get more accurate with time as we get more data. Think of it as a circle in the sky (much bigger than the asteroid itself). The direction of future travel plus the position of the Earth could take any line out of the circle towards the Earth. Most lines are projected to miss, but a few would hit. As our data on the asteroid trajectory and Earth’s position when it arrives get better by tracking it with time the circle becomes smaller, and the number of possible future lines decreases. If the lines that previously hit the Earth are now outside the improved circle, then the chances go down (and maybe vanish). But if the smaller circle still includes the lines that hit the Earth, then the chances of hitting us go up correspondingly. So, as time goes on we will get either good news, that eventually the future direction of travel misses us, or bad news, that the ratio of lines that hit us to those that miss us, goes up. If that trend continues, then duck… Before that happens, it will be possible to predict the path it would take through the atmosphere, and hope for the best. The Earth is 70% covered by water, and of the remaining land mass, 33% is desert. So the question will be… “do you feel lucky?”
Prof Danny Steeghs, Professor and Head if Astronomy & Astrophysics Group, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, said:
What is the situation?
“We monitor many asteroid orbits, but this object was not previously known. It was identified in December 2024, near its closest approach, when it was bright and moving through the sky fast. Routine is to model the orbit of newly discovered asteroids including projecting forwards in time to see if there are any concerns around close approaches with the Earth. Almost always the answer is no. In this case we could not, and still cannot, fully rule that out. This is rare, it has been many years since we have had an asteroid with this level of impact probability.”
How strong is the science behind a potential earth impact?
“We understand the dynamics of solar system orbits well. It’s about measuring the orbit with better precision and characterising the nature/size of the object. The Earth is a small target on the scale of the solar system, but orbit calculations have a finite precision since they are based on measurements of the position of the asteroid at different times since its discovery. These measurements have a finite precision, and we do not have many yet, and we can accurately translate this into a probability of impact during future passes. At the moment this is a few 2%, which is considered high enough to warrant further and urgent observations.”
How worrying/expected is this?
“It is not really worrying, expectations are that as we refine the orbit of the asteroid, the probability of impact will reduce. Its better maybe to think of it as, we cannot fully rule out that it may impact, rather than expecting it to impact. The next steps are clear – securing more data and improving our precision/confidence.”
How is the risk of collision calculated, and could it change?
“The measurements that feed into these calculations are collected by a number of telescopes and observatories. These are globally shared so that a number of teams can calculate orbit projections. Each time new data is added, the calculations can be refined. This is why the number is changing and in the early stages it can change more erratically. As precision improves, it will tend to settle down to the point where we can be very confident. This could take some time, as the asteroid is getting faint quickly, and it may not be fully settled until it passes again in 2028.”
What could we do to stop it / prepare?
“We do not yet accurately know the size of the object, and what any impact might do and how we could mitigate it depends on that. We have tested deflecting an asteroid by sending a probe to hit it from the right angle, just to change its orbit a little. That is the preferred intervention route, but what is involved depends on the mass, size and orbit.”
Dr Darren Baskill, Physics & Astronomy Lecturer, University of Sussex, said:
“An asteroid passes by the Earth, within the orbit of the Moon, typically every month – which is very close in cosmic terms. The last time this happened was when a 26m asteroid passed us by on the 4th of February 2025.
“Watching an asteroid approach is a bit like watching a long pot in snooker – you don’t know if the ball will go in a pocket until the very last moment, and there is always a good chance of the ball rattling in the jaws of the pocket and missing. This is why there is so much uncertainty surrounding this asteroid. Of course, the distances involved in astronomy are much, much larger, making accurate long-term predictions difficult.
“It is worth noting that the predicted size of asteroid 2024 YR4 is 40-70m, which is only around 3 times larger than the asteroid that famously struck Russia in 2013. While there were large amounts of minor damage in that event, including large numbers of windows being blown out in the area due to the resulting shockwave, there were no fatalities, nor any major damage recorded.
“At the moment, while there are teams around the world who are able to detect asteroid threats better than ever before, there are no systems in place that could prevent an asteroid strike should one be found to be on a collision course. Hopefully, that will change over the next 7-and-a-half years, just in case!”
Dr James O’Donoghue, planetary scientist at the University of Reading, said:
“Scientists are getting better at tracking the asteroids that could hit Earth, with the result that we have become accustomed to asteroids having incredibly low impact probabilities, typically in the order of one in tens of thousands. That’s why a 1-in-49 chance is making us sit up and notice.
“This level of risk demands serious attention, and it’s clear that it is being taken seriously, as seen by NASA’s response and the high-level notifications that have been triggered. The recent diversion of the James Webb Space Telescope to observe this object is particularly noteworthy. Understanding its precise size is crucial – an 80-meter asteroid would impact with eight times more energy than a 40-meter one, as doubling the diameter increases the volume and mass by a factor of eight. To put this in perspective, a 40-meter asteroid carries the energy of a few megatons of TNT, comparable to a nuclear warhead, while a 90-meter asteroid exceeds 50 megatons – roughly equivalent to the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear device ever detonated.
