A report from UN human rights investigators for Syria released on Monday has laid bare the systematic use of arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances by the deposed Assad regime.
The findings from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria detail crimes against humanity and war crimes that left a legacy of trauma for countless Syrians, representing some of the worst violations of international law committed during more than a decade of brutal conflict.
“We stand at a critical juncture. The caretaker government and future Syrian authorities can now ensure these crimes are never repeated,” said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission.
“We hope our findings from almost 14 years of investigations will help end impunity for these patterns of abuse.”
The fall of the Assad regime last month and subsequent release of prisoners have been pivotal for many Syrians, but for tens of thousands of families, the agony persists. The discovery of mass graves has deepened fears for those whose loved ones remain missing.
In December and January, Commission teams visited several grave sites and former detention facilities, including Sednaya Military Prison and branches of the former intelligence services in Damascus.
While significant amounts of evidence and documentation had been destroyed, some materials were preserved, offering a glimmer of hope for families seeking answers.
“For Syrians who did not find their loved ones among the freed, this evidence, alongside testimonies of freed detainees, may be their best hope to uncover the truth about missing relatives,” said Commissioner Lynn Welchman.
“We commend the new authorities for their commitment to protecting mass graves and evidence and encourage further efforts, with the support of relevant Syrian civil society and international actors.”
The report outlines harrowing accounts of abuse, including severe beatings, electric shocks, rape, mutilation and prolonged psychological and physical torture.
Survivors and witnesses described dire prison conditions including malnutrition, disease and injuries left untreated. Some detainees were executed, while others succumbed to their injuries in overcrowded, unsanitary cells.
A path to justice
Having gained access to Syria for the first time since 2011, the Commission plans to expand its investigations with unprecedented access to sites and survivors who no longer fear reprisals.
The report emphasises the importance of safeguarding evidence and archives, calling for coordinated efforts with Syrian civil society and international actors.
“Cases brought before national courts outside Syria, relying on the principle of universal jurisdiction, have led to important convictions of mid- and lower-level perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity,” said Commissioner Hanny Megally.
“We now hope to see credible national justice initiatives, in which survivors and families can play a central role. We stand ready to assist alongside Syrian human rights and family associations and our UN partners.”
Independent investigators
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established in August 2011 by the UN Human Rights Council, with a mandate to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011.
The Council also tasked the Commission with establishing the facts and circumstances surrounding alleged crimes and identifying those responsible, in an effort to hold them accountable.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (left) visits the Immigration and Passports Office at Jdaidet Yabous border crossing between Lebanon and Syria.
Global action for returnees
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi concluded a visit to Syria on Monday, calling for urgent international support to aid those returning home.
Since September, over 500,000 refugees have made the journey, but they face overwhelming challenges: destroyed homes, shattered infrastructure and widespread poverty, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
The agency is working with Syrian caretaker authorities and neighbouring countries to support returns, provide legal aid, transportation and cash assistance.
Families returning to cities like Aleppo described harsh realities, such as limited access to electricity and water, emphasising the urgent need for investment in healthcare, education and employment.
Act now
“This is a pivotal moment,” Mr. Grandi said.
“The world must act now to support Syria’s recovery. Cooperation between neighbouring countries, donors and the Syrian caretaker authorities is essential to bring much-needed peace and stability to Syria and the entire region.”
UNHCR estimates that 27 per cent of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries, including Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, plan to return home within the next year – an increase from less than two per cent before the collapse of the regime.
Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Cambodia.
Cambodia’s economy has continued to recover, albeit at a modest pace. We project real GDP to grow from 5.5 percent in 2024 to 5.8 percent in 2025 and inflation to pick up from 0.5 percent in 2024 to 2 percent in 2025 and remain contained. However, risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside from both external factors and domestic vulnerabilities, including from policy changes by major trading partners, geoeconomic fragmentation, and continued weakness in the construction and real estate sectors.
The recovery remains uneven. Real GDP growth is driven mainly by external demand, with a strong rebound in garment exports and high growth in agricultural exports. Tourism has experienced a structural shift in its composition, resulting in a lagged recovery in tourism receipts. Growth in non-tradable sectors remains weak. After a sustained credit expansion that lifted the credit-to-GDP ratio from 24 percent in 2010 to 135 percent in 2023, credit growth has come to a near halt. The construction and real estate sectors are undergoing a correction, with rising non-performing loans and emerging signs of private-sector debt overhang.
We project the fiscal deficit at 2.4 percent of GDP in 2025, down from 3 percent in 2024, with a gradual fiscal consolidation envisaged in the medium-term fiscal framework. Public debt remains well-contained, staying below 30 percent of GDP over the next decade. The current account balance is projected to swing back to a deficit of 1.8 percent of GDP in 2024 as strong demand for imports outpaces the recovery in exports and tourism. The deficit is projected to increase somewhat in 2025, reaching 2.5 percent of GDP, with export growth expected to moderate.
Executive Directors welcomed the continuing recovery of the Cambodian economy, driven by strong growth in garment and agricultural exports, and improving tourism activity. Nonetheless, the recovery has been uneven, and while growth is expected to continue, risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside. Directors underscored the importance of policies to safeguard macro financial stability, ensure a durable and inclusive recovery, and achieve the authorities’ development goals over the medium term.
Directors supported a neutral fiscal stance in the near term and highlighted the importance of gradual and high-quality consolidation over the medium term underpinned by sound fiscal frameworks to maintain debt sustainability and strengthen economic resilience. They welcomed the recent publication of a medium-term fiscal framework but recommended strengthening it with more conservative and transparent fiscal rules. Directors stressed the need to further mobilize revenues through rationalizing tax exemptions and implementing tax policy reforms, while enhancing spending efficiency and strengthening public investment management, in order to help rebuild fiscal buffers and safeguard priority social and capital spending. Directors welcomed efforts to foster the development of the domestic government bond market as Cambodia’s access to concessional foreign financing will be reduced when it graduates from Least Developed Country status. They also stressed the need for sound management of fiscal risks from state-owned enterprises and public-private partnerships.
Directors supported the measured pace of monetary policy normalization while maintaining adequate financial system liquidity. They encouraged continuing efforts to modernize the monetary policy framework to enhance policy transmission and support de-dollarization. Noting the ongoing corrections in the construction and real estate sectors, declining FDI inflows, and rising nonperforming loans, Directors encouraged phasing out forbearance measures and developing a comprehensive plan to safeguard financial stability. They recommended strengthening risk-based supervision, improving macroprudential policy, enhancing coordination among financial sector supervisory agencies, and intensifying oversight of the real estate sector.
Directors highlighted the importance of structural reforms to promote economic diversification and improve competitiveness. They encouraged the authorities’ efforts to enhance human capital, invest in infrastructure, strengthen the business environment, address climate vulnerabilities, and promote renewable energy to attract more diversified FDI. They also underscored the importance of strengthening governance and institutions, improving transparency, enhancing the AML/CFT framework, and addressing data limitations through capacity development.
Per capita GDP (2022, US$): 1,546 Life expectancy (2019, years): 75.5
Population (2022, million): 16.7 Literacy rate (2019, percent): 87.7
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
Est.
Proj.
Output and prices (annual percent change)
GDP at constant prices
3.1
5.1
5.0
5.5
5.8
6.2
6.0
6.0
6.0
Inflation (end-year)
3.7
2.9
2.7
1.5
2.1
3.2
3.0
3.0
3.0
(Annual average)
2.9
5.3
2.1
0.4
2.1
3.2
3.0
3.0
3.0
Saving and investment balance
(in percent of GDP)
Gross national saving
0.8
15.6
33.6
30.7
30.0
29.2
29.2
29.2
29.3
Government saving
0.3
3.1
4.1
5.1
6.1
7.1
8.1
9.1
10.1
Private saving
0.5
12.5
29.5
25.6
23.9
22.1
21.1
20.1
19.2
Gross fixed investment
30.4
34.6
32.3
32.5
32.5
32.5
32.5
32.5
32.5
Government investment
6.6
5.6
5.8
5.2
4.5
4.3
4.2
3.9
3.8
Private investment
23.8
29.0
26.5
27.4
28.0
28.2
28.4
28.6
28.7
Money and credit (annual percent change, unless otherwise indicated)
Broad money
16.4
8.2
12.5
8.5
7.9
10.5
11.3
9.1
9.0
Private sector credit
23.6
18.5
3.5
4.0
7.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
Velocity of money 2/
1.1
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Public finance (in percent of GDP)
Revenue
15.8
18.1
15.9
14.9
14.9
14.9
15.0
15.1
15.2
Domestic revenue
14.7
16.4
14.7
13.7
13.7
13.8
14.0
14.1
14.4
Of which: Tax revenue
13.2
14.7
13.0
12.1
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.5
12.7
Grants
1.1
1.7
1.2
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
Expenditure
21.0
18.4
18.7
17.9
17.3
17.1
17.1
17.2
17.1
Expense
14.4
12.8
12.9
12.7
12.8
12.8
13.0
13.3
13.4
Net acquisition of nonfinancial assets
6.6
5.6
5.8
5.2
4.5
4.3
4.2
3.9
3.8
Net lending (+)/borrowing(-)
-5.2
-0.3
-2.8
-3.0
-2.4
-2.2
-2.1
-2.1
-2.0
Net lending (+)/borrowing(-) excluding grants
-6.3
-2.0
-4.0
-4.2
-3.6
-3.3
-3.2
-3.0
-2.8
Net acquisition of financial assets
-3.6
1.4
-0.3
-0.2
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.4
Net incurrence of liabilities 3/
1.6
1.7
2.5
2.8
2.9
2.5
2.4
2.4
2.4
Total public debt (In percent of GDP)
25.9
25.0
25.7
26.8
27.8
27.8
27.8
27.7
27.7
Balance of payments (in millions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
Exports, f.o.b.
19,527
23,175
23,569
26,745
28,595
30,942
33,449
36,307
39,457
(Annual percent change)
5.7
18.7
1.7
13.5
6.9
8.2
8.1
8.5
8.7
Imports, f.o.b.
-30,726
-31,995
-26,553
-31,055
-33,244
-35,626
-38,605
-41,871
-45,434
(Annual percent change)
46.4
4.1
-17.0
17.0
7.0
7.2
8.4
8.5
8.5
Current account (including official transfers)
-10,886
-7,572
555
-847
-1,269
-1,794
-1,993
-2,175
-2,283
(In percent of GDP)
-29.6
-19.0
1.3
-1.8
-2.5
-3.3
-3.3
-3.4
-3.2
Gross official reserves 4/
20,265
17,805
19,998
20,753
23,064
26,887
30,951
35,422
40,351
(In months of prospective imports)
7.0
7.3
6.9
6.6
6.9
7.4
7.9
8.3
8.7
Total public debt (in millions of dollars)
9,505
9,971
11,187
12,473
13,932
15,218
16,508
17,912
19,453
(In percent of GDP)
25.9
25.0
25.7
26.8
27.8
27.8
27.8
27.7
27.7
External debt (in millions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
Public external debt
9,505
9,971
11,187
12,387
13,726
14,939
16,178
17,548
18,978
(In percent of GDP)
25.9
25.0
25.7
26.6
27.4
27.3
27.2
27.1
27.0
Public debt service
397
427
449
418
439
458
482
506
533
(In percent of exports of goods and services)
2.0
1.7
1.6
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.1
Nominal effective exchange rate (index, trade partners by CPI)
113.3
122.4
123.3
…
…
…
…
…
…
Real effective exchange rate
(index, based on CPI)
125.3
134.0
132.4
…
…
…
…
…
…
Memorandum items:
Nominal GDP (in billions of Riels)
150,793
164,059
177,719
190,603
205,946
225,291
245,726
267,845
292,066
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
36,797
39,838
43,304
46,568
50,180
54,745
59,548
64,733
70,395
Sources: Cambodian authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.
