Archives: 31/10/2024

A new maritime alliance named “Gemini,” formed by Danish shipping giant Maersk and German competitor Hapag-Lloyd, is set to commence operations in February of next year. This initiative comes in response to the ongoing challenges in shipping timeliness, with the two companies aiming to significantly reduce delivery delays. Their strategy involves deploying larger vessels and decreasing the number of ports each ship will visit.

Since late last year, shipping companies have faced significant disruptions, particularly after attacks by the Yemen-based Houthi movement on vessels in the Red Sea forced them to route around South Africa instead of passing through the Suez Canal. This detour has added at least two weeks to transit times and exacerbated rising freight costs.

Despite the hurdles, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have emerged as the most reliable players in the industry, boasting a current on-time delivery rate of approximately 55%. A senior Hapag-Lloyd executive expressed to The Wall Street Journal that this figure is “unacceptable,” with the Gemini alliance aiming to elevate that percentage to 90%.

Currently, the cost to ship a container from China to California has dropped to around $4,834, significantly lower than during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic but still well above the $2,440 rate seen earlier this year. Freight rates from Asia to Europe have also seen a decline, dropping from $4,040 in January to $3,850 now.

During the pandemic, shipping companies ordered numerous new vessels due to a shortage, but as demand has cooled from its peak, they are now grappling with an oversupply of ships. Analysts predict that once the Red Sea reopens, freight rates could see substantial decreases, leading to a natural decline in profits for shipping companies.

To combat the anticipated profit squeeze, shipping operators recognize the need to enhance operational efficiency. Participants in the Gemini alliance have indicated their goal is to retain both new and existing customers who are willing to pay a premium for reliable, on-time service. One of the methods to achieve improved punctuality involves cutting the number of ports of call for ships traveling from Asia to Europe by about half, from the current ten.

The vessels in the Gemini alliance will primarily operate along the Pacific coast of China and dock at container terminals owned by the member lines. This alliance represents the second-largest grouping in the maritime sector, accounting for 22% of the global shipping market. The largest alliance, Ocean Alliance, includes members such as Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine, France’s CMA CGM, and China’s COSCO Shipping, which collectively hold a 29% share of the market.

On October 22, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to discuss the foreign exchange data for the first three quarters of 2024. Li Hongyan, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, shared insights on the continued and steady progress of China’s financial market opening to foreign investment.

Li highlighted that there has been a positive trend in foreign asset allocation towards RMB investments. Since the beginning of the year, the comprehensive yield on RMB-denominated bonds has remained robust, attracting increased interest from overseas investors.

As of now, foreign holdings of RMB bonds in China exceed $640 billion, reaching historical highs. Li noted that the primary holders of these assets are conservative investors, such as foreign central banks and commercial banks, with a significant portion invested in medium- to long-term bonds like government and policy financial bonds, indicating a stable investment environment.

Furthermore, driven by the recent rally in China’s stock market, foreign net purchases of domestic stocks have also increased since late September, enhancing the willingness of foreign investors to allocate RMB assets. Currently, foreign investment in China’s capital markets is still in its early stages, with foreign holdings in the stock and bond markets comprising only about 3% to 4%. Given various favorable factors, there is still considerable room for growth.

Li pointed out three key reasons supporting this positive outlook. First, China’s economic fundamentals remain stable and are showing signs of improvement, creating a favorable macroeconomic environment. The country has been methodically advancing high-quality economic development, and recent incremental policies are expected to further consolidate this positive trend.

Second, China’s commitment to high-level openness has fostered a supportive policy environment. The steady progress of financial market opening has provided foreign investors with diverse investment channels, including programs like the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Connect, Bond Connect, and the CIBM (China Interbank Bond Market). Recent policy initiatives from the 20th Party Congress aim to bolster financial openness, which is anticipated to enhance the appeal of China’s capital markets to foreign investors.

Third, RMB assets offer excellent diversification benefits, contributing to attractive investment value. China has developed a comprehensive and deep financial market system, with the bond and stock markets ranking second globally in scale. The stability of the RMB and its diverse asset base provide independent performance that aids in global investors’ asset diversification and risk management. Moreover, the share of RMB in cross-border transactions is gradually increasing, thereby enhancing its international influence and making it an important choice for diversification in asset allocation.

