Liberal Democrats want to see a ceasefire agreed immediately. That’s the only way to move towards a permanent peace which provides dignity for Palestinians and Israelis. But we can only get there by drawing power away from the extremes, and empowering moderates in both societies.
We were pleased, then, that the Government finally moved to sanction the far-right extremist Israeli Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich – who have long advocated for the forced dispossession of Palestinians. This was a full 15 months after Ed Davey called for this step to be taken – the first major party leader to do so.
And Lib Dems have consistently led the way in pressing the Government to do more, including:
As part of that effort, we must also never forget that the Hamas terrorists continue to hold up to 50 Israelis hostage in the tunnels under Gaza, following their barbaric attack on Israel on October 7th. The hostages have been held now for over 650 days, and have been subject to the cruelty and brutality of their captors.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Millions more appointments as more than 2,000 extra GPs recruited
Boost is part of Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS by shifting healthcare from hospitals into the community and ending the 8am scramble
More 2,000 extra GPs have now been hired across the country after government action to slash red tape
Independent survey shows progress on ending the 8am scramble, with patients finding it easier to contact GP practices
Plan for Change is shifting care out of hospital and into the community as government brings back the family doctor
Millions more GP appointments are now being delivered across the country and an extra 2,000 GPs have been hired nationwide since last October, as the government’s Plan for Change brings back the family doctor.
The average GP is responsible for 2,300 patients, and the new tranche could deliver over four million additional appointments per year.
It comes as encouraging new figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show the number of patients who found it difficult to contact their practice has fallen significantly from 18.7% in July/August 2024 to 10.6% in May/June this year.
A total of 96.3% of patients who tried to contact their practice in the past 28 days were successful, while the number of patients who had a poor experience of their GP practice fell from 15% to 10.9% in the same period.
In May 2025, an extra 12,000 GP appointments were delivered every working day compared to May 2024.
The recruitment boost – which has already delivered an extra 2,000 GPs – forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, which is rebuilding the NHS by shifting healthcare out of hospitals into the community and ending the 8am scramble.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
We said we’d deliver 1,000 more GPs this year – and we’ve busted that target, bringing 2,000 more GPs on board. With proper investment and reform we are turning the tide on our NHS, and patients are beginning to feel the benefit.
We still have a long road ahead, and this government is determined to keep our foot on the gas.
Our Plan for Change will deliver this progress, creating a Neighbourhood Health Service that puts GPs at its heart and makes sure the NHS is there for everyone, whenever they need it.
Last month the government set out its 10 Year Health Plan which outlines the reforms government is driving forwards to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future. The plan will train thousands more GPs and create a new Neighbourhood Health Service, so millions of patients can be treated and cared for closer to their homes by pioneering teams – some based entirely under one roof.
When the government came into office last year, unnecessary red tape was preventing practices from hiring newly qualified GPs, meaning more than 1,000 were due to graduate into unemployment.
At the same time, there were also 1,399 fewer fully qualified GPs than a decade prior, with years of underfunding and neglect eroding GP services.
The government took immediate action and invested an extra £82 million to allow networks of practices to hire GPs, with the funding continuing past this year.
This recruitment was made possible by the tough but fair decisions the Chancellor took at the budget to fix the foundations of the NHS, enabling the government to provide almost £26 billion to get the NHS back on its feet and make it fit for the future.
The Plan for Change is already transforming the NHS for patients and staff. Backed by the government’s major cash injection of over £102 million, more 1,000 GP surgeries will receive over £102 million to create additional space to see more patients and deliver 8.3 million more appointments each year.
An extra 4.6 million elective appointments have been delivered since July 2024 – over double the government’s target. The upgraded NHS App will also act as a digital front door to the health service, overhauling how people get advice, manage appointments and interact with services to make their healthcare more convenient and more personalised.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The ONS figures on general practice can be found here.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
Latest reforms and developments in Moldova: UK statement to the OSCE, July 2025
Ambassador Holland welcomes Moldova’s continued efforts to safeguard electoral integrity and counter foreign malign interference.