1/ Based on the rebased GDP.
2/ Ratio of nominal GDP to the average stock of broad money.
3/ Includes statistical discrepancy.
4/ Includes unrestricted foreign currency deposits held at the National Bank of Cambodia.
[1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.
[2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chair of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summing up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Amélie Cloutier, Professor of Strategy and Innovation, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Mycotourism combines mushroom foraging in natural habitats with culinary traditions and rural culture, offering a unique experience distinct from traditional tourism.(Shutterstock)
Mycotourism, or mushroom tourism, is becoming increasingly popular as travellers seek out more nature-focused experiences. This unique tourism niche combines guided mushroom foraging with culinary traditions and rural culture to offer travellers an experience distinct from more traditional forms of tourism.
The growing popularity of mycotourism reflects a larger shift toward forest-related and gastronomy tourism. Forest-related tourism includes activities like foraging and product harvesting as travellers seek closer connections to nature, while gastronomy tourism involves travellers seeking out culinary experiences.
Rural tourism, too, has seen growing interest in recent years. United Nations Tourism designated 2020 as the “Year of Tourism and Rural Development” and mycotourism aligns with this focus, as it is tied closely to rural economies, often involving small, seasonal businesses that face seasonal and visibility challenges.
In response to this trend, the Québec government has revealed a 2024-2029 strategy to establish the province as a premier culinary destination with a promising future. As mycotourism grows, it aligns with Québec’s broader culinary and tourism goals.
Mycotourism: A brief overview
While mushroom foraging has long been practised informally in many parts of the world, it’s now evolving into a formalized tourism industry, led by local experts to ensure safety. Countries such as Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Scotland and South Africa are current pioneers in this market.
Spain, where mycotourism originated, leads the way with its well-established “micoturismo” industry, especially in the Castilla y León region.
While mushroom foraging has long been practised informally in many parts of the world, it’s now evolving into a formalized tourism industry. (Shutterstock)
In Canada, Québec has become a hotspot for mycotourism thanks to its rich natural landscapes, including vast forests and diverse ecosystems. The province has seen increased demand from both local and international visitors.
The Québec regions of Kamouraska and Mauricie, in particular, have emerged as leaders in North American mycotourism. This surge, which was boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has positioned these regions as key destinations for mushroom enthusiasts.
However, despite its growth, mycotourism remains relatively unfamiliar to many Canadians. It signals an untapped opportunity for the tourism industry in the country.
Overcoming industry challenges
The mycotourism sector faces several challenges, including fragmented initiatives, which presents challenges in areas like promotion, infrastructure and knowledge sharing.
Establishing a unified platform or network for mycotourism stakeholders stakeholders could facilitate the exchange of best practices, improve promotion and support its sustainable growth.
By closely monitoring new initiatives, researchers, entrepreneurs and tourism professionals can better understand the challenges and opportunities in this field.
This collaborative approach would identify potential partners for future collaborations, highlight resources and tools and ensure the development of this industry respects all the stakeholders, including Indigenous communities.
Canada is well-positioned to become a global leader in mycotourism. (Shutterstock)
Our mushroom tourism research
Our recent research study sheds light on the growth of the mycotourism industry in Québec. Through an in-depth environmental scan, we identified 57 providers across the province, with the majority concentrated in Mauricie and Bas-Saint-Laurent, including the region of Kamouraska.
We found that most mycotourism businesses in Québec are micro or very small enterprises, which means collaboration and networking are both essential for supporting their growth and sustainability.
The activities offered by these providers fell into five main categories:
Events and learning: Includes festivals, conferences, training sessions and courses.
Culinary experiences: Features culinary workshops and tasting sessions.
Guided tours and hosting: Encompasses guided tours and group hosting events.
Nature exploration and foraging: Includes guided, self-picking foraging expeditions.
Accommodations with mushroom picking: Lodging experiences that allow guests to participate in mushroom picking during their stay.
In addition, our study identified four types of enterprises in the sector. These ranged from solo ventures specializing in niche activities, to versatile solo ventures with a diverse range and experiences and services, to slightly larger businesses focusing on targeted services.
It’s clear that Québec’s mycotourism sector is dynamic, with businesses continually developing new and innovative offerings. The wide range of experiences offered are designed to attract new segments of tourists interested in agritourism, gastronomy or other unique accommodations.
Unlocking mycotourism potential
As mycotourism continues to grow, it is crucial for small-scale initiatives in this sector to gain stronger support and recognition from tourism authorities, regional organizations and government agencies.
Without this support, these businesses may struggle to overcome challenges like limited visibility, fragmented efforts and insufficient resources. If these challenges are not addressed, it could hinder the growth of the sector and its ability to contribute to local economies and rural development.
With its vast forests, rich biodiversity and developing agritourism and gastronomy sectors, Canada is well-positioned to establish itself as a top destination for mushroom enthusiasts. But to fully realize its full potential, Canada must create an environment that promotes innovation, collaboration and investment in mycotourism.
Amélie Cloutier receives funding from FRQSC.
Marc-Antoine Vachon receives funding from Développement Économique Canada pour les régions du Québec et de la Fondation de l’UQAM grâce à un don de Transat A.T..
Patrick Coulombe 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.
A woodland restoration project has received a boost after a Teesside company paid £290,000 to Tees Valley Wildlife Trust for breaching its Environmental Permit.
An area of cleared woodland.
The Lazenby Bank Woodland Restoration Project includes improvements to 215 acres of woodland near Wilton International industrial complex at Teesside.
It comes after Sembcorp Utilities (UK) Ltd, which operates a biomass power station at Wilton, breached its environmental permit by wrongly classifying hazardous waste as non-hazardous during its disposal at landfill.
It submitted an Enforcement Undertaking to the Environment Agency proposing a charitable donation to Tees Valley Wildlife Trust of £290,000. It’s also introduced new operating procedures to ensure waste is disposed of correctly in future.
An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary offer made by companies or individuals to make amends for their offending, and usually includes a payment to an environmental charity to carry out environmental improvements in the local area.
Work carried out on the site, next to Wilton International, includes:
Clearing unmanaged coniferous woodland to restore habitats where ancient woodland is present – a high priority nationally for conservation.
Seeding and re-planting with a greater variety of native trees to improve wildlife biodiversity and diversity of woodland, delivering long-term carbon sequestration.
Improved access to the area through new and improved access gates, footpaths and tracks to improve community access to the natural environment in what is an urban area.
Community engagement to encourage volunteers to get involved in tree planting as well as training placements with young people from the community to reduce anti-social behaviour.
The image shows an example of improved natural woodland.
The Trust will also use the funds to carry out river channel management over three years at nearby Coatham Marsh nature reserve to maintain good habitat conditions for wildlife.
Ian Preston, Installations Team Leader at the Environment Agency in the North East, said:
We always consider enforcement options on a case by case basis and Enforcement Undertakings allow companies to put right what went wrong and contribute to environmental improvements and outcomes.
In this case the payment has allowed a planned and important community project to be delivered at pace – an environmental investment that has enhanced the local area for people and wildlife.
Tom Harman, Chief Executive of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, added:
It’s vital to see funds like this being reinvested into protecting our landscapes for people and wildlife.
Lazenby Bank Woodland and Coatham Marsh are incredible nature assets for our communities in the Tees Valley. The project will help restore nationally important habitats for priority species and secure improvements for public access.
Image shows an example of improved natural woodland. Credit: Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.
Waste was misclassified
In September 2019 the Environment Agency carried out an audit into Sembcorp’s disposal of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA), which is a product of the incineration process.
Enquiries revealed Sembcorp had classified all its IBA as non-hazardous and disposed of it at a non-hazardous landfill.
But data showed that its IBA contained concentrations of lead, copper, zinc and nickel – waste that should be classified as hazardous.
Data supplied from 2015 onwards showed the misclassification had been taking place since at least that date.
An independent report from a company instructed by Sembcorp concluded that while the IBA should have been classified as hazardous, there was no significant risk to human health or the environment as a result of the wrong disposal. Environment Agency specialists agreed with this conclusion.
Sembcorp accepted responsibility for the misclassification and set out all the steps it had taken to prevent it happening in the future. As soon as the issue had been identified the company started disposing of its IBA at a hazardous landfill facility.
The sixth intake of the Connecting Communities BC funding program will be open for applications until June 30, 2025.
In March 2022, B.C. and Canada announced a partnership to invest as much as $830 million, contributing $415 million each, toward high-speed connectivity infrastructure projects in rural and remote areas.
Through Connecting Communities BC, the Province aims to provide all remaining underserved households and First Nation communities with access to high-speed internet by 2027. This program also fulfils a Call to Action in the Declaration Act Action Plan.
Eligible applicants can apply for funding to support the expansion of high-speed internet in any area of the province, with a focus on specific areas that do not have access to internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and 10 Mbps per second upload speed.
The Connecting Communities BC program completed five intakes between September 2022 and December 2024. Projects applying for the sixth intake will be evaluated as they are received. Successful project applications from previous intakes will continue to be announced when they are approved.
Learn More:
Areas of interest are outlined in the Connecting Communities Application Guide available here:: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/services-policies-for-government/initiatives-plans-strategies/internet-in-bc/connecting-communities-bc-application-docs/ccbc_application-guide.pdf
Source: Republic of France in English The Republic of France has issued the following statement:
On this international day dedicated to the remembrance of genocides and the prevention of crimes against humanity, France commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau 80 years ago and remembers the victims of the Holocaust. President Macron, accompanied by Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad, will take part in the ceremonies.
On January 27, 1945, the world discovered the horror of the genocide carried out by the Nazis and their allies. To make sure the world never forgets the atrocities and their victims, the UN proclaimed this date to be the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The Nazi regime and its collaborators systematically exterminated the Jewish people and a number of other groups because of their ethnic origins, beliefs, physical features or sexual orientation.
France defends universal, inalienable, indivisible human rights by combating all forms of discrimination, racism and xenophobia, and all types of hate speech. Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism must be strongly opposed and firmly punished because they undermine the unity of our society as well as the rights, freedoms and dignity of all. Along with promoting our national zero-tolerance policy toward anti-Semitism, our diplomatic corps works each day to defend human rights and fight all forms of anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination.