Li emphasized that, overall, foreign investment in RMB assets contributes to a more diverse market participant base and improved market liquidity, fostering a more vibrant and internationalized domestic capital market. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange will continually work towards enhancing investment convenience, creating a favorable investment environment, promoting high-level financial openness, and actively supporting foreign investors in participating in the domestic capital market.

Despite being exposed to corrosive chemicals without any protective equipment, female workers reported experiencing severe facial itching. This situation has raised eyebrows as they had been lured under the pretense of embarking on a European adventure, courtesy of advertisements on social media. According to an Associated Press report, these ads promised African women free flights, money, and an exciting journey, begging them to complete a computer game and a test of 100 Russian vocabulary words. However, the reality turned out to be starkly different—those who believed the promise ended up working in a factory in the Tatarstan region of Russia, producing Iranian-designed weapons.

To address workforce shortages caused by the ongoing war, the Kremlin has been actively recruiting young women, aged 18 to 22, from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, with intentions to expand recruitment into Asia and Latin America. This effort has resulted in approximately 200 African women being employed in key weapon factories around Moscow, working alongside Russian vocational students as young as 16, in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, about 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow.

The online recruitment initiative is called “Alabuga Start.” One woman who left her job at home expressed her disillusionment, initially excited to document her journey with selfies at the airport and photos of in-flight meals. However, upon arriving in Alabuga, she realized it was a trap. “This company focuses on drone manufacturing, but I had no idea how to actually make drones,” she lamented.

Clues about their actual work were minimal, hinted at by vocabulary test words like “factory,” “fixed,” and “unfasten.” The workers report being monitored both at their dormitories and on the job, facing long hours and wages that fell short of expectations, with restrictions on leaving the premises.

With the unemployment rate reaching historic lows and many Russian workers absorbed into military enterprises, the factory has resorted to hiring cheap foreign labor in tandem with local vocational students. Documents revealed in 2023 indicate that the number of foreign workers, which stood at fewer than 900 in 2023, is expected to exceed 2,600 by 2025. Women are tasked with assembling drones and handling hazardous chemicals.

According to the Alabuga Start Facebook page, by mid-2024, 182 women had already been recruited, most hailing from Central and East African countries, while recruitment efforts are also underway in South America and Asia. Additionally, Alabuga’s Telegram channel indicated recruitment activities at orphanages in Uganda, while Russian officials have visited 26 embassies in Moscow to promote this initiative.

The factory is also actively recruiting students from the nearby Alabuga Technical College, focusing on Russian students aged 16 to 18 and Central Asian individuals aged 18 to 22. Graduates of this program are humorously dubbed “drone production specialists,” though some are merely 15 years old and are subjected to harsh working conditions.

Several women have reported that all communications are monitored, with employees instructed not to discuss work with outsiders and to report on colleagues. New recruits are learning to assemble drones, applying a thick, yogurt-like corrosive substance on the bodies. The lack of protective gear has led many to experience severe itching on their faces.

Most women surveyed expressed disappointment with their wages. Recruiters initially promised $700 a month, only to later adjust this to “over $500” on social media. After deductions for housing, flights, medical care, and Russian language classes, the remaining amount is insufficient to cover basic expenses like bus fare.

One assembly worker described the situation plainly: African women are “being treated like donkeys, enslaved.” Due to economic sanctions affecting the Russian banking sector, transferring wages back home has become a challenge, with the maximum amount they can send to families capped at $150 a month. Additionally, four women complained about 12-hour shifts.

A spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office, Ravina Shamdasani, noted that if recruitment is fraudulent and aimed at exploitation, it meets the criteria for human trafficking as outlined in the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.

“I gave birth during the pandemic, and it felt like my family was worlds away. It was just my daughter and me at home. That bedroom became my sanctuary—a hideaway where I could cry in private.”

