Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Infected Blood Compensation Authority’s update that was circulated on 17 March 2025
Infected Blood Compensation Authority’s update that was circulated on 17 March 2025
Published 17 March 2025
Source: The Conversation – France – By Pierre Micheletti, Responsable du diplôme «Santé — Solidarité — Précarité» à la Faculté de médecine de Grenoble, Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)
The collapse of western funding for international aid–for both emergency humanitarian operations and official development assistance (ODA)–is a major blow. The dramatic consequences for the neglected populations are the result of the structural weaknesses–evident for years [1]–of an economic model of international aid and development whose obsolescence is now plain for all to see. What is particularly dramatic, however, is the abrupt, non-negotiated manner in which the procedures and targets of the withdrawals have been determined.
The “four temptations” inherent to the financial system in force to date [2]–and now unashamedly embraced by the new US administration–are obvious: the “western-centrism” of the donor countries; the “neo-liberal approach” to international aid where each contributing state chooses which countries to help; the “security concerns” about payments which are governed by strict control procedures to prevent such payments falling into the hands of the enemies of donor countries in conflict areas; and the “temptation to withdraw” funding whenever donor countries experience a major upheaval (Covid-19, economic crises, the rise of nationalism and isolationism, etc.). These trends converge to generate a volumetric insufficiency and suspicions of political soft power in the countries contributing to the annual budgets [3].
Of course, this is a disaster for international aid and development actors themselves, both in terms of feeling responsible for abandoning the activities developed in the field, and in terms of the redundancy plans that have already hit some of the organisations. Some of these organisations will clearly not survive the current events: even those with little or no reliance on USAID (the US development agency whose aid was ordered frozen for 90 days) will potentially be affected by the knock-on effects of the withdrawal of the leading donor country.
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Even before the United States announced its cuts, other countries had begun to scale back their international aid and development budgets. These include France [4], the UK, Germany and Belgium, to name a few we already know of.
Organisations for which the “generosity of the public” (which accounts for around 20% of annual humanitarian aid funding) [5] is a major component of their resource structure will not escape the consequences either.
The economic rebalancing and political tensions resulting from some of the Trump administration’s decisions are indeed likely to have industrial and social repercussions in all the countries that were once privileged partners of the United States, particularly among the members of the European Union. Experience shows the effects that the erosion of certain national parameters can have on the donation processes of the individual donors who support non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Individual donors will have to prioritise a wide range of crises that are now being neglected by government funding, and compassion will then be a matter of personal choice.
The tension looming everywhere as a result of increasing trade restrictions may have economic and social repercussions, which in turn may lead to higher expectations among the general public and redirect donations toward local, national or family forms of aid and development.
Some political groups are starting to question the legitimacy and validity of ODA, which recently prompted the director of the Agence française de développement (AFD) to speak out specifically in defence of the actions of the organisation [6].
The richest countries are gradually developing a dynamic that shows an insane indifference to poverty, environmental degradation and the zoonoses that can result from the abuse of our primary forests. Yet no border can act as an illusory and impenetrable Maginot line to curb the worldwide dangers that define the interdependencies of today’s globalised world [7].
We cannot be indifferent–neither in Europe nor in North America–to all the forms of abuse inflicted on our planet (and soon to be compounded by the revival of a mutilating and predatory extractive industry), nor to the survival strategies underlying current and future massive population movements, nor to the conflicts that these different mechanisms can generate.
Two figures immediately reveal the huge gap that already exists in terms of global inequality. The global ODA envelope, provided by OECD countries, amounted to $230 billion in 2023, when “migratory remittances”–sums transferred by migrants to their countries of origin–stood at $830 billion, of which $650 billion were sent to low- and middle-income countries [8]. These sums are a lifeline for the poorest populations. They reflect the inseparable balance of survival between here and there.
Yet we are being encouraged to accept the idea that, despite these border-free interdependencies, we, in the richest countries, could lose interest in the various mechanisms that are destroying equality of opportunity throughout the world; that an unabashed reaffirmation of “everyone for themselves”, in terms of both consumption and global solidarity, could henceforth serve as a new, unabashed political mantra; and that this would have no long-term consequences for lasting peace…
Therefore, in a world where, by 2100, the population of Africa could represent 40% of humankind, we risk major turmoil if we turn our backs on the reality that is unfolding [9]. On that continent (and in other places where major vulnerabilities exist), we cannot shy away from showing concern for others–out of a sense of realism if not generosity.
Together, we must resist the strategy of every man for himself and the law of the strongest promoted by the new leaders of the United States and their affiliates. We must also strive to invent a new model free of the four founding temptations of the existing system, which grew out of the Second World War and the process of decolonisation. This implies creating the conditions for a significant increase in the number of contributing countries for government funds, as well as a diversification of sources for private funds. A new distribution of creative and decision-making power within the governance of a system in need of rebuilding is thus essential. In the aftermath of the current crisis, new battles are emerging to radically overhaul the strategies and methods of international solidarity.
A version of this article originally appeared under a different headline in Alternatives Humanitaires. It was translated by Derek Scoins for that publication.
Pierre Micheletti ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.
– ref. The threat of indifference to poverty, environmental damage and disease – and what it will take to reinvent international solidarity – https://theconversation.com/the-threat-of-indifference-to-poverty-environmental-damage-and-disease-and-what-it-will-take-to-reinvent-international-solidarity-252321
Source: City of Derby
Residents are now able to interact with an improved and more inclusive online resource as Derby City Council launches an upgraded version of its digital helper, Darcie this week [17 March].
Introduced to answer citizens’ queries more efficiently, Darcie has undergone significant behind-the-scenes improvements.
The latest generative AI capabilities mean the digital helper now understands more complex questions and can respond with more detailed answers on a range of Council services, including Council Tax, bins, fostering and registration services.
Darcie can also now answer queries about adult social care in more detail for the first time.
In 2023, Derby City Council introduced two digital helpers, Darcie for the council’s customer service centre, and Ali for Derby Homes’ housing enquiries on their respective websites.
Since their launch, Darcie and Ali have handled more than 1.8m million routine enquiries, resolving 44% of enquiries without input from staff – freeing them to focus on more complex cases.
Darcie is like a super-smart robot that is trained in the Council’s services, information and advice, and continues to learn from experience. The more Darcie learns, the better they get at understanding and generating answers to queries that feel natural and helpful.
Darcie now supports the 9 most common languages after English that are spoken by residents, based on Council data. These are:
A more advanced version of phone Darcie is set to follow in the coming weeks, and residents are encouraged to visit the Council’s website, try out Darcie, and provide feedback on their experiences, to help guide future improvements.
Giving feedback is simple. Darcie has Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down buttons for residents to rate a translation or how well the digital helper answered a question. Pressing the Thumbs Down button will open up a text box for more detailed comments.
The Council is also planning focused sessions with representatives from community, language, and disability groups to ensure Darcie meets diverse needs.
Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa, Cabinet Member for Digital and Organisational Transformation at Derby City Council said:
We want to use technology to make a positive difference, and our goal is to make things as easy and user-friendly as possible for residents. The feedback from the testing phase has been good, and now we want to hear more from residents about their experiences before we move forward with the next phase.
Derby is at the forefront of this technology and, given the lack of precedents, we don’t expect perfection right away. It’s important that we take the time to learn and refine our approach.
Darcie is an important part in helping us make sure all residents can easily get the information and support they need. Remember, Darcie is available 24/7 on web and phone and can answer queries at evenings, weekends and holidays. There is always the option to talk to a human advisor if needed during normal office hours.
I urge all citizens to try Darcie and let us know how we can improve this tool further.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
The UK government has pledged up to £160 million in aid to help stabilise Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
The UK government has committed today to play a leading role in Syria’s post-Assad recovery. Millions of Syrians are set to benefit from lifesaving aid from the UK and international partners, supporting them to rebuild their lives and stabilise the country following the fall of the brutal Assad regime late last year.
Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, will today pledge up to £160 million of UK funding – delivered by trusted UN and NGO partners on the ground – to help provide Syrians with critical water, food, healthcare and education in 2025 at the Annual Syria Pledging Conference, hosted by the EU in Brussels.
Ensuring stability in Syria and the wider region is critical for UK national security, which is the foundation of the government’s Plan for Change.
In his speech at the conference, which will be attended by members of the international community and the Syrian interim authorities, the Minister will urge the Syrian authorities to ensure the recent violence witnessed in Syria never happens again, reiterating the importance of a properly representative and inclusive political transition.
Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer said:
A stable Syria is vital for ensuring our security at home and abroad, which is critical for delivering our Plan for Change. Today’s pledge of up to £160m underlines our commitment to helping Syrians stabilise and rebuild their country, as well as provide lifesaving aid for Syrians hosted generously in partner countries.
This is a critical moment for Syria. The violence in coastal areas earlier this month was horrific. The interim authorities must demonstrate their intent to promote stability, protect minorities and govern in the interests of all Syrians. We welcome the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the interim authorities as an important step in this direction.
At the conference, the Minister will welcome last week’s ceasefire agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the interim authorities, as well as the authorities’ commitment to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile.
Notes to Editors:
The UK’s pledge covers support to Syria and the wider region for 2025.
Today’s visit follows the recent decision to lift asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities. These entities were previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of the Syrian people, including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines, and energy companies. This reaffirms UK support to the Syrian people in re-building their country and promote security and stability.
Media enquiries
Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk
Telephone 020 7008 3100
Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.
Published 17 March 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Latest measure tackles driving test backlog and helps to ensure learners can take their tests without unnecessary delays.
Fewer driving test slots will be wasted as the government announces an extension to the window for test cancellations to prevent last minute changes.
From 8 April 2025, learner drivers will need to give more notice when changing or cancelling their car driving test to avoid losing their fee. Currently, customers can cancel up to 3 days ahead of their test without losing their test fee.
Under the new rules, learners must give 10 full working days’ notice to change or cancel their test without losing the fee.
This is the latest action in the government’s 7-point plan to reduce waiting times and will allow more slots to be made available.
