Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Ivey – Maryland (4th District)
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Glenn Ivey, (MD-04), joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Congressman Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06) and Governor Wes Moore issued the following statement on Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel’s recent comments about the FBI headquarters:
“Today, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Kash Patel recognized what everyone, including his predecessors, have known for decades: the J. Edgar Hoover Building is unsafe, unworthy, and unaccommodating of the FBI’s vital national security and law enforcement mission. We agree with his statement that ‘if you’re going to come work at the premier law enforcement agency in the world, we’re going to give you a building that is commensurate with that.’
“The solution is clear, and the decision to move the headquarters to the site in Greenbelt, Maryland, was final. This site was selected based on a thorough, objective process examining cost, construction timeline, transportation access, community impact, and the FBI’s mission requirements.
“Team Maryland remains committed to providing the world’s premier law enforcement agency with the world’s premier law enforcement facility. If the Trump Administration truly shares that goal, it will work with us to proceed on this project.”
In a world marked by protracted conflicts and accelerating climate change, humanitarian needs have soared in recent years, yet, the funding to match them has not. Now the humanitarian sector is grappling with unprecedented funding cuts, leaving an even bigger gap.
The need for health and protection services is highest in humanitarian settings: 70% of women in crises are subjected to gender-based violence – double the rate in non-crisis settings; and 60% of preventable maternal deaths occur in countries affected by crisis.
When funding is cut, it is often women and girls in fragile settings – forgotten by the headlines, overlooked in budget decisions – who pay the highest price. That is why UNFPA is sounding the alarm: the lights risk going out for the services that millions of women and girls depend on in the most neglected humanitarian crises.
In these neglected crises, UNFPA’s humanitarian response plans were already under 30% funded in 2024. The funding situation this year will most certainly be worse. What this means on the ground is a shortage of midwives to support women in labour; a lack of medicines and equipment to handle childbirth complications; shuttered safe spaces; and a lack of medical care, counselling or legal services for survivors of gender-based violence.
With the Don’t let the lights go out campaign, UNFPA aims to shine a light on the needs of women and girls in these crises – to raise vital funds to support them and to reaffirm that women’s health, safety and rights must remain non-negotiable priorities in any humanitarian response.
Women and girls are not passive victims of conflict and disaster. They are leaders, change-makers, and the backbone of recovery and resilience. Their strength, courage and determination are central to creating lasting peace and security.
That is why UNFPA’s Humanitarian Thematic Fund is so essential. It provides flexible, multi-year funding to underfunded crises where needs are greatest. Some 80% of the funds go to local and women-led organizations at the forefront of humanitarian response – which means investing in the health, hopes and futures of millions of women and girls.
Don’t let the lights go out on the hopes, the health, and the futures of millions of women and girls in the world’s most neglected crises. Together, we can keep health centres and safe spaces open, ensure midwives are present when lives are on the line, and protect the rights and dignity of every woman and girl.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Mauritania as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the seventh country in WHO’s African Region to achieve this significant milestone. The validation certificate was received by Honorable Abdallahi Sidi Mohamed Wedih, Minister of Health and Aïcha Vall Vergès, Ambassador of Mauritania to Switzerland at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly.
“I congratulate the government and the people of Mauritania for this achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This is another example of the incredible progress we have made against neglected tropical diseases and gives hope to many other nations still fighting against trachoma that they too can eliminate this disease.”
Mauritania has a long history of a fight against trachoma that dates back to the 1960s. However, it was not until early 2000 that the country conducted population-based epidemiological surveys to map trachoma with the support of the Organization for the Prevention of Blindness (OPC), the Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology of Africa (IOTA) and WHO. Trachoma control activities were integrated into the National Programme for the Fight against Blindness at the Ministry of Health.
Mauritania implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting mass administration of antibiotic treatment with azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness and personal hygiene as well as improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.
“Eliminating trachoma is a landmark victory for public health in Mauritania,” said Dr Charlotte Faty Ndiaye, WHO Representative in Mauritania. “This success reflects the strong leadership and commitment of the Government, supported by the dedication of health workers, communities, and partners, with the guidance and support of WHO. We will remain vigilant and support the country to preserve this success and protect those most at risk from trachoma.”
Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Mauritania. In 2009, the country had already been certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Mauritania joins 21 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. These are Benin, Cambodia, China, Ghana, India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Gambia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider group of 55 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases.
WHO is supporting Mauritania’s health authorities to closely monitor communities where trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.
Disease prevalence
As of April 2024, trachoma remains a public health problem in 37 countries with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. The African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.
Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.
Following Mauritania’s success, there are now 20 countries in WHO’s African Region that are targeting trachoma elimination.
Note to editors
Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which spreads from person to person through contaminated fingers, fomites and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. Environmental risk factors for trachoma transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation.
Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is defined as: (i) a prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis “unknown to the health system” of <0.2% in adults aged ≥15 years (approximately 1 case per 1000 total population), and (ii) a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation – follicular in children aged 1–9 years of <5%, sustained for at least two years in the absence of ongoing antibiotic mass treatment, in each formerly endemic district; plus (iii) the existence of a system able to identify and manage incident trachomatous trichiasis cases, using defined strategies, with evidence of appropriate financial resources to implement those strategies.
To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy: a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission of the causative organism, clear existing infections and deal with their effects.
The road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 targets the prevention, control, elimination or eradication of 20 diseases and disease groups. Progress against trachoma and other neglected tropical diseases alleviates the human and economic burden that they impose on the world’s most disadvantaged communities.
Philanthropic support plays a vital role in enabling countries to build stronger health systems and advance towards health equity. From vaccine equity and pandemic preparedness to primary health care, the contributions of philanthropic partners help drive progress across WHO’s key priorities.
The importance of philanthropic support was underscored by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in his recent remarks to the Philanthropy Asia Summit, held in Singapore on 5–7 May 2025. In his remarks, he expressed his appreciation to the Temasek Foundation and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance for organizing the Summit while highlighting the importance of philanthropy in strengthening global health, supporting country self-reliance, and partnering with WHO to address health challenges in an increasingly turbulent world.
At the Summit, Dr Tedros thanked His Excellency President Tharman and Singapore, for its leadership in global health and its support to WHO. Dr Tedros stated that Singapore and the Temasek Foundation were amongst the first to pledge support to WHO’s Investment Round.“We look forward to your continued leadership and partnership as we work together to realize WHO’s founding vision: the highest attainable standard of health – not as a luxury for some, but a right for all”, said Dr Tedros.
During the Investment Round, WHO has sought to expand its donor base, including by engaging strategically with philanthropic organizations. As Dr Tedros noted, partnerships with philanthropies help countries to strengthen essential health services and make sustainable progress towards universal health coverage.
Philanthropic actors play a vital role in improving global health outcomes, providing significant resources and expertise needed to build stronger and more accessible health-care systems. Investments made by philanthropic partners often complement and amplify the work of governments, international organizations and other stakeholders in the global health community.
Philanthropy can be particularly effective in supporting innovative or high-risk research that may not be funded though more traditional funding sources. Philanthropic actors are effective partners when it comes to raising awareness and advocating for policies to improve global health outcomes, address health disparities and promote health equity.
Looking ahead, philanthropic collaboration will remain central to achieving the goals outlined in WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work. Developing strong partnerships with philanthropic actors allows WHO to leverage the strengths of a range of global health players to bring better health to people and maximize impact.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)
This week, Rep. Jack Bergman expressed his full support for Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration in response to the devastating ice storm that struck Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in March.
In a letter to President Donald J. Trump, Rep. Jack Bergman urged the President to swiftly approve the disaster declaration to provide urgently needed federal support and ensure the full recovery of impacted communities across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
The letter stated in part,“I write to offer my full support for Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s May 16, 2025, request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) in response to the severe ice storm that struck Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula from March 28-30, 2025.”
“I firmly believe the severity and scope of this storm exceed the ability of the State of Michigan and local governments to respond without federal support. I respectfully urge you to approve Governor Whitmer’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration without delay. The people of Northern Michigan are among the toughest and most resilient in our Nation, but they should not be left to shoulder the burden of this disaster alone.”
The storm brought historic levels of freezing rain across thirteen counties – Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Kalkaska, and Mackinac. The resulting ice caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, knocking out power and heat for tens of thousands of residents. In the hardest-hit areas, outages persisted for more than two weeks.
Rep. Bergman commended the rapid and coordinated response by local emergency personnel, volunteers, the Michigan National Guard, and thousands of utility workers.
