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Le chef de l’ONU envoie un émissaire sur la crise “sans précédent” au Soudan

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Le secrétaire général de l’ONU, Antonio Guterres, envoie un émissaire dans la région du Soudan au milieu de la situation “sans précédent” là-bas, alors que les hostilités meurtrières entrent dans une troisième semaine, a déclaré dimanche son porte-parole.

L’annonce est intervenue alors que l’armée et les paramilitaires lourdement armés à Khartoum continuaient les combats, alors même qu’un cessez-le-feu largement violé a été prolongé de 72 heures.

Le coordinateur des secours d’urgence de l’ONU, Martin Griffiths, qui servira d’envoyé spécial, a déclaré dimanche dans un communiqué séparé que la “situation humanitaire au Soudan atteint un point de rupture”.

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“Je suis en route pour la région pour explorer comment nous pouvons apporter un soulagement immédiat aux millions de personnes dont la vie a été bouleversée du jour au lendemain”, a-t-il déclaré.

Cependant, le pillage massif des bureaux et des entrepôts humanitaires a “épuisé la plupart de nos fournitures. Nous explorons des moyens urgents d’apporter et de distribuer des fournitures supplémentaires”, a-t-il déclaré.

La “solution évidente”, a-t-il ajouté, serait “d’arrêter les combats”.

Plus de 500 personnes ont été tuées et des dizaines de milliers de personnes ont été forcées de quitter leur domicile pour des endroits plus sûrs à l’intérieur du pays ou à l’étranger depuis que les combats ont éclaté le 15 avril.

“Compte tenu de la détérioration rapide de la crise humanitaire au Soudan”, a déclaré le porte-parole Stéphane Dujarric dans un communiqué annonçant le déploiement de Griffiths, l’envoyé se rendrait “immédiatement dans la région”.

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“L’ampleur et la rapidité de ce qui se déroule sont sans précédent au Soudan”, a indiqué son communiqué. “Nous sommes extrêmement inquiets.”

Griffiths a déclaré que les familles avaient du mal à accéder à l’eau, à la nourriture, au carburant et à d’autres produits de base, certaines étant incapables de déménager en raison du coût du transport hors des zones les plus touchées.

Les soins de santé urgents, a-t-il dit, “sont sévèrement limités, augmentant le risque de décès évitables”.

Cinq conteneurs de fluides intraveineux et d’autres fournitures d’urgence ont été amarrés à Port-Soudan en attendant l’autorisation des autorités, a-t-il ajouté.

(AFP)

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‘Sorry, you can’t board, off you pop’: Traveller reveals how he was caught out by a post-Brexit passport rule and stopped from flying at the departure gate

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A British traveller has revealed how he was prevented from boarding a flight to France – because of a new post-Brexit passport regulation.

The journey through the airport for Nathan Barnes, who was travelling with his fiancé to visit family in Limoges, was normal enough to begin with. Having checked in online for the flights, he made his way through security without any hiccups.

But the 31-year-old paramedic from Norwich was stopped at the departure gate and told that because his passport was more than 10 years old – despite not having expired yet – he could not fly. 

‘They were very matter of fact about it. They just said, “Sorry, you can’t board, off you pop,”‘ Nathan told the BBC. ‘I was gutted, surprised really. We had checked in online and thought it was fine.’

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The pernickety ’10-year rule’ has been brought in since Britain left the EU – and Nathan isn’t the only one who has fallen victim to it. Here, we’ve explained everything you need to know about this and other surprising passport regulations. Plus, you’ll find some handy travel tips on paying less for renewals and how to avoid scams.

DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT BY EU RULES

When travelling to the EU, British holidaymakers should be aware of the ’10-year rule’, and pay close attention to their passport’s issue date and expiry date

When travelling to the EU, a 10-year British passport is only valid for entry for exactly 10 years after the date of issue, regardless of the date of expiry.

Before September 2018, passport holders could have up to nine months added to their passport expiry date if they renewed their 10-year passport early. Post-Brexit, however, although the official validity of your passport may be beyond 10 years, the EU does not recognise these extra months if your passport is older than 10 years on the date that you enter the EU. On top of this, you must also have at least three months’ validity on your passport beyond the date you intend to leave the EU’s free-movement Schengen territory.

This means visitors must pay careful attention to the issue date and the expiry date.

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For example, if you enter the EU from the UK on April 1, 2024, and return on April 5, 2024, you must have a passport issued less than 10 years before April 1, and that’s valid for at least three months after April 5.

To make sure you aren’t caught out, and for further details on EU passport rules, search for ‘documents you need for travel in Europe’ at home-affairs.ec.europa.eu or visit www.abta.com.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Some holidaymakers have been unable to board their flights and trains due to confusion over EU passport rules  

Always check the specific entry requirements for the country you are visiting on the gov.uk website before travelling – the rules around passport validity vary from country to country.