The United Kingdom reaffirms its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, and for its European trajectory. As Moldova prepares for its parliamentary elections on 28 September, we commend the Moldovan people’s commitment to democratic reform and resilience. Moldova continues to play a constructive role in promoting stability and security across the European continent.
Today, we are honoured to welcome President Maia Sandu to the United Kingdom for meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and His Majesty King Charles III. Her visit underscores the deepening partnership between our countries and our shared commitment to democratic values, security, and prosperity.
We remain deeply concerned by the Russian Federation’s ongoing hybrid aggression against Moldova, including information manipulation, cyberattacks, and malign political interference. These actions aim to destabilise Moldova’s democratic institutions and obstruct its sovereign choices – behaviour that is incompatible with OSCE principles.
We welcome Moldova’s efforts to safeguard electoral integrity and counter foreign malign interference, and we encourage continued cooperation with OSCE institutions.
The UK continues to support Moldova’s institutional reforms, including strengthening the judiciary and anti-corruption efforts, to help build a resilient, democratic society anchored in European values. Moldova’s future must be decided by its citizens, free from coercion or intimidation.
The Economic and Social Council concludes its high-level segment under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind”.
In the morning, Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, will hear the introduction of the Secretary-General’s reports on the theme of the High-level Political Forum — which took place 21 to 23 July, and the Council (document E/2025/69) and on long-term impact of current trends on the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (document E/2025/68 and Corr. 1 and 2.)
José Antonio Ocampo, Chair of the Committee for Development Policy, will introduce the report of the Committee at its twenty-seventh session (document E/2025/33.)
Afterwards, participants will hold a high-level policy dialogue, including on future trends and scenarios related to the Council theme and the long-term impact of current trends. Krzysztof Szczerski, Council Vice-President, will chair the discussion. Sherwin Bryce-Pease, Bureau Chief and Correspondent of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, will moderate. Panellists will include Guy Ryder, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Policy; Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO); Kitty van der Heijden, Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); and Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, and Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Planning Council of Qatar, will be the respondents.
In the afternoon, a policy dialogue will focus on “Global trends and their future impacts: globalization and international cooperation in a transforming world”, followed by the adoption of the segment’s Ministerial Declaration.
Congressman Keith Self (TX-03) and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating July 20, 2025, as “National Moon Landing Day,” commemorating the anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission—the first crewed lunar landing in history.
“Fifty-six years ago, America did what the world thought was impossible and sent mankind to the Moon, proving that America doesn’t follow—we lead,” Congressman Self said. “Our dedication to space exploration reflects who we are as Americans—pioneers, problem-solvers, and patriots. As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I am proud to introduce this resolution with Congresswoman Salinas, honoring the bravery of our astronauts, the ingenuity of our engineers, and the enduring spirit of American exploration.”
“In celebration of one of our country’s greatest scientific achievements, we honor the scientists, engineers, and astronauts who made it possible,” Congresswoman Salinas said. “As a proud member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I introduced the resolution to establish National Moon Landing Day because this anniversary deserves recognition. National Moon Landing Day isn’t just about looking back—it’s about inspiring the next generation to dream big, explore boldly, and ensure the United States continues to lead the world in science and innovation.”
The resolution encourages Americans to celebrate the legacy of NASA’s human spaceflight programs. By honoring the astronauts of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, as well as the thousands of workers and craftspeople, we recognize the innovation and dedication that made human space exploration possible.
This legislation encourages the public to remember those fallen astronauts who gave their lives in pursuit of discovery. It encourages Americans to educate each other about the economic, societal, and health benefits of space exploration. Furthermore, the resolution will inspire the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while also recognizing America’s continued leadership in space through the Artemis missions and the Moon to Mars Program.
Galaxy Z Fold7 features the Z Fold series’ most advanced camera, delivering an Ultra experience that transforms the way you capture, edit and share content.
For the first time in the series, the device offers a 200MP ultra-high-resolution main camera and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor.
Also equipped with a ProVisual Engine boasting more than 160 AI-powered imaging technologies, Galaxy Z Fold7 seamlessly merges flagship camera performance and intelligent processing in a versatile foldable design.
From filming vivid night videos to capturing more of the world with its ultra-wide lens, here’s how the thinnest and lightest Z Fold yet is built to keep up with your creative vision.
