Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Call for evidence: An inspection of asylum casework (2025)
The ICIBI invites anyone with knowledge and experience of asylum decision quality to submit evidence for the inspection.
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has begun an inspection of asylum casework with a particular focus on the quality of asylum decisions.
As Independent Chief Inspector, I am inviting anyone with knowledge or first-hand experience of Home Office asylum decision making to submit evidence to inform this inspection. I would be pleased to hear about both what is working well and what could be improved in the following areas:
the accessibility and clarity of Home Office guidance on the processing of asylum claims, including how decisions are made
correspondence and communication with claimants and their representatives throughout the asylum process, including decision letters
the conduct of substantive asylum interviews
what other factors influence or affect the quality of asylum decisions
views on the quality, consistency and accuracy of asylum decisions and whether these have changed since the beginning of 2024
how the Home Office engages with stakeholders and responds to feedback on the quality of asylum decisions
These areas of interest are not exhaustive, and I welcome submissions that touch on other points. Information received in response to this call for evidence will play an important part in defining the precise scope and focus of the inspection.
This call for evidence will remain open until 2 July 2025.
The information you submit may be quoted in the final inspection report, but it is the ICIBI’s practice not to name sources and to anonymise as much as possible any examples or case studies.
Please click here to email your submission to the Independent Chief Inspector.
Please note: The ICIBI’s statutory remit does not extend to investigating or making decisions about individual cases or applications for asylum. This remains a Home Office responsibility. However, the Independent Chief Inspector can take an interest in individual cases to the extent that they illustrate or point to systemic problems.
Data Protection
Information on how we process personal data submitted in response to a call for evidence can be found in the ICIBI privacy information notice available on the ICIBI website
David Bolt
Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Rabies case confirmed following contact with animal abroad
UKHSA is reminding travellers to be careful around animals when travelling to rabies affected countries.
An individual from the UK has sadly died after becoming infected with rabies, following contact with a stray dog during a visit to Morocco. The individual was diagnosed in Yorkshire and the Humber.
There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case as there is no documented evidence of rabies passing between people. However, as a precautionary measure, health workers and close contacts are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary.
Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. It is nearly always fatal, but post-exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding travellers to be careful around animals when travelling to rabies affected countries due to the risk of catching the disease.
Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at UKHSA, said:
I would like to extend my condolences to this individual’s family at this time.
If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.
There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.
Rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. No human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats have been reported since 1902.
Between 2000 and 2024 there were 6 cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK.
Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially in Asia and Africa. All travellers to rabies affected countries should avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals wherever possible, and seek advice about the need for rabies vaccine prior to travel.
You should take immediate action to wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water, if:
you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal while you’re abroad in a country with rabies
an animal has licked your eyes, nose or mouth, or licked a wound you have, while you’re abroad in a country with rabies
you’ve been bitten or scratched by a bat in the UK
Local medical advice should be sought without delay, even in those who have been previously vaccinated.
When given promptly after an exposure, a course of rabies post-exposure treatment is extremely effective at preventing the disease. If such an exposure occurs abroad, the traveller should also consult their doctor on return, so that the course of rabies treatment can be completed. If travellers have not sought medical advice abroad, they should contact their doctor promptly upon return for assessment.
For more information on the risk of rabies in different countries, see the country information pages on the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s (NaTHNaC’s) website, TravelHealthPro.
Proposals to support pensioners in Scotland this winter.
All pensioners in Scotland with an income of less than £35,000 will receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payments this winter of either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has confirmed. This means pensioners in Scotland will be better off compared to those in the rest of the UK.
Pensioner households with no-one aged 80 or over will receive £203.40, rising to £305.10 for households with someone aged 80 or over.
Following the UK Government’s recent change to winter fuel payments, the Scottish Government will withdraw the current amendment regulations before the Scottish Parliament, which were previously lodged in order to protect pensioners in Scotland against the UK Government’s planned cuts to winter fuel payments.
The move will now see over 720,000 Scottish pensioners benefit.
Ms Somerville said:
“The UK Government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment last winter was a betrayal of millions of pensioners, and their recent U-turn is welcome if belated.
“Following careful consideration of the options available, the Scottish Government will mirror the approach taken by the UK Government. We will bring forward regulations to ensure that, from this winter onwards, all pensioners will receive either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age.
“We are in discussion with the UK Government to extend the proposed arrangements in England and Wales to recover payments from those pensioners with an individual income of more than £35,000 through the tax system. The intention is that the payment will be recovered automatically, and pensioners will not need to register with HMRC for this or take any further action.
“This approach ensures a higher level of support which those most in need will receive. Over 720,000 Scottish pensioners are estimated to benefit from the higher payment.”
A team of Plymouth educators leading the Your Future programme for On Course South West have been recognised with a Silver Award for SEND and Inclusive Practice in this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards.
Chosen from thousands of nominees, they will now be in with the chance of winning the highly desired Gold Award, which will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London and on BBC One’s The One Show later this year.
Cllr Sally Cresswell with Your Future tutors Abi Gee, Vicki Pinder and Lauren Parker-Smith alongside young people from the Your Future programme
Your Future aims to help local young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) aged 16 to 25 years into education or employment opportunities by developing a positive mindset and learning independent skills. The programme offers a structured package of employability and skills training with coaching, mentoring and residential trips to help young people build their confidence.
Since it launched in 2023, the programme has supported 90 young people with SEND in Plymouth. 92 per cent of participants have gone on to progress into employment, education or training, with 80 per cent reporting that the programme helped to improve their emotional wellbeing.
On Course South West is Plymouth City Council’s in-house adult education provider and delivers a range of courses, qualifications, apprenticeships and supported internships.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Your Future team has been recognised with this national award, highlighting the lifechanging impact they have had on young people in Plymouth.
“Helping young people with SEND to thrive, grow in confidence, and achieve their goals is at the heart of the Your Future programme and this recognition shines a light on just how powerful inclusive education can be.”
The Your Future teaching team – Vicki Pinder, Abi Gee and Lauren Parker-Smith – are one of 94 deserving teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and institutions recognised as a silver winner in this year’s awards for the lasting impact they have on shaping the lives of young people.
The announcement follows tributes from celebrities, students and schools across the UK as they say thank you to all those who work in education to mark National Thank a Teacher Day.
Celebrating the whole education community, National Thank a Teacher Day and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.
Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. Their influence extends well beyond the classroom – offering encouragement, inspiration, and unwavering support that can shape lives for years to come. That’s why National Thank a Teacher Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate all that they do.
“I’m also delighted to be able to congratulate this year’s Silver Award winners. Your passion and commitment to shaping the next generation is extraordinary. Thank you for the difference you make every single day.”
Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, said: “Every day, educators across the UK go above and beyond to inspire, support, and shape the future generation. Today, we proudly recognise those making an extraordinary impact. Our Silver Award winners represent the very best of the profession, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their dedication and achievements. Congratulations to all of this year’s Silver winners!”
Behind the scenes during filming of Merlin’s Big Adventure at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford
Filmmakers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) have created a heartwarming video to make visits to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford less daunting for young people.
Starring a talented golden retriever named Merlin, plus a few of his canine friends, the short film aims to ease the anxiety of children ahead of their trip to hospital.
Produced by Senior Lecturer Hans Petch and recent BA (Hons) Film and Television Production graduate James Hartley, the film features Merlin explaining each stage of their visit, from the hospital waiting room through to undergoing anaesthesia.
The idea for the film came after Broomfield doctors saw first-hand the impact that Essex Therapy Dogs, including Merlin, were having when they visited patients at the hospital.
“After witnessing the calming, positive effect of Essex Therapy Dogs in our anaesthetic department, we began to wonder if we could do even more to help ease the theatre journey for our younger patients.
“With the brilliant support of Hans Petch and James Hartley from Anglia Ruskin University, we worked together to write a script and produce this video that shares essential information about what to expect in hospital, in a warm, engaging, and child-friendly way.
“We’re now expanding the project to include additional resources, such as a social story and an easy-read storybook, offering different ways for children to connect with the material in whichever way suits them best.
“Our hope is that this initiative will make a meaningful difference to the experience of young patients preparing for surgery at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.”
Dr Simon Trundle, Consultant in Anaesthesia at Broomfield Hospital
“We set out to make something truly enjoyable and entertaining for young viewers, while incorporating important, educational information. The link to our film is being sent to parents and carers ahead of hospital visits, and knowing that it’s helping to reduce the fears and anxiety of young children is incredibly rewarding.
