oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | children and families, controversies, courts, laws and regulations, society
The judge said anonymous surrogacy arrangements prevent the court from ascertaining that the mother knows and consents to the application.
A
British High Court of Justice
has sparked concerns regarding the risks associated with anonymous surrogacy following a case where a Nigerian couple faced difficulties in obtaining official parenting rights for their child because there were no traceable records of the surrogate mother.
In anonymous surrogacy agreements, the intended parents and the surrogate do not disclose their personal information to one another and may have minimal direct interaction.
Such arrangements typically involve the assistance of surrogacy agencies or legal intermediaries. For the couple known as Mr. and Mrs. Houldsworth, the facilitation was handled by Lifelink Fertility Clinic, a medical center located in Lagos, Nigeria.
Nevertheless, in a decision issued last month, President Andrew McFarlane of the Family Division of the High Court of Justice stated that issues might emerge when prospective parents choose surrogacy arrangements with an anonymous surrogate’s identity unknown.
Mr. McFarlane stated that anonymous surrogacy agreements hinder the court’s ability to ensure that the mother is aware of and agrees to the application.
The UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of 2008 requires that both unconditional and fully informed consent must be obtained.
The judge stated that the couple’s actions raise suspicion that the arrangement might not be as it has been claimed to be.
Although Mr and Mrs H have outlined their reasons for choosing anonymous surrogacy, this choice has led to significant challenges in submitting the current application.
A complicated surrogacy journey
Mr. and Mrs. Houldsworth, residents of the UK, faced significant legal challenges in obtaining formal parental recognition for their child. This ordeal persisted for approximately two years until a judge delivered his decision last month.
As per the legal papers acquired by PREMIUM TIMES, the pair chose surrogacy in 2022 following unsuccessful attempts at other medical solutions.
They formed an agreement with Lifelink Fertility Clinic in Nigeria, following the direction of its medical director, and chose anonymous surrogacy, a practice permitted in Nigeria.
The legal papers indicated that the pair fulfilled all necessary paperwork at the Nigerian courthouse, though the surrogate’s identity was kept confidential during the entire procedure.
The Houldsworths opted for this decision to steer clear of the conflicts typically linked to surrogacy involving a surrogate mother and the intended parents.
An embryo transplant occurred in mid-2022, and a baby girl was born in 2023. The couple was present during childbirth. Mrs Houldsworth also took a maternity leave and remained in Nigeria for eight months following the birth.
Trouble started once the newly returned parents initiated efforts to obtain legal status in the UK after coming back to the country.
The fertilisation law
According to the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of 2008, the surrogate mother needs to give her unambiguous and fully-informed consent prior to a parental order being granted to the intended parents.
For Mr and Mrs Houldsworth, the surrogate mother chose to remain anonymous, initiating a complex surrogacy process for them that spanned over two years.
In 2023, the couple officially submitted their request for legal parenthood through a parental order application accompanied by a statutory declaration; however, they were not granted instant approval.
In his ruling, which approved a parental order for the couple, the judge warned that their experience should act as a deterrent for parents thinking about anonymous surrogacy, especially within international contexts such as those found in Nigeria.
The judge pointed out that although the anonymity was meant to offer mental tranquility and prevent further responsibilities, it ended up causing legal hurdles that might make parental acknowledgment more complicated.
The case arises as the UK continues to be watchful about international surrogacy and adoption, maintaining specific limitations for adoptions from Nigeria because of worries related to untrustworthy paperwork and possible corruption, according to the judge.
Judge Mr McFarlane stated that individuals following him in the future should consider avoiding interaction with an unnamed intermediary.
The judge stated, “After gradually receiving fragments of information and evidence from Mr and Mrs H through multiple hearings, and especially after finally reviewing the alleged surrogacy contract, the court is now able to rule on the application.”
He stated that although the law requires the provision, it includes an exemption for instances where a suitable surrogate cannot be located.
After examining copious evidence such as bank statements, WhatsApp messages, and various documents pertaining to the surrogacy, he concluded that the couple’s attempts to contact the surrogate mothers were unsuccessful.
This occurs amid increased scrutiny of both international surrogacy and adoption practices.
The judge mentioned that there are already limitations on adoptions from Nigeria because of worries about untrustworthy paperwork and possible bribery.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, football clubs, politics, soccer, sports
Senegal, a dominant force in African football, will face Sudan on Saturday evening in a clash to determine the top spot in Group B during the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Sudan leads the group with 10 points from three victories and one draw. In third place is Senegal, the 2021 African champions, trailing by two points following the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 1-0 victory against South Sudan on Friday evening.
“Morale is high,” stated Senegal’s coach Pape Thiaw. “We’re discussing securing a spot in theصند
World Cup.
Every game feels like a finale for us. We’ve consecutively won two World Cups, and we aim to secure a hat-trick this time around. We will pull out all the stops to emerge victorious.”
Senegal
encounter Togo on Tuesday evening, whereas Sudan play against South Sudan and DRC go up against Mauritania.
Thiaw, who became the head coach in December after succeeding Aliou Cisse, who had been in charge for nine years, stated, “Nothing at all will be simple.”