Within the European Union, our country remains a leader in this regard, actively supporting the European strategy on combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life.
To tackle current challenges, we are playing an active role in promoting the European model of digital regulation in order to suppress online hate speech.
Our diplomatic corps continues to speak out against anti-Semitism in all the regional and international organizations that France belongs to.
France also works to foster remembrance and the transmission of knowledge, a critical task now that fewer and fewer survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust are still alive, and with disinformation and revisionist history fueling noxious political discourse.
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs recently announced France’s candidacy for the 2027 presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), an international organization that does important work in the areas of Holocaust research, education and remembrance.
Remembering the victims of the Holocaust is our shared duty. We must remember that intolerance, hate speech and discrimination create a breeding ground for humanity’s darkest acts.
With the world facing divisions and fractures, and the massive spread of hate speech, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will continue to lead the fight against all forms of xenophobia and anti-Semitism.
Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
January 27, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., co-chair of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus, blasted Donald Trump’s firing of 17 federal inspectors general last night. IGs are independent watchdogs that investigate waste and fraud within government agencies, and have been a nonpartisan check on abuse of federal taxpayer resources.
“Donald Trump is systematically dismantling the protections against abuse, corruption and fraud within the federal government,” Wyden said. “Courts should immediately strike down this blatantly illegal action. Firing IGs without notifying Congress 30 days in advance is clearly illegal. The only reason for Trump to carry out the midnight massacre of more than a dozen inspectors general without notice is to make it easier for him to break the law and help him and his wealthy cronies profit from the government without anyone looking over his shoulder.”
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate relating to speech and language therapy.
Dave Robertson MP, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a Minister to respond.
Read the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/657935
Find petitions you agree with, and sign them: https://petition.parliament.uk/
What are petition debates?
Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on the issues raised in the petition at the end of the debate.
The Petitions Committee can only schedule debates on petitions to parliament started on petition.parliament.uk
Find out more about how petition debates work: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/content/194347/how-petitions-debates-work/
Stay up-to-date
Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://www.twitter.com/hocpetitions
HSE Expert Club “Eastern perspective» held its first event — a business session dedicated to launching and developing a successful business in India. The club was created by HSE experts to discuss tools, trends and insights on cooperation between Russia and the countries of Southeast Asia, the Near and Middle East, and North Africa. The participants were addressed by experts with many years of successful experience working in the Indian market in the interests of the world’s largest corporations.
It is no coincidence that the first event of the Eastern Perspective was dedicated to India. Today, this country is the fastest growing economy in the world among the G20 countries with more than 7 percent annual GDP growth, a growing consumer market and high rates of technological progress. This opens up unique opportunities for Russian companies, emphasized the moderator of the event, Deputy Director for Marketing Communications at the National Research University Higher School of Economics Dmitry Chubarov.
India is one of the most promising countries for entrepreneurs planning to start or grow their business.
Leading world experts today call this country a “market of billions of chances,” said the associate professor Schools of Oriental StudiesFaculty of World Economy and World Politics HSE University Olga Kharina. “Many countries want to have India as a partner, and Western countries are already doing this successfully. Therefore, we also need to use this chance in our own interests – the interests of business and, of course, the state,” she noted.
Today, the dynamics of the development of Indian industries are as follows: the share of industrial products in the import structure reaches 50%, the annual growth of the beauty industry is 76%, the share of fintech in the volume of attracted financing among startups is 40%, and the share of e-commerce in the volume of attracted financing among startups is 20%. The average age of the population of this country is 28 years, which makes it one of the largest labor markets in the world. About 70% of the population is young people under 35 years old.
In 2023, India accounted for more than 40% of all smartphone sales in Asia. The number of internet users in India is expected to reach 700 million by 2025. There are already about 450 million, and 1.2 billion mobile users. The Indian smartphone market is the fastest growing in the world. In addition, in 2020, a $ 1.4 trillion transport infrastructure plan was adopted, which includes improving roads, railways and airports. Textile exports are expected to reach $ 100 billion by 2027. India is the second largest producer of crude steel in the world, and the third largest aviation market. The value of the chemical and petrochemical industry reaches $ 1,178 billion, and auto component exports are worth $ 13.3 billion.
Olga Kharina reviewed several cases related to the development of business of Russian entrepreneurs in India. Their experience showed that obtaining all the necessary permits for work in this country is a more complicated process than expected. It is also important to take into account the specifics of working with local regulatory authorities and carefully study the legislation and tax procedures.
Olga Kharina also presented a “treasure map” of Indian states, each of which has its own economic characteristics and laws. Thus, the state of Maharashtra (where the financial center of Mumbai is located) is the largest taxpayer and an important center for business. The state of Uttar Pradesh is the most populous (more than 220 million people), but the economy is mainly agricultural. The state of Gujarat is a leader in the production and export of such goods as chemicals, petrochemicals and textiles.
“India is located in the center of South Asia and has a strategic position as a gateway between East and West Asia. With access to the Indian Ocean, it plays a key role in trade and transport between the countries of Central Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and East Africa. Russia and India maintain close economic ties that are strengthening every year. In recent years, various agreements have been signed on mutual trade, as well as on strategic partnership in the fields of energy, defense and technology,” the speaker emphasized.
As for the most promising areas for business, India is one of the largest consumers of energy resources, and Russian companies can develop their activities in the field of oil and gas supplies, as well as participate in energy projects. Russia can also offer its developments in the field of IT and innovative technologies, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain. In addition, India is an important importer of agricultural products, and Russian companies can supply there grain, fish, meat, dairy products. At the same time, Indian technologies in agribusiness can be useful for Russian farmers.
The Indian government actively supports the “Make in India” program, which is aimed at developing manufacturing and stimulating foreign investment in the country.
“You need to have the knowledge, skills and competencies to build a successful business in new markets, which we now call the Global East – friendly markets that are supported by both Russia and other countries,” emphasized Natalia Guseva, professor at the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics at the HSE and head of the HSE educational programs “Business with the East.”
She presented the educational programs “Eastern Perspective” for entrepreneurs working with countries of the Near and Middle East, North Africa, and the Indo-Pacific region.
“You will have a clear understanding of the potential and specifics of Eastern markets depending on what company you work for or what startup you plan to do. When entering new markets, offering your products and services, you must have a clear understanding of the vectors and potentials of development, the features of the financial and tax systems. You also need to understand the main political trends, the features of the local society. You need to clearly assess the export potential, due to which you will compete. Most Russian companies that had experience in international business were mainly focused on the European markets, and that competition strategy was mainly based on low prices, but in the Eastern markets this strategy will be ineffective,” Natalia Guseva emphasized.
Expert in developing GR tools and strategies for promoting companies on the Indian market, representative of the media conglomerate The Times of India Group in Russia Nair Devadathan spoke about the country’s features that businessmen entering this market should pay attention to. Thus, according to him, caste, religiosity and beliefs are very important in Indian society (for example, entrepreneurs build relationships with partners based on astrological horoscopes). Business connections are also of great importance: to enter the market, it is necessary to find a partner from among local residents – this way the company will be able to receive many preferences and more favorable conditions. “India should be understood as Bollywood,” he said. At the same time, this country loves Russian culture, especially theater and film adaptations.
According to Nair Devadathan, not only large companies and medium-sized businesses can succeed in this country, but also small production facilities and even individual entrepreneurs – such examples already exist. At the same time, Indian consumers may be interested in absolutely any product, including those subject to sanctions, or services – for example, from the beauty industry or the arts, education or tourism.
“Promoting Russia is a business in itself. All our young people use social networks, so you need to pay attention to this,” he is convinced.
In conclusion, Dmitry Chubarov invited the business session participants to take the HSE educational programs dedicated to the East. “The expertise, experience and cases that will be discussed will not be based on abstract textbooks, but on the daily successful practice of both Russian and international companies that are currently operating in the Indian market,” he summed up.
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Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is leading a new £2 million initiative to help prevent food shortages that could potentially trigger civil unrest in the UK.
The project, called Backcasting to Increase Food System Resilience in the UK, is being led by experts from Anglia Ruskin’s Global Sustainability Institute and has received £2,048,461 in funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Building on recent research that found that over 40% of food experts believe widespread civil unrest linked to food shortages, such as demonstrations and violent looting, is possible or likely in the UK within the next 10 years, the new project aims to urgently address vulnerabilities in the nation’s food supply.
The UK’s food system is currently optimised for efficiency rather than resilience, relying heavily on imports, seasonal labour, and just-in-time supply chains.
This makes it particularly susceptible to disruptions that could lead to a collapse, defined as a situation where the public lack access to affordable food, resulting in economic productivity losses, disease outbreaks, extreme hunger, malnutrition, or civil unrest.
Potential causes of such a collapse include geopolitical instability and conflict around the world, pandemics, extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, and trade tariffs.
The project aims to identify and find ways of mitigating the potential tipping points that could lead to a collapse and prioritise the areas within the UK food system that urgently need to strengthen their resilience to likely risks and shocks.
To achieve these goals, the researchers will work closely with key stakeholders including food producers, importers, distributers and retailers.
A “backcasting” mapping exercise will be carried out to identify the most likely pathways leading to civil unrest with a focus on addressing problems at the early stages of these pathways, well before any unrest arises.
Anglia Ruskin University is leading the project in partnership with experts from the University of York, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the University of the West of England and the Royal Agricultural University.
Other partners include WTW, the Food Farming & Countryside Commission, the Food Ethics Council, WRAP, DEFRA, Trussell, Sustain, Better Food Traders, Samworth Brothers, the Food Standards Agency, the Institute of Grocery Distributors and WWF.
“The Backcasting to Increase Food System Resilience in the UK project is a major investment into understanding how future shocks could significantly impact the UK food system and how we can build resilience to these.
“The food system is exposed to various risks from climate change and biodiversity loss to geopolitical events, such as wars or cyberterrorism. Supporting the UK’s food system stakeholders from farmers through to retail, by working with them to build on their knowledge to deliver a transformation towards resilience, is vital.
“The project will also involve placements inside organisations focusing on food system challenges, to better understand the interventions that may be possible, and allow wider lessons to be captured and shared. These placements will be open to PhDs from across the UK and will be announced in 2026.”
Professor Aled Jones, Director of the Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
“This week, we’re celebrating Alberta’s continued leadership in reducing red tape – a success that sets us apart from every other province in Canada.
January 27 to January 31 marks Red Tape Awareness Week across the country, and for Alberta, it’s a chance to proudly reflect on our achievements.
Over the past five years, we’ve saved Albertans and businesses $2.9 billion, solidifying Alberta as the best place to live, invest, and do business. Alberta was once again ranked as the top-performing province in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s (CFIB) 2025 Red Tape Report Card, earning top grades for the fourth consecutive year.
Last year, we hit a major milestone by cutting red tape across government by 33 per cent. This year, we’ve built on that momentum and remain optimistic about staying ahead as Canada’s leader in red tape reduction.
Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing more about what we’re doing to keep up our momentum on cutting red tape. After all, we’re the best – and we’re committed to staying that way.”
Families in Powell River have access to 28 new child care spaces opening at Kelly Creek Community school, including 12 spaces for children younger than three, and 16 spaces for children ages three to five.
“Access to affordable and reliable child care makes life easier for families,” said Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for child care. “These new child care spaces in Powell River will help more parents and caregivers go to work and school, and are conveniently located on school grounds. We’re going to keep working to bring down costs and build a bright future for British Columbians.”
The Province partnered with the qathet School District (SD47) to build the new child care centre at Kelly Creek Community school. The $1.1-million investment from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund supported construction, as well as furniture and appliances bought for the facility.
“We are thrilled to have another child care option for the families in qathet,” said Jaclyn Miller, board chair, qathet School District. “The centre at Kelly Creek will provide children five and youngerwith a strong start to their school experience, fostering connections and continuity alongside the school they will likely attend, while strengthening their sense of belonging within the community.”
The Province also worked with the qathet School District to open a new child care centre at Edgehill Elementary school, which opened in fall 2024. The two projects have added a total of 56 new child care spaces in Powell River.
“I am over-the-moon happy with the staff and my experience at Edgehill YMCA Child Care,” said Sarah, whose child attends the program. “Thank you so much for bringing more child care spaces to Powell River. “This is the child care I wanted for my treasured child.”
School districts throughout B.C. are partnering with the provincial government to create new child care spaces to help address the child care needs of families within their communities. Child care on school grounds makes life easier for families by requiring only one dropoff and pickup location, streamlining their daily routines, reducing stress and creating a smoother transition for children.
Since 2018, ChildCareBC’s accelerated space-creation programs have helped fund more than 40,000 new licensed child care spaces in B.C. and 23,000 of those are now open. Funding the creation of new child care spaces is part of the Province’s ChildCareBC plan to build access to affordable, quality, inclusive child care as a core service families can rely on.
Quotes:
Randene Neill, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast –
“Families in communities like Powell River face unique challenges when it comes to accessing affordable, quality child care. The new child care spaces at Kelly Creek Community school and Edgehill Elementary school are a game-changer for families here, providing vital support for parents and ensuring children in our rural community have the same opportunities to thrive as those in larger centres. By investing in child care, we’re helping to build a stronger, more connected Powell River.”
Cathy Poole, vice-president, Children and Youth Services, YMCA BC –
“YMCA BC is proud to partner with the qathet School District and the Government of B.C. to extend our child care services to families in the Powell River community. The program at Kelly Creek YMCA Child Care will be structured on our national YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum and led by our professional early childhood educators who are committed to providing the children with happy, healthy learning experiences.”
Learn More:
For more information about ChildCareBC, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare
More information about the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund is available here: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/newspacesfund
Good news from the Ministry of Environment’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring program: in 2024, no invasive zebra or quagga mussels or spiny waterflea were found in Saskatchewan waters. Last year, the program tested more than 450 water samples from waterbodies all across the province.
“Our surveys confirm that Saskatchewan’s efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from AIS have been successful,” Environment Minister Travis Keisig said. “Collaborating with our partners, the ministry will continue to implement a robust AIS prevention program that includes monitoring, roadside watercraft inspections and decontamination, and public awareness and education, to ensure that success continues.”
In 2024, the ministry inspected more than 3,500 watercraft across the province. Ministry staff intercepted and decontaminated six watercraft carrying invasive zebra or quagga mussels and decontaminated more than 250 watercraft coming to Saskatchewan from high-risk areas infested with AIS that were not properly cleaned, drained or dried. The AIS program also focused on several species of invasive fish, including goldfish, koi and Prussian carp, as well as flowering rush, an invasive aquatic plant that can quickly outcompete native plants in our waterways.
Invasive mussels continue to spread in many waters across North America, including waterbodies in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, as well as in 34 states including North Dakota and Minnesota. AIS such as invasive mussels pose a serious threat to Saskatchewan. Once established, these organisms are nearly impossible to eliminate. They can significantly affect aquatic habitat and fisheries and can cost the province millions of dollars each year to manage.
In the fight against AIS, partnerships are key. The ministry works closely with Saskatchewan’s AIS Task Force, which includes other government agencies, researchers and conservation organizations. The province also partners with Canada Border Services Agency and other federal, provincial and territorial governments to co-ordinate prevention efforts across Western Canada.
Watercraft users also have an important part to play in reducing the spread of AIS:
Carefully follow the clean-drain-dry protocols for watercraft and gear that comes in contact with the water, before moving between waterbodies.
Stop at roadside watercraft inspection stations or risk a $500 fine, plus $80 surcharge.
Remove drain plugs on all watercraft during transport, as required by law.
For more information, visit the AIS page on saskatchewan.ca.
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is forwarding to the Connecticut General Assembly the nominations of several jurists to serve in positions on Connecticut’s courts, including the Honorable William H. Bright, Jr. as an associate justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable Robin L. Wilson as a judge of the Appellate Court, and 13 other jurists as judges of the Superior Court.
Additionally, the governor is nominating two jurists to serve as family support magistrates and three as administrative law judges on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
“Nominating judges to serve on our courts is one of the most important responsibilities of a governor, especially because judges are the final authority on the interpretation of the law and the constitution, and for ensuring that justice is administered fairly and without prejudice,” Governor Lamont said. “Judge Bright has been an excellent leader of our Appellate Court over these last four and a half years, and he has had an impressive career handling all types of cases both on the trial and appellate levels. Likewise, Judge Wilson is an incredibly well-respected member of Connecticut’s legal community, having served in the Superior Court for more than two decades. I am confident that these nominees each have the high standards and qualifications the people of Connecticut deserve to have serving for them on the bench.”
Judge Bright, 62, of Columbia, is currently the chief judge of the Appellate Court. He is being nominated to fill the associate justice seat on the Supreme Court that was most recently held by the Honorable Raheem L. Mullins, who was recently nominated by Governor Lamont to become chief justice.
Judge Bright has served on the Appellate Court since 2017 and as chief judge since 2020. In the role of chief judge, he has been responsible for managing the operations of the Appellate Court, in addition to sitting on a full docket of cases, assigning cases to authoring judges, reviewing all opinions of the court before publication, overseeing clerks for judge trial referees, and addressing personnel and building management issues.
Immediately prior to his nomination to the Appellate Court, Judge Bright served as a judge of the Superior Court from 2008 to 2017, presiding over criminal, civil, habeas corpus, and juvenile trials. While on the Superior Court, he served as the presiding judge of the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s statewide mediation program in 2017, chief administrative judge for civil matters from 2015 to 2017, administrative and presiding judge for the Tolland Judicial District from 2013 to 2017, and presiding judge of a civil complex litigation docket from 2011 to 2013.
Before being nominated to the bench, he was a partner with the law firm of McCarter and English from 2003 to 2008, and with Cummings and Lockwood from 1987 to 2003. With both firms, he worked as a trial attorney, handling cases in both state and federal courts and representing individuals, government entities, and small and large businesses in environmental, property, and commercial matters.
Judge Bright graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, summa cum laude, and earned a Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from the University of Chicago Law School. He is a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation and a member emeritus of the Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court.
“I want to thank Governor Lamont for his faith and confidence in me,” Judge Bright said. “It is truly an honor to be nominated and considered for a position on our state’s highest court. It has been my distinct pleasure to serve the people of Connecticut as a judge of the Superior Court and the Appellate Court over the past 17 years. If confirmed, I promise to bring to my job as an associate justice of our Supreme Court the same work ethic, fidelity to the law, and respect for the parties and attorneys who appear before us that I have strived to demonstrate every day since becoming a judge.”
Judge Wilson, 64, of New Haven, is currently a judge of the Superior Court, where she has served since 2003. She is being nominated to fill the seat on the Appellate Court that will become vacant following the confirmation of Judge Bright to serve on the Supreme Court.
Judge Wilson is presently assigned to the Waterbury Complex Litigation Docket, presiding over complex civil cases. Prior to this, she served in the Civil Division of the New Haven Judicial District for 15 years, also presiding over complex civil cases, including medical and legal malpractice cases, motor vehicle accident cases involving catastrophic injuries, and commercial contract disputes.
Immediately prior to her nomination to the Superior Court, she served as an administrative law judge on the Workers’ Compensation Commission from 1994 to 2003. She also worked from 1986 to 1994 as an assistant attorney general in the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, serving in both the Child Support Department and the Workers’ Compensation Department.
In recognition of her influence and leadership, Judge Wilson has been honored as one of the NAACP’s 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut and as one of the 100 Women of Color Leadership in the State of Connecticut.
Judge Wilson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government, with honors, from Connecticut College, a Juris Doctor degree from Northeastern University School of Law, and a Master of Laws degree in labor relations from New York University School of Law.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by Governor Lamont’s nomination to serve as an Appellate Judge for the State of Connecticut,” Judge Wilson said. “It is an absolute honor and privilege to have this opportunity. If confirmed by the legislature, I am committed to upholding the principles of fairness, justice, and integrity as I take on this important responsibility and will work hard every day to prove myself worthy of the governor’s trust. Thank you, Governor Lamont, for entrusting me with this opportunity to serve our great state.”
There are currently 22 judicial vacancies in the Superior Court. The 13 nominations Governor Lamont is making to fill those positions include:
David G. Bothwell, 55, of Fairfield: Bothwell graduated from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. He currently serves as legal counsel and legislative liaison to the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles. Prior to that, he spent his entire career as a criminal defense attorney in both his own private practice, as well as many years with the Connecticut Division of Public Defenders.
Tracie C. Brown, 53, of Windsor: Brown graduated from Southern Connecticut State University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is currently the chief operating officer for the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Previously, she was the assistant legal director for the Connecticut Department of Correction, where she focused on constitutional and employment law. Prior to that, she served as a principal attorney and commission counsel for the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission. In that capacity, she presided over contested cases as a hearing officer and represented the commission at the Connecticut Superior Court, Appellate Court, and Supreme Court.
Michael C. D’Agostino, 53, of Hamden: D’Agostino graduated from the University of Virginia and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is currently a partner at Morgan Lewis and Bockius, residing in its Hartford office, where he handles a wide range of commercial litigation matters for clients in Connecticut’s courts, as well as courts across the country. From 2013 to 2025, he served the 91st Assembly District of Hamden in the Connecticut House of Representatives, and in this capacity severed for several years as the House chair of the General Law Committee.
Jesse Giddings, 43, of North Haven: Giddings graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Roger Williams University School of Law. He is currently a supervisory assistant state’s attorney in the Hartford State’s Attorney Office. Prior to that, he served as an assistant state’s attorney in Hartford, focusing primarily on the prosecution of serious felony cases.
