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Independent political analysts in the US have praised Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum for decisively calling out an attempt at a misinformation campaign by US President elect Donald Trump. In a clearly worded letter Claudia Sheinbaum who is fluent in English clarified misleading statements that Trump has shared on his Truth Social platform. She confirmed that Mexico is not closing its border with the US as Trump has claimed. The Mexican President went on to clarify that her country is not responsible for what Trump has described as “caravans of Mexican immigrants” headed for the US. There are no caravans. With regard to Trump’s threat of imposing tariffs on consumer goods produced in Mexico, President Sheinbaum is credited with diplomatically refusing Trump’s demands. Despite a polite conversation between the two heads of state, Trump quickly shared his version of their telephone call on Truth Social. President Sheinbaum responded on X, posting: "For every tariff, there will be a response in kind, until we put at risk our shared enterprises. Yes, shared. For instance, among Mexico's main exporters to the United States are General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company, which arrived in Mexico 80 years ago. Why impose a tariff that would jeopardize them? Such a measure would be unacceptable and would lead to inflation and job losses in both the United States and Mexico." In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being pushed to take a similarly strong approach to restrain Trump’s ambitions to have a trade war with America’s neighbours. Image credit: Instagram

Maximalism which marked much of 1970’s art and design is experiencing a revival. It is a growing European and British trend potentially in response to imposed frugality. Consumers have had to opt for cutting back in the face of financial stress. Excess marks maximalist design with everything being over the top bringing with it a sense of living in the moment. In the 1970s, artists and designers borrowed heavily from the late 1930s and much of 1940’s post war American fashion and interior design. Style was exaggerated. India is considered to be a source of inspiration for maximalism in architecture and interior design. Westerners have appropriated India’s culture over centuries. They have adapted it for fashion, music, interiors and architecture. The current revival started in 2022 as more consumers were eager to consign the restrictive COVID era to the past. British interior designers especially have embraced maximalism and have amassed Instagram followers interested in copying the trend. Image credit: Wowhaus.com

The father and stepmother of 10 year-old Sara Sharif have been convicted of her murder. In a press statement issued Wednesday the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that 42-year-old Urfan Sharif, and his 30-year-old wife Beinash Batool were found guilty. Sara Sharif’s uncle Faisal Malik who is 29-years old was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child. The jury in the trial at the Old Bailey in London returned unanimous verdicts. Sara was killed last August. Her body was left in her bed while her father and stepmother fled the UK for Pakistan. From birth a child protection plan was put in place by social services for Sara, given her father’s history of violence. Despite this precaution, Sara suffered sustained abuse and torture in the two years before her death. Social Services are alleged to have failed in their duty to safeguard Sara as a child at risk. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), the country’s largest children’s charity reports that at least one child is murdered every week in Britain by an abusive parent or guardian. Image credit: Sky News

Public support continues to grow for alleged murderer Luigi Mangione. The 26-year-old Marylander, a qualified engineer was arrested six days after United Healthcare CEO, Brian Thompson was shot in the back leaving the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Mangione who reportedly has mental health challenges was identified by a worker at a McDonalds franchise in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Monday. Since his arrest, an online campaign has been launched against the franchise. Google reviews has been flooded with negative posts about the McDonalds with so many people leaving one-star reviews it has negatively impacted the business. Some American residents have taken to adopting the clothing Mangione was photographed wearing when he checked into a hostel in New York City. Upon arrest, he had possession of a weapon and a three-page anti-corporate manifesto. The manifesto was reportedly posted on Substack before the shooting. It has been suggested that he may have planned further attacks against corporate leaders. America’s consultant and pundit classes state that Brian Thompson’s murder may signal a change in norms where there is a physical push back against corporate greed. Violence may be viewed as an acceptable solution to unethical policies and practices. Minimal sympathy has been expressed for Thompson and his family.

The University of Texas, Austin has announced a successful trial in monitoring serious neurological and cardiovascular health conditions via digital tattoos. Researchers have discovered that ‘e-tattoos’ can measure patients’ cardiac activity and stress levels. The innovation, introduced in the past decade, has been advanced by the Cockrell School of Engineering. The objective was to achieve a methodology for mobile monitoring of brain activity.  This new development from teams from Texas and the University of California, Los Angeles represents improved performance.  Conductive ink can now be applied to patients to measure brainwaves. The procedure is not hindered by the amount or texture of the patient’s hair. The ink replaces traditional sensors and can detect brain tumours and other neurological issues.  Research Lead Nanshu Lu says: “The holy grail for EEG is a sensor that patients can wear for long periods of time, outside the clinical setting and without the need for constant maintenance.” Image credit: University of Texas, Austin

