The majority of the building’s exterior is now exposed for all to see as contractor McLaughlin & Harvey continue to remove the protective covering and scaffolding to unveil the distinctive terracotta coloured cladding.
Construction works are ongoing on the state of the art facility, which forms part of phase 2 of Wolverhampton Council’s masterplan to boost skills and employment.
Situated around the Old Hall Street and St George’s Parade area, incorporating a site on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street where the former Faces nightclub building once stood, the development is also utilising the existing Metro One building – it will open to City of Wolverhampton College students in the autumn.
Alongside improvements to the neighbouring Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities, the £61 million scheme – supported by Government funding – will establish new educational provision that will enhance skills and employment outcomes for residents across the city and wider region.
It will offer A Levels in a range of subjects and vocational qualifications in art, design and photography, business and management, catering and hospitality, computing and digital, creative media, games design and e-sports, hair and beauty, health and social care, music technology, performing arts, and science.
Prospective students can find out more about what will be on offer at the new campus at the college’s Open Day this Saturday (14 June), at its existing Wellington Road and Paget Road campuses, between 10am and 2pm. Book your place at Open Events | 14 June 2025 | City of Wolverhampton College.
Construction on phase 1 of the City Learning Quarter masterplan – a new £8.1 million Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre at the college’s Wellington Road campus – has been completed and opened to students in September 2024.
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “As we get the first look at the exterior finish of the new City Learning Quarter there is no doubt it is going to provide an inspirational setting for students and staff.
“It will also act as a focal point in the city centre, increasing footfall to support neighbouring businesses, especially with its excellent connectivity to rail, bus, tram and cycle routes.
“The City Learning Quarter has been a long held ambition of the council to drive education and skills in the city and it will unlock opportunities for the people of Wolverhampton and beyond.”
Warinder Juss MP, Wolverhampton West, said: “The development of the City Learning Quarter provides exciting opportunities to not only the students of the college, but also to help with the regeneration of the city centre.”
Paul Davies, Director of Finance at the college, said: “The unveiling of the new City Learning Quarter campus is a major milestone for the college and for education in Wolverhampton. It’s the result of years of planning and investment, and it’s exciting to see the vision becoming a reality.
“Relocating from our long standing Paget Road site to this purpose built, centrally located campus will allow us to deliver a modern, high quality learning experience that has greater accessibility through public transport links. The new facilities will not only benefit our staff, students and apprentices, but also play a key role in supporting skills development and economic growth across the wider region.”
The exciting City Learning Quarter proposals were initially supported by investment from the council with a further £49 million coming through UK Government funding, plus additional government grants and contributions from the college and council.
It will pave the way for City of Wolverhampton College to move from its 1960s Paget Road site, which has been identified as land to build much needed housing.
The college forecasts that over a 10 year period approximately 45,000 people will benefit from learning at the City Learning Quarter and around 7,500 apprenticeships will be started.
Its central location and close proximity to the new £150 million transport interchange will make it easily accessible. It will also boast environmental benefits in line with council’s climate emergency agenda.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Congratulations from Denis Manturov on Russia Day!
Dear compatriots!
I congratulate you on Russia Day – one of the most important national holidays in our country.
This day symbolizes national unity, strength of spirit and the aspiration of Russian citizens for a fair, peaceful and dignified future. It unites all who sincerely love their homeland, are proud of its centuries-old history, cultural heritage and achievements.
Today, in the context of serious challenges and changes, it is especially important to remember: the stable and prosperous future of our country depends on the joint efforts of all Russians, mutual respect and responsibility.
Patriotism, readiness to defend the Motherland and concern for its fate are important features of our national character, passed down through generations. These are the qualities that helped our ancestors accomplish great feats and continue to live in everyone who serves, works and acts for the good of Russia today.
I wish you and your loved ones happiness, health, peace and prosperity!
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.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Congratulations from Vitaly Savelyev on Russia Day!
The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated his compatriots on Russia Day.
“This holiday is filled with a sincere feeling of love for the Motherland, which unites all citizens of the country and gives them strength for new achievements. We are proud of our Fatherland, its heroic past and glorious present, and confidently make plans for the future. Under the leadership of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, a modern, strong and independent Russia, focused on the future, is being consistently built. A country that is traditionally distinguished by care for each person, respect for the rich historical heritage and common values that form a strong connection between generations and national unity. I wish everyone good health, inspiration, strength and success in serving the Fatherland,” the congratulations read, in particular.
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.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
People look at the debris of an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad of India’s Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
An Air India flight to London with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from an airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat, officials said.
The flight took off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, about 17 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.
According to Air India, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time and was carrying 242 passengers and crew members.
“Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals,” the airline said.
Air India has expressed condolences to the families of all those affected by this devastating event.
“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Air India, said in a statement.
Chandrasekaran said further updates will be shared as they receive more verified information.
People and rescuers are seen at a site of a plane crash in Ahmedabad of India’s Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
“An emergency center has been activated and support teams have been set up for families seeking information,” he further said.
Local media reports said the plane had reached approximately 825 feet when it suddenly descended. Police said the plane crashed on the building of a doctors’ hostel.
There were no reports of any survivors currently, and officials, so far, have not issued any statement on the number of casualties or injured in the crash.
“As per preliminary information, a London-bound Air India flight has crashed at the doctors’ hostel. Within 2-3 minutes, police and other agencies reached the spot. Almost 70-80 percent of the area has been cleared. All agencies are working here,” a police official told media.
Reports said the passenger aircraft went down in the Meghani area of the city.
According to officials, immediately after the crash, authorities rushed over two dozen ambulances to the spot to carry out rescue work.
Video footage from the site aired on television news channels shows thick columns of smoke rising from the ground.
Police have diverted traffic from the area, and a green corridor has also been established to ferry the injured quickly to the hospital.
The European Banking Authority (EBA) issued today a revised list of validation rules in its Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) on supervisory reporting, highlighting those which have been deactivated either for incorrectness or for triggering IT problems. Competent Authorities throughout the EU are informed that data submitted in accordance with these ITS should not be formally validated against the set of deactivated rules. The EBA also released today a small validation package including a micro taxonomy package and DPM VR deactivation updates scripts, which are needed from release 4.0, for each deactivation exercises, to deactivate rules in taxonomy and in DPM in a consistent manner.
European Council President António Costa invited leaders to the meeting of 26-27 June 2025 in Brussels, during which they will discuss how to build a more competitive, safer and more autonomous Europe for our citizens, and to ensure that the European Union can be an effective, predictable and reliable global actor.