“I’ve worked with many actors in my career, and I can honestly say that directing Merlin was an absolute delight. Other than the need for regular breaks, he’s also one of the least demanding actors I’ve worked with!”
Hans Petch, Senior Lecturer in Film and Television Production at ARU
“Watching Merlin work his magic is truly inspiring. His wagging tail, unwavering patience, and kind heart create an environment where children and adults feel safe and supported before and after their procedures – both in real life and now on screen.”
Merlin’s owner Mandy Johnson, from Essex Therapy Dogs
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Broomfield Hospital, plan to formally study the video’s impact by surveying children and parents, and ARU and the Trust are exploring the possibility of making additional films, this time using virtual reality technology.
A CURATOR and art director who was instrumental in bringing German expressionism to Leicester is being celebrated with a new book launch in the city.
Hans Hess was born in Erfurt in Germany in 1907, and his family counted artists like Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky amongst their friends. When he was forced out of Germany in the 1930s for being Jewish, he moved to England and, in 1944, he was appointed assistant keeper of art at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery.
The book launch takes place on Saturday 28 June from 5.30pm, and is free to attend, although a ticket is required. The event will be an evening of art, history and insight, with guests able to enjoy exclusive access to the museum’s renowned German Expressionist gallery.
“We are delighted to be hosting this event with Manifesto Press, which will celebrate the works of this renowned curator who had strong links to Leicester,” said head of arts & museums Joanna Jones.
“Hans Hess was a remarkable person. In February 1944, amid the war’s darkest days, he worked with Leicester Museum’s art director Trevor Thomas to curate Mid European Art, a groundbreaking exhibition which introduced Britain to masterpieces by Franz Marc, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and others – works the Nazis condemned as ‘degenerate.’ In exhibiting these works in 1944, Leicester stood as a beacon of cultural defiance.
“Thanks to our links with the Hess family, the courage of artists and collectors who fled Nazism and the visionary leadership of Trevor Thomas, we are able to celebrate Leicester’s unique status to this day as a global hub for German Expressionism.”
Assistant city mayor for culture, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “Hans Hess’s story is a fantastic and moving one and is also a symbol of what Leicester stands for – we have a long history of welcoming refugees and standing up to discrimination.
“It is wonderful that we are able to celebrate his influence on our city by hosting the launch of his books at the museum he helped to shape.”
Hans Hess’ daughter, Anita Halpin, spent her early years in Leicester. “My father arrived in Leicester after 10 years of uncertainty and trauma,” she said. “Working with Trevor Thomas was the start of a new life for him and his family. He would be extremely pleased and gratified that the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery now has by far the largest collection of German expressionist works in this country.”
The books will be available to purchase at the launch, and a paid bar will be available throughout the evening. To book a ticket, visit Event Details – Leicester Museums
ENDS
Picture shows Rote Frau by Franz Marc, one of the first four works to come to Leicester’s gallery from the Hess family with the 1944 exhibition.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds yesterday presented the proceeds of ticket sales generated by the highly successful VE/VJ80 civic event to the Royal British Legion (RBL) Poppy Appeal.
The civic event, which marked the 80th anniversary of the Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan days, took place at Leeds Minster on May 10. Attracting over 400 guests, including dignitaries, veterans, and members of the public, ticket sales generated £1000 for the RBL. The event also saw the presentation of the Leeds Award to 102-year-old D-Day veteran, Jack Mortimer. The Leeds Award is a formal recognition by Leeds City Council which acknowledges individuals, organisations, or groups who have made outstanding contributions that benefit the city and its residents. It was presented to Jack for his lifelong commitment to veterans’ affairs and, fittingly, his fundraising work for the Royal British Legion.
Above: Second World War Wren veteran, Eileen Marshall, singing with members of the Hummingbirds UK at the Civic Hall presentation.
The cheque presentation, which took place in the Civic Hall’s Ark Royal room, was made to the RBL’s Jonathan Calvert and Emma Osbourne by the new Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen. In attendance were many of those who spoke and performed at the civic event, along with councillors, Second World War veteran Eileen Marshall, and representatives from the businesses and organisations that donated goods and services to the event.
Above: The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, speaking to guests.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, said: “The VE/VJ 80 civic event was not only a time to commemorate, remember, and reflect on those momentous days at the end of the Second World War 80 years ago. It was also an opportunity to have some fun and raise money for an incredible charity at the same time.
“The Royal British Legion works tirelessly for all veterans of the armed forces and their families, so it was my great pleasure to present a cheque for the money raised through ticket sales to help them continue their important work.”
“I would also like to take the opportunity to give my thanks to all those people, organisations and companies who made the civic event so successful, especially my colleague, Councillor Jane Dowson, who spent many hours on the organisation. Without the donations from some fantastic local businesses, and the magnificent speakers and performers who made no charge for their time, goods, and services, the event would not have achieved such success.”
Lancaster City Council has once again been recognised as a leader in climate action, achieving a score of 64% in the 2025 Climate Emergency UK Scorecards – the best of any council in the north west.
2025 climate action scorecard
This marks an increase on the council’s 2023 score (61%), and is also only four percent behind Winchester City Council, which was the highest performing district in the country with 68%.
The council scored higher in the Buildings and Heating category, reflecting continued investment in improving energy efficiency across its estate. This work has included the replacement of gas boilers with heat pumps, installation of secondary glazing and solar panels, along with improved insulation.
The lowest scoring area was Transport, a result that is not a surprise given that Lancaster City Council is not a transport authority and does not have direct control over major transport infrastructure or policy. However, the council continues to work positively with its partners including Lancashire County Council to support improvements in sustainable travel and active transport options.
Councillor Sam Riches, cabinet member for climate action, welcomed the results: “We are proud to have improved our score and this reflects the hard work of our officers and the shared commitment from councillors in taking real action on projects that help to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“At the same time, we know there is still much more to do and our Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) provides a detailed roadmap for decarbonisation. Our plans for the future include further retrofitting of council-owned buildings, expanding solar installations, and looking at opportunities for new green infrastructure projects that benefit both the climate and our communities and can also lead to lower costs.”
The Climate Action Scorecards assess local authorities across seven areas including buildings, transport, planning, governance, biodiversity, waste, and community engagement.
Lancaster’s continued strong performance is attributed to its strategic focus on place-based action, collaboration, and sustainability.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The Moscow Oncology Forum 2025 has begun its work in the capital. It was opened by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development. In her welcoming speech, she spoke about the city’s transition to an electronic format for pathomorphological diagnostics, the completion of the formation of an infrastructural framework for oncological care, and the introduction of robotic systems into the capital’s healthcare system.
“In five years, we have essentially created a high-tech oncology service from scratch: we have modernized the equipment, worked out standards for drug provision, formed client paths and carried out complete digitalization. Now all oncology hospitals have the most modern robotic systems – and not one in each. And all this is provided with the necessary financial resources. Four thousand operations have already been performed, and our annual capacity is more than five thousand operations per year. All our laboratories work exclusively digitally. But the most important thing is, of course, a new level of quality of medical care for our patients. I would like to separately note the team of Moscow oncologists, who are truly the vanguard of the capital’s healthcare. You are pioneers in almost all innovations and processes. I would like to thank each oncologist for your daily, difficult, but very noble work in the conditions of continuous changes,” said Anastasia Rakova.
She added that the unprecedented archive of digital medical data, including oncological data, formed in Moscow is an indisputable competitive advantage. In the context of the development of large generative models of artificial intelligence, this archive opens up a unique opportunity to create projects to identify precursors and patterns of disease development.
According to Anastasia Rakova, the Moscow oncology service today has every opportunity to reach a new level of care and use modern technologies, such as cell therapy, personalized vaccines, isotopes, and minimally invasive surgery. Among the first steps already being implemented in this direction, she noted the creation of a nuclear pharmacy, theranostics, and the successful use of yttrium to treat liver tumors. The deputy mayor expressed hope that successful cases of high-tech care will become a permanent practice available to every Muscovite. To this end, the capital will increase its work with federal centers, scientific organizations, and pharmaceutical companies.
The Deputy Mayor recalled the classic rule of medicine: it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it, and the capital is actively moving in this direction. Thanks to the opening of endoscopic centers, it was possible to increase the detection rate of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer at an early stage. The plans include opening several more such centers. At the same time, the capital is implementing proactive programs. For example, as part of a pilot project for the prevention of oncological diseases, a referral for a screening endoscopic examination of the GIT was opened automatically for those who have not undergone it for more than three years and fall into the risk group. More than 50 thousand people have already signed up for the checkup. After the opening ceremony, guests will be able to learn more about the latest achievements in the field of treatment and diagnosis of oncological diseases not only during the speakers’ speeches, but also by visiting an interactive exhibition. It presents 14 stands in different areas. For example, these are “Brain and Nervous System Tumors”, “Oncourology”, “Radiation and Radionuclide Therapy” and others.