In this interview, Dola Posh reflects on her journey since her daughter was born in August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “A few months later, in October, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression,” she shares. “I hadn’t been working, and my anxiety was through the roof. I felt incredibly isolated without the support of my family.”

Prompted by her health visitor, Dola began therapy, but she was unsure of how to express herself creatively. “I hadn’t picked up a camera in months,” she recalls. “My therapist suggested writing about my feelings, but instead, I decided to turn to photography. The first image I captured became the foundation for a series that reflects my longing for home, for community, and for my own sense of self.”

Dola describes the moment: “I was struggling with my identity, yet I held on to the hope that the light in my heart would return. Looking at that first image now, I see a resilient mother—a woman who wants to create life despite overwhelming challenges. I hoped other mothers could relate to my story and find solace in it.”

The bedroom, where she spent so much time caring for her daughter, naturally became the focal point for her work. “That room was a refuge for me—a place to nurse my child, to find comfort, and to let my emotions out. Creating images in that space helped me navigate my depression,” she explains. “It serves as a testament to how women can achieve greatness from the confines of their homes, even in such a small environment. When one of my photographs from this series, titled ‘Care,’ was displayed on billboards across the UK, I heard from mothers who felt acknowledged and seen.”

Dola reflects on her background, sharing insights from her upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria. “I grew up witnessing my mother and community of women raising their children, those images ingrained in my mind. With my father being a bishop, I was surrounded by religious iconography, particularly images of the Madonna and child,” she recounts. “When I moved to Britain, I visited the National Portrait Gallery and was inspired by numerous artworks on motherhood. All these experiences influenced my creative voice.”

Her work has become a platform for advocacy, especially for Black mothers. “This series not only helped me heal but also empowered me to tell the stories of other Black mothers,” she says. “Winning the Leica Women Foto Project award in 2024 opened doors for me to create more images centered around motherhood and to delve deeper into postpartum depression. I aim to confront the stigma and emotional neglect that many Black mothers face. We can show our vulnerability without losing our strength, and it’s essential that we seek help.”

Dola remembers a poignant moment from a recent art fair. “A man approached me and shared that, after seeing my photograph, he reached out to his mother—a connection rekindled after years. That really touched my heart.”

Now, Dola is documenting her personal journey with renewed strength. “Initially, I focused on the joys and challenges of my daily routine, but I’m finally ready to confront what truly happened during that time without fear. It’s an important part of my healing process.”

For more of Dola Posh’s work, visit dolaposh.com.

According to the Central Meteorological Observatory’s website, Typhoon “Tammy” is moving towards the South China Sea, bringing strong winds to the eastern and southern maritime regions of China. From October 25 to 28, a weak cold front is expected to cause temperatures to drop by 3-6°C across most areas of the country, with localized drops reaching 8°C. The central and eastern regions will experience light rain, while the eastern Tibetan Plateau may see light to moderate snow or sleet, with some areas facing heavy to severe snowfall.

As of early October 23, the center of Typhoon “Tammy,” classified as a tropical storm, was located approximately 395 kilometers northeast of Manila, Philippines, at coordinates 15.3° N latitude and 124.6° E longitude. The maximum wind speed near the center was about 23 meters per second, with a minimum central pressure of 990 hPa, impacting an area with winds reaching 7 on the Beaufort scale extending from 160 to 270 kilometers from the center.

Forecasts indicate that “Tammy” will continue moving northwest at about 20 kilometers per hour, gradually intensifying and approaching the northeastern coast of Luzon Island in the Philippines. It is expected to cross the northern part of Luzon during the night of October 23 and into the day on October 24, before entering the eastern South China Sea by late October 24.

From October 23 at 08:00 to October 24 at 08:00, the combined effects of the cold front and Typhoon “Tammy” will result in strong winds of 6-8 on the Beaufort scale and gusts of 9-10 in several areas, including the Bashi Channel, the waters east of Taiwan, the Taiwan Strait, the majority of the East China Sea, and the northern and central South China Sea. Winds in coastal areas of Fujian, western Taiwan, and parts of the South China Sea are forecasted to reach levels of 9-10, with gusts reaching 11-12. Eastern Taiwan may also face heavy to torrential rainfall, with local accumulations ranging from 100 to 180 mm. A blue typhoon alert and yellow wind alert were issued by the Central Meteorological Observatory on October 23 at 06:00.