“The fact that we can predict this potential impact many years in advance is a testament to how well humanity is advancing in planetary defence through astronomy. It’s also a reminder than we have discovered less than half the total number of similarly sized asteroids so far, so there is much more work to be done.”
Dr Olivier R. Hainaut, Astronomer, European Southern Observatory, said:
What is the situation?
“Observatories around the world (including ESO) are working to refine the orbit. This takes time, as one has to wait for the asteroid to move to perform more measurements. We can fairly easily observe YR4 for another month with large telescopes, then it will become harder and harder. By early April it will be out of reach of most telescopes. Hopefully the orbit will be refined enough to completely rule out an impact.
How is the risk of collision calculated and could it change?
“Orbital calculation and celestial mechanics… You measure the position of the asteroid in front of the background stars over as many nights as possible, then solve for the orbit, which is the 3D trajectory of the asteroid in space. The longer you can measure, the better you know the orbit. Currently, we could observe YR4 for a little less than 2 months over its 4y orbit, so we need to extrapolate a lot, hence the large uncertainty. As we will observe more, the orbit will be refined, and we will know better where the asteroid will be in 2032. Eventually, the probability of impact will converge towards one of two possible values: 0% or 100%… Hopefully 0%, and hopefully by the end of this visibility period. Note that the probability is likely to go up even if it ends up going down to 0% -that’s normal.”
“Measuring and computing the orbit is very robust- celestial mechanics is very well known, and demonstrated by the navigation of spacecrafts all around the solar system.
“Measuring the size and composition of the asteroid is not scientifically complicated, but is tricky in this case because the object is very faint.”
How worrying/expected is this?
“How worrying: currently, the probability of impact is ~2%. It is typical to start preparing for disaster relief when the probability goes above 1% (astronomers did not make that number up – it is what is customarily used for all kind of disasters). IF the probability stays above 1% at the end of the visibility period (~April), it will be time to start possible mitigation space mission. Keep in mind that IF these mission would fail and IF the asteroid does impact, it is not a large one. Possibly a few times larger than the one that blasted above Chelyabinsk in 2013, but ~150x SMALLER than the Chicxulub dinosaur killer.
“How expected: look at the Moon. It is covered with craters, and the Earth is just next to it. Collisions with asteroids are expected, which is why we try to discover as many as possible (and all the “large” ones). The question is not “if”, but “when” and “how big”.”
What could we do to stop it / prepare?
“Short answer: first, refine the orbit to determine whether it will hit or not. If it will, then nudge it to slightly change its orbit so that it misses the Earth. The sooner the better, as a later nudge will need to be larger. To nudge it, refer eg to the DART mission, which did it as a test on an asteroid about 2x the size of YR4.
“DON’T break the asteroid (refer to a series of bad SciFi movies): you would end up with many fragments to deal with.”
Declared interests
For all experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Gawthorpe, Lecturer in History and International Studies, Leiden University
When a new US president takes office, his first order of business is usually to reassure America’s allies and warn its enemies. However, Donald Trump is doing things differently. It seems his goal is to strike fear into the heart not of America’s foes, but rather its friends.
American presidents have traditionally seen the country’s network of allies as a “force multiplier” – something that magnifies American power and applies it more effectively. A broad range of allies means trading partners, military bases and diplomatic support in international institutions. According to this line of reasoning, it is in America’s own interests to defend and support its allies – the benefits outweigh the cost.
Trump, by contrast, views allies both as competitors and burdens. He thinks they are too reliant on American military power to defend themselves, and that their economic relationship with the US makes them rich at the expense of American workers. He wants US allies, particularly in Europe, to spend more of their own money on defence and to buy more goods from the US.
He also seems even more willing than in his first term to deploy America’s formidable tools of coercion to make this happen. His widespread threats of tariffs, for instance, are designed to force countries to go along with his wishes, including in non-economic aspects of the relationship. He is also threatening to use economic and military force in alarming ways, such as to seize control of Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal.
The result is a world in which American allies can no longer rely on the US to be a reliable partner. They may increasingly have to fend for themselves against not just their traditional foes, but also a predatory Washington.
Although all US allies are concerned about this turn of events, some are more surprised than others. The biggest shock has come in Europe, which has long occupied a privileged place in America’s strategic thinking.
Europeans knew that a second Trump term was going to be rough. On the campaign trail, for example, he vowed across-the-board tariffs of up to 20%. But they didn’t expect Trump to threaten the territory of Nato members Canada and Denmark, which owns Greenland.
As a result, Europeans’ view of the US has shifted since Trump returned to the White House. According to the results of a recent survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations, the majority of people in Europe no longer see the US as an ally that shares the same interests and values, instead agreeing that it is only a “necessary partner”.
