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Documentation of the use of 150 mm and 180 mm milling discs – Milling on a robot with a 150mm and 180mm milling disc, without using any cooling lubricants.

Melbourne's Multicultural Hub has welcomed its one millionth program participant.

The millionth person to engage with the Hub's many programs and activities is Nepali international student Samrika Bhattarai, who currently volunteers as a facilitator at the Elizabeth Street facility.

“I love volunteering at the Multicultural Hub. I enjoy meeting lots of diverse people from different communities – it's a true melting pot,” Samrika said.

“And I enjoy all the different activities the Hub facilitates. It was initially a place where I could meet other international students and now, I'm volunteering at the Hub.

“Soon, I'll be facilitating my first Welcome to Melbourne event for in international students and I'm really excited,” she said.

Samrika came to Australia two years ago and has been studying for a bachelor's degree in Community Services.

For 18 years Melbourne's Multicultural Hub has provided a central place for the city's culturally diverse communities to meet, interact and collaborate.

Each year the Hub welcomes almost 60,000 visitors representing around 450 separate groups, and it hosts about 1600 events, meetings and gatherings annually. It is used by more than 80 migrant and refugee communities.

The Hub, operated by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia in partnership with the City of Melbourne, is home to several impactful volunteering program. Community volunteers who support the Hub's programs pass on invaluable skills and experience to people diverse of vulnerable communities.

The Hub's volunteering programs for diverse community members help to develop their English build their social capital and ultimately help them gain paid employment. The Volunteer Work Experience Program (VWEP) is specifically designed to provide newly arrived skilled migrants an opportunity to develop local work experience, gain understanding of the Australian workplace culture and local references. In 2025 the Hub provided volunteering opportunities to almost 60 people.

The Hub has also proved to be a critical resource in times of crisis. It was used as welcome point for thousands of evacuated Afghan refugees during the COVID-19 lock downs. It was an information/contact centre for friends and relatives of people caught up in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

The Hub was used as a COVID-19 testing and vaccination centre for the homeless and for inner city residents. More recently it has been an information and resources centre for people fleeing the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Melbourne Multicultural Hub manager Maria Tsopanis said the Hub provides a safe and welcoming space for people from diverse, and sometimes marginalised groups.

“Patrons of the hub say they find the space safe, convenient and welcoming. Many say they feel more comfortable at the Hub than in other mainstream community spaces,” she said.

“The Hub as a facility provides: space for community groups to meet; opportunities for social connection; opportunities for learning and skill development; a space where communities can share their culture; opportunities for communities to maintain connection with their cultural heritage; a space where people can freely express cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs; as well as information and connection so people can increase their understanding of different cultures,” Ms Tsopanis said.

The KOF Economic Barometer decreases considerably in March. After increasing in the previous month, it falls below its medium-term average for the first time this year. The outlook for the Swiss economy deteriorates.

In March, the KOF Economic Barometer decreases by 7.7 points to a level of 96.1 (after revised 103.8 in the previous month). The dampened outlook is reflected in both the production side and the demand side indicator bundles which are included in the Economic Barometer. The indicator bundles for manufacturing and for foreign demand in particular experience a strong setback.

The sub-indicators for different aspects of business activity within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction) equally exhibit the negative developments. Particularly the sub-indicators for exports, for the general business situation and for order backlogs are under pressure.

Nearly all sub-indicators within manufacturing show negative perspectives. While the sub-indicators for food and beverages are slightly improving, the sub-indicators for machinery and equipment manufacturing, for the electrical industry, for the metal industry as well as for paper and printing products are particularly weakening.

Campo Grande, Brazil – Confronted with stark new evidence that many migratory species are moving closer to extinction, governments at a major UN wildlife conservation meeting today agreed on expanded conservation efforts, including new or enhanced treaty protections for 40 species and populations of birds, aquatic wildlife, and terrestrial animals.

Meeting in Brazil, Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) adopted several measures to strengthen global or regional conservation efforts of such iconic species as the cheetah, striped hyena, snowy owl, giant otter, great hammerhead shark, and several shorebird species facing steep population declines (listed below).

Parties agreed to list the 40 additional species or populations of species on CMS Appendices I (species in danger of extinction) or II (species in need of coordinated international action), which now include over 1,200 unique species under the 47-year-old Convention.