Looking ahead, from October 25 to 28, temperatures across much of China are expected to decrease due to another weak cold front, dropping by 3-6°C, with isolated areas potentially seeing up to 8°C drops. Light rain is forecasted for most of the central and eastern regions, while the eastern Tibetan Plateau may experience light to moderate snow or sleet, with some areas facing heavy snowfall.

In detail, from October 23 at 08:00 to October 24 at 08:00, regions such as the Altay Mountains in Xinjiang, the western areas of Southern Xinjiang, and parts of northern and southern Tibet are expected to see light to moderate snow or sleet, with heavy snowfall possible in parts of the Altay Mountains. Heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of northeastern Heilongjiang, western Yunnan, and eastern Taiwan, with some areas experiencing torrential rainfall of 100 to 180 mm. Additionally, areas in eastern Heilongjiang and eastern Zhejiang may experience winds of 4-6 on the Beaufort scale.

The weather forecast emphasizes the need for preparedness as these patterns unfold, with significant impacts anticipated from wind and precipitation throughout the affected regions.

On the final day of their royal visit to Australia and Samoa, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a farewell ceremony in the village of Siumu, Samoa. Representatives from 56 countries gathered in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which began on October 21. During the event, nations from Africa and the Caribbean have persistently argued that the United Kingdom should take responsibility for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, seeking either reparations or at the very least some form of political acknowledgment.

In his remarks at the summit on October 25, King Charles III emphasized the importance of recognizing the Commonwealth’s “painful” history. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has shown willingness to consider the demands of these nations, though he remains opposed to financial reparations and is exploring “non-cash” alternatives.

King Charles stated, “By listening to the voices of people from across the Commonwealth, I’ve come to understand how our most painful past continues to resonate. Therefore, understanding our history is crucial as it can guide us to make the right choices going forward.”

According to reports from Central News Agency, calls for reparations from the UK for the transatlantic slave trade have been long-standing, but momentum has been growing, particularly within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union in recent times.

Opponents of reparations argue that nations should not bear the burden of historical wrongs, while supporters contend that the issues stemming from slavery have contributed to ongoing and pervasive racial inequalities today.

On October 21, Sunak communicated to the BBC that the UK is open to hearing from countries wishing to discuss the issue at the summit, but he dismissed the possibility of the UK issuing an apology for its historical role in the trade.

The Daily Telegraph reported that in response to demands from Commonwealth nations for reparations potentially amounting to £18 trillion (approximately $23.3 trillion), Sunak has ruled out financial compensation. However, he is reportedly considering alternative non-cash options such as debt relief, support for public health initiatives, and educational programs for students from Commonwealth countries.

Frederick Mitchell, the Bahamas’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed the BBC on October 24 that parts of the draft conclusions from the summit, expected to be released on October 26, will call for discussions on the reparations issue.

Patricia Scotland, a British diplomat and lawyer of Dominican descent, who serves as the Commonwealth Secretary-General, stated at the summit, “We have demonstrated an unparalleled capacity to redefine this painful history, which is what has allowed us to sit together as equals for 75 years.”

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped and forcibly taken by European ships and merchants to be sold as slaves. Those who survived the harrowing journey ultimately found themselves toiling under inhumane conditions on plantations in the Americas, while others profited from their labor.

During a recent press conference hosted by the Shaanxi Provincial Government’s Information Office, it was announced that this year, the province has implemented key policies to support technological innovation and manufacturing development. Notably, Shaanxi has implemented tax reductions, fee cuts, and refunds totaling 30.81 billion yuan, significantly alleviating the financial burden on businesses and stimulating market activity.

Shaanxi has been proactive in executing the national structural tax reduction and fee exemption policies, continuously promoting value-added tax deductions for advanced manufacturing enterprises and offering tax reductions for the conversion of scientific achievements. Officials emphasized their commitment to ensuring that all eligible reductions and exemptions are fully realized. Furthermore, the province has established a list management system for business-related charges and conducted inspections to standardize fees, ultimately lowering unreasonable costs for companies. In addition, Shaanxi is leading a special initiative to address overdue payments to businesses, ensuring timely completions of payables and safeguarding the rights of enterprises, particularly small and privately-owned companies.