European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, GlennMicallef, congratulated all the 2025 laureates:
Europe stands as a global cultural powerhouse. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure future generations can experience the richness and diversity of our heritage. The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards not only reflect how cultural heritage is deeply valued in Europe, but they also celebrate and honour this legacy and the ongoing efforts of cultural professionals and volunteers working across the continent to safeguard and promote it. By advancing inclusivity, fostering solidarity, promoting international cooperation, and encouraging intergenerational dialogue, they embody the very essence of our European values. Congratulations to the winners for their outstanding achievements and essential contributions.
Awards ceremony at the European Cultural Heritage Summit
The Grand Prix laureates and the Public Choice Award winner – each receiving €10 000 – will be announced during the ceremony taking place at the iconic Art Deco building Flagey in Brussels on 13 October, during the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2025.
About the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards
The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards have been running since 2002. They were set up by the European Commission, and are run by Europa Nostra. The action is co-funded under the Creative EuropeProgramme of the European Union.
For 23 years, the Awards have been a key tool to recognise and promote the multiple values of cultural and natural heritage for Europe’s society, economy and environment.
Three of this year’s winners come from countries that are not associated to Creative Europe, namely the Holy See, Moldova, and the United Kingdom. As they cannot benefit from the EU’s programme, they are honoured by Europa Nostra with a separate ‘Europa Nostra Award’ instead.
AI tools gather information about you from many types of devices, including smartphones.Prostock-Studio/Getty Images
Like it or not, artificial intelligence has become part of daily life. Many devices – including electric razors and toothbrushes – have become “AI-powered,” using machine learning algorithms to track how a person uses the device, how the device is working in real time, and provide feedback. From asking questions to an AI assistant like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to monitoring a daily fitness routine with a smartwatch, many people use an AI system or tool every day.
While AI tools and technologies can make life easier, they also raise important questions about data privacy. These systems often collect large amounts of data, sometimes without people even realizing their data is being collected. The information can then be used to identify personal habits and preferences, and even predict future behaviors by drawing inferences from the aggregated data.
As an assistant professor of cybersecurity at West Virginia University, I study how emerging technologies and various types of AI systems manage personal data and how we can build more secure, privacy-preserving systems for the future.
Generative AI software uses large amounts of training data to create new content such as text or images. Predictive AI uses data to forecast outcomes based on past behavior, such as how likely you are to hit your daily step goal, or what movies you may want to watch. Both types can be used to gather information about you.
How AI tools collect data
Generative AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini collect all the information users type into a chat box. Every question, response and prompt that users enter is recorded, stored and analyzed to improve the AI model.
OpenAI’s privacy policy informs users that “we may use content you provide us to improve our Services, for example to train the models that power ChatGPT.” Even though OpenAI allows you to opt out of content use for model training, it still collects and retains your personal data. Although some companies promise that they anonymize this data, meaning they store it without naming the person who provided it, there is always a risk of data being reidentified.
ChatGPT stores and analyzes everything you type into a prompt screen. Screenshot by Christopher Ramezan, CC BY-ND
Predictive AI
Beyond generative AI assistants, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok continuously gather data on their users to train predictive AI models. Every post, photo, video, like, share and comment, including the amount of time people spend looking at each of these, is collected as data points that are used to build digital data profiles for each person who uses the service.
The profiles can be used to refine the social media platform’s AI recommender systems. They can also be sold to data brokers, who sell a person’s data to other companies to, for instance, help develop targeted advertisements that align with that person’s interests.
Many social media companies also track users across websites and applications by putting cookies and embedded tracking pixels on their computers. Cookies are small files that store information about who you are and what you clicked on while browsing a website.
One of the most common uses of cookies is in digital shopping carts: When you place an item in your cart, leave the website and return later, the item will still be in your cart because the cookie stored that information. Tracking pixels are invisible images or snippets of code embedded in websites that notify companies of your activity when you visit their page. This helps them track your behavior across the internet.
This is why users often see or hear advertisements that are related to their browsing and shopping habits on many of the unrelated websites they browse, and even when they are using different devices, including computers, phones and smart speakers. One study found that some websites can store over 300 tracking cookies on your computer or mobile phone.
Here’s how websites you browse can track you using cookies or tracking pixels.
Data privacy controls – and limitations
Like generative AI platforms, social media platforms offer privacy settings and opt-outs, but these give people limited control over how their personal data is aggregated and monetized. As media theorist Douglas Rushkoff argued in 2011, if the service is free, you are the product.
Many tools that include AI don’t require a person to take any direct action for the tool to collect data about that person. Smart devices such as home speakers, fitness trackers and watches continually gather information through biometric sensors, voice recognition and location tracking. Smart home speakers continually listen for the command to activate or “wake up” the device. As the device is listening for this word, it picks up all the conversations happening around it, even though it does not seem to be active.
Some companies claim that voice data is only stored when the wake word – what you say to wake up the device – is detected. However, people have raised concerns about accidental recordings, especially because these devices are often connected to cloud services, which allow voice data to be stored, synced and shared across multiple devices such as your phone, smart speaker and tablet.
If the company allows, it’s also possible for this data to be accessed by third parties, such as advertisers, data analytics firms or a law enforcement agency with a warrant.
Privacy rollbacks
This potential for third-party access also applies to smartwatches and fitness trackers, which monitor health metrics and user activity patterns. Companies that produce wearable fitness devices are not considered “covered entities” and so are not bound by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. This means that they are legally allowed to sell health- and location-related data collected from their users.
Concerns about HIPAA data arose in 2018, when Strava, a fitness company released a global heat map of user’s exercise routes. In doing so, it accidentally revealed sensitive military locations across the globe through highlighting the exercise routes of military personnel.
Smart speakers can collect information even when they’re sleeping. recep-bg/Getty Images
Such partnerships can expand corporate and government reach into everyday consumer behavior. This one could be used to create detailed personal profiles on Americans by linking their consumer habits with other personal data. This raises concerns about increased surveillance and loss of anonymity. It could allow citizens to be tracked and analyzed across multiple aspects of their lives without their knowledge or consent.
Some smart device companies are also rolling back privacy protections instead of strengthening them. Amazon recently announced that starting on March 28, 2025, all voice recordings from Amazon Echo devices would be sent to Amazon’s cloud by default, and users will no longer have the option to turn this function off. This is different from previous settings, which allowed users to limit private data collection.
Changes like these raise concerns about how much control consumers have over their own data when using smart devices. Many privacy experts consider cloud storage of voice recordings a form of data collection, especially when used to improve algorithms or build user profiles, which has implications for data privacy laws designed to protect online privacy.
Implications for data privacy
All of this brings up serious privacy concerns for people and governments on how AI tools collect, store, use and transmit data. The biggest concern is transparency. People don’t know what data is being collected, how the data is being used, and who has access to that data.
