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Biden’s age would be ‘major issue’ if he runs again, former Obama adviser says
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Best value mid-level smartphone: current market
I got a good deal through Lasada towards the latter part of last year with the Redmi Note 13 5G. Pretty happy with it so far. -
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UN Judge & Former Columbia Human Rights Fellow Convicted of Human Trafficking & Forced Labor
A United Nations judge was found guilty on Thursday of trafficking a young woman to the United Kingdom and subjecting her to forced labor. Lydia Mugambe, a 49-year-old Ugandan judge, "exploited and abused" the victim, prosecutors argued, forcing her to work as an unpaid maid and caregiver while preventing her from seeking legal employment. A jury convicted Mugambe of multiple charges, including facilitating illegal immigration, forced labor, and witness intimidation, as reported by the Independent. Thames Valley Police @ThamesVP Lydia Mugambe, a UN & Ugandan judge, has today been convicted of bringing a woman into the country illegally & then forcing her to work as a slave. Mugambe tried to evade justice by claiming she had diplomatic immunity, which has now been removed Despite being under police scrutiny, Mugambe was appointed in May 2023 as a judge on the U.N. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. This appointment came three months after law enforcement had been called to her residence in Oxfordshire. At the time, Mugambe was pursuing a Ph.D. in law at Oxford University. The prosecution argued that Mugambe conspired with Ugandan diplomat John Leonard Mugerwa in a deceptive arrangement. Mugerwa allegedly facilitated the victim’s entry into the UK under false pretenses with the help of the Ugandan embassy, while Mugambe sought to use her influence to sway a judge overseeing a case involving Mugerwa. Mugambe denied all allegations, maintaining that she had treated the victim with "love, care, and patience," according to the BBC. Her reaction at the time of her arrest was captured in footage released by Thames Valley Police. When confronted in the kitchen of her home in Kidlington, Mugambe gasped and insisted the victim had willingly asked to work for her. "I even have immunity. I am not a criminal," she protested, before shifting blame onto the victim, whom she had deceived into traveling to Britain and then subjected to forced labor. At Oxford Crown Court, the jury found Mugambe guilty of conspiring to breach UK immigration laws, compelling forced labor, and conspiring to intimidate a witness. A majority guilty verdict was also delivered on an additional charge of arranging or facilitating travel for the purpose of exploitation. During the trial, Prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC condemned Mugambe’s actions, stating, "Lydia Mugambe has exploited and abused (her alleged victim), taking advantage of her lack of understanding of her rights to properly paid employment and deceiving her as to the purpose of her coming to the UK." Mugambe now faces sentencing, marking a significant fall from grace for a judge once regarded as a champion of human rights. Based on a report by Daily Mail | Independent 2025-03-15 -
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UK Economy Contracts Unexpectedly in January, Dealing Blow to Growth Plans
The UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in January, with a slowdown in manufacturing playing a significant role in the decline. The latest figures mark a disappointing start to the year, particularly after December’s stronger-than-expected 0.4% growth. The weaker-than-anticipated performance is likely to be seen as a setback for the government, which has emphasized economic growth as its primary objective. The figures arrive just ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Statement, where government spending cuts are expected to be a key feature. The decline occurred in the same month that the Chancellor delivered a major speech outlining her vision for economic growth, including her support for the expansion of Heathrow Airport. However, despite these ambitions, businesses braced for the financial impact of upcoming employment policy changes included in Ms. Reeves’s Budget. In October, the Chancellor announced that employer contributions to National Insurance and the minimum wage would both increase in April, adding pressure on businesses already dealing with economic uncertainty. ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown commented on the decline, stating, “The fall in January was driven by a notable slowdown in manufacturing, with oil and gas extraction and construction also having weak months. However, services continued to grow in January, led by a strong month for retail, especially food stores, as people ate and drank at home more.” The data paints a complex picture of the UK economy, with growth in services unable to offset declines in key sectors. With economic policy changes on the horizon and spending cuts looming, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the UK can regain its growth momentum. Based on a report by BBC | X 2025-03-15 -