Extending the window will also encourage customers to be better prepared and ready to pass when they book their test – as well as encourage learners to change or cancel their test sooner if they’re not ready and so give more chance for appointments to be used by someone else.
Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said:
Driving is more than just a means of transport; it is a lifeline for many, opening doors to jobs, opportunities and ultimately contributing to the growth of our economy. The measures announced today are another vital step in tackling the driving test backlog and ensuring that more learners who are ready to take their test can do so without unnecessary delays.
These new measures will ensure that driving test appointments are used efficiently, encouraging learners to make adjustments to their schedules sooner, should they not be fully prepared.
The change announced today (17 March 2025) is part of the government’s 7-point plan to help reduce driving test waiting times.
Announced in December 2024, the plan includes:
Loveday Ryder, DVSA’s Chief Executive, said:
Extending the short notice cancellation period for driving tests forms part of our 7-point plan to reduce driving test waiting times.
This will encourage learners to change or cancel their test sooner so we can offer up those slots to other customers.
We remain committed to reducing driving test waiting times and supporting learners in getting on the road when they are truly ready and safe to do so.
To further protect motorists given continued cost-of-living pressures and potential fuel price volatility amid global uncertainty, the government has also frozen fuel duty at current levels for another year to support hardworking families and businesses, saving the average car driver £59.
Roads media enquiries
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
Switchboard 0300 330 3000
Published 17 March 2025
Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent
Published: Monday, 17th March 2025
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has signed a charter committing to building a sustainable and fair future for the city and county as it looks to take further steps to combat climate change.
The charter – signed at Lichfield Cathedral on Friday 14 March – was produced by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Celebration of the Possible (COP) – an alliance that brings together communities, councils, academics and other partners around a shared vision of a happier, healthier future based on better stewardship of the environment.
Earlier this year, COP announced its commitment to a decade-long action plan, which will drive collaboration and chart a clear path forward. By signing the charter, the city will commit to proactive measures to combat climate change and consider nature and sustainability in its decision-making. The charter is based on so-called “doughnut economics”, which suggest that humanity should exist in a space where needs are met but where economic activity does not go beyond the planet’s natural limits.
Stoke-on-Trent has committed to playing its part in the government’s target of being ‘net zero’ -. taking out more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than it puts in – by 2050.
The city’s dedication to a greener future is already underway with its new Economic Strategy, which focuses on community wealth-building and supporting sustainable, green industries. These initiatives align closely with the city’s environmental goals, aiming to make Stoke-on-Trent a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous place for all residents.
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Signing the COP Charter is a natural next step for us. It fits perfectly with our goal to create a sustainable, thriving city.
“We’re already taking action, including early development of a District Heat Network, promoting sustainable travel through our Transforming Cities programme and Bus Service Improvement Protocol, and we will be supporting tree planting in celebration of our Centenary.
“We’re also focused on ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. By making Stoke-on-Trent a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive city, we can help everyone enjoy the benefits of a greener future.”
The signing of the COP Charter is an important milestone in Stoke-on-Trent’s journey to becoming a cleaner, fairer, and more resilient city. To learn more about the city’s strategy for 2024-2028 – Our City, Our Wellbeing – residents can visit: https://www.stoke.gov.uk/ourcityourwellbeing.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CORRECTION EnBW International Finance B.V. : Annual Report 2024
in a release issued under the same headline on 17 March 2025 by EnBW International Finance B.V. ,in the last sentence of the release the link for the annual report has been updated to the correct one. The correct release follows:
In accordance with the Transparency Directive (Directive 2004/109/EC), as amended by the Transparency Directive Amending Directive (Directive 2013/50/EU), and following the choice of EnBW International Finance B.V. for the Netherlands as Home Member State, EnBW International Finance B.V. hereby informs that the annual report and financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 has been filed with the Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) in the Netherlands and is available on the internet site:
Source: City of Salford
Led by National Trading Standards (NTS), Salford City Council’s Trading Standards team alongside Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service and the Trading Standards team in Berkshire, have worked collaboratively to test ‘nicotine free’ vapes on sale to UK consumers and track the sale of illicit vapes and underage sales.
As part of Operation Joseph, the DHSC government funded initiative was set up to tackle specific aspects of enforcement and compliance around the sale of vaping products. The project includes collating national data on enforcement, helping to support local authorities and increase enforcement activity as well as targeted testing and port seizure work.
According to data released from NTS at the end of 2024, the sale of illicit vapes and underage sales found:
Consumers who expect to buy nicotine free products have been warned, as a result of the investigation, that they are being unknowingly exposed to nicotine and its addictive effects in significant quantities.
The key findings of 76 products sold and tested as nicotine free vapes showed that:
Councillor Barbara Bentham Lead, Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety at Salford City Council said: “As a key priority in our Corporate Plan, it’s pivotal that we make sure that everyone in Salford has the opportunity to live longer, healthier and happier lives. That means protecting the health of our residents and in particular, safeguarding children from the flood of dangerous, illegal products that are being sold in our city and across the UK.
“As a growing national concern, we are committed to working with partners like National Trading Standards to remove illegal vapes from our communities and urge businesses to ensure that vaping products are not sold to children. Those who choose to ignore legal regulations will face thorough investigations to enforce compliance so that we continue to ensure the highest standards of safety are met.”
Suspected cases can be reported to the Citizens Advice consumer service by calling 0808 223 1133.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
LIMASSOL, Cyprus, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avenix Fzco has introduced ForexRova, an advanced Expert Advisor (EA) designed to enhance gold trading through a personalized, multi-strategy approach. Unlike traditional trading bots with rigid parameters, ForexRova adapts in real-time, dynamically shifting between aggressive, trend-following strategies and conservative, risk-managed setups based on market conditions, volatility, and trader preferences.
The system offers customizable settings, allowing traders to fine-tune execution styles, risk levels, and confirmation signals. By adjusting dynamically to market fluctuations, ForexRova is designed to optimize trading opportunities while effectively managing risk.
Adapting to Market Shifts with AI Precision
Gold’s price movements are shaped by a complex mix of macroeconomic trends, geopolitical events, and liquidity fluctuations. ForexRova navigates these uncertainties by combining price action analysis, built-in indicators, and oscillator-based evaluations to refine trade execution. It identifies prevailing trends, assesses overbought and oversold conditions to avoid poorly timed entries, and evaluates bullish versus bearish strength to confirm trade direction.
Static trading systems react after the fact, this EA proactively scans the market, filters out weak signals, and ensures only high-probability trades are executed. This layered approach helps traders align their positions with real-time market dynamics, giving them greater precision, control, and adaptability in gold trading.
ForexRova’s customizable multi-strategy framework offers traders a personalized experience, adapting to various market conditions to meet individual trading objectives. Markets don’t move in a single pattern, and traders shouldn’t be forced into a rigid strategy. This system brings flexibility without sacrificing control.
Customization as the Future of Forex Trading
Traders now seek more than just automation; they want flexibility in how their strategies develop. ForexRova addresses this need by offering a range of adjustable settings, including risk exposure, trade frequency, stop-loss behavior, and market entry conditions. Rather than adhering to a rigid, predefined model, the system allows for a customized trading experience that aligns with individual goals.
With its focus on personalization, ForexRova is designed to support both novice and experienced traders, providing a flexible approach to gold trading that adapts to market conditions and trading preferences.
About ForexRova
ForexRova is a powerful Expert Advisor designed for XAU/USD trading, combining advanced optimization with strategic risk management to deliver consistent profitability. Utilizing high-quality tick data and a precision-driven trading strategy, it ensures steady growth while safeguarding traders against market volatility. Users can learn more at https://forexrova.com/
Contact
ForexRova Media Team
ForexRova
support@forexrova.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c90ae709-5575-4d4b-86d2-cbadb6e93a29
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Armenian financial institutions strengthen their crypto capabilities
On 17 and 18 March 2025, the OSCE conducted an introductory workshop for financial institutions on investigating the criminal use of virtual assets in Armenia. The workshop brought together representatives from the Central Bank of Armenia, the Financial Monitoring Center, and private banks. The aim of the workshop was to enhance participants’ capabilities in identifying and mitigating risks related to virtual assets and financial crime.
The event featured interactive discussions, hands-on exercises, and case studies on key topics such as blockchain compliance, the role of anonymity in virtual asset transactions, and investigative techniques for tracking illicit financial flows using virtual assets. In addition, the workshop highlighted the importance between cross-sector and private-public collaboration between financial institutions.
“This is a crucially important training for us”, said a participant from the Central Bank of Armenia. “By equipping professionals with the latest investigative techniques and compliance strategies, trainings like this help us safeguard against financial crime and ensure regulatory adherence”, she added.
This workshop is part of OSCE’s extra-budgetary project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and financially supported by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
LIMASSOL, Cyprus, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FXDyno, an advanced wave-based trading system, has been introduced to enhance gold trading with precision and speed. By analyzing wave strength, duration, and trajectory, the system identifies trading opportunities in real time, adapting to gold’s dynamic price movements.
Gold’s volatility presents both risks and opportunities, with price waves influenced by macroeconomic trends, geopolitical events, and institutional flows. Traditional indicators often struggle to keep pace with these rapid shifts, making timely decision-making challenging. FXDyno is designed to address this by refining trade execution based on evolving market conditions, ensuring each move aligns with prevailing market dynamics.
Mastering Gold Trading with AI-Powered Wave Analysis
Market movements follow patterns and waves, providing traders with insights that can enhance decision-making. Short-term price spikes, false reversals, and trend exhaustion points often lead to premature trade entries and exits. FXDyno is designed to filter out market noise, identifying optimal entry, hold, and exit points based on real-time price wave assessments.
Rather than reacting to individual candlestick movements, the algorithm analyzes price momentum, acceleration, and structural wave formations. This approach ensures that trades align with high-probability trends rather than short-lived fluctuations.
FXDyno’s wave trading strategy is designed to refine gold trading by accurately identifying and capitalizing on market waves. With timing as a critical factor in gold trading, the system aims to optimize execution for improved trade outcomes.
A New Era of Algorithmic Gold Trading
Traditional gold trading often relies on trend-following indicators that lag behind actual market movements, leaving traders exposed to delayed entries and false signals. A wave-centric approach positions trades ahead of market shifts, letting traders ride momentum instead of chasing it.