They also approved multi-species conservation plans in the Amazon and other key regions.

The week-long CMS COP15 opened with new findings that key indicators for many treaty-protected species continue to trend downward, reinforcing warnings that habitat loss, overexploitation, and infrastructure barriers are accelerating declines across species that traverse national borders.

The conference also highlighted a growing need to address threats such as deep-sea mining, climate change, plastic pollution, underwater noise, illegal wildlife killing, fisheries bycatch, and marine pollution.

CMS COP15 began with strong political and scientific warnings: migratory species are in accelerating decline and international cooperation is required to effectively respond.

• The interim State of the World’s Migratory Species report underlined that key biodiversity indicators are trending negatively, with rising extinction risk and population declines (detailed at www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1118733)
• Scientific and political leaders, including Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Santiago Peña of Paraguay, underlined threats such as habitat fragmentation, bycatch, illegal killing, and infrastructure barriers
• Parties emphasized ecological connectivity, international cooperation, and expanded partnerships with CITES, IPBES, and other multilateral agreements
• There was a strong push to integrate Indigenous and local knowledge into scientific considerations, with a parallel debate on how to balance scientific rigor with multiple knowledge systems.

Said CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel: “We came to Campo Grande knowing that the populations of half the species protected under this treaty are in decline. We leave with stronger protections and more ambitious plans but the species themselves are not waiting for our next meeting. Implementation has to begin tomorrow. Expanded protections for cheetahs, snowy owls, giant otters, great hammerhead sharks, and many more, demonstrate that nations can act when the science is clear. Our duty now is to close the distance between what we’ve agreed and what happens on the ground for these animals.”

COP15 outcomes at a glance

15 new Concerted Actions approved:

• Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Behavioral Diversity and Cultures
• Straw-colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum)
• Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)
• Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena)
• Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) of the Eastern Tropical Pacific
• Franciscana Dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei)
• Lahille Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus)
• Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis)
• Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes)
• Peruvian or Humboldt Pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
• Magellanic plover (Pluvianellus socialis)
• Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus)
• Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
• Blue Shark (Prionace glauca)
• All Devil and Manta Ray species (Mobulidae).

Report on previous Concerted Actions:

Giraffe: A report of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation on the Concerted Action for giraffes highlighted that the combined number of the four giraffe species increased ~20% from ~113,000 to ~140,000 between 2020 to 2025.

10 new or updated Species-focused Action Plans:

• Regional Action Plan for Jaguar Conservation 
• Single Species Action Plan for the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sub-Population of the Tope Shark 
• Multi-species Action Plan for Amazonian Migratory Catfish
• Single Species Action Plan for European Eel
• Conservation Management Plan for Arabian Sea Humpback Whales
• Multi-Species Action Plan for Bustards
• Steppe Eagle Global Action Plan
• Action Plan for Migratory Landbirds in the African-Eurasian Region
• Action Plans for Birds
• Conservation of African-Eurasian Vultures.

Endorsed Conservation Management Plan for Arabian Sea Humpback Whales

New initiative on the illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species (detailed here: Global initiative to address mounting pressures from illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species announced at UN wildlife conference, www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1121422)

Groundbreaking new scientific studies and tools unveiled, including:

The Global Assessment of Migratory Freshwater Fishes (detailed here: Vital freshwater fish migrations are collapsing: UN report; www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1119433

An Online Atlas of the Americas Flyways (detailed here: New UN-backed atlas maps migratory lifelines of highly vulnerable bird species across the Americas; www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1121605)

9 new champions of migratory species recognized for their long-term and sustained commitments in supporting conservation initiatives (detailed here: www.cms.int/news/migratory-species-champion-award-honors-long-term-commitments-conservation-initiatives-cms)

Germany, where the CMS treaty was first created in 1979, announced that Bonn would host the 16th Conference of the Parties in 2029, the treaty’s 50th anniversary.