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The Dyslexia Controversy: A Myth That Became an Industry
Who will be the one to tell Jamie Oliver that dyslexia may not exist? And when they do, will the famous chef be relieved to be freed from this supposed burden, or will he be upset? Most likely, the latter. Dyslexia, much like its equally debated counterpart ADHD, is one of those rare conditions people seem eager to claim. Neither has an objective, testable, or scientifically verifiable diagnosis, yet both come with certain advantages for those labeled with them. Individuals diagnosed with dyslexia may receive special accommodations, including extended time for exams, the assistance of a scribe, or access to specialized software and modified test papers. There are even free or discounted laptops equipped with spelling support software. Similarly, ADHD diagnoses can grant access to untaxed welfare benefits that are not means-tested. Prescriptions for stimulant medication—closely related to illegal amphetamines—are readily available and even circulate in black markets. Fortunately, there is no specific pill for dyslexia yet. This is a thriving industry, with an estimated 870,000 children in Britain classified as dyslexic. Given the scale of the industry, criticism is often met with outrage. This is why figures like Jamie Oliver, who openly identify as dyslexic, receive widespread praise. The celebrity chef is set to present a documentary on dyslexia for Channel 4 later this year, a move hailed as courageous. But is it truly brave? The real minority in this debate may not be those who claim to have dyslexia, but those who question its very existence. Speaking on the BBC, Oliver described his school years as happy but admitted he struggled with reading, writing, and spelling. He famously left school with just two GCSEs. "I was running away from words, from reading and writing. I thought it was just me. But there were hundreds of thousands of us every year." He expressed concern that children like him suffer from declining self-esteem before the age of ten. His experience is undoubtedly real—struggling to read can make school miserable. But is the explanation really dyslexia? No universal definition or objective test for dyslexia exists. Every child who struggles to read faces different challenges, yet the solution often remains the same: synthetic phonics (SP), a time-tested method in which children learn to associate sounds with letters. This is how reading was traditionally taught before so-called modern methods emerged. One London teacher, Hungarian-born Eva Retkin, maintained for years that she could teach any child to read as long as they knew the alphabet. When challenged by a national newspaper, she proved her claim. Even at 80, long past retirement, she continued to teach reading with remarkable success. "I always had about 30 pupils in my class, so I assume a few of those were dyslexic, if that's what you want to call it, but it made no difference. They all learned to read before secondary school. Every single one of them." This aligns with findings from two respected academics, Professor Julian Elliott of Durham University and Professor Elena Grigorenko of Yale University. Their book *The Dyslexia Debate* dismantles the notion of dyslexia as a distinct condition, pointing out that there is no agreed definition or diagnostic standard. Despite this, society continues to discuss dyslexia as if it were an undisputed fact. Parliament’s Science and Technology Select Committee reached a similar conclusion in 2009, stating, "There is no convincing evidence that, if a child with dyslexia is not labelled as dyslexic, but receives full support for his or her reading difficulty, that the child will do any worse than a child who is labelled dyslexic and then receives special help." The reason is simple: both groups receive the same intervention. But as Elliott and Grigorenko note, being labeled dyslexic is often seen as advantageous. It can grant access to additional resources, exam accommodations, and most importantly, relieve parents, teachers, and children of any perceived responsibility. The real issue is not with the children. They are not to blame. The failure lies elsewhere. As American author Rudolf Flesch argued in *Why Johnny Can’t Read*—a book published 70 years ago—the root of the problem is flawed teaching methods. The widespread adoption of "look and say" reading strategies in the 1930s and 1940s replaced traditional phonics, leaving generations of children struggling to read. Despite overwhelming evidence in favor of phonics-based instruction, resistance remains. A seven-year study in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, confirmed the effectiveness of synthetic phonics in teaching literacy. Since 2005, English schools have been legally required to use SP, yet many teachers remain reluctant. Opposition still comes from "progressive" educators who see SP as rigid and joyless. A recent paper by Charlotte Hacking and Dominic Wise criticizes phonics, arguing that its strict structure stifles children's learning. Until phonics-based teaching is fully embraced, the dyslexia industry will likely continue to thrive. And as long as that happens, the number of "dyslexic" children in Britain will remain high—even though, with proper instruction, many of them could learn to read just like any other child. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2025-03-15 -