As automated trading continues to reshape financial markets, strategies that merge speed, adaptability, and precision are becoming essential tools for traders looking to navigate gold’s volatility. This breakthrough technology represents the next step in algorithmic trading, refining gold price forecasting and creating opportunities in both trending and ranging markets.
With gold remaining a cornerstone of global financial markets, traders who embrace wave-driven strategies gain the precision and adaptability needed to navigate rapid price movements with confidence.
About FXDyno
FXDyno delivers innovative, data-driven trading solutions designed for gold traders seeking consistency and precision. Developed by a team of experts since 2016, its Expert Advisor for MetaTrader 4 is built for optimized performance, smart automation, and robust risk management.
Users can learn more at https://fxdyno.com/
Contact
FXDyno Media Team
FXDyno
support@fxdyno.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3d20f3e-67da-4036-8a59-aaade1fb57fb
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE supports K9 handling masterplan to boost Moldovan law enforcement operations into 2028
Participants at the signing ceremony for the K9 masterplan, Chisinau, Moldova, 17 March 2025. (General Police Inspectorate) Photo details
The Moldovan General Police Inspectorate (GPI) introduced a canine (K9) handling masterplan developed with OSCE support in Chisinau, Moldova, on 17 March. Covering the years 2025 to 2028, this document sets a clear framework for enhancing the operational effectiveness of Moldova’s K9 police units.
From search and rescue to drug and explosives detection, the masterplan provides a structured approach to boosting K9 officers’ operational capabilities in law enforcement activities, as well as modernizing and improving K9 training standards. By adopting this plan, the GPI reaffirms its commitment to international good practices in policing and security.
“The adoption of this masterplan marks a significant step in strengthening the capacities of our law enforcement agency,” said Viorel Cernăuțeanu, Head of the GPI. “Through this partnership with the OSCE and our international partners, we are equipping our K9 units with the necessary skills and resources to address evolving security challenges more effectively.”
Senior officials from the GPI and international partners attending the signing ceremony addressed the OSCE’s key role in the development of the plan, including the technical expertise, training and resources provided, and its importance for Moldova’s law enforcement.
These activities are implemented as part of the extrabudgetary project “Support to the Law Enforcement Agencies in Moldova in Response to the Security Challenges in the Region”, funded by France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, that bolsters Moldova’s law enforcement capabilities in countering transnational threats.
Source: United Nations 2
A relative of two Syrians tortured and murdered by the Assad regime has spoken of the anguish caused by their enforced disappearance during the country’s civil war.
Obeida Dabbagh’s brother Mazen, and nephew Patrick – both Syrian-French nationals – were arrested by Air Force Intelligence officials in November 2013.
Held for years and tortured, there were falsely declared dead in 2018 “years after they disappeared,” Mr. Dabbagh told the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, which meets at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).
He stressed that his uncle and nephew had not been involved in initially peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad that authorities attempted to crush by carrying out mass arrests, torture and widespread human rights abuses that have been widely condemned by UN senior officials.
“The Syrian regime, in addition to torture and executions, extorted money from our family, promising us information or release in exchange for exorbitant sums, before expelling [Mazen’s] wife and [his] daughter from our family home in Damascus,” Mr. Dabbagh told the panel, which is one of ten UN human rights Treaty Bodies independent of the Human Rights Council.
“This fight goes beyond my family,” Mr. Dabbagh continued.
“It is part of a universal quest for justice and against impunity for war crimes. Through this legal action, I wanted not only to obtain justice for Mazen and Patrick, but also to participate in the global fight against the atrocities committed by the Syrian regime.”
Before they were arrested, Mazen provided teaching support at a French college in the Syrian capital and his son Patrick was a psychology student at Damascus university.
Desperate to secure their release, their family approached the Syrian, French and international authorities, including the Red Cross and European Union.
In 2016, alongside the NGO International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the family filed a complaint with the Paris Prosecutor’s office for crimes against humanity.
This legal action allowed the French justice system to open an investigation and collect key testimonies, particularly from Syrian deserters. This led to an indictment order in March 2023 for three senior Syrian regime officials to stand trial for complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Following their trial in France last May, Ali Mamlouk, Jamil Hassan and Abdel Salam Mahmoud were sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment for complicity in imprisonment, torture, enforced disappearance and murder constituting crimes against humanity, as well as for confiscation of property, classified as a war crime.
The Committee on Enforced Disappearances monitors how countries implement the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006 and came into force in December 2010.
Ratifying countries are legally bound to its provisions, including the prohibition of secret detention, the obligation to search for disappeared persons, the criminalization of enforced disappearance and the commitment to prosecute those responsible.
For the Committee, independent rights expert Fidelis Kanyongolo highlighted the critical importance of extra-territorial jurisdiction in the Committee’s work, given that many States have yet to ratify the Convention – along with the fact that Syria has not ratified the Rome Statute, which would have allowed the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute serious human rights crimes there.
In addition, there has been no resolution from the UN Security Council referring grave rights abuses in Syria to the ICC and the domestic justice system remains neither independent nor accountable, Mr, Kanyongolo maintained.
The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance is the first universally legally binding human rights instrument concerning the practice.
It was preceded by the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1992.
With 77 State parties today, the Convention remains a key reference, with several of its provisions now reflecting customary international law.
In a statement marking 14 years since the start of the Syrian civil war, the UN Human Rights Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry on Syria called for urgent efforts to hold all perpetrators accountable, both from the Assad era and all warring parties since 2011.
“Evidence, including documents in prisons, courts and mass grave sites, must be preserved to support future truth and accountability initiatives led by the new Syrian authorities, with the support of key actors such as Syrian civil society,” the Commission stated.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Paola Papanicolaou, Head of Intesa Sanpaolo’s International Banks Division
MILAN, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Speaking at the EIB Forum in Luxembourg this month, Paola Papanicolaou, the head of Intesa Sanpaolo’s International Banks Division (IBD), outlined the significant contribution to economic growth in Central and Eastern Europe that the bank has made over the last five years.
Intesa Sanpaolo has signed deals worth nearly €660m in the CEE region over the past five years, in partnership with the EIB. This includes some €370m dedicated to EU candidate countries, such as Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ukraine.
In Serbia, Intesa Sanpaolo’s subsidiary, Banca Intesa Beograd, recently partnered with EIB Global to provide €160m from the EU to support investment in the energy transition at Serbian SMEs, fostering sustainable economic growth.
The transaction will benefit around 240 companies and protect approximately 25,000 jobs. Banca Intesa Beograd is Serbia’s leading banking group.
“We believe that our role goes beyond that of a financial institution that just operates transactions, to that of a partner,” Papanicolaou said at the recent EIB Forum. “Intesa Sanpaolo advises and supports the growth of individual companies as well as the wider national economies in which we operate.”
Intesa Sanpaolo’s IBD is deeply embedded in the CEE region through a network of twelve fully-owned banks.
“It’s very important to be on the ground, as we are, to fully understand each country’s needs,” Papanicolaou said. “For example, we are working closely with some countries to support public finance and significant infrastructure projects”.
Another agreement signed in November 2024 saw Intesa Sanpaolo’s Croatian bank, Privredna Banka Zagreb (PBZ), receive €169m from the EIB to finance the green transition at Croatian companies. Of this total amount, €100m was earmarked by the EIB as a guarantee line for large enterprises and mid-cap companies, and an extension of an EIF guarantee of up to €69m was made for small businesses in the country. Intesa Sanpaolo’s PBZ is the second-largest bank in Croatia by assets.
Italy is a key trading partner for many EU candidate countries. As the leading Italian financial institution, Intesa Sanpaolo acts as a natural financial bridge between Italy — the second-largest manufacturing economy in Europe — and CEE markets.
Intesa Sanpaolo facilitates international trade, supports SMEs in expanding beyond domestic markets, and fosters cross-border collaborations that drive economic progress. In particular, the bank believes that helping SMEs to expand internationally is a vital contribution to the development of an economy.
The 12 home markets of Intesa Sanpaolo’s IBD are Croatia, Slovakia and Czech Republic, Serbia, Hungary, Egypt, Slovenia, Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania and Moldova.
These banks together serve 7.4m customers, with a combined loan book of €45bn and €61bn in deposits.
Intesa Sanpaolo plays a crucial role in these economies, serving individuals, SMEs, corporates, and public sector entities while driving investment and growth.
Contact: international.media@intesasanpaolo.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9897a34-ccf2-4423-8cc4-3d0427433a18
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
LIMASSOL, Cyprus, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
FXiBot, the latest innovation in forex automation, introduces a precision-focused strategy designed to master GBP/USD trading with a disciplined, single-position approach. Where overtrading fuels risk and erratic outcomes, this system does the opposite, taking a measured, calculated approach with strategic intent.
Many trading bots rely on high-frequency execution, flooding the market with trades in an attempt to maximize short-term gains. This system aims to flip that approach, focusing on fewer, higher-quality trades that align with trend momentum, key price levels, and controlled risk exposure. Instead of chasing every market fluctuation, the strategy is built on patience, precision, and calculated restraint, allowing traders to capitalize on GBP/USD movements without unnecessary exposure to volatility traps.
The Importance of Quality Over Quantity in Forex Trading
In fast-moving currency pairs like GBP/USD, trading volume alone is not enough—execution must be strategic. Price spikes, false breakouts, and liquidity gaps can turn an aggressive trading approach into unnecessary drawdowns. A single miscalculated entry can determine the difference between a controlled win and a cascading loss.
FXiBot’s single-position methodology focuses on clear, high-probability setups, ensuring that each trade is executed with defined risk parameters and adaptive exit strategies. Instead of stacking positions or overleveraging, the system analyzes market structure in real-time, waiting for optimal conditions before taking action.
FXiBot’s precision strategy for GBP/USD trading prioritizes quality over quantity, emphasizing single-position trades to enhance risk control and profitability. Overtrading is a common challenge, and this system is designed to replace impulse-driven decisions with a structured, strategic approach.