For instance, while most countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA just need your passport to be valid for the length of your stay, other countries such as China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey need at least six months. As previously mentioned, you will need at least three months’ validity on your passport from the intended day of departure from the EU.

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COUNT YOUR BLANK PAGES

If your passport is filling up with stamps and there’s hardly any space left, you need to renew it – even if you’ve got several years left on it. This is because some countries can be fussy about passports with filled pages. For instance, Italy and South Africa require at least two full blank pages.

SAVE YOUR CASH

Travellers can apply online or by post to renew their passport - it can take up to three weeks to arrive

Travellers can apply online or by post to renew their passport - it can take up to three weeks to arrive

Travellers can apply online or by post to renew their passport – it can take up to three weeks to arrive 

There’s one simple way to save money when renewing your passport – apply for it online rather than post.

The current fee for a standard online application made from within the UK is £82.50 for adults and £53.50 for children. Postal applications, meanwhile, are £93 for adults and £64 for children. In general, how you choose to renew your passport could end up costing a family of four £40 more than it should.

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However, in April, the cost is due to increase. A standard online application made from within the UK is due to rise to £88.50 for adults and £57.50 for children, while a standard postal application is due to increase to £100 for adults and £69 for children.

These price changes are still subject to parliamentary approval, but if given the green light, they’ll come into force from April 11.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Your passport will usually be issued within three weeks if you are applying within the UK, but customers are advised to apply in good time before travelling, according to gov.uk.

While it could take longer than three weeks, if the passport office needs more information, customers will be notified within these three weeks.

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SHORT ON TIME?

If travellers are short on time, there are two ways to apply for an urgent passport

If travellers are short on time, there are two ways to apply for an urgent passport

If travellers are short on time, there are two ways to apply for an urgent passport 

There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport. The first is the ‘one-day Premium’ service, in which customers will be asked to book an appointment at their nearest passport office, apply and pay online. They will get their new passport at their appointment.

The second is the one-week’ fast track’ service, customers can book an appointment at their nearest passport office, apply and pay online, and a new passport is delivered to their home within the subsequent seven days, excluding bank holidays. You must act quickly, however, as passport office appointment slots – each lasting around 10 minutes – are snapped up quickly.

The one-day premium service will set you back £193.50 for an adult passport, while the one-week fast track service costs £155 for an adult passport.

If you need a passport to travel urgently for healthcare or because a loved one is seriously ill or has died, it’s recommended that you call the ‘Passport Adviceline’ instead.

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SCAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR

In April last year, holidaymakers were warned to look out for fraudsters exploiting passport delays caused by industrial action by UK Passport Office workers by offering bogus ‘fast-track’ services.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) warned that scammers were using increasingly sophisticated and convincing methods to trick travellers into paying for non-existent services.

The CTSI said it had seen a number of texts and emails offering speedy passport renewals, warning that victims could lose personal data to fraudsters as well as money.

CTSI chief executive John Herriman said: ‘As always, scammers are quick to leap on any opportunity to take advantage of uncertainty and upheaval. The exploitation of delays brought about by Passport Office strikes is just the latest example of scammers preying on people’s vulnerability.’

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Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘Since we left the EU, the passport validity rules for UK citizens travelling to the EU and Schengen area have changed, and unfortunately a lot of people are getting caught out – sometimes even at the departure gate.

‘If you are in the process of booking a holiday, or are due to travel soon, make sure you check your passport as soon as possible, as there are two rules you need to bear in mind. You must have at least three months left on your passport when you plan to leave the EU, and crucially, when you enter, your passport must have been issued in the past ten years.

‘If you get caught out when you’re due to fly your options are sadly very limited, and it could prove to be a costly mistake, as travel insurance won’t cover you. If you realise shortly before your departure date, you might be able to get a last-minute priority passport appointment – but these are expensive, and there’s no guarantee your local office will have availability. You’ll also need to consider the costs of rebooking flights, and potentially accommodation and car hire as well.’

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The great sweetener myth! Sugar replacements like aspartame and sucralose DON’T make you hungrier, scientists say

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We’re all after a guilt-free way of reaching for the biscuit tin.

Now scientists have suggested that swapping sugar for sweeteners in the treats could do the trick – and won’t leave you feeling hungrier.

Consuming food laden with sweeteners caused a similar reduction in appetite as sugary foods, the study found. The findings debunk a claim peddled by critics of artificial sweeteners, who have said the substances may make people hungrier.

Other benefits included lowering blood sugar, which is particularly significant for people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, they suggest.

