“We heard you, Albertans.” With those words, Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean put coal mining in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains back on the table last December. Common sense might suggest Jean meant that Albertans are in favour of resuscitating metallurgical coal mining there, but that’s not the case.
Instead, the public strongly opposes reviving metallurgical coal mining — also known as coking coal mining — to supply Asian steelmakers. December’s Coal Industry Modernization Initiative sadly exemplifies what has become too common in politics today — using misinformation to try to win the public’s willingness to accept the unacceptable.
In this case, the government’s treatment of expert opinion compounds its misinformation. It’s blind to expert advice from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Australian government questioning the rosiness of metallurgical coal’s future.
Bringing coal miners back to Alberta’s Rockies was extremely contentious between 2020 and 2022. Jason Kenney’s Conservatives removed the de facto exploration and exploitation restrictions in place there since the 1970s. At the same time, Benga Mining Limited proposed to resume coal mining in southwest Alberta. Together, these events ignited a public furore.
Public opposition
Andrew Nikiforuk, a journalist whose books and articles focus on epidemics and the energy industry, was one of the first to bring coal miner ambitions to the public’s attention. He told me the outrage was “probably the most important environmental protest I have ever witnessed in this province.”
Benga’s Grassy Mountain project was summarily dismissed by government regulators in 2021. Eleven weeks before that decision, Alberta created the Coal Policy Committee. It consulted Albertans about the 2020 decision to invite coal miners to return to the Rockies.
The committee gave anyone with a view on coal — positive or negative — the opportunity to contribute to its deliberations. The response was impressive. The committee received nearly 4,400 pieces of correspondence, 176 detailed written submissions and conducted 67 virtual and public meetings.
The consultation confirmed what polling firms had already found: “A significant number of respondents are apprehensive about coal development in Alberta.”
Albertans didn’t believe coal’s economic benefits justified its risks to landscapes and water quality. Only eight per cent of those who answered the committee’s survey question about the economic benefits of coal mining felt they were very important; 64 per cent regarded those benefits as “not important at all.”
This unambiguous public opposition repeated what the federal-provincial review panel into Benga’s Grassy Mountain coal mine proposal revealed in 2020-2021. Ninety-eight per cent of the more than 4,400 public comments left on the review panel’s website opposed the proposal to bring coal mining back to the Crowsnest Pass.
Second, the committee concluded that land-use planning, with public consultation, needed to take place before a decision could be made about permitting coal exploration in the Rockies.
Premier Danielle Smith’s government hasn’t listened. It doesn’t intend to conduct the land-use planning called for by the committee.
Jean has also said he will consult industry — and only industry — as he tries to get his new policy in place this year. He promised “targeted” engagement with coal industry stakeholders. The public and other interests will be mere spectators.
Global coal demand is a myth
Alberta’s coal initiative has an optimistic view of future metallurgical coal demand.
Jean markets his proposal by saying Alberta coal is needed “given the current and anticipated future global demand for coal.” But the IAE doesn’t share that optimism. Nor do experts from the Australian government, the world’s largest exporter of metallurgical coal.
The IEA’s annual coal report is a benchmark for understanding the medium-term global outlook for coal. Its most recent report projects metallurgical coal production will fall by 4.2 per cent from 2024 to 2027. The IEA’s 2024 World Energy Outlook predicted steelmaking coal production would fall over the next two decades as steelmakers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2050, it expects world coking coal production to drop 35.8 per cent from the 2024 level.
Australia’s pre-eminence comes from producing 46 per cent of global metallurgical coal exports. The Australian government’s March 2025 Resources and Energy Quarterly confirms the general thrust of the IEA’s analyses. A slight increase in the amount of steel produced without metallurgical coal “will likely result in a slight fall in global metallurgical coal demand through to 2030.”
The IEA makes it clear that Australian producers don’t intend to relinquish market share willingly. Forty-seven Australian coal projects are in the pipeline, with most focused on metallurgical coal or metallurgical/thermal coal combined. Three-quarters of Australia’s metallurgical coal exports feed the Asian steel industry.
Then there’s Mongolia. After its “recent extraordinary export growth” into China, Mongolia now supplies nearly one-half of China’s imports. The country is the world’s second largest metallurgical coal exporter. Mongolia’s high-quality coal, proximity to China and improved rail infrastructure will make its production difficult to displace.
It’s unlikely, then, that new coal production from Alberta will gain easy access to Asian markets.
Alberta’s Coal Industry Modernization Initiative illustrates two dangerous trends in politics today — the refusal to heed both the public and experts.
The stakes here are large. Coal mining will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on the headwaters that serve people in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Smith’s Conservatives should in fact embrace common sense and the spirit of party policy from the 1970s. Prohibit coal mining in Alberta’s Rockies.
Ian Urquhart 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.
Today, the Water Security Agency announced it would be proactively self-declaring the Westside Irrigation Rehabilitation Project (WIRP) for a provincial environmental assessment.
“The Water Security Agency is committed to ensuring the environment is protected as this project develops through the provincial environmental assessment process,” Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Daryl Harrison said. “We are committed to engaging with rights holders and stakeholders in an open and transparent way and this formalizes the work that we have started.”
Baseline data collection and the planning and design work will go into a proposal, which is then submitted to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. Collecting feedback with rights holders and stakeholders through various engagements will help incorporate their input into the design of the project as part of the environmental assessment.
“Irrigation Saskatchewan is pleased to see this project moving forward and the government’s commitment to doing it in the right way,” Irrigation Saskatchewan Chair David Bagshaw said. “Our members are producers and strong stewards of the land they farm, and we believe in responsible irrigation expansion while protecting the environment.”
Announced in July 2024, the planning and engineering design work for WIRP is being worked on by Prairie Engineering Partners, a joint venture from Stantec and MPE engineering firms. Baseline work was commissioned as part of the environmental assessment field work for both aquatic and terrestrial components, including water quality and quantity.
WIRP has the potential to add 100,000 acres of irrigated land. A recent analysis of the 100,000 acre project was done by KPMG LLP. It shows an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $5.9 billion while generating over 30,000 jobs (person years of employment) and 9,500 jobs during the construction phase.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
Pfluger Fly-By: April 11, 2025
Washington, April 11, 2025
April 11, 2025
Friend,
Welcome back to the weekly Pfluger Fly-By, a collection of events and happenings to keep you updated on everything I am doing week by week to represent you in Congress.
This week, I voted in favor of the budget resolution to continue advancing our America First agenda, blocked noncitizens from voting, reined in district judges, participated in two full committee markups, joined a Punchbowl News event discussion on investing in America, met with several groups of Texans visiting Washington, and much more.
I have included some photos and highlights from the week. You can also find information on how my office can help you with any federal problems you may be having. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can ever be of assistance.
Best,
My Thoughts on the Budget Resolution
I voted in favor of the budget resolution that will allow Republicans to continue moving forward. While the measure was not perfect, it was a necessary step to implement President Trump’s agenda, and it gives us the ability to move legislation soon to cut government spending and prevent the largest tax hike in history for American families.
We have to look the American public in the eye and give them the confidence that we are committed to ensuring tax relief for working families and small businesses, reining in reckless federal spending, unleashing energy dominance, and making America safe again for this generation and the next – and continuing our momentum by passing the budget resolution does exactly that.
Blocking Noncitizens from Voting in U.S. Elections
This week, I voted in favor of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE)Act to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote in U.S. elections by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals to vote in a federal election. Lax voter registration laws across the country in places such as New York, Washington, D.C., California, and others threaten the integrity of our election system.
Voting for the SAVE Act should have been a simple, bipartisan, ‘yes’ vote from all Members of Congress, but unfortunately, that was not the case. Over 200 Democrats voted against the SAVE Act, proving that they will never support commonsense election reforms such as requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote. If an individual can’t provide identification to prove they are an American citizen, they should not be able to vote, plain and simple.
I was proud to vote ‘yes’ on this legislation and will continue to be a strong advocate for election reform in Congress. Last year, my legislation to prevent noncitizens from voting in D.C. passed by a bipartisan vote. I reintroduced this bill this Congress as well as two other election security bills.
Read more about my election security bill package by clicking the link here.
Ending the District Judges’ War on Presidential Authority
I joined my colleague Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) in penning a joint op-ed in Fox News on the No Rouge Rulings Act, which passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives this week. If signed into law, this legislation would rein in district judges’ war on presidential authority and keep them in their constitutional lane.
In the op-ed, we outline the dangerous overreach by unelected district judges who have relentlessly tried to block President Trump’s executive orders and actions, and how judicial decisions have increasingly undermined the will of the voters.
You can read the full piece here or by clicking the link below.
TAKE IT DOWN Act Passes Out of Energy and Commerce Committee
During the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s legislative markup this week, I spoke in support of my legislation, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support out of committee. This legislation would protect victims of deepfakes and would criminalize the publication of these harmful images.
We’ve heard time and again of the horrific stories of people ranging from celebrities to 14-year-old girls who have been victimized by this harmful content by strangers or even their peers. While AI has the potential to be harnessed for incredible things, there are far too many predators out there who abuse its power to exploit innocent people.
Watch my full remarks in support of the bill here or by clicking the image below.
Punchbowl News Event: Investing in America
This week, I also sat down with Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman during a Punchbowl News event to discuss the news of the day and how private capital is investing in America. We focused on the success private investment has had in Texas.
I love Texas. I love being from there. It is pro-business and pro-family, and companies know that they succeed when they come to Texas to start or continue operations.
You can watch the full conversation here or by clicking the image below.
Countering the Chinese Communist Party
I am proud to announce that my legislation, the Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025, and the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes passed out of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security this week and are now one step closer to becoming law.
Both of these bills will counter the Chinese Communist Party and their foothold on American soil. The CCP’s unacceptable acts of hostility are a direct challenge to our nation’s sovereignty, and Congress must respond appropriately to defend our national security. Watch my full remarks on the Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025 here or at the link below.
ICYMI: Sunday Morning Features on FOX News
I also joined Sunday Morning Features to discuss unleashing American energy in the Permian Basin. You can watch the full interview here or at the link below.
Meeting with Texans in Washington
This week, I met with several community leaders and partners in Washington, which is always a pleasure. Thank you all for taking the time to discuss how we can implement smart, commonsense policies to strengthen Texas-11!
Deadline Approaching Soon: 2025 Congressional Art Competition
My office is accepting submissions for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. This competition gives high school students from across Texas-11 the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building.
This year’s theme is ‘Texas to Me’ and students will have until April 21stto submit their artwork. Information on the Congressional Art Competition, including how to apply, can be found on the Congressman’s website by clicking here.
RULES
· Artwork must be two-dimensional and original in concept, design, and execution. Art must follow the theme of ‘Texas to Me.’
· The artwork’s dimensions can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:
· Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
· Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
· Collages: must be two-dimensional
· Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
· Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
· Computer-generated art
· Photographs
Students are highly encouraged to review the competition’s complete rules and regulations on our congressional website or contact Carol Cunningham in the Llano District Office atCarol.Cunningham@mail.house.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: If you are in need of assistance with a federal agency, my office is here to help. For more information, please visit our website HERE.
Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for daily updates.
Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street
Transparency data
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves’s schedule of taxable sources of income and gains 2023/24
Summary and explanation of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer’s tax affairs from 2023 to 2024.
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This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
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This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
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Details
Summary and explanation of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer’s tax affairs from 2023 to 2024. These cover their periods as Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Deputy Prime Minister and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) led the Florida Democrats in urging the new National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya to reverse cuts to life-saving medical research into treatments and cures for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. This drastic reduction in funding will hurt Florida families, eliminate thousands of Florida jobs, and cede American dominance in health research to our foreign competitors like China.