Mastering GBP/USD with Tactical Execution
GBP/USD is one of the most dynamic forex pairs, frequently impacted by macroeconomic events, central bank policies, and liquidity shifts. A trading system that lacks restraint and strategic discipline is often at the mercy of unpredictable price swings. Prioritizing calculated entries, structured exits, and controlled trade frequency, this precision-focused strategy delivers a smoother, more methodical approach to forex trading.
With automation reshaping forex markets, traders increasingly seek systems that prioritize strategy over volume. The demand for precision-based execution tools continues to rise as market participants navigate volatility with discipline and control.
This latest innovation moves forex automation beyond indiscriminate trading volume toward structured execution, ensuring consistency without sacrificing flexibility.
About FXiBot
FXiBot specializes in advanced trading solutions, combining expertise in algorithmic strategies with data-driven precision. Designed for consistent performance, its Expert Advisors leverage high-quality tick data and robust analysis to optimize trade execution and enhance profitability. Users can learn more at https://fxibot.com/.
Contact
FXiBot Media Team
FXiBot
support@fxibot.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eabd8d56-5342-4c95-b0aa-6d326fb5eaac
Source: City of Winchester
In 2024, Winchester City Council installed three new rapid EV chargers and upgraded four fast chargers to rapid in its car parks across the district. Between October and December, the seven car parks with new rapid chargers showed a 139% increase in usage, compared to the same period in 2023. The busiest car park for EV charging is Basingwell car park in Bishops Waltham, where the EV chargers were used 267 times in January alone.
The addition of the new chargers has brought the total number across the district to 39, the vast majority of which have two charging points. There are therefore now over 70 dedicated EV charging parking bays available in City Council car parks.
The total power consumed at Winchester City Council car parks during the same 3-month period (October to December 2024) is 131,625kWh. This is an increase of 42% over the same period in 2023 – the equivalent of 18 trips around the world in an average sized electric vehicle.
Fast EV chargers, providing between 7 and 22kW of power, should provide a full charge in just a few hours. The same level of charge can be achieved in under an hour with a rapid (50/60 kW) charger.
Councillor Kelsie Learney, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, said:
“I’m really pleased to see this increase in usage – it shows that there is a growing commitment to greener travel across the district and that our initiatives are helping people to make this shift. We’ll continue to work with partners to increase this capacity, not only for electric vehicles but other forms of low carbon travel too.”
Winchester’s new rapid chargers can be found at Colebrook, Middle Brook St, Worthy Lane, St Peter’s and Harestock car parks, at Basingwell Street car park in Bishops Waltham and Winchester Sport and Leisure Park.
The full list of charge point locations can be found on the website at www.winchester.gov.uk/parking/other-parking-facilities.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
UK and the Philippines today hold first Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in London.
Ministers from the UK and the Philippines met in London today [Monday 17 March] for trade talks under the first Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting.
The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and has the second largest population in Southeast Asia, presenting huge opportunities for British businesses. The JETCO aims to upgrade our bilateral trade relationship, currently worth £2.8 billion annually.
At today’s meeting, Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander and Philippine Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry agreed to pursue closer cooperation and increased trade across sectors including infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and technology.
They also committed to progressing work towards a government-to-government Financing Framework Partnership that will unlock up to £5 billion of potential financing from UK Export Finance (UKEF) to support the delivery of sustainable public infrastructure and improve access to UK expertise and technology in the Philippines.
Today’s talks signify an important new chapter in our trading relationship with the Philippines, one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
Deepening our trade with partners like the Philippines and showing that the UK is open for business in Asia is vital for this Government’s mission to deliver economic growth.
I look forward to working with the Philippines and to deliver trading opportunities that will benefit both our economies.
Agriculture is an important area for bilateral trade – the Philippines is the fourth largest export market for UK pork after the EU, US, and China.
Ministers highlighted investment opportunities in the Philippines for UK agricultural companies and promoted imports of UK meat in light of the recent removal of bans on beef and poultry exports from the UK, worth £80 million over five years.
The talks are part of the government’s mission to deliver economic growth as part of the Plan for Change.
MTA welcomes the inaugural JETCO between the UK & the Philippines which will deepen our trading relationship with an important partner.
We were delighted that last year the Philippines lifted the ban on UK poultry meat, as well as lifting the temporary ban on UK beef.
We hope the trade partnership between our countries can continue to grow from strength to strength.
Opportunities in offshore renewable energy featured heavily in discussions. In 2024, the UK was the largest single investor in the Philippines, driven mainly by investments in renewables.
Such opportunities for UK companies were enhanced in 2022 with the removal of foreign equity restrictions for renewable energy companies.
The JETCO also celebrated growing digital and tech trade and emphasised the UK’s commitment to supporting the Philippines in its economic development, including through the upcoming launch of an Export Handbook for Philippine businesses in the processed agrifood and fish sectors.
Published 17 March 2025
Source: City of York
Art of Protest has installed the first phase of new artwork in Acomb ahead of the mural reveal and celebration event later this month.
Each of the 8 wooden benches have been transformed with a unique design to reflect links to nature. Each bench is painted with a leaf design from the local woodland.
This follows an extensive programme of engagement events and workshops where Art of Protest gathered the views and ideas of the local community and gained an understanding of what people would like to see.
Alongside the benches, Art of Protest is also working on a new mural which aims to capture the spirit and sense of community in Acomb. This final piece of artwork is set to be unveiled at the celebration event later this month.
The event will take place on Front Street on Saturday 22 March from 4pm, with a chance to see the new mural, meet the artists and join in with some creative spray paint activities. The event will continue from 6pm at Rise Bluebird Bakery café, where there will be a DJ set and community art exhibition.
This art project is part of the wider scheme to improve Front Street and create a more accessible, vibrant, people-friendly space. The council received £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Funding to deliver these phase 2 improvements, which include new seating and planters, improved Blue Badge parking, wide and level pedestrian crossings, wayfinding signs and upgraded public toilets.
Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member with responsibility for Finance and Major Projects, said:
“This is an incredibly exciting part of the project and it is great to see even more improvements take shape on Front Street.
“This scheme is funded through the government’s UK shared prosperity fund and is helping to create a more accessible and attractive space for people to live, work, shop or visit.
“The newly painted benches are a very welcome addition and do a fantastic job of brightening up the area. The designs for both the artwork and wider phase 2 improvements are based on significant engagement with the local community, so it will be great to be able to celebrate the progress with local people this weekend.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing the finished mural and would encourage those who live or spend time in Acomb to come along and get involved.”
Jeff Clark, Creative Director at Art of Protest said:
“It was great to see the evolution of the project, taking the community on the journey and developing local talent through the Street Art Academy and a local artist.
“The feedback was inspirational and there is so much love and pride in the community.
“We are celebrating the return of local trees and a wonderful idea of each bench having a local leaf emblem, so visitors to the area can say ‘see you at the oak bench’.
“Each bench also has a carved out leaf emblem so they are accessible and engaging. The return of the oaks is then incorporated into the mural design.
“We are so grateful to the local community, the support and great ideas. Please come and celebrate as this is your hard work.”
Find more information about the Front Street improvement scheme.
Source: Scotland – City of Dundee
Dundee City Council has announced its plans for the city’s 2025 festive period including the return of a Christmas tree to City Square, a Christmas lights switch-on event and the continuation of the popular Dundee Hooley
The announcement follows on from feedback received from the public through the Council’s recent Budget consultation process and the budget decision taken by the Council to provide an additional investment in city events.
Council Leader Cllr Mark Flynn said of the announcement: “We’ve listened carefully to the people of Dundee and what they would like to see most.
“Christmas is a very important time of the year for many, and it brings people together. As a city, we want to provide the best opportunities possible for people to do just that.
“Through the Budget consultation process for 2025/26 and from feedback in general, we’ve heard from a lot of people that they really value a traditional Christmas in Dundee with elements such as a tree placed in City Square.
“We want to make that happen, and bring families, friends and visitors together to celebrate during this year’s festive period and these activities will be free to attend at a time when the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis continue to be felt by all.
“By taking this approach to the festive period, it will provide taxpayers with best value for money as well as provide what so many people in the city have asked for from Christmas.
“We also recognise the success of the Dundee Hooley in its previous three years and due to its popularity, we will keep this as part of our Dundee Christmas offering for 2025.
The city’s Christmas tree will be placed in City Square for the duration of the festive season, with a lights switch-on event to take place to mark the official start of the Christmas period.
The return of the Dundee Hooley will also provide an opportunity for members of the public to come together around St. Andrew’s Day to mark the occasion.
Further details on the Christmas programme will be announced in the coming months ahead of residents and visitors being welcomed to the city centre for the festive period.
Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
As demand for critical mineral resources surges and energy transitions reshape economies, UNECE Resource Management Week 2025 is where global experts, policymakers and industry leaders will come together to shape the policies and strategies to support a more sustainable future for resource governance.
Strengthening Global Resource Governance with UNFC and UNRMS
As critical minerals become increasingly essential to the energy transition, the 16th Session of the Expert Group on Resource Management (24–28 March) will explore how to ensure transparent, sustainable, and responsible resource governance. Discussions will focus on the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and UN Resource Management System (UNRMS) and their role in securing supply while balancing environmental and social concerns and implementing UNFC under the EU Critical Raw Material Act. The International Centres of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management in Central Asia, Mexico, Russian Federation and UK will share their national and regional priorities to deploy and disseminate UNFC and UNRMS.
The session will also feature the Geneva Dialogues on Mineral and Metal Resources, with a Joint UNEP and UNECE side event focused on circular economy solutions and responsible mining practices. Lectures will bring fresh insights, including a discussion led by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate’s Stig-Morten Knutsen on the potential of seabed minerals for energy and industry, addressing both opportunities and environmental risks. Other sessions will explore AI’s role in resource management and women’s leadership in resource management. The FutuRaM annual event on 26 March will highlight advancements in secondary raw materials (SRMs) management, showcasing two years of research on how urban mining and anthropogenic resources can strengthen supply chains. Experts will discuss how the latest Urban Mine Platform updates can support informed decision-making in resource management.