Visitors to the interactive exhibition will be able to participate in master classes, intellectual games and quizzes, examine objects under a microscope, study video recordings of real operations, and also get a visual representation of the work of the operating room. The stands will show the latest equipment, models of tumors and unique clinical cases.
The largest oncology forum in Russia is taking place from June 18 to 20 at Gostiny Dvor. The event brings together participants from 20 countries. The most pressing aspects of cancer treatment are being discussed by domestic and foreign experts from Singapore, China, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, France, Turkey, the United States, Belgium, Italy and other countries. These are 144 of the best specialists, including academicians and corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, professors and doctors of science. Together, they will present almost 400 scientific reports on the latest developments in the field of providing medical care to patients with cancer.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
On June 18, the final stage of the annual city competition of professional skills “Moscow Masters” in the direction of “Nurse” was completed in the capital. 24 specialists took part in the final tests, having successfully passed the test of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
The award ceremony took place at Gostiny Dvor. The prizes — car keys — were presented to the three finalists by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.
“I am pleased to sum up the results of the professional competition of Moscow masters in the nomination “Nursing” today. The nursing community of Moscow is multifaceted – 50 thousand nurses and male nurses work in the capital’s healthcare. Your profession is very important and necessary, and the requirements for it are growing from year to year. You accompany the patient, support him along the entire path to recovery – from the admissions department to discharge. This year the competition was very difficult. Both the number of participants and the number of tests increased. You had to go through interviews, tests, demonstrate your skills. All of today’s finalists are already winners. You have proven that you are sincerely devoted to your work, are professionals and are ready to do everything to make life easier for patients. Once again, I congratulate all the finalists! And I would like to move on to presenting awards to the three main winners. This year, the Mayor of Moscow decided that we will present our branded Moskvich cars as a reward. “And all the finalists will go on an internship to China,” Anastasia Rakova congratulated the winners.
The best result in the tests was shown by Alena Sokolova from the V.M. Buyanov City Clinical Hospital. Second place was taken by Yulia Nagaytseva, a nurse of a general practitioner (family doctor) of City Polyclinic No. 66, and third place went to Elvira Uldanova, a district nurse. She works at Children’s City Polyclinic No. 38.
The competition, which has been held in Moscow for the 28th year in a row, not only identifies the best specialists, but also reminds society of the importance of the profession, creating additional motivation for the further development of nursing in the capital.
Before the final, the contestants went through several stages: initially, more than 700 nurses and brothers selected from medical organizations took part in the competition. After computer testing, 80 people remained, who then demonstrated their practical skills. In the final, they solved situational problems, for example, providing assistance in case of respiratory failure due to a foreign body getting into the respiratory tract or preparing a patient for an electrocardiogram.
Based on the results of the tests, 24 finalists were determined – three participants in each of the eight nominations.
The winners of the nominations competed in an interactive game, answering questions about nursing, the history of medicine, anatomy, pharmacology and other areas. In particular, about the discovery of methods for treating the most common diseases that had a significant impact on the development of medical science.
The competition was organized by the Personnel Center of the capital Department of HealthThis year the event became the largest in 28 years of its holding.
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Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday emphasized the importance of yoga, millets, and alternative medicine in fostering a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Speaking at an event in the national capital ahead of International Yoga Day, Gupta praised the rising popularity of millet-based diets in Delhi, calling it a welcome shift toward wellness rooted in India’s cultural heritage.
“Yoga, alternative medicine, and millets are part of our glorious cultural legacy,” Gupta said. “Incorporating them into our daily lives will help build a healthier society and nation. My best wishes to everyone on Yoga Day.”
Referring to the upcoming Yoga Day event scheduled for June 21 at Yamuna Bank, Gupta expressed a personal connection to the river and reiterated her commitment to its cleanliness.
“I feel deeply connected to the Yamuna. Just seeing the river reminds me of my responsibility to keep it clean,” she said.
With monsoon rains expected to arrive early in the capital, Gupta assured that the administration is proactively checking drains for blockages and improving drainage connectivity to prevent waterlogging.
“We’re inspecting whether drains are clogged, too narrow, or poorly connected,” she said, adding that prompt action by the government had prevented water accumulation in the Minto Bridge area during recent showers.
Gupta also said that comprehensive measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of dengue, which typically spikes during and after the monsoon season.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
BEIJING, June 18 — The Chinese PLA Air Force is recruiting the 14th batch of female pilot cadets from high school graduates across 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) in China.
The selection and examination for female pilot cadets this year is launched in June, and the final admission decisions will be made in early July.
Applicants should be female graduates from regular high schools in 2025, both current and former, aged no less than 17 years old and no more than 20 years old.
All the female pilot cadets enlisted in 2025 will study in the Aviation University of the Chinese PLA Air Force. After a three-month probation, the qualified candidates will be granted both student status and military status.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 18 — Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing on Wednesday after attending the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana of Kazakhstan.
Xi’s entourage, including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, returned by the same flight.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –
Food irradiation is an innovative, gentle, and non-invasive technique that uses radiation to keep food fresh and safe to eat. It inactivates harmful microorganisms like salmonella, e.coli and listeria, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Food irradiation extends shelf life of food, reduce food losses and waste, and ensures that consumers have access to fresh, safe products. In Viet Nam, for example, irradiation has enabled the country to boost its food exports, prevent the spread of transboundary pests and eliminate microbes that could spoil food. These efforts are supported by the IAEA through its Joint FAO/IAEA Centre.
“Food irradiation is under utilized, but we are working to raise its profile as the benefits it provides will serve consumers and producers and help meet many food safety issues,” said Carl Blackburn, an expert in food irradiation at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre. “With continued collaboration, support and capacity building, countries around the world are strengthening their approach to using ionizing radiation — and promoting the technology to ensure that consumers can have confidence in what’s on their plates.”
The IAEA, through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, will continue to support food safety and quality and forge partnerships under the Atoms4Food initiative, which aims to leverage innovative nuclear techniques to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce food losses and wastes, ensure food safety and improve nutrition.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –
The IAEA Board of Governors will convene its regular September meeting at the Agency’s headquarters starting at 10:30 CEST on Monday, 9 September, in Board Room C, Building C, 4th floor, in the Vienna International Centre (VIC).
Board discussions are expected to include, among others: nuclear and radiation safety; nuclear security; strengthening the Agency’s activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications; verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015); application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic; NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran; nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine; transfer of the nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all aspects under the NPT; application of IAEA safeguards in the Middle East; and the restoration of sovereign equality of Member States in the IAEA.
The Board of Governors meeting is closed to the press.
Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the meeting with an introductory statement which will be released to journalists after delivery and posted on the IAEA website. The IAEA will provide video footage here and will make photos available on Flickr.
Press Conference:
Director General Grossi is expected to hold a press conference at 13:00 CEST on Monday, 9 September, in the Press Room of the M building.
A live video stream of the press conference will be available. The IAEA will provide video footage here and will make photos available on Flickr.
Photo Opportunity:
There will be a photo opportunity with the IAEA Director General and the Chair of the Board, Ambassador Holger Federico Martinsen of Argentina, before the start of the Board meeting, on 9 September at 10:30 CEST in Board Room C, in the C building in the VIC.
Press Working Area:
The Press Room on the M-Building’s ground floor will be available as a press working area starting from 9:00 CEST on 9 September.
Accreditation:
All journalists interested in covering the meeting in person must register with the Press Office by 16:00 CEST on Thursday, 5 September. Please email press@iaea.org. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.
Please plan your arrival to allow sufficient time to pass through the VIC security check.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –
The 68th Annual Regular Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, #IAEAGC, will convene from 16 to 20 September at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) in Vienna, Austria. The opening session takes place on Monday, 16 September, at 10:00 CEST.
High-ranking officials and representatives from IAEA Member States will consider and make decisions on a range of issues pertaining to the work and the budget of the Agency.
The main conference events will take place in the M-Building of the VIC.
All plenary sessions of the General Conference will be livestreamed on the IAEA website (no login required) in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
The opening session of the GC will also be streamed live on the lAEA YouTube channel in high definition, and a download link will be made available afterwards.