For other US allies and partners, particularly in the global south, this shift is less surprising. Panama owes its existence to an act of US imperialism. The US sent military forces to assist the country in seceding from Colombia in 1903, with the ultimate goal of working with the country’s new government to build the canal.
But Panama has since witnessed numerous American military interventions. Most recently, in December 1989, the then US president, George H.W. Bush, ordered 20,000 US troops to Panama where they toppled the government and arrested the country’s president, Manuel Noriega, on charges of drug trafficking, racketeering and money laundering.
Non-western countries have long been used to the idea that the US will disregard their interests and take advantage of their weakness if policymakers in Washington deem it necessary. What we are witnessing now is the extension of this precariousness to all.
Weakness for flattery
For world leaders looking to navigate this turbulent time, there is an additional problem. Trump has a habit of personalising diplomacy, deciding whom he likes and whom he doesn’t like based on their perceived friendliness to him rather than a more detached calculation of their interests.
He is also a sucker for big, splashy acts of diplomacy. He often gives the impression that his main goal is to be able to sign a deal – any deal – which he can declare to be a victory, rather than giving too much thought to the underlying interests at stake.
This means that smart leaders can flatter and deceive him. In early February, Trump postponed tariffs on Mexico after the country’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, promised to send troops to the US-Mexico border to tackle the cartels trafficking the drug fentanyl in the US.
The only problem is that almost all fentanyl is trafficked by US citizens at legal border crossings, who bring in very small quantities of the drug in their vehicles. According to Raúl Benítez, a military expert at Mexico’s National Autonomous University, the “ant-like traffic of fentanyl” makes control of the trade “almost impossible”.
But the occasional weakness for flattery hardly makes Trump reliable.
Instead, Trump presents US allies with a dangerous and unpredictable force. Like the leaders of Russia and China, Trump seems to view the world as split into spheres of influence in which powerful countries are free to bully their neighbours.
Many countries will conclude that America is just another aggressive great power to be managed, rather than a country that at least pays lip service to international law. Some might even decide they have no choice other than to develop closer relations with Russia and China, and drift out of the US orbit.
One thing is clear: US allies must do more to ensure they can defend their interests independently. Unlike a country such as Panama, European countries have the resources to do this, if only they can summon the will. They should count themselves lucky – and get to work.
Andrew Gawthorpe 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 – UK – By Andrew Russell, Lecturer, Faculty of Creative & Cultural Industries, University of Portsmouth
Did you hear? There’s been another murder at a White Lotus hotel, this time the one in Thailand.
Back for its third season, Mike White’s critically acclaimed and Emmy award-winning tragi-comedy series follows the terrible exploits of the White Lotus’s rich, primarily white holidaymakers, alongside the local employees.
There is social satire, a lot of drama and always a death in paradise. In the first season there was death in Hawaii; the second in Sicily, Italy, and now, in the third, there’s death in Koh Samui.
As someone who has researched on screen representations of Thailand I was intrigued to see how the show handled this locale. Disappointingly, the exoticness and beauty of Thailand is foregrounded, as is the mysticism of Buddhism.
The series follows four groups of people, the majority of whom the audience are made to feel repulsed by in some way.
The first is the Ratliff family. There’s father, Timothy (Jason Isaacs) who works in finance and mother, Victoria (Parker Posey), whose anxiety means she is heavily medicated and constantly falling asleep. Then the kids: daughter, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) who is studying Buddhism; son Lochlan (Sam Nivola) who has poor posture from being glued to his computer; and Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), the eldest of the three, whose primary focus is having sex.
Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.
The second group is three middle-aged women who are on a “girls’ holiday” who abandon their inhibitions as the series progresses. They are routinely referred to as cougars by Saxon. Then there is odd couple Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and her older partner Rick (Walton Goggins), who seem to be going through a rocky patch.
The one likeable person, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), is a character previously seen working in the spa in the first season’s Hawaiian resort. She’s in Thailand on a research trip for her own wellbeing business.
Terrible people
As with previous series, the ignorance of the holidaymakers is clear. Thailand is referred to as Taiwan. Piper is told by her mother that she can’t possibly be a Buddhist because she isn’t Chinese. The stereotype of the older, rich, bald white male – referred to here as LBHs (losers back home) – who retires to Thailand with a much younger wife is hammered home in various episodes.
Through these guests’ continued cultural ignorance and insensitivity, the few Thai characters we are introduced to are subservient and constantly smiling, always there to please. There’s never a sense of disgust at the exploits of the rich white customers. They are voiceless and for the most part, absent.
Belinda, the only black character, is also the only one who converses in any meaningful way with a Thai person. The only sort of story that gives any space to Thai characters is about a blossoming love between the security guard Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) and health expert Mook (Lalisa Manoban), but this is sidelined.
There is a clear cultural, economic and racial split presented, one that fails to allow any Thai character the ability to air their criticisms of the guests or to be developed in a meaningful way. In the main, the focus is on whiteness – a criticism previous series have also garnered.