40 species / populations of species added to / upgraded within CMS Appendices I and II

Terrestrial

Added to CMS Appendices I and II

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) – Zimbabwe’s cheetah population, estimated at 150 to 170 individuals, was . Other populations were already listed on Appendix I.
Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena)

Avian

Added to Appendix I and II

Gadfly petrels (genera Pterodroma and Pseudobulweria):
16 added to Appendix II (15 species, plus two subspecies)
9 added to Appendix I

Added to Appendix II:

Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus)
Flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes)
Iberá seedeater (Sporophila iberaensis) – added to Appendix II

Added to Appendix I:

Hudsonian whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus)
Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica)
Lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)

Aquatic

Added to Appendix I and II

Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Added to Appendix II:

Patagonian narrownose smoothhound (Mustelus schmitti)
Spotted sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) App. II

Added to Appendix I (while maintaining their status under Appendix II):

Pelagic thresher shark, bigeye thresher shark and common thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus, Alopias superciliosus, Alopias vulpinus)
Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini)
Great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran)

About CMS Appendices

Appendix I  comprises migratory species in danger of extinction in the wild throughout all or a significant portion of their range. Parties that are Range States to a migratory species listed on Appendix I endeavour to strictly protect them by prohibiting the taking of such species (including the deliberate killing, capture or disturbance), with a very restricted scope for exceptions; conserving and, where appropriate, restoring their habitats; preventing, removing or mitigating obstacles to their migration; and controlling other factors that might endanger them.

Appendix II  migratory species require international agreement for their conservation and management. It also includes species whose conservation status would significantly benefit from the international cooperation that could be achieved by an international agreement. This can include setting common objectives and management measures for shared populations, preparing and implementing joint action plans, coordinating monitoring and research, sharing data and best practices, and working together to conserve and restore key habitats along the species’ migration routes. The aim is to ensure that protection and management efforts are aligned across borders so that conservation gains in one country are not lost in another. 

30 March 2026: CommBank and the Regional Australia Institute’s latest Regional Movers Index reveals Australians are migrating further afield.

Key findings

First-of-its-kind tool charts “invisible highways of the sky,”

revealing critical habitats spanning 56 countries,

offering governments a blueprint to halt bird declines

Campo Grande, Brazil – A powerful new online tool mapping the full annual journeys of an initial 89 highly vulnerable migratory bird species across the Americas was unveiled today at the UN wildlife conservation meeting, CMS COP15, giving governments, scientists and conservationists an unprecedented view of where action is most urgently needed to protect them.

Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Americas Flyways Atlas pinpoints the critical breeding, stopover and wintering sites that migratory birds depend on to survive, many of which are under growing pressure from habitat loss, infrastructure and climate change.

Drawing on many millions of citizen-science observations submitted through the eBird platform, combined with advanced scientific modeling, the Atlas identifies “Bird Concentration Areas” – key hotspots where high abundances of CMS Appendix I or II-listed bird species gather in large numbers at different stages of their migration.

The Atlas covers an initial 89 species listed under CMS Appendices I and/or II and comes at a moment of mounting concern over the state of migratory species globally. Across the Americas flyways, which stretch from the Canadian Arctic to Chile’s Patagonia, 622 migratory bird species rely on a fragile chain of habitats spanning 56 countries. Many are in decline.

From the Arctic-breeding Hudsonian godwit to the high-Andean flamingo and North America’s rapidly disappearing Cerulean warbler, these birds depend on multiple ecosystems across borders. A single weak link – a drained wetland, fragmented forest, disrupted stopover site – can jeopardize entire populations.

The Atlas makes those links visible for the first time at continental scale.

Built to guide policy

Unlike traditional datasets, the Atlas is designed to guide real-world decisions, helping governments identify where conservation efforts will have the greatest impact.

It directly supports negotiations underway this week at COP15, where 133 Parties are debating new measures to protect migratory species, including proposals to list additional species and strengthen international cooperation on habitat protection and ecological connectivity.

By giving countries a shared evidence base, the platform aims to close one of conservation’s biggest gaps: aligning action across borders for species that do not recognize them.

The Atlas arrives as pressure intensifies on migratory species worldwide – from habitat destruction and infrastructure to pollution and climate disruption, all issues high on the COP15 agenda this week in Brazil.