The IAEA will host a briefing for media on the new projections. IAEA experts, including Henri Paillere, Head of Planning and Economic Studies at the IAEA, will provide the briefing on Monday, 16 September at 09:30 CEST in the Press Room.
Please note: All information presented during the briefing are under embargo until after the Director General’s opening statement on Monday, 16 September.
Please inform the IAEA Press Office if you plan to attend the briefing.
Scientific Forum
This year’s Scientific Forum, organized on the sidelines of the General Conference on 17 and 18 September, is entitled Atoms4Food – Better Agriculture for Better Life. It will focus on how nuclear science, technology and innovation can enhance sustainable agrifood systems, improve food security and address climate change.
The Scientific Forum will cover crop improvement, animal genetics and reproduction, crop and animal disease and pest management, food safety and nutrition, and sustainable management of natural resources, including soil and water. The two-day event will facilitate best practice exchanges, discuss sustainable adoption and scaling up of R&D results, and explore innovative financing and partnerships.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the Scientific Forum with high-level speakers on Tuesday, 17 September, at 09:30 CEST.
The Forum will take place in Boardroom D of the C-Building. All sessions will be livestreamed.
Accreditation
All journalists – including those with permanent accreditation – are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans to attend the General Conference. Journalists without permanent accreditation must send copies of their passport and press ID to the IAEA Press Office by 14:00 CEST on Friday, 13 September.
We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.
Access to the plenary sessions of the General Conference and the Scientific Forum for photographers and video camera operators must be requested in advance.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –
Scientists and experts from around the world will meet at the IAEA Scientific Forum this week to discuss how nuclear science and technology innovations under the framework of Atoms4Food can contribute to enhancing sustainable agrifood systems, improving food security and addressing climate challenges.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the forum on Tuesday alongside HE Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, Mr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund, MrLiu Jing, Vice Chairman, China Atomic Energy Authority, China, HE MrSidi Tiémoko Touré, Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, Cote d’Ivoire, HE MsLeila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Kingdom of Morocco, HE MrFernando Mattos, Minister of Livestock, Uruguay, and Mr Giorgio Silli, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy. Director General Grossi will conclude the Forum on Wednesday alongside HE MrAnxious Jongwe Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development from Zimbabwe, HE MrAmadou Dicko, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries, Burkina Faso and other distinguished representatives from Member States and International Organizations.
The event under the title Atoms4Food – Better Agriculture for Better Life, takes place from Tuesday, 17 September, 9:30 CEST to Wednesday, 18 September 2024, 13:00 CEST in Board Room D on the 4th floor of the C-Building of the Vienna International Centre (VIC). Open to the media and streamed live, the event will showcase how nuclear science can drive agricultural advancements and support global efforts to combat food insecurity.
The forum will feature three technical sessions, where international experts will explore the critical role of nuclear science and technology in advancing sustainable agriculture, food production and nutrition. Speakers will discuss innovations using nuclear and isotopic techniques in agriculture and food production, the interconnectedness of agricultural practices with environmental conservation and socioeconomic equity, and the importance of partnering with stakeholders to scale up results and ensure sustainability. More details about the Scientific Forum can be found on the IAEA website and social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Weibo). Photos of the Forum will also be available on Flickr.
The detailed programme and full list of speakers can be found here. For those interested in interviewing speakers, please contact the IAEA Press Office, and we will assist with interview arrangements.
Accreditation
Journalists with permanent credentials to the VIC or journalists who have already obtained accreditation for the IAEA’s General Conference need no additional credentials. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.
Others should contact the IAEA Press Office for accreditation.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –
On Wednesday, 6 November 2024, the inaugural ministerial meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) will be held at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rome. Co-organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Italy, the meeting will see governments, executives from public and private institutions, and investors join forces in paving the way for this promising technology to provide the abundant clean energy the world needs to meet its growing development needs.
The meeting will begin at 10:00 CET with welcome remarks by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, followed with opening remarks by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
A family photo will be taken at 09:45 in the Mosaic Room (across from the International Conference Room) before the meeting.
Statements from the Head of Delegation of each invited country will follow. Director General Grossi and Minister Fratin are expected to hold a joint press conference around 13:30 in the Aldo Moro Hall, which will be the listening room for the Press.
At the event, the IAEA will launch two publications, Fusion Key Elements and the World Fusion Outlook 2024. The WFEG meeting will also feature three panel discussions on the status of fusion energy; global collaboration and public-private partnerships; and sustaining resources and exploring alternative business opportunities. The tentative programme is available here.
All media representatives wishing to attend the meeting must submit their accreditation request to Italy. Please see this page for more details.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will host the International Conference on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications next week for stakeholders to discuss opportunities, challenges and enabling conditions to accelerate the development and ensure safe and secure operation of SMRs.
The conference, which is the first IAEA conference on SMRs, will take place from 21 to 25 October at IAEA headquarters in Vienna. The Conference, including Industry Night, is open to the media.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the conference on 21 October at 14:00 (CET), followed by a ministerial keynote from Ghana and a high-level panel with industry and regulatory executive leaders.
Over 1000 participants from 95 countries and 17 international organizations and non-governmental organizations are registered to participate in the event.
The conference is organized into 44 technical sessions under four main topics: SMR design, technology and fuel cycle; legislative and regulatory frameworks; safety, security and safeguards; and considerations to facilitate deployment of SMRs. In addition, five plenary sessions, four side events and about 100 posters will be presented. The provisional programme is available here.
Plenary sessions will be livestreamed on the IAEA website (no login required). For further virtual access to technical sessions, please register online as an observer. Recordings will be available on the “IAEA Conference and Meetings” App available on Google Play and the iTunes Store.
Please note, side events will be livestreamed through the app. Industry Night will not be livestreamed.
IAEA experts will be available for interviews. Please send your request to press@iaea.org.
Industry Night
SMR developers will present their projects at all development stages during Industry Night, Tuesday, 22 October, 17:45 to 20:00. Organized by the IAEA and World Nuclear Association, about 20 companies will engage with participants to discuss topics related to specific designs.
Accreditation
All journalists – including those with permanent accreditation to the Vienna International Centre (VIC) – are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans to attend the conference in person. Journalists without permanent accreditation to the VIC must send copies of their passport and press ID topress@iaea.orgby 12:00 CEST on Friday, 18 October.
We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.
Benchmark equity indices closed lower on Tuesday, as volatility gripped the markets due to rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Despite selective buying in auto and private banking stocks, investor sentiment remained cautious amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy announcement.
The BSE Sensex closed 138.64 points, or 0.17%, lower at 81,444.66 after falling to an intraday low of 81,237. The NSE Nifty declined by 41.35 points to settle at 24,812.05, also down by 0.17%.
Broader indices mirrored the trend, with the Nifty Midcap100 losing 0.46% and the Nifty Smallcap100 slipping 0.23%. Sectorally, Nifty Media led the losses, falling 1.27%, followed by declines in IT, metal, oil and gas, realty, energy, PSU banking, and FMCG sectors.
However, gains in consumer durables, automobiles, and banking shares provided some support to the indices. IndusInd Bank, Titan, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Asian Paints, and Bharti Airtel emerged as the top gainers on the Sensex, advancing up to 4.4%.
On the other hand, TCS, Hindustan Unilever, Nestle India, Bajaj Finserv, and NTPC were among the major laggards, falling by as much as 1.79%.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, said that despite short-term volatility, the long-term domestic outlook remains stable, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals. “Investors are likely to focus on quality large-cap stocks until there is more clarity,” he said.
Market participants are closely tracking the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy decision due later in the day. The prospect of persistent inflation, especially in light of global supply shocks and rising crude oil prices, may prompt the Fed to maintain its current interest rate stance. Analysts are also awaiting commentary from Fed Chair Jerome Powell on the future trajectory of rates and the broader economic outlook.
Meanwhile, the India VIX, a measure of market volatility, edged down 0.89% to 14.27, reflecting relatively subdued risk perception despite global uncertainties.
Hosts England will kick off their 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12 while holders New Zealand begin their title defence against the West Indies a day later, the International Cricket Council said on Wednesday.
Group 1 includes record six-times champions Australia, two-times runners-up South Africa, 2020 finalists India and Pakistan, as well as two teams from the Global Qualifier tournament.
New Zealand, 2009 champions England, Sri Lanka, 2016 winners West Indies and the other two teams from the Global Qualifier are in Group 2.
The top two teams from Group 1 and Group 2 will advance to the semi-finals of the biennial T20 international tournament, which will be contested by 12 teams for the first time.