“These men and women worked around the clock in freezing, hazardous conditions to clear debris, conduct wellness checks, restore communications, deliver food and medical supplies, and reconnect entire communities to critical services.”
“While no lives were lost to the storm, the absence of fatalities should not be viewed as a reflection of the storm’s intensity – it is rather a testament to the tireless and heroic efforts of all those who responded when their communities needed them the most,” said Bergman.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)
Yesterday, at a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing, Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) spoke with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to underscore the importance of the Department’s ongoing research into psychedelic-assisted breakthrough therapies for Veterans living with service-connected conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. As co-chair of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, Rep. Bergman has been a leading advocate for advancing research into these innovative treatments, and in December 2024 – following his sustained efforts – the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced $1.5 million in funding for MDMA-assisted therapy, marking the agency’s first investment in psychedelic-assisted treatment research in over six decades.
When asked by Rep. Bergman about the preliminary results of these studies, Secretary Collins noted, “What we’re seeing so far is positive. What we’re seeing so far in some of the studies that are related to VA and also outside of VA as well is that there has been – especially when it comes to [post-traumatic stress] and also traumatic brain injury and others – we’re seeing some actual positive outcomes there.”
During his remarks, Rep. Bergman also asked Secretary Collins about his efforts to improve the timeliness of Veteran benefits processing and reduce care wait times. Highlighting his CHOICE for Veterans Act, which was recently approved by the Committee, Rep. Bergman underscored the importance of expanding Veterans’ access to trusted, accredited representatives to help them more effectively navigate the claims system and access the care and benefits they’ve earned through their service to our Nation.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
ST. LOUIS – A man accused of involvement in methamphetamine and fentanyl dealing was arrested by the FBI in Richmond Heights, Missouri Friday.
Albert James, 47, was indicted Wednesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He pleaded not guilty Friday.
The indictment accuses James of agreeing with others in 2021 to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of meth and 400 grams of fentanyl. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $18,920 in cash.
In court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards said the charges related to a traffic stop in Oklahoma, when James was caught with pounds of meth and fentanyl.
“This is part of a larger on-going investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Perpetrators should not underestimate the FBI’s expertise, resources, and tenacity to dismantle criminal networks.”
Each charge carries a potential prison sentence of at least 10 years, with a maximum term of life.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case.
Summer Jamm Festival set to transform Strabane into hub of family fun
19 May 2025
The highly anticipated Summer Jamm Festival is set to return to Strabane town centre on Saturday, June 7th from 12-late, promising a day filled with entertainment, family activities, and community celebration.
This vibrant event will transform the heart of Strabane into a hub of creativity and excitement, featuring an impressive lineup of attractions designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.
New to this year’s event will be the Street Art Festival which features interactive selfie murals and live street art demonstrations throughout the town. Artists will showcase their talents, offering visitors a chance to engage with the art and even try their hand at creating their own masterpieces.
The popular Bear Run 74 Supercar event returns to this year’s Summer Jamm. Featuring an impressive display of supercars, the Bear Run will also raise funds for the Mayor’s chosen charity.
Families will find plenty to enjoy with the Kidz Farm petting zoo, dinosaur encounters, urban sports activities, an interactive drumming circle, and face painting. Street performers, including magicians, dancers, and musicians, will entertain crowds throughout the town centre. Scheduled performances will take place at various locations, ensuring entertainment is always just around the corner.
The Arts and Crafts and Food Quarter will have a variety of crafts stalls to explore along with a diverse range of culinary cuisine and delicious treats to satisfy everyone’s appetite.
The Alley Theatre will host additional family-friendly entertainment, including the FizzWizzPop Magic Show at 12noon (tickets £2), this is an interactive magical experience designed to delight children and parents alike. The Alley will also offer face painting, Barry McGowan Art exhibition, and Arts and Crafts Workshops from 12noon.
As the sun sets on the Summer Jamm, get ready to follow the Music Trail – enjoy a musical journey around Strabane’s local bars where you can experience a different performance from a talented local musician/band in each venue. The perfect end to the perfect day.
Adding to the festivities, Cullens Fun Fair will be in town from June 5-8, offering traditional fairground rides and games for all ages.
Encouraging everyone to put the date for Summer Jamm in their diary now, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr said: “Summer Jamm has become a cornerstone of our community calendar, bringing together residents and visitors alike to celebrate the best of Strabane. This year’s festival showcases our town’s creative spirit, local talent, and warm hospitality. This is a great day for families to come out and enjoy a wonderful summer event together, and of course the additional visitors to the town bring a welcome boost to local business owners. Make sure you get along to this year’s Summer Jamm and enjoy an unforgettable day of fun with your family and neighbours. I look forward to seeing you all there!”
Keep an eye on the Summer Jamm website: www.derrystrabane.com/summerjamm and Whats On Derry Strabane and The Alley Theatre Facebook pages for further updates.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a previously deported Guatemalan national illegally present in the United States on a charge of assault, resisting, and impeding a law enforcement officer in the performance of official duties.
It is alleged that on April 30, Miguel Tamup-Tamup, aka Miguel Us-Tamup, 28, struggled with an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer and ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents as they attempted to apprehend him for being illegally present in the United States as authorized by a warrant for arrest of alien and an HSI special agent suffered serious injury.
“This individual’s aggressive actions during a lawful arrest led to serious injury to our special agents. The safety of our special agents and officers is paramount and those who resist and commit assault will find themselves facing serious criminal consequences,” said ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.
According to the criminal complaint, an ICE ERO officer and HSI special agents stopped a car that Tamup was operating. After he refused to exit, law enforcement guided him out of the vehicle. While the agents attempted to place Tamup in handcuffs, he resisted, threw his upper body and shoulders against the agents, flailed his arms, and broke an agent’s hold. During the encounter, one of the HSI special agents fell to the ground and suffered a serious leg injury. Tamup fled as the injured agent was attended to by the other agents. The special agent received medical treatment and is expected to fully recover.
Charging documents show that Tamup came to ICE’s attention after his arrest on April 19 by the Providence Police Department on a charge of driving under the influence after his car allegedly collided with another vehicle. He was subsequently arraigned and released. Tamup’s fingerprints matched ICE fingerprint records associated with a person flagged as being in the United States illegally.
On May 15, ICE located Tamup at a Providence residence and took him into custody. He made an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and has been ordered detained.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed a declaration enabling the Connecticut General Assembly to adopt legislation appropriating the funding necessary to keep Medicaid fully funded for the remainder of the 2025 fiscal year.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) is responsible for administering Medicaid in Connecticut. The department estimates that it will need an additional $284 million to ensure that payments continue to be made to health care providers under this program. More than 900,000 Connecticut residents receive health coverage through Medicaid, including children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families.
“Our most vulnerable residents, including seniors and those with disabilities, receive health coverage through Medicaid and it is important that we authorize the funding necessary to ensure these payments continue to be made and people can access the care they need,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut is not alone on this issue as many states are confronting funding issues with Medicaid that are being driven by several intersecting factors. I am hopeful that a unanimous, bipartisan majority of legislators in the General Assembly will agree that we have an obligation to support Medicaid and the people who depend on it for care.”
This is the first time a declaration of this kind has been issued since 2007, when Governor M. Jodi Rell signed a similar declaration.
Increases in costs are being driven by several factors, including changes in the enrollment mix, rising home health and pharmacy costs, and overall increased utilization of services across the program.
To contain costs, Governor Lamont has proposed repealing the GLP-1s for weight loss only starting in June, as well as changing Connecticut’s home-based services program to a waiver, which will limit enrollment. DSS plans to provide stronger oversight of pharmacies to ensure patients receive the medication they need, without waste.
Governor Lamont’s declaration clarifies that this additional expenditure shall not be considered general budget expenditures for the 2025 fiscal year for the purposes of determining general budget expenditures for 2026 fiscal year.
**Download: Declaration of the Existence of Extraordinary Circumstances
The North Dakota Department of Commerce has awarded $50,614to one organization as part of Round 6 of the Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP). This program provides funding to help regional workforce entities create innovative solutions to address their most pressing workforce challenges.
“This project represents a meaningful step toward strengthening North Dakota’s workforce,” said Commerce Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howe. “By expanding access to childcare, we’re removing a major barrier for working families and supporting long-term economic growth in the region.”
The organization receiving funding in this round includes:
Delight & Co.: Awarded $50,614 to expand and enhance childcare services in Ward County by remodeling their current facility. This investment supports critical workforce needs by transitioning from a group license (serving 30 children) to a center license, allowing them to serve approximately 300 children. The project will significantly increase access to quality childcare in the region, benefiting families, employers, and the local economy.