Diana M. Gomez, 42, of Easton: Gomez graduated from Central Connecticut State University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. She is currently an assistant public defender in the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District, specializing in criminal defense of indigent defendants. She has worked in the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services for the past eleven years. Prior to serving as a public defender, she worked in private practice. Additionally, she serves on many boards, committees and commissions.
Donald R. Green, 58, of Meriden: Magistrate Green graduated from Trinity College and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is currently a family support magistrate and has served in this capacity for six years. He presides over cases involving adjudication of parentage, child support, modifications, and contempt petitions. He was formerly an assistant attorney general at the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, where he served primarily in the Child Protection Department.
Kaitlin A. Halloran, 41, of West Hartford: Halloran graduated from New York University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. In 2010, she co-founded Halloran & Halloran, where her practice focused on personal injury, wrongful death claims, medical malpractice and business litigation. Halloran & Halloran merged with BBB Attorneys in 2021, where she litigated complex cases. Halloran also maintains a very active pro bono special education law practice and has helped many families navigate the system and access services for their children.
Angeline Ioannou, 55, of West Hartford: Ioannou is a graduate of Sacred Heart University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law (now Widener University Commonwealth Law School) in Wilmington, Delaware. She is currently the managing partner of the Hartford office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP. Ioannou has more than 25 years litigating complex tort and medical malpractice matters involving wrongful death and catastrophic injuries.
Kevin C. Kelly, 65, of Stratford: Kelly obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, a Master of Arts degree from Fairfield University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is currently an attorney and owner of Kevin Kelly and Associates, a practice that is focused on elder law, estate planning, probate administration and litigation, and municipal law. Prior to his legal career, he worked for the Connecticut Department of Social Services. From 2011 to 2025, he served the 21st Senatorial District of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton, and Stratford in the Connecticut State Senate, and in this capacity represented his caucus for several years as minority leader.
Daniel Shapiro, 58, of Westbrook: Shapiro graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and obtained his Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School, where he also obtained a Master of Studies in environmental law. He is currently a deputy associate attorney general and chief of health and education for the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. He has practiced law for more than 30 years with a primary focus on health and education matters. Prior to his current role, Shapiro worked as an attorney for the Connecticut Department of Public Health and as an attorney for the Connecticut Legislative Commissioners’ Office.
Kevin Shea, 58, of Madison: Shea graduated from the University of Connecticut and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is a partner with Clendenen and Shea, LLC in New Haven, where he has practiced for the past 24 years representing individuals, companies, institutions, and municipalities as both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of civil litigation. He was previously an associate with Delaney, Zemetis, Donahue, Durham, and Noonan, P.C., and Wiggin and Dana, LLP, and worked as an in-house litigation attorney with United States Surgical Corporation in Norwalk.
Latonia C. Williams, 41, of West Hartford: Williams graduated from Howard University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is currently a partner at Shipman and Goodwin LLP, where her practice focuses on a range of commercial litigation matters in both state and federal courts, including commercial bankruptcies, landlord-tenant disputes, and commercial foreclosures. Additionally, she serves on the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Client Security Fund Committee, the board of directors for Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc., and as her firm’s hiring chair.
Yonatan Zamir, 48, of Woodbridge: Zamir graduated from University of Illinois and received his Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law. He is currently a staff attorney at New Haven Legal Assistance Association, where his focus is on housing law and eviction prevention. He also co-teaches the Reentry Clinic at Yale Law School, through which he supervises students in serving clients facing barriers to reentry in areas such as housing and employment, as well as in assisting those clients’ seeking pardons or criminal conviction erasure. Prior to coming to Connecticut, he served as counsel to a member of Congress and a Congressional committee. He started his legal career at the Legal Aid Society of New York.
The two family support magistrate nominees include:
Benedict R. Daigle, 43, of Cromwell: Daigle obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Connecticut, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He currently serves as an assistant public defender, legislative/family magistrate for the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services. Prior to that, he held roles with the City of Hartford, the Connecticut Association for Community Action, and other government and nonprofit entities. He serves in several roles within the Connecticut Bar Association, including as a member of the House of Delegates and Board of Governors and co-chair of the Legal Aid and Public Defense Committee. He has served as a board member of various nonprofit organizations.
LeeAnn Neal, 39, of Waterbury: Neal graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. She is currently an assistant attorney general in the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, serving in the child protection section. In this role, she represents the Connecticut Department of Children and Families in state court proceedings. Prior to her current position, she worked as a staff attorney at the Center for Children’s Advocacy, where she advocated for youth in education and delinquency cases. She also previously served as an assistant state’s attorney with the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, representing the state in both adult criminal and juvenile delinquency matters in the New Britain and Waterbury Judicial Districts.
The three workers’ compensation administrative law judge nominees include:
Michael L. Anderson, 54, of North Stonington: Anderson graduated from the University of New Hampshire and the University of Connecticut, and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law School. He is currently a trial lawyer with Anderson Trial Lawyers in Norwich, where he represents injured workers in the Workers’ Compensation Commission and those seriously injured due to the negligence of others. He currently serves as chairman of the Town of North Stonington Board of Finance. He has been practicing law for more than 20 years.
Christine Conley, 42, of Groton: Conley graduated from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts. She is currently an attorney with McGann, Bartlett and Brown, LLC, where she represents employers and municipalities in defending work-related injuries. She has experience in worker’s compensation and personal injury, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. She is a Connecticut board certified workers’ compensation specialist. She formerly worked for Embry, Neusner and Arscott, and the Law Offices of Lori M. Comforti, representing individuals with workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. Prior to representing individuals, she was an associate at Murphy and Beane. From 2017 to 2025, she served the 40th Assembly District of Groton and New London in the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Colette Griffin, 66, of Newtown: Griffin graduated from the University of Bridgeport and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac School of Law. She is currently a partner with Strunk Dodge Aiken Zovas and has served as the chair of both the workers’ compensation and animal law sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. She was previously a partner with Howd and Ludorf, LLC, where she began and ran their workers’ compensation practice. She serves on the workers’ compensation legal advisory and medical advisory committees.
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago businessman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in mortgage and vehicle loans and using stolen identities to secure credit from financial institutions.
YALE SCHIFF fraudulently obtained mortgage loans, vehicle loans, lines of credit, and credit cards by making false statements to financial institutions regarding his employment, income, and encumbrances on the collateral he pledged for the loans. After obtaining the loans, Schiff filed false documents with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, causing the fraudulent release of the liens. Schiff then pocketed the loan proceeds, causing losses to the lenders. Schiff used the same mortgaged properties for multiple loans, each time fraudulently removing the lien and keeping the proceeds.
Schiff used various false and stolen identities to carry out his fraud scheme. Schiff bought vehicles under the false identities and fraudulently removed liens on the cars before selling them for a profit. He also opened bank accounts and lines of credit using the false identities and other aliases, funding the accounts with advances from other fraudulently obtained lines of credit and credit cards. In one instance, Schiff used a credit card issued in the name of an elderly woman whom he knew was in a memory care facility at the time, and in another instance he used a credit card issued in the name of a friend who had passed away.
Schiff, 50, of Riverwoods, Ill., pleaded guilty in 2023 to a federal bank fraud charge. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland on Jan. 16, 2025, ordered Schiff to pay $2,955,954 in restitution.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Ruth Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
“Defendant, over the course of at least 13 years, engaged in a calculated, sustained, prolonged, multi-faceted scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions, individual buyers of property, and individuals whose identity he used,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri H. Mecklenburg argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant’s conduct was prolonged, willful, and widespread.”
Schiff’s brother, JASON SCHIFF, of Lincolnwood, Ill., and a business associate, DAVID IZSAK, of Chicago, were also charged as part of the federal investigation. Jason Schiff pleaded guilty to causing a false report and statement to be made to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Jason Schiff was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $306,610 in restitution. A jury convicted Izsak on ten counts of financial institution fraud. Izsak is awaiting sentencing.
A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced January 24, 2025, to one year in federal prison.
Pablo Perez-Chavez, age 24, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 29, 2024, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported following a conviction for an aggravated felony.
At the guilty plea, Perez-Chavez admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Perez-Chavez was convicted in January 2023 in the Northern District of Iowa of possession of a firearm by an alien, served 10 months’ imprisonment and placed on a three-year term of supervised release before being deported in May 2023. On July 15, 2024, immigration officials learned Perez-Chavez had illegally returned to the United States after Perez-Chavez reported to the Linn County Jail to serve a state OWI sentence. Perez-Chavez was also charged with violating the terms of his supervised release by reentering the United States without permission.
Perez-Chavez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Perez-Chavez was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Perez-Chavez was also sentenced to four months’ imprisonment to be served consecutively for violating the terms of his supervised release on his prior firearm conviction. There is no parole in the federal system.
Perez-Chavez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
There is a palpable sense of fear among environmentalists and those concerned about climate change following Trump’s re-election. His “drill baby drill” support for fossil fuels in the U.S. and frequent criticisms of renewable energy suggest that the world can expect to see a U.S. government that is far less interested in addressing climate change.
In addition to leaving the Paris deal, Trump is likely to peel back the climate change elements of former president Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and disempower the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Trump’s nominee to head the EPA, Lee Zeldin, has promised to “pursue energy dominance.” Meanwhile, Chris Wright, Trump’s choice for energy secretary, is the CEO of Liberty Energy, a fracking company.
Despite the challenges a second Trump administration is likely to bring, Canada can continue to address climate change by working with sub-national leadership in the U.S.
Donald Trump signs an executive order withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement.
U.S. states still making progress
There are clear indications that Trump will move to dismantle key environmental policies. A dominant Trump adviser, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has indicated his support for removing US$7,500 tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs), apparently viewing it as a way to undermine Tesla competitors.
Canada must accelerate its own transition to a low-carbon economy by supporting renewable energy initiatives in engineering, construction, transportation and carbon sequestration.
Renewable energy opportunities that align with U.S. interests exist, and can be pursued irrespective of Trump’s policies. For example, Canada has an opportunity, jointly with the U.S., to expand our mutual critical mineral industry.
Electrification is set to proceed apace regardless of the political leanings of governments, and the transformation of transportation from fossil fuels to electricity and battery power will require vast amounts of lithium, a mineral Canada has in large quantities. It will also require large investments in cutting-edge battery technology, which is a key limitation to green electrification.
Considering both the need for these minerals and how tightly integrated the auto industry is in North America, such integration of supply chains fits within Trump’s general goal of reducing reliance on China. Canada can leverage this role to try to ensure it captures key portions of the supply chain that will create good jobs, particularly as oil demand inevitably winds down.
Canada could also be a key partner in expanding nuclear energy production. We understand the resistance many have to this suggestion, but it’s worth reconsidering given the intermittency of renewable energy such as wind and solar.
By taking these steps, Canada could make significant contributions to helping tackle climate change both in North America and around the world.
Andy Hira is the Director of the Clean Energy Research Group based at Simon Fraser University. The group has received funding from the Willow Grove Foundation and SFU.
John J Clague 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.