The lawmakers wrote, “We look forward to working with you to advance critical research that will improve the lives of countless Floridians and Americans. However, as members of the Florida Congressional delegation, we also write to express concern about the impact of NIH guidance (NOT-OD-25-068), stating that existing and new grant recipients will be subject to a 15 percent indirect cost rate. This policy would curtail the groundbreaking and life-saving research being done across the state of Florida by colleges and universities, cancer centers, health systems and more. Such a drastic cut in federal support for biomedical research would diminish our nation’s research capacity, slow scientific gains and harm access to patients and families across the country who benefit from NIH-funded research. While a nationwide temporary restraining order is in place, we implore you to permanently rescind this guidance.”
The lawmakers continued, “Indirect costs are an essential part of this federally funded research, supporting high-quality research with robust oversight mechanisms, critical safety measures and necessary infrastructure. There is a substantial cost associated with conducting research on behalf of the federal government, including state-of-the-art laboratory space and equipment, high-speed data processing, secure data storage, hazardous waste disposal, patient safety protocols, and utilities.”
In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, the NIH awarded the state of Florida $869 million in grants and contracts, which had a $2.82 billion economic impact and supported over 14,600 jobs.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs with the assistance of the Department’s Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) transferred 13 Mexican nationals, serving prison sentences for drug distribution-related convictions in the United States, to their home country on Friday.
“Friday’s transfer of 13 federal inmates to correctional authorities in Mexico has saved the United States over $3 million by eliminating the need to pay incarceration costs for the 75 years remaining on their combined sentences,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Justice Department’s International Prisoner Transfer Program, which is administered by the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, enhances offender rehabilitation, reduces incarceration costs, and relieves overcrowding in federal prisons. The transfer is pursuant to the Treaty between the United States of America and the United Mexican States on the Execution of the Penal Sentences.”
All 13 inmates transferred today were serving sentences relating to the distribution of controlled substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. The inmates will complete the remainder of their sentences in Mexico pursuant to the treaty. The inmates requested to be transferred to their home country, and the governments of both the United States and Mexico approved these transfers.
The U.S. Congress enacted legislation authorizing the International Prisoner Transfer Program in October 1977, which also set the requirements of the transfer program. The United States signed its first transfer treaty with Mexico in 1976, which entered into force in November 1977, and since that time has entered into 10 additional bilateral transfer agreements and two multilateral transfer conventions. These international agreements give the United States transfer treaty relationships with more than 85 countries.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs’s International Prisoner Transfer Unit (IPTU) administers the program. Under the program, approved foreign national inmates in federal and state prisons are permitted, under certain circumstances, to complete their prison terms in their home countries’ prisons.
This is the 184th such transfer since the treaty entered into force in 1977. The last transfer prior to today, which took place in December 2024, transferred nine inmates to Mexico pursuant to the treaty. To learn more about the International Prisoner Transfer Program, visit: https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-oia/iptu
Lily Vittayarukskul was a college grad at 14 on track to become a NASA aerospace engineer. However, an aunt’s cancer battle upended those plans, wreaking havoc on her family and their finances. The experience inspired her to launch the AI-powered startup Waterlily, helping people better predict expenses for getting older, including eldercare or assisted living, costs most don’t realize aren’t fully covered by either health insurance or Medicare. In this talk, Lily wades through the mounting data showing how super-ageing societies will struggle to meet and afford long-term care needs She also shares the tough lessons her personal story taught her and what others can do to prepare for an aging economy.
This interview was recorded January 2025 at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland
About this episode
Waterlily: https://www.waterlily.com/
Related World Economic Forum Initiatives:
Waterlily is an Uplink Innovator
About Uplink: https://uplink.weforum.org/uplink/s/
About the Uplink / Manulife – Prosperity in Longevity Challenge
https://uplink.weforum.org/uplink/s/uplink-issue/a00TE000003HcDrYAK/prospering-in-longevity-challenge
World Economic Forum Longevity Economy Initiative: https://initiatives.weforum.org/financial-resilience-for-every-generation/home
Related Reports:
Future-Proofing the Longevity Economy: Innovations and Key Trends: https://www.weforum.org/publications/future-proofing-the-longevity-economy-innovations-and-key-trends/
Global Risks report: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2025/digest/
Related Podcasts:
Meet The Leader – Adam Grant: Future leaders won’t succeed without this key trait https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buVVIpttzUA
Meet The Leader – How leaders can prepare teams for the future of work: ADP’s Chief Economist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShvNPomJ4mE&t=508s
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 States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced the Safeguarding Charity Act to protect the independence of our nation’s tax-exempt organizations. It safeguards churches, nonprofits, and private schools from a perilous line of litigation in federal courts that could subject them to burdensome federal regulations.
“Tax-exempt organizations should not live in fear of federal control every day because courts want to redefine the meaning of tax-exempt status. Tax-exempt status is not the same as receiving federal funding, and it should not be used as political leverage against the nonprofits in Oklahoma and across the nation,” said Lankford. “We should be focused on enabling the work of these organizations—not burdening them with unnecessary and costly federal requirements.”
“Radical judges do not have the authority to twist federal law and force religious institutions to choose between their convictions and compliance,” said Steube. “The Safeguarding Charity Act reaffirms that tax-exempt status does not mean an organization is receiving federal financial assistance. This bill is about protecting churches, religious schools, and charities from federal overreach. I’m grateful to Senator Lankford for his leadership on this important effort in the Senate.”
“Charities and other nonprofits provide invaluable services to their communities,” said Greg Baylor, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel. “In part to recognize their critical work, nonprofits are tax-exempt so that they can devote scarce resources to serving those in need. Until recently, no one really thought that their tax-exempt status was the sort of “federal financial assistance” that triggered the application of several burdensome federal statutes and regulations. But some courts have embraced this unfounded view, and Congress needs to set things straight. Let’s be clear: a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status should not be considered government funding and thus should not trigger multiple burdensome federal laws under which charities and other nonprofits could lose their tax-exempt status. ADF commends Sen. Lankford and Rep. Steube for introducing the Safeguarding Charity Act to protect nonprofits from these financially crushing burdens so that nonprofits can continue to serve their communities free from unfair and unexpected government overreach.”
“ACSI commends Senator Lankford and Congressman Steube for their leadership in introducing the Safeguarding Charity Act,” said P. George Tryfiates, VP for Public Policy and Legal Affairs at the Association of Christian Schools International. “This legislation is critical to set the record straight: an organization’s nonprofit status is not the receipt of federal financial assistance. It never has been. It is not now. Politically motivated lawsuits based on this false premise must stop, or else all nonprofits will be at risk. We urge every member of Congress to support the Safeguarding Charity Act.”
“Agudath Israel of America is pleased to support the ‘Safeguarding Charity Act (SCA),’ introduced by Senator James Lankford and Representative Greg Steube,” said Rabbi Abba Cohen, VP for Government Affairs of Agudath Israel of America. “This legislation is vitally important to nonprofits across the country, including synagogues, religious schools and charities within the Jewish community. It will enshrine into law that which has generally been understood that ‘tax-exempt status’ does not constitute ‘federal financial assistance.’”
Background
The legislation is also supported by Philanthropy Roundtable, Seventh-day Adventist Church, ERLC, American Association of Christian Schools, Association for Biblical Higher Education, Family Research Council, Citygate Network, Christian Employers Alliance, and National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.
Lankford first introduced the legislation with Congressman Steube in 2024.
In 2023, Lankford also introduced the Charitable Act to incentivize giving to America’s nonprofits. The bill would expand and extend the expired non-itemized deduction for charitable giving that would ensure Americans who donate to charities, houses of worship, religious organizations, and other nonprofits of their choice are able to deduct that donation from their federal taxes at a higher level than the previous $300 deduction.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
UK sends multi-million pound military equipment loan to Ukraine
The UK makes second £752 million payment to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme.
A £752 million payment has today (14 April) been sent to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme. The funding will support Ukraine to procure vital military equipment, including urgently needed air defence. This comes as Russia continues its air assault on Ukraine, striking the city of Sumy.
The loan, which will be paid for through the profits of sanctioned Russian sovereign assets in the EU, forms part of a wider £2.26 billion loan agreed between the Chancellor and Minister Marchenko on 1 March.
The payment highlights the UK’s steadfast support to Ukraine whilst building on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement pledge to go further and faster to protect our national security and maximise the economic growth potential of the UK defence sector. The equipment support and maintenance elements will be mainly spent in the UK, boosting the UK economy and skilled jobs.
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
The world is changing before our eyes, reshaped by global instability, including Russian aggression in Ukraine.
A strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security and this second tranche of funding will help put them in the strongest possible position, and contribute towards our collective security.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:
2025 is the critical year for Ukraine and this is the critical moment. This is the moment for our defence industries to step up, and they are; a moment for our militaries to step up, and they are; a moment for our Governments to step up, and we are.
This new tranche of funds is part of our £4.5 billion of military support this year – more than ever before – and will be used to buy urgently needed air defence, artillery, and parts to help repair vehicles and equipment to get them back into the fight.
We are stepping up support for Ukraine to deter Russian aggression and bolster Britain’s national security as the foundation of our Plan for Change.
Today’s payment forms the second part of the UK’s £2.26 billion loan, which has been spaced into three separate tranches to give Ukraine more flexibility and allow them to swiftly adapt to the ever-changing battlefield. The first payment was made on 6 March, with the final payment to follow in 2026.
The multi-billion payment forms part of the UK’s contribution to the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme, which is a G7 commitment to collectively support Ukraine through a total of $50 billion.
It follows a £450 million surge in military support that was announced by the UK last week, which includes £350 million from this year’s record £4.5 billion military support funding for Ukraine. Further funding is being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.
In addition to providing financial support, the Ministry of Defence will also support Ukraine to procure the equipment needed to fight Russia’s invasion. This will include a new ‘close fight’ military aid package – with funding for radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones – worth more than £250 million, using funding from the UK and Norway.
The government’s Plan for Change will see UK defence spending increased to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. The UK’s world-leading defence sector is vital to the economy, supporting 430,000 high-skilled, high-paid jobs across the UK and strengthening our security. 68% of defence spending is outside of London and the South East, benefitting every nation and region of the UK.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine looks at CT scans and lifetime cancer risk in the USA.
Lynda Johnson, Professional Officer for Clinical Imaging and Radiation Protection, The Society and College of Radiographers, said:
“The Society and College of Radiographers (SoR) welcomes research into the harmful effects of ionising radiation and recognises the importance of balancing benefit and risk information to patients and the public.
“This paper articulates the complexities of large-scale dose estimation and acknowledges the many variables which influence an individual’s likelihood of developing cancer at some point in their lifetime. In the UK, the use of ionising radiation is governed by The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018). Central to the legislation and UK radiographic practice, as this paper rightly concludes, are the principles of justification and optimisation. Justification means that any exposures to ionising radiation for medical purposes must be demonstrated to provide a greater benefit than risk to the individual. Once justified, the exposure must be optimised, meaning that it is as low as reasonably practicable to provide the intended outcome, or answer the clinical question.
“Computed Tomography (CT) scans are undertaken by highly trained radiographers and nuclear medicine technologists who have met the educational and professional standards required to ensure all CT scans are appropriately justified and optimised. Considering the increased use of CT as an invaluable diagnostic tool, it is imperative that the risk of harm from potential misuse, poor quality referrals, or inappropriate exposure parameters continues to be managed effectively. This is achieved by safeguarding standards of education, training and practical experience, compliance with the regulations, and applying best practice quality standards such as The Quality Standard for Imaging.