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We're all after a guilt-free way of reaching for the biscuit tin. Now scientists have suggested that swapping sugar for sweeteners in the treats could do the trick ¿ and won't leave you feeling hungrier

We're all after a guilt-free way of reaching for the biscuit tin. Now scientists have suggested that swapping sugar for sweeteners in the treats could do the trick ¿ and won't leave you feeling hungrier

We’re all after a guilt-free way of reaching for the biscuit tin. Now scientists have suggested that swapping sugar for sweeteners in the treats could do the trick – and won’t leave you feeling hungrier

While other studies on sweeteners have typically focused on drinks, researchers at the University of Leeds wanted to focus on food.

They looked at the effects of eating biscuits with either sugar or two types of food sweetener: natural sugar substitute Stevia, or artificial sweetener Neotame, which is derived from aspartame.

The trial consisted of three, two-week periods.

Participants – who were all overweight or obese – ate biscuits with either fruit filling containing sugar, the natural sugar substitute or artificial sweetener.

Blood samples were taken to establish baseline levels of glucose, insulin and appetite-related hormones and they were also asked to rate their appetite and food preferences.

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After eating the biscuits, they were asked to rate how full they felt over several hours.

Glucose and insulin levels were measured, as were ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 and pancreatic polypeptide – hormones associated with the consumption of food.

The results from the two sweetener types showed no differences in appetite or endocrine responses compared to sugar.

But insulin levels measured over two hours after eating were reduced, as were blood sugar levels, according to the findings published in The Lancet eBioMedicine.

It is the latest study to be published by the SWEET consortium of 29 European research, consumer and industry partners which is working to develop and review evidence on long term benefits and potential risks involved in switching to artificial sweeteners.

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Professor Graham Finlayson, principal investigator and of the University of Leeds’ School of Psychology, said: ‘The use of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers has received a lot of negative attention, including high profile publications linking their consumption with impaired glycaemic response, toxicological damage to DNA and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

‘These reports contribute to the current befuddlement concerning the safety of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers among the general public and especially people at risk of metabolic diseases.

‘Our study provides crucial evidence supporting the day-to-day use of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers for body weight and blood sugar control.’

SWEET project joint co-ordinator Professor Anne Raben, from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, said: ‘The findings show that sweeteners are a helpful tool to reduce intake of added sugar without leading to a compensatory increase in appetite or energy intake, thereby supporting the usefulness of sweeteners for appetite, energy and weight management.’

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Israeli strike kills at least 36 Syrian soldiers near Aleppo

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Gaza’s health ministry collects data from the enclave’s hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The health ministry does not report how Palestinians were killed, whether from Israeli airstrikes and artillery barrages or errant Palestinian rocket fire. It describes all casualties as victims of “Israeli aggression”.

The ministry also does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. 

Throughout four wars and numerous skirmishes between Israel and Hamas, UN agencies have cited the Hamas-run health ministry’s death tolls in regular reports. The International Committee of the Red Cross and Palestinian Red Crescent also use the numbers.

In the aftermath of war, the UN humanitarian office has published final death tolls based on its own research into medical records. The UN’s counts have largely been consistent with the Gaza health ministry’s, with small discrepancies. 

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For more on the Gaza health ministry’s tolls, click here.

(FRANCE 24 with AP) 

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Patrick Mahomes makes a catch! Chiefs star shows off HUGE catfish in hilarious picture shared by wife Brittany as his daughter Sterling, 3, looks on in disgust!

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Patrick Mahomes is best known for his throwing skills but it turns out that when it comes to fishing, he’s pretty good at making a catch as well.

The Chiefs quarterback’s wife Brittany shared a hilarious picture on Instagram on Thursday night of Mahomes showing his three-year-old daughter Sterling a huge catfish that he had appeared to have caught.

Sterling didn’t look too impressed with her famous father, much to Brittany’s amusement on her Instagram post.

‘Ster not a fan of a fish the same size as her,’ Brittany wrote, alongside a crying-with-laughter emoji.

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The Mahomes family are currently enjoying the offseason, after Patrick led the Kansas City Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl victory last season.

Patrick Mahomes caught a massive catfish - not that his daughter Sterling was too impressed

Patrick Mahomes caught a massive catfish - not that his daughter Sterling was too impressed

Patrick Mahomes caught a massive catfish – not that his daughter Sterling was too impressed 

His wife Brittany shared the amusing picture on her Instagram on Thursday evening

His wife Brittany shared the amusing picture on her Instagram on Thursday evening

His wife Brittany shared the amusing picture on her Instagram on Thursday evening 

Travis Kelce and Mahomes are planning to host Chiefs parties at their new restaurant

Travis Kelce and Mahomes are planning to host Chiefs parties at their new restaurant

Travis Kelce and Mahomes are planning to host Chiefs parties at their new restaurant

The Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Las Vegas in February and will return next season with a shot at recording an unprecedented ‘three-peat’.