Learn more about Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) and apply at https://ndgov.link/RWIP.
SHENZHEN, China, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At the 17th China International Battery Fair (CIBF2025), held from May 15 to 17 at the Shenzhen International Convention & Exhibition Center, BTR New Material Group showcased its latest advancements in battery technology, reinforcing its position as a global leader in lithium battery materials.
During the exhibition, BTR introduced its comprehensive solid-state and semi-solid battery solutions under the “BTR SAFE” series. For semi‑solid cells, the lineup includes high‑nickel cathode, polymer and oxide electrolyte, and silicon‑based anode; for all‑solid cells, it features ultra‑high‑nickel and lithium‑rich manganese cathode, sulfide electrolyte, and lithium‑carbon composite anodes. Notably, the high‑nickel cathode designed for semi‑solid batteries exhibited a 110‑minute delay in its thermal runaway peak compared with conventional cathodes—providing critical additional time for emergency response. The silicon‑based anode material achieves up to 2,300 mAh/g, a significant boost in energy density.
Complementing its product innovations, BTR unveiled its “Full-Chain Rebirth” closed-loop recycling solution for cathode and anode materials. For cathodes, the company introduced the S cathode material, produced without precursors, achieving zero wastewater discharge. On the anode side, BTR’s “Flexible Newborn” technology facilitates the renewal of anode materials, highlighted by the debut of R graphite.
Through these solid‑state and semi‑solid battery solutions and its closed‑loop recycling strategy, BTR demonstrated not only its strong innovation capabilities but also its commitment to sustainable development within the battery industry.
BTR’s booth was meticulously designed to showcase its complete technological ecosystem and ESG focus. Key exhibit areas included solid‑state battery materials, fast‑charging anode solutions, integrated application demonstrations, and its closed‑loop recycling processes—drawing widespread attention from industry professionals.
About CIBF
Organized by the China Industrial Association of Power Sources, CIBF 2025 is one of the most influential global battery‑industry events, featuring over 3,000 exhibitors and attracting more than 400,000 attendees.
About BTR Established in August 2000 and listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange in October 2021 (stock code 835185·BJ), BTR New Material Group Co., Ltd. is a leader in renewable energy material R&D. Known for its continuous technological innovation, BTR offers advanced technologies and a comprehensive product portfolio, serving both international and domestic markets. Its core products include lithium-ion battery anodes, cathodes, and other advanced materials.
Source: The Conversation – France – By Florian Bonnet, Démographe et économiste, spécialiste des inégalités territoriales, Ined (Institut national d’études démographiques)
The political decisions made during 2020 and 2021 to combat the Covid-19 pandemic profoundly altered daily life. Professionally, societies faced partial unemployment and widespread adoption of remote work; personally, individuals endured lockdowns and social distancing measures. These interventions aimed to reduce infection rates and ease pressure on healthcare systems, with the primary public health goal of minimizing deaths.
A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!
More than five years after the pandemic began, what do we know about its impact on human longevity? Here’s a closer look.
A decline in global life expectancy
Initial assessments of the pandemic’s toll have been refined over time. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report published in May 2024, global life expectancy declined by 1.8 years between 2019 and 2021, erasing a decade of progress. These estimates rely on “excess mortality”, a metric that measures the difference between observed mortality during the pandemic and expected mortality in its absence.
Excess mortality can be quantified using different indicators, such as the number of excess deaths. However, comparing this indicator between countries of different sizes and age structures can be challenging. Another informative metric is the loss of life expectancy at birth, calculated globally by organisations such as the WHO.
The regular calculation, publication and dissemination of excess mortality indicators are vital for comparing the pandemic’s impact across countries at the national level. However, it is important to recognise that the pandemic did not affect all areas within countries equally. Variability in the severity of the pandemic’s impact often stemmed from differing confinement strategies implemented to contain the virus.
This uneven distribution highlights the need to quantify these indicators at a more granular geographical level. Such localised analysis can reveal the regions most severely affected, providing valuable insights into the pandemic’s effects and enabling the development of targeted response strategies.
In 2020, significant declines in life expectancy were observed in northern Italy and Spain
Figure 1 illustrates the spatial distribution of estimated losses of life expectancy in 2020. These losses were highest in northern Italy and central Spain. In the Italian regions of Bergamo and Cremona, life expectancy dropped by nearly four years, while Piacenza experienced a decline of three and a half years. In Spain, the regions of Segovia, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Madrid saw losses of approximately three years.
The losses were even more pronounced among men (data not presented here), who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. In Cremona, the decline in life expectancy among men reached nearly five years, while in Bergamo, it was close to four and a half years.
Figure 1: Estimated loss of observed life expectancy at birth (e0) in 2020 across 569 regions in 25 European countries. Estimates are for both sexes combined. Fourni par l’auteur
Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, along with eastern Sweden and northern and eastern France, also experienced significant, though less severe, declines. In France, the Paris region and areas near the German border recorded the highest losses, ranging from 1.5 to 2 years.
In contrast, other regions saw much smaller impacts. This is particularly true for southern Italy, much of Scandinavia and Germany, southern parts of the United Kingdom, and western France. In these regions, observed life expectancy is close to what would have been expected in the absence of the pandemic. In France, the implementation of lockdown measures in March and November likely prevented the pandemic from spreading across the entire country from the initial clusters in the north and east.
In 2021, a shift in the pandemic toward Eastern Europe
Figure 2 shows the estimated losses of life expectancy in 2021. At a glance, the regions most affected by excess mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic differed significantly from those in 2020. The most substantial losses were concentrated in Eastern Europe.
Figure 2: Estimated loss of observed life expectancy at birth (e0) in 2021 across 569 regions in 25 European countries. Estimates are for both sexes combined. Fourni par l’auteur
Among regions where life expectancy declined by more than two years, 61 of Poland’s 73 regions, 12 of the Czech Republic’s 14 regions, all eight Hungarian regions, and seven of Slovakia’s eight regions were affected. In contrast, only one Italian region and one Spanish region experienced losses exceeding two years, despite these countries being heavily impacted in 2020.
Germany saw much greater losses in 2021 than in 2020, particularly in its eastern regions, where declines often exceeded 1.5 years. In southern Saxony, Halle and Lusatia, losses approached two years. Conversely, Spain and Scandinavia recorded the lowest declines in life expectancy.
In France, the losses were more uniform than in 2020, generally ranging from 0 to 1.5 years. The highest loss occurred in the Parisian suburbs, particularly Seine-Saint-Denis, where life expectancy fell by 1.5 years – or two years for men.
What is the overall assessment for these two years?
To determine the overall impact of 2020 and 2021 in terms of life expectancy loss, we used an indicator that sums up the years of life lost due to the pandemic over this two-year period. This method allows us to rank the 569 European regions.
The regions most affected were Pulawy, Bytom and Przemyski in southeastern Poland, along with Kosice and Presov in eastern Slovakia. Among the top 50 regions, Eastern Europe dominated, with 36 Polish regions, six Slovakian regions, two Czech regions, one Hungarian region, and both Lithuanian regions included. Italian regions such as Cremona, Bergamo and Piacenza also ranked high, falling between the 15th and 30th positions. In France, Seine-Saint-Denis ranked 81st, while all other French regions were outside the top 100.
It is crucial to analyse the impact of a crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic at a fine geographical scale, as within-country disparities can be significant. This was particularly evident in Italy in 2020, where the north was far more affected than the south, and in Germany in 2021, with stark differences between the west and the east.
Our study highlighted the severe impact of the pandemic in specific European regions, where life expectancy losses exceeded three years. The most affected regions shifted over time, moving from areas with traditionally high life expectancy (such as northern Italy, central Spain and the greater Paris region) in 2020 to regions with traditionally lower life expectancy (Eastern Europe) in 2021. France was relatively spared compared to the rest of Europe, with the notable exception of Seine-Saint-Denis.
The coming years will be critical in determining whether life expectancy levels can return to their long-term trajectories or if the pandemic has caused lasting structural changes in certain regions.
Les auteurs ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possèdent pas de parts, ne reçoivent pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’ont déclaré aucune autre affiliation que leur organisme de recherche.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Access to non-VA care no longer requires secondary approval
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced changes that will make it easier for VA-enrolled Veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
Since 2019, the MISSION Act has enabled VA-enrolled Veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense when it is in their best medical interest. These decisions have been made jointly by Veterans and their referring clinicians but were not considered final until they were reviewed by a second VA doctor.