“It is particularly important to recognise, as this paper highlights, the increased risk to children from unjustified CT exposures. Staff are trained to give special consideration to the justification and optimisation of CT scans for children and will assess the benefits and risks of using CT against alternative techniques that do not involve ionising radiation such as MRI and Ultrasound.
“Accurate communication around the benefits and risks of CT is essential to protect the public from harm. Focussing on risk alone is not helpful and, in some cases, might prevent a person from attending a scan that could provide early diagnosis of cancer. Anyone undergoing a CT scan must be provided with balanced, accurate and relevant information to enable them to understand what it means to them as an individual in terms of their diagnosis, treatment and potential long-term care.
“The UK Health Security Agency is responsible for undertaking dose audits and producing National Diagnostic Reference levels (NDRLs) for computed tomography. These inform local practices and employers must ensure their organisational doses do not consistently exceed the NDRLs. They are publicly available here alongside helpful dose comparisons here and benefit and risk information for patients here.”
Dr Doreen Lau, Lecturer in Inflammation, Ageing and Cancer Biology at Brunel University of London, said:
“This is a well-conducted modelling study using robust data from US hospitals and established methods for estimating cancer risk from radiation exposure. It provides a timely reminder that while CT scans are often life-saving and essential for diagnosis, they do come with a small but real potential risk of contributing to cancer over a lifetime, especially when used repeatedly, in younger patients, or when not clinically necessary.
“The findings don’t mean that people should avoid CT scans when recommended by a doctor. In most cases, the benefit of detecting or ruling out serious illness far outweighs the very small risk of harm. What this research highlights is the need to minimise unnecessary imaging and use the lowest dose possible, particularly in settings where CT usage is high. Where appropriate, clinicians may also consider alternative imaging methods that do not involve ionising radiation, such as MRI or ultrasound—especially for younger patients or when repeat imaging is anticipated.
“CT scan rates are much higher in the US than in the UK, where imaging is used more conservatively and with stricter clinical justification. That means the estimated risks in this study are likely to be much lower in the UK context, though the message about appropriate use still holds.
“Importantly, this study models estimated cancer risk from radiation exposure. It does not show a direct causal link between specific CT scans and individual cancer cases. These are projections based on population-level data and assumptions about radiation risk, not observed cancer rates. Although the model estimates a small increased risk with each scan, it does not prove that any one scan causes cancer. Other factors such as underlying health issues and clinical decision-making, may also influence who gets scanned and how often.”
Prof Stephen Duffy, Emeritus Professor of Cancer Screening, Centre for Cancer Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis, Queen Mary University of London, said:
“This paper reports on a very high quality numerical modelling exercise, estimating the likely number of cancers occurring in the USA as a result of 93 million CT examinations. The authors estimate that just over 100,000 cancers are predicted to occur as a result of radiation from these CT examinations. This amounts to around a 0.1% increase in cancer risk over the patients lifetime per CT examination. When we consider that the lifetime risk of cancer in the general population is around 50%, the additional risk is small. Doctors do not order CT examinations unless they are necessary, and it seems to me that the likely benefit in diagnosis and subsequent treatment of disease outweighs the very small increase in cancer risk.
“I would also remark that the estimates, while based on the best models available to the authors, are indirect, so there is considerable uncertainty about the estimates.
“Thus I would say to patients that if you are recommended to have a CT scan, it would be wise to do so.”
Dr Giles Roditi, Consultant Cardiovascular Radiologist and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology, University of Glasgow, said:
“CT scanning is a powerful diagnostic tool and has become a bedrock of modern radiology departments, particularly for emergency department imaging. However, the paper by Smith-Bindman et al. is a timely reminder that with great power comes great responsibility. The paper makes the case that the rise in the utilisation of CT scanning is now at such a scale that its projected use could lead to scenario in which CT-associated cancer eventually accounts for 5% of all new cancer diagnoses annually in the USA. What should we do with this information and how does this translate to and inform practise in the UK ?
“Firstly, the evidence base is sound and there is little new as regards the basic assumptions that the paper is based upon but the authors have updated this with more modern dose estimates and data on the utilisation of CT scanning not only across different age groups but also stratified by gender and the exposure of different organs that have different sensitivities to ionising radiation induced damage. The authors are to be congratulated in the detailed breakdown of CT utilisation across these categories and how lifetime risk of cancer impacts across age and gender etc. as well as the modern dosimetric approach used plus accounting for multiphase CT examinations that inevitably entail higher dose.
“With all medical endeavours there is an element of risk. Risk is generally defined as a situation involving exposure to danger or the possibility that something unpleasant will occur. Furthermore, the use of the word risk often implies an element of chance, uncertainty or unpredictability. However, risk can often be well defined in any particular context as – Risk = (probability of an event) x (impact of event)
“Risk is thus different for ‘well’ versus ‘sick’ patients with the latter deriving greater benefit. This paper helps us better define risk at a population level by updating knowledge on the probable incidence of later CT-associated cancer. A potential limitation that could be levelled at the paper is that not all the risks associated with CT are included, only those related to later development of cancer diagnoses. For example, other relevant factors as a demerit to CT scanning could include the very small risks of anaphylaxis related to the use of contrast medium, used now in a large proportion of scans in Western medicine. Similarly, the small but potential other risks such as cataract acceleration are not mentioned.
“On the other hand, while the authors mention that ‘CT is frequently lifesaving’ they have not in my opinion really put the information in full relevant context. The authors context is that this is approximately 5% of new cancer diagnoses could be attributable to CT i.e. a figure of 100,000 cancers in the USA is where there were 1,777,566 new cancer cases reported in 2021 and 608,366 people died of cancer in 2022 (the latest CDC data available). This is because the natural incidence of cancer induction is 1 in 2 for adults. Hence, an alternative way of looking at this would be that although the figure of 100,000 cancers is alarming this is only a small additional risk over and above an individual’s lifetime risk of developing cancer i.e. a risk rising from about 50% to 52.5%. The authors also do not address how many of these cancer will be fatal although we presume based upon CD data it would be approximately one third.
“The main issue, however, is that the benefits of CT scanning are not more explicitly stated. This is likely because the benefits of most medical imaging in terms of morbidity & mortality have been very difficult to quantify with surprisingly little published in the literature. This is mainly because imaging has too often only been part of an overall therapeutic strategy where the main treatment outcomes depend critically upon the imaging but the imaging itself is not tested (e.g. treatments for stroke and cancer). However, there have been recent trials that provide some context, for example SCOT-HEART was probably the first major trial in which diagnostic CT was shown to save lives. In SCOT-THEART the patients were randomised to a conventional treatment pathway without CT scan or an investigative arm in which the standard care pathway was simply supplemented by a CT scan of the coronary arteries. This trial showed clear benefit for those patients that had CT with a significantly lower mortality rate and this has been shown to persist now up to 10 years following the end of the trial. Similarly trials of lung cancer screening have now shown positive benefit from CT scanning in the detection of early, treatable stage lung cancer in high risk patients.
“So how does this translate into the situation in the UK ? Firstly, there are significant differences in practise due to both cultural and legislative environments. In the UK we operate under the precepts of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations last updated in 2017 which mandates that we apply the ALARA/ALARP principles and should opt for diagnostic imaging tests with the lowest radiation dose, or preferably an imaging test with no ionising radiation exposure (e.g. ultrasound or MRI) where this answers the clinical question. Culturally in the UK we also regard all requests for imaging as just that, requests that can be questioned through discussion. In the USA clinicians order scans and radiology departments have little room to manoeuvre when it comes to not performing or changing these orders, particularly since the imaging fees that accompany the scanning activity are the lifeblood of the department. Another issue in the USA in addition to the overuse of CT mentioned in the paper is the repeat imaging that is often performed in a fragmented healthcare system where it is easier (and more profitable) for an institution to simply repeat a scan on a patient referred in from elsewhere rather than seek out and transfer the original scans.
“In the NHS we have systems that allow image transfer between institutions and of course unlike the USA we are very capacity limited and often have long waiting times for scans. One side effect of this is that it tends to reduce demand such that tests unlikely to influence clinical decision-making are less likely to be requested. On the downside is that the CT scanner base in the UK is aging and we know that older scanners inevitably expose patients to higher radiation doses than modern systems for the same type of scan, often with less good image quality. Indeed, on modern generation systems with advanced iterative reconstruction algorithms and AI enhancements in the imaging chain then CT scans can be acquired at doses similar to (or little more than) conventional x-rays. These advances have largely been spurred by the drive to reduce dose in coronary CT scans but the benefits potentially reduce doses across all CT scanning. The paper by Smith-Bindman et al. reminds us that we must advocate more strongly to upgrade our CT scanners for the benefit of our patients.
“So what would I say to a UK patient scheduled to have a CT scan and worried by this paper ? In general terms I would strongly advise them not to worry as they are highly likely to benefit from a well indicated scan, this is particularly so in those who are unwell and in older patients (those > 55 years). For younger patients, particularly those of child-bearing age where the breasts and/or reproductive organs would be included and for those who are physically well then if concerned they can always ask to discuss the merits of alternative scans such as ultrasound and MRI. For example, in our own practise we image all our altruistic potential living kidney donors with MRI rather than CT since our own (unpublished) estimates indicate that if we used CT then 1 in 526 of these well people would have a fatal induced cancer, a risk eliminated by using MRI.”
Prof Richard Wakeford, Honorary Professor in Epidemiology, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH), University of Manchester, said:
“Although it is not unreasonable to reiterate guidance on the potential risks to health arising from exposures to low levels of ionising radiation, such as the x-ray doses received from CT scans, considerable caution is required in providing quantitative estimates of the effects produced by such exposures. This is largely because of the substantial assumptions that must be made in applying risk models derived from epidemiological studies of populations briefly exposed to moderate and high doses, primarily the Japanese survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to low-level exposure circumstances. For example, for the purposes of radiological protection, it is prudent to assume that the size of the additional risk is directly proportional to the dose received, with no threshold dose below which the risk is zero, and this is the assumption made by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in making its recommendations. However, ICRP notes that these assumptions “conceal large biological and statistical uncertainties”, and cautions against risk projections based on large numbers of people receiving low doses.
“The direct epidemiological investigation of cancer incidence among patients who have been examined by CT is a worthwhile exercise, but substantial care is required in the interpretation of results – as with all medical diagnostic procedures, people are examined because they are ill, have been ill, or are suspected of being ill, and such selection for exposure leads to difficulties in obtaining reliable conclusions about the effects of radiation exposure from these studies.
“The “bottom line” of the paper is that ~103,000 cases of cancer (which does not include cases of non-melanoma skin cancer, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma) are estimated to result from CT scans conducted in the USA in 2023, an estimate that must be viewed with circumspection. This estimate of ~103,000 cases of cancer is, on the face of it, rather alarming, but it is also uncertain, to an extent that extends (well) beyond the uncertainty limits presented in the paper. ICRP emphasises that all medical exposures must be justified as doing more good than harm, and the potential risk from radiation exposure during a diagnostic examination clearly needs to be factored into clinical judgement about the need for a specific diagnostic procedure. The level of potential risk posed by exposure to low doses of radiation should be taken into account in reaching a balanced decision on whether or not a CT scan is clinically desirable, but this judgement should not be unduly influenced by large, but uncertain, projected numbers of cancers.”
‘Projected Lifetime Cancer Risks From Current Computed Tomography Imaging’ by Rebecca Smith-Bindman et al. was published in JAMA Internal Medicine at 16:00 UK time on Monday 14 April 2025.
DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.0505
Declared interests
Prof Stephen Duffy: I have no conflict of interest.
Dr Giles Roditi: Prof Roditi is a Past-President of the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging/Cardiovascular CT, a Past President of the Society of Magnetic Resonance Angiography and a member of the SCOT-HEART investigators.
Prof Richard Wakeford: “I am, or was, a member of a number of national and international expert committees addressing radiation risks, such as ICRP, UNSCEAR and (previously) COMARE, SAGE, etc.. Details can be found at: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/richard.wakeford
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs with the assistance of the Department’s Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) transferred 13 Mexican nationals, serving prison sentences for drug distribution-related convictions in the United States, to their home country on Friday.
“Friday’s transfer of 13 federal inmates to correctional authorities in Mexico has saved the United States over $3 million by eliminating the need to pay incarceration costs for the 75 years remaining on their combined sentences,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Justice Department’s International Prisoner Transfer Program, which is administered by the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, enhances offender rehabilitation, reduces incarceration costs, and relieves overcrowding in federal prisons. The transfer is pursuant to the Treaty between the United States of America and the United Mexican States on the Execution of the Penal Sentences.”
All 13 inmates transferred today were serving sentences relating to the distribution of controlled substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. The inmates will complete the remainder of their sentences in Mexico pursuant to the treaty. The inmates requested to be transferred to their home country, and the governments of both the United States and Mexico approved these transfers.
The U.S. Congress enacted legislation authorizing the International Prisoner Transfer Program in October 1977, which also set the requirements of the transfer program. The United States signed its first transfer treaty with Mexico in 1976, which entered into force in November 1977, and since that time has entered into 10 additional bilateral transfer agreements and two multilateral transfer conventions. These international agreements give the United States transfer treaty relationships with more than 85 countries.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs’s International Prisoner Transfer Unit (IPTU) administers the program. Under the program, approved foreign national inmates in federal and state prisons are permitted, under certain circumstances, to complete their prison terms in their home countries’ prisons.
This is the 184th such transfer since the treaty entered into force in 1977. The last transfer prior to today, which took place in December 2024, transferred nine inmates to Mexico pursuant to the treaty. To learn more about the International Prisoner Transfer Program, visit: https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-oia/iptu
NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blockgraph, the privacy-first data collaboration platform designed to fuel the future of connected TV advertising, and the American Association of Advertising Agencies (“the 4As”) today announced the release of a new research report titled, “Reconvening in the Home: The Power of Household Identity in the New TV Era”. Ahead of this year’s upfronts, the research offers a strategic roadmap, revealing how household identity will increasingly play a central role in shaping upfront negotiations, outcome-based guarantees, multi-screen media planning, and performance-based measurement.
The television landscape continues to shift and marketers and advertisers are faced with a rapidly evolving macroeconomic environment where more sophisticated audience measurement tools are now required to connect households to outcomes.
“Household identity is an important strategy for reimagining how advertisers connect real-world behaviors and decision-making dynamics,” asserted Ashwini Karandikar, EVP, Media Tech & Data at the 4As. “The environment has never been more complex with today’s fragmented TV ecosystem, coupled with the inefficiencies in targeting and gaps in measurement. This research informs advertisers, agencies and publishers about how they can optimize their strategies across platforms while prioritizing consumer privacy and data security.”
Key findings and insights from the research include:
The Importance of Household Strategies: The study details why household-level identity is essential for omnichannel advertisers to optimize their campaigns and measure performance across multiple touchpoints. Household identity enables brands to more precisely understand consumer behavior, ensuring more effective targeting and performance assessment.
Addressing Privacy Regulations and Signal Loss: With increasing privacy regulations and the diminishing availability of traditional signals like IP addresses and cookies, the report explains how household identity can thrive in this new environment. It also highlights why person-based identity is no longer sufficient and how shifting to a household-first approach is essential for privacy-compliant, effective targeting.
Approaches to Household Identity Resolution: The research provides a practical guide to leveraging first-party, second-party, and third-party data for household-level targeting and measurement. By integrating these data sources, marketers can create more comprehensive, accurate audience profiles, driving better campaign outcomes.
Steps to Create and Execute a Household Identity Strategy: The report offers a step-by-step guide for marketers looking to future-proof their identity strategy, outlining how to create a robust, scalable approach that ensures long-term success in the rapidly changing advertising ecosystem.
“The household is the heartbeat of how TV is experienced today. When marketers can connect media exposure to real world outcomes at the household level it unlocks a true understanding of performance,” commented Jason Manningham, CEO of Blockgraph. “The future of TV is predicated on effective outcome-based measurement and campaign planning, but that only works when grounded in high quality, first party identity.”
“This report showcases just how valuable, accurate, and dependable household identity can be in shaping future innovations in TV advertising,” said Jason Brown, Senior Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer for Spectrum Reach. “In today’s advertising environment, embracing household identity data is essential for brands to stay competitive. Blockgraph, and the 4A’s are simplifying that task by providing insights that enable advertisers to effectively target, reach, and measure audiences across all platforms–making the most of their ad budgets.”
“With signal loss and growing fragmentation, it is more and more important to ground your strategy in the ability to distinguish households in order to support more accurate audience identity and measurement and to optimize the effectiveness of media spend,” added Carmela Fournier, VP and GM of Data, Comcast Advertising.
About Blockgraph Blockgraph is a leading privacy-centric identity and data collaboration platform designed to fuel the future of connected TV advertising. By enabling secure, privacy-focused household identity resolution, the world’s leading media, technology, and information services companies rely on Blockgraph to collaborate with trusted partners—empowering brands and agencies to connect with audiences more effectively, maximizing reach and performance while protecting consumer privacy. Blockgraph is owned by Charter Communications Inc., Comcast NBCUniversal, and Paramount.
About the 4As The 4As was established in 1917 to promote, advance, and defend the interests of our member agencies, employees and the advertising and marketing industries overall. We empower and equip our members to confidently navigate the ever-changing ecosystem of the agency world. We ensure they remain relevant, are positioned to compete, and have the resources to thrive and grow. With a focus on advocacy, talent and creating impact, the organization serves 600+ member agencies across 1,200 offices, which help direct more than 85% of total U.S. advertising spend. The 4As includes the 4As Benefits division, which insures more than 160,000 employees; the government relations team, who advocate for policies to support the industry; and the 4As Foundation, which advocates for and connects rising talent to the marketing industry by fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity and craft to fuel a more equitable future for the industry.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Digital service users may need to update browsers
Users of HM Land Registry’s digital services may need to update their web browsers or operating systems.
innni/Shutterstock.com
As part of routine security maintenance, users of the HM Land Registry portal, Sign your mortgage deed, or Local Land Charges’s (LLC) Maintain service may face an error message when visiting the page for the first time. Most users will be unaffected as their systems and browsers will automatically update to ensure the latest public root CA (certificate authority) certificates are installed.
The SSL (secure sockets layer) security certificates are being updated for all HM Land Registry domains to ensure services remain current and secure.
If the user’s web browser is up to date but the issue continues, more guidance is available on our service maintenance page.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
UK sanctions Iranian organised crime network
The UK has announced further sanctions to tackle the domestic threat posed by the Iranian regime by sanctioning Iranian-backed, Swedish-based Foxtrot criminal Network and its leader, Rawa Majid, for their role in attacks against targets across Europe.
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:
Today, the UK has announced sanctions against the notorious criminal Foxtrot Network and its leadership.
The Iranian regime uses criminal gangs across the world to threaten people. The UK has targeted this criminal network and its leader, Rawa Majid, due to their involvement in violence against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of the Iranian regime. The UK will not tolerate these threats.
This forms part of the UK Government’s ongoing response to Iranian hostilities in Europe. Last month, we announced that Iran will be placed on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) and to date, the UK has sanctioned more than 450 Iranian individuals and entities, in response to the regime’s human rights violations, nuclear weapons programme and malign influence internationally.
The UK Government will continue to hold the Iranian regime and criminals acting on its behalf to account.
Background
The Individual that is subject to a UK travel ban, asset freeze and director disqualification:
Rawa Majid, Head of the Foxtrot Network
The following organisation is also being sanctioned by the UK and is subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification:
Foxtrot Network
Since the start of 2022, the UK has responded to more than 20 Iran-backed plots, presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents.
Today’s designations were made under the 2023 Iran Sanctions Regulations, which came into force in December 2023 : [Iran sanctions: guidance – GOV.UK](Iran sanctions: guidance – GOV.UK
On 4 March 2025 the Security Minister’s statement to Parliament confirmed Iran would be specified on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), and that the government will work with our allies to better understand, expose, and condemn Iranian actions; and bring Iranian-linked criminals to justice wherever in the world they may be – Protecting national security – GOV.UK
The US designated Majid and the Foxtrot Network in March 2025.
Definitions:
Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world.
Travel ban: a travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, as the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.
Director disqualification: Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it is an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a UK company, or a foreign company that is sufficiently-connected to the UK, or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a company.
We meet at a time of profound challenges – both old and new.
When current divides are growing.
And the legacies of colonialism and enslavement continue to poison our world.
We still bear witness to the scourge of racism, which blights lives and stains societies.
People of African descent continue to face injustice, exclusion, systemic discrimination and violence.
And even artificial intelligence, which holds such promise for humanity, too often mirrors and amplifies the same inequalities and racial biases that have plagued us for centuries.
Power is concentrated in the hands of the few.
And too many people, countries and communities remain unable to benefit from all that these technologies have to offer.
The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent was established to challenge these injustices.
To amplify the voices of people of African descent.
And to accelerate progress towards a world of dignity, justice and equality.
To accomplish this goal, we must push for action at every level:
A critical objective is the need for reparatory justice frameworks grounded in international human rights law.
Developed with the inclusive and meaningful participation of affected communities.
That acknowledges the terrible harms and injustices caused, and their continued manifestations and ramifications.
And that redresses past wrongs.
We need to eliminate bias from artificial intelligence, and to ensure that these technologies advance equality, inclusion and digital justice.
Including by delivering on the commitments in the Global Digital Compact agreed last year.
And by investing in capacity development to ensure people of African descent can shape, build and govern AI technologies.
And we must continue to address racism in all its forms – particularly where it is embedded in laws, policies and institutions.
All of us have a responsibility to play our part – international organizations, governments, businesses, and individuals.
And to drive action across this Second International Decade for People of African Descent.
In particular, I urge all countries to deliver on their commitments in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action – the blueprint for combatting racism, racial discrimination and intolerance.
Together, with courage and with determination – let us forge ahead toward a world where the human rights of people of African descent are fully respected, protected, and fulfilled.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the new Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro, enterprise-ready devices designed to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced, high-intensity work environments. Continuing the legacy of Samsung’s ruggedised devices, these latest Pro models are versatile, optimised and secure — delivering enhanced durability,[1] steady performance and optimised workflow to empower frontline workers, from the office to the field and beyond.
With 5G connectivity,[2] an upgraded processor and increased memory, the XCover7 Pro and Tab Active5 Pro offer enhanced mobility and reliability. The XCover7 Pro features a powerful new stereo speaker system with anti-feedback technology, which minimises unwanted audio loops for clearer communication. Both devices offer enhanced battery capacity, with the XCover7 Pro equipped with a 4,350mAh battery for longer usage, while the Tab Active5 Pro comes with a 10,100mAh battery set designed to support demanding workflows. The Tab Active5 Pro also supports Dual Hot-Swap battery functionality, allowing workers to replace batteries[3] without powering down their devices and ensuring seamless operation even when battery levels are low.