Companies tend to use complicated privacy policies filled with technical jargon to make it difficult for people to understand the terms of a service that they agree to. People also tend not to read terms of service documents. One study found that people averaged 73 seconds reading a terms of service document that had an average read time of 29-32 minutes.
Data collected by AI tools may initially reside with a company that you trust, but can easily be sold and given to a company that you don’t trust.
AI tools, the companies in charge of them and the companies that have access to the data they collect can also be subject to cyberattacks and data breaches that can reveal sensitive personal information. These attacks can by carried out by cybercriminals who are in it for the money, or by so-called advanced persistent threats, which are typically nation/state- sponsored attackers who gain access to networks and systems and remain there undetected, collecting information and personal data to eventually cause disruption or harm.
While laws and regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act aim to safeguard user data, AI development and use have often outpaced the legislative process. The laws are still catching up on AI and data privacy. For now, you should assume any AI-powered device or platform is collecting data on your inputs, behaviors and patterns.
Using AI tools
Although AI tools collect people’s data, and the way this accumulation of data affects people’s data privacy is concerning, the tools can also be useful. AI-powered applications can streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks and provide valuable insights.
But it’s crucial to approach these tools with awareness and caution.
When using a generative AI platform that gives you answers to questions you type in a prompt, don’t include any personally identifiable information, including names, birth dates, Social Security numbers or home addresses. At the workplace, don’t include trade secrets or classified information. In general, don’t put anything into a prompt that you wouldn’t feel comfortable revealing to the public or seeing on a billboard. Remember, once you hit enter on the prompt, you’ve lost control of that information.
Remember that devices which are turned on are always listening – even if they’re asleep. If you use smart home or embedded devices, turn them off when you need to have a private conversation. A device that’s asleep looks inactive, but it is still powered on and listening for a wake word or signal. Unplugging a device or removing its batteries is a good way of making sure the device is truly off.
Finally, be aware of the terms of service and data collection policies of the devices and platforms that you are using. You might be surprised by what you’ve already agreed to.
This article is part of a series on data privacy that explores who collects your data, what and how they collect, who sells and buys your data, what they all do with it, and what you can do about it.
It is “the policy of the United States to promote AI literacy and proficiency among Americans,” reads an executive order President Donald Trump issued on April 23, 2025. The executive order, titled Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth, signals that advancing AI literacy is now an official national priority.
This raises a series of important questions: What exactly is AI literacy, who needs it, and how do you go about building it thoughtfully and responsibly?
The implications of AI literacy, or lack thereof, are far-reaching. They extend beyond national ambitions to remain “a global leader in this technological revolution” or even prepare an “AI-skilled workforce,” as the executive order states. Without basic literacy, citizens and consumers are not well equipped to understand the algorithmic platforms and decisions that affect so many domains of their lives: government services, privacy, lending, health care, news recommendations and more. And the lack of AI literacy risks ceding important aspects of society’s future to a handful of multinational companies.
How, then, can institutions help people understand and use – or resist – AI as individuals, workers, parents, innovators, job seekers, students, employers and citizens? We are a policy scientist and two educationalresearchers who study AI literacy, and we explore these issues in our research.
What AI literacy is and isn’t
At its foundation, AI literacy includes a mix of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are technical, social and ethical in nature. According to one prominent definition, AI literacy refers to “a set of competencies that enables individuals to critically evaluate AI technologies; communicate and collaborate effectively with AI; and use AI as a tool online, at home, and in the workplace.”
AI literacy is not simply programming or the mechanics of neural networks, and it is certainly not just prompt engineering – that is, the act of carefully writing prompts for chatbots. Vibe coding, or using AI to write software code, might be fun and important, but restricting the definition of literacy to the newest trend or the latest need of employers won’t cover the bases in the long term. And while a single master definition may not be needed, or even desirable, too much variation makes it tricky to decide on organizational, educational or policy strategies.
Who needs AI literacy? Everyone, including the employees and students using it, and the citizens grappling with its growing impacts. Every sector and sphere of society is now involved with AI, even if this isn’t always easy for people to see.
Exactly how much literacy everyone needs and how to get there is a much tougher question. Are a few quick HR training sessions enough, or do we need to embed AI across K-12 curricula and deliver university micro credentials and hands-on workshops? There is much that researchers don’t know, which leads to the need to measure AI literacy and the effectiveness of different training approaches.
Ethics is an important aspect of AI literacy.
Measuring AI literacy
While there is a growing and bipartisan consensus that AI literacy matters, there’s much less consensus on how to actually understand people’s AI literacy levels. Researchers have focused on different aspects, such as technical or ethical skills, or on different populations – for example, business managers and students – or even on subdomains like generative AI.
A recent review study identified more than a dozen questionnaires designed to measure AI literacy, the vast majority of which rely on self-reported responses to questions and statements such as “I feel confident about using AI.” There’s also a lack of testing to see whether these questionnaires work well for people from different cultural backgrounds.
Moreover, the rise of generative AI has exposed gaps and challenges: Is it possible to create a stable way to measure AI literacy when AI is itself so dynamic?
In our research collaboration, we’ve tried to help address some of these problems. In particular, we’ve focused on creating objective knowledge assessments, such as multiple-choice surveys tested with thorough statistical analyses to ensure that they accurately measure AI literacy. We’ve so far tested a multiple-choice survey in the U.S., U.K. and Germany and found that it works consistently and fairly across these three countries.
There’s a lot more work to do to create reliable and feasible testing approaches. But going forward, just asking people to self-report their AI literacy probably isn’t enough to understand where different groups of people are and what supports they need.
Approaches to building AI literacy
Governments, universities and industry are trying to advance AI literacy.
Finland launched the Elements of AI series in 2018 with the hope of educating its general public on AI. Estonia’s AI Leap initiative partners with Anthropic and OpenAI to provide access to AI tools for tens of thousands of students and thousands of teachers. And China is now requiring at least eight hours of AI education annually as early as elementary school, which goes a step beyond the new U.S. executive order. On the university level, Purdue University and the University of Pennsylvania have launched new master’s in AI programs, targeting future AI leaders.
Despite these efforts, these initiatives face an unclear and evolving understanding of AI literacy. They also face challenges to measuring effectiveness and minimal knowledge on what teaching approaches actually work. And there are long-standing issues with respect to equity − for example, reaching schools, communities, segments of the population and businesses that are stretched or under-resourced.
Next moves on AI literacy
Based on our research, experience as educators and collaboration with policymakers and technology companies, we think a few steps might be prudent.