As is the usual practice in leadership bids, each has sought to advance competing visions tied to their personal credentials and desirability as candidates.
In contrast, Carney has framed himself as a pragmatic outsider. To his supporters, his monetary management of both Brexit and the 2008 financial crisis shows he can effectively address Canada’s economic challenges while remaining above the apparent politicking, ideological excesses and questionable policy decisions of the Trudeau years.
The importance of the ground game
It’s difficult to say for certain who is most likely to prevail. Most polls suggest many Liberals are still undecided, although Carney and Freeland are at the same level of support among Canadian voters at large.
The incredibly short timeline for the race — voters need to be registered as Liberals by the end of today to vote for a leader — does not provide enough time for discernible trends to emerge. Despite the focus on the personality of the candidates, the Liberal leadership will be won or lost on the basis of “ground-game” organization — that is, who can identify, register and mobilize the greatest number of supporters.
At this point, however, it’s safe to say that Carney has an advantage. Compared to Freeland, he has secured the endorsements of most senior cabinet ministers, including Francois-Philippe Champagne, Melanie Joly, Steven Guilbeault, Harjit Sajjan and Jonathan Wilkinson. This provides not only legitimacy but, far more importantly, greater organizational prowess.
Also important is the fact that, in an environment of anti-Trudeau sentiment, he has much more — though not complete — distance from the incumbent government. It’s difficult to see how Freeland, regardless of her experience, can effectively avoid associations with the consequences of the past or existing policies that she herself was instrumental in bringing about.
Of course, Carney has his own challenges. He will likely have to clarify his relationship with the departing Trudeau government. Since 2020, the precise nature of his role as an informal policy adviser to the prime minister — including as the chair of a task force on economic growth — remains a mystery.
And for all of his emphasis on the importance of good policy, the substance of his actual, announced policy proposals are thin, including an ambiguous stance on the carbon tax.
Impressive resumé
Nonetheless, Carney simply has far more flexibility and potential than the more rigid limitations of Freeland’s candidacy. When compared to Freeland, Carney’s pitch to Canadians seems, at least on paper, to be a much smarter response to Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.
His impressive resumé has the potential to be a strong, substantive contrast to the sloganeering that has so far been offered by the Conservatives. Carney could represent a reasonable alternative to voters who, while desiring change, aren’t sold on Poilievre.
But can Carney really reverse the fortunes of the Liberal Party? Although the next leader of the party is guaranteed to be Canada’s 24th prime minister, they face near Herculean odds in establishing a term that will last more than a couple of weeks due the near certainty of a non-confidence vote in Parliament after it resumes on March 24, 15 days after the Liberal convention.
Poilievre’s Conservatives are well over 20 points ahead in public opinion polls as they benefit from an anti-incumbent sentiment that, although commonly expressed in a personal dislike for Trudeau, is really about a deeper discontent with Canada’s structural and economic challenges.
While Carney’s outsider status may inspire the Liberal faithful, his electoral performance is more likely to highlight the drawbacks of political inexperience. Although he has potential in terms of political skills, he may not have the time to realize that potential.
Past Liberal leaders
Historically, and to a greater degree than the Conservatives, the Liberals have been successful at recruiting leaders with accomplishments outside of partisan electoral politics.
The difference, however, is that — with the exception of academic Michael Ignatieff in 2011 — each of these former leaders had some, albeit limited, experience. They may have been recruited for their potential as future prime ministerial candidates, but each accumulated the requisite political experience.
Carney, on the other hand, has never run for office nor made any public interjections into partisan conflicts.
Special skill set
Electoral politics requires a special skill set that, unless it comes naturally, can only be learned through experience. It requires a unique combination of policy aptitude, communication ability, emotional intelligence, coalition-building and raw instinct.
Those qualities are honed with frequent exposure to voters, whether through stump speeches, stakeholder meetings or community barbecues. Carney simply does not have these experiences.
And faced with an anti-incumbent mood, his administrative experience may be casting him not as an interesting outsider, but as a technocratic voice of the very economic, political and cultural elite who Canadians are upset with.
Sam Routley 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.
The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will provide a crucial space to focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability.
This Annual Meeting will welcome over 100 governments, all major international organizations, 1000 Forum’s Partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets.
The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in Nature Medicine estimates heat and cold related deaths in Europe as a result of climate change.
Dr Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, Lecturer at the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, said:
Is this good quality research? Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?
“The study is of high quality, offering a thorough assessment of future scenarios regarding net changes in temperature-related mortality, factoring in various climate, demographic, and adaptation scenarios. Its conclusions are strongly supported by solid data. However, it’s important to note that the applicability of these results is primarily limited to European urban settings.”
What does this study add to our understanding of heat/cold deaths after climate change? Was there doubt before now that on balance deaths would increase in Europe with warmer temperatures?
“Previous estimates based on historical data have suggested that for every heat-related death, there are roughly 10 cold-related deaths. This raises important questions about the net impact of temperature changes due to anthropogenic climate change. This new study underscores a crucial point: without any adaptation to temperature, projections suggest that temperature-related deaths are likely to increase overall, with heat-related deaths surpassing cold-related ones. A related study in Europe also highlighted the significance of mitigation efforts in shaping this net effect, noting that in the most extreme scenarios, mitigation could lead to a positive outcome, balancing the impact of temperature change (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(21)00150-9/fulltext).”
What does the study tell us about excess heat deaths even under relatively optimistic scenarios?
“In the most optimistic scenario—warming is kept below 2°C—while assuming no adaptation to heat, heat-related deaths are projected to outnumber cold-related deaths by 12 per 100,000 person years in 2050-2054. By the end of the century, this gap is expected to widen, with heat-related deaths potentially exceeding cold-related deaths by 50 per 100,000 person years.
“It is clear a hotter world is a more dangerous world. With every fraction of a degree of warming, we will also face increased spread of mosquito-transmitted disease and more intense extreme weather, among other threats to human health.”
Dr Luke Parsons, Applied Climate Modeling Scientist, Global Science, The Nature Conservancy, said:
“I appreciate that this study used different temperature-mortality relationships for different age groups, because we know that different age groups in different locations can respond differently to temperature extremes.
“Additionally, these researchers derived local temperature-mortality relationships and did not extrapolate spatially to grossly different geographies- for example, many studies have tried to estimate global temperature-related mortality changes under warming, but we these studies often lack data for most of Africa (outside of South Africa) and many other countries, so studies often have to make very broad assumptions about how people will react to temperatures without concrete local health data to validate form relationships.
“Despite these strengths, something I worry about that I didn’t see addressed in this paper:
“Heat waves are often associated with increases in deaths, but many studies also find increased deaths in cold times of year, concluding that cold season deaths are due to colder temperatures; therefore, as the globe warms and the cold season becomes warmer, we should see decreases in deaths. However, a variety of other factors could lead to cold-season deaths (such as respiratory infections during the cold season)- if we are indeed over-counting cold-season deaths and their potential reductions in a warmer world, the net impacts of increasing temperatures could result in even larger numbers of early deaths than studies like this estimate. However, we also don’t know how humans will react to the heat- as far as I can tell, these studies don’t take into account migration (for example, do people leave exceedingly hot areas in southern Europe in a warmer world?) or other possible factors- although they do try to account for potential adaptation.
“Additionally, as the authors acknowledge, the health data are aggregated to the city level, and within cities, people can respond quite differently in disparate neighborhoods to temperature extremes depending on social networks, income, housing, and other factors. We have this problem with health data in the US often as well- to keep data anonymous, it is often aggregated, but then we lose really important local information about how more and less vulnerable areas within cities are being impacted by climate change.”
Dr Matthew Maley, Lecturer in Environmental Ergonomics at Loughborough University, said:
Is this good quality research? Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?
“The study should be commended for accounting for variations in demographics (i.e. age) whilst presenting various future climate change scenarios in various adaptation scenarios.”
What does this study add to our understanding of heat/cold deaths after climate change? Was there doubt before now that on balance deaths would increase in Europe with warmer temperatures?
“This study confirms a consistent trend of increasing heat-related deaths, particularly under high-warming scenarios. The study also extends what we know by including European regions not included in previous studies.”
The study focuses on a relatively low mitigation and adaptation scenario – (SSP3-7.0) – can you comment on this? How likely/unlikely is it considered to be?
“It’s certainly a pessimistic scenario but one that could be our reality given current emission trajectories and failure to achieve our international climate change goals.”
What does the study tell us about excess heat deaths even under relatively optimistic scenarios?
“The more optimistic scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5) predict an increase in heat-related deaths, though to a lesser extent than SSP3-7.0. This emphasises that adaptation measures must accompany mitigation efforts to manage heat-related health impacts effectively.”
The study suggests that a significant amount of these deaths could be reduced with adaptation. In the cities where the largest death tolls are predicted (Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Madrid, Milan, Athens), what kinds of adaptation measures would be most effective?
“Effective adaptation measures for these Mediterranean cities could include:
Increase green space to enhance urban ventilation and implement reflective building materials.
Develop early warning systems akin to storm warning systems.
Targeted interventions for vulnerable populations (e.g. older adults).
Encourage behaviour change (e.g. advise to not go outdoors in peak temperatures).”
Dr Christopher Callahan, Postdoctoral Scholar in Earth System Science, Stanford University, said:
“This study is an impressive synthesis of heat- and cold-related mortality across Europe. While climate change may reduce cold-related deaths in winter, these results are unambiguous that increased heat-related mortality will outweigh these potential benefits, with an escalating death toll for every degree of global warming.
“One limitation of this study is that their numbers only account for about 40% of the population of the countries analyzed. The total death toll of climate change in these countries is likely substantially greater than these numbers indicate.
“One of the scenarios the authors examine is SSP3-7.0, which is a scenario of relatively high warming. While the most extreme emissions scenarios appear less likely today than previously, we should not discount the potential for very high levels of warming even given current climate policy. Many countries are on track to miss their stated emissions targets, and the rise of the second Trump administration in the United States may impede further progress on emissions reductions.”
Dr Raquel Nunes, Assistant Professor in Health and Environment at the University of Warwick Medical School, said:
“The findings of this study have serious implications for public health. As climate change leads to more extreme heat events, the number of heat-related deaths is expected to rise, putting additional pressure on healthcare systems. Vulnerable groups, such as older adults, those with chronic illnesses, and low-income communities, will be at the highest risk. Without strong adaptation measures, public health systems could struggle to cope with the increased demand for emergency services and hospital admissions.
“To protect public health, governments and policymakers need to invest in early warning systems, public education campaigns, and infrastructure improvements to help individuals stay cool and safe. Health professionals must also be trained to recognise and respond to heat-related illnesses. Additionally, social policies that provide support for vulnerable populations, such as access to cooling centres and affordable healthcare, will be essential in reducing the impact of extreme temperatures.
“This study highlights the urgent need for a coordinated public health response to climate change, focusing on prevention, preparedness, and adaptation to reduce future health risks. A significant proportion of current and future heat-related illnesses and deaths is preventable. What is essential now is the development and implementation of policies and actions aimed at minimising both morbidity and mortality.”