Among species of migratory birds covered in the Atlas are some of the most iconic and ecologically important migrants of the hemisphere, including:

• Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis), a Vulnerable grassland shorebird whose population has suffered rapid declines due to habitat loss. 
• Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), a Near Threatened long‑distance migrant facing sustained but poorly understood declines. 
• Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea), a Near Threatened forest songbird whose breeding habitat continues to shrink and fragment. 
• Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus), a Vulnerable high‑altitude species dependent on increasingly threatened Andean wetlands. 
• Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica), a Vulnerable Arctic‑breeding shorebird reliant on a chain of sensitive stopover sites during its remarkable hemispheric migration. 

These species exemplify the conservation challenges across the Americas Flyway, covering grasslands, shorelines, tropical forests, and high‑Andean lakes, and reinforce the need for coordinated international action.

Converting millions of citizen observations into action

“This atlas shows what becomes possible when millions of bird observations contributed by people across the Americas are brought together,” said Chris Wood, Program Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology 's Center for Avian Population Studies and eBird.

“Combined with modern modeling, these contributions become a powerful tool for conservation. By turning these observations into clear maps of where migratory birds concentrate during breeding, migration, and winter, the Americas Flyways Atlas helps governments and conservation partners focus their efforts where they can make the greatest difference,”

CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel described the Atlas as “a major step forward for international cooperation on migratory bird conservation in the Americas. By bringing together cutting‑edge science and citizen‑generated data, this tool gives countries the information they need to identify and protect the places migratory birds depend on throughout their full annual cycles. Its launch at COP15 underscores our shared commitment to strengthening ecological connectivity across borders at a time when migratory species need coordinated action more than ever.”

Said João Paulo Capobianco, Chair of COP15 and Executive Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil: “Presiding over COP15 in Brazil means driving multilateral cooperation that unites shared science and joint commitments for the future of life on the planet.”

“The Americas Flyways Atlas is a milestone in this strategy because it reveals, with unprecedented precision and clarity, the routes and key areas upon which the survival of migratory birds depends. By highlighting these ecological corridors that connect the biomes of the Americas, the platform becomes an irrefutable argument for more nations across our continent to join the Convention. Without protecting these stopover sites, migratory life throughout the hemisphere will be at stake.”

https://www.cms.int/atlas-americas-flyways

By the numbers: Americas Flyways Atlas

• 56: Western Hemisphere countries covered by the Americas Flyway Atlas
• 622: migratory bird species in the Americas (437 landbirds, 183 waterbirds, 62 seabirds)
• 89: species initially featured in the Atlas tool (5 Appendix I species + 88 Appendix II.  Note: 4 species are on both Appendix 1 and 2; 84 are only on Appendix 2)
• 2.2+ billion bird observations: eBird global data observations powering the Atlas 
• 1+ million citizen scientists contributing observations across the Americas.

Launch event

26 March 2026, 12:45 PM EDT / 16:45 GMT, COP15 Venue, Campo Grande Room
Livestream / recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SCCvH_e4vA  

Speakers :

• Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) 
• Iván Ramírez, Head Avian Species Team, CMS   
• Christopher Wood, Program Director, Center for Avian Population Studies, Director of eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 
• Rob Clay, Chair of the CMS Flyways Working Group, COP-Appointed Co-Councilor for Birds 
• João Paulo Capobianco, Chair of COP15, Executive Secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

At a glance: CMS and COP15 

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of CMS, which meets every 3 years to review progress, add new species under the Treaty, and strengthen actions to address conservation needs as well as continuing or emerging threats. Strong science underpins the COP’s agenda, ensuring that policy discussions reflect the best available evidence on threats, population trends and effective response measures. 

Bosque Expo, Campo Grande, Brazil (bosquedosipes.com/bosque-expo) 

Monday 23 March to Sunday 29 March 2026   

COP15 Key issues and events (what’s on the table, what to expect): https://conta.cc/4aK8t3K

About CMS 

26 MARCH 2026 – Equinor has completed its internal investigation into an incident on 29 October 2025, in which personnel at Mongstad were exposed to chemicals. The incident occurred during work on a measuring instrument. A number of measures have been implemented to capture lessons learned.

On 29 October, activity at the Mongstad refinery was high. The plant was preparing for start-up following an extended maintenance shutdown, and as part of this work, a team was assigned to troubleshoot and fill naphtha into a measuring instrument. The task was expected to take around 30 minutes but lasted for more than five hours. Re-evaluation of risk was not performed and led to prolonged exposure. Two employees experienced discomfort afterwards, and one of them was absent from work for a brief period.