An imaginary Thailand
All these facets together create a version of Thailand that is seen through the lens of orientalism. This is a western way of looking at non-western places as full of mysticism, eroticism and exoticness, where nothing normal occurs.
This lens is foregrounded by characters constantly saying things like: “Thailand is full of people either looking for something or hiding from something”, and “Whatever happens in Thailand, stays in Thailand”.
There is a constant flow of alcohol, and drugs can be procured away from the resort. Incest is even hinted at in the first few episodes as the audience are shown Lochlan gazing upon the naked body of his brother. The country is portrayed as a playground for white debauchery, where anything goes – much like in The Hangover part II (2011), a trope I have written about in my research.
The link to orientalism is further enhanced by the way in which Thai religion is shown as being mystical. Anytime a character engages in a spiritual practice it is accompanied by a tinkling score indicating something otherworldly is occurring. This isn’t limited to Western characters. When Gaitok, makes an offering at a shrine the visuals are presented in slow motion as candlelight flickers with a mythical aura pervading.
The previous seasons have seen a boom in travel to filming locations in Sicily and Hawaii, driven by their onscreen depictions), and this season’s Thailand setting will likely lead to the same.
The landscape is a constant focal point, exemplifying the British sociologist John Urry’s theory of the “tourist gaze”. Exotic portions of the landscape are lingered upon, from the jungle and palm trees to ocean vistas. Monkeys are continuously seen, alongside other “exotic” creatures.
This is a recurring trait seen in Hollywood films set in Thailand, from Anna and the King of Siam (1946) to The Impossible (2012), situating it purely as an exotic locale.
This series uses iconic tourist locations, such as the Buddhist temple Wat Pho which forms the background for a conversation in one scene. Also, what appears to be the Phi Phi Islands, known for their pristine beaches and clear waters, drift past during a luxury yacht trip. Sadly, Thailand in this series is reduced to a digestible set of iconic images for the audience.
White Lotus engages in a double game. The series is clearly critical of the characters, presenting lifestyle and holidays as desirable and aspirational, all the while reinforcing antiquated orientalist stereotypes itself. You would hope a show trying to show the evils of a certain kind of tourism wouldn’t also be guilty of the thing it’s attempting to lampoon.
Andrew Russell does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A County Durham man has been jailed for operating an illegal waste site in a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency.
Image shows waste on the site in Rowlands Gill.
Christopher Williams, 66, of Acton Dene in Stanley, appeared at Newton Aycliffe magistrates’ court on Thursday 13 February for sentencing.
He had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of operating a waste site without an environmental permit at Whinfield Industrial Estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.
He was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison, comprising 26 weeks and a further 18 weeks because the conviction placed him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed for previous environmental offences.
Waste posed ‘obvious’ fire risk
Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said:
Not only was the waste on site illegal, but there was a very obvious fire-risk. Williams was given ample opportunity to clear the waste and was advised how he could operate within the law.
But instead he continued to breach the law with no consideration for the environment or community.
Environmental permits are in place to protect the public and environment, and I hope this sentence sends out the message to others that we will take action against those involved in illegal waste activity.
Image shows mixed waste stored inside one of the sheds at the site in Rowlands Gill.
The court heard that Williams runs an organisation called the LCA Community Charity, which is not a registered charity, from an industrial unit at the site. It advertises as offering help with clothing, furniture and household donations.
The organisation and the defendant both hold waste carrier licences, which is a legal requirement to be able to transport waste.
EA officers saw large amount of waste at site
On 17 November 2022, Environment Agency officers attended the unit. Outside, they saw a large amount of household waste, including more than 50 fridges and fridge freezers, dismantled furniture, mattresses, sink units and toilet bowls, baths and doors, amongst other general waste.
Most of the waste was mixed together, with some looking like it had been there for a long time. Inside the unit was an office area with some household items for sale.
Inside one of the two sheds on site, waste was piled 12 feet high. Across the site, the illegally stored waste posed a fire-risk, with no separation between piles, meaning if a fire broke out it would spread quickly.
Officers spoke to Williams, and he was requested to remove the waste by 16 January 2023, and in a follow-up letter, he was advised about waste exemptions, which allows for low level waste activity without the need for a permit that could allow him to sort recyclable waste for recovery and operate within the law.
On 17 January, officers returned, only to find there was more waste present, with a noticeable increase in broken wooden furniture. Officers expressed concerns about the fire risk.
In the following months, through March and into the summer, Environment Agency officers made numerous visits where they saw waste still on site. At one point, Williams said half of the fridges had ‘gone to Africa.’
Fridges contain refrigerant gasses and blown foam insulation, with old fridges classed as hazardous waste, and should be disposed of at an suitably-licensed facility.
He also told officers he had no waste transfer notes, which are a legal requirement to trace the movement of waste between one place and another.
Officers explained to Williams that the deadline for clearing the site passed in January 2023.