With competition for minerals intensifying, EGRM-16 will play a role in shaping policies that secure resources responsibly while advancing long-term sustainability goals.
Two Decades of Advancing Mine Safety, Methane Management, and Just Transition
As pressure mounts to curb methane emissions and phase out coal, UNECE’s Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition will mark its 20th session (24–25 March 2025) by unveiling new tools for methane abatement and discussing ways to integrate emission reductions into national climate targets (NDCs). With mine closures accelerating, experts will present business models from Poland and Spain that repurpose sites for clean energy. Just transition strategies in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will also highlight efforts to support coal-dependent communities. The session underscores the growing urgency to align mine safety, environmental goals, and economic resilience in the energy transition.
UNECE to Tackle Gas Sector’s Role in Energy Security and Climate Action
The 12th Session of the UNECE Group of Experts on Gas (GEG-12) will address the future of gas in a rapidly evolving landscape. Discussions will focus on biogases as alternatives to fossil fuels, hydrogen infrastructure, and resilience amid supply shocks. For the first time, Just Transition in the gas sector will be explored, alongside new methane reduction measures
Driving Partnerships for a Just and Sustainable Energy Transition
The UNECE Resource Management Week 2025 will also highlight collaborations with the European Commission, World Bank, and UNDP on methane reduction and hydrogen projects, as well as partnerships with the UN Country Teams and the Issue-Based Coalition on Environment and Climate Change to shape coherent just transition policies. With a focus on practical solutions and innovation, the event aims to accelerate the energy transition in a fair, inclusive, and sustainable way.
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
Space is essential to the functioning of the UK economy. People relying on GPS for navigation, scientists who monitor climate change, and farmers who use autonomous machinery are just some of the daily users of satellite technology in the UK.
The House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee has been set up to consider UK space policies, the opportunities and challenges the sector faces, and how space can contribute to economic growth.
The committee wants to hear from you. Whether you’re an industry professional, an academic or a policy expert, you can get involved.
Share your views by 17 April https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8966/uk-engagement-with-space/news/205799/call-for-evidence-launched-on-the-uks-engagement-with-space/
Catch-up on House of Lords business:
Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/
Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:
• X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
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• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords
#HouseOfLords #UKParliament
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SINGAPORE, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Bitcoin’s price fluctuating below $100,000, many analysts predict a prolonged period of high volatility in the crypto market. Holding spot positions may struggle to generate short-term profits in such conditions. As a result, 100x leverage futures trading has become the preferred tool for seasoned investors looking to maximize potential gains in this volatile market. BexBack Exchange is ramping up its efforts to offer traders unmatched promotional packages. The platform now features a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and 100x leverage on cryptocurrency trading, providing exceptional opportunities for investors.
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Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10236152-e825-4140-a50e-905d3662534c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9cae213-db9e-4c95-8002-7097dcd1482f
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e70bf520-5a33-4d9f-a206-a74f16ca7796
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d93f5293-fead-4a7c-ae3e-7d16e5ee083d
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
A 23-year-old man responsible for the brutal murder of Sean O’Neill has been jailed for life.
Dellan Charles (08.01.2001), of no fixed address, appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, 17 March where he was told he will serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars. He was convicted of murder on Tuesday, 17 December.
On the evening of Thursday, 18 May 2023, following an altercation between two rival groups in Reynolds Road, Hayes, Charles chased and killed Sean in a quiet residential street in broad daylight.
After cornering him, Charles used two knives to stab Sean multiple times. During the trial, the court heard how Charles shouted “die, die, die” during the attack.
In CCTV footage, Charles was pictured calmly leaving the scene after delivering the fatal blows, before making his escape by trespassing through nearby leafy suburban gardens. The jury heard how Charles disposed of a knife at a nearby address, before concocting a calculated plan to flee the area. He then went to ground for just shy of a year.
Over the course of the next ten months, detectives pieced together the course of events alongside an extensive manhunt.
The specialist team of officers then used this evidence and intelligence to capture Charles in Coventry on Wednesday, 27 March 2024, helping secure justice for Sean and his family.
The jury heard how Sean was a funny, kind and sociable person and many people have been deeply affected by his tragic death.
Detective Inspector Kevin Martin, who led the investigation for Specialist Crime South, said:
“Myself and the team once again pay tribute to Sean’s family who, throughout this distressing time, have shown real strength and togetherness.
“Heartbreakingly, nothing will ever bring Sean back, but today, the man responsible for taking him away from his much-loved family has been forced to face the reality of his malicious actions.”
In a statement previously provided by Sean’s family, they added:
“We really appreciate the efforts of the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service in bringing about justice, as well as the support we have received throughout this difficult process.
“Sean will be remembered for his big heart, charming smile and fun-loving personality. He is incredibly loved by us all and we miss him every day.”
ENDS
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enstar Group Limited (“Enstar”) (Nasdaq: ESGR) today announced the expiration and final results of its previously announced cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for any and all of the outstanding 5.750% Fixed-Rate Reset Junior Subordinated Notes due 2040 issued by Enstar’s wholly owned subsidiary, Enstar Finance LLC, that Enstar guarantees on a junior subordinated basis (the “Notes”).
The Tender Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 14, 2025 (the “Expiration Time”). The principal amount of the Notes that was validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Tender Offer as of the Expiration Time according to information provided by D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information and Tender Agent for the Tender Offer, is set forth in the table below. The amount in the table below does not include $737,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes that remain subject to the guaranteed delivery procedures.
| Title of Notes | CUSIP Number/ISIN |
Principal Amount Outstanding |
Aggregate Principal Amount Tendered |
||||||
| 5.750% Fixed-Rate Reset Junior Subordinated Notes due 2040 | 29360A AA8 / US29360AAA88 | $350,000,000 | $232,560,000 | ||||||
Enstar expects to accept for purchase all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Time, including Notes delivered in accordance with the guaranteed delivery procedures. Settlement for the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase by Enstar is expected to take place on March 19, 2025. Holders of Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will receive the previously announced consideration of $1,000 for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the settlement date for the Tender Offer.
The Tender Offer was made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated March 10, 2025 and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. and Truist Securities, Inc. acted as the Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. acted as the Information and Tender Agent for the Tender Offer.
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE NOTES. THE TENDER OFFER WAS MADE SOLELY PURSUANT TO THE OFFER DOCUMENTS, WHICH SET FORTH THE COMPLETE TERMS OF THE TENDER OFFER.
About Enstar
Enstar is a NASDAQ-listed leading global insurance group that offers innovative capital release solutions through its network of group companies operating in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Belgium and Australia. A market leader in completing legacy acquisitions, Enstar has acquired over 120 companies and portfolios since its formation.
Cautionary Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Enstar and its management team. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Important risk factors regarding Enstar can be found under the heading “Risk Factors” in Enstar’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and are incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, Enstar undertakes no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statements or publicly announce any updates or revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein, to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, except as required by law.
Contact: Enstar Communications
Telephone: +1 (441) 292-3645
Enstar Group Limited
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
The All-Russian Karate Competition was held in Odintsovo, Moscow Region, bringing together more than 2,000 participants from 42 regions of the country. A second-year student of the OP “Business management” Higher School of Business HSE Dmitry Konyaev became the winner in the category 18-20 years old, weight up to 65 kg. He managed to get ahead of several dozen athletes representing leading clubs from different regions.
The tournament in Odintsovo is considered one of the most prestigious in karate and attracts the strongest athletes from all over Russia. For many participants, this is an important moment in their sports career, which opens the door to new opportunities and achievements.
“The tournament was quite difficult, especially in comparison with last year,” comments Dmitry Konyaev. “There were no easy opponents at all, I had to get to work from the first fight. The goal was achieved – I met the standard for the title of candidate for master of sports, now we are collecting documents and will wait for the order to assign it.”
The HSE student has been practicing karate since he was six years old: his parents took him to the section closest to his home, and soon he began winning competitions.
“I am very grateful to fate for such a long and interesting path with such plot twists that you can make a movie. I got 90% of the people in my circle thanks to this sport,” the winner shared.
Dmitry noted that he strives to win gold in any competition he participates in. The most successful seasons for the athlete so far were 2018 and 2019, when he managed to win three World Cups – in Croatia, Italy and Cyprus. “Before the pandemic, we traveled very often: Germany, Mexico, Estonia, Latvia. On the domestic stage, I once came in fifth at the Russian Championship and won more than a dozen All-Russian competitions, I lost count a couple of years ago. When I lived in St. Petersburg, I was a member of the city team and was a leader in all age and weight categories in which I participated,” said Dmitry Konyaev.
When choosing a university to enroll in, he immediately decided to move: “The goal was to try myself in another city. I understood that if I moved to the capital, it would be hard without work, and so I looked for a program at a top university, studying in which would allow me to work at the same time. Actually, the choice fell on the educational program “Business Management” at the National Research University Higher School of Economics,” the student explained. He says that preparing for admission was typical for a person who wants to enroll in a prestigious university: “I am generally satisfied with my studies, I have found wonderful people, which I am very happy about. It is known that the best rest is a change of activity, so work, study and sports do not interfere with each other in my life. The main thing is to know why you are doing all this – and to enjoy it.”
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.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jennifer Mathers, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, Aberystwyth University
Around 73% of Ukrainians now want their country to “restore” its nuclear weapons, according to a recent opinion poll. A majority of Ukrainians (58%) were in favour of Ukraine owning nuclear weapons, even if this meant losing western allies.
This suggests an underlying regret that Ukraine agreed to relinquish the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal as part of the Budapest Memorandum around 30 years ago. This agreement, signed in December 1994, provided security guarantees for Ukraine from the US, the UK and Russia in return for giving up the weapons. Ukraine also agreed it would not acquire nuclear weapons in the future.
The focus on nuclear weapons is intensifying all over Europe. This week the Polish president, Andrzej Duda, called on the US to station its nuclear weapons in his country to deter Russian attacks. He cited Moscow’s decision to deploy nuclear weapons just across the border in Belarus during 2023 as part of his reasoning.