Li Minghuai, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Finance Department, shared that the province has been consistently expanding government-backed financing guarantees. Through a comprehensive package of subsidies, risk compensation, and collaborative rewards with financial institutions, Shaanxi is encouraging guarantee agencies to reduce their premiums.

To address the financing challenges faced by small and micro enterprises, the province has launched short-term liquidity support through government-backed financing guarantee funds, successfully transferring 14.2 billion yuan to rural areas, small businesses, and individual entrepreneurs. The average refinancing time has been reduced from 15 days to just five, providing crucial support for businesses in need. Additionally, Shaanxi has established a loan risk compensation mechanism focused on eight key cultural tourism industry chains, introducing the “Cultural Tourism Loan” project to broaden risk compensation support for small and micro enterprises, resulting in 41.1 billion yuan in loans disbursed.

Moreover, Shaanxi is enhancing financial cooperation by continuously introducing fresh capital into the market. The province has created reward and incentive systems, fostering a robust ecosystem for investment and attracting quality capital to Shaanxi. By promoting collaboration between central enterprises and local funds, they are facilitating comprehensive industry chain integration to drive high-quality project implementations. The recent Shaanxi Innovation and Investment Eco-conference has led to the formation of the Shaanxi Technology Innovation Investment Alliance, which aims to cultivate a diverse and open communication platform and investment ecosystem that encourages early and sustained investments in high-tech sectors.

Lastly, the Shaanxi Provincial Finance Department is focused on leveraging “Internet + government procurement,” enhancing benefits for businesses, optimizing policy functions, and fostering fair competition to create a regulated, efficient, open, and competitive business environment for government procurement. To streamline processes, Shaanxi has developed an electronic trading system for online transactions, reporting 4,818 electronic procurement projects carried out this year, amounting to 10.17 billion yuan—effectively reducing costs for businesses participating in government procurement.