Effective immediately, VA will implement language in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act that removes this extra review step. The change will give eligible Veterans faster access to community care.
“Under President Trump, VA is providing Veterans with more health care choices than ever before,” aid VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Now, we’re making it even easier for Veterans to get their health care when and where its most convenient for them. We are putting Veterans first at the department, and that means placing a premium on customer service and convenience. This important change will help us do just that.”
Background
Since 2019, the MISSION Act has given eligible Veterans the option of seeking community care outside VA when they meet any one of six conditions:
When it is in the best medical interest of the Veteran.
The care required is not available at a VA medical facility.
The Veteran lives in a state or territory that does not have a full-service VA facility
VA cannot meet wait time or distance standards:
VA cannot offer an appointment within 20 days for primary care, mental health or non-institutional extended care, or within 28 days for specialty care.
It takes more than a 30-minute drive to reach primary or mental health care, or a 60-minute drive for specialty care.
VA service does not meet certain quality standards.
The Veteran meets the grandfathered distance and location provisions of the former Veterans Choice Program.
The new, streamlined process for determining best medical interest will be backed by training for Veterans Health Administration employees to ensure compliance with the Elizabeth Dole Act.
Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Contact us online through Ask VA
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
Learn about our chatbot and ask a question
Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.
Source: International Marine Contractors Association – IMCA
Headline: Sara McQuillan talks about International Women in Maritime day
May 18 marks the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) annual International Women in Maritime day, and in honour of it, we asked one of the members of our team to speak to us about her experiences of working offshore, and how her gender might have impacted her compared to her male colleagues.
Q: Hi Sara, thank you for agreeing to speak to us, could you describe your journey into hydrographic surveying and what drew you to work at sea in this specialised field?
A: I studied Geography at university and became interested in geospatial information systems which led me to pursue a hydrographic survey course. This opened the door for me to join an offshore construction company as a graduate hydrographic surveyor. Despite not knowing much about the offshore industry, I enjoyed the discipline and thought I would give it a go. Little did I know, it would become something I am so passionate about! Fifteen years later, I’m still working with fantastic hydrographic survey professionals developing technical guidance to support other survey professionals and supporting programs to ensure safety and quality offshore.
Q: What did a typical day look like for you onboard, and what were some of the most memorable or challenging projects you’ve worked on?
A: At the start of a job, during mobilisation, the surveyor has a lot of work to do – installation of sensors, calibrations, verifications, setting up the navigation software, liaising with the relevant teams for the job (ROV/Dive/Marine/OM) to ensure the team was prepared. After a couple of years offshore, my preferred shift was midnight to noon and although this meant I was usually the only surveyor on shift and there was minimal onshore support available, it was quieter and I enjoyed the responsibility.
I would be responsible for ensuring all the survey sensors were operating as required, and to the accuracy expected. That all necessary data was provided in real time to the required teams on board, logged and reported. I was primarily based on construction vessels, so my day to day would involve positioning support for subsea installations.
In 2013 I took part in the Guara-Lula project offshore of Brazil which was the development of a field in the Santos pre-salt basin. This project was a completely different kettle of fish for the survey team on this vessel after years in the UK, the North Sea and Norway. The operations involved were in 2km of water depth and therefore required the use of a wide suite of sensors to obtain accurate subsea positioning in deep water. This required the installation and maintenance of two very large (18 transponder) subsea positioning arrays along with high grade ROV based sensors for the installation operations. This was a very busy project working in a small survey team of five. It was the best project I worked on as it was the time I learned the most. It was incredibly busy and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!
Q: How has your experience been as a woman working in the maritime sector, particularly in the often male-dominated environment of offshore surveying?
A: I am fortunate to have discovered a field I am passionate about. Hydrographic Survey, as a scientific discipline, draws academics who are dedicated and focused on their work. However, the general offshore environment when I began in 2010, was challenging and I was often singled out for my gender. On a vessel of around 120 people, there would have been around five women on board. Sexism and misogyny was always present but not acknowledged, addressed or prevented. Thankfully, towards the end of my offshore career, things started to change. More women were present and that alone changed the dynamic away from being solely a male world. In my offshore space, attitudes were shifting towards an environment where gender wasn’t noted. However, there was, and still is, a way to go but I was glad to see it moving.
Q: Have you noticed any shifts in how women are perceived or supported in maritime careers since you began, and what further changes would you like to see?
A: In 2025 I am happy to see there are more opportunities for women in the Maritime sector and a move towards a more gender balanced workforce. In my opinion this is down to some of the incredible professionals across the world who forged through male-dominated environments and changed perceptions, not just by those currently in the space, but also by those looking to enter it.
In general, the maritime industry seems to be prioritising diversity by focusing on attracting women to careers in the sector. Initiatives run by organisations like the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) and the IMO promote inclusive policies, recruitment, and education for women. Simply changing the gender balance should open doors and careers for those who may not have considered it previously, changing these spaces for everyone, but particularly women.
Q: What advice would you offer to young women considering a career in hydrographic surveying or maritime more broadly?
A: If you enjoy a subject, go for it. If you are apprehensive of entering a male dominated place because of your gender, just get in, take up space, work hard, earn respect, make it your space. Don’t allow your gender to define what you can do.
As for Hydrographic Survey and Hydrography in general, it is full of women. Fantastic academics and practical professionals, working across many different industries, developing new technologies and working within a real-world environment. It’s a fantastic discipline to enter with endless possibilities for careers supporting things like mapping the unknown parts of the ocean, Global Positioning Systems, climate change and environmental sustainability (among others) whilst using and developing state-of-the-art technology. It’s an exciting place to be, come join us.
As Israel continues to pound Gaza with airstrikes, killing scores of people a day, the two-month ceasefire that brought a halt to the violence earlier this year feels like a distant memory.
Israel’s overall military and political objective in Gaza hasn’t changed after 19 months of war: it is still seeking the absolute defeat of Hamas and return of the remaining Israeli hostages.
But it is unclear how Hamas will ever be militarily defeated unless there is a complete and unconditional surrender and the laying down of all arms. This appears unlikely, despite the success of Israel’s so-called “decapitation strategy” targeting the Hamas leadership.
And Hamas continues to hold an estimated 57 Israeli hostages in Gaza, of which up to 24 are believed to still be alive. The group is insisting on guarantees that Israel will end the war before releasing any more hostages.
An ongoing blockade for 18 years
Israel announced Sunday it will allow a “basic” amount of food to enter Gaza after a nearly three-month blockade of the strip. It was not clear when or how the aid would resume amid “extensive” new ground operations the military said Sunday it had also just begun.
Israel first imposed a land, sea and air blockade of Gaza in 2007 after Hamas came to power. These restrictions have severely limited the movement of people and vehicles across the border, as well as the amount of food, medicine and other goods that have been permitted to go into and out of Gaza.
These controls increased significantly after Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. They’ve been maintained at heightened levels ever since.
The January ceasefire temporarily increased the flow of food, medical aid and other support into Gaza. However, this came to an end in early March when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut off aid again to pressure Hamas to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages. Hostilities resumed soon after.
The United Nations’ humanitarian efforts in Gaza have now come to a “near-standstill”. On May 13, Tom Fletcher, the UN emergency relief coordinator, addressed the UN Security Council, stating:
For more than 10 weeks, nothing has entered Gaza – no food, medicine, water or tents. […] Every single one of the 2.1 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip face the risk of famine. One in five faces starvation.
Israel denies there are food shortages in Gaza. It has said it wouldn’t permit any trucks to enter the strip until a new system is in place to prevent Hamas from siphoning supplies.
International law is clear
Both the 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary international law make clear:
The use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare is prohibited.
Under international humanitarian law, Fletcher noted, Israel has the responsibility to ensure aid reaches people in territory it occupies. However, Israel’s method of distributing aid, he said, “makes aid conditional on political and military aims” and “makes starvation a bargaining chip”.
What have the courts found?
International courts have not ignored Israel’s obligations on this front.
In relation Netanyahu and Gallant, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber found:
there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies.
As Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute, there is no obligation on the government to act on the arrest warrants. Both men remain free to travel as long as they do not enter the territory of a Rome Statute party. (Even then, their arrest is not guaranteed.)
The ICC warrants will remain in effect unless withdrawn by the court. The arrest in March of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte highlighted that while ICC investigations may take time, those accused of crimes can eventually be brought before the court to face justice.
This is especially so if there is a change in political leadership in a country that allows an arrest to go ahead.