Prof Tim Osborn, Director of the Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (UEA), said:
“Cold weather and hot weather kill tens of thousands of people across Europe every year. Climate change is bringing less severe cold weather but more frequent hot weather, but it isn’t yet known if that means more or fewer people will die from temperature-related deaths in future. The clear finding of this new research is that the net effect of climate change will be more temperature-related deaths in future. Put bluntly, the increase in hot weather will kill more people than the decrease in cold weather will save.”
“While this new study isn’t the final say on the matter, and more research will certainly refine and could still change the overall prediction of future temperature-related deaths, it does break new ground by scrutinizing people’s vulnerability to extreme temperatures by age and by city to a much better level of detail than previous work. This extra level of detail ought to make the new study’s results more reliable.”
“This study also confirms two more general features about climate change. First, the harm from climate change impacts people very unevenly (in this case, with far greater increases in temperature-related deaths predicted for southern Europe than for northern Europe, where milder winters may even reduce the number of deaths). Second, we can greatly reduce the harm from climate change by adaptation — making changes that increase our resilience to extreme weather — but these adaptations are far more successful if we also limit the amount of climate change that we are faced with by accelerating the move away from fossil fuels as our primary energy source.”
Prof Simon Gosling, Professor of Climate Risks & Environmental Modelling at University of Nottingham, said:
“This is a high quality study that uses established modelling methods. It shows an increase in the overall number of deaths from temperature due to future global warming could be avoided if society makes big adaptations to heat. However, we are talking about a really big level of adaptation here – a level where the risk of dying from the heat is half of what it is nowadays. The models aren’t specific about how such a high level of adaptation could be achieved in reality. The way that this might be seen in the real world is through a combination of societal adjustments – in our cities, our homes, public services and work environments. Examples include increasing the amount of green spaces in our cities to help keep them cool, providing cooling centres where people can get relief from the heat, changing our work environments and work policies so that people are at less risk from heat stress at work, and by ensuring the people most vulnerable to heat are cared for and protected. There are some great examples of how this is starting to happen, but it’s a challenge that society has to rise to and achieve at scale, because this study very clearly shows that without high levels of adaptation, we are looking at an overall increase in deaths due to temperature in the future. Reducing global warming is also really important – lowering greenhouse gas emissions will help to significantly lessen the blow on society if we don’t achieve the high levels of adaptation needed to avoid an increase in deaths in the future.”
‘Estimating future heat-related and cold-related mortality under climate change, demographic and adaptation scenarios in 854 European cities’ by Pierre Masselot et al. was published in Nature Medicine at 16:00 UK time on Monday 27 January 2025.
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03452-2
Declared interests
Professor Tim Osborn: No interests to declare.
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Jointly organised by City of Wolverhampton Council and Interfaith Wolverhampton, the event honoured the victims of Holocaust, Nazi persecution and other genocides recognised by the UK government such as Bosnia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Darfur and the Yazidi genocide.
This year’s theme, for a better future, served as a reminder that people must not forget the past and learn to ensure they take the correct actions to build a more inclusive and fairer society. This year’s event also marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia, bringing people from across the city to reflect on the lessons of the past and to hear stories of survivors through advocates.
The ceremony featured an address from His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant of West Midlands, Rajinder Mann OBE, and the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Linda Leach who spoke about the importance of the memorial day, and its relevance to Wolverhampton.
Powerful readings shared by community members and representatives of the council highlighted the ongoing fight against prejudice and discrimination, while a wreath laying and reading of the Kaddish Prayer provided moments for reflection and remembrance.
Mayor Councillor Leach said: “Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 is both a call to reflection and a call to action. Together, we remember the darkest chapters in human history, the Holocaust, the genocide in Bosnia, and others like them.
“I am inspired by the courage of those who share their stories, stories of survival, of loss and of hope. These voices guide us in our efforts to ensure that future generations understand the devastating consequences of hatred and division.”
The event concluded with a blessing by the Bishop of Wolverhampton Tim Wambunya. More pictures from the event can be found at Flickr.
Published: January 21, 2025Last Updated: January 27, 2025
WASHINGTON – Immigration and the demonizing of immigrants was central to President Trump’s 2024 election campaign and since his re-election, he and his staff have aggressively pursued immigration enforcement but also to reshape the nation’s immigration laws. The proposals include promises to carry out the largest deportation program in American history, attempt to end birthright citizenship, and overturn a 13-year policy that has kept Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from executing raids in “sensitive areas” such as K-12 public schools.
Educators, students, and families are understandably concerned about the safety of their families and communities especially with an administration that calls children – students – criminals. Children exercising their right to attend public schools are not criminals and no one should demonize them for political gain.
That is why the National Education Association, on behalf of its more than three million members, put together this NEA comprehensive immigration guide to help schools and communities prepare for the onslaught of immigration actions by the Trump administration.
NEA President Becky Pringle noted when issuing the guidance:
“As educators, we are united in supporting every student—no matter the language they speak or their place of birth – and ensuring they have access to safe, welcoming public schools. Tragically, for our nation, the incoming Trump administration is committed to a mass deportation agenda that will inflict irreversible harm on our students, their families and communities.
“As educators, we have accepted the sacred responsibility to protect students—every single student, regardless of their immigration status—and to protect families and communities. We have a professional and moral responsibility to keep our students safe, especially if, and when, Trump sends ICE into our communities. We remain committed to using the power and strength of the largest labor union in the country to ensure every public school is a safe space for every student, and to uphold the constitutionally protected right of all students to access a public education.”
To that end, the guidance lays out information regarding immigration and schools, including information around enrollment issues, Plyler v. Doe, and Safe Zones resolutions, how educators can legally and safely engage in immigration advocacy, a FAQ around mass raids, a Know Your Rights guide around immigration enforcement, and an update on the DACA program.
The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more atwww.nea.org
Published: January 27, 2025Last Updated: January 27, 2025
NEA President Becky Pringle issued the following statement in response to these unprecedented and harmful actions.
“Donald Trump and extreme politicians want to shut the door to equal educational opportunities for all children by attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs on public college and university campuses and beyond. This is just the latest example of how these politicians seek to turn back the clock and ensure that students who speak a different language, who are first-generation Americans, or who go by a different pronoun are no longer welcome and supported. These unwarranted attacks on DEI will have a chilling effect on programs that provide equity and opportunity for all Americans.
“The relentless assault on DEI supports and programs are the latest boogeyman for far-right politicians and their allies. They go hand in hand with their efforts to whitewash history, to ban books about important figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, and to silence the voices of educators who teach about uncomfortable truths in our schools. They are weaponizing the federal government to roll back civil rights protections that have been in place since the Lyndon B. Johnson administration.
“Let’s not let politicians distract us from their failures to fully fund public education, and from addressing the important issues for parents and families such as keeping students safe from gun violence, providing adequate resources for their public schools, and fixing the educator shortage and pay issues, to name a few. We know what’s at stake. That’s why we are coming together — parents, students, educators, and social justice advocates —to fight for all our students’ right to be seen and supported, and to have the resources they need to live into their brilliance.”
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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more atwww.nea.org
Minister Loewen will attend the Jagd and Hund Show in Dortmund, Germany from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2.
While in Germany, Minister Loewen and his team will connect with outdoor enthusiasts from around the world and promote the upcoming auction of Minister’s Special Licences for elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn, cougar, whitetail deer and wild turkey.
The auction will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah from Feb. 15 to 16. Funds raised from the auction will be used within Alberta for conservation initiatives and the management of big game species.
The recipients of the Minister’s Special Licence will be eligible to hunt year-round for one animal of the species associated with their tag from a Wildlife Management Area that has an existing hunting season for the species.
“Alberta is a breathtaking destination for any outdoor enthusiast looking to enjoy hunting, angling or countless other recreation opportunities. I’m excited to promote our province as a ‘must-see’ destination for nature-based recreation.”
Minister will be joined by two government staff. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.
Itinerary for Minister Loewen
Jan. 28
Travel to Dortmund, Germany.
Jan. 28 – Feb. 1
Attend the Jagd und Hund Show.
Meetings with international outdoor enthusiasts and European wildlife management agencies.
Feb. 2
Return to Alberta.
*Subject to change.
Quick facts
The Minister’s Special Licence was created in 1995 and offers a unique opportunity each year for non-resident and resident hunters, via auction and raffle, to hunt certain game species with enhanced season lengths and an expanded hunting area.
Eight Minister’s Special Licences will be sold at auction in 2025, each valid for a different game species.
Holders of a Minister’s Special Licence are allowed to hunt year-round for the species associated with their tag. Harvest must occur from a Wildlife Management Area that has an existing hunting season for that species.
Last year, more than $1.2 million was raised by the Minister’s Special License program, supporting conservation projects in Alberta.
The holder of the Minister’s Special Licence is required to follow all applicable legislation, regulations, and municipal by-laws – including weapons use restrictions.
The Government of Saskatchewan, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Literacy Network (SLN) and Family Literacy Hubs, is pleased to proclaim January 27, 2025, as Family Literacy Day and January 25 to 31, 2025, as Family Literacy Week. This annual initiative highlights the importance of literacy in everyday family life.
“Family literacy is fundamental to developing strong language and communication skills in our children and helps increase the quality of life and success in education,” Education Minister Everett Hindley said. “This week provides an opportunity for families to explore the many ways literacy can be incorporated into daily activities.”
In 2024-25, the government has allocated more than $1.1 million for literacy initiatives, which includes $593,000 to support family literacy programming for nine Family Literacy Hubs around the province. The hubs work to raise literacy levels by increasing public awareness of family literacy and developing sustainable and quality family literacy programs together with community organizations.
In celebration of Family Literacy Week, the Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to support Family Literacy Hubs across the province with this year’s selected book, “Fox and Bear” by Saskatchewan author and artist Miriam Körner. The book follows fox and bear as they explore their connection to the forest, aligning with this year’s national theme for Literacy Week, “Learn to be Green, Together.”
Gravelbourg-based Collège Mathieu will again provide province-wide French language family literacy programming and resources related to the 2025 theme of “Apprendre à être vert, ensemble” using the book, “La mélodie des petits fruits” by author and artist Michaela Goade. The book portrays a girl and her grandmother gathering gifts from the earth. For more information, please contact Mamady Camara at Collège Mathieu at education.saskatoon@collegemathieu.sk.ca.
Regional Family Literacy Hubs and their partners have also organized events during Family Literacy Week. To find the Hub in your area, please visit: www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/education-and-learning/literacy-in-saskatchewan.
“Family Literacy Day and Family Literacy Week are wonderful reminders that learning happens everywhere: in the kitchen, at the park, or when sorting recycling,” SLN Executive Director Phaedra Hitchings said. “As families, we build skills and create special moments together when we create tasty recipes from leftovers, explore nature, or find new ways to reuse materials. This year’s theme is a fun way to connect literacy with our everyday eco-friendly choices.”