“We take this incident very seriously. Everyone shall be safe when working at the plant, and we work every day to ensure this through the planning, execution and follow-up of our operations. After the incident naphtha has been replaced with glycol, which does not emit benzene, in this type of measuring instrument. The report provides us with clear insight into the causes of the incident and lessons to incorporate into our ongoing improvement work at Mongstad, together with employees, the safety service, suppliers and authorities,” says Bernt E. Tysseland, vice president at Equinor Mongstad.

Causes of the incident

The investigation report points to several factors that contributed to the incident. Staff worked in an area with elevated benzene levels for several hours, and the respiratory protection selected did not provide adequate protection in this situation.

In addition, issues relating to the management of the chemical environment are highlighted, and the ramp-up phase after the maintenance shutdown involved high activity and perceived time pressure. This affected the planning and risk assessment prior to the work. No new risk assessment was conducted when the job took longer than planned. Furthermore, the review identified areas for improvement related to the introduction of an updated respiratory protection regime.

Measures to strengthen risk management

Following the incident, several measures have been introduced to strengthen risk management in relation to the chemical working environment at Mongstad. These include enhanced compliance with the protection regime, increased availability of respiratory protection, and further training in the use of benzene and gas detectors. To ensure stronger professional support in the field, a dedicated safety engineer has been assigned to work on improving the chemical working environment at the facility.

The incident is reported to the police by the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority who will both receive the report from Equinor.

Fact Box 1: About the incident from the investigation report

The investigation describes several factors that contributed to an increased risk of chemical exposure:

• Planning during the period was perceived as challenging and unclear, with perceived time pressure to get the plant up and running again.
• The risk assessment during preparation and execution did not cover all relevant risks.
• The job was assigned to a team that was not sufficiently prepared for the task.
• The filling work was not included in the plant's start-up procedure after the shutdown.
• Naphtha was transported to the measuring instrument in open buckets by operations personnel who did not use respiratory protection.
• The work was expected to take around 30 minutes but lasted for over five hours. Re-evaluation of risk was not carried out, and the exposure was therefore higher and lasted longer than anticipated.
• The investigation identified improvement points relating to the implementation of the protection regime updated in February 2025.
• This contributed to the employees using respiratory protection unsuitable for prolonged exposure.
• Due to necessary clarifications, the case was classified on 19 November and subsequently forwarded to the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil).

Fact Box 2: About the investigation

• The purpose of Equinor’s internal investigations is to understand the course of events and causal factors, and to promote recommendations for learning and improvement.
• The investigation was carried out by Corporate audit and investigation at Equinor.
• The investigation is based, among other things, on 52 interviews with management, staff at Mongstad, technical support, supplier personnel and laboratory personnel.
• The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has conducted its own investigations and has reported the case to the police, who are investigating the incident.
• The investigation report from Equinor has been sent to the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil)
• Sections of the reports are redacted due to security considerations.

Fact Box 3: Benzene and Protection Regime

• Benzene is present in several raw materials and products at Mongstad, including naphtha.
• The risk of benzene exposure is managed through monitoring, planning and correct use of protective equipment.
• The aim is always to keep exposure as low as possible.
• The understanding of risks associated with benzene has increased significantly in recent years, which has resulted in lower exposure limits and stricter requirements for both monitoring and control.
• In February 2025, Equinor introduced updated rules for the use of respiratory protection in the event of possible benzene exposure, including a lower threshold for use of such protection.

More people across the globe are seeking a dual citizenship back-up plan as the global security situation deteriorates and they are faced with the prospect of war in their home countries, according to the head of Nauru’s Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program.

CEO Edward Clark said the Middle East conflict which is spreading to more countries, and the continuing war in Ukraine which has also recently escalated, have left many families feeling increasingly uncertain about their security, mobility, and long-term options.

He revealed immigration agents are reporting a surge of inquiries for citizenship by investment (CBI), with many looking beyond traditional countries to those with a politically neutral passport like Nauru.

“Fear and uncertainty for their families are driving people who have never considered a second citizenship to seek out options,” he said.  