However, we are ready. The athletes comprehend the significance of what is on the line for our sport, for our nation, and for their own careers.
On Friday evening, the African champions Côte d’Ivoire seized control of Group F following their 1-0 victory against Burundi. Evann Guessand found the back of the net in the 16th minute, which placed Émerveil Pambey’s team at 13 points, just one point above Gabon.
In Group I, Ghana dominated last-place Chad with a score of 5-0. Antoine Semenyo gave the home team an ideal beginning in Accra when he scored just two minutes into the match.
Inaki Williams extended their lead just before halftime, and Jordan Ayew scored from the spot six minutes thereafter to assert dominance over the match.
Following the break, Mohammed Salisu and Ernest Nuamah provided the finishing touch.
Launch
In Group C, Nigeria revived their campaign with a 2-0 victory against leaders Rwanda.
Star striker
Victor Osimhen
scored both goals in the opening half at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, thus kicking off Eric Chelle’s tenure as head coach successfully.
This marked Nigeria’s inaugural victory in the qualifiers, propelling them to fourth place with six points—four points adrift of the newly crowned group leaders, South Africa, who secured a 2-0 triumph over Lesotho.
Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams found the back of the net in the middle of the second half, securing the victory.
Coach
Hugo Broos
mentioned that his players demonstrated they had absorbed the lessons from the upsurge
the bronze
medal at the 2023 African Nations Cup.
The development in a match like this can be observed,” stated the 71-year-old Belgian. “When beauty is lacking, one must fight, and that’s exactly what we did; securing those three points was our ultimate objective.
We lead the pack within our group. That’s a favorable position to be in.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | fashion & style, fashion and style, fashion design, style, women's fashion and style
The rose lives, it thrives!
The central theme of the collection revolves around the rose—a peerless symbol of femininity—being both fragile and assertive, nuanced and self-reliant, charming and perpetually changing.
“I view this collection as an open invitation into our world—a tribute to femininity and floral beauty,” asserts designer and brand founder Magda Butrym in an H&M press statement. “Every item captures the essence of Slavic romanticism.”
The rose serves as a recurring symbol in Slavic mythology, embodying the poetic essence of the Romantic period along with elements of Polish folk traditions. In her newest anthology, Butrym aims to draw in an unprecedented number of readers to explore the realm of Slavic mystique.
As stated by Poland’s national poet
Adam Mickiewicz
“The rose is alive! A spirit has inhabited it,” and this bloom serves as an enduring symbol of the resilience shown by women during the tumultuous period in 19th-century Polish history, where they demonstrated remarkable fortitude and assurance amidst widespread despondency.
This collection marks the 10th anniversary of the Magda Butrym brand, offering a chance to revisit some of its most distinctive designs.
It features archival designs from the fashion house ranging from ethereal dresses reminiscent of flower petals to broad-shoulder blazers and generously proportioned structured coats.
Slavic Venus
Several standout items from this collection feature a vibrant red ruffled dress evocative of a cluster of roses, an elegant flowy lace piece, and a rich burgundy leather jacket. Every garment encapsulates the spirit of the line, blending gracefulness, assertiveness, and exceptional artistry.
Dresses featuring hues of pink and red adorned with an emotive floral design catch the eye. These pieces contour the figure offering a contemporary yet adaptable appearance. Classic black ensembles distinguished by their pronounced shoulders and rose-patterned inner linings highlight Magda’s structural perspective on style.
We are delighted to welcome everyone into Magda’s intense and lyrical universe. This range brims with energy and happiness, showcasing the designer’s remarkable talent for depicting modern womanhood distinctively,” remarks Ann-Sofie Johansson, who serves as the Creative Advisor at H&M.
The accessory lineup features flower-adorned sandals, distinctive floral-shaped earrings embellished with silver crystals, along with silk scarves that reimagine Polish elegance in a modern light.
The collection will debut on hm.com and at select stores starting Monday, April 24, 2025.
‘Magdalena’ in Paris
Magda Butrym made yet another appearance at
Paris Fashion Week
, unveiling the ‘Magdalena’ collection for the autumn/winter 2025-2026 season. The presentation occurred within an opulent setting offering views of Parc Monceau, featuring Polish glass artwork alongside handmade knitted lace. Here, the models showcased designs that seamlessly blended romantic elements with robust aesthetics.
Her creations have graced the looks of numerous celebrities including Gigi Hadid, Dua Lipa, Rihanna, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Selena Gomez, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawrence, and Hailey Bieber, thereby solidifying the brand’s status amongst prestigious international luxury fashion brands.
Butrym’s signature pleats, flower-shaped embellishments, and large blazers, drawing from the 1980s aesthetic, highlighted her distinctive look. This range pays homage to Polish tradition, artfully reimagined for contemporary wear with an international allure.
oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | football clubs, manchester united, news, soccer, soccer player transfers
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Jadon Sancho, previously of Manchester United, might make his way back to Old Trafford if Chelsea does not finalize the permanent move for him.
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If the Blues do not fulfill the terms of the pact agreed upon with United, they will owe the club a substantial sum of money.
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After falling out of favor with United’s manager at the time, Erik ten Hag, the 25-year-old departed from the Red Devils.