Building AI literacy starts with recognizing it’s not just about tech: People also need to grasp the social and ethical sides of the technology. To see whether we’re getting there, we researchers and educators should use clear, reliable tests that track progress for different age groups and communities. Universities and companies can try out new teaching ideas first, then share what works through an independent hub. Educators, meanwhile, need proper training and resources, not just additional curricula, to bring AI into the classroom. And because opportunity isn’t spread evenly, partnerships that reach under-resourced schools and neighborhoods are essential so everyone can benefit.
Critically, achieving widespread AI literacy may be even harder than building digital and media literacy, so getting there will require serious investment – not cuts – to education and research.
There is widespread consensus that AI literacy is important, whether to boost AI trust and adoption or to empower citizens to challenge AI or shape its future. As with AI itself, we believe it’s important to approach AI literacy carefully, avoiding hype or an overly technical focus. The right approach can prepare students to become “active and responsible participants in the workforce of the future” and empower Americans to “thrive in an increasingly digital society,” as the AI literacy executive order calls for.
Funding from Google Research helped to support part of the authors’ research on AI literacy.
Funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research under the funding code 16DHBKI051 helped to support part of the authors’ research on AI literacy.
Arne Bewersdorff does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran: Quad statement on resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors, June 2025
France, Germany, the UK and United States (the Quad) welcome adoption of the resolution on Iran’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board meeting
Chair,
On behalf of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, we welcome the Board’s adoption of this important resolution on Iran’s implementation of safeguards. The Board’s collective action upholds the integrity of the IAEA safeguards system and the broader nuclear nonproliferation regime: states will be held to account if they do not live up to their obligations.
The action creates an opportunity Iran should seize. Iran still has a chance to finally fulfill its obligations, in full candor, and answer the IAEA’s crucial, longstanding questions on undeclared nuclear material and activities.
We sincerely hope that when the Board reports this matter to the United Nations Security Council, as required by the Statute, it can describe how Iran has changed its course and finally chosen the path of compliance. We look forward to further reporting from the Director General in the months ahead, and we commend him and his team for their continued, professional, and impartial efforts to verify Iran’s implementation of its safeguards agreement.
With the 18th sanctions package against Russia, announced on June 10th, the EU goes for the Russia’s energy and banking sectors.
Europe is putting Nord Stream 1 and 2 behind for good. We are also listing additional 77 vessels that are part of the Russian shadow fleet. Oil is one third of Russia’s government revenues. We need to cut this source. That’s why we propose to lower the oil price cap from 60 to 45 $ per barrel.
Banking – We are targeting the Russian banking sector by limiting its ability to raise funding and conduct transactions. We propose to transform the existing prohibition to use the SWIFT system into a full transaction ban. And we propose to apply such a transaction ban to another 22 Russian banks.
Our message is very clear: this war must end. We need a real ceasefire, and Russia has to come to the negotiating table with a serious proposal.
Portsmouth City Council’s carers service offers a one-stop shop for unpaid carers to get advice and support, meet others who are going through the same thing, and have a break from their caring role.
Most recently, this has included a new programme of creative sessions, where carers can paint, write, sculpt or collage to express their thoughts and feelings about being a carer, caring in Portsmouth, or their caring journey. Guided activities and support are available or attendees can just let their imagination go wild and do their own thing.
Now the artwork and poetry that has been produced has been put on display and is ready to be shared with the city. It is hoped that the artistic creations may help others who might not yet recognise themselves as carers to get the help they need, and for the professionals who work with carers to better understand their experiences and point of view, to help them deliver better services.
A carer is anyone who provides unpaid care or support to someone who would not manage without that help. Carers typically and most often care for family members at home, although not always. Caring might also involve regular support given to a neighbour or friend. There are 15,000 carers living in Portsmouth according to the Census data from 2021.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — China is willing to continue efforts to review and approve eligible applications for rare earth metal-related export licenses, Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong said Thursday.
According to him, based on relevant laws and regulations, China has already completed the examination and approval of a certain number of applications in the above-mentioned field, taking into full account the needs and concerns of various countries in the civil use of rare earth products.
“We have repeatedly emphasized that rare earth metals and related products have dual-use properties that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, so introducing controls on their export is a recognized international practice,” He Yadong said.
China is ready to step up work on reviewing applications in this area that comply with the country’s legal norms, and to intensify contacts and dialogue with interested countries on export control issues in order to simplify trade activities within the framework of regulatory requirements, a representative of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China assured. -0-
ir=”ltr”>Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the groundbreaking of a $29.9 million broadband infrastructure project in Sullivan County that will bring high-speed internet access to more than 22,000 homes and businesses across the region’s rural and mountainous terrain. The project, funded through New York State’s Municipal Infrastructure Program under the ConnectALL initiative, represents the largest single broadband investment in Sullivan County’s history and advances the Governor’s commitment to ensuring every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. The groundbreaking will mark the beginning of construction on 253 miles of fiber optic cable and an expansion on an existing tower that will work in conjunction with Sullivan County’s 11 existing towers to deliver broadband service to previously unserved and underserved locations.
“Today marks a historic turning point for Sullivan County — we’re finally bridging the gap that has held back too many communities for far too long,” Governor Hochul said. “This publicly-owned infrastructure isn’t just about faster internet — it’s about opening doors to better healthcare, education, and economic opportunities that access to high speed internet brings to the table. No New Yorker should be left behind simply because of where they live, and this project ensures that rural communities have the same access to opportunity as anywhere else in our state.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Municipal Infrastructure Program highlights New York State’s commitment to innovative, equitable broadband solutions. By prioritizing public ownership, we ensure broadband connectivity is universally accessible, affordable, and sustainable. This investment will make a tangible difference in the daily lives of Sullivan County residents — helping students succeed in school, supporting small businesses, and expanding access to telehealth and other vital services.”
Senator Chuck Schumer said, “Access to high-speed internet is not luxury, but a necessity, a utility as vital as electricity for everyday life. Today, Sullivan County takes a major step towards closing the digital divide. I was proud to deliver a whopping $30 million in federal funding to boost affordable, high-quality internet access for more than 22,000 homes throughout Sullivan County. These federal resources will help families stay connected to education, to healthcare, economic opportunity, and each other. When I led the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I made sure there was funding for long term investments like this that would create good paying jobs helping build the 21st century infrastructure needed to make high-speed internet reach every corner of New York State.”
Assemblymember Paula Kay said, “High-speed internet is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline. I’m proud to stand with Governor Hochul as we break ground on this record investment. By leveraging public-private partnership, we’re making sure families can learn, work, and thrive right here in Sullivan County.”
Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s visionary support of upstate New York and the historic funding provided by the State’s ConnectALL program, Sullivan County is about to experience an incredible transformation that simply could not have happened otherwise. Together with our partner Archtop Fiber, we will be bringing high-speed Internet access to every corner of Sullivan, providing an essential service where it is needed most.”
Sullivan County faces unique broadband deployment challenges due to its rural and mountainous terrains. Under the innovative public-private partnership model, Sullivan County will own the infrastructure while Archtop Fiber LLC will serve as internet service provider, ensuring competitive pricing and service options for residents and businesses. Construction on the fiber network will begin following the groundbreaking ceremony, with the first connections anticipated within 18 months. The project will be completed in phases, prioritizing areas with the greatest need while ensuring minimal disruption to local communities.
The Sullivan County broadband project is part of Governor Hochul’s broader ConnectALL initiative, which has committed over $1 billion to expanding broadband access across New York State as essential infrastructure for economic recovery and long-term prosperity. Funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund, the Municipal Infrastructure Program utilizes a public ownership model that serves the public interest while creating an open-access network for multiple internet service providers, promoting competition and keeping costs affordable for consumers. To date, ConnectALL has awarded over $240 million through the program, funding construction of nearly 2,400 miles of broadband infrastructure that will reach 98,000 locations across New York State. ConnectALL has expanded the program to nearly $300 million and is currently reviewing additional applications. Visit the ConnectALL Projects Dashboard for more information on Municipal Infrastructure Program projects.
Governor Hochul’s ConnectALL Initiative
Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration’s efforts to create a more equitable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing $1 billion to transform the state’s digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. For more information on the ConnectALL initiative visit broadband.ny.gov.
The South African government is determined to deal with crime despite media reports to the contrary.
This is the word from Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who briefed the media in Cape Town on Thursday.
“Cabinet has noted the continuous debate about crime in South Africa and allegations that there is a lack of a concrete government plan to deal with crime in South Africa. This is despite that on the 23rd of May 2025, the Minister of Police released the 2024/25 fourth quarter [statistics].
“During this crime statistics release, the Minister of Police outlined the Seventh Administration’s policing priorities,” she said.
Those priorities are: • Reducing the murder rate; • reducing illegal firearms and tightening controls over legal firearms. • Fighting gender-based violence and femicide (GBV+F) and • dismantling organised crime, including drug trafficking syndicates, cash-in-transit heists, extortion and kidnappings, tackling gang violence and combating corruption both within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and across the country.
“The…statistics showed progress of a general decline compared to the same period in the previous financial year. For example, of the 30 high crime police stations in terms of reporting, 13 have recorded lower counts [of crime reporting] and two recorded no change.
“On farm murders…whereas in principle, government does not categorise South Africans in terms of race, in light of recent misinformation, the following are the statistics; of the farm owners killed – both… were African. Of the farm workers killed, both…of them were Africans and of the five farm managers killed, one was African [thereby] dismantling the misinformation that there is a targeted attack on White commercial farmers or White farmers in general,” she explained.
Furthermore, Operation Shanela continues to score gains against illegal firearms with 128 of those seized recently.
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations is also continuing its work which resulted in 656 suspects appearing in court, including 364 linked to serious organised crimes, 220 from serious commercial crimes and 72 from serious corruption.
“On GBVF, a roundtable led by [the] Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF will be held…tomorrow at the Atteridgeville Community Hall in Pretoria and this will focus on the National Strategic Plan implementation and progress thereof. It will also evaluate and reinforce the effectiveness and efficiencies of services provided to GBVF victims,” she said.
Political killings
Cabinet also welcomed the guilty plea entered into by Sibusiso Ngcengwa in the murder of former ANC Youth League Secretary General and municipal councilor, Sindiso Magaqa.
Magaqa was killed in 2017 in an apparent hit in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Cabinet takes political killings seriously more so because the victims of those are people who are committed to the fight against corruption in municipalities or in government.
“We are hopeful that this breakthrough will shed further light on other players involved in the murder of Mr Sindiso Magaqa,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za
The Department of Agriculture is currently assessing the possibility of implementing regionalisation for chicken imports from Brazil to ensure local demand is met without compromising biosecurity.
This follows South Africa’s suspension of imports of live poultry, eggs, and fresh (including frozen) poultry meat from Brazil after an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Brazil reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 – clade 2.3.4.4b) in chickens, in a breeding establishment (parents), located in the municipality of Montenegro, state of Rio Grande do Sul, on 15 May 2025.
This necessitated South Africa to suspend trade of live poultry, eggs and fresh poultry meat, and revised its import permit process.
Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, noted that while South Africa’s poultry industry has sufficient domestic slaughter chickens, concerns remain over the impact the suspension import of Brazilian poultry on the country’s food supply chain, particularly the affordability and accessibility of processed meats and pet foods.
He said the department is in constant engagement with the Brazilian authorities to determine if the outbreak has not spread to other States and a confirmation that there are no additional affected farms in other regions.
“This is a necessary procedure of ensuring that we don’t introduce the virus to South Africans and infect the poultry industry. We need to balance food security realities with biosecurity imperatives,” Steenhuisen explained.
The Minister added that the department has established that the reason for the delay in Brazil responding to South Africa’s enquiries is due to the number of similar enquiries Brazil is receiving and responding to, since Brazil exports poultry products to many other countries. – SAnews.gov.za
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Chief Executive Officer, Themba Matlou, has pledged maximum support to the families affected by thedevastating floodsthat have wreaked havoc and claimed 57 lives in the OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape.
In a statement on Thursday, the agency said it has acted swiftly, through its Social Relief of Distress programme, to assist families whose homes were severely affected during the floods.
“To this end, SASSA is active at three established sites, where about 229 people are served with three nutritious meals a day, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to immediate food security. In addition, 229 vanity packs and five baby packs have been procured and distributed to meet essential personal and infant care needs,” SASSA said.
In anticipation of the transition phase, SASSA has developed a Disengagement Plan aimed at equipping beneficiaries with basic resources to support reintegration and restore stability. This package will include:
Two-ply blankets.
One mattress per individual.
Cash vouchers to address short-term financial needs.
School uniforms for affected learners, promoting educational continuity.
Recognising the profound impact of loss on families, SASSA will provide two vouchers in support of the grieving families with immediate needs.
Matlou said SASSA has a mandate, derived from the Social Assistance Act, to offer assistance to the affected families.
“Social Relief of Distress is temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such a dire material need that they are unable to meet their families’ most basic needs. We also wish to offer our utmost condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to those who are injured.
“We are working very closely with all the relevant stakeholders in the social cluster of the province to ensure that maximum support is given to the distressed families. We extend our gratitude to all stakeholders, partners, and community members, who continue to support this vital work,” Matlou said. – SAnews.gov.za
Cabinet has welcomed government’s recent engagement with leading members of the judiciary, including Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.