Pictures taken in the delivery room could be triggering for those who go through trauma, but for Chloë Hamilton inviting a photographer into the delivery room was a way to connect with her child. Here, she writes about the intimacy and intensity of capturing the arrival of her baby
Chloë HamiltonSun 20 Oct 2024 05.00 EDTShareClick. Click. Click. I’m vaguely aware of the sound of a camera shutter coming from somewhere above me. I push deep into my bottom, a dull, rising ache reverberating around my stomach and back. Click. Click. The noise is now in front of me, I think, but I can’t focus on it, so great is the effort of pushing. I take a deep breath in and heave again, cheered on by two midwives and my partner holding my hand, bearing down to squeeze away the pain. Click. The sound comes again but, still, it’s easy to tune out as another wave of pain begins to rise, along with a mild panic that my pushes are achieving nothing. And then, suddenly, I feel something beginning to descend within me, the weight of my baby moving down through the birth canal. Everything in the room fades away as I’m consumed by the primal sensation of my baby preparing to leave my body. The feeling overwhelms me. It and I become tangled; elementally intertwined. I am nothing but this feeling.
View image in fullscreenBirth story: in this and the pictures below photographer Amy Lee documents Chloë going through labour in the delivery room, supported by her midwife and partner, Stuart, and eventually giving birth to baby Inigo. Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverI know, now, my birth photographer, the person behind the “clicks”, managed to capture this transcendental moment. In the images, my eyes are screwed up with effort, my chin is doubled on my neck, and my fingers are gripping my partner’s hand so tightly they’ve turned white. At the top of the taut hump of my stomach, a slight shadow appears to reveal the vague shape of a baby about to be born. The stills are strikingly visceral.
During my pregnancy, each time I revealed my plans to have a photographer at the birth, I was met with a slightly different response: curiosity, concern, jealousy, disapproval. There was an overriding sense from most, though, that, in having someone take photos of my child’s birth, I was engaging in an act of extreme vanity. “Is nothing sacred?” came the cry, again and again.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverHistorically more common in America, birth photography is, seemingly, on the rise in the UK. In 2024, BabyCentre registered 250 mentions on its UK forums compared with 77 in 2020 – an increase of 187%. Lacey Barratt, owner and director of the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, says many of her photographers now make a full-time wage from the profession. “Those of us who have been shooting births for a decade or longer can certainly attest that over time there has definitely been an increase in inquiries and bookings.” A sign, perhaps, that millennial mothers have grown weary of saccharine sweet newborn photoshoots and instead want something grittier.
A birth photography package costs in the region of between £2,000 and £3,000, depending on the offering. Many photographers provide doula support, too, and it is, perhaps, not a surprise that the popularity of birth photography has risen in line with the use of doulas in the UK: women are taking control of their most intimate of days.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverMy own birth photographer, Amy Lee, offers breath-work support for women in labour, in addition to photography. “I’m a birth partner,” says Lee. In fact, she first trained as a photojournalist with a focus on war photography and I’m struck by the similarities between the two: both bloody, both intimate, both requiring a photographer to be there and also not; to sit on the fringes of the frontline and observe, bear witness, through a lens. “You have to shoot fast, not get in the way, be invisible,” she says of her work as a photojournalist, although this could surely apply to her work in a delivery room, too. In reality, Lee found the reasons she chose not to pursue war photography were why she enjoys birth photography. “I wasn’t somebody who could just stand back and witness,” she says, explaining that, during labour she acts as an advocate for her clients. There are further similarities between the two vocations, though, not least in establishing what should and shouldn’t be seen; what is and isn’t intrusive. Unlike in photojournalism, however, in birth photography, the line between what’s invasive and what isn’t is dictated by the subjects of the images: the clients decide what they want shot. “There are certain moments that some people tend to be extremely private about, whereas other people are quite happy to share those,” says Lee. “For me, intrusiveness comes when you’re crossing the boundaries of people’s values.”
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverEstablishing those boundaries is something Lee takes seriously. We meet three times before my due date, including once with my partner, Stuart, in which we also discuss his needs. (They agree on a “safe word” to use if he wants her to leave.) As well as talking us through the practicalities – when to call her; how long she takes to arrive; what she brings (snacks and a roll mat to kip on if needed) – she also goes through the types of photos we’re comfortable having. Do I want a crowning shot? Skin-to-skin? The first feed? My placenta? As we talk, parameters are drawn up, with Lee taking note of where our red lines are. She advises us to contact the hospital: their red lines are just as important and, although one doesn’t need permission to bring a photographer to a birth, it’s respectful to ask, especially considering that staff are likely to appear in photos. (This fastidious regard for others continues into labour with Lee checking in with each new staff member in order to gain consent. Everyone gives it, gladly.) Our pre-birth meetings feel like a combination of NCT classes and wedding planning, albeit with the proviso that, with birth, there’s only so much you can control.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverFor many, this is the beauty of birth photography. Lynsey Harrison, 36, has had her three births photographed for this reason. “You can’t pose for a photo during birth,” she says. “It’s natural, it’s real, it’s raw.” Harrison praises her own birth photographer for capturing “beautiful” and “graphic” scenes. “We’re not used to looking at our own vaginas and blood running down our legs, or seeing ourselves naked from various angles and perspectives while pushing out a baby,” she says. “I want to see those photos, because I want to be reminded of how powerful I was.” For others, though, birth can be a traumatic event; not one they want to be reminded of.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverDr Kim Thomas, CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, says that for most women who approach them, birth has been intensely frightening and, often, involved a medical emergency, such as the use of forceps or a caesarean. “It’s difficult to see that capturing the moment of birth would be anything other than distressing,” she says. A close friend of mine, who has birth trauma from her first birth, confirms this, saying she would have found photos of her labour extremely triggering. “It would serve as snapshots of an experience I’m desperate to forget.”