200MP Sensor: Next-Level Clarity in Every Frame
▲ The upgraded camera system takes your photography to the next level.
At the heart of Galaxy Z Fold7’s camera system lies its 200MP wide-angle camera, the same found in Galaxy S25 Ultra and the highest-ever resolution sensor in the Z Fold series. With it, you can now capture every nuance of a scene, from the rich textures and colors of clothes in your holiday photos to the delicate contours of the vast landscape behind you. Here are some of the key benefits of Galaxy Z Fold7’s wide-angle camera:
Captures shots that are 44% brighter and 4 times more detailed than those taken with Galaxy Z Fold6, ensuring every image is vivid, textured and ready to share.
Maintains image quality at 2x optical-grade zoom, delivering sharp, clear results even when digitally zooming in — so you can reframe or crop images without sacrificing detail.
A shutter speed that is up to 7 times faster, enabling you to take crisp, detailed photos of important moments.
▲ The 200MP sensor ensures you can capture every detail.
Looking to highlight the intricate details of your latest artwork or piece of jewelry? The enhanced 12MP ultra-wide lens on Galaxy Z Fold7 now supports auto focus, enabling macro photography, so you can take close-ups with exceptional sharpness and depth.
To maintain precise focus at close range, the device leverages Dual Camera Depth Calibration — a system that intelligently gauges subject distance and seamlessly switches between the wide and ultra-wide cameras when needed. This allows you to achieve consistent sharpness without manually changing cameras. The addition of autofocus to the ultra-wide camera further enhances accuracy, making it easier than ever to shoot detailed close-ups with clarity.
Fit the Whole Crew in Wide-Angle Selfies
▲ The 100-degree front camera on the main display allows you to take large group selfies with ease.
Getting everyone in the frame no longer means stretching your arm to the limit or asking the group to back up. The enhanced 100-degree front camera on the main display captures more of the scene so you can easily fit everyone in the shot. Features and upgrades include:
Front camera photos that are 25% wider and 5 times clearer compared to those taken with Galaxy Z Fold6.
The camera uses Wide Distortion Correction, which automatically adjusts proportions and reduces distortion when faces are near the edges of frames, allowing everyone to look more natural in wide shots.
More natural skin texture on photo subjects, thanks to AI-driven adjustments optimized for the selfie experience.
Enhanced HDR processing for portraits that prioritizes the subject for more true-to-life rendering.
AI-powered filters trained on over 5,000 real analog film images, letting you fine-tune your photos based on contrast, saturation and color temperature to achieve a look that blends natural aesthetics with artistic expression.
Light Up Night Shoots With the ProVisual Engine
▲ Grainy and blurred night videos are a thing of the past with Galaxy Z Fold7.
Galaxy Z Fold7 shines brightest after dark, thanks to its AI-powered ProVisual Engine that processes images faster1 and optimizes every scene.
The energy of an evening concert or a night out with friends can be recorded in stunning clarity. By analyzing movement and light in real time, Galaxy Z Fold7 reduces noise effectively and delivers crystal-clear results — even in challenging low-light conditions:
Enhanced Nightography leverages an advanced Spatio-Temporal Filter that analyzes pixel data both within each frame and between frames. When analyzing across multiple frames, it separates the subject from the background to reduce background noise. Footage quality is further refined as noise is removed based on continuous pixel patterns within individual frames. The result is sharper, clearer night footage with natural light and fine detail.
Videos get a further boost from the introduction of advanced 10-bit HDR video recording:
Overall color expression is enhanced with 4 times richer contrast and a wider dynamic range compared to standard 8-bit recordings.
Galaxy Z Fold7 supports Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG2), ensuring broad compatibility with regular displays and TVs.
LOG video recording is supported as well — particularly useful for creators who want more flexibility during post-production. Videos can be edited with greater ease, thanks to:
The 10-bit High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC3) codec for advanced compression and editing freedom.
The ability to fine-tune color grading using Samsung Look-Up Table (LUT4), right from the device.
A Portable Editing Studio Right in Your Hands
▲ Remove unwanted objects in an instant with Generative Edit.