During a visit in September 2024, officers inspected the site and found it was still operating as an illegal waste facility. Williams claimed to still be busy clearing the site.
Illegal waste activity can be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.
Between 16 November 2022 and 12 July 2023 at unit 13, Whinfield Industrial Estate, Rowlands Gill, Williams operated a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the storage and treatment of waste pending recovery or disposal, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit
Contrary to regulations 12(1)(a) and 38(1) Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016.
On 24 September 2024 at unit 13, Whinfield Industrial Estate, Rowlands Gill, you operated a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the storage and treatment of waste pending recovery or disposal, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit.
Contrary to regulations 12(1)(a) and 38(1) Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The case of Concept Scaffolding Services Ltd, recently heard by the Traffic Commissioner for the East of England and Senior Traffic Commissioner, Richard Turfitt, has highlighted issues from which other licence holders might learn.
The company holds a restricted goods vehicle operator’s licence authorising two vehicles. Both directors, Andrew Erskine and Karl Takkou were present at the hearing.
On 4 September 2024, a Traffic Examiner stopped a vehicle driven by Karl Takkou and discovered multiple infractions. Mr. Takkou failed to insert his digital tachograph driver card, admitting he had left it in another vehicle despite knowing the requirement to use it. The vehicle also lacked an operator licence disc, and the vehicle unit had not been downloaded for over seven years. No driver card had been inserted into the vehicle’s unit for 28 days.
A subsequent visit by another Traffic Examiner on 4 October 2024 was marked as unsatisfactory, identifying deficiencies in compliance systems. The investigation found prolonged failures to download vehicle unit and driver card data, as well as instances of driving without tachograph use.
Simply put, directors had not adequately equipped themselves with the necessary knowledge to manage transport operations effectively. While they had engaged a transport consultant, serious concerns remained.
In deciding to only curtail the licence by one vehicle for one month, Mr Turfitt took account of the corrective measures employed after the stop: introducing a driver defect reporting system, acquiring a company card for vehicle downloads, and adopting a structured compliance monitoring approach. Mr. Takkou had attended a Transport Manager Refresher Course, and the directors committed to ongoing compliance training. Additionally, driver Karl Takkou’s vocational entitlement was suspended for the same period.
Commissioner Turfitt commented: “The Directors were so ill-equipped that there was little prospect of them meeting the licence obligations and yet it is difficult to understand why any business, which all carry obligations under health and safety legislation, had failed to identify the risks and to at least employ basic measures or seek advice. The fitness of this operator has been severely tarnished by their failures…Applicants should read the published guidance and work out what is required before even attempting to complete the application form. Scaffolders and similar operators applying for restricted operator licences need to start giving the same attention to these basic requirements as they would the tax or health & safety regimes.”
Undertakings were accepted to ensure future compliance, including appointing an independent compliance auditor and ongoing oversight from a transport consultant. The operator must submit an audit report to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner within six months.
While improvements have been noted, the Commissioner emphasised that compliance with licensing regulations is fundamental, and future breaches will result in harsher consequences.
Westminster City Council’s CCTV system is helping identify individuals who are committing crime and anti-social behaviour to keep residents safe.
A network of CCTV cameras fitted in local hotspots for anti-social behaviour is helping to bring perpetrators to justice.
Last year the council began rolling out a system of 100 cameras in Westminster strategically placed in areas identified as hotspots for crime, antisocial behaviour and other quality of life issues that affect our residents, businesses and visitors. This high-tech network is strategically focused on areas hit hardest by disruptive behaviour, sending a clear message that the council is committed to making its communities safer.
The technology is already making a real impact. Footage captured by the cameras is being shared with the police, providing critical evidence that helps to strengthen cases against offenders. This collaboration between the council and law enforcement is proving essential in swiftly addressing ASB and bringing offenders to justice.
For example, following an alleged fight that took place in a supermarket, the police were alerted, and a suspect was arrested shortly afterwards. The footage from the scene was later handed over to the police to support their case against the individual.
Acoustic noise cameras also form part of the council’s network. These cameras are only activated when noise levels exceed 90 decibels, equivalent to the sound of a lawnmower or power tool. These were triggered following an unregistered car meet that took place on Pall Mall. Following the incidents four drivers were issues with Fixed Penalty Notices.
Elsewhere in the borough the cameras have captured other crimes such as an attempted burglary, drug use and criminal damage to property and footage handed over the police will help bring the offenders to justice.
Cllr Aicha Less, Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection:
“We’re pleased that the CCTV camera network is helping to identify individuals who are causing disruption and enabling the police to respond to ASB quickly.
“These examples demonstrate how CCTV helps to keep residents safe. We know tackling anti-social behaviour and crime in our communities is a top priority for our residents, rolling out these cameras is making a difference.”
Footage of two men having a fight at the entrance of a supermarket. One the men then walks down the road and is later arrested by a police officer (not shown).