While Mahomes has been fishing, his Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce has been hitting the golf course.

He was filmed by former NBA player Chandler Parsons celebrating a shot by playing air guitar with his iron while girlfriend Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ blasted out.

Recently, Mahomes and Kelce announced that they are launching a steakhouse in Kansas City, which they anticipate will open in January 2025.

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It will be called ‘1587 Prime’ – the number coming from combining the numbers of Kelce and Mahomes’ Chiefs jerseys.

Me and Travis been working on it for a while,’ Mahomes said, according to Fox4KC. 

‘We always see these restaurants and we have a love for bringing people together. I think the biggest thing for us is we’re gonna do whatever we can to keep bringing people together and what better place than Kansas City?’

‘Hopefully we can win some games at Arrowhead Stadium and then we get to go over and have a few drinks and food with it.’

And if 1587 Prime decides to have fish on the menu, Mahomes appears well equipped to provide it himself. 

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Russia veto ends UN monitoring of N.Korea sanctions after arms transfer probe

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Russia on Thursday blocked the renewal of a panel of UN experts monitoring international sanctions on North Korea, weeks after the body said it was investigating reports of arms transfers between Moscow and Pyongyang.

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The move was met with a flurry of criticism, including by South Korea’s foreign ministry, which said Russia had made an “irresponsible decision” despite its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

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The United States called the veto by Moscow a “self-interested effort to bury the panel’s reporting on its own collusion” with North Korea.

“Russia’s actions today have cynically undermined international peace and security, all to advance the corrupt bargain that Moscow has struck with the DPRK,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba took to social media to call the veto “a guilty plea,” amid allegations that Pyongyang is aiding Moscow in its war against Kyiv.

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Moscow’s veto at the Security Council does not remove the sanctions on North Korea, but spells the end for the group monitoring their implementation — and myriad alleged violations.

The panel’s mandate expires at the end of April.

North Korea has been under mounting sanctions since 2006, put in place by the UN Security Council in response to its nuclear program.

Since 2019, Russia and China have tried to persuade the Security Council to ease the sanctions, which had no expiration date.

The council has long been divided on the issue, with China’s deputy ambassador Geng Shuang arguing Thursday that the sanctions “have exacerbated tensions and confrontation with a serious negative impact on the humanitarian situation.”

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China abstained rather than joining Russia in the veto. All other members had voted in favor of renewing the expert panel.

Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzia said that without an annual review guaranteed to assess and potentially modify the sanctions, the panel was unjustified.

“The panel has continued to focus on trivial matters that are not commensurate with the problems facing the peninsula,” Nebenzia said.

“Russia has called for the council to adopt a decision to hold an open and honest review of the Council sanctions… on an annual basis.”

Continued tests 

Additional Security Council sanctions were leveled on Pyongyang in 2016 and 2017, but the North’s sanctioned nuclear and weapons development have continued.

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Last week, Pyongyang tested a solid-fuel engine for a “new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile,” state media reported.

Recent cruise missile launches have prompted speculation that North Korea is testing those weapons before shipping them to Moscow for use in Ukraine.

In its latest report, issued at the beginning of March, the sanctions panel reported that North Korea “continued to flout” sanctions, including by launching ballistic missiles and breaching oil import limits.

It added that it is investigating reports of arms shipments from Pyongyang to Russia for use in Ukraine.

In August, Russia used its veto to end the mandate of a group of UN experts on Mali who charged that Moscow-linked Wagner mercenaries were involved in widespread abuses.

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“We have now seen Russia use its veto to end two panels of experts due to its expanding military relationships,” the United States, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain said in a joint statement.

In a separate statement, 10 Security Council members, including Britain, France and the United States, defended the sanction monitors’ work.

“In the face of these repeated attempts to undermine international peace and security, the panel’s work is more important now than ever before,” it said.

(AFP)

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Outrage as Saudi Arabia is chosen to lead UN women’s rights group – despite ‘abysmal’ record on equality in kingdom where wives can be stoned to death for adultery

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  • Saudia Arabia is now chairing the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women
  • The group is dedicated to furthering the rights of women across the world 
  • But Saudi Arabia has a shocking gender equality record 

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Human rights groups are up in arms after Saudi Arabia won an unopposed bid to lead a top UN women’s right group, despite its own ‘abysmal’ record of gender equality. 

Saudi Arabia’s envoy to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, was elected as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a completely unopposed race at the group’s annual meeting in New York on Wednesday. 

Alwasil was elected with no dissent from any of the 45 members present at the meeting, and will hold the post for at least two years. 