Trump’s apparent weakening commitment to Nato has also prompted the French president, Emmanuel Macron, to suggest that France could extend protection of its own nuclear weapons to its allies.
It’s clear that some Ukrainians now believe that their country would have been less likely to have experienced a Russian invasion if it had held on to its nuclear capacity. Ukrainians now question how much they can rely on other states after the failure of security guarantees that were central to the 1994 agreement.
The pledges by the US, UK and Russia to protect the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine were put to the test in 2014 when Russia invaded and then annexed Crimea and began providing financial and military backing for militia leaders in eastern Ukraine who claimed to lead pro-Russian separatist movements.
Read more:
Are Ukrainians ready for ceasefire and concessions? Here’s what the polls say
The US and UK imposed economic sanctions against Russia and provided training, equipment and non-lethal weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces. But these measures fell well short of ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and were insufficient to help Ukraine retake its territory.
Similarly, US and UK support for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, although valuable and much appreciated by the Ukrainians, has not been enough to allow Kyiv to completely expel Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
But what if Ukraine had never given up its nuclear weapons? The logic of deterrence suggests that Putin would have not have invaded and attacked a nuclear-armed Ukraine. But the argument that Ukraine should not have surrendered the Soviet nuclear weapons on its territory overlooks the specific circumstances. For while physical components of a nuclear weapons capability – delivery vehicles and nuclear warheads – were within Ukraine’s grasp, the launch codes remained in Moscow, and Russian leaders showed no willingness to relinquish them.
So, Kyiv would have had no control over whether, when or against whom those weapons might have been used. The risk to Ukraine of becoming the target of another state’s nuclear strike would have been considerable, and the Kyiv government would have been unable to do anything to reduce that risk. Retaining nuclear weapons left over from the Soviet period would have probably made Ukrainians less rather than more secure.
Read more:
What is the value of US security guarantees? Here’s what history shows
Ukraine also lacked the economic resources to maintain the nuclear weapons on its territory, or develop them into a credible deterrent force. In exchange for giving up nuclear weapons, Ukraine received much-needed economic assistance from the west.
In the 1990s Ukrainian views were shaped by the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. This had a devastating and lasting impact on the land and the people in that part of Ukraine, highlighting the risks of the nuclear sector. In 1994, when the Budapest Memorandum was being negotiated, only 30% of Ukrainians were in favour of Ukraine possessing nuclear weapons.
Ukraine would face considerable technical challenges in developing nuclear weapons today, both in creating the necessary quantities of fissile material for warheads and manufacturing delivery vehicles.
Kyiv would also need to pay for an expensive nuclear weapons development programme at a time when the Ukrainian economy is struggling to supply its soldiers with conventional weapons and meet the needs of civilians.
And unless Ukraine’s international supporters were on board, Kyiv might face the withdrawal of economic and military aid at a crucial juncture. If Moscow detected any move on Ukraine’s part to develop nuclear weapons, there would be a strong motive for a preemptive Russian strike to put an end to that plan.
But even though it may not be feasible for Ukraine to develop an independent nuclear deterrent in the short term, Kyiv may feel compelled to pursue a nuclear weapons programme unless Ukraine is provided with serious and reliable security guarantees. With the Trump administration apparently ruling out Nato membership for Ukraine, the onus is on the country’s international supporters to come up with an alternative unless they want to see further nuclear proliferation in Europe.
Jennifer Mathers 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.
– ref. Thirty years ago Ukraine got rid of its nuclear arsenal – now the people regret that decision – https://theconversation.com/thirty-years-ago-ukraine-got-rid-of-its-nuclear-arsenal-now-the-people-regret-that-decision-251733
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Frankie Dytor, Research Fellow, literature, art history and gender studies, University of Exeter
When Bernard Berenson learned that Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa had been stolen from the Louvre Gallery in Paris, the art critic heaved an enormous sigh of relief. Finally, he reflected, he could remove himself once and all from the dangerous influence of the work. “She had simply become an incubus,” he recalled years later, “and I was glad to be rid of her.”
At long last, Berenson had freed himself from the vampiric face of the Mona Lisa.
Today Leonardo’s painting, happily recovered in 1913 for generations of visitors after its theft in 1911, still looms large as perhaps the definitive symbol of Italian Renaissance art.
French president Emmanuel Macron recently announced plans for a project titled Nouvelle Renaissance, which will see the artwork moved to its own exhibition room, relieving pressure on the main gallery space. One of the most visited artworks in the world, Berenson’s pronouncement of the enigmatically smiling figure as a male demon in female human form, sits oddly with her endless appearance on t-shirts and tea-towels.
But looking again at how the myth of the Mona Lisa emerged, I believe that her fame is due not just to the painting’s display of artistic ingenuity – but to the troubling vampirism and gender ambiguity that 19th-century critics saw in Leonardo’s work.
This article is part of Rethinking the Classics. The stories in this series offer insightful new ways to think about and interpret classic books and artworks. This is the canon – with a twist.
Unlike many of his artistic contemporaries, Leonardo’s reputation remained relatively stable following his death in 1519. But praise for his work was, for centuries, caveated with one apparently intractable problem: he seemed a better draughtsman, inventor and scientist than artist proper.
John Ruskin, England’s preeminent mid-Victorian critic, wrote off the Mona Lisa as a total mess. He lamented that the painting’s background was simply “grotesque” being all “blue and unfinished”.
But as the century progressed, the tide began to turn, particularly in France. Writers newly praised the strange feelings that Leonardo’s paintings provoked, interrogating the nervous smiles and ironic stares of their subjects. “You are fascinated and troubled,” the historian Jules Michelet imagined in his monumental book Histoire de France (1855), describing himself in the Louvre moving like hypnotised prey towards the sinister artworks.
The Mona Lisa was being slowly injected with a dose of eerie, haunted beauty. But it wasn’t until 1873, when the Oxford aesthete Walter Pater published his explosive book Studies in the History of the Renaissance that the character of the Mona Lisa took a decisively gothic turn. In it, Pater described her as one of the undead:
She is older than the rocks on which she sits; like the vampire, she has been dead many times and learned the secrets of the grave
“Lady Lisa”, as Pater memorably nicknamed her, turned from an Italian noblewoman into a dangerously deathly femme-fatale. Pater claimed that she carried all of time and history within her body, bearing the world’s experience from “the animalism of Greece” to “the sins of the Borgia”.
The passage caused shockwaves, and a generation of readers were hooked. The poet Richard Le Gallienne recalled in his memoir how his friends were “all going round quoting the famous description”, as wannabe aesthetes endlessly recited, copied and reworked Pater’s lines.
Pater scholar Michael Davis has explained how the book “queered the Renaissance”: he called on his readers to worship at the altar of a strange beauty, demanding that they “burn” with a “hard, gemlike flame” as they did so. Pater’s new reading of Mona Lisa was at the heart of an erotic revolution. The Mona Lisa had become a symbol of a new way of looking and feeling, charged with the aching pain of melancholic beauty.
By the early 20th century, an industry of criticism had developed that took increasingly outrageous stances against the Mona Lisa.
Stories circulated about virtuous mothers who refused to allow reproductions of the work to enter their home. Sigmund Freud reworked Pater’s interpretation of the Mona Lisa’s “unfathomable smile” to evidence his theory of Leonardo’s homosexuality, claiming that the Mona Lisa’s smile was in fact a painting of his dead mother’s smile. Pater’s passage, as the Irish writer W. B. Yeats summarised, had taken on a “revolutionary importance” and with it the Mona Lisa changed from a minor work to an icon of a decadent generation.
As part of the Rethinking the Classics series, we’re asking our experts to recommend a book or artwork that tackles similar themes to the canonical work in question, but isn’t (yet) considered a classic itself. Here is Frankie Dytor’s suggestion:
The lesbian poet couple Katharine Bradley and Edith Cooper, published the poem La Gioconda (the Italian name for the Mona Lisa) under the pseudonym “Michael Field” in 1892:
Historic, side-long, implicating eyes;
A smile of velvet’s lustre on the cheek;
Calm lips the smile leads upward; hand that lies
Glowing and soft, the patience in its rest
Of cruelty that waits and does not seek
For prey; a dusky forehead and a breast
Where twilight touches ripeness amorously:
Behind her, crystal rocks, a sea and skies
Of evanescent blue on cloud and creek;
Landscape that shines suppressive of its zest
For those vicissitudes by which men die.
The poets frequently turned to historical subjects and artworks to explore queer and same-sex desire. Here, they show themselves to be the disciples of Pater’s cult of beauty, openly incorporating his stress on the “cruelty” that surrounds the “historic” features of the figure.
But they also go beyond Pater, revelling in the desire that saturates the work, such as the twilight touching the Mona Lisa’s breast “amorously”.
Frankie Dytor receives funding from The British Academy.
– ref. The Mona Lisa is a vampire – https://theconversation.com/the-mona-lisa-is-a-vampire-249987
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Iván Alfonso, Assistant researcher, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
Software is ubiquitous, powering almost every aspect of our lives. The computerised systems in your car alone incorporate tens of millions of lines of code. The increasing digital transformation of our society means that demand for more and better software is likely to continue into the future.
The dilemma is that there are not enough human programmers to build all this
software. This means that more and more of the software you use every day is built with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).
Software developers are already very familiar with tools such as GitHub Copilot, a kind of ChatGPT for programmers. It works something like a smart autocomplete tool to increase the productivity of human programmers.
But we are now witnessing a more radical revolution, where AI “agents” are poised to carry out many types of development tasks on behalf of human programmers. Agents are programs that use AI to perform tasks and achieve specific objectives for a human user. AI agents can learn and make decisions with some level of autonomy, though they are still under human supervision – for now.
We predict that in a near future, many software apps will be entirely built by AI agents. “Agentic” systems are communities of AI agents cooperating together, each one specialised in solving a specific type of task. With an agentic system, you can
generate a software application from a plain English description of what you would like the application to do.
This has potential positive impacts. Agentic systems could empower users without software programming skills to build or adapt software to their needs. There are also potential negatives consequences. Agents are far from perfect and they can easily generate code that is vulnerable to attacks, is not efficient or is biased against certain communities.