“World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different – it has the potential to be truly game-changing,” England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said in a statement.
“Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Edgbaston will also host a clash between Asian rivals India and Pakistan on June 14.
Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, Bristol County Ground and Lord’s are the other venues.
Source: International Marine Contractors Association – IMCA
Headline: Marine contractors’ critical role in European economy, energy transition, and security revealed in new economic impact assessment
● New economic study finds marine contracting sector generates €80bn in GVA and more than 490,000 skilled jobs in Europe.
● However, regulatory certainty is needed to deliver Europe’s ambitious offshore renewable energy targets, International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) warns.
● IMCA calls for recognition as strategic sector by EU and European governments and partnership to unlock investment, training, and regulatory alignment.
The marine contracting sector is a “critical” strategic enabler of Europe’s energy and climate ambitions and plays an essential role in safeguarding Europe’s digital connectivity, a new economic impact assessment authored by PA Consulting has revealed.
The study — covering the Europe, UK, and Norway — finds that the sector is expected to generate more than €45bn in direct gross value added (GVA) in 2025 and support over 220,000 direct jobs, while the GVA-per-worker in marine contracting is more than 2.5 times the European average, highlighting the high-value impact of the sector.
Including indirect and induced impacts, PA Consulting found that the marine contracting sector will contribute more than 490,000 jobs, and €80bn in GVA in 2025.
This is the first comprehensive study of its kind into marine contracting’s economic and strategic role.
The study provides a detailed picture of a sector that remains under-recognised by policymakers — despite being central to Europe’s renewable energy infrastructure — while also highlighting a growing tension around future wind energy targets.
Responding to the research, IMCA said that Europe’s ambition to install 300-400 GW of offshore wind by 2050 cannot be realised without providing investment certainty to the marine contracting sector, given the offshore construction fleet’s essential role in building, installing, and maintaining the infrastructure powering the clean energy transition.
PA Consulting’s report sets out how the marine contracting sector is responsible for installing and maintaining offshore wind turbines and all offshore energy infrastructure, including laying subsea cables, deploying power interconnectors, enabling carbon capture and storage (CCS), decommissioning ageing infrastructure, and safeguarding critical energy assets. Its capabilities go beyond vessels alone — including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), advanced diving operations, survey and trenching equipment, and highly specialised engineering teams that operate in the world’s most challenging offshore environments.
The sector also plays a critical role in improving energy security by reducing Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. And by protecting European energy supply, interconnector, and telecoms infrastructure, the marine contracting services sector improves European security in an increasingly volatile world, making Europe more resilient to geopolitical and climate threats.
To meet its 2050 offshore wind targets, Europe will need to deploy more than 10,000 offshore wind turbines. The sector has the potential to enable the installation of the turbines required to meet offshore wind capacity targets in the EU, UK, and Norway, with the right commercial and regulatory environment.
However, this will demand investment in heavy-lift vessels, specialist equipment, and trained offshore crews, as well as upgraded port infrastructure. With vessels expected to operate for 20 years or more, companies need long-term policy certainty before committing to major investments.
Between 2025 and 2030, offshore wind installations have the potential to offset up to 3,100 million tonnes of CO₂e — a figure equivalent to removing more than 650 million cars from the road for one year, the report says, citing analysis from the Global Wind Energy Council and US Environmental Protection Agency emissions factors.
“Europe’s energy transition depends on the capabilities of marine contractors — and our members are ready to partner with EU policymakers to deliver it,” said Iain Grainger, CEO of IMCA. “We need joined-up thinking and long-term policy certainty to meet future demand. The sector is ready — but it cannot do this alone.”
“Marine contractors are ready to invest,” said Lee Billingham, IMCA Director of Strategy. “But you can’t greenlight multi-million dollar decisions when regulators are pushing rapid decarbonisation — from the EU emissions trading scheme to the IMO’s net zero framework for shipping — without clarity on which alternative fuels will be available, or where. Port access, fuel infrastructure, and regulatory alignment all need to move in sync. To deliver its targets, the EU and European governments need to work closely with the marine contracting sector to provide the certainty required for long-term investment.”
Alon Carmel, energy transition expert from PA Consulting, said: “Our study finds that the economic contribution of the marine contracting sector to the wider European economy is highly significant. More than 220,000 direct jobs and €45bn in direct GVA a year related to those jobs means there is great economic value in this sector. In addition, the sector plays a critical role installing and maintaining offshore energy infrastructure for net zero investments, as well as telecoms cables vital to our increasingly data-driven economies.”
“Marine contractors are at the frontline of Europe’s green transition,” added Grainger. “Our sector already delivers tens of billions in value and hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs. Yet Europe’s energy security and climate goals demand investment in offshore infrastructure – and fast. To meet that challenge, policymakers must recognise marine contractors as key providers of strategic infrastructure. We need clear, consistent support for new shipyards, cables and crews, or risk falling behind.”
Grainger noted that the industry currently “stands alongside Europe’s largest industries” in economic scale and is “a vital part of our industrial base”.
Headline: Thales and Skydweller join forces to develop an innovative aerial surveillance solution, combining Skydweller’s zero carbon footprint extreme endurance and Thales’ SMART RADAR based on Artificial Intelligence
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Skydweller and Thales are strengthening their collaboration by equipping Skydweller’s unmanned solar powered aircraft (MAPS) with a new solution consisting of the AirMaster S radar, equipped with Artificial Intelligence features allowing optimal and autonomous adaptation to the specific flight conditions.
This innovative solution combines a solar-powered extreme endurance aerial platform with next-generation surveillance intelligence, to set a new standard in autonomous, ultra-persistent maritime surveillance.
The Skydweller MAPS (medium-altitude pseudo-satellite), an autonomous aircraft with an unrivalled payload carrying capacity (up to 400kg unlike all other solar powered aircraft lacking real payload capability) is capable of flights from weeks to months, destroying the tyranny of distance with no carbon emissions. This capability allows for almost continuous maritime coverage, extending the scope of surveillance missions that require both persistence and operational performance.
Thales will equip the MAPS Skydweller with the AirMaster S radar system and its advanced SMART RADAR capabilities, whose intelligent functions have already been proven on board the ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft. Operating in X-band with AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array Antenna) technology, the AirMaster S radar offers significant operational advantages such as immediate and accurate assessment of land, air or sea situation.
The radar also features auto-tuning capabilities based on flight and mission conditions, perfectly suited to the Skydweller drone’s persistence in flight. Its AI-based target classification feature can detect points of interest among a large volume of data and reduce the amount of information that needs to be transmitted to the ground.
Thanks to its ability to fly uninterrupted for weeks to months, the MAPS Skydweller solar powered unmanned aircraft allows a permanent presence in sensitive areas. It complements the resources already available (satellites, other types of drones, aircraft, etc.) and makes it possible to redirect resources according to the missions.
“The combination of Thales’ AirMaster S Smart radar with the MAPS Skydweller will make it possible to change the paradigm for surveillance missions, by offering a unique solution to current sovereignty challenges. We welcome this alliance and think it will be greater to security to NATO, the EU, and allies of western democracies,” Sébastien Renouard, Chief Commercial Officer for Europe Middle East & Africa.
“We are delighted with this collaboration, which demonstrates the value of our Artificial Intelligence capabilities in the field of radars, which, combined with the innovative Skydweller MAPS, represent a real technological breakthrough for surveillance missions,”Philippe Duhamel, Executive Vice President, Defense Mission Systems, Thales
About Skydweller
Skydweller Aero Inc. is an innovative transatlantic aerospace company that develops and manufactures a fleet of solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight with significant payload capacity.
Skydwellers are autonomous aircraft made of carbon fiber, with a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747, which will be used to carry out long-duration missions such as continuous coverage of theaters of operations, surveillance of exclusive economic zones or detection of drug traffickers and pirates at sea. Powered by solar energy, Skydwellers are inexpensive to operate and maintain and have a zero carbon footprint.
Skydweller Aero Inc. is primarily backed by venture capital and private equity, has its global and U.S. headquarters in Oklahoma City and European offices in Spain. For more information about Skydweller, please visit http://www.skydweller.aero
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.
The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies. Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries.
In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
Current account recorded €20 billion surplus in April 2025, down from €51 billion in previous month
Current account surplus amounted to €419 billion (2.8% of euro area GDP) in the 12 months to April 2025, up from €339 billion (2.3%) one year earlier
In financial account, euro area residents’ net acquisitions of non-euro area portfolio investment securities totalled €690 billion and non-residents’ net acquisitions of euro area portfolio investment securities also totalled €690 billion in the 12 months to April 2025
Chart 1
Euro area current account balance
(EUR billions unless otherwise indicated; working day and seasonally adjusted data)
Source: ECB.