He was even endorsed by a group of Asia-Pacific states on the commission, despite his nation’s notorious record on gender equality, which human rights groups were quick to point out. 

Sherine Tadros, the head of the New York office of Amnesty International, said Saudi Arabia will be chair of the CSW on the 30th anniversary of the passing of a landmark piece of international law that massively advanced the rights of women across the world. 

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‘Whoever is in the chair, which is now Saudi Arabia, is in a key position to influence the planning, the decisions, the taking stock, and looking ahead, in a critical year for the commission,’ Tadros said. 

Saudi Arabia's envoy to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil (pictured), was elected as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a completely unopposed race

Saudi Arabia's envoy to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil (pictured), was elected as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a completely unopposed race

Saudi Arabia’s envoy to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil (pictured), was elected as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a completely unopposed race

Saudi Arabia has a shocking record on gender equality (File image)

Saudi Arabia has a shocking record on gender equality (File image)

Saudi Arabia has a shocking record on gender equality (File image)

‘Saudi Arabia is now at the helm, but Saudi Arabia’s own record on women’s rights is abysmal, and a far cry from the mandate of the commission.’

Louis Charbonneau, UN director at the Human Rights Watch (HRW), added: ‘Saudi Arabia’s election as chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women shows shocking disregard for women’s rights everywhere.  

‘A country that jails women simply because they advocate for their rights has no business being the face of the UN’s top forum for women’s rights and gender equality. 

‘Saudi authorities should demonstrate that this honor was not completely undeserved and immediately release all detained women’s rights defenders, end male guardianship and ensure women’s full rights to equality with men.’

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Saudi lawmakers passed a law in 2022 that claims to have increased the ‘personal status’ of women in the nation. 

But the law explicitly says that a woman has to obtain permission from a male guardian to marry. 

Saudi lawmakers passed a law in 2022 that claims to have increased the 'personal status' of women in the nation (File image)

Saudi lawmakers passed a law in 2022 that claims to have increased the 'personal status' of women in the nation (File image)

Saudi lawmakers passed a law in 2022 that claims to have increased the ‘personal status’ of women in the nation (File image)

A husband can withdraw financial support for reasons including refusing to have sex with him (File image)

A husband can withdraw financial support for reasons including refusing to have sex with him (File image)

A husband can withdraw financial support for reasons including refusing to have sex with him (File image) 

Human Rights Watch pointed out that a woman who leaves the marital home can lose custody of her child if the child's 'best interest,' which is undefined, necessitates it (File image)

Human Rights Watch pointed out that a woman who leaves the marital home can lose custody of her child if the child's 'best interest,' which is undefined, necessitates it (File image)

Human Rights Watch pointed out that a woman who leaves the marital home can lose custody of her child if the child’s ‘best interest,’ which is undefined, necessitates it (File image)

It also says that a wife has to obey her husband in a ‘reasonable manner’, and states that her husband’s financial support depends on her ‘obedience.’

A husband can withdraw financial support for reasons including refusing to have sex with him, live in a marital home or travel with him without a ‘legitimate excuse.’

Human Rights Watch pointed out that a woman who leaves the marital home can lose custody of her child if the child’s ‘best interest,’ which is undefined, necessitates it. 

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The UK’s Foreign Office told the Guardian that it is not a member of the Commission on the Status of Women, and therefore didn’t have a role to play in the selection of the chair. 

It added: ‘We continue to engage closely with the Saudi authorities on women’s rights issues.’

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Macron, Lula show unity on global issues despite Ukraine shadow

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French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday displayed their unity on major global issues, while skirting differences on the war in Ukraine.

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Macron wrapped up his three-day tour of the Latin American giant with a solemn, but warm, trip to the presidential palace in the modernist capital Brasilia.

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The French leader paid tribute to “the spirit of resistance” of Lula’s government for “restoring democracy” after a crowd of extreme-right supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the seats of power in the city in January 2023.

Lula hailed a relationship between the two countries as one that created “a bridge between the global South and the developed world.”

While the two men firmly reset the frosty ties of the Bolsonaro years, they retain deep differences over the war in Ukraine, a subject which only briefly reared its head.

While France and the West support Kyiv wholeheartedly, Lula has in the past said that Ukraine and Russia share responsibility over the conflict and has refused to isolate Moscow.

Putin at G20 meet? 

Responding to a question from a journalist, Macron said that Brazil, as the current chair of the G20, could invite Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to a summit in Rio de Janeiro in November if other members agreed.

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“The meaning of this club is that there must be consensus with the 19 others. That will be a job for Brazilian diplomacy,” he said.

If such a meeting can be “useful, it must be done,” Macron said.

Lula responded only that “diversity” must be accepted in organisations like the G20.