With the ruggedised smartphone market expected to reach 4.46 million units and the ruggedised tablet market projected to hit 1.89 million units by 2028,[4] these devices can be increasingly essential in industries such as retail, government, logistics, healthcare and manufacturing. Reliable, high-performing and durable, they can be critical for ensuring seamless operations in any work environment.
“At Samsung, we understand that frontline professionals need technology that adapts to their fast-paced and demanding work environments,” said Jerry Park, EVP and Head of Global Mobile B2B Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “The Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro combine ruggedised durability, enterprise-grade security, seamless connectivity and intuitive AI-driven features to help businesses operate efficiently in harsh conditions while maximising productivity and minimising downtime.”
Ruggedised Durability: Built To Withstand Any Environment
The Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro are designed to thrive on the frontlines of all industries. Having undergone rigorous durability testing to ensure they withstand demanding environments, they are ideally built to offer reliable performance in the field. Both devices feature IP68-rated water and dust resistance,[5] helping to protect against dust ingress and exposure to water – making them a dependable choice for conditions where accidental splashes or occasional submersion may occur.
The Tab Active5 Pro’s S Pen — an essential tool for field professionals who annotate documents, sign forms or input data on the go — further extends usability by functioning even in certain wet conditions. Additionally, both devices have been tested for use with common workplace sanitisers, ensuring durability in environments requiring frequent cleaning.
Their MIL-STD-810H[6] certified designs help ensure resistance to drops, extreme temperatures and vibrations, while the Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+ display on the Tab Active5 Pro helps provide enhanced scratch and impact protection. Those in retail, government and manufacturing settings can also depend on enhanced touch sensitivity in both devices, allowing seamless use with compatible gloves.[7]
Work Continuity: Staying Connected and Powered Throughout the Day
Clear communication is crucial in fast-paced work environments, especially for teams relying on walkie-talkie functionality in industries like construction and emergency response. The Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro enhanced speaker technology with anti-feedback noise reduction, minimising disruptive sounds that can occur when multiple devices that share the same channel are in close range. With higher volume and improved clarity,[8] these upgraded stereo speakers help frontline workers stay connected and relay critical information without disruption.[9] The Tab Active5 Pro further strengthens communication with optimised audio tuning, boosting volume levels and incorporating intelligent sound processing to filter out background noise, making collaboration even more effective.
Both devices also offer Vision Booster, which enhances outdoor visibility by improving screen readability in bright environments. The Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro further builds on this with an upgraded display brightness of up to 600 nits — a notable increase from 480 nits in the previous model — ensuring clearer visuals even in challenging lighting conditions. Whether reviewing critical information on-site or navigating workflows outdoors, these upgrades provide better contrast, improved tone mapping, and enhanced visibility against strong illumination, allowing users to stay focused wherever the job takes them.
With extended battery life[10] and seamless power solutions, the Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro support uninterrupted workflow. Both devices feature POGO charging interfaces, making it easy for workplaces with POGO docks[11] to charge multiple devices at once. For environments in which devices remain plugged in, the Tab Active5 Pro supports No Battery Mode,[12] allowing it to function when connected to a dedicated power source — ideal for in-vehicle setups, kiosks and workstations.
Seamless connectivity is also key to maintaining work continuity. The XCover7 Pro and Tab Active5 Pro both support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E and network slicing to prioritise device communication even in dense network environments and ensure fast and stable network access. With dual SIM support (pSIM + eSIM) on the Tab Active5 Pro, workers can effortlessly switch between networks, keeping them connected in any environment.
The Tab Active5 Pro introduces front-facing NFC Tagging, enhancing usability in retail, hospitality and logistics environments where fast, secure interactions are essential. Enabling seamless authentication, asset tracking and mobile payments, the tablet can effectively be used as a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) system[13] in retail stores and restaurants alike. Employees can quickly validate credentials, process transactions and manage assets without any additional hardware, enhancing efficiency in industries where speed and security are critical.
Maximised Productivity: Smarter Tools for the Frontline
Samsung’s latest ruggedised devices also introduce AI-driven enhancements, reinforcing Samsung’s commitment to expanding AI capabilities across its entire ecosystem. These intelligent features make everyday tasks more intuitive and efficient, helping frontline professionals work smarter and faster in dynamic environments while making advanced AI more accessible across a broader range of devices.
Equipped with high-performance chipsets, enhanced usability features and intuitive AI-powered tools, both devices enable workers to multitask with ease. Features like Circle to Search with Google,[14] Object Eraser, AI Select and Read Aloud allow users to complete tasks more efficiently, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy.[15] The Galaxy XCover7 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon® 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform (4nm Octa-Core) chipset which optimises power efficiency and processing speed, while the Tab Active5 Pro, featuring the same chipset, delivers increased RAM and expanded storage options to handle demanding workloads.
Designed for professionals who need flexibility, both devices support Samsung DeX, allowing them to connect to a monitor or PC for a desktop-like experience. Whether managing field reports, performing administrative tasks or presenting data, users can transition seamlessly between mobile and desktop environments.
Additionally, programmable keys allow users to assign shortcuts to frequently used applications, such as barcode scanning, push-to-talk, integrated with Microsoft Teams[16], or emergency alerts. This customisation enhances workflow efficiency, reducing time spent navigating menus and improving responsiveness in critical situations.
Security remains a cornerstone of Samsung’s ruggedised devices, with Samsung Knox Vault[17] safeguarding sensitive data through advanced encryption and authentication to ensure compliance with enterprise security standards. Beyond that, Samsung offers a comprehensive suite of security innovations designed to provide strong protection, transparency and user control. Real-time Kernel Protection and DEFEX deliver runtime protection at both the app and kernel layers, while Samsung’s Warranty Bit detects tampering and restricts access to sensitive applications, such as Work Profile, helping to maintain a trusted device environment.
Availability
The new Galaxy XCover7 Pro (RRP £559) and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro (RRP £769) will be available starting April 2025.[18]
For more information about Samsung’s latest Galaxy devices, please visit news.samsung.com/uk/galaxy or www.samsungmobilepress.com.
Galaxy XCover7 Pro & Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro Product Specifications
Galaxy XCover7 Pro
Display
6.6-inch*, 20:9, FHD+ TFT LCD, up to 120Hz**, Touch Sensitivity***, Vision Booster
* Measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
** Screen refresh rate varies depending on the app used, and certain apps may not support up to 120Hz. Adaptive refresh rate supports up to 120Hz, which adjusts motion smoothness automatically as needed, while Standard refresh rate supports a 120Hz screen refresh rate.
*** Touch sensitivity increases responsiveness for leather gloves 2mm or less in thickness, based on internal laboratory test results. Devices can be used in wet environments, but not fully submerged under water. Underwater touch is not available. Touch-responsiveness may vary depending on the material and thickness of gloves as well as other environmental conditions.
OS
Android 15
Dimensions
168.6 x 79.9 x 10.2mm (240g*)
* Weight may vary by market.
Camera
Rear
50MP (F1.8) Wide, 8MP (F2.2) Ultra-Wide, Flash
Front
13MP (F2.2)
Memory & Storage*
6 + 128GB, microSD up to 2TB**
* Actual storage space availability may vary depending on pre-installed software and by market, file size and format.
** MicroSD card sold separately.
Processor
Snapdragon® 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform (4nm Octa-Core)
* Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Battery***
4,350mAh (typical)*, User Replaceable**
* Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standards. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
** Extra replaceable battery and POGO charging dock sold separately. In the case of extra replacea6ble batteries, only Samsung certified products are compatible for use.
*** Charger sold separately.
Connectivity**
5G (Sub6)*, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth® v5.4, NFC
* 5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection.
** Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, content provider, and user environment.
SIM
Dual SIM (pSIM + eSIM*)
* Embedded SIM availability varies by market.
Interface
USB 3.2 Type-C, POGO Pin (charging only)
Sensors
Accelerometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Light, Proximity, Fingerprint
GPS*
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
* GNSS availability type may vary by market. Galileo and BeiDou coverage may be limited. BeiDou may not be available for certain markets.
Ruggedised Durability
IP68*, MIL-STD-810H**, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+, Tested for Sanitisers***
* IP6X: Dust penetration test (less than 50umx70um size) in dustproof chamber
* IPX8: Submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes
** MIL-STD-810H: Testing against specific environmental conditions including altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, dust, vibration, drop, etc. MIL-STD-810H is a standardised form of testing designed by the US military to accurately assess device limitations. Real-world usage may vary by specific environmental conditions used in the testing. Extreme conditions not guaranteed. Test specifications vary by device.
*** Tested Sanitiser: Liquid Ethanol, Ethanol Cotton, Clorox(Chlorine bleach), Medilox HCIO
Sound
Dolby Atmos®, Stereo (2 Speakers)
Security
Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault, eSE
Biometric Authentication
Face Recognition, Fingerprint
Programmable Key
Customisation via Top Key and XCover Key*
* Key mapping support may vary by app. Programmable keys limited to select functions.
Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro
Display
10.1-inch*, 16:10, WUXGA, TFT LCD, up to 120Hz**, Touch Sensitivity***
* Measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners.
** Screen refresh rate varies depending on the app used, and certain apps may not support up to 120Hz. Adaptive refresh rate supports up to 120Hz, which adjusts motion smoothness automatically as needed, while Standard refresh rate supports a 120Hz screen refresh rate.
*** Touch sensitivity increases responsiveness for leather gloves 2mm or less in thickness, based on internal laboratory test results. Devices can be used in wet environments, but not fully submerged under water. Underwater touch is not available. Touch-responsiveness may vary depending on the material and thickness of gloves as well as other environmental conditions.
OS
Android 15
Dimensions
170.2 x 242.9 x 10.2mm (680g (Wi-Fi), 683g (5G)*)
* Weight may vary by market.
Camera
Rear
12MP (F1.8) Wide, Flash
Front
8MP (F2.0)
Memory & Storage*
6+128GB/8+256GB, microSD up to 2TB**
* Actual storage space availability may vary depending on pre-installed software and by market, file size and format.
** MicroSD card sold separately.
Processor
Snapdragon® 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform* (4nm Octa-Core)
* Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Battery****
10,100mAh (typical)*, User Replaceable**, Dual Hot-Swap***
* Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standards. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
** Extra replaceable battery and POGO charging dock sold separately. In the case of extra replaceable batteries, only Samsung certified products are compatible for use.
*** Battery replacements are limited to one battery at a time. If a battery is removed while the device is turned on, the screen will be turned off, and certain features may be limited. After the battery is replaced, the screen will turn back on and all features will be reactivated.
**** Charger sold separately. Charger is included in select regions only, including North America, Europe and Latin America.
Connectivity**
5G (Sub6)*, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth® v5.4, NFC (Front Tagging)
* 5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection.
** Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, content provider, and user environment.
SIM
Dual SIM (pSIM + eSIM*)
* Embedded SIM availability varies by market.
Interface
USB 3.2 Type-C, POGO Pin, 3.5mm Audio Jack
Sensors
Accelerometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Hall, RGB Light, Proximity, Fingerprint
GPS*
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
* GNSS availability type may vary by market. Galileo and BeiDou coverage may be limited. BeiDou and QZSS may not be available for certain markets.
Ruggedised Durability
IP68*, MIL-STD-810H**, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+, Tested for Sanitisers***
* IP6X: Dust penetration test (less than 50umx70um size) in dustproof chamber
* IPX8: submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes** MIL-STD-810H: Testing against specific environmental conditions including altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, dust, vibration, drop, etc. MIL-STD-810H is a standardised form of testing designed by the US military to accurately assess device limitations. Real-world usage may vary by specific environmental conditions used in the testing. Extreme conditions not guaranteed. Test specifications vary by device.