I’m aware then that my desire to have a photographer at the birth of my second child came from a position of privilege: I had a positive experience at my first. So positive, in fact, that it implanted in me a deep curiosity about my body. Like Lynsey, I wanted to look back and see what it was capable of; to reread the story, the narrative arc, of one of the most momentous days of my life.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverI’d be lying, though if I said the presence of a photographer didn’t affect the way I prepared. Having previously been determined to have an epidural – I’d had one in my first labour and loved it – I dabbled, for a while, with the notion of a water birth, thinking, slightly madly, that the photos would be better, more dynamic. I didn’t do any hypnobirthing or rehearse birth affirmations, but I did get highlights and a pedicure. I also became increasingly anxious about having an unplanned caesarean, not because of the impracticalities of recovery with a toddler, but because it would have an impact on the photos I’d get. According to the rules at my hospital, second birth partners, including photographers, have to leave the room as soon as a situation becomes an emergency.
On the day, none of my fears came to fruition. Once the contractions ramped up, any desire to get pictures in the pool evaporated and I requested an epidural. Lee, having liaised with my partner, arrived as the anesthesia was being placed, bringing with her a bag of snacks and cups of tea, a testament to the fact that a good birth photographer is, first and foremost, a good birth partner.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverIn fact, my abiding memory of having her there is not the click of her camera, but the conversation we had, once my epidural had kicked in, about the joys and challenges of raising boys – she has one; I was about to have two. It was a level of intimacy I hadn’t anticipated and it made me feel more powerful than any affirmation could have done. And I don’t remember her being there at the point of birth, because she’d made herself invisible as she captured moments I’d later look back on in wonder.
Lee says she wants her work to empower women and normalise birth so it’s no longer something to be hidden or deemed messy, unsightly, or frightening. Birth is bloody and beautiful and those things can, she argues, coexist within our consciousness. Too often, blood is depicted as a warning; something to be feared. “Actually,” Lee says, “blood is life.” Looking at images of birth, she adds, is the best way to normalise it. “If we [women] can’t look at it ourselves then what hope do we have?”
This raises an interesting question about who my photos are for. Lynsey has hers in albums that she looks at with her children the night before their birthdays. A few others, chosen with visitors in mind, are on display around her house. So will I put mine on my mantelpiece? Share them on WhatsApp with friends and family? Upload them to social media?
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverInstagram, of course, may not allow them: the app bans nude images. While its guidelines claim nudity in the context of breastfeeding, birth giving and after birth moments are OK, some birth accounts, such as Megan Rossiter’s Birth-ed, have given up sharing such images as they found they were constantly at risk of being shut down. “I stopped in March,” says Rossiter. “Anything that’s not a nipple or mid vaginal birth is still OK. Anything else seems to be either hidden or removed or blocks my account in some way.”
That said, while movements such as the Empowered Birth Project campaign to allow uncensored images of childbirth on the app, agree with Lee that to see is to educate, inform and celebrate, I can’t help but feel a tug of conflict. Dr Kim Thomas tells me women who approach her organisation say they find seeing images of birth on social media “extremely triggering”, something my friend can attest to. “I couldn’t look at anything birth related for the first two years,” she says.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverProbably, then, the photos – the most intimate ones, at least – are just for my partner and me. Certainly, I’ve enjoyed looking back at them at my own pace, with my sleeping newborn in my arms. I’ve been struck by how familiar the baby in the images looks: we didn’t know him at the time, but we do now. Sometimes I worry what he will make of the photographs when he grows up; after all, he’s the only person in the room whose permission we didn’t seek.
And then I’m struck by the care displayed by the team around me and captured in the stills and am grateful we’ll get to share that with him. One photo shows the student midwife who delivered him locking eyes with me as I push, her expression bright and joyful. Another has her gently tucking my hair behind my ear as I try to latch my new baby, an act of such tenderness my eyes filled with tears as soon as I saw it.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Amy Lee/The ObserverIn the end, it isn’t a photo of me actually giving birth that takes my breath away. Instead, it’s one taken just afterwards, in the limbo land between life and not-quite-life, when my baby was still caught between two worlds: inside and outside; before and after. The photograph is brutal, bloody, beautiful. It’s of the umbilical cord, not yet cut, snaking outwards from the darkness of within into the bright light of the hospital room. In the picture, I can see my second-degree tear – then brand new, now something I am intimately familiar with – and, even in the stillness of the photo, the silvery grey cord that appears to pulse with the life it’s given my baby for nine months.
It’s not a photograph I’ll share – on social media or elsewhere – but it is one I’ll cherish. And it’s a moment – the last time I was physically one with my child – I’d never have seen had I not invited someone with a camera into my birth. What, really, could be more sacred than that?