For example, an agent building recruitment software might favour male over female candidates because of biases in the data used to train, or improve, the software. Therefore, we need to put mechanisms in place to minimise such risks, as required by AI regulations such as the EU’s AI Act.
Researchers are addressing this challenge first by intensively testing the LLMs (Large Language Models) that are at the core of any agent. An LLM is an AI system trained on massive amounts of data. Agents rely on their internal LLM to predict and generate the best response to a user request.
By evaluating all major LLMs against a number of concerns such as accuracy, security vulnerabilities and biases, software developers can choose the best LLM for an AI agent. This would depend on the specific tasks that the agent would be involved in.
This helps ensure a certain amount of ethical behaviour in the agents. But how can we be sure they understand and follow our instructions? Our solution is to start from the blueprints (the designs) of the software to be built.
Broadly speaking, it’s possible to understand blueprints of a house even if you’re not an architect. Similarly, if we make a blueprint for software as easy to understand as possible, users without advanced software development skills should be able to grasp the concepts and how to make changes to it.
From the user’s initial description, the AI agent or agents would propose a detailed blueprint of a potential solution and explain it to the user in plain English. The user could then validate it or request improvements. Only after the final validation would the software application be automatically generated from the blueprint.
This way of building software is known as low-code or no-code development, as most of the code (all of it for some applications) is generated by the computer from the blueprints, instead of being hand written by a human from scratch. Our open source BESSER platform helps you build applications in this way.
As the science fiction author Arthur C Clarke once observed: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” And soon enough, this magic will be part of our daily lives. We just need to be careful that the magic doesn’t turn into sorcery with the potential to disrupt, rather than improve.
We, and many other researchers, are working to put guardrails (mechanisms for preventing potential harms) on the behaviour of AI agents to keep them in check. This would help transform every citizen into a capable developer with the power to autonomously build the ideal software solutions for their companies or other aspects of their lives.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Software is increasingly being built by AI – so it’s vital to know if it can be trusted – https://theconversation.com/software-is-increasingly-being-built-by-ai-so-its-vital-to-know-if-it-can-be-trusted-251728
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
UK secures over 2,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities through annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands, valued at £5 million
The UK fishing industry will receive over 2,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities in Faroese waters, following annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands for 2025, the UK government has announced today (17 March). Based on historical prices, those are valued at £5 million to the UK.
The agreement secures UK fishermen 880 tonnes of cod and haddock, 575 tonnes of saithe, as well as redfish, blue ling and ling, flatfish and other species in Faroese waters.
The agreement also reconfirms the UK and Faroese commitments to scientific cooperation and to establish a new joint Compliance Forum, which will allow the parties to share good practice on monitoring, control and surveillance.
The deal follows the conclusion of negotiations with the EU, Norway and other coastal States at the end of 2024. In total, this brings fishing opportunities secured for the UK fleet in 2025 in the main negotiating forums to 750,000, worth up £960m based on historic landing prices.
Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner said:
I’m pleased the UK has reached an agreement with the Faroe Islands that will allow UK fishing vessels to take advantage of valuable fishing opportunities in 2025.
This agreement concludes the UK’s fisheries negotiations for 2025 and will see our fleet ready to take advantage of the quotas secured through these key negotiating forums. This government will always stand up for the British fishing industry, supporting our coastal communities through a sustainable and economically successful fishing sector.
The UK negotiates annually with the Faroese Government under the UK-Faroe Islands fisheries framework agreement on potential exchanges of quota and broader fisheries management measures.
The agreement highlights both parties’ continued commitment to manage fisheries sustainably and support the long-term viability of stocks.
Throughout the negotiations, the UK Government worked closely with the devolved administrations to ensure that all fishing communities across the UK will benefit from the agreement.
Published 17 March 2025
Source: World Health Organisation
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) is hereby transmitting the report of the third meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee (Committee) regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024, held on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00 CET.
Concurring with the advice unanimously expressed by the Committee during the meeting, the WHO Director-General determined that the upsurge of mpox 2024 continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and, accordingly, on 27 February 2025, issued temporary recommendations to States Parties.
The WHO Director-General expresses his most sincere gratitude to the Chair, Members, and Advisors of the Committee.
Sixteen (16) Members of, and two Advisors to, the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee (Committee) were convened by teleconference, via Zoom, on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00 CET. Fourteen (14) of the 16 Committee Members, and one of the two Advisors to the Committee participated in the meeting.
On behalf of the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Deputy Director-General welcomed Members of and Advisors to the Committee, as well as Government Officials designated to present their views to the Committee on behalf of the ten invited States Parties – Burundi, Canada, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom).
In his opening remarks, the WHO Deputy Director-General recalled that, on 14 August 2024, the upsurge of mpox was determined to constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). He noted that, over the three years from 1 January 2022 through 31 January 2025, almost 130 000 confirmed cases of mpox, including over 280 deaths, were reported to WHO from 130 countries and territories in all six WHO Regions, including seven countries and territories that had reported their first mpox cases since the previous meeting of the Committee on 22 November 2024. The WHO African Region, where some States Parties are continuing to experience sustained community transmission, accounts for 61% of the cases and 72% of the deaths reported globally over the past 12 months.
The WHO Deputy Director-General highlighted that, since the last meeting of the Committee, the epidemiological situation continues to be volatile. Despite observed improvements pertaining to several aspects of the response – emergency coordination, surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, empowerment of communities, furthering equitable access to medical countermeasures and tools – several critical challenges had emerged, including: (a) rising geopolitical instability in the DRC due to escalating conflict affecting mpox response operations resulting in temporary pauses in operation, relocation of staff and restricted access to affected populations; (b) concurrent health emergencies requiring States Parties and partners to respond (e.g. Sudan virus disease outbreak in Uganda); and (c) uncertainties related to the pause in financial support from the United States of America (United States) occurring in the broader landscape of declining foreign assistance. To date, globally, one-third of the funds supporting the response to mpox had been pledged by the United States. Without sufficient funds, the ability of States Parties, WHO and partners to maintain, sustain, and expand the response to mpox would be compromised.
The Representative of the Office of Legal Counsel then briefed the Members and Advisors on their roles and responsibilities and identified the mandate of the Committee under the relevant articles of the IHR. The Ethics Officer from the Department of Compliance, Risk Management, and Ethics provided the Members and Advisors with an overview of the WHO Declaration of Interests process. The Members and Advisors were made aware of their individual responsibility to disclose to WHO, in a timely manner, any interests of a personal, professional, financial, intellectual or commercial nature that may give rise to a perceived or actual conflict of interest. They were additionally reminded of their duty to maintain the confidentiality of the meeting discussions and the work of the Committee. Each Member and Advisor was surveyed, with no conflicts of interest identified.
The meeting was handed over to the Chair who introduced the objectives of the meeting, which were to provide views to the WHO Director-General on whether the event continues to constitute a PHEIC, and if so, to provide views on the potential proposed temporary recommendations.
The WHO Secretariat presented an overview of the global epidemiological situation of mpox, including all circulating clades of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Outside the WHO African Region, cases of mpox reported to WHO are associated with the spread of MPXV clade IIb, with a decline in the number of cases reported in recent months. In the WHO African Region, amid the circulation of multiple MPXV clades, the still growing number of cases reported monthly is driven by the spread of MPXV clade Ib. Since the Committee last met, on 22 November 2024, exported travel-related cases of confirmed MPXV clade Ib infection have been detected in eight additional countries outside the WHO African Region.
The WHO Secretariat then focused on the three countries reporting most cases of MPXV clade Ib since January 2024 – the DRC (over 15 000 cases, including cases in areas where MPXV clade Ia is circulating); Burundi (over 3000 cases, with a sustained decrease reported weekly and a geographic shift to the administrative capital Gitega since the Committee last met); and Uganda (nearly 3000 cases, with an exponential increase in and around the capital Kampala since the Committee last met). Notwithstanding changes in the case definition of mpox cases, uneven surveillance coverage (including due to the conflict in the eastern provinces of the country), and limited laboratory testing capacity in the DRC introducing some challenges in the interpretation of data , the number of mpox cases reported weekly is plateauing and the geographic distribution of cases, in all provinces in the country, remained very similar to the situation presented at the previous meeting of the Committee. Mathematical modelling work suggests that, since the PHEIC was determined in mid-August 2024 in the DRC, the transmission rate has decreased in certain health zones of the North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces, as well as in some health zones of the capital Kinshasa where vaccination efforts are underway.
The spread of MPXV clade Ia and Ib, in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Kinshasa Provinces of the DRC, as well as in Burundi and Uganda, appears to have started among adults, including through sexual networks involving commercial sex workers and their clients, disproportionately affecting the 20–39 years age group. Since then, in North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces of the DRC, more age group became affected reflecting community transmission through close contact, including household, whereas, in the capital Kinshasa, the spread has remained within the adult population. In Burundi and Uganda, the age distribution of mpox cases shows a bimodal pattern, with high incidence observed among young adults and younger children. This pattern reflects both ongoing sexual transmission and close contact transmission in household settings. The strikingly high proportion of cases among younger children (0-9 age group) observed in Burundi is possibly attributable to transmission occurring within health care facilities settings.
In addition to the three aforementioned countries, community transmission of MPXV clade Ib is also observed in Kenya, Rwanda, and Zambia, while travel-related imported cases have been reported both, by countries in the WHO African Region (Angola, Zimbabwe, with cases in Tanzania being under investigation), and by 14 countries in the five remaining WHO Regions. Most travel-related imported cases are male and, in instances where limited secondary transmission in the country of importation has occurred, a few children have been infected through household contact, including child-to-child transmission on one occasion. The five imported cases with sole travel history to the United Arab Emirates may signal wider mpox transmission in that country.
Mortality associated with the different MPXV clades in the WHO African Region, and notwithstanding the limitation of surveillance and laboratory diagnostics in the DRC, clade Ia accounts for the majority of fatal cases (1345), corresponding to an average case fatality rate (CFR%) of 2.5-3%, being highest in children under 1 year of age (4–5%). The CFR attributed with clade Ib infection remains very low at around 0.2%, and similar to the that attributed to clade IIb, with recorded deaths associated with specific risk factors such as uncontrolled HIV and other comorbidities.