The current account of the euro area recorded a surplus of €20 billion in April 2025, a decrease of €31 billion from the previous month (Chart 1 and Table 1). Surpluses were recorded for goods (€30 billion) and services (€ 7 billion), while the primary income account was balanced (€0 billion). A deficit was recorded for secondary income (€16 billion).
Table 1
Current account of the euro area
Source: ECB.
Note: Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.
Data for the current account of the euro area
In the 12 months to April 2025, the current account surplus widened to €419 billion (2.8% of euro area GDP), up from a surplus of €339 billion (2.3% of euro area GDP) one year earlier. This increase was mainly driven by larger surpluses for goods (up from €342 billion to €384 billion), services (up from €140 billion to €164 billion) and primary income (up from €25 billion to €48 billion). These developments were partly offset by a larger deficit for secondary income (up from €168 billion to €176 billion).
Chart 2
Selected items of the euro area financial account
(EUR billions; 12-month cumulated data)
Source: ECB.
Notes: For assets, a positive (negative) number indicates net purchases (sales) of non-euro area instruments by euro area investors. For liabilities, a positive (negative) number indicates net sales (purchases) of euro area instruments by non-euro area investors.
In direct investment, euro area residents made net investments of €134 billion in non-euro area assets in the 12 months to April 2025, following net disinvestments of €192 billion one year earlier (Chart 2 and Table 2). Non-residents disinvested €20 billion in net terms from euro area assets in the 12 months to April 2025, following net disinvestments of €334 billion one year earlier.
In portfolio investment, euro area residents’ net purchases of non-euro area equity increased to €135 billion in the 12 months to April 2025, up from €69 billion one year earlier. Over the same period, net purchases of non-euro area debt securities by euro-area residents increased to €555 billion, up from €459 billion one year earlier. Non-residents’ net purchases of euro area equity increased to €365 billion in the 12 months to April 2025, up from €207 billion one year earlier. Over the same period, non-residents made net purchases of euro area debt securities amounting to €325 billion, declining from net purchases of €412 billion one year earlier.
Table 2
Financial account of the euro area
(EUR billions unless otherwise indicated; transactions; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted data)
Source: ECB.
Notes: Decreases in assets and liabilities are shown with a minus sign. Net financial derivatives are reported under assets. “MFIs” stands for monetary financial institutions. Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.
Data for the financial account of the euro area
In other investment, euro area residents recorded net acquisitions of non-euro area assets amounting to €403 billion in the 12 months to April 2025 (following net acquisitions of €163 billion one year earlier), while they recorded net incurrences of liabilities of €122 billion (following net disposals of €142 billion one year earlier).
Chart 3
Monetary presentation of the balance of payments
(EUR billions; 12-month cumulated data)
Source: ECB.
Notes: “MFI net external assets (enhanced)” incorporates an adjustment to the MFI net external assets (as reported in the consolidated MFI balance sheet items statistics) based on information on MFI long-term liabilities held by non-residents, available in b.o.p. statistics. B.o.p. transactions refer only to transactions of non-MFI residents of the euro area. Financial transactions are shown as liabilities net of assets. “Other” includes financial derivatives and statistical discrepancies.
The monetary presentation of the balance of payments (Chart 3) shows that the net external assets (enhanced) of euro area MFIs increased by €452 billion in the 12 months to April 2025. This increase was driven by the current and capital accounts surplus and, to a lesser extent, by euro area non-MFIs’ net inflows in portfolio investment equity and debt and in other investment. These developments were partly offset by euro area non-MFIs’ net outflows in direct investment.
In April 2025 the Eurosystem’s stock of reserve assets decreased to €1,496.9 billion from €1,511 billion in the previous month (Table 3). This decrease was driven by negative exchange rate changes (€18.0 billion) and, to a lesser extent, by negative price changes (€ 1.2 billion). These were partly offset by net acquisitions of assets (€ 5.2 billion).
Table 3
Reserve assets of the euro area
(EUR billions; amounts outstanding at the end of the period, flows during the period; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted data)
Source: ECB.
Notes: “Other reserve assets” comprises currency and deposits, securities, financial derivatives (net) and other claims. Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.
Data for the reserve assets of the euro area
Data revisions
This press release does not incorporate revisions to previous periods.
Next releases:
Quarterly balance of payments: 03 July 2025 (reference data up to the first quarter of 2025)
Monthly balance of payments: 18 July 2025 (reference data up to May 2025)
For media queries, please contactBenoît Deeg, tel.: +49 172 1683704.
Notes
Current account data are always seasonally and working day-adjusted, unless otherwise indicated, whereas capital and financial account data are neither seasonally nor working day-adjusted.
Hyperlinks in this press release lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions.
Paris, France/Abu Dhabi, UAE – At the 2025 edition of the Paris Airshow, EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, and Thales, a global leader in high technology solutions for defence and security, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the production and maintenance of Thales’ advanced electro-optic systems. This MoU supports the shared commitment of both parties to strengthen the UAE’s sovereign defence capabilities and localise key technologies through sustainable in-country industrial solutions.
Under the MoU, EDGE’s Electro-Optic Centre of Excellence (EOCE) and Thales will explore the creation of dedicated capabilities in the UAE for a range of Thales’ cutting-edge optronic systems currently in operational service with the UAE Armed Forces. The areas of intended cooperation include:
Hand-Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI): Maintenance of Thales’ field-proven SOPHIE family of thermal imagers, supporting ground forces with superior detection and identification performance.
Weapon Sights: Local support for Thales’ XTRAIM weapon sights, which combine red dot sighting and thermal imaging in a compact, high-performance solution.
Electro-Optic Vehicular Cameras: Maintenance and support for Thales’ advanced vehicular optronics systems, designed to enhance crew awareness and targeting capabilities across a range of armoured platforms.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE, Alexis Morel, Vice-President of the Optronics and Missile Electronics activities at Thales, and Abdelhafid Mordi, Chief Executive Officer of Thales in the UAE. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales Group, and Pascale Sourisse, President of Thales International.
By leveraging their respective areas of expertise, EDGE’s EOCE and Thales aim to increase operational readiness and lifecycle support for advanced defence technologies deployed across the UAE Armed Forces.
Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE, said: “This MoU marks another important step in our journey to strengthen local defence capabilities through industrial partnerships. Together with Thales, EDGE is taking a significant step towards enabling unique and centralised maintenance capabilities for mission-critical electro-optical systems.”
Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales in the UAE, said: “We are proud to deepen our collaboration with EDGE and contribute to the UAE’s strategic vision for localised defence readiness. This partnership will ensure sustained performance of our advanced optronics systems across multiple operational domains, and reinforce our shared commitment to bolster the local industrial ecosystem and reinforce the UAE’s leadership in the global defence sector”.
About EDGE
Launched in November 2019, the UAE’s EDGE is one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly-skilled talent to thrive.
With a focus on the adoption of 4IR technologies, EDGE is driving the development of sovereign capabilities for global export and for the preservation of national security, working with front-line operators, international partners, and adopting advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems, advanced propulsion systems, robotics and smart materials. EDGE converges R&D, emerging technologies, digital transformation, and commercial market innovations with military capabilities to develop disruptive solutions tailored to the specific requirements of its customers. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, EDGE consolidates more than 35 entities into six core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Space & Cyber Technologies, Trading & Mission Support, Technology & Innovation, and Homeland Security.
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.
The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.
Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
Headline: At Working Party meeting, Uzbekistan affirms focus on concluding WTO accession by MC14
Led by Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev, the high-level Uzbek delegation in Geneva included the Special Representative of the President on WTO issues and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession, Azizbek Urunov, and other senior government officials. These included Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Akhadbek Khaydarov, Deputy Minister of Justice, Alisher Karimov, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Akmaljon Kasimov. High-level officials from a wide range of ministries and agencies joined virtually from Tashkent.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev noted that Uzbekistan “has taken tangible steps to advance accession” and undertaken key domestic market reforms. Such reforms have included the elimination of export-contingent subsidies and exclusive rights for state-owned enterprises in sectors such as gas, electricity and metals. Other reforms include the liberalization of price controls, acceleration of privatization and compliance with WTO intellectual property norms.