Jadon Sancho received a new beginning with the Blues when he joined on loan during the previous summer, after experiencing a challenging period at Old Trafford.
Chelsea has been keeping an eye on the ex-Manchester United winger as part of their strategy to bolster their offensive lineup under new manager Enzo Maresca’s guidance.
How much Chelsea must pay United for Sancho
Chelsea would be required to sign Sancho permanently according to the deal with the other club only if they ended up ranked higher than 14th in the Premier League.
According to The Athletic, the Blues must pay the Red Devils a sum of £5 million (roughly KSh 837.8 million) should they decide against making the winger’s loan move permanent this summer.
Why was Jadon Sancho sent out on loan to Chelsea?
The previous Borussia Dortmund player opted to seek new opportunities at Stamford Bridge following his loss of favor with the former United manager, Erik ten Hag.
Sancho’s performance with Chelsea
The winger began impressively at Stamford Bridge, generating significant enthusiasm among Chelsea supporters; nonetheless, their agility on the field has subsequently diminished.
How many goals has Sancho netted for Chelsea?
According to Transfermarkt, the English international player has participated in only 29 matches across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 6 assists.
Sancho’s relationship with Blues management
Despite Enzo Maresca’s team intending to bring in a new winger this summer, relations remain amicable with Chelsea’s leadership.
Based on David Ornstein’s report from The Athletic, Maresca mentioned that Jadon has been doing exceptionally well. He stated that while he was aware of Jadon’s abilities beforehand, he was impressed by the consistency of his performance.
“For Jadon, his performance has been excellent. Although I was aware of his talents beforehand, I am impressed by his consistency,” stated the Chelsea manager.
Various teams have shown interest in securing the services of Sancho.
If Chelsea fails to secure the player, German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen could express interest in acquiring him once the summer transfer window commences.
The European teams that Sancho has represented
Sancho has been part of teams like Watford, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, and Manchester United, with his current stint being a loan spell at Chelsea, demonstrating his skills among elite European squads.
Why Sancho might come back to Manchester United
LIFEHACK.co.ke
Earlier reports suggested the reasons behind Sancho potentially returning to Old Trafford following his time at Chelsea.
Even though Chelsea would like to make Sancho’s loan switch to the club permanent, they first need to reach an agreement regarding his individual contract terms with the 24-year-old forward.
In case the negotiations fall apart, Sancho might go back to United, who remain committed to paying Borussia Dortmund £17 million (roughly Ksh.2.85 billion) this summer as per the terms agreed upon during his move in 2021.
oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | investing, news, nuclear energy, nuclear power plants, nuclear reactors
The Romanian Ministry of Energy, holding an 82% stake as the main shareholder, instructed Nuclear Electrica (SNN), through a notification sent to investors, to proceed with the transaction where their joint venture (JV) partnership with private firm Nova Power and Gas (NPG) would acquire the parcel of land intended for developing the initiative—a small modular reactor (SMR) facility in Doicesti—from NPG itself.
When the notice was dispatched to stakeholders prior to the close of trading on March 21, the value of SNN’s stock fell by 4%.
In January, officials from the Ministry of Energy refrained from supporting the protocols for purchasing the land during the shareholders’ assembly, as reported.
Profit.ro
.
The partnership deal finalized in September 2022 between SNN and NPG apparently stipulates that the land will be sold based on its book value (along with additional expenses involved), instead of its current market value as suggested in the document submitted for approval to SNN’s shareholders, reports Profit.ro.
The state-owned Nuclearelectrica (SNN) and Nova Power and Gas (NPG), which is controlled by Romanian entrepreneurs Teofil Mureșan, Simion Mureșan, and Marian Pantazescu, established a 50:50 joint venture called Ropower Nuclear—a project company—in September 2022. The purpose was to develop a small modular reactor (SMR) project anticipated to have costs ranging from €4-6 billion.
NPG was chosen by Nuclearelectrica due to owning the location of a decommissioned coal-fired power station in Doicesti, which was deemed suitable for the project thanks to its pre-existing infrastructure. Although NPG operates within the energy sector, its experience with a venture of this scale—the small modular reactor (SMR) initiative—and its financial capabilities (along with the assurances it can offer) fall short when contrasted with those of Nuclearelectrica.
The amount that Ropower Nuclear has agreed to pay NPG for the parcel of land will reflect the current market value, established under typical market circumstances and adhering to all pertinent legal requirements, as stated in the document shared with Nuclearelectrica’s shareholders for approval at their general assembly scheduled for April 8.
The cost will encompass all expenses NPG has covered regarding the land, such as financial charges, capital investments, costs associated with enhancements, upgrades, cleanup efforts, and modifications made to the property from when NPG acquired title until the nuclear power plant site transfers from NPG to the project company. This also includes expenditure for maintaining, conserving, and managing the land, which occurred after the contract was signed but before transferring the NPG property to the project entity. It should be noted that the project firm might ask NPG to furnish documentation substantiating these figures, ensuring they aren’t duplicated within the previously stated evaluation document.
iulian@romania-insider.com
(Photo source: Nuclearelectrica.ro)