Putin missed last year’s G20 summit in the Indian capital New Delhi, avoiding possible political opprobrium and any risk of criminal detention under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

In September 2023, Lula said there was “no way” that Putin would be arrested if he attended the Rio de Janeiro summit.

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Shortly after, he backtracked and said that it would be up to the justice system to decide on Putin’s eventual arrest and not his government.

Lula’s only remarks on the conflict were that “the two stubborn” leaders will “have to get along,” referring to Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Unity on Venezuela 

However, he highlighted that Ukraine was not Brazil’s priority, and turned to a crisis in his own neighborhood, that he and Macron agreed upon: Venezuela.

Both leaders condemned the exclusion of the main opposition coalition’s chosen candidate, Corina Yoris, 80, from July 28 elections.

“We very firmly condemn the exclusion of a serious and credible candidate from this process,” Macron said.

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Lula described the situation as “serious” and said there was “no legal or political explanation for banning an opponent from being a candidate.”

“I told Maduro that the most important thing to restore normality in Venezuela was to avoid any problems in the electoral process, that the elections be held in the most democratic way possible.”

From the protection of the Amazon to cooperation in the building of submarines and economic ties, the two leaders showed off the broad Franco-Brazilian partnership over the three-day visit.

Macron and Lula also brushed over tensions about the long-delayed EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, which Brazil has pushed for and France has blocked.

Macron blasted the deal as “a really bad agreement” and said it should be buried in favor of a new one that “is responsible from a development, climate and biodiversity point of view.”

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Lula said he was “very calm” and noted only that Brazil “does not negotiate with France” but with the EU.

The two leaders’ close relationship was highlighted by a warm meeting in the Amazon, in which they were pictured beaming and clasping hands, to the delight of Brazilians who spawned a raft of memes comparing the images to a wedding album.

(AFP)

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Dogs can detect onset of PTSD flashbacks in BREATH with over 70% accuracy, study shows

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Is there anything a good dog can’t do? New research continues to discover new benefits to cognitive health, stress relief, allergy reduction and more — all accruing to the grateful owner of a faithful pooch.

Now a new study has found evidence that our canine companions can identify when someone is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) just by smell.

Canadian scientists ran two skilled and disciplined dogs, Ivy and Callie, through a battery of scent-based lab tests, finding that both dogs could differentiate between stressed out PTSD sweat and ordinary human sweat with 90 percent accuracy.

The dogs also fared well smelling isolated samples that they did not have the chance to compare and contrast: Ivy managed 74 percent and Callie 81 percent accuracy.

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‘Both Ivy and Callie found this work inherently motivating,’ the study’s lead author said. ‘Their limitless appetite for delicious treats was also an asset.’

A new study has found evidence that dogs can identify when someone is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) just by how the person smells. Above, test dog Ivy points to, compares and contrasts between an 'calm' human sweat and a PTSD stressed human odor

A new study has found evidence that dogs can identify when someone is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) just by how the person smells. Above, test dog Ivy points to, compares and contrasts between an 'calm' human sweat and a PTSD stressed human odor

A new study has found evidence that dogs can identify when someone is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) just by how the person smells. Above, test dog Ivy points to, compares and contrasts between an ‘calm’ human sweat and a PTSD stressed human odor

The dogs also fared well smelling isolated samples they could not compare. Above, test dog Callie signals that the solitary sample does not contain the odor she was asked to detect. These tests were 'double blind' - neither dog, nor experimenter in the room knew the answer

The dogs also fared well smelling isolated samples they could not compare. Above, test dog Callie signals that the solitary sample does not contain the odor she was asked to detect. These tests were 'double blind' - neither dog, nor experimenter in the room knew the answer

The dogs also fared well smelling isolated samples they could not compare. Above, test dog Callie signals that the solitary sample does not contain the odor she was asked to detect. These tests were ‘double blind’ – neither dog, nor experimenter in the room knew the answer

‘It was much harder to convince them to take a break than to commence work,’ lead author Laura Kiiroja, a doctoral candidate with the department of psychology and neuroscience at Canada’s Dalhousie University, said in a statement. 

‘Callie in particular made sure there was no dilly-dallying.’

Each human produces what the researchers described as a ‘scent profile’ of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): molecules produced by the human body that vaporize at ordinary room temperature, including isoprene and monoterpenes.

Prior to Kiiroja and her colleagues’ new study, it was already well known that dogs can detect VOCs in human breath, urine and sweat — and especially breath. 

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These myriad VOCs secreted by the human body can prove to be evidence of traits related to age, diet, genetics, life activities and mood, like stress level. 

But, according to Kiiroja, no prior studies had looked into whether or not dogs could be trained to detect VOCs linked to episodes of PTSD, be they from flashbacks or more mild triggers. 