“A second passport may make it easier to get out of their home country in the event of war, and provide a safe place to stay without having to leave after a short period.

“Many others are also concerned about mandatory military conscription should their country go to war.”

Mr Clark said another key attraction was the increased freedom to travel on a passport “without political negativity”.

“In today’s polarising geopolitical world, having a secondary, safer passport to travel on can mitigate security threats due to political or religious views.”

Recent applicants for the Nauru program have included US, European, and Middle Eastern citizens, some who cited the political neutrality of the Pacific region as a key factor for their decision.

While a primary motivation for a second citizenship is to have a safety “insurance policy”, he said the tipping point to choose Nauru’s program was the opportunity to contribute to the country’s economic and climate resilience.

The UN has identified Nauru as the world’s 5th most vulnerable nation to climate and economic shocks.

Launched in 2025, the Nauru program offers visa-free travel to 85 countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and countries in many parts of the world that are distant to conflict areas, and is considered the most “family friendly” CBI program in the world.

However Mr Clark, a financial crime and compliance expert, said access was not automatic due to the program’s strict due diligence requirements.

“The comprehensive financial, police, and third-party checks underpin the integrity of the Nauru program, and these are strong value propositions for many people.

“Amid all the global uncertainty, people want to be assured they are investing in a robust program with safeguards for them and their family.”

Edward Clark has an extensive background in international compliance and financial crime investigation and is the current chief executive officer of the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Program. The Program is independent of the Nauru Government and maintains strict compliance to the Financial Action Task Force standards.

About the Nauru Economic & Climate Resilience Citizenship Program

The Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program is designed to attract investors who are committed to contributing to the sustainable development of the Pacific island nation of Nauru. By participating in this program, applicants can secure a second citizenship while supporting the island's efforts to combat climate change and enhance economic resilience.

ecrcp.gov.nr

Osnabrueck/ Dubai, March 25, 2026. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and Samvardhana Motherson International Limited (“Motherson”) have signed a Joint Venture (JV) agreement to establish a specialised global automotive logistics company. The new company brings together Hellmann's global network and logistics expertise and Motherson's deep understanding of automotive supply chains.

The JV company will provide integrated supply chain solutions tailored to the global automotive industry and will serve as a high‑performance logistics backbone supporting both partners' objectives for sustainable growth in the automotive sector. Operations are planned to launch in June 2026, with activities initially managed from the JV's headquarters in Dubai. Further operational locations in Europe, North America, India, and the Middle East are planned as the business expands and customer needs evolve.

For Hellmann, the JV represents a milestone in implementing its growth strategy Forward2030 and further strengthening its strong position within the automotive sector – one of its key strategic verticals. Based on Hellmann's global logistics capabilities, as well as Motherson's global Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly, and Logistics (D.E.M.A.L.) capabilities, with access to more than 30,000 suppliers and trusted OEM relationships, the JV will create a platform that sets new standards in automotive logistics.

As a joint venture partner, Hellmann will contribute execution capabilities, integrated 4PL solutions and proven value-accredited supply chain technology products. The collaboration is built on strong cultural alignment, shared entrepreneurial spirit, and a joint commitment to long‑term, sustainable growth. Both companies are committed to Carbon Net Zero targets and leverage dedicated teams and proprietary technologies that can be extended to customers to help promote industry‑wide change.

Mr Arjun Kochhar, Chief Executive Officer, Logistics Solutions Business Division, Motherson Group, said: “Motherson's Logistics Division focuses on building specialized platforms that support the evolving supply chain needs of the Group, our customers, suppliers and the broader ecosystem, as part of Motherson's D.E.M.A.L solutions strategy. Our partnership with Hellmann Worldwide Logistics combines Motherson's integrated industrial capabilities with Hellmann's extensive network and advanced logistics expertise. Together we aim to deliver more resilient, agile and sustainable logistics networks in an increasingly interconnected and complex global environment.”