*** Tested Sanitiser: Liquid Ethanol, Ethanol Cotton, Clorox(Chlorine bleach), Medilox HCIO
Sound
Dolby Atmos®, Stereo (2 Speakers)
Pen
S Pen (IP68*, Inbox)
* IP68 rating: Water and dust resistant based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of the S Pen is not permanent and may diminish over time because of normal wear and tear. Remove any excess water from the S Pen with a dry cloth or towel before using or attaching it to tablet.
Security
Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault, eSE
Biometric Authentication
Face Recognition, Fingerprint
Programmable Key
Customisation via Active Key*
* Key mapping support may vary by app. Programmable keys limited to select functions.
*Specifications may vary by market.
*Functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.
.
[1]Durability improvements are based on comparison with previous models (Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro), with added testing for resistance to workplace sanitisers. Actual performance may vary depending on usage conditions and environmental factors.
[2]5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, content provider, and user environment.
[3]Extra replaceable battery and POGO charging dock sold separately. In the case of extra replaceable batteries, only Samsung certified products are compatible for use.
[4]Krebs, David. “2024 Mobile Hardware Dataset.” May 2024. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://www.vdcresearch.com/Coverage/emob/reports/24-Mobile-Hardware-Dataset.html.
[5]Resistant to dust and up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for up to 30 minutes (IP68). Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use.
[6] MIL-STD-810H Certification: Testing against specific environmental conditions including altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, dust, vibration, drop, etc. MIL-STD-810H is a standardised form of testing designed by the US military to accurately assess device limitations. Real-world usage may vary by specific environmental conditions used in the testing. Extreme conditions not guaranteed. Test specifications vary by device.
[7]Touch sensitivity increases responsiveness for leather gloves thinner than 2mm or less in thickness, based on internal laboratory test results. Touch-responsiveness may vary depending on the material and thickness of gloves as well as other environmental conditions.
[8]Speaker improvements are based on comparison with the previous models (Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro). Actual performance may vary depending on the environment and sound source.
[9]Walkie-talkie functionality requires a separate purchase of a compatible third-party solution. Availability may vary by region and provider.
[10] Battery life improvements are based on comparison with the previous models (Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro), which respectively featured 4,050mAh and 7,600mAh batteries. Actual battery life may vary depending on usage patterns and network environment
[11]POGO charging dock sold separately. Battery charging times may vary depending on charging power supported on charging cradle. Battery capacity and performance may diminish over time.
[12]No Battery Mode needs to be turned on and requires a dedicated USB Type-C power source accessory supporting 9V and 2.3A or above, and PD 2.0 or above. No Battery Mode limits device CPU performance when enabled and reduces maximum volume, display brightness, etc. when enabled.
[13]Knox Platform for POS requires separate solution integration and may require license purchase for use. Availability may vary by market, model or payment solution.
[14]Accessible on any app that does not block screenshots. Requires internet connection. Results may vary depending on visual or audio matches. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.
[15]Results may vary based on the images and the object you’re trying to remove. Results may vary depending on shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects.
[16]Additional licenses may be required.
[17]Samsung Knox Vault hardware and/or software architecture may vary by model.
[17]Availability and launch timing may vary by region and market.
e meet at a time of profound challenges – both old and new.
When current divides are growing.
And the legacies of colonialism and enslavement continue to poison our world.
We still bear witness to the scourge of racism, which blights lives and stains societies.
People of African descent continue to face injustice, exclusion, systemic discrimination and violence.
And even artificial intelligence, which holds such promise for humanity, too often mirrors and amplifies the same inequalities and racial biases that have plagued us for centuries.
Power is concentrated in the hands of the few.
And too many people, countries and communities remain unable to benefit from all that these technologies have to offer.
The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent was established to challenge these injustices.
To amplify the voices of people of African descent.
And to accelerate progress towards a world of dignity, justice and equality.
To accomplish this goal, we must push for action at every level:
A critical objective is the need for reparatory justice frameworks grounded in international human rights law.
Developed with the inclusive and meaningful participation of affected communities.
That acknowledges the terrible harms and injustices caused, and their continued manifestations and ramifications.
And that redresses past wrongs.
We need to eliminate bias from artificial intelligence, and to ensure that these technologies advance equality, inclusion and digital justice.
Including by delivering on the commitments in the Global Digital Compact agreed last year.
And by investing in capacity development to ensure people of African descent can shape, build and govern AI technologies.
And we must continue to address racism in all its forms – particularly where it is embedded in laws, policies and institutions.
All of us have a responsibility to play our part – international organizations, governments, businesses, and individuals.
And to drive action across this Second International Decade for People of African Descent.
In particular, I urge all countries to deliver on their commitments in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action – the blueprint for combatting racism, racial discrimination and intolerance.
Together, with courage and with determination – let us forge ahead toward a world where the human rights of people of African descent are fully respected, protected, and fulfilled.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh
African countries face a major challenge of dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases. But the continent’s health systems don’t have the resources to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.
Historically, aid has played a critical role in supporting African health systems. It has funded key areas, including medical research, treatment programmes, healthcare infrastructure and workforce salaries. In 2021, half of sub-Saharan Africa’s countries relied on external financing for more than one-third of their health expenditures.
As aid dwindles, a stark reality emerges: many African governments are unable to achieve universal health coverage or address rising healthcare costs.
The reduction in aid restricts healthcare services and threatens to reverse decades of health progress on the continent. A fundamental shift in healthcare strategy is necessary to address this crisis.
The well-known maxim that “prevention is better than cure” holds not just for health outcomes but also for economic efficiency. It’s much more affordable to prevent diseases than it is to treat them.
As an infectious diseases specialist, I have seen how preventable diseases can put a financial burden on health systems and households.
For instance, each year, there are global economic losses of over US$33 billion due to neglected tropical diseases. Many conditions, such as lymphatic filariasis, often require lifelong care. This places a heavy burden on families and stretches national healthcare systems to their limits.
African nations can cut healthcare costs through disease prevention. This often requires fewer specialist health workers and less expensive interventions.
To navigate financial constraints, African nations must rethink and redesign their healthcare systems.
Three key areas where cost-effective, preventive strategies can work are: improving water, sanitation, and hygiene; expanding vaccination programmes; and making non-communicable disease prevention part of community health services.
A shift in healthcare delivery
Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure
Many diseases prevalent in Africa are transmitted through contact with contaminated water and soil. Investing in safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure is an opportunity. This alone can prevent a host of illnesses such as parasitic worms and diarrhoeal diseases. It can also improve infection control and strengthen epidemic and pandemic disease control.
Currently, WASH coverage in Africa remains inadequate. Millions are vulnerable to preventable illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 alone, about 510,000 deaths in Africa could have been prevented with improved water and sanitation. Of these, 377,000 deaths were caused by diarrhoeal diseases.
Unsafe WASH conditions also contribute to secondary health issues, such as under-nutrition and parasitic infections. Around 14% of acute respiratory infections and 10% of the undernutrition disease burden – such as stunting – are linked to unsafe WASH conditions.
By investing in functional WASH infrastructure, African governments can significantly reduce the incidence of these diseases. This will lead to lower healthcare costs and improved public health outcomes.
Local production of relevant vaccines
Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available for preventing infection. Immunisation efforts save over four million lives every year across the continent.
There is an urgent need for vaccines against diseases prevalent in Africa whose current control is heavily reliant on aid. Neglected tropical diseases are among them.
Vaccines can also prevent some non-communicable diseases. A prime example is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which can prevent up to 85% of cervical cancer cases in Africa.
HPV vaccination is also more cost-effective than treating cervical cancer. In some African countries, the cost per vaccine dose averages just under US$20. Treatment costs can reach up to US$2,500 per patient, as seen in Tanzania.
It is vital to invest in a comprehensive vaccine ecosystem. This includes strengthening local research and building innovation hubs. Regulatory bodies across the continent must also be harmonised and markets created to attract vaccine investment.
Integrating disease prevention into community healthcare services
Historically, African healthcare systems were designed to address communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV. This left them ill-equipped to handle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. One cost-effective approach is to integrate the prevention and management of these diseases into existing community health programmes.
Community health workers currently provide low-cost interventions for health issues such as pneumonia and malaria. They can be trained to address non-communicable diseases as well.
In some countries, community health workers are already filling the service gap. Getting them more involved in prevention strategies will strengthen primary healthcare services in Africa. This investment will ultimately reduce the long-term financial burden of treating chronic diseases.
A treatment-over-prevention approach will not be affordable
Current estimates suggest that by 2030, an additional US$371 billion per year – roughly US$58 per person – will be required to provide basic primary healthcare services across Africa.
Adding to the challenge is the rising global cost of healthcare, projected to increase by 10.4% this year alone. This marks the third consecutive year of escalating costs. For Africa, costs also come from population growth and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
By shifting focus from treatment to prevention, African nations can make healthcare accessible, equitable and financially sustainable despite the decline in foreign aid.
Francisca Mutapi is affiliated with Uniting to Combat NTDs
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) released the following statement after unauthorized Homeland Security agents attempted to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools without a warrant.
“We should all be deeply angered and concerned by the attempt of Homeland Security agents to access two elementary schools in Southeast Los Angeles,” said Congressman Garcia. “Both schools are in my congressional district and part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
I commend the principals and staff at both schools who refused to allow the agents to enter without a warrant, and I’m grateful to Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho for working to protect all students across Los Angeles.
It’s outrageous that Homeland Security would target children, and as a member of the Homeland Security Committee in Congress, I’m demanding answers immediately from Secretary Noem and the Trump Administration. We will not allow our students and their families to be intimidated or harmed.”
Congressman Garcia remains committed to reforming our immigration system, creating fair pathways to citizenship, and treating immigrants with respect and dignity. In July 2024, Congressman Garciaintroducedthe SHIELD Act, which allocated grants through the Attorney General and the Department of Justice to local and state governments to support the recruitment of staff and attorneys to ensure that immigrants receive quality, affordable representation in immigration court. Last Congress, Congressman Garcialed investigationsinto fundamental integrity and credibility issues within the DHS, includingidentifyingwhat actions have been taken to address the threat of domestic violent extremism within the DHS. Congressman Garcia has also defended humane immigration procedures andcondemnedextreme rhetoric on immigration and border security that dehumanizes migrants legally seeking asylum. Congressman Garcia has alsoinvestigatedthe use of inappropriate language and behavior among Border Patrol agents within ICE toward immigrants following reports from the Huffington Post. Congressman Garcia also continues to champion legislation that increases resources and efficiencies for vital government departments and agencies.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh
African countries face a major challenge of dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases. But the continent’s health systems don’t have the resources to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.
Historically, aid has played a critical role in supporting African health systems. It has funded key areas, including medical research, treatment programmes, healthcare infrastructure and workforce salaries. In 2021, half of sub-Saharan Africa’s countries relied on external financing for more than one-third of their health expenditures.
As aid dwindles, a stark reality emerges: many African governments are unable to achieve universal health coverage or address rising healthcare costs.
The reduction in aid restricts healthcare services and threatens to reverse decades of health progress on the continent. A fundamental shift in healthcare strategy is necessary to address this crisis.
The well-known maxim that “prevention is better than cure” holds not just for health outcomes but also for economic efficiency. It’s much more affordable to prevent diseases than it is to treat them.