Last Friday’s engagement was led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and held at the President’s official residence in Pretoria.
“[The Constitutional Court] is an important instrument in the protection of our Constitutional democracy.
“It is in this spirit that Cabinet welcomed the engagement between government and the judiciary led by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and heads of courts – hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The engagement focused on discussing the implementation of outstanding administrative measures to give effect to the Constitutional provisions of ensuring the judiciary, like Parliament, operates as an independent arm of the state,” Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said at a media briefing on Thursday.
Currently, the budget of the Constitutional Court is administered by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development whereas Parliament administers its own budget.
“Both the Executive and the Judiciary reaffirmed the shared commitment to building a stronger, more effective justice system, firmly anchored in the values of our Constitution,” she said at the post Cabinet briefing held in Cape Town.
Repatriating heroes
Turning to the launch of the second phase of the South African government’s exile repatriation and reburial project, Ntshavheni highlighted the importance of bringing back the remains of loved ones who died in exile.
Government has already announced that 58 indigenous Khoi and San ancestral remains will be reburied in the Northern Cape.
“While tracing, exhuming and returning back home the remains of liberation fighters who died in exile remains a focus, the initiative to bring home and rebury the remains of the Khoi and San from outside the country is important in the accurate recording of the ancestry of this country.
“The process of the reburial of the 58 ancestral remains of the Khoi and San that originated from the Northern Cape is at an advanced stage and consultations with the affected communities are underway.
“This initiative builds on the success of the repatriation of 49 former freedom fighters in 2024 and it is a testament to government’s commitment to addressing historical injustices and fostering a sense of unity and healing within the nation,” she said.
A joint delegation is expected to embark on a technical mission to Southern African counterparts, Angola, Lesotho, Zambia and Zimbabwe to “conduct further research, cemetery record inspections and grave mapping.” – SAnews.gov.za
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has warned the public to remain cautious when dealing with service providers claiming they are licensed, especially as cannabis dispensaries continue to expand.
“SAHPRA has learned that individuals and companies are operating unethically by presenting falsified SAHPRA licences to gain public trust and conduct business.
“SAHPRA stresses that the use of fake licences is not only unlawful but also poses serious risks to public health and safety,” it said in a statement.
According to the local drug regulatory authority, cannabis dispensaries are rapidly increasing in shopping malls, openly displaying copies of SAHPRA licences that were issued to authorise cannabis cultivation and the export of cannabis flowers.
SAHPRA said these licences do not authorise cannabis dispensaries, which is a concerning issue.
SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, has strongly condemned these unethical practices.
“It is highly unethical and illegal for any individual or company to claim SAHPRA authorisation through forged documentation.
“We take this matter seriously, and we will work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that offenders are dealt with swiftly and decisively. The public must be protected from such deceptive behaviour,” she said.
The public is urged to verify the legitimacy of any SAHPRA-issued licence. They can do so by contacting SAHPRA directly through official channels or by checking the website, https://www.sahpra.org.za/, under “Databases and Registers”.
SAHPRA is in the process of sourcing a system that uses barcoding to authenticate these certificates. It will launch a public outreach campaign to raise awareness on how to verify the authenticity of licences.
“Your vigilance can help prevent harm and hold those responsible to account,” SAHPRA said, adding that it remains committed to safeguarding public health by regulating health products with integrity, transparency and accountability.
The public is encouraged to engage only with properly licensed and verified providers.
If you believe a provider is using a fraudulent SAHPRA licence, please report it immediately to SAHPRA at 0800 204 307 or visit the website at https://bit.ly/3nrku5t. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — China has appointed Sun Linjiang as the government’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Thursday.
He noted that Sun Linjiang, an experienced diplomat familiar with Eurasian affairs, will replace Li Hui in this post.
“We believe that Sun Linjiang will actively fulfill his duties and establish good working relations with all parties. He will make every effort to deepen the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Eurasian countries and promote the common development and prosperity of the region,” Lin said. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — China has delivered the first CKD6H series diesel-electric locomotives to a Kazakh customer, the Sichuanjingji ribao (Sichuan Economy Daily) newspaper reported.
The ceremony of handing over the diesel locomotives with a hybrid power plant took place on Wednesday at the Almaty station with the participation of representatives of the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy company and the Ziyang Carriage Building Company, which is their manufacturer.
The CKD6H series locomotives are designed for 1520 mm track gauge, which can meet the demand in Kazakhstan, Russia and other neighboring countries.
The CKD6H locomotives are adapted to the harsh climate of Central Asia. They are equipped with a hybrid power plant and an intelligent energy management system. In particular, the locomotive’s diesel engine complies with the EU Stage IIIA emission standard.
Compared to traditional diesel locomotives, the new locomotive reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 240 tons per year. As stated by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the commissioning of the CKD6H series locomotives marks a step towards a “green” future for rail transport in the country.
To date, Ziyang Carriage Building Company, which is based in Ziyang City, Sichuan Province /Southwest China/ and is part of China Locomotive Corporation /CRRC/, has delivered a total of more than 200 locomotives to Kazakhstan. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — The 110,000th China-Europe train passed through the Erenhot port on China’s border with Mongolia on Thursday morning, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The train departed from Qingdao City in East China’s Shandong Province on Tuesday and arrived in Ereenhot in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday, passing through Jinan, Beijing, Ulan Qab and other cities.
At the Erenhot checkpoint, the train had its orange-red HXN3B diesel locomotive replaced, which is specially designed for transportation on the section between the Erenhot checkpoint and Zamyn-Uud.
The train, loaded with 55 containers of household appliances worth nearly 20 million yuan (about $2.78 million), including LCD monitors and refrigerators, will arrive in Moscow in 15 days.
Ereenhot is the largest land border crossing between China and Mongolia. To date, a total of 18,000 China-Europe trains have passed through it.
Currently, regular railway service via Ereenhot connects more than 60 Chinese cities and 70 cities and stations in more than 10 countries around the world.
According to Zhang Jianwei, deputy head of the customs office at the port, China mainly supplies high-value-added products to the international market through Ereenhot, including automobiles and auto parts, equipment and electronics. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — A “4S store” for robots with “embodied artificial intelligence” will be set up in Beijing, helping to build a service system covering the entire life cycle of the robot, according to the Beijing Economic Development Zone administration.
The store, which will combine sales of such intelligent robots, their maintenance, spare parts sales and information services, will reportedly appear at the World Conference on Robotics 2025.
This store will allow visitors and buyers to get acquainted with the characteristics of the products, and will also effectively meet their demand for repair, maintenance and assembly of robots.