“We are all aware that the global trading environment is becoming increasingly fragmented,” he said.” In this context, Uzbekistan’s commitment to the WTO and to building a modern, market-oriented economy rooted in rules-based trade has never been stronger. We firmly believe the WTO remains the only credible framework to ensure a transparent, stable and inclusive global trading system.”
Recalling the ambitious target of concluding Uzbekistan’s WTO accession by MC14, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev presented a roadmap entitled “Road to Yaoundé MC14”, which outlines all necessary steps to finalize the accession process with a clear timeline. His full statement is available here.
WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev, Chief Negotiator Urunov, and their interagency team for the hard work and determination in pushing the accession negotiations towards the finishing line. He also congratulated WTO members for their substantive engagement with Uzbekistan on both the bilateral and multilateral tracks. “It’s remarkable to see how the accession process has been transformed, has matured and is now advancing at a rapid pace,” DDG Zhang said.
WTO members updated the Working Party on progress in their bilateral market access negotiations with Uzbekistan. Several expressed support for Uzbekistan’s ambitious accession goals, commended recent progress in its negotiations and the reforms undertaken to date and said they looked forward to further progress on its accession efforts.
The Chairperson of the Working Party, Ambassador Yun Seong-deok of the Republic of Korea, also reported to members on three other events on 12 June 2025: an informal meeting on agricultural support, a seminar on Uzbekistan’s economic reforms to support accession organized by the government of Uzbekistan in collaboration with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and an information session on technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Members expressed appreciation for the sessions which had provided very useful information, fostering transparency.
Next steps
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Yun said Uzbekistan “continues to make steady progress in the negotiations towards its finalization goal, both under the bilateral and multilateral tracks.” He also noted that most remaining bilateral negotiations are at an advanced stage and looked forward to their conclusion before the summer break. On the multilateral front, Uzbekistan has taken “decisive steps” in achieving WTO conformity in several areas where members have repeatedly raised concerns, the Chair said.
Moving forward, members were requested to submit questions, comments and draft commitments by 11 July 2025. Uzbekistan was also asked to submit replies to members’ questions and a few updated supporting documents.
The Chair noted that members and Uzbekistan were facing “an extremely tight timeline” to complete all outstanding work if the aim was to finalize the accession talks by MC14. He noted that by the next meeting, it would be “critical that most, if not all, elements of this Draft Accession Package begin to emerge”.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala praised Uzbekistan for its recent economic reforms at a high-level meeting during the IMF/World Bank spring meetings held on 24 April.
Uzbekistan applied for WTO membership in 1994 and has actively been negotiating its membership terms since 2020.
More information about the WTO accession process is available here.
MEPs want to extend EU recovery funding beyond 2026 to ensure the completion of key investments and large-scale projects.
A plenary resolution adopted by 421 votes to 180, and with 55 abstentions highlights the stabilising effect of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) at a time of significant economic uncertainty in Europe.
Strengthening EU resilience and autonomy
MEPs note that the RRF prevented the fragmentation of the EU internal market and promoted recovery. They want RRF funding to respect the principle of additionality and not replace cohesion policy funding. The resolution calls for targeted investment in EU defence, education and skills, and more cross-border and multi-country measures, including high-speed railway. MEPs insist on accelerating investment in social protection and the integration of vulnerable groups. They also encourage member states to amend their national investment plans using REPowerEU to boost EU’s energy autonomy.
RRF expires in 2026
MEPs are concerned that the short timeframe for the implementation of outstanding RRF funding poses challenges to the completion of key reforms, large-scale investments and innovative projects, as well as the 70% of milestones and targets that have still to be reached. They urge the Commission to set up new programmes, which should be flexible and reactive to changing circumstances and guarantee predictability. MEPs also demand an 18-month extension for ongoing mature projects.
Transparency and simplification
The RRF’s long-term benefits to gross domestic product are likely to be between three to six times greater than the money spent, but MEPs are concerned about the total cost of Next Generation EU (NGEU) capital interest repayments. They reiterate the need for a strong auditing and monitoring mechanism for RRF expenditure to prevent misuse, double funding, and duplication with other EU programmes. They demand clearer links between milestones, targets, and the actual implementation of projects, and urge the Commission to take into account European Court of Auditors recommendations for any future performance-based instruments similar to the RRF, in particular in the context of a more targeted MFF.
MEPs value the way the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard provides citizens with basic information on overall progress on the implementation of national plans. They insist, though, that it should include information on the companies involved, including contractors and sub-contractors, and their ultimate owners. They also call for the urgent simplification of application and reporting requirements, to help smaller applicants and maximise the absorption and impact of funding, while reinforcing the role of local and regional authorities in the design, revision and implementation of national recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs).
Quotes
Victor Negrescu (S&D, RO), co-rapporteur on behalf of the Committee on Budgets, said: “We must ensure that every single euro is spent correctly, transparently and has a positive impact on our citizens and businesses. Unless we act now, critical investments risk being left unfinished after the end of the Facility in August 2026. We need to speed up implementation, reduce the bureaucracy and help the beneficiaries. As Budgets Rapporteur on the file, I pushed for concrete solutions and called for an extension of funding of 18 months for mature projects. I also demanded that unfinished projects can continue under other EU instruments such as the cohesion funds, InvestEU, or a future Competitiveness Fund, and that Member States should be allowed to adjust faster and easier their National Recovery and Resilience Plans in line with the RRF objectives. We do not accept halfway solutions. Today, the Parliament is sending a clear message: we stand by the citizens and fight for the finalisation of essential projects”.
Siegfried Mureşan (EPP, RO), co-rapporteur on behalf of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, said: “We are determined to ensure that the Recovery and Resilience Facility funds deliver tangible benefits to citizens. This is why the Parliament is calling for an 18‑month extension for mature RRF projects. This extension would apply to projects on track for successful completion, provided the extension is granted. At the same time, we are calling for a review of how unspent RRF funds can support Europe’s new strategic priorities, notably strengthening competitiveness and reinforcing our defence capabilities. In the face of rising geopolitical tensions, Europe must act decisively to defend its citizens.”
Parliament’s assessment of the Commission’s 2024 rule of law report and of recent developments highlights a broad range of threats to EU values across member states.
The report adopted on Wednesday by 405 votes for, 210 against, and with 36 abstentions, delivers MEPs’ yearly review of the Commission’s latest rule of law report, and points to worrying developments.
Justice, equality, accountability, and transparency
Parliament underlines the need for independent, effective judicial systems with highly qualified personnel, and stresses the importance of assessing ongoing reforms in member states, while also condemning interference in corruption investigations and the misuse of judicial systems for political ends. It reiterates its call for stronger enforcement of EU values and decisions of the Court of Justice of the EU, warning that the legitimacy of the EU legal order is at stake.
MEPs condemn attacks on press freedom, the use of spyware against journalists and civil society, and the spread of disinformation undermining democratic processes, calling for full implementation of recent EU legislation such as the Digital Services Act and the Media Freedom Act.
Better tools for persistent, systemic, and new challenges
Parliament highlights worrying developments in relation to the right of assembly and a rapidly shrinking civic space, attacks on LGBTIQ+ rights, weak anti-corruption enforcement, the rise of extremism, threats to electoral processes, and the use of technology to curtail democratic rights..
MEP also reiterate the need for a “more comprehensive toolbox” that links EU funding more closely to compliance with the rule of law. They warn against the potential misuse of this conditionality against civil society, urging the Commission to ensure that EU funds reach their final recipients, including via direct funding mechanisms.
Hungary
The report expressly mentions Hungary’s persistent breaches of EU values, referencing political influence on the prosecution service and misuse of EU funds, and urging the Council to unblock stalled Article 7 proceedings.
Quote
After the vote, rapporteur Ana Catarina Mendes (S&D, Portugal), said: “Democracy thrives on the separation of powers, freedom of the press, access to justice, and respect for fundamental freedoms. Without these, the rule of law becomes an empty formality −and space opens up for authoritarianism. This Parliament cannot ignore threats to our values, when journalists are targeted with spyware in Italy, basic civil liberties for LGBTIQ+ people are under attack in Hungary, and reproductive freedom is threatened by a new nationalist president in Poland. The silence of democrats is the greatest boon for extremists.”
The report serves as Parliament’s contribution ahead of the Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law Report, expected in July. MEPs urge the Commission to incorporate more binding recommendations and improved methodology, while calling on all institutions to strengthen cooperation and resolve in the face of growing threats.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A systematic review published in the Journal for the American Heart Association looks at ocean microplastic pollution and the risk of cardiometabolic disease in US coastline counties.
Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:
“I fear this paper will lead to more “plastics cause scary disease X” headlines, but, to my mind, the evidence in this paper is quite weak.
“Firstly, the authors don’t claim that microplastics cause disease, but rather that they found an association between microplastic exposure and type 2 diabetes (T2D), coronary artery disease (CAD), and stroke. An association between two things does not necessarily mean that one caused the other; it is simply an observation. There is also a large amount of overlap in the datasets, even between the very low and very high exposure scenarios, and the authors clearly state in the paper that their “results do not imply causation”.
“Perhaps more importantly, the authors didn’t measure either microplastic exposure or the health factors they studied directly; both were estimates. Microplastic concentrations were estimated from ocean measurements, some of which were taken up to 230 miles offshore and thus may not accurately represent what coastal communities are exposed to. The rates of disease occurrence were estimated from county-level survey data, which does not provide data on individuals. Potential cofounders were limited to those listed in the survey data, meaning some potentially confounding factors could not be controlled for.
“The authors all appear to be medics, rather than chemists or environmental scientists. The paper makes a lot of incorrect generalisations about microplastics, for example, referring to “microplastic compounds like phthalates”. Phthalates are not microplastics, and not all phthalates are the same. They claim that bisphenol A and phthalates promote adverse health outcomes through their endocrine-disrupting properties, which is incorrect. The paper also refers to toxicity studies on polystyrene particles, neglecting the fact that polystyrene is far from the most common type of plastic in the environment.
“So, while the work raises interesting research questions, I do not think the evidence of harm is strong, and people living near the coast don’t need to panic”
Dr Ria Devereux, Environmental Research Fellow, the Sustainable Research Institute, the University of East London, said:
Does the press release accurately reflect the science?
“It is important to note that this research focuses solely on the United States, particularly its coastal counties, and specifically examines marine microplastics. It does not consider other types of microplastics, such as those found in marine sediment, beach sediment, atmospheric microplastics, or microplastics in soil. The title, “Living near an ocean polluted by microplastics may increase cardiometabolic disease risk,” could give the incorrect impression that these findings apply globally, which is not justified by this data.
“Both sizes of plastic particles come from the chemical breakdown (decomposition) of larger plastic waste, including food packaging (like single-use water bottles), synthetic fabrics and personal care products.” This statement is also slightly incorrect. Microplastics can also be found in the form primary microplastics (nurdles) which are made to be a particular size and are not the result of degradation. Plastics are also subjected to mechanical, biological degradation as well as chemical.
Is this good quality research? Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?
“It is very interesting research which does need further research to investigate some of the limitations of the study conducted. One major limitation that is not addressed is that microplastics contain chemicals which have been found to be harmful to human health. There is no mention in this study regarding data on water quality. For example, is there a higher abundance of chemicals found within plastics in the water surrounding these coastal communities which may be a contributing factor.
How does this work fit with the existing evidence?
“The production of plastic and its associated pollution are increasingly recognized for their potential implications on human health. Research conducted on wildlife has demonstrated severe consequences, including choking hazards and hormonal disruptions.
“Recent studies have identified plastics in various human tissues, including the placenta [1],breastmilk [2] and stool [3].
“In addition to the presence of microplastics in the human body, chemicals commonly used in plastic production have been found to pose health risks. Research indicates that exposure to these chemicals can lead to various health issues, including skin irritation, respiratory diseases, hormonal disruptions, and certain cancers [4].
Have the authors accounted for confounders? Are there important limitations to be aware of?
“The dataset from NOAA presents several limitations. It does not account for when the samples were collected—such as during storms—or the duration of the sampling periods. Additionally, there may be a lack of studies in many coastal counties. For instance, most samples from the Gulf of Mexico are concentrated around Tampa and the southern region of Florida, with only two data points near New Orleans. While the authors briefly mention this issue in relation to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, they do not address it for the Gulf of Mexico. They note that “study design, spatial coverage, and oceanic transport dynamics” may contribute to differences observed in previous studies.
“The authors also acknowledge that theabsence of data on the types of microplastics—such as fragments and fibers—constitutes a limitation. However, this statement should also include the lack of information regarding polymer types and plastic sizes.
“Additionally, it would be relevant to consider how many people in these coastal areas consume seafood and whether it is locally sourced or imported.
“As for the timeframe investigated, How long must someone live near the coast for it potentially to impact their health?
“Regarding groundwater, the authors mention that only “35% of drinking water in the United States is supplied by groundwater.” Is the proportion of coastal residents who drink groundwater higher than that of individuals living in other parts of America?
“Perhaps the most critical issue that the authors have not fully addressed is that almost all plastic production plants in the United States, which are involved in petrochemical and petroleum manufacturing, are located either in coastal counties along the Gulf of Mexico or on the Atlantic Ocean side (according to the Plastics Inventory Map [5]). This study indicates that cases of heart disease and similar health issues are higher in these areas. Many chemicals used in plastic production, such as BPA and phthalates, have been previously linked to these health problems [6]
What are the implications in the real world? Is there any over-speculation?
“This study highlights the need for further investigation into the health impacts of plastics on human well-being throughout their entire lifecycle. While this research primarily focuses on marine microplastics, it is essential to recognize that microplastics are also present in soil, air, and water. Additionally, it is important to understand that the risks associated with plastic do not stop at ingestion or inhalation, the entire lifecycle of plastic poses threats to public health. This includes hazards linked to petroleum extraction, the use of chemicals in production, and the leaching of these substances into our environment during manufacturing and disposal.
“It is important to note that this study cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between ocean microplastic levels (which were assessed only in water, not in sediment or fish) and the development of certain diseases due to its limitations in data and design. Further research is needed to determine whether microplastics and associated chemicals are present in higher concentrations near coastlines in soil, water, and air, as well as within the human body, to fully evaluate the potential health implications of living closer to the coast. Additionally, this study should be expanded to explore whether this trend is observed worldwide.
“Unfortunately, many individuals around the globe view plastic pollution solely as an environmental issue, overlooking its potential implications for human health. Studies like this one play a crucial role in raising awareness of these risks.
Extra commentary from Dr Ria Devereux on wider context
“The adverse effects of chemicals used in plastic production are particularly pronounced in the Gulf of Mexico, an area often referred to as “Cancer Alley.” This region experiences a higher-than-average incidence of cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases, which are concentrated in particular areas. The reason behind this is the concentration of petrochemical, petroleum and production plants involved in plastic production and an increase in the presence of chemicals used within the plastic production such as BPA and Phthalates [7,8].
“Although the Plastics Treaty acknowledges that human health is a critical factor in regulating plastic production and the associated chemicals, reports indicate that “chemicals of concern in plastic products” are at threat of being excluded from the current treaty text [9,10,11].
“In regards to America, we may find in the future that this types of disparity in human health and microplastics become worse due to Trumps “America first” narrative on top of increasing tariffs which will cause an increase in the plastics industry to align with the needs of the consumer and manufacturers. On top of this Trump has bought plastic straws back to America [12] and has started to dismantle key government institutions such as NOAA ( The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)[13] and the Environmental Protection Agency [14] which will push back Americas efforts to reduce plastic waste.”
‘Marine Microplastic Levels and the Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Diseases in US Coastline Counties’byMakwanaet al.will be published in Journal for the American Heart Association at 10:00UK time on Wednesday 18th June.
DOI:10.1161/JAHA.124.039891
Declared interests
Dr Ria Devereux None
Prof Oliver Jones “I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. I conduct research into environmental pollution and its effects on biological systems. I don’t have any conflicts of interest to declare.”
Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Croatia: Javed Patel
Mr Javed Patel has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia in succession to Mr Simon Thomas OBE. Mr Patel will take up his appointment during August 2025.
Mr Javed Patel
Curriculum vitae
Full name: Javed Patel
Date
Role
2024 to 2025
Full time Croatian language training
2024
Head of Gaza Consular Cell
2023
FCDO, Deputy Director, North East Asia Department and SRO for Republic of Korea State Visit
2020 to 2023
Dhaka, Deputy High Commissioner
2019
FCO, Deputy Director, National Security Directorate
2018 to 2019
Brussels, Head of Counter Terrorism and Extremism Network for Europe
2015 to 2018
FCO, Deputy Head Consular Assistance Department
2012 to 2014
Baghdad, Political Counsellor
2010 to 2012
FCO, Head of Iraq Policy Team
2010
FCO/DFID/MoD, Stabilisation Unit
2007 to 2010
FCO, Head of Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme, Counter Terrorism Department
2005 to 2007
Home Office, Office for Security and Counter Terrorism