As an infectious diseases specialist, I have seen how preventable diseases can put a financial burden on health systems and households.
For instance, each year, there are global economic losses of over US$33 billion due to neglected tropical diseases. Many conditions, such as lymphatic filariasis, often require lifelong care. This places a heavy burden on families and stretches national healthcare systems to their limits.
African nations can cut healthcare costs through disease prevention. This often requires fewer specialist health workers and less expensive interventions.
To navigate financial constraints, African nations must rethink and redesign their healthcare systems.
Three key areas where cost-effective, preventive strategies can work are: improving water, sanitation, and hygiene; expanding vaccination programmes; and making non-communicable disease prevention part of community health services.
A shift in healthcare delivery
Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure
Many diseases prevalent in Africa are transmitted through contact with contaminated water and soil. Investing in safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure is an opportunity. This alone can prevent a host of illnesses such as parasitic worms and diarrhoeal diseases. It can also improve infection control and strengthen epidemic and pandemic disease control.
Currently, WASH coverage in Africa remains inadequate. Millions are vulnerable to preventable illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 alone, about 510,000 deaths in Africa could have been prevented with improved water and sanitation. Of these, 377,000 deaths were caused by diarrhoeal diseases.
Unsafe WASH conditions also contribute to secondary health issues, such as under-nutrition and parasitic infections. Around 14% of acute respiratory infections and 10% of the undernutrition disease burden – such as stunting – are linked to unsafe WASH conditions.
By investing in functional WASH infrastructure, African governments can significantly reduce the incidence of these diseases. This will lead to lower healthcare costs and improved public health outcomes.
Local production of relevant vaccines
Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available for preventing infection. Immunisation efforts save over four million lives every year across the continent.
There is an urgent need for vaccines against diseases prevalent in Africa whose current control is heavily reliant on aid. Neglected tropical diseases are among them.
Vaccines can also prevent some non-communicable diseases. A prime example is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which can prevent up to 85% of cervical cancer cases in Africa.
HPV vaccination is also more cost-effective than treating cervical cancer. In some African countries, the cost per vaccine dose averages just under US$20. Treatment costs can reach up to US$2,500 per patient, as seen in Tanzania.
It is vital to invest in a comprehensive vaccine ecosystem. This includes strengthening local research and building innovation hubs. Regulatory bodies across the continent must also be harmonised and markets created to attract vaccine investment.
Integrating disease prevention into community healthcare services
Historically, African healthcare systems were designed to address communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV. This left them ill-equipped to handle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. One cost-effective approach is to integrate the prevention and management of these diseases into existing community health programmes.
Community health workers currently provide low-cost interventions for health issues such as pneumonia and malaria. They can be trained to address non-communicable diseases as well.
In some countries, community health workers are already filling the service gap. Getting them more involved in prevention strategies will strengthen primary healthcare services in Africa. This investment will ultimately reduce the long-term financial burden of treating chronic diseases.
A treatment-over-prevention approach will not be affordable
Current estimates suggest that by 2030, an additional US$371 billion per year – roughly US$58 per person – will be required to provide basic primary healthcare services across Africa.
Adding to the challenge is the rising global cost of healthcare, projected to increase by 10.4% this year alone. This marks the third consecutive year of escalating costs. For Africa, costs also come from population growth and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
By shifting focus from treatment to prevention, African nations can make healthcare accessible, equitable and financially sustainable despite the decline in foreign aid.
Programme for Government must have climate at its heart.
More in Climate
Responding to the announcement that the SNP’s next Programme for Government will be presented in May, the Scottish Greens have called for plans for serious and sustained climate action.
It is less than two weeks since Ministers watered down the Heat in Buildings Bill, undermining any chance that Scotland has of hitting climate targets.
“The First Minister has promised a year of delivery, and our climate has to be at the heart of it.
“With bills soaring and stretching households and families to their limits, it is vital that we move away from fossil fuels and support people in making green choices.
“That means acting to cut the eye watering prices that people are being forced to pay for public transport, and providing far more support for green energy and insulating homes.
“Yet, at a time when our climate needs us, the SNP has watered down its Heat in Buildings plan, a move that will only tie more people to costly and damaging fossil fuels.
“The next Programme for Government must show more ambition if it is really to be a year of delivery.
“We have a lot of skilled engineers and workers in our country, and they can be at the heart of a green transition if there is a political will for it.
“The wildfires we have seen over recent days and weeks underline how important it is that we take serious and sustained climate action. Anything less will see our communities paying the price.”
A six-week public consultation on revoking and replacing the UK Marine Equipment Regulations following the UK’s exit from the EU will begin on Monday 14 April.
A six-week public consultation on revoking and replacing the UK Marine Equipment Regulations aims to provide and improve clarity for shipowners, operators and equipment manufacturers following UK’s exit from the EU.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals revoke the 2016 Regulations and the amendments made in 2019 and replace them with a single new regulation.
The UK Mark of Conformity for marine equipment – the ‘Red Ensign’ – became mandatory on 1 January 2023 and applies to all marine equipment placed on board all UK vessels that was previously subject to the European Union’s Mark of Conformity for marine equipment (the ‘Wheel Mark’).
The proposed Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2025 will include the ability to grant exemptions (in areas of technical innovation), through the ‘Red Ensign’.
Equipment manufactured before January 2023 remains out of scope of the proposed Regulations. These Regulations will also provide vessels with the opportunity to apply for a ‘Letter of acceptance’ to install non-UK approved equipment.
The amendments will also include requirements and standards for Ballast Water Management Systems to be installed on UK ships.
MCA Director of UK Technical Maritime Services Fraser Heasley said:
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency regularly reviews legislation to ensure the UK’s commitment to safety at sea. Marine equipment, its standards and its conformities are crucial to that work.
Importantly, these proposals to update the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations, seek to combine the 2016 Regulations and amendments made in 2019 in the wake of the UK’s exit from the EU.
Further information
The six-week public consultation runs from Monday 14 April until Monday 27 May.
Press enquiries (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) 0203 817 2222
Outside these hours or on bank holidays and weekends, for media enquiries ONLY, please send an email outlining your query and putting #Urgent in the subject title.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
International Summit on the Future of Energy Security Partners
Government welcomes Official Partners of International Summit on the Future of Energy Security.
The Official Partners sponsoring the International Energy Agency and UK Government’s energy security summit are Iberdrola/ScottishPower, National Grid, SSE and Urenco
Ministers and industry leaders from around the world will gather in London in April to discuss the future of energy security
Summit will be hosted by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and International Energy Agency Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol
The government has today (Monday 14 April) announced the four Official Partners sponsoring the upcoming summit marking a new era for energy security.
Energy ministers and key energy sector decision makers from around the world will convene at the UK Government and International Energy Agency’s Summit on the Future of Energy Security, co-hosted by the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol, at Lancaster House, London, on 24-25 April.
Sponsorship from Iberdrola/ScottishPower, National Grid, SSE and Urenco will help deliver the summit at a lower cost to UK taxpayers and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to delivering clean energy and energy security in the UK and around the world.
In recent years, energy security has risen up the global agenda as countries act to respond to today’s challenges and protect themselves from future energy shocks. The summit is an opportunity to cooperate on rising to the challenges the world faces on energy security and seizing the opportunities to act. It comes as the UK sets a global example by accelerating to a new era of clean electricity by 2030.
The Official Partners
Iberdrola/ScottishPower
Iberdrola is the largest utility in Europe, with a market capitalization of £85 billion, and serves 100 million people worldwide thanks to a diversified portfolio of businesses across the electricity value chain in the UK, the US, Spain, France, Germany, Brazil and Australia. In the UK, Iberdrola is investing £24 billion up to 2028 through ScottishPower, mainly in transmission and distribution networks and offshore wind. Overall, the Group is dedicating around 70% of its investments to power networks to accelerate electrification as a way to increase energy security and competitiveness, create new industries and jobs, and improve sustainability. Around two thirds of Iberdrola’s global investments are allocated to the UK and to the US
Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán said:
Energy security is the first step towards overall security. Digitalization, big data, AI and the industries of the future rely on a secure power supply, driving demand growth not seen for decades, and network infrastructures are the backbone of a resilient power system. Driven by the UK Government’s clear and stable energy policies, Iberdrola is investing £24 billion to 2028 in the UK in transmission, distribution and offshore wind to guarantee energy security, growth and competitiveness. We welcome the IEA and UK Government bringing together key policy makers and energy companies to analyse how best to enhance energy security globally.
National Grid
National Grid is investing £60 billion in energy networks over the next five years in the UK and the northeastern United States. This represents nearly double the investment of the previous five years. Its commitment will unlock significant economic growth, create thousands of new jobs, reduce energy bills in the long term, increase energy security, and support an increasingly decarbonised, electrified economy.
National Grid Chief Executive Officer John Pettigrew said:
National Grid is investing £60 billion in energy networks to 2029, boosting energy security, driving economic growth, and supporting 60,000 more jobs across the UK and US. Innovation and investment will be essential to unlocking the benefits of the energy transformation for customers and communities; it is essential that events like this exist to enable the sector to collaborate and drive progress forwards.
SSE
SSE is a UK-listed and headquartered company investing £20 billion over five years to 2027 in renewable energy, electricity networks, and flexible power generation. Harnessing some of Europe’s best renewable resources with projects like Dogger Bank – the world’s largest offshore wind farm – SSE generates homegrown clean energy, protecting billpayers from overdependence on imported fossil fuels. It also builds and operate vital transmission and distribution grids to connect and transport more secure power to homes and businesses. At the same time, through its fleet of flexible generation and storage assets across hydro, batteries and efficient gas-fired power stations, it provides the balance required to ensure an increasingly renewable energy system is not only cleaner but more secure.
It has never been clearer that energy security equates to national security – and achieving it requires countries to focus both on developing their own homegrown energy sources and on international cooperation to ensure increased flexibility and resilience. This principle is at the heart of the UK Government’s Clean Power Mission, and we are proud to be playing our part in delivering mission-critical investments across renewables, networks, and system flexibility. But there is more we can and must do, and we are therefore thrilled to be partnering with the UK Government and the IEA to advance this crucial agenda.
Urenco
Urenco is a global uranium enrichment company, fuelling nuclear power plants to ensure a secure, reliable, and low carbon supply of energy. With four facilities in different countries within the Western world, it is providing customers with choice of where to receive their supply from and are rapidly ramping up capacity to meet increased demand.
Urenco Chief Executive Officer Boris Schucht said:
There are now well-established drivers for an enhanced role of nuclear power: the need to meet climate change goals; and the need for countries to have a secure and independent energy supply. As a long-standing and integral part of the global nuclear industry, Urenco sees it as our responsibility to make a valuable contribution to meeting world-wide energy needs, complementing other low carbon sources through a 24/7 supply which is cost effective over the lifetime of a reactor. We will continue to collaborate with partners across the energy sector and beyond to help ensure the reliable, clean energy system our world needs are achieved.
NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS), a global data and AI company, announced it has been named a Leader and a Star Performer in Everest Group’s Life and Annuities (L&A) Insurance Business Process Services (BPS) and Third-Party Administrator (TPA) PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2025.
This is the second consecutive year that EXL has earned this distinction. Everest Group cites EXL’s digital integration of analytics and AI solutions, robust engagement models, and in-house domain expertise as key to its market success.