At present, more than 100 companies in the robot industry have clearly expressed their intention to place their products in the store, including 30 companies related to humanoid robots. In particular, 10 leading companies specializing in robots with “embodied artificial intelligence” have signed a letter of intent to cooperate with the store.
The World Conference on Robotics 2025 will be held from August 8 to 12 in the Beijing Economic Development Zone. In April of this year, the world’s first half marathon involving humanoid robots was held in the same zone. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — China State Railways Administration chief Fei Dongbin has been placed under investigation for serious violation of party discipline and the law.
Fei Dongbin is also the head of the party group of the leadership of the National Railway and a member of the party group of the leadership of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China.
He is being investigated by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission, the statement released Thursday said. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LONDON, June 12 (Xinhua) — London’s Gatwick Airport has confirmed that flight AI171, which crashed while taking off from Ahmedabad, India on Thursday, was scheduled to land at Gatwick at 18:25 local time.
“Additional information will be released later,” the airport said on social media X.
An Air India plane with more than 200 people on board crashed on Thursday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat, local media reported.
The plane was heading to Britain. Indian TV footage showed thick black smoke rising near the airport. –0–
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore issued the following statement after the EPA announced plans to scrap the Biden-era Clean Power Plan 2.0 earlier today:
“The Biden-Harris war on affordable, reliable American energy ends today. By reversing these job-killing regulations, President Trump and Administrator Zeldin make it clear: the Green New Scam is over and American energy dominance is back. These EPA regulations would have shuttered every coal-fired power plant in America, bankrupted many coal mines, laid off thousands of coal miners, and driven up the cost of electricity for every American.
“In a time when our nation’s adversaries are burning more coal than ever before, President Trump knows the only way to bring back jobs from overseas and fuel the Golden Age of America is by unleashing American energy, and today’s announcement once again confirms it’ll be coal-fired!”
Last updated 10 June 2025 Last updated 10 June 2025
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Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT’s) Te Mātāpuna Library & Learning Services share their approach to embedding academic support services that enable better outcomes for learners. Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT’s) Te Mātāpuna Library & Learning Services share their approach to embedding academic support services that enable better outcomes for learners.
Te Mātāpuna Library & Learning Services are getting their library workshops and resources in front of thousands of AUT students, which is making a positive impact on learner success. Kate Absolum, Senior Manager Learning and Academic Engagement at Auckland University of Technology’s Te Mātāpuna Library & Learning Services, covers three key initiatives in this Learner Success Community of Practice lightning session. First, Kate shares how AUT’s library services have embedded learning support into academic courses and how this has helped enable better learner outcomes. She then covers the asynchronous learning materials available through their library, and how they support students to use generative AI ethically and productively. Kate has over 20 years of experience teaching, writing and designing learning materials across diverse educational settings in New Zealand, Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong. Her areas of interest and expertise include curriculum development, assessment and materials design, academic integrity, generative AI and academic literacy education. To watch Kate’s 12-minute lightning session, visit the Learner Success Community of Practice. Learner Success Community of Practice sessions The Tertiary Education Commission hosts online and pre-recorded online Community of Practice sessions in partnership with the tertiary sector. The aim is to connect tertiary education organisations to share knowledge, collaborate, and promote individual, group and organisational development to improve the success of their learners. To find out about upcoming sessions, please contact 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject line [EDUMIS # Learner Success Community of Practice]. To view recordings of previous sessions, visit Learner Success Community of Practice.
Funding for micro-credentials and qualifications WDCs need to be aware that micro-credentials and qualifications must meet the Tertiary Education Commission’s (TEC’s) funding conditions to be eligible for funded delivery by tertiary education organisations (TEOs). Funding conditions include requirements relating to the eligibility of programmes and micro-credentials. For information on funding conditions, see funding conditions for the relevant year. Why this matters If TEC funding conditions are not met, the cost of delivery will need to be covered by employers or learners. We encourage WDCs to engage with the TEC early in the development process, if they intend for a micro-credential or qualification to be delivered by a TEO using public funding. Funding is only available where micro-credentials and qualifications meet the base and fund-specific funding conditions. The two main funds used by TEOs delivering WDC-developed micro-credentials and qualifications are:
Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ1-2) Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all industry training (DQ3-7).
What is excluded from funding? Two exclusions may mean a WDC-developed micro-credential, or qualification is ineligible for TEC funding:
Health and safety or regulatory compliance learning Post-entry health-related professional qualifications or micro-credentials.
Health and safety or regulatory compliance learning Under DQ1-2 and DQ3-7 funding, the TEC cannot fund a TEO for a programme or micro-credential where:
we consider on reasonable grounds that a majority of the programme relates to health and safety, or regulatory compliance learning, and that learning would displace the responsibility of employers to provide training necessary to mitigate their health and safety risks – or meet their regulatory compliance obligations.
Note: 51% or more is how we define ‘majority’ for the purposes of assessment. We focus on content that displaces an employer’s legal responsibility, eg, requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 that keep workers and those impacted by business operations safe and well. What is or isn’t considered within the 51% threshold? This content does not contribute to the 51% or more threshold:
health and safety and regulatory compliance content that is embedded in broader occupational or technical skill development content that supports transferable industry wide skills.
This content does contribute the 51% or more threshold:
stand-alone health and safety or regulatory compliance training that exists primarily to meet legal obligations general or theoretical compliance learning not linked to practical skill development site- or employer-specific training (eg, inductions, emergency procedures).
Health-related professional qualifications or micro-credentials TEC funding can only be used for post-entry health-related professional qualifications or micro-credentials if they meet specific conditions regarding their academic or research nature and clinical components. Programmes, micro-credentials, and/or their component courses are eligible for funding if they:
lead to the award of a post-entry health-related professional qualification or micro-credential, and are of an academic or research nature and have a clinical component of 30% or less.
Programmes, micro-credentials, and/or their component courses are not eligible for funding if they:
lead to the award of a post-entry health-related professional qualification or micro-credential, and have a clinical component of more than 30%, and either
require clinical education or training, or have an emphasis on specialist clinical professional skills.
Conditions for delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) There are some additional requirements to be aware of for delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the NZQCF, funded through DQ1-2:
A micro-credential must be at least 20 credits in size. Programmes and micro-credentials must include embedded literacy and numeracy (except for programmes in English language or te reo Māori).