The case began with high-profile hearings last year when the court issued provisional measures, or orders, requiring Israel to refrain from engaging in any genocidal acts.
The most recent of those orders, issued last May, called on Israel to immediately halt its offensive in Rafah (in southern Gaza) and maintain the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to allow “unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance”.
These orders remain in effect. Yet, Rafah today is a “no-go zone” that Gazans have been ordered to evacuate. And Israel’s blockade of the strip and restrictions on aid and food entering the territory have clearly been in defiance of the court.
Late last month, the ICJ began hearings to form an opinion on Israel’s duties to allow aid to enter Gaza. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, criticised the ICJ’s hearings as “another attempt to politicise and abuse the legal process in order to persecute Israel”.
The court’s advisory opinion on this issue is not expected for several months. A final decision on South Africa’s broader case may take years.
So, what can be done?
Reflecting on the situation in Gaza, Fletcher observed at the UN:
This degradation of international law is corrosive and infectious. It is undermining decades of progress on rules to protect civilians from inhumanity and the violent and lawless among us who act with impunity. Humanity, the law and reason must prevail.
Yet, while the Security Council continues to have the situation in Gaza under review, it has proven incapable of acting decisively because of US support for Israel.
The Biden Administration was prepared to use its veto power to block binding Security Council resolutions forcing Israel to respond to the humanitarian crisis. The Trump Administration would no doubt do the same.
However, as Duterte’s arrest shows, international law sometimes does result in action. The finding by another UN body last week that Russia was responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014 is another case in point.
As the Dutch foreign minister pointed out in that case, the finding sends a message that “states cannot violate international law with impunity”.
Donald Rothwell receives funding from Australian Research Council
President Donald Trump announced while in Saudi Arabia on May 14, 2025, that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria. The turnaround was a huge victory for the government of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa as he attempts to consolidate power nearly six months on from his movement’s stunning toppling of the longtime regime of Bashar al Assad.
But it wasn’t all down to Syria lobbying on its own behalf. In announcing the policy shift, Trump largely attributed the shift to his Saudi hosts as well as Turkey. Both nations are longtime Assad foes who quickly championed al-Sharaa and have been pushing the U.S. to normalize ties with Syria’s new government.
Turkey, whose resources and land have been heavily affected by instability in neighboring Syria, was particularly instrumentalin pushing Trump to accept the post-Assad government, even over objections from Israel.
After 13 years of devastating civil war, Syria faces a slew of large challenges, including the immediate task of state building. Not only is violence still readily apparent in Syria itself – as the recent killing of Alawites, allegedly by government forces, or fighters aligned with them, showed – but neighboring Israel has also repeatedly attacked positions in Syria in an attempt to weaken the new government. To Israel’s government, a strong, militarized Syria would pose a threat, particularly in regard to the unstable border at the Golan Heights.
In this context, Turkey’s hand has been especially important.
Since Trump took office, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has pressed the American president to lift sanctions. The two men had struck up a strong relationship during the first Trump administration, with the U.S. president declaring himself to be a “big fan” of the Turkish leader.
Turkey’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy can be seen as part of its broader effort to fill the vacuum left by Assad’s fall. Doing so not only bolsters Erdogan’s position as a regional player, but it also advances his domestic agenda.
Turkey has moved quickly on numerous fronts in charting the future course of Syria by pursuing economic and security projects in the country. First and foremost, Turkey has upped its investment in Syria.
In the northeast Syrian province of Idlib, Turkey is funding education, health care and electricity, and the Turkish lira is the de facto currency across northwestern Syria.
The roots of these engagements lie in Turkey’s interest in managing its own security situation.
Since 1984, Turkey has been fighting Kurdish separatist groups, most notably the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which is aligned with the Kurdish YPG militia in northeast Syria – one of the groups that fought Assad’s forces during Syria’s civil war.
Assad’s fall led to Russia’s retreat from Syria. Meanwhile, Iranian influence, too, has waned as a result of not only Assad’s departure, but also the military downgrading of Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon. And the U.S. no longer actively supports the Kurdish YPG militia in northeast Syria.
Into this void of external influence, Turkey quickly seized an opportunity to reshape the security landscape.
Ankara, which still controls large chunks of territory in Syria’s northeast from the fight against Assad and Syrian Kurdish groups, agreed to a Syrian plan to incorporate the YPG, the armed wing of the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, into the new Syrian army.
The Turkish perspective has long been that the fight against the PKK can succeed in the long run only with stability on Syrian soil. Now, the PKK is trying to reach peace with the Turkish government, but whether the SDF in Syria will disarm and disband is far from certain. As such, having a strong, stable Syrian government in which a Kurdish majority is accommodated may be in Ankara’s best interests.
Meanwhile, al-Sharaa’s success in rebuilding Syria after the civil war would also help Turkey on another front: the issue of Syrian refugees.
Turkey currently hosts around 3.2 million refugees from Syria – the most of any country. The sheer number and length of stay of these displaced people have put a strain on Turkey’s economy and social relations, leading to clashes between Turks and Syrian refugees.
There is also a broad consensus in Turkey that the Syrian refugee problem in Turkey can be solved only through a comprehensive return strategy.
Although naturalized Syrians in Turkey make up an important constituency within the voter base of Erdogan’s ruling AK Party, the only solution currently envisaged by the Turkish president and his allies is repatriation. For this, rapid and stable development of infrastructure and the housing stock in Syria is considered essential.
Donald Trump looks on as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on May 14, 2025. The confab also had Turkish fingerprints all over it. Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP
Prospects for small-to-middle powers
Turkey’s strategic opportunity in Syria is not without clear risks, however. The incursions by the Israeli military illustrates the challenge Turkey faces in advancing its own interests in Syria. It is notable that Trump’s announcement on sanctions was seemingly made without the knowledge – and against the wishes – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Additionally, Turkey is looking to finesse a growing role in the region into strengthening its position over the long-running dispute in Cyprus. The island, which lies a couple of hundred miles off Syria’s coast, is divided into two regions, with Greek Cypriots in the south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north – with only Turkey recognizing the self-declared state in the north. Turkey is trying to regulate maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean through an agreement with Syria, but the plan is stalled since the European Union supports Greece’s position in Cyprus.
The Turkish moves in Syria are nonetheless being broadly felt elsewhere. Arab nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar support the post-Assad arrangement in Syria and see their own interests being served alongside Turkey’s, although the rivalry of the Sunni world is at stake.
The lifting of sanctions by the U.S. will have long-term political impacts beyond short-term economic impacts. Syria has little direct trade with the U.S., only exporting its agricultural products and antiques. But the appearance of political legitimacy and recognition is a diplomatic win for Turkey, as well as for Syria. The political opening brings with it the promise of future investment in Syria.
Turkey’s dealing with Syria showcases how small-to-middle powers can chart the waters of statecraft in their own way. The days of international affairs being dominated by superpowers appear to be over – as many have long predicted. And in Syria, Turkey is providing a blueprint for how small-to-middle powers can work that to their advantage.
Hyeran Jo receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY). The article was made possible in part by the CCNY grant (G-PS-24-62004, Small State Statecraft and Realignment). She is also a senior fellow at the Center on Armed Groups and a member of an expert advisory group at the Institute for Integrated Transitions. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the author.
Ece Göztepe Çelebi receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY). The article was made possible in part by the CCNY grant (G-PS-24-62004, Small State Statecraft and Realignment). She is a Turkish and Comparative Constitutional Law professor at the Law Faculty of Bilkent University (Ankara/Turkey). The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the author.
Former US President Joe Biden, aged 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, marking a serious escalation in the disease.
The diagnosis was made after he sought medical help for worsening urinary symptoms – a decision that likely saved his life. A small nodule on his prostate led to further investigation, revealing a high-grade cancer with a Gleason score of nine out of ten. This score indicates one of the most aggressive and fast-growing types of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, especially affecting those over the age of 50. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder, responsible for producing seminal fluid. While many prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause serious harm, some – like Biden’s – are far more dangerous, capable of spreading quickly, often before symptoms are even noticed.
The Gleason score is a critical tool used to grade prostate cancer based on how abnormal the cancer cells appear under a microscope. It ranges from six to ten, with higher scores indicating more aggressive disease.
In Biden’s case, the cancer has already metastasized – or spread – beyond the prostate, to the bones. This places him in stage four, the most advanced stage of prostate cancer. While not curable at this point, it is still treatable and can be managed with a combination of therapies aimed at slowing the disease’s progression and alleviating symptoms.
Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms, which is why regular screening is crucial, especially for older men or those with a family history of the disease.
When symptoms do appear, they might include frequent urination (especially at night), difficulty starting or maintaining urine flow, or a feeling that the bladder hasn’t fully emptied. More advanced cancer may manifest as pain in the hips, back, or pelvis, as well as fatigue or unexplained weight loss – all of which contributed to Biden’s decision to seek medical attention.
While the news of Biden’s diagnosis has been met with concern, it has also sparked a wave of bipartisan support. Messages have poured in from political allies and opponents alike, including President Donald Trump. Beyond the personal response, Biden’s condition has reignited public discussions about prostate cancer – particularly around access to screening, the importance of early detection, and disparities in treatment outcomes.
The reality is stark: one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. For many, it may never become life-threatening. But for others, it can be aggressive and fast-moving, underscoring the importance of vigilance and regular check-ups.
Biden’s case is a sobering reminder that cancer doesn’t discriminate based on fame or status. It also serves as a testament to the power of listening to your body and seeking help when something feels wrong. Thanks to advancements in medical research, treatment options today are more effective than ever, offering patients a better quality of life – even in the face of a serious diagnosis.
As Biden begins treatment, his journey may inspire more men to talk to their doctors, get tested and take their health seriously. With the right care and support, life with prostate cancer – even at stage four – is still worth living, and still full of moments that matter.
Justin Stebbing does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The Allahabad High Court on Monday upheld the trial court’s order to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district.
The petition filed by the Muslim side, seeking to halt the trial court proceedings, was rejected after the court found “no issues with the trial court order” in the ongoing dispute between the Jama Masjid and the Harihar Mandir in the district.
Reacting to the judgment, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said that the High Court has rejected all objections raised regarding the appointment of the Survey Commissioner by the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Chandausi.
“This is a very important decision of the Allahabad High Court, and all those who had spread the misconception in the country that the Survey Commissioner appointed by Civil Judge Senior Division Chandausi on 19th November was a wrong appointment and he should have heard the Masjid Committee before making the appointment, today that proposition of law has been completely rejected by the court,” Jain told ANI.
Explaining the court’s authority to appoint a Survey Commissioner, Jain said, “The simple proposition of law is that the court can appoint a Survey Commissioner in the exercise of the power of Order 26, Rule 9 and 10. There is no need to hear anyone at that time. The mandate of law is only that when the survey commissioner goes to the spot for the survey, he will conduct the survey in the presence of both parties. Which was followed here on both the days, i.e., 19th and 24th November.”
Criticizing certain parliamentarians and senior advocates who had raised questions on the survey, he added, “So the big barristers and parliamentarians who had made comments on the dignity of the court and the dignity of the parties on the dignity of this entire process, today a well-reasoned judgment has put a full stop to it.”
Jain further said that the High Court’s decision to vacate the stay on the trial means the legal proceedings will now continue.
He also clarified that the Place of Worship Act and the Supreme Court’s order of December 12 do not apply in this case: “We will come to the Supreme Court for a stay vacation of the survey report, which has been filed in a sealed cover. At the same time, the High Court has vacated the stay on the trial. This means that the trial will proceed further. The Worship Act is not applicable in this because it is the admitted case of both parties that this is an ASI-protected monument of 1958 and is governed by the ASI Act of 1958… Therefore, neither the Place of Worship Act nor the Supreme Court order of December 12 is applicable here.”
Speaking on the development, advocate Hari Shankar Jain said, “The court rejected the Muslim side’s plea and said that the survey was correct. Whatever survey was done, it will be read out and made part of the record. If they (the Muslim side) go to the Supreme Court, we are ready to welcome them.”
The mosque management committee had filed a civil revision petition seeking a stay on the ongoing trial court proceedings in an original suit pending before the Sambhal district court.
Earlier, on April 29, the Supreme Court had granted two weeks to the Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, to respond to a status report filed by Uttar Pradesh authorities, which stated that the disputed well is located outside the mosque premises.
In November 2024, the top court had stayed the trial court proceedings, directing that the matter should not be heard until the mosque committee’s petition against the survey order was listed before the Allahabad High Court.
Tensions had erupted in Sambhal after the local court ordered the mosque survey on November 19. Protests against the order led to clashes with the police, resulting in the deaths of four people.
The survey followed a petition filed in the local court claiming that the site of the mosque was originally a Harihar temple dedicated to Kalki, the last incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and was demolished in 1526 to construct the mosque.
Reacting to the UK-EU deal announced today by the prime minister Keir Starmer, the co-leader of the Green Party, Carla Denyer MP, said:
“Today’s reset is being broadly welcomed by businesses and is good news for UK consumers faced with the cost of living crisis. There is also hope for young people who want to live, work, study and form friendships freely across Europe.
“The Green Party would like to see an even closer relationship between the UK and EU starting with re-joining the customs union and full freedom of movement across the continent. But today’s agreement is definitely a step in the right direction and moves us forward from a place where Reform and the Tories would like us to stay stuck. Their Brexit betrayal rhetoric shows they are willing to disregard the damage inflicted on the country through Brexit and ignore the fact that the vast majority of the UK public now believe the UK was wrong to leave the EU.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement after participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement ceremony to approve the State of Arizona’s request to oversee Safe Drinking Water Act permitting for all underground injection wells in the state:
“After years of the Biden Administration dragging its feet and delaying approvals of more than 150 applications for underground injection wells, including in my great state of Arizona, President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin are taking swift action.
Under the Trump Administration, the EPA has moved quickly to review and approve long-delayed projects. The approval of this project recognizes that Arizona is well-positioned to protect its underground sources of drinking water and will provide much-needed certainty to the fast-growing carbon capture industry while maintaining America’s leadership in deploying these technologies.
President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin are advancing conservation and environmental stewardship while promoting economic growth for families in Arizona and all across America.
Today’s approval is yet another example of the Trump Administration’s efforts to achieve U.S. energy dominance and fulfill itspromise of “Powering the Great American Comeback,” concluded Congressman Paul Gosar.
“Advancing economic growth and energy production in the United States, while safeguarding water resources, are common sense priorities to Power the Great American Comeback,” added EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “With this proposal, we are advancing cooperative federalism and supporting energy dominance as Arizona becomes the primary regulator of underground injection wells within their state.”
Background:
After conducting a comprehensive technical and legal review, EPA has preliminarily determined that Arizona’s UIC program meets all requirements for approval and the state will implement and enforce a UIC program consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA is requesting public comments on the Agency’s proposed decision within 45 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on June 25, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST). Registration for the hearing is available here.
Visit EPA’s Underground Injection Control (UIC) website for more information.
LOWELL, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal law enforcement partners arrested 11 illegal aliens during a worksite enforcement operation targeting a business with alleged unauthorized hiring practices in Lowell May 16.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers conducted the arrests at a staging area for a Massachusetts-based roofing business. After interviews and records checks, 11 individuals were arrested for being illegally present in the United States. The individuals arrested are all Ecuadorian citizens.
ICE HSI New England Worksite Enforcement group led the investigation with support from ICE ERO Boston, DEA New England division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Boston field division.
Federal law requires employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all individuals they hire, using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. ICE uses the I-9 inspection program to promote compliance with these requirements, as part of a broader strategy to address and deter the employment of unauthorized workers. These inspections are among the federal government’s most effective tools to enforce U.S. employment laws.
HSI’s worksite enforcement strategy includes leveraging the agency’s full range of investigative capabilities. Worksite investigations often uncover additional criminal activity such as alien smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, document fraud, worker exploitation, and substandard wages or working conditions.
Members of the public with information about suspected immigration violations or related criminal activity are encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit information online via the ICE Tip Form.
FALL RIVER, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in partnership with Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, arrested illegally present Brazilian national Cristiano Schneider Capdevila Croxato during a traffic stop in Fall River April 8. The 47-year-old criminal alien was convicted of assault and battery on a family or household member Nov. 19, 2024, and has a long list of criminal charges in his past.
“Mr. Schneider violated the terms of his lawful admission to the United States, and since then, he’s apparently committed a laundry list of crimes that put Massachusetts residents at risk,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Boston isn’t a place for serial criminals to hide. Our officers will continue to prioritize the safety of our communities by arresting, detaining and removing criminal alien offenders to prevent them from threatening our families, friends or neighbors.”
Since Schneider entered the U.S. in November 2018, he’s been arraigned on the following charges:
Violation of an abuse prevention order on March 29, 2024.
Receiving a stolen motor vehicle on May 20, 2024.
Indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or over on May 20, 2024.
Indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or over — two counts — on July 12, 2024.
Schneider has a current and open restraining order and a closed restraining order. He is on active probation with the Fall River District Court until Nov. 18, 2025.
He will remain in ICE custody pending removal from the United States.
Report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBoston.
A third man has been arrested in connection with a series of arson attacks in north London.
A 34-year-old [C] was arrested this morning, Monday, 19 May, in the Chelsea area, SW3, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
He has been taken into custody.
On Saturday, 17 May, a 26-year-old man [B] was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
He is currently still in police custody after a warrant of further detention was obtained at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The arrests relate to three incidents – a vehicle fire in NW5 on 8 May, a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on 11 May and a fire at a residential address in NW5 in the early hours of 12 May.
All have connections with a high-profile public figure, and therefore officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command have led the investigation into the fires.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should call police on 101 quoting CAD 441/12 May.
We would ask the public to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that doesn’t look or feel right, then to report it to police – either by calling police, in confidence, on 0800 789 321 or via www.gov.uk/ACT
+ A 21-year-old man [A] has already been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life and appeared in court.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Ukrainian demining personnel trained with OSCE and EU support
Ukrainian specialists are practicing their skills in the disposal of explosive objects during a mine action training course supported by the OSCE and the EU. (Fabian Kaluza / OSCE) Photo details
Seventeen representatives from Ukraine’s demining agencies underwent a two-and-a-half month training to obtain an international qualification in explosive ordnance disposal. Organized by the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine with support from the European Union, the training programme concluded on 18 May and included a combination of theoretical and practical exercises in line with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
Experienced demining practitioners from the Ministry of Defense, the State Emergency Service, and the National Police participated in the training, enhancing their skills in safely disposing of explosive remnants of war such as mines, shells and unexploded or abandoned ordnance.
“These experts already have significant and diverse professional experience obtained on the ground here in Ukraine. This blend of local expertise and international standards will contribute to improving the work of Ukrainian agencies in clearing lands from explosive remnants of war. It will help make the process more efficient and safer – both for deminers and people in the affected areas,” said Ambassador Petr Mares, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship – Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.
The training provided in-depth knowledge of safe demining protocols, and hands-on exercises with a variety of explosive objects such as booby-traps. Trainees also learned how to properly organize and monitor the disposal process to ensure safety, prevent damage to third-party property and minimize environmental impact. As most of participants are team leaders or trainers themselves, they will also share the knowledge with colleagues.
“We recognize that the most important asset in mine action is the people who will carry out the work of demining in the field. This training is essential for state mine action operators to carry out their vital role in Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery,” said Arturo Rodriguez Tonelli, Regional Programme Manager EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI).
“This course is an important step forward for me and my colleagues. We not only got in-depth knowledge, but also expanded our horizons on how to plan and conduct operations at a higher and more complex level. Special attention to issues of safety gave us a new professional set of tools to act effectively and responsibly,” said Oleksandr Kyseliov, an instructor from Vinnytsia Professional Training School of Lviv University of Life Safety who participated in the course.
Since the start of full-scale war in 2022, demining operators had to discover and destroy over 920,000 explosive objects in a country with 139,000 square kilometers with suspected contamination according to the National Mine Action Authority of Ukraine.
The training is part of the project “Support to Environmental Rehabilitation with Focus on Building National Humanitarian Mine Action Capacities of Ukraine”, implemented with primary financial support of the European Union and contributions from the OSCE participating States and partners. See full list of the Programme’s donors.
Preston is set to come alive with colour, music and culture this May as the Preston Caribbean Carnival marks its incredible 51st anniversary. Over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, thousands are expected to join the celebrations which promise to be bigger, brighter and even more vibrant than ever before.
The festivities began with the King & Queen competition to decide who will lead the parade this year. The King & Queen competition was held on Saturday, 17 May on Preston’s Flag Market and featured pieces judged by Rhonda Martin. Rhonda has judged Carnival competitions all over the world including Trinidad & Tobago, and Notting Hill Carnivals. There was live entertainment with DJs from around the world, providing the tunes and good vibes as a backdrop for the show, which included a stunning costume display and performances from three local dance troupes.
The excitement continues with the One Park Living Legends on Saturday, 24 May, a ticket-only event held to raise funds for the Carnival. From 2pm to 8pm, Moor Park will host a packed programme of live music featuring renowned headline artists including: The Queens of Lovers Rock – Janet Kay & Carroll Thompson, plus Winston Reedy, Winsome, J Ray and Adele, alongside Sound Systems Love Unlimited & Friends from London and from Preston, Phoenix Sound and Johnny Rockers. For tickets visit Ticket Tailor – One Park Living Legends Festival – Moor Park Preston May 2025.
The highlight of the weekend is the much-loved Carnival Parade on Sunday, 25 May setting off at 1pm from Moor Park Avenue. The parade route will move through Deepdale Road, Meadow Street, St Paul’s Road, Sedgewick Street, North Road, Garstang Road and back to Moor Park, celebrating the rich Caribbean heritage with live music, dance, drummers and dazzling costumes representing more than 50 years of Carnival traditions.
Following the parade, the Carnival Day Family Fun Park event will continue the festivities at Moor Park until 7.30pm, featuring live stage performances showcasing music from the Caribbean, children’s rides and creatives, Caribbean and international food stalls, bars, and sound system areas.
Councillor Anna Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council said:
“The Preston Caribbean Carnival is a treasured part of our city’s cultural calendar, bringing together communities to celebrate diversity, creativity and heritage. As we mark the 51st anniversary, we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to enjoy this joyful, family-friendly event. It’s a wonderful way to showcase the vibrant spirit of Preston and the Caribbean community’s incredible contribution to our city’s identity.”
As mental health needs rise globally, Cambodia is taking a significant step forward by preparing to join the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH). With plans underway to hold the SIMH Design Workshop in mid-2025, Cambodia is poised to strengthen its mental health system through a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach led by the Ministry of Health and supported by WHO.
The design workshop will lay the foundation for tailored mental health actions under the WHO SIMH, with technical collaboration between Cambodia’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHSA), the Department of International Cooperation (DIC), and WHO.
Strengthening the foundations
While the groundwork for the Initiative moves forward, Cambodia has also made notable progress in recent years, enhancing community mental health support through key technical working groups. Two priority areas show promising momentum:
1. Guidelines for Online Crisis Counseling
In response to growing demand for accessible and timely mental health support, Cambodia developed national Guidelines for Online Crisis Counseling. These guidelines, spearheaded by the Technical Working Group under the leadership of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, establish clear protocols and ethical standards for delivering crisis support through digital platforms.
The guidelines were finalized through a collaborative process. Once adopted, they are expected to be a vital tool for expanding access to safe and responsive mental health care — particularly for people in remote and underserved areas.
2. Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training for Schools
Recognizing the urgent need for youth-centered mental health support, the School Health Department (SHD) of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport has led the development of a new Psychological First Aid (PFA) training curriculum for schools. The curriculum equips school personnel with essential skills to provide early psychosocial support to students affected by stress, trauma, or crisis.
After technical review and refinement, the final curriculum is ready for pilot testing. The pilot will inform further national scale-up, with the aim of embedding mental health support into Cambodia’s broader school health system.
Looking ahead
The WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health aims to support 100 million more people world-wide to access quality, affordable mental health care by advancing mental health policies, services, and human rights. With strong national leadership and technical momentum already underway, Cambodia is well-positioned to adapt and localize the Initiative to its context — building a more resilient and inclusive system of care for all.
As preparations continue for the program design workshop, and beyond, the country’s collaborative work in schools, digital innovation, and systems planning reflects a shared commitment to making mental health a national priority.
During the plenary session on Monday, 19 May, the Director-General will award Botswana for achieving gold tier status on the path to elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem.
Botswana was already the first country in the world to meet the criteria for silver tier status on the path to elimination of HIV, in 2021. Now, Botswana is the first country to achieve gold tier status, by reaching stringent targets for HIV prevalence among new mothers, HIV incidence among newborns, and service coverage for antenatal care, HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy.
Official side events
Several official side events on HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs will take place during the WHA78. These events require access to the Palais de Nations and only accredited delegated can access. You can find more details in WHO’s page dedicated to WHA78 official side events.
Date and time
Event title and details
Description
Monday, 19 May
19:30–20:50
Getting the world back on track: Ending AIDS by 2030 still possible!