Democratic leaders are proactively trying to head off Russian mercenaries and anti-western disinformation campaigns in Africa. Cash strapped Russia is struggling to finance its ongoing invasion of Ukraine and to maintain its social infrastructure. For the past few years, Russian President Vladimir Putin has courted military regimes in Africa and financed coups in exchange for natural resources including gold and diamonds. Unlike China which has secured its influence via a series of loans, new businesses and belt and road projects, Russia has been more direct in supplying a private army. It has also engaged in torture and terrorism of citizens to assist in the overthrow of elected governments. Russian mercenaries have greatly impacted Sudan, Niger, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, the Central African Republic and Madagascar according to a recent report by French news outlet Le Monde. In the final days of his term, US President Joe Biden has sought to strengthen ties between America and African nations. In 2018, President elect Donald Trump collectively referred to African countries as “shitholes”. African leaders have expressed concerns about the incoming Trump administration limiting or halting humanitarian aid to the poorest nations. Image; Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali, west Africa Credit: Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research, Pakistan

China claims that it is racing ahead of global competitors in additive manufacturing technology. This is commonly known by consumers as 3D printing. The process relies on computer aided design (CAD). Using a converted file, material is fused together to create prototypes for objects that are traditionally manufactured en masse. Industrial designers use heat resistant plastic, metals and composites most for prototypes. Consumers will interact with products most often in healthcare settings but also as part of functional building design. While 3D printing is cited for the design and development of large projects, for example, Building for Humanity’s £6m housing development, it is a process which is most often used for replacement components. While in the future manufacturing may become entirely based on CAD and 3D printing, experts advise that it is not suitable for mass production. The process is slower than traditional manufacturing and is essentially used as an additional industrial design aid. According to the latest industry data, 3D printing is worth $USD20.37bn to global business. Image: 3D printed house, Germany Credit: PERI via GIRA 

Syria’s deposed dictator President Bashar Al-Assad and his family have taken asylum in Moscow. Before fleeing, Assad requested assistance from leaders around the world including US President elect Donald Trump, according to Bloomberg. Assad is under the protection of Vladimir Putin’s government. It is reported that the Assad family escaped opposition fighters in Damascus, the capital city at the very last moment. The family’s personal fortune which is estimated at $2bn is out of reach of Syria’s transitional government. Russia has a military investment in Syria with bases around the country. Just over a year ago, President Putin announced that Russia would stand with Assad to rebuild Syria following its civil war. Russia has been evidenced to have been behind air strikes targeted at civilians during the conflict which lasted 12 years. Like Putin, Assad is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.  A French court of appeal upheld the warrant for his arrest in June this year. Image credit: Pixabay Contributor

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) published its most recent data on maternal and child health within the past year. Low birth weight is on the increase in England. This has been linked to poor pre-natal health caused by lack of knowledge. There is also less inclination to limit smoking during pregnancy. The OHID found that Caucasian English women took less care of their health in the early stages of pregnancy than minority ethnic women from similar economic backgrounds. Subjects represented women from low income to economically deprived households. Women who had given birth previously showed more inclination to smoke than those who were experiencing their first pregnancy. In the most deprived areas of England up to twenty percent of Caucasian women smoked in pregnancy. Less than eight percent of minority ethnic women in the country smoked while pregnant irrespective of age or previous pregnancies. Of this group, ninety-five percent of Asian women stopped smoking while pregnant. Clinicians report that nicotine is as addictive as some Class A drugs because of the immediate impact on the brain. Health advisories for pregnant women who smoke are risk of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth. The NHS recommends nicotine replacement therapy to support women to stop smoking in pregnancy. Image credit: Pixabay Contributor

The backlash against insurers United Healthcare continues in the US. Deceased CEO Brian Thompson’s LinkedIn profile remains active. Responses from his last post one year ago are accessible for the public to view. Responses to Thompson’s posts about efficiency, cost-saving and corporate profitability offer insight into apparent public satisfaction at the fatal attack on Thompson last Wednesday. United Healthcare is being investigated by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for violations of antitrust legislation. Policyholders have used FaceBook and other social media to share recent experiences of denial of claims. Some recount family members dying from stage four cancer. They claim these deaths were hastened because of blocks imposed by United Healthcare. As CEO, Thompson’s policy of using AI to filter claims is alleged to be the reason for the company’s denying 35% of insurance claims. This is said to be the highest rate of refusal from any medical insurer in the US. Medical debt impacts 23m American residents. More than half a million people have filed for bankruptcy because of the cost of healthcare. Image credit: ABD