‘PTSD service dogs are already trained to assist people during episodes of distress,’ Kiiroja said. ‘However, dogs are currently trained to respond to behavioral and physical cues.’ 

‘Our study,’ she said, ‘showed that at least some dogs can also detect these episodes via breath.’

Not unlike law enforcement’s quest for truly talented bomb-sniffing dogs, a star search of 25 canine candidates was conducted to see which could be trained in scent detection. 

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Ivy and Callie proved to be the best for the Dalhousie researchers’ work.

The team also recruited 26 human volunteers as ‘scent donors’ for the new study, which was published Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Allergy.

Every participant was sourced from another study investigating how people with experience of trauma react to reminders of that trauma. 

A slim majority of that study’s volunteers, 54 percent, met the diagnostically testable medical definition of PTSD. 

These volunteers donated their scents by sitting in on therapy sessions where they were reminded of their past traumatic experiences, while they breathed into a protective facemask. Those facemasks, and masks from their more trauma-free sessions, were then deposited into individual glass storage containers for the dog experiments later on.

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These volunteers were also asked to fill out surveys on their feelings and stress level.

The team’s experimental PTSD-sniffing dogs, Ivy and Callie, were then trained off of both the ‘calm breath’ control facemasks and the PTSD-stressed test facemasks.

The team recruited 26 human volunteers as 'scent donors' for the new study, which was published Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Allergy. A slim majority of that study's volunteers, 54 percent, met the diagnostically testable medical definition of PTSD

The team recruited 26 human volunteers as 'scent donors' for the new study, which was published Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Allergy. A slim majority of that study's volunteers, 54 percent, met the diagnostically testable medical definition of PTSD

The team recruited 26 human volunteers as ‘scent donors’ for the new study, which was published Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Allergy. A slim majority of that study’s volunteers, 54 percent, met the diagnostically testable medical definition of PTSD 

Above, face masks containing relaxed and PTSD-influenced human odors for future testing in the glass sample jars (left) and pieces of those masks in glass vials for active testing (right)

Above, face masks containing relaxed and PTSD-influenced human odors for future testing in the glass sample jars (left) and pieces of those masks in glass vials for active testing (right)

Above, face masks containing relaxed and PTSD-influenced human odors for future testing in the glass sample jars (left) and pieces of those masks in glass vials for active testing (right) 

In all tests, scented material was isolated under 4.7in. mouth-diameter, stainless-steel funnels

In all tests, scented material was isolated under 4.7in. mouth-diameter, stainless-steel funnels

In all tests, scented material was isolated under 4.7in. mouth-diameter, stainless-steel funnels

But the key tests were whether the dogs could detect stress from scents without having the ‘multiple choice’ option of two different human odors to choose from.

The tests were double blind, meaning neither the dog nor the person conducting the experiment knew which scents were being used. Only another researcher had that knowledge. 

Ivy proved to be about equal at detecting both positive samples (76.19 percent accuracy) and negative samples (71.43 percent accuracy) of anything she was asked to look for. 

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Callie proved much better at identifying negative samples (90.48 percent accuracy) compared to positive samples in (71.43 percent accuracy) in these trials.

Most importantly, however, once either of the dogs got good at detecting a specific volunteer’s scene, that knowledge appeared to stick with them from test to test.

‘This is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Dr. Sherry Stewart’s clinical psychology lab and Dr. Simon Gadbois’ canine olfaction lab, both at Dalhousie University,’ Kiiroja noted. 

‘Neither lab could have done this work on their own. We brought together two distinct sets of expertise.’ 

Outside observers voiced an interest in further study into what the exact chemicals and human hormones produced by humans experiencing PTSD actually are.

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‘The study underscores the need for larger-scale research,’ according to the site Neuroscience News, ‘[to] explore the specific hormonal pathways dogs may be responding to in stressed breath samples.’

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International

Humanitarian groups urge leaders to act on threat from extreme heat

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Extreme heat is one of the most deadly problems from climate change even though it receives less attention than other knock-on effects like hurricanes and flooding, two of the world’s leading humanitarian organisations warned Thursday.

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The year 2023 was the hottest on record, with rising temperatures affecting the most vulnerable populations in particular — the elderly, outdoor workers and those without access to cooling systems such as air conditioners.

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The Red Cross and the US Agency for International Development delivered their warnings against the “invisible killer” of extreme heat at a virtual summit, on the heels of the United States exiting its warmest-ever winter on record.

“We are calling on governments, civil societies, young people and all the stakeholders to take concrete steps around the globe to help prepare countries and communities for extreme heat,” said Jagan Chapagain, secretary general for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

USAID chief Samantha Power warned that in the United States, “heat is already deadlier than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined.”