An unregistered car meet at Pall Mall. A crowd of people have gathered and are watching cars do doughnuts in the street. The acoustic noise camera was triggered by the sound made by the car.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the local availability of the new Galaxy S25 series. Together with One UI 7, Gemini is officially available at launch in 46 languages,1 making it easier than ever to perform seamless interactions across Samsung and Google apps.
“The Galaxy S25 series is a fundamental shift in how we interact with our phones,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are thrilled to see how our users will enjoy this true AI companion that offers seamless and intuitive solutions in their daily lives.”
On the Galaxy S25 series, AI agents with multimodal capabilities are integrated within the One UI 72 platform to perform complex tasks seamlessly across apps and enable natural user interactions through speech, text, videos and images. Now Brief3 provides tailored suggestions to guide through the day and Now Bar4 offers a new hub for ongoing activities. From enhanced productivity with Writing Assist to limitless creativity unleashed by Drawing Assist,5 the expanded capabilities of Galaxy AI6 continue to empower users in every aspect of their daily lives.
Interactions with the Galaxy S25 series are also more intuitive. With just a single command, Gemini7 can effortlessly find a user’s favourite sports team’s schedule and add it to Samsung Calendar. Additionally, Google’s enhanced Circle to Search8 now gives users more helpful information with AI Overviews and one-tap actions.
The Galaxy S25 series further refines and enhances the core capabilities that define the Galaxy experience. Powering the Galaxy S25 series globally, the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy fuels on-device processing for more responsive AI experiences. With unique customisations for Galaxy, including ProScaler9 and Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe), the Galaxy S25 series boasts enhanced AI image processing and display power efficiency. The newly introduced 50MP ultrawide camera sensor for the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers epic shots from every range in exceptional clarity, while professional grade controls like Virtual Aperture and Samsung Log turn any photo or video into the ultimate visual experience.
The Galaxy S25 series is the industry’s first smartphone lineup to support Content Credentials, based on the open technical standard from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). Samsung has also joined the C2PA as a member, alongside industry leaders including Adobe, Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, Publicis Groupe and more, all collaborating to establish Content Credentials as the universal standard for digital content provenance. In line with its commitment to responsible mobile AI innovation, Samsung adopted this standard to enhance transparency for content created and edited with generative AI.
Starting February 14, the Galaxy S25 series will be widely available through carriers and retailers and on Samsung websites. Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Gray. Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ come in Navy, Silver Shadow, Icyblue and Mint.
All Galaxy S25 devices will come with six months of Gemini Advanced and 2TB of cloud storage at no extra cost. Gemini Advanced comes with Samsung’s most capable AI models and priority access to the newest features like Gems, custom AI experts for any topic, and Deep Research, which acts as a personal AI research assistant.
1 Supported languages include Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified / Traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Farsi, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Marathi, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese.
2The official One UI 7 release will commence with the latest Galaxy S series devices. The update is expected to gradually roll out to other Galaxy devices.
3 Now Brief feature requires Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model, or apps. Some features may require a network connection.
4 Availability of functions supported within the apps may vary by country. Some functional widgets may require a network connection and/or Samsung Account login.
5 Drawing Assist feature requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed.
6 Samsung Account login may be required to use certain Samsung AI features. Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by AI features. Availability of Galaxy AI features may vary depending on the region/country, OS/One UI version, device model and phone carrier. Some function availability may vary by device model. Galaxy AI service may be limited for minors in certain regions with age restrictions over AI usage. Galaxy AI features will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.
7 Gemini Extensions feature availability varies based on content. Internet connection, Android device, and set up required. Language availability varies. Results for illustrative purposes and may vary. Check responses for accuracy.
8 Sequences shortened and simulated. Results for illustrative purposes only. Service availability may vary by country, language, or device model. Requires internet connection. Users may need to update Android and Google app to the latest version. Results may vary depending on visual or audio matches. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Works on compatible apps and surfaces, and with ambient music only. Will not identify music coming through headphones or if phone volume is off.
9 ProScaler feature is supported on Galaxy S25+ and Ultra models. Image quality can be enhanced up to QHD+, depending on the screen resolution setting of the device.
The Icelandic Government is preparing to sell its remaining stake in Íslandsbanki, approximately 42,5% of the bank’s shares, over the coming months. The sale will be conducted in accordance with Act no. 80/2024 and grants individuals priority in the offering.
The offering process will be guided by the principles of objectivity, cost-efficiency, equity and transparency. Following expert consultation, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has identified opportunities to enhance the offering’s structure. As outlined in a draft bill currently open for consultation, the proposed changes include the addition of a third order book (Order Book C).
Order Book A: Reserved exclusively for individuals, allowing bids up to ISK 20 million. The price per share will be fixed, based on the average closing price of Íslandsbanki hf. shares over the 15 trading days preceding the publication of the offering prospectus, or the last recorded closing price, with a discount of up to 5%. Allocations in Order Book A will not be reduced due to demand in other order books. In the event of oversubscription, shares will be allocated proportionally, ensuring that individuals receive the lowest price and priority access.