“The joint venture with Motherson further strengthens our position in the global automotive sector. As two companies with shared values and strong cultural alignment, we are building a partnership rooted in trust and long-term ambition. Together, we are creating a global platform that enhances resilience, agility, and sustainability across increasingly complex automotive supply chains,” said Madhav Kurup, Global Chief Operating Officer – Airfreight, Seafreight and Contract Logistics, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

About Samvardhana Motherson International Limited
Samvardhana Motherson International Limited (SAMIL) is a global Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly and Logistics (D.E.M.A.L.) specialist. The company was established in 1986 and was listed on the BSE and NSE in India in 1993. The company is focused, dynamic, and progressive, providing customers with innovative and value-added products, services, and solutions. With a diverse global customer base that includes nearly all leading automobile manufacturers worldwide, the company supports its customers from over 425 facilities across 47 countries on five continents. The company has diversified to support customers in non-automotive businesses, including technology and industrial solutions, health & medical, aerospace and logistics. SAMIL is currently the largest auto ancillary in India and is ranked among the top 15 automotive suppliers worldwide. The company was selected as one of the Best Companies for 2024 by TIME.

About Hellmann
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is a global logistics service provider with a comprehensive service portfolio that includes air- and sea freight, road and rail transport, and contract logistics. With annual sales of EUR 3.8 billion and around 12,000 employees in 61 countries, Hellmann moves over 20 million shipments annually. Based on this broad product range and many years of experience, Hellmann offers innovative logistics solutions for the complex requirements of each individual customer and relies on visionary technical products to ensure maximum customer transparency while creating a more efficient supply chain.

March 25 2026 – Brace for higher UK inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates for the rest of the year, warns one of the world's largest independent financial advisory organisations.

The warning from James Green, regional director of deVere Group with global experience across 18 regulated financial entities, comes as UK inflation holds at 3% in February.

He comments: “Today's UK inflation data reflects the period just before a renewed surge in global energy prices tied to escalating tensions involving Iran.

“Inflation is now, by almost all estimates, turning higher again.

“I fear that many households, businesses and investors could be underestimating the scale and speed of what's coming.

“Energy prices are rising sharply, and that feeds directly into every part of the economy. Households, businesses and investors are all exposed.”

The latest data captures a moment before the energy shock intensified. Since then, oil and gas prices have moved decisively higher, while shipping routes and supply chains face renewed disruption.

The result is a fresh wave of cost pressures building across the UK economy.

“This is a broad-based inflation impulse driven by energy, and it'll push up the cost of transport, food, manufacturing and daily essentials.

“Households should expect bills to rise again. Businesses should expect margins to come under pressure.”

Expectations for interest rate cuts are already being repriced. Financial markets are pushing out the timing of any meaningful easing as inflation risks rebuild.

James Green says: “Interest rates will, we expect, stay higher-for-longer. The idea of rapid cuts this year is becoming increasingly unlikely.

“The Bank of England will be unlikely to ease policy while inflation is accelerating again. Doing so would risk losing control of price stability.”

For households, the consequences are immediate.

“Mortgage costs will remain elevated, refinancing becomes more expensive, and disposable income is squeezed further as living costs rise.

“It's a direct hit on household finances. Borrowing remains costly, and inflation erodes purchasing power at the same time.

“People need to take action now by reducing exposure to variable-rate debt, securing fixed terms where possible and strengthening savings buffers.”

Businesses face a similarly challenging environment. Rising input costs, higher financing expenses and weaker demand create a difficult operating backdrop.

 “Companies are being squeezed from both sides. Costs are rising while customers are becoming more cautious.

“Business leaders need to prioritise cost control, protect margins and ensure they have the liquidity to withstand a more volatile period.”

The shift for investors is significant and requires a decisive response.

“Portfolios built for falling inflation and lower rates are now at risk.

“In this environment, investors need to focus on assets that can perform under inflationary pressure. Commodities, energy-linked investments and companies with strong pricing power become far more important.”

Bond markets are also vulnerable if inflation proves more persistent, with yields likely to remain elevated and price volatility increasing.

Currency markets may reflect diverging policy paths as economies respond differently to the same shock.

Geopolitical developments remain central to the outlook. A prolonged conflict would sustain pressure on energy markets and extend the inflation cycle.

James Green concludes: “Today's inflation data might have remained unchanged at 3%, but all indicators warn it's set to rise again, and, therefore, interest rates will likely remain elevated.

“Those who act early to protect their finances, strengthen their businesses and position their investments will be far better placed than those who delay.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.