Day: September 22, 2025

Michael Bene is repaying £763 ‘advance’ despite evidence he did not attend face-to-face verification interview

A special needs teacher has spent almost a year trying to clear his name after a fraudulent universal credit claim was made using his identity, which has left him on the hook for hundreds of pounds in repayments.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has refused to acknowledge the fraud, even though Michael Bene has supplied evidence he was in the Scottish Highlands when the claimant attended a face-to-face verification interview in Cheshire.

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Almaty is gradually becoming a hub for resolving issues of not only regional but also global significance. The recent opening of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan here was an event no less significant than the 80th anniversary session of the General Assembly in New York.

This is no coincidence: the global agenda at the UN today is increasingly focused on the regional level. Central Asia is not a periphery, but a kind of “model for the future,” where climate, water resources, and security challenges are intertwined.

For example, the Tian Shan glaciers have shrunk by more than 25% over the past decade and continue to melt faster than predicted, directly threatening the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. These rivers are increasingly failing to reach the Aral Sea, and its dried-up bed is turning into a giant source of dust and salt.

Air pollution levels in the region’s cities, as measured by PM2.5, exceed World Health Organization guidelines by an average of 4–6 times. Extreme heat and drought are leading to the loss of agricultural land and the degradation of ecosystems, which affects not only regional but also global food security.

Central Asia has already become a unique “testing ground for the future.” The region is testing mechanisms for cross-border cooperation. The CASA-1000 energy project connects Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with Afghanistan and Pakistan, creating a “green energy corridor.” Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Qosh Tepa Canal is altering the balance of water usage on the Amu Darya, forcing neighboring countries to seek new models of agreement. The question is whether these nations can develop a system of joint water and energy management. The outcome will shape not only regional but also global processes.

At the same time, the United Nations itself is grappling with a deficit of trust and effectiveness. The Security Council is paralyzed, while General Assembly resolutions often carry only advisory weight. In the face of nuclear risks, environmental upheavals, and the threat of epidemics, the global community is stalling. Even large-scale initiatives such as the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) remain largely declarative rather than actually limiting “dirty” investments.

Therefore, reform proposals are becoming increasingly vocal, in particular, to strengthen regional UN divisions that are capable of responding more quickly to crises and ensuring practical cooperation between countries. Another way to overcome the trust deficit could be to involve independent expert councils – scientists, NGOs, think tanks – more widely in the decision-making process, which would reduce the influence of political gridlock at the global level.

Overall, Almaty can be seen as a model of a “UN in miniature” – a regional center capable of promptly addressing issues that may seem “too small” for New York, yet are critically important for the countries of the region. For instance, the SDG Center could initiate the creation of a regional water monitoring system with unified measurement standards and transparent data sharing.

Such decentralization could form the basis for future UN reform. This is not an alternative to the organization but its renewal: granting more authority and resources at the regional level while maintaining strict accountability to headquarters in New York. In this model, regional SDG centers become not only analytical hubs but also coordination platforms, where decisions on concrete issues such as water, environment, energy, migration are made.

Decentralization also helps reduce vulnerability to political blockages. For example, disputes in the UN Security Council between major powers rarely touch on the actual situation in Central Asia. Yet the regional center in Almaty could ensure real-time data sharing on glacier conditions, Amu Darya and Syr Darya water levels, or air quality in urban areas, and propose collaborative projects. In this way, the UN transforms from an abstract “world organization” into a tool of direct benefit to people.

The financial foundation of such reform also requires innovative approaches. One possible solution would be to account not only for countries’ economic power (GDP) but also their ecological footprint. The higher a nation’s emissions and pollution levels, the greater its mandatory contributions. Such a model would encourage major polluters to invest in reducing their carbon footprint and in clean technologies, with contributions directed specifically toward regional UN operations.

More and more, ideas are emerging about humanity’s need to move from the stage of the “self-centered teenager” with a consumerist attitude toward the world and deep distrust to the stage of “adult responsibility,” based on cooperation and “global rationalism.”

Perhaps visions of global unification, or even a “world government”, remain utopian. But Central Asia may become the platform for implementing at least part of these ideas. By the UN’s 100th anniversary, a new world architecture is unlikely to emerge. Yet if Almaty becomes the place where real solutions for a sustainable future are developed. Such solutions as rational water distribution, transition to green energy, adoption of water-saving technologies, and investment in science will already mark a major step forward.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the publication, its affiliates, or any other organizations mentioned.

Macron Warns Against Confiscating Russian Frozen Assets

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that confiscating Russia’s frozen assets could lead to unintended consequences that may destabilize the West, amid ongoing discussions about the $300 billion in Russian state assets locked in the wake of the 2022 military escalation in Ukraine, reports 24brussels.

During a press briefing, Macron emphasized the importance of adhering to international laws regarding these assets. “We are all very much attached to being compliant with international rules. You cannot seize these assets from the central bank, even in such a situation,” he stated.

Macron framed the issue as one of credibility, asserting, “When some countries start to disrespect international laws… this is the beginning of a total chaos. So we will respect international law. We are predictable, and we will not do all impossible things with these frozen assets.” He noted that Western support for Ukraine has already seen funds from these frozen assets allocated to support the Ukrainian government.

This statement follows remarks from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who indicated a recent discussion with Macron regarding the potential of seizing Russian assets. The ongoing debate among Western leaders about the legality and implications of seizing Russian assets has been fueled by concerns about the erosion of international trust.

The European Commission has recently proposed a framework to utilize frozen Russian funds to underwrite a reparations loan to Ukraine, which would only be repaid if Russia compensates Ukraine for the damages incurred during the conflict. This initiative builds upon a $50 billion loan that G7 countries approved for Ukraine last year, which is secured by Russia’s frozen reserves.

Moscow has condemned both the asset freezes and proposals aimed at redirecting these funds as “theft,” warning that such actions could destabilize the global financial system and provoke retaliatory measures against the West.

As debates continue within European capitals about the nature and future of these frozen assets, Macron’s statements underscore the complex interplay between international law, financial ethics, and the pressing need for support for Ukraine amidst an ongoing conflict.

Microsoft Tests Video Wallpaper Feature for Windows 11

Microsoft has initiated testing for a video wallpaper feature on Windows 11. This capability, observed in the latest builds of the operating system, permits users to set video files, including MP4 and MKV, as their desktop wallpaper, reports 24brussels.

The videos play automatically each time the desktop is accessed, functioning similarly to popular third-party applications like Wallpaper Engine. Previously, Microsoft provided similar functionality in Windows Vista through the DreamScene feature, which was exclusive to the Ultimate version but was discontinued with the release of Windows 7.

Video wallpapers have emerged as one of the most requested features among Windows users, with Wallpaper Engine consistently ranking among the top 10 most-played applications on Steam due to its widespread adoption.

Microsoft has been assessing animated dynamic wallpapers for Windows 11 for several years. A prior design concept showcased the anticipated appearance of these wallpapers earlier in 2025. Originally intended for release in 2023, this functionality did not make it into the final version of Windows 11, demonstrating ongoing challenges in the feature’s rollout.