Lil Durk, the Grammy Award-winning rapper, has recently been arrested on a murder-for-hire charge, as reported by CBS News, a partner of the BBC in the U.S. According to police records reviewed by U.S. media, Durk Devontay Banks—better known as Lil Durk—was taken into custody in Broward County, Florida, on Thursday night and is currently being held without bail.

This arrest follows closely on the heels of charges filed against five individuals associated with Banks’ hip-hop collective, Only The Family (OTF), in connection to a 2022 shooting that resulted in the death of the cousin of rival rapper Quando Rondo.

The 33-year-old Chicago native has enjoyed significant success in the music industry with six albums landing in the top five of the U.S. Billboard charts since 2019, and notable collaborations with major artists such as Drake and J. Cole. He won the Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance in February for his song “All My Life,” featuring J. Cole.

Lil Durk established OTF in 2010, playing a prominent role in the drill rap scene in Chicago. Reports indicate that the five men charged recently organized the 2022 shooting in Los Angeles as direct retaliation for the 2020 killing of rapper King Von, who was affiliated with OTF.

Although a friend of Quando Rondo had previously been charged with King Von’s murder, those charges were later dismissed, and Rondo himself was neither arrested nor charged. The Chicago Sun-Times disclosed that the new indictment claims an unnamed co-conspirator promised “money and lucrative music opportunities with OTF” to incentivize individuals to participate in the assassination of Quando Rondo.

In 2022, some of those charged allegedly fired at a car carrying Quando Rondo, his sister, and his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson. While Rondo and his sister were unharmed, Robinson tragically lost her life.

In a separate matter, earlier this month, the mother of another Chicago rapper, FBG Duck, filed a lawsuit alleging that Lil Durk, OTF, and King Von were involved in Duck’s 2020 murder.

It’s worth noting that two years ago, charges against Lil Durk, including attempted murder, were dropped following a non-fatal shooting incident in Atlanta in 2019. The BBC has reached out to Lil Durk’s representatives for comment on his recent arrest.

At 8:30 this morning, the live auction negotiation for the 2024 Medicare catalog officially kicked off in Beijing. According to previously released information, over the next four days, from today until the 30th, 162 drugs will participate in the live negotiations and bidding.

What are the key points to watch in this year’s negotiations?

CCTV reporter Zheng Yizhe, who is on the scene, reports that, similar to previous years, the negotiations involve 25 experts from various local Medicare departments, divided into five groups to discuss Medicare pricing for drugs. This marks the beginning of the live negotiation and bidding process. For this year’s adjustments to the Medicare drug list, we are focusing on three main features: dynamic adjustments, support for innovation, and reducing patient burdens.

This year marks the seventh consecutive year of adjustments to the Medicare drug list since the establishment of the National Healthcare Security Administration, maintaining the annual adjustment system. This allows for the timely inclusion of new and effective drugs that meet necessary criteria. Over the past six years, 744 new drugs have been added, bringing the total number of drugs in the list—including Western and traditional Chinese medicines—to 3,088.

Regarding new technology pathways, including newly approved drugs in these negotiations ensures that the drug coverage aligns more closely with clinical needs.

The goal of these negotiations is to make healthcare more accessible and to reduce the financial burden for all insured patients. According to data released by the National Healthcare Security Administration, since its inception, the drugs added through these negotiations have benefited over 800 million insured patients. When considering the combined effects of negotiated price reductions and Medicare reimbursements, the total financial relief for the public has exceeded 800 billion yuan, with over 340 billion yuan coming directly from the Medicare fund.

The final results of the negotiations are expected to be announced in November, with the new measures taking effect on January 1st of next year, ultimately benefiting even more patients.