“EXL has demonstrated growth in the L&A Insurance BPS and TPA market, driven by its digital transformation-led strategy and flexible engagement models, including BPaaS and TPA constructs. This approach has reinforced EXL as a partner of choice for enterprises,” said Sahil Chaudhary, practice director, Everest Group. “EXL continues to invest in upskilling and talent development through in-house microlearning programs on emerging technologies and industry certifications. Collectively, these efforts have positioned it as a Leader and Star Performer in the Everest Group L&A Insurance BPS and TPA PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2025.”
Each year, Everest Group presents detailed assessments of L&A insurance BPS and TPA providers. This year’s assessment includes 24 companies. Firms are evaluated based on their vision, capabilities, and market impact. Researchers determine an organization’s positioning based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process, interactions with leading L&A insurance BPS and TPA providers, client reference checks, and ongoing analysis of the industry market.
“As the L&A insurance industry undergoes yet another transformation, insurers are grappling with ways to break away from legacy systems and improve operational efficiency,” said Vivek Jetley, president and head of insurance and healthcare and life sciences, EXL. “At EXL, we are proud to be accelerating the adoption of intelligent automation into our clients’ existing service offerings, including actuarial services, claims management, underwriting, and policy administration, to create more efficient, value-driven decisioning.”
To read more about Everest Group’s L&A Insurance BPS and TPA PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2025, click here. For more information about EXL’s solutions for the insurance industry, click here.
Disclaimer
Licensed extracts taken from Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix® Reports, may be used by licensed third parties for use in their own marketing and promotional activities and collateral. Selected extracts from Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix® reports do not necessarily provide the full context of our research and analysis. All research and analysis conducted by Everest Group’s analysts and included in Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix® reports is independent and no organization has paid a fee to be featured or to influence their ranking. To access the complete research and to learn more about our methodology, please visit Everest Group PEAK Matrix® Reports.
About EXL
EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a global data and AI company that offers services and solutions to reinvent client business models, drive better outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform businesses, including the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and capital markets, retail, communications and media, and energy and infrastructure, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. We are headquartered in New York and have approximately 59,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.
About Everest Group Everest Group is a leading global research firm helping business leaders make confident decisions. Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix® assessments provide the analysis and insights enterprises need to make critical selection decisions about global services providers, locations, and products and solutions within various market segments. Likewise, providers of these services, products, and solutions, look to the PEAK Matrix® to gauge and calibrate their offerings against others in the industry or market. Find further details and in-depth content at www.everestgrp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to EXL’s operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond EXL’s control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning EXL’s possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of its business strategy. These statements may include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of management’s experience in the industry as well as its perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. You should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although EXL believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect EXL’s actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors, which include our ability to maintain and grow client demand, our ability to hire and retain sufficiently trained employees, and our ability to accurately estimate and/or manage costs, rising interest rates, rising inflation and recessionary economic trends, are discussed in more detail in EXL’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including EXL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible to predict these events or how they may affect EXL. EXL has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will this week undertake an oversight visit to the Eastern Cape province where he will engage with the Provincial Executive Committee and receive a briefing on the Port of Ngqura.
The President’s programme will commence on Tuesday with a briefing by the Transnet leadership on the port which is one of South Africa’s newest deep-water ports, designed for high-efficiency container handling and large vessels.
It is also strategically aligned with the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and positioned as a key transshipment hub for Southern Africa.
“During the visit, the President will receive an update on plans to improve operational efficiencies at the port and projects currently underway,” the Presidency said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the President and Cabinet will meet with Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and his executive council to discuss conditions and opportunities in the province as part of strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration and consultation.
“The national and provincial executives will discuss various approaches to improving service delivery at local government level,” the Presidency said.
The President’s visit will seek to tighten alignment between provincial priorities and those of the 7th Administration, in line with the joined-up development approach adopted by government in the District Development Model.
This visit will be the fifth engagement between the national executive and provincial governments following recent interactions between the President and the provincial governments of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Gauteng.
President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Ministers and Deputy Ministers. – SAnews.gov.za
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Deputy Finance Minister, Mcebisi Jonas, as his Special Envoy to the United States.
In his new role, Jonas will serve as the official representative of the President and the government of South Africa.
“In this capacity, Mr Jonas is entrusted with the responsibility to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities. He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with US government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation’s interests,” President Ramaphosa said in a statement on Monday.
The Head of State described Jonas as an eminent South African leader, who served as one of four Presidential Investment Envoys that he appointed in 2018 to facilitate investment into South Africa.
“As a former Deputy Finance Minister of South Africa, Mr Jonas brings extensive governmental experience to his new diplomatic role. Concurrently, he holds the position of Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the MTN Group, a role he will maintain alongside his responsibilities as my Special Envoy,” the President said.
In addition, the President believes that this appointment underscores his distinguished career and continued commitment to advancing South Africa’s national and economic interests.
“For decades, South Africa and the United States of America have maintained a historical and strategic relationship. In the interest of our country, our region and the rest of our continent, I remain committed to rebuilding and maintaining this relationship for more decades based on mutual respect, recognition of each other’s sovereignty and benefit for our respective peoples,” he added.
Meanwhile, a delegation of senior officials, led by South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Sherpa and the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Zane Dangor, recently met with United States officials to clarify the country’s expropriation and equity laws.
During the visit, the delegation engaged with their counterparts in Washington, including senior officials at the White House and the State Department, to address key bilateral priorities. – SAnews.gov.za
Former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas has pledged to do his utmost as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy to the United States (US) to promote a healthy working relationship between South Africa and the US.
This follows the President’s announcement on Monday of Jonas’s appointment as his Special Envoy to the United States, where he will serve as the official representative of the President and the government of South Africa.
“I would like to thank President Cyril Ramaphosa for entrusting me with this important but challenging role. I will do my best to promote a healthy working relationship between South Africa and the United States.
“I will do my best to promote a healthy working relationship between South Africa and the United States,” he said in a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
The former Deputy Minister acknowledged the challenges ahead due to recent global developments.
“I am fully cognisant of the difficulties that lie ahead, considering recent global developments. However, I believe that areas of commonality and mutual interest could be embraced to reaffirm the long-standing ties between our two countries.
“There are no quick fixes in such a complex situation. I appeal that, in the national interest, South Africans exercise patience and allow us time and space to engage fully with different stakeholders in the United States and South Africa.”
Jonas indicated that any updates regarding his work would be communicated through the Presidency and DIRCO.
The President has described Jonas as an eminent South African leader who served as one of four Presidential Investment Envoys that he appointed in 2018 to facilitate investment into South Africa.
As a former Deputy Finance Minister of South Africa, the President said Jonas brings extensive governmental experience to his new diplomatic role.
Jonas currently holds the position of Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the MTN Group, a role he will maintain alongside his responsibilities as Special Envoy. – SAnews.gov.za
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This addendum sets out technical corrections to certain formulas used in the modelling in the Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.
The ETF are pleased to invite stakeholders from across government and relevant external agencies to provide feedback on potential updates to the Magenta Book.
The ETF are pleased to invite stakeholders from across government and relevant external agencies to provide feedback on potential updates to the Magenta Book.
The Magenta Book outlines central government guidance on evaluation, and is aligned with the HM Treasury Green Book, which sets out the economic principles that should be applied to both appraisal and evaluation.
The Evaluation Task Force is working with representatives from the Cross Government Evaluation Group, Government Social Research Heads of Profession, and Directors of Analysis to review and update the Magenta Book to reflect relevant advances in social research methods and practices since the last Magenta Book update in 2020.
Aims
The overall aim of the review is to enhance the Magenta Book by identifying and implementing potential improvements in evaluation methods, guidance, and practice. It is an opportunity to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of Government evaluation guidance for government social researchers, and organisations who undertake independent evaluations for government.
Scope
Initial engagement with key government stakeholders have identified four key areas where there is an appetite to add content to the Magenta Book:
Value for money evaluation;
‘Test and learn’ evaluation approaches and other associated terms such as prototyping;
Aligning evaluation and benefits realisation, including the distinctions between the two and how they complement and work together;
Research transparency, including analysis replicability, availability of data/code, and use of open repositories.
We would particularly welcome feedback on:
Whether you are supportive of additional content being added to the Magenta Book in the four areas listed above;
Whether there are other aspects of the Magenta Book that you believe could be improved or adapted to better serve the needs of Government evaluators;
Whether there are any errors, inaccuracies or other errata in the current version of the Magenta Book that should be corrected or edited for clarity.
The scope of the review is to enhance our evaluation guidance, and we are not looking to revise existing content where this is accurate and reliable.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) affects almost all dimensions of the health of women and girls, according to a new study published today from the World Health Organization (WHO) together with the United Nations’ Human Reproduction Programme (HRP). Health complications of the practice can be severe and life-long, causing both mental and physical health risks.
Published in BMC Public Health, the publication analyzes evidence from more than 75 studies in around 30 countries to paint a comprehensive picture of the ways that FGM impacts survivors’ health at different life stages.
It shows that women with FGM are significantly more likely to experience a wide range of complications during childbirth compared to those without, for instance. They have more than double the risk of enduring prolonged or obstructed labour or haemorrhage, while being significantly more likely to require emergency caesarean sections or forceps delivery.
In addition, women with FGM have an almost three-times greater risk of depression or anxiety, and a 4.4 times higher likelihood of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
There is a critical need to ensure timely, high-quality health care for survivors, to engage communities for prevention and ensure families are aware of FGM’s harmful effects, alongside serious political commitment to stop the practice and educate and empower women and girls.
Dr Pascale Allotey / Director of SRHR at WHO and head of HRP
“This study paints a devastating picture of the manifold health implications of female genital mutilation, spanning mental and physical health and undermining emotional well-being,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO and head of HRP. “There is a critical need to ensure timely, high-quality health care for survivors, to engage communities for prevention and ensure families are aware of FGM’s harmful effects, alongside serious political commitment to stop the practice and educate and empower women and girls.”
FGM is a harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs such as cutting or burning. It is an extreme form of gender discrimination and a stark violation of women and girls’ human rights.
It is estimated that around 230 million women and girls alive today have undergone FGM. While evidence shows the overall proportion of those who experience FGM is declining, absolute numbers could increase given rising youth populations in countries where it is practiced. Abandonment of FGM is challenging, given that it is driven by deep-set cultural beliefs and norms.
Also of concern, evidence shows more cases of FGM are now performed by health workers – its so-called medicalization – due in part to misperceptions that their involvement makes it safer and reduces risks. In fact, some studies have shown that longer-term damage from “medicalized” FGM may be greater, since it can result in deeper, more severe cuts.
FGM’s immediate risks can be life-threatening and include severe infections, heavy blood loss, as well as extreme pain and emotional trauma. Longer-term consequences for survivors include, as well as those described above, menstrual difficulties; urological complications, including urinary tract infections and difficulty urinating; and painful sexual intercourse.
In addition to various obstetric risks for women, the paper highlights that FGM can also have impacts on babies during or following childbirth. Babies born to women who had FGM are more likely to experience birth complications like fetal distress or asphyxia, resulting in lower newborn survival rates.
Recognizing FGM’s devastating health impacts, WHO supports efforts to strengthen prevention efforts within the health sector, engaging health workers to educate communities and family members, while providing clinical guidance on effective care for survivors.
Understanding the range of complications FGM can cause – spanning acute risks as well as impacts on obstetric and neonatal, gynaecological, urological, sexual and mental health – is critical for ensuring survivors receive appropriate treatment and support. Drawing on this evidence, WHO will shortly release a new guideline covering both FGM prevention and clinical care for affected women and girls. FGM is currently common in around 30 countries across Africa and Asia.
The study was supported by the Governments of Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland alongside HRP (the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction). HRP is the main research institution within the United Nations system for sexual and reproductive health.