Location: Palais des Nations – Room/Salle VIII
Organizers: International AIDS Society (IAS), PATH, GNP+
The side-event will focus on the significant challenges facing the global HIV response, particularly in the light of recent funding cuts. It will explore how countries are addressing funding gaps and forging regional and national partnerships to sustain HIV programmes, while identifying innovative financing models.
The discussion will focus on the consequences of the funding cuts, strategies for ensuring the continuity of HIV services and the importance of domestic resource mobilization to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
Wednesday, 21 May
18:00–19:20
Uniting in Global Solidarity for Hepatitis Elimination: Acting to Prevent Liver Cancer in Support of the NCD Agenda.
Location: Palais des Nations – Room/Salle VII
Organizers: Pakistan, Tanzania, Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, African Union, World Hepatitis Alliance, Medicines Patent Pool
The integration of hepatitis vaccination, diagnostics and treatment within existing frameworks for UHC and PHC will advance progress toward the global goals of hepatitis elimination and cancer prevention.
The WHA offers a critical opportunity to raise awareness and drive commitment to achieve the elimination of hepatitis and reduction of liver cancer globally. This platform can also provide a basis to launch a Coalition of Member States dedicated to raising the visibility of hepatitis and accelerating global efforts to eliminate it.
Friday, 23 May
18:00–19:20
The contribution of selfcare to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Location: Palais des Nations Room/Salle VIII
Organizers: Belgium, Uruguay, Luxembourg, Global Network of People Living with HIV
This side event will explore how self-care interventions are transforming the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) landscape, supporting primary health care (PHC) and advancing universal health coverage (UHC). Evidence-based self-care interventions for SRHR are recommended by WHO for all economic contexts. Self-care interventions offer practical, empowering solutions to overcome persistent barriers to advance quality SRHR for all.
This side event will highlight the multidimensional benefits of self-care interventions through concrete examples, including impact at national level, and innovation.
Non-official side events
A large number of non-official side events will take place during WHA78 in different venues across Geneva. These events are convened by a diverse range of partner organizations with the technical support from WHO Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs (HHS).
Date and time
Event title and details
Description
Wednesday, 21 May
18:30–20:30
A new era of HIV prevention: Accelerating access to long-acting technologies through sustainable prevention systems and financing.
Location: UNAIDS / WHO D building – Kofi Annan Room
Organizers: UNAIDS (in collaboration with UNFPA, WHO and UNDP), the Federal Republic of Brazil and the Netherlands
This high-level dialogue organized by the Global HIV Prevention Coalition (GPC) aims to galvanize political leadership, financing, and coordinated action to drive a transformational HIV prevention push.
The meeting will serve as a platform for Ministers of Health, global health partners, pharmaceutical companies, and civil society to explore opportunities to expand access to new long-acting prevention technologies as a powerful addition to existing effective options.
Communities at the heart of global health and health security: why sustained funding for community-led health systems matters now more than ever
Location: UNAIDS / WHO D building – Kofi Annan Room
Organizers: Coalition PLUS, Frontline AIDS, UNAIDS and WHO
This high-level discussion will focus on the critical role that communities play in shaping global health and health security policies. In light of ongoing global health challenges, including pandemics, rising health inequities, funding cuts, and the increasing burden on health systems, it is now more important than ever to prioritize community-led health systems.
Furthermore, throughout WHA78 week, the HHS Department will engage informally with Member States to provide an overview of the process for revising the Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs (2022–2030), and to discuss preparations for the mid-term review, which is scheduled to be presented at the World Health Assembly in 2026.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Mauritania as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the seventh country in WHO’s African Region to achieve this significant milestone. The certification was received by Honorable Abdallahi Sidi Mohamed Wedih, Minister of Health and Aïcha Vall Vergès, Ambassador of Mauritania to Switzerland at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly.
“I congratulate the government and the people of Mauritania for this achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This is another example of the incredible progress we have made against neglected tropical diseases and gives hope to many other nations still fighting against trachoma that they too can eliminate this disease.”
Mauritania has a long history of a fight against trachoma that dates back to the 1960s. However, it was not until early 2000 that the country conducted population-based epidemiological surveys to map trachoma with the support of the Organization for the Prevention of Blindness (OPC), the Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology of Africa (IOTA) and WHO. Trachoma control activities were integrated into the National Programme for the Fight against Blindness at the Ministry of Health.
Mauritania implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting mass administration of antibiotic treatment with azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness and personal hygiene as well as improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.
“Eliminating trachoma is a landmark victory for public health in Mauritania,” said Dr Charlotte Faty Ndiaye, WHO Representative in Mauritania. “This success reflects the strong leadership and commitment of the Government, supported by the dedication of health workers, communities, and partners, with the guidance and support of WHO. We will remain vigilant and support the country to preserve this success and protect those most at risk from trachoma.”
Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Mauritania. In 2009, the country had already been certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Mauritania joins 21 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. These are Benin, Cambodia, China, Ghana, India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Gambia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider group of 55 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases.
WHO is supporting Mauritania’s health authorities to closely monitor communities where trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.
Disease prevalence
As of April 2024, trachoma remains a public health problem in 37 countries with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. The African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.
Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.
Following Mauritania’s success, there are now 20 countries in WHO’s African Region that are targeting trachoma elimination.
Note to editors
Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which spreads from person to person through contaminated fingers, fomites and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. Environmental risk factors for trachoma transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation.
Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is defined as: (i) a prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis “unknown to the health system” of <0.2% in adults aged ≥15 years (approximately 1 case per 1000 total population), and (ii) a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation – follicular in children aged 1–9 years of <5%, sustained for at least two years in the absence of ongoing antibiotic mass treatment, in each formerly endemic district; plus (iii) the existence of a system able to identify and manage incident trachomatous trichiasis cases, using defined strategies, with evidence of appropriate financial resources to implement those strategies.
To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy: a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission of the causative organism, clear existing infections and deal with their effects.
The road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 targets the prevention, control, elimination or eradication of 20 diseases and disease groups. Progress against trachoma and other neglected tropical diseases alleviates the human and economic burden that they impose on the world’s most disadvantaged communities.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chairs of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Caucus, along with Vern Buchanan (FL-16), introduced a resolution recognizing Friday, May 16 as Endangered Species Day. The resolution highlights the strong role that the ESA has played in safeguarding America’s imperiled species and the need to prioritize conservation efforts to address the biodiversity crisis impacting plants and wildlife worldwide.
The critical protections in the Endangered Species Act are currently at risk due to a Trump Administration proposal to rescind the definition of “harm” under the law. The proposed rule change would prohibit only actions that directly hurt or kill actual animals, but not the habitats they rely on. We know that habitat loss and destruction are the leading causes of species decline and extinction. If finalized, this change would be devastating to already fragile species and put currently healthy ones at risk.
“For more than five decades, the Endangered Species Act has been our most effective tool to protect America’s imperiled wildlife, preventing the extinction of some of our most beloved animals like the bald eagle, grizzly bear, and Florida manatee,” said Dingell. “Healthier wildlife populations mean healthier ecosystems, which results in stronger shorelines, less intense wildfires, better water quality, and fewer pests, among many other positive impacts. As the United States continues to face an unprecedented and worsening biodiversity crisis, and the critical protections of the ESA are under attack, we must fight harder than ever to defend them.”
“When the Trump-Musk-Vance Administration wrongly and carelessly fired probationary federal workers, the ESA programs based here in the Northern Virginia office lost species expert biologists with important state and community relationships critical to recovery goals. They lost people who were working to make the endangered species consultation process more efficient so infrastructure projects could move forward in ways that helped protect vulnerable wildlife.” said Beyer. “The ESA is currently working to protect and recover more than 2,000 species of plants and animals, all crucial to maintaining our country’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage. Cutting the core, dependable investment of the federal government’s staff time, expertise, and dollars could have devastating impacts, including breaking up longstanding public-private partnerships. It’s on all of us who support the ESA to support those that work, often silently, to keep the Endangered Species Act alive and properly functioning! I thank my colleagues, Reps. Dingell and Buchanan for helping champion this fight with me.”
In the United States and around the world, more than 2,300 species are recognized as at risk of extinction now or in the foreseeable future, and many more are experiencing declines in populations and future viability. Many scientists categorize our planet’s current biodiversity crisis as the sixth mass extinction event, with plant and wildlife species across the globe facing heightened risk of extinction that is largely driven by human activity.
Dingell has long worked to protect endangered species across America, fighting to prevent the rollback of the critical safeguards in the Endangered Species Act under the previous Trump Administration.
View the full text of the resolution here. Learn more about the ESA Caucus here.