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Starmer Races to Secure Trade Deal and Avoid Trump’s Tariffs
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scrambling to secure an economic agreement with President Trump before the end of the month to prevent sweeping tariffs that could undermine efforts to boost the British economy. With the US imposing global tariffs of 25 percent on steel and aluminium imports on Wednesday, industry leaders in the UK have warned that the measures will be “hugely damaging.” Despite attempts to negotiate an exemption during a phone call with Trump earlier this week, Starmer was unsuccessful in persuading the US president to spare Britain from the tariffs. Nevertheless, the prime minister has decided against imposing retaliatory tariffs, unlike the European Union, amid concerns that such a move could jeopardize the prospect of a broader economic deal with Washington. Trump is preparing to extend the tariffs, with a 25 percent levy on imports from countries that impose VAT on US goods, which includes the UK. These “reciprocal tariffs” are expected to take effect on April 1. Speaking in the Oval Office during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Wednesday, Trump made his stance clear. “We’ve been abused for a long time, and we will be abused no longer,” he said. “I am not happy with the European Union. We’re going to win that financial battle.” Last month, during Starmer’s visit to the White House, Trump indicated that Britain could be granted an exemption if a deal on artificial intelligence and other critical technologies could be reached. Now, with the April 1 deadline—dubbed “World Tariff Day” in Whitehall—rapidly approaching, the UK is intensifying efforts to strike a deal. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will travel to Washington next week for talks with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Government sources remain optimistic, citing similarities in the UK and US approaches to artificial intelligence. While the EU is pushing for strict regulations on AI, the UK has opted for a more flexible approach, relying on voluntary commitments from tech firms. Starmer sees AI as a key driver of economic growth and has held off on introducing AI regulation legislation pending the outcome of the negotiations. The government is hopeful that this stance will align with US priorities and pave the way for a deal. The EU, by contrast, responded to the steel tariffs by announcing countermeasures targeting €26 billion worth of US goods, including bourbon, motorbikes, and industrial and agricultural products. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the decision, stating, “The European Union must act to protect consumers and business. The countermeasures we take today are strong but proportionate.” At Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer said that Britain would take a “pragmatic approach” to dealing with the White House. “I am disappointed to see global tariffs in relation to steel and aluminium, but we will take a pragmatic approach,” he told MPs. “We are, as he knows, negotiating an economic deal which covers and will include tariffs if we succeed. But we will keep all options on the table.” However, government insiders suggest that the UK is unlikely to retaliate against the US. Instead, officials are focusing on measures to prevent an influx of cheap steel, originally destined for the American market, from being “dumped” in the UK, further destabilizing the domestic steel industry. A Whitehall source claimed that Britain is in a “much better place” than the EU when it comes to negotiations. “They don’t have any cards to play,” the source said. “We do.” The strained relationship between Trump and the EU is another factor, with the US president previously asserting that the European bloc was designed to “screw the United States.” James Murray, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, urged caution, telling Times Radio that ministers must remain “cool-headed.” “We think that the best way for the UK to respond is with a cool-headed, pragmatic, productive response working with the US, whilst at the same time making absolutely clear that we will stand up for British industry and all options are on the table,” he said. With time running out, Starmer’s government is working urgently to secure a deal that would shield the UK from Trump’s sweeping tariffs while maintaining a strong economic relationship with the US. Based on a report by The Times 2025-03-15 -