Order Book B: Open to both individuals and legal entities, with a minimum bid of ISK 2 million. Allocations will be price-based. The price will be decided via a dutch auction process but will not fall below the fixed price established for Order Book A. Order Book B allocations will not be affected by allocations in Order Book C.
Order Book C: Designed for large, regulated institutional investors submitting bids of at least ISK 300 million. The price of the shares in Order Book C will be the same is in Order Book B. Eligible participants must manage total assets of at least ISK 70 billion.
These adjustments ensure participation across all investor groups. The revised structure maintains the lowest price and priority access for individuals, establishes transparent price formation in Order Book B that is also applicable to Order Book C, and provides institutional investors with a more conventional allocation process. Additionally, the updated approach is expected to facilitate the sale of a greater volume of shares.
Green MP, and party parliamentary spokesperson on foreign affairs, Ellie Chowns said: “US Vice President JD Vance’s use of the Munich Security Conference to lambast allies rather than focus on the real chaos makers in the world is sadly predictable but no less bizarre and dangerous for that.
“President Trump’s administration seems determined to usher in a new world where old friends are discarded and new friends made of dangerous autocrats. The UK should have no part of that and should work with others to protect international frameworks and institutions that support co-operation and the rule of law.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme offers an exciting career pathway into the forestry sector for people from all backgrounds
A new call for foresters of the future has gone out for the next cohort of the innovative Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme.
The forestry and timber sector plays a key role in ensuring our precious woods and forests are healthy and continue to flourish for generations to come, helping the country meet its net zero and environment targets, supporting economic growth, and providing multiple social benefits.
The three-year, paid development opportunity is open to school leavers, graduates or anyone looking for a change in career direction and a rewarding job in the natural environment – with no day the same.
In total, the scheme has already kickstarted 78 careers in forestry, and the reopening of the programme will offer more people the chance to be part of a new cohort of foresters. The Forestry Commission kick-started the scheme in 2022, and an increasing number of other organisations and businesses have taken the opportunity to host apprentices over the subsequent years.
This boost for forestry comes during of National Apprenticeships Week (Monday 10 February to Sunday 16 February), which celebrates the skills and value which apprenticeships create. Kickstarting economic growth by providing good employment opportunities across the country, including in rural areas, is a crucial part of the Government’s Plan for Change and apprenticeships like these are a great way to give people access to a new career.
Forestry Commission Chief Executive Richard Stanford said:
“The Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme offers people the chance to earn while they learn. Students have a mix of academic study and technical experience in the great outdoors and at the end of the programme can achieve a bachelor’s degree and chartered forester qualifications.
“The continued success of this unique programme is heartening to see – people from all kinds of backgrounds and ages have been able to kickstart a new career. I urge anyone who is interested in finding a vocation looking after our trees, woods and forests, and who wants to work in a sector with lots of opportunities, to apply today.”
Apprentice foresters from previous years have pointed to the variety of daily experiences, and the access to a wide range of expertise amongst the benefits provided by this apprenticeship programme.
Apprentices on the scheme enjoy a combination of hands-on experience with the Forestry Commission and academic studies in forestry management led by the University of Cumbria. There is also potential for wider sector placements to further develop their skills and experience and improve future employment prospects.
Current apprentice Zoltan Varju said:
“Nature has been a lifelong passion of mine and getting the opportunity to work to make sure we have healthy woodlands has been fantastic.
“I’ve also been glad to be trained while working, so that I can earn a salary while I’m learning instead of tuition fees. I’d recommend an apprenticeship for anyone looking for a career in forestry, it offers a great variety of experiences and it’s great to learn from people with years of experience in the job.
Current apprentice Julia Churchill-Angus said:
“Having spent the first part of my career developing and delivering environmental policy, I wanted to get more practical environmental management experience.
“Forestry seemed like the perfect way to do this. As a Development Woodland Officer, I’m also completing a degree and that’s been a great compliment to my job with lots of academic and practical training as well.”
Upon completion of the programme, successful graduates will earn a Professional Forester Apprenticeship (equivalent to Level 6), a BSc (Hons) Professional Forester and will be able to apply for Chartered Forester status with the Institute of Chartered Foresters.
To launch the city’s preparations for the Women’s Rugby World Cup and celebrate the incredible contribution of women and girls’ rugby in Salford, the Ceremonial Mayor hosted a special reception at Salford Civic Centre for players, coaches, and volunteers from Eccles RFC.
The event also recognised Eccles RFC’s achievement in receiving the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. As Salford’s largest community Rugby Union club, Eccles RFC plays a vital role in promoting rugby and supporting the local community, offering opportunities for women and girls to get involved in the game.