“We are calling on development agencies, philanthropies and other donors to recognize the threat that extreme heat poses to humanity, and to put resources towards helping communities withstand that threat,” she said.

Highlighting ongoing efforts addressing extreme temperatures, Power said USAID was supporting a program to build “heat resilient schools” in Jordan, using “passive heating and cooling systems, thermal insulation, double glazed windows and air conditioning.”

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Climate change’s effects aren’t limited to already hot places like the Middle East: in Europe, the fastest-warming continent in the world, more than 60,000 people were estimated to have died in heat waves in 2022, noted US climate envoy John Podesta.

“Climate information and services including early warnings can save lives and assets,” he added. “But one-third of the world’s population doesn’t have access to this life-saving information.”

Other efforts include those in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, where nearly a million trees have been planted since 2020.

“But we mustn’t allow this conversation to let anyone off the hook when it comes to reducing emissions,” Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said.

(AFP)

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International

MARKET REPORT: North Sea oil producer Enquest posts loss after hit from windfall tax

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North Sea oil producer Enquest is to buy back shares from investors for the first time, claiming the windfall tax is hurting the industry.

The energy firm, which was set up in 2010 and operates in the UK and Malaysia, is to launch a £12million repurchase programme this year.

Enquest’s finances improved in 2023 as debt fell to £381million, from £567million the year before. It has since fallen to £324million.

Revenue was hit by lower oil and gas prices while its losses narrowed to £24million from £33million.

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Yesterday its shares rose 0.7 per cent, or 0.1p, to 14.1p. 

Tax squeeze: Energy firm Enquest, which was set up in 2010 and operates in the UK and Malaysia, is to launch a £12m repurchase programme this year

Tax squeeze: Energy firm Enquest, which was set up in 2010 and operates in the UK and Malaysia, is to launch a £12m repurchase programme this year

Tax squeeze: Energy firm Enquest, which was set up in 2010 and operates in the UK and Malaysia, is to launch a £12m repurchase programme this year

But it warned that it is operating in a ‘challenging UK fiscal environment’ as the Chancellor’s decision to extend the energy profits levy by a year to 2029 represented the fourth change in the last two years.

Chief executive Amjad Bseisu said the levy ‘has resulted in a number of industry participants accelerating their shift in focus away from the UK North Sea’.

The windfall tax was introduced in 2022. Oil and gas firms pay a 40 per cent tax rate. With the levy raised to 35 per cent in January last year, they now pay 75 per cent.

Capricorn Energy also wants to return cash to its shareholders.

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It has proposed paying a special £40million dividend by the end of June. Shares rose 4.8 per cent, or 8p, to 175p.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.3 per cent, or 20.64 points, to 7952.62 and the FTSE 250 was up 0.4 per cent, or 74.07 points, to 19,884.73.

Stock Watch – Northamber

Shares in a technology distributor plunged 22.8 per cent, or 10.5p, to 35.5p after an industry-wide downturn.

Northamber, which sells laptops, keyboards and memory cards, said industry data showed that UK distribution sales fell 10pc in the six months to the end of December.

Stock levels increased as demand weakened. Revenues fell 14 per cent to £29million in the first half of its financial year while losses rose from £250,000 to £413,000.

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AO World also had a stellar day after the online electrical retailer said its profit for the year to the end of March should be at the top end of its £28million to £33million range.

Shares surged 12.2 per cent, or 10.95p, to 100.8p.

Investors in Direct Line should be comforted by new boss Adam Winslow whose appointment is a ‘useful step in re-establishing credibility’, according to Deutsche Bank Research, which urged its clients to buy the insurer’s stock – it climbed 0.3 per cent, or 0.65p, to 195.05p.

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Vodafone chairman Jean-Francois van Boxmeer bought more than £500,000 worth of shares in the telecoms giant, snapping up 823,500 at 69p each. Vodafone rose 1.5 per cent, or 1.04p, to 70.46p.

Troubled music firm Hipgnosis, which owns the rights to songs by artists such as Shakira and Blondie, said that its portfolio has been independently valued at nearly £1.6billion, lifting it 8.3 per cent, or 5.3p, to 69p.

It will be outlining proposals for its future by April 26 and will ask shareholders to vote on any decision.

Molecular diagnostics firm Genedrive is hoping its genetic kit that can prevent babies going deaf will be approved by US regulators. It added that it need to raise fresh funds, as shares rose 3.9 per cent, or 0.13p, to 3p.

Podcast publisher Audioboom has added six shows to its network, including one hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s daughter Katherine – and gained 5.4 per cent, or 12.5p, to 245p.

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Kitwave, which sells and delivers goods, bought wholesaler Total Foodservice for £21million, and rose 4.2 per cent, or 15p, to 371p.

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