Note: These requirements apply to provision funded through DQ1-2, which supports provider-based delivery. If a Level 1 or 2 programme or micro-credential is delivered in a work-based setting (ie, the learner is employed and training occurs in the workplace), it is instead funded through the DQ3-7 fund. WDCs should take care to align the intended delivery mode with the appropriate fund when developing qualifications and micro-credentials at Levels 1 and 2. As stated above, restrictions on health and safety and regulatory compliance apply under both DQ1-2 and DQ3-7 across work-based and provider-based modes of delivery. General guidance for WDCs
Engage early: Contact TEC if you intend for a qualification or micro-credential to be eligible for funding. Be aware of funding conditions: Be aware of the conditions that are imposed on the fund that a qualification or micro-credential would be funded under. Be mindful of thresholds: TEC uses a 51% rule to assess whether health and safety or regulatory compliance content is the dominant purpose of a credential, therefore making it ineligible for funding.
Funding for micro-credentials We want to invest in micro-credentials, delivered by highly capable TEOs, that meet the needs of industries and communities, and support government priorities. To be funded, micro-credentials need to meet a clearly established industry or community need, be tightly focused on a set of skills, and have stand-alone value. Not all quality-assured micro-credentials can be funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) as we have to prioritise how we distribute funding. Our investment in micro-credentials will complement rather than replace existing privately funded training. Alongside the micro-credentials we fund, we expect employers, industries, and learners will cover the full cost of others themselves. We are open to funding micro-credentials at any level of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF), but we want to ensure learners are supported to make good choices, including enrolling in full qualifications where appropriate. For more information on the micro-credential funding conditions, see the DQ1-2, DQ3-7 and DQ7-10 funding conditions for the relevant year. Eligible organisations All TEOs eligible for Delivery on the NZQCF funding, at any level (DQ1-2, DQ3-7 (non-degree) and DQ7-10), can apply for funding to deliver micro-credentials. If your organisation is not currently approved to receive any funding from us via an Investment Plan, you will first need to apply for funding as a new provider. For more information about this, see Application to receive TEC funding. Talk to us early If you are a TEO creating a new micro-credential, you may choose to get in touch with us early in the development process before submitting it to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). We may be able to advise you if it is something we could potentially fund before you invest resources into developing it. Any advice is provisional, based on the information known to us at the time, and does not replace the application and assessment process. To receive guidance from the TEC on funding eligibility for your micro-credential, please email micro-credential@tec.govt.nz. How to apply The current TEC criteria and guidelines for the approval of TEO-developed micro-credentials came into effect on 1 November 2022. All applications must meet the approval criteria and use the form below.
How to submit your application Please read the criteria and guidelines carefully and submit your completed application through DXP Ngā Kete. Let us know when you’ve submitted, by emailing micro-credential@tec.govt.nz. You can apply at any time. We expect to advise outcomes within six weeks. It may take longer in some circumstances or if we require additional information. WDC-developed micro-credentials Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) developing micro-credentials for which TEOs may seek TEC funding approval will need to be familiar with what we will and won’t fund. Funding requirements can be found in the DQ1-2, DQ3-7 and DQ7-10 funding conditions for the relevant year. You can also find more information at: WDC-developed micro-credentials and qualifications Please be aware that where a WDC-developed micro-credential does not meet our investment requirements, we will not fund its delivery. A TEO wanting to gain accreditation to deliver a micro-credential developed by a WDC must first apply to NZQA. If granted accreditation by NZQA, the TEO can then enter the micro-credential into DXP Ngā Kete. If you have any questions about this, please call us on 0800 601 301 or email customerservice@tec.govt.nz. Fee limits on micro-credentials For information on fee limits on micro-credentials, including exception criteria, see Fee cap for micro-credentials. Re-prioritising funding from existing allocation If we approve a micro-credential for funding, we expect that in most cases TEOs will re-prioritise funding from within their existing allocation. To do this, you need to make an in-year Plan Amendment via a Mix of Provision (MoP) change in DXP Ngā Kete. You can increase the number of learners you enrol in the micro-credential over time (and make any necessary changes to the MoP), but you need to ensure the micro-credential continues to meet the priorities set out in the Tertiary Education Strategy, Plan Guidance and Supplementary Plan Guidance in force at the time of the proposed increase.
If we approve your micro-credential for funding and you would like to seek additional funding for it, you can submit an additional funding request either at the time of your micro-credential application, or after it is approved. You will need to follow the standard process for additional funding. You can do that as part of the annual investment round or as an in-year additional funding request. We may consider investing additional funding to support micro-credentials if there is an exceptionally compelling case for strong employer or community demand and a clear contribution to government priorities. In considering further funding, we will look at your TEO’s performance in existing provision, including whether existing allocation can be reprioritised from lower-performing provision to the micro-credential.
Last updated 11 June 2025 Last updated 11 June 2025
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This page outlines our approach to 2025 in-year additional funding requests (AFRs). This page outlines our approach to 2025 in-year additional funding requests (AFRs).
The application period is 1 May to 30 September 2025. Template for 2025 In-Year Additional Funding (XLSX 155 KB) You can now apply for 2025 in-year additional funding at any time until 30 September 2025. Below are the final application submission dates for each month.
Application submission date
15/5/2025
12/6/2025
17/7/2025
18/8/2025
September (a)
19/9/2025
September (b)
30/9/2025
Submissions received after 30 September 2025 will not be accepted. The template outlines the process for submitting your application for in-year additional funding, along with the information required to appropriately assess your request. We expect to advise outcomes within four to six weeks of the submission date. It may take longer than this in some circumstances or if we require additional information.
Targeted funds As in 2024, we are taking a targeted approach to additional funding for the following funds:
Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all industry training (DQ3-7) Fund Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ7-10) Fund.
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) will contact tertiary education organisations (TEOs) that we consider meet the following criteria:
demand from learners in 2025 within targeted priority areas history of strong Education Performance Indicators (EPIs) strong focus on improving educational outcomes for all learners.
We will also consider other factors, such as:
availability of funding for 2025 and outyears External Evaluation and Review ratings the Fund’s intent 2025 April Single Data Return supported by the March interim forecasts, including whether returns were submitted on time 2024 and 2025 AFRs, data and TEO engagement advice received from Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) relevant supporting evidence from the TEOs and their stakeholders delivery over 105% financial viability, whether a repayment plan is or has recently been established, and if any debt is outstanding or owing to the TEC.
Funds not open for additional funding The following funds are subject to specific constraints, which mean we will not be targeting additional funding and TEOs cannot apply for additional funding:
Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Communities and ACE in Schools TEO-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ1-2) Fund Youth Guarantee (YG) All Levels.
Should money become available for these funds, through under-delivery or returned funding, we will notify you of our intended approach to additional funding. Funds open for additional funding The following funds are not subject to the targeted approach and TEOs can apply for additional funding:
Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund ACE in Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs) English Language Teaching Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund Refugee English Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund.