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Amazon Deforestation for COP30 Highway Sparks Outrage
An eight-mile stretch of protected Amazon rainforest has been cleared to make way for a new four-lane highway, intended to facilitate travel for the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil. Drone footage reveals wide dirt paths cutting through the dense greenery, while heavy machinery paves over wetlands in what is considered the world's most biodiverse region. The road is meant to ease congestion for the expected 50,000 attendees, including world leaders. Logs have been seen stacked along the cleared land, marking a stark contrast to the original plans. The state government of Pará had previously scrapped the project, known as Avenida Liberdade, due to environmental concerns. However, preparations for COP30 reignited the proposal, leading to its swift approval. Adler Silveira, Pará’s infrastructure secretary, justified the road’s construction, calling it an “important mobility intervention” and a “sustainable highway.” He emphasized the lasting benefits for the local population and the necessity of accommodating COP30 attendees. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defended the decision, stating that the summit would be “a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon.” He insisted the event would highlight the region’s needs while demonstrating the federal government’s commitment to its protection. Despite these assurances, critics argue that cutting down parts of the Amazon—an essential carbon sink—directly contradicts the summit's climate-focused mission. Local residents have voiced their frustrations, fearing long-term consequences. Claudio Verequete, who lives just 200 meters from the highway, expressed his dismay. “Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family,” he told the BBC. He also noted that he has received no compensation from the government and worries that the road’s construction will encourage further deforestation. Adding to the community’s concerns, the highway is expected to be walled off, potentially cutting off access for those living nearby. “For us who live on the side of the highway, there will be no benefits. There will be benefits for the trucks that will pass through. If someone gets sick and needs to go to the center of Belém, we won’t be able to use it,” he added. This development comes amid broader environmental crises in the Amazon. In August 2024, vast fires swept through the Amazon, Cerrado savannah, and Pantanal wetland, with many ignited intentionally to clear land. At the same time, the Amazon River reached record lows for the second consecutive year, prompting emergency aid efforts for affected communities. A major tributary of the river in Brazil fell to its lowest recorded level, exacerbating the region’s growing environmental distress. Meanwhile, climate summits themselves face scrutiny over their environmental impact, particularly regarding the use of private jets by world leaders and corporate executives. At COP28 in Dubai, an estimated 291 private flights linked to the event generated 3,800 tonnes of CO2—equivalent to the annual emissions of over 500 people. Alethea Warrington, head of energy, aviation, and heat at climate action charity Possible, criticized the hypocrisy. “Travelling by private jet is a horrendous waste of the world’s scarce remaining carbon budget,” she told *The Times.* “Each journey produces more emissions in a few hours than the average person emits in an entire year.” Similar patterns were observed at COP27 in Egypt, where dozens of private jets landed in Sharm el-Sheikh and Cairo. The popular Gulfstream G650, a frequent choice for summit attendees, burns nearly 1,900 liters of fuel per hour, producing 23.9 tonnes of CO2 on a five-hour flight. Factoring in non-CO2 emissions at high altitudes, a single Gulfstream flight to COP27 may have generated over 45 tonnes of CO2—more than an average person emits annually. At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the trend escalated. A staggering 65 private jets arrived in the week leading up to the summit, nearly double the number recorded at COP28. Within just two days, 45 flights landed as the conference commenced. Warrington condemned the double standards: “For CEOs who claim to care about tackling the climate crisis, using a private jet to get to COP shows blatant hypocrisy.” Despite public backlash, government officials have defended their travel choices. A UK government spokesperson maintained that their delegation’s flight to COP27 was “on one of the most carbon-efficient planes of its size in the world” and that emissions were being offset. However, environmentalists argue that such assurances ring hollow when world leaders continue to rely on private jets, contradicting the very essence of these climate summits. Based on a report by BBC | Daily Mail 2025-03-15
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