Ceremonial Mayor, Councillor Tanya Burch, said: “Eccles RFC is a shining example of what sport can achieve. Not only does it help people stay active, but it also brings communities together and offers fantastic opportunities for women and girls to be part of something special. Congratulations again to Eccles RFC for their well-deserved King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and thank you to everyone who continues to support and grow women’s rugby in Salford.”
Councillor Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports and Leisure, said: “With just over six months to go until Salford Community Stadium hosts four Rugby World Cup pool games, we’re working hard to ensure the tournament leaves a lasting legacy in our city. From schools programmes to non-contact rugby sessions led by Salford Community Leisure, we’re creating exciting opportunities for more women and girls to experience and enjoy the game.”
The Rugby World Cup 2025 will see the world’s best women’s teams compete in venues across England, with Salford Community Stadium hosting four pool games. This is a fantastic opportunity for local residents to experience international rugby at the highest level and cheer on teams like Australia, Scotland, and Wales right here in Salford. The tournament aims to inspire the next generation of players and leave a lasting legacy for women’s rugby in the city.
Salford Community Stadium will host the following Women’s Rugby World Cup pool games:
ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing that the State of Georgia surpassed $53.1 billion in exports, a year-over-year increase of 6.4% that outpaced the national average of 2.3%. The state also moved up a rank to sixth in the United States for dollar value of trade, serving as a global gateway to facilitate more than $198.7 billion in trade to 222 unique countries and territories.
“With more than 87% of Georgia exporters being small businesses, these record-breaking numbers represent economic opportunity and success in every corner of the state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “In 2024, Georgia outpaced the national average for growth in exports and moved up another rank in total trade, further demonstrating that our strategic investments and commitment to working with job creators to meet their needs are delivering results for hardworking Georgians.”
Exporting to 219 unique destinations in 2024, Georgia retained its No. 12 ranking in the U.S. for dollar value of exports. Civilian aircraft and ancillary parts also remained the state’s No. 1 export, followed by motor vehicles, data processing machines (computers), electrical apparatus for line telephony (telephone sets), and medical devices.
“Georgia’s diverse industry base and connectivity to more than 200 global markets create a more resilient state economy,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Georgia offers extensive partnerships, expert guidance on export strategies, and top-tier infrastructure – including deepwater ports, railways, highways, and airports – that empower businesses to thrive in the global market. We appreciate the General Assembly, local leaders, and statewide partners for ensuring Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business, supporting companies in expanding, investing, and moving products both statewide and worldwide.”
The state’s international trade efforts are bolstered by representatives in key markets around the world that facilitate connections between Georgia exporters and key global customers. Markets where Georgia maintains full-time representation accounted for 66% of exports and 83% of bilateral trade in 2024.
“A fourth consecutive year of record-breaking exports is an incredible accomplishment that requires strong partnerships at all levels, from global to local,” said Deputy Commissioner of Trade Lizann Grupalo. “Georgia’s international representatives are a key link to global markets, providing on the ground insights to navigate an ever-changing global environment. Their contributions allow our Georgia-based team members to serve Georgia’s small business exporters who otherwise may not have access to this information and opportunities.”
Georgia is home to the busiest and most efficient airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; the fastest growing and third-busiest container gateway in the U.S. at the Port of Savannah; and one of the nation’s busiest gateways for Roll-on/Roll-off cargo at the Port of Brunswick. The Georgia Ports Authority also recently announced twelve consecutive months of year-over-year container volume growth, on top of consistent growth for multiple years prior. In addition, Georgia offers a robust rail and highway infrastructure, with more rail miles than any other state in the Southeast.
About the Annual International Trade Report
GDEcD’s annual International Trade Report is an overview of the state of Georgia’s annual trade activity based on data from Trade Data Monitor. Trade Data Monitor tracks the value of merchandise trade, meaning tangible products or goods only, using four-digit Harmonized System (HS) codes and origin of movement.
To read the full report, click here.
About GDEcD’s Trade Team
Georgia’s nationally recognized Trade team works to bolster Georgia exports and brand the state as a competitive source of quality products and services. The team includes International Representatives located in more than a dozen strategic global markets who assist Georgia companies with expanding their sales worldwide. GDEcD’s Trade professionals provide Georgia businesses with the global insight and connections they need to successfully diversify their international customer base.
Most people in Europe think that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), have a positive impact on their jobs, the economy, society, and on quality of life. This is what reveals a new Eurobarometer survey, published today.
More than 60% of Europeans positively view robots and AI at work and over 70% believe they improve productivity. While a majority supports using robots and AI to make decisions at work, 84% of Europeans think that AI requires careful management to protect privacy and ensure transparency in the workplace.
Background
Today’s results of the survey align with one of the key objectives of the EU’s Competitiveness Compass, to integrate digital technologies and AI into workplaces to boost innovation and productivity. The EU has allocated €2 billion from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and €23 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) to Member States to support the development of digital skills. The Digital Europe Programme has also invested €580 million to advance digital skills between 2021-2027.