Family Literacy Week activities are designed to encourage playful and age-appropriate learning. The Ministry of Education encourages families to participate and make literacy part of their everyday lives.
More information about Family Literacy Day, family literacy resources and literacy initiatives in Saskatchewan can be found on the SLN website at www.saskliteracy.ca/familyliteracyday.
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WASHINGTON —The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that it has completed its initial implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order to end DEI within the federal government.
To date, VA has placed nearly 60 employees who had been solely focused on diversity, equity and inclusion activities on paid administrative leave. The combined annual salary (base pay, locality pay and additional earnings) of these employees totals more than $8 million, an average of more than $136,000/year per employee. One such employee is making more than $220,000 per year.
Additionally, VA has identified several contracts for DEI-related trainings, materials and other consulting services, which the department is currently working to cancel. The combined value of these contracts totals more than $6.1 million.
In the coming weeks and months, VA will be working to reallocate these resources to better support the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors the department exists to serve.
VA is also in the process of taking down a variety of DEI-related media from its various digital properties.
“Under President Trump, VA is laser-focused on providing the best possible care and benefits to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. We are proud to have abandoned the divisive DEI policies of the past and pivot back to VA’s core mission. We look forward to reallocating the millions of dollars the department was spending on DEI programs and personnel to better serve the men and women who have bravely served our nation,” said VA Director of Media Affairs Morgan Ackley.
Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Contact us online through Ask VA
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Artefacts from a Celtic chariot found at RAF Valley have been officially declared treasure.
Horse bridle-bit from c60AD found at RAF Valley. Copyright: Photography by Harvey Mills.
2,000-year-old Iron Age artefacts declared national treasure
Historic finds discovered by military personnel and veterans
Treasures from RAF Valley will now be gifted to the Museum of Wales
Long-lost Iron Age artefacts discovered by military personnel and veterans have been declared as treasure.
Parts of a Celtic chariot, thought to be around 2,000 years old, were discovered underneath the airfield at RAF Valley in Anglesey during an excavation by military personnel and veterans.
The Senior Coroner for North Wales (West) has now declared these discoveries as treasure. They will now be gifted to Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, which is home to several items from the initial Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard.
The archaeological excavations took place in April 2024 and were led by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). The investigation also included personnel and veterans from Operation Nightingale, a DIO initiative which supports the health and wellbeing of military personnel and veterans.
Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP said:
Operation Nightingale is an innovative and award-winning programme that consistently shows the benefits that archaeology can offer to military personnel and veterans.
Congratulations to those who carried out the excavation and made this exciting discovery. Through their hard work, we are uncovering and preserving our history for future generations.
The scheme sees injured and sick personnel and veterans taking part in archaeological investigations across the defence estate, providing unique experiences within the field. The finds are believed to form part of the famed Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard, originally uncovered in the 1940s during work to extend the airfield at RAF Valley for American bombers during the Allied war effort. The hoard is one of the most important collections of Iron Age artefacts discovered in the UK, comprising over 150 bronze and iron objects deposited between 300BC and 100AD.
Among the new finds was a terret ring which would have been used to guide the reins of a Celtic chariot, featuring a red decorative inlay. The ring, found by retired RAF Squadron Leader David Ulke, is one of just 3 found with this particular decoration in Wales. A horse bridle-bit thought to date to c60AD was also found by serving RAF Flight Sergeant Graham Moore. Similar to those from the Polden Hill hoard found in Somerset, the bridle-bit would have been worn by horses pulling Iron Age chariots.
DIO’s Senior Archaeologist, Richard Osgood, said:
These finds at RAF Valley are extremely exciting for all involved; the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard is of national importance for Wales, and the United Kingdom as a whole. These new discoveries have confirmed the suspicions of earlier archaeologists that there was more to be found from this particular hoard.
It’s great that the personnel and veterans who take part in Operation Nightingale continue to be rewarded with finds of such historical importance. I am proud that the initiative plays a part in supporting personnel and veterans in their recovery and it’s fantastic to see the wonderful impact of this project.
The Operation Nightingale team was given special permissions to carry out the excavation by RAF Valley ahead of refurbishment works on the site’s airfield. Construction for these improvements began in September 2024.
Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) David Ulke, finder of the terret ring, said:
We’d been briefed on the sort of things we could expect to find, so when I uncovered the piece, I was pretty sure it was an Iron Age terret ring. To say I was the over the moon is probably an understatement! I’ve been involved in archaeology for many years and this was by far the most significant recovery I have ever made.
The fact that Operation Nightingale can bring together service personnel through archaeological digs shows how healing and helpful archaeology can be. It’s by no means a silver bullet, but many have benefitted, and I for one am one of those grateful beneficiaries.
Flt Sgt Graham Moore, finder of the bridle-bit, said:
The search for the lost hoard was hard work and we had a huge area to cover. It wasn’t until the final day – with just 10 minutes to go – that I discovered the horse bridle-bit. At first the team thought I was joking, but quickly realised I’d found something special. Words could not explain how I felt in that moment, but it was a wonderful experience.
I’ve been involved in lots of Operation Nightingale digs now, and the experience truly is priceless for the veterans and service personnel taking part.
Station Commander at RAF Valley, Group Captain Gez Currie OBE, said:
It is incredible that we are again reminded of the significance of the site on the doorstep of RAF Valley and the importance it has in Welsh history. It was the preparation of RAF Valley in the 1940s to help prevent invasion, that brought to light the significance of this location and its links to an earlier invasion by the Romans.
The importance of RAF Valley to UK Defence today is beyond question, but this is a reminder that we are part of a continuum spanning over 2,000 years and we must be responsible stewards of this land. We are immensely proud to be part of efforts to discover and conserve these important artefacts from Welsh history and equally delighted that our own service personnel have been so intimately involved in these efforts.
Senior Curator of Prehistory at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, Adam Gwilt, said:
It is amazing to think that these 2,000 year old artefacts have remained so complete and well-preserved within a shallow peat deposit, previously moved and dragged onto the airfield over 80 years ago from a nearby ancient lake! The bridle-bit and terret are both of styles which are not represented amongst the original collection. They add important new information on the religious gifting of prized objects into the lake at the end of the Iron Age, a little before, or at around the time when the Roman Army invaded Anglesey.
It is great that these artefacts will be made accessible for display and public benefit at Oriel Môn. I look forward to working collaboratively in coming years with the museum, the heritage centre at RAF Valley and the Operation Nightingale team, so this great story can be celebrated and shared by all.
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day:
“On this sombre day, we honour the memory of the more than six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. We remember the many others persecuted by the Nazis because of their race, creed, religion, politics, sexual identity and perceived disability. This day is also a time to honour survivors and the people killed who were trying to defend those targeted by this poisonous ideology.
“Today marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, an event that showed a disbelieving world the monstrosity of mass murder, systemic starvation and other horrors inflicted on Jews across Europe.
“The number of survivors and witnesses lessens with each passing year, making it ever more important to listen to and learn from those who know too well what it means to confront evil. What must never be lost in the dizzying number is that each was an individual life cruelly extinguished.
“Our government is working with the Jewish community in British Columbia to ensure all high school students in the province learn about the Holocaust as part of their education about injustices and discriminatory practices in Canada and around the world.
“The terrorist attacks that killed more than 1,200 Israeli citizens in 2023 has been followed by a global increase in antisemitic acts, including here in our province. We must always confront and oppose such acts if we are to fulfil the solemn pledge of ‘Never again.’ Today and every day, we stand with the Jewish community.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The UK has sanctioned 9 individuals and defence sector entities in Belarus in coordination with Canada.
UK sanctions 6 individuals and 3 entities in coordinated action with alongside Canada, in an immediate response to rigged presidential election in Belarus.
Sanctions target leaders of institutions responsible for serious human rights violations and companies in the Belarusian defence sector supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Action demonstrates Government’s commitment to working internationally to deter threats and protect national security, a foundation in the government’s Plan for Change.
The Chairman of the Belarusian Central Election Commission is among 9 individuals and entities designated by the UK today (Monday 27 January) in a fresh wave of sanctions in response to yesterday’s sham election in Belarus.
Following Lukashenko’s brutal crackdown in which critical voices within Belarus have been silenced, yesterday’s sham election failed to meet international standards and has been condemned by international partners .
Alongside sanctioning leaders of institutions responsible for serious human rights violations in the country, the UK has excluded Belarusian defence companies from the UK economy– a sector of strategic importance to Lukashenko’s regime which is helping to facilitate Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Working with international partners to protect UK national security is essential to deliver the foundations of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:
The world has become well-accustomed to Lukashenko’s cynical pretence of democracy in Belarus, while in reality he brutally represses civil society and opposition voices to strengthen his grip on power.
The UK, alongside our partners, will continue to stand by the people of Belarus and expose those who deny them their legitimate right to freedom and democracy.
According to the Viasna Human Rights Centre, a Belarusian non-governmental organisation in exile, over 1250 political prisoners are incarcerated in Belarus, including civil society representatives, human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, religious leaders, and trade unionists. Many political prisoners are held in shocking conditions, facing isolation, mistreatment and a lack of medical care.
Today’s designations include Heads of ‘GUBOPiK’; one of the main security forces responsible for political persecution in Belarus. Individuals sanctioned today are:
Igor Vasilyevich KARPENKO – Chairman of the Belarusian Central Election Commission.
Viktor Alexandrovich DUBROVKA – Head of the Belarusian correctional institution Penal Colony No11, Vaukavysk
Pavel Ivanovich KAZAKOV – Head of the Belarusian correctional institution Prison No 1, Hrodno.
Andrey Mikhailovich TSEDRIK – Commanding Officer of Pre-trial Detention Centre (SIZO) No 1, Minsk.
Andrei Valerievich ANANENKO – Head of GUBOPiK.
Mikhail Petrovitch BEDUNKEVICH – Deputy Head of GUBOPiK.
Belarus has provided support for Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, allowing the use of its territory and airspace to launch attacks and provided kit and logistical support.
The three entities from Belarus’ defence sector sanctioned today are:
ALEVKURP OJSC – a company affiliated to the Government of Belarus specialising in research and development and manufacturing of radar systems and weapon control systems.
Legmash Plant JSC – a Belarusian company producing ammunition for the Belarusian defence sector.
KB Unmanned Helicopters (UAVHeli) – a Belarusian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developer and manufacturer.
Following the decision made by Liverpool City Council to undertake a new procurement exercise for the selection of a development partner for the Festival Garden Project, the Council and Ion Property Developments Limited have reached a mutually acceptable agreement that recognises Ion’s previous contribution to the development of the Project.
The decision to undertake a new procurement is in no way a reflection on ION’s competency or ability to deliver but has been driven by the constraints of the land sale method that both parties, in good faith, pursued together.
The Council has recently gone out to market to seek a developer for this prime waterfront scheme, which has the backing of Homes England and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and has already involved a massive remediation programme and the creation of Liverpool’s first public park of the century.
Liverpool City Council would like to thank Ion for all their work and wishes them well in their future endeavours.