The WHO Secretariat also noted an increase in mpox cases reported in West African countries since the PHEIC was determined in mid-August 2024, including the first cases of mpox, due to MPXV clade IIa, reported by Sierra Leone.
The WHO Secretariat presented the assessed risk by MPXV clades and further expressed in terms of overall public health risk where any given clade/s is/are circulating, as: Clade Ib – high public health risk in the DRC and neighbouring countries; Clade Ia – moderate public health risk in the DRC; Clade II – moderate public health risk in Nigeria and countries of West and Central Africa where mpox is endemic; and lade IIb – moderate public health risk globally.
The WHO Secretariat subsequently provided an update on response actions taken together with States Parties and partners since the Committee last met. In addition to the overview provided by the WHO Deputy Director-General, and in the epidemiological overview, the WHO Secretariat provided details on progress and challenges focusing on the aspects of the response outlined below.
The coordination of emergency operations by the WHO Secretariat was readjusted – including based on action reviews and leveraging the comparative advantages of WHO, State Parties, and partners –prioritizing a flexible, agile, and delivery-focused response. However, while decentralized field operations have intensified, such shifts take time, particularly in specific settings in the DRC and amid changes in geopolitical partnerships. The operational decentralization continues to emphasize increased laboratory diagnostic support, increased dissemination of standards and guidance to deliver safe clinical care, and empowering communities to enhance their efforts to protect themselves from risks associated with mpox.
Additionally, through the Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM), WHO and partners (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)) are continuing coordinated and multifaceted efforts to prioritize access to and roll out mpox vaccines in an equitable manner.
With the WHO Mpox global strategic preparedness and response plan, September 2024-February 2025 (SPRP) reaching the end of its initial timeframe, and considering the response strategy it outlines as still fit for purpose, the WHO Secretariat is planning to release an extension of the plan in the coming weeks.
In September 2024, the WHO Secretariat launched an appeal for US$ 87.4 million to support mpox response efforts WHO appeal: mpox public health emergency 2024 with US$ 65.5 million raised by the time of this meeting. The contribution from the United States had accounted for 33% of the funds raised, of which US$ 7.5 million is currently inaccessible due to the freeze of funds from the United States. As part of planning for the extension of the SPRP, the WHO Secretariat is conducting a review of available resources to address priority needs and mitigate potential future gaps in the delivery of the response. While the above-mentioned freeze is expected to primarily impact operations in Burundi, the Central African Republic, the DRC, the Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda, broader challenges are anticipated for the second and third quarters of 2025. Given the evolving epidemiological situation and challenges noted above, the reduction in predictable and flexible funding throughout 2025 will put at risk the progress of the mpox response to date.
Representatives of Burundi, the DRC, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda updated the Committee on the mpox epidemiological situation in their countries and their current control and response efforts, needs and challenges, including those related to the freeze of the funds from the United States. The use of mpox vaccine is contemplated in the response plans of the DRC, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. In Burundi, following action review, community-based interventions that are being strengthened in areas experiencing high incident of mpox include risk communication and awareness raising.
Members of, and the Advisor to, the Committee then engaged in questions and answers, revolving around the issues and challenges enumerated below, with the presenters from States Parties and the WHO Secretariat, as well as with representatives of States Parties invited to submit a written statement to the Committee ahead of the meeting – Canada, China, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Funding – The Committee reiterated the importance of efforts to mobilize domestic financial resources to support mpox response activities. Burundi and the DRC indicated the funds allocated to the response by their respective Governments, also providing details of specific activities supported. The DRC indicated that, at present, the freeze of the funds from the United States is impacting the transportation of clinical specimens and laboratory diagnostics, with a decline in the testing rate, and that the Government is exploring solutions with other partners. The WHO Secretariat added that alternative funding sources are being explored with non-traditional donors.
Age distribution of mpox cases – The WHO Secretariat indicated that (a) there are studies ongoing to determine the secondary attack rate by age group and type of exposure; (b) at least in Burundi, there is no evidence of large outbreaks in settings where children are congregating and, hence, supporting evidence of child-to-child transmission; and (c) in the South Kivu Proving of the DRC, it remains unknown the extent to which transmission to children is occurring beyond the household setting.
Impact of vaccination on transmission – The DRC indicated that, at present, there is no information about whether the use of the limited amount of mpox vaccine available is being effective in interrupting mpox transmission.
The DRC – The DRC indicated that, due to insecurity and to decrease in laboratory testing rate, any apparent decrease of the number of reported mpox cases may represent an artifact and should be interpreted with caution. The WHO Secretariat highlighted that, being mpox a relatively mild illness, the rate of underreporting is unknown and that the trends of mpox surveillance data are critical to monitor the evolution of the situation. With respect to detection of a new MPXV clade Ia lineage in Kinshasa, the WHO Secretariat indicated that the strain, similarly to clade Ib, has increased human-to-human transmission potential.
Uganda – Uganda elaborated on the shift of the dynamics of mpox transmission from lower to higher income groups. The initial spread of MPXV clade Ib initiated long-distance truck drivers, it continued in fishing communities, and then within commercial sex networks in the capital Kampala. The fact that more affluent individuals are now affected poses a public health risk both, nationally and internationally. Therefore, the use of mpox vaccine is focused among sex workers in Kampala.
Nigeria – Nigeria indicated that, in the context of the mpox response, the human health and animal health sectors are working very closely and that, despite the numerous research initiatives, to date, there is no evidence of animal involvement in sustaining the mpox outbreak in the human population. Nigeria, with a population of 200 million persons, indicated that 20 000 doses of mpox vaccine have been used in the country, targeting health care workers, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men.
The United Arab Emirates – Considering that, in five instances, travel-related imported cases of MPXV clade Ib infection had sole travel history to the United Arab Emirates, the representative of the country (a) indicated that the National IHR Focal Point reported to WHO the first case of MPXV clade Ib infection; (b) briefly described the surveillance, laboratory diagnostic, case management, and risk communication approaches in place; (c) indicated that mpox vaccine is available to health care workers and as a post-exposure measure; and (d) recalled that the country is bilaterally supporting the response efforts of some African countries.
The United Kingdom – The United Kingdom (a) described the detection, investigation, and clinical and public health management of the travel-related imported mpox cases; and (b) highlighted that the countries of origin of the imported cases are systematically informed about the occurrences.
Following the session open to invited States Parties, the Committee reconvened in a closed session to examine the questions in relation to whether the event constitutes a PHEIC or not, and if so, to consider the temporary recommendations drafted by the WHO Secretariat in accordance with IHR provisions.
The Chair reminded the Committee Members of their mandate and recalled that a PHEIC is defined in the IHR as an “extraordinary event, which constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease, and potentially requires a coordinated international response”.
The overarching considerations underpinning the advice of the Committee are (a) the insecurity in the eastern provinces and in the capital of the DRC – the State Party epicenter of the MPXV clade Ib outbreak –, hampering mpox response field operations and with the potential to morph into a larger scale humanitarian response; (b) the freeze of funding by the United States both, of specific mpox response activities as well as of other, directly or indirectly related, aid interventions; and (c) the continuing detection of travel-related imported mpox cases in States Parties within and outside the WHO African Region.
On that basis, the Committee considered that:
The event is “extraordinary” because of (a) the persistent, if not increasing, challenges in gauging the actual magnitude and trend of the MPXV clade Ib outbreak, especially in the DRC. This is thwarting the ability to assess progress, if any, towards controlling the spread of mpox and to adjust response interventions. The Committee’s reading is that, overall, the epidemiological situation is worryingly similar to that observed in November 2024; (b) the unfolding dynamics of MPXV clade Ib transmission, resulting in the shift in age groups affected and, hence, posing challenges in timely targeting response interventions; (c) the co-circulation and the risk of mutations of MPXV clades in the context of sustained community transmission; and (d) the possibility of change in the severity of disease resulting from food insecurity and interruption in the delivery of HIV-related care due to the freeze of aid.
The event “constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease” because of (a) the doubling of the number of States Parties having detected travel-related imported cases of MPXV clade Ib infection since the Committee last met, both in the WHO African Region and in all five other WHO Regions; (b) the possible influx of refugees from the eastern provinces of the DRC into neighbouring countries.
The event “requires a coordinated international response” because of the needs (a) to mobilize, and optimize the use, of financial and other resources to sustain response efforts, at the required level, in the medium term, following the freeze of funding by the United States; and (b) to continue facilitating and increasing equitable access to mpox vaccines and diagnostics.
Anticipating the possibility that the WHO Director-General may determine that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC, the Committee had received a proposed set of revised temporary recommendations ahead of the meeting. This reflected the proposal to extend most of the temporary recommendations issued on 27 November 2024. The Committee indicated that it would be giving them further consideration with a view to share its advice in that regard with the WHO Director-General as soon as possible. In such a way, should the WHO Director-General determine that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC, he could proceed, without delay, with issuing such communication together with a prospective revised set of temporary recommendations.
The Committee agreed to finalize the report of its third meeting during the week of 3 March 2025.
The Committee reiterated its concern regarding the continuing spread of MPXV in and beyond Africa, considering global geopolitical developments, the humanitarian situation in the DRC, as well as the foreseeable options and opportunities to secure sustainable funding to support response efforts. The Committee considered that the determination by the WHO Director-General that the upsurge of mpox still constitutes a PHEIC would be warranted. However, the Committee cautioned about the possible unintended consequences of determining an event to constitute a PHEIC for extended periods of time, since this could undermine the global public health alert function intrinsic to such a determination and reduce the leverage of a PHEIC in boosting domestic and international response efforts for future events. To that effect, the Committee reiterated the need to elaborate on considerations, related to the three criteria defining a PHEIC, that would inform its future advice to the WHO Director-General as to the termination of this PHEIC.
The Incident Manager for mpox at WHO headquarters, on behalf of the WHO Deputy Director-General, expressed his gratitude to the Committee’s Officers, its Members and Advisor and closed the meeting.