With Galaxy Z Fold7, there’s no need to get back to your desk before editing content. The device itself is your own portable creative studio, with its large display allowing you to edit like a pro — anytime, anywhere with precision like never before:
Generative Edit, enhanced with a refined AI model and more advanced prompt processing, now delivers an 18-fold reduction in the mis-generation rate and a 4-fold cut in texture distortion compared to Galaxy Z Fold6. The upgrade allows you to effortlessly remove unwanted objects — along with related elements such as shadows or reflections — adjust angles, and naturally fill in backgrounds, resulting in polished, professional-quality photos.
Through Galaxy AI’s scene-understanding capabilities, Suggest Erases proactively suggests edits like removing passersby or other distractions in photos for flawless, clean shots.
Side-by-Side Editing lets you compare original and edited versions of your photos in real time for quick editing on the go.
Improved with advanced AI prompt engineering, Portrait Studio helps pet lovers and portrait enthusiasts alike refine images to capture vibrant expressions and striking profiles.
Unfold Your Creativity
Galaxy Z Fold7’s next-generation camera and editing tools make creating high-quality content simpler, faster and more intuitive than ever before. More than just a foldable, Galaxy Z Fold7 takes your craft to new heights as your personal creative assistant.
1 Galaxy Z Fold7 processes images 27% faster than Galaxy Z Fold6.
2 Hybrid Log-Gamma is an HDR standard that provides backwards compatibility with non-HDR monitors such as SDR, while also achieving a wider color range for HDR monitors.
3 High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is a video compression standard designed to offer improved video quality and a higher average bitrate reduction than its predecessor, Advanced Video Coding (AVC).
4 Samsung Look-Up Table (LUT) is a pre-defined set of color adjustment values that can be applied to footage during post-production to achieve the desired visual style and color representation.
On a review of the current and evolving liquidity conditions, it has been decided to conduct a Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction on Friday, July 25, 2025, as under:
Sl. No.
Notified Amount (₹ crore)
Tenor (days)
Window Timing
Date of Reversal
1
1,25,000
7
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
August 01, 2025 (Friday)
2. Further, it has been decided not to conduct the 14-day main operation on Friday, July 25, 2025, for the ensuing fortnight.
Enlit Africa (http://apo-opa.co/46V5oxu), brought to you by VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com), is thrilled to announce the release of the Enlit Africa 2025 Post Event Report, a comprehensive summary of the transformative three-day event held in Cape Town. With over 7,000 attendees from 68 countries, this year’s gathering solidified its position as a pivotal platform for driving Africa’s energy and water transition forward.
The report captures the essence of an event that went beyond dialogue, showcasing real action, bold thinking, and meaningful connections under the theme “Challenge the Status Quo.” It offers a detailed look at the conversations, innovations, and outcomes that are shaping the future of Africa’s power, energy, and water sectors.
Key Themes: The report offers key insight into critical discussions on small modular reactor (SMR) regulation, battery storage, tariff reform, and municipal turnaround strategies, and highlights how these issues are reshaping the continent’s energy agenda and driving tangible progress.
Event Highlights:
From inspiring keynotes by leaders like South Africa’s Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to the Renewable Energy & Storage Hub addressing grid and finance gaps, the report showcases moments that defined the event.
The Project & Investment Network facilitated connections between projects and funding, while Women in Energy celebrated inclusive leadership. Water Security Africa reframed water as critical infrastructure.
Site Visit Snapshots:
Beyond the conference, delegates visited live sites showcasing generation, distribution, water, and hybrid energy systems. The report includes reflections on smart infrastructure, storage systems, and sustainable designs in action.
Top Strategic Recommendations:
Actionable guidance across technology, policy, investment, and human capital, backed by evidence and ready for implementation.
Impact by the Numbers:
Data-driven insights into the event’s reach and influence, offering proof of the growing momentum behind Africa’s energy and water transition. From ROI validation to partnership scouting, the metrics provide essential context for decision-makers.
A Call to Action
The conversations at Enlit Africa 2025 sparked a movement, but the work doesn’t stop here. The Post Event Report is a tool to reconnect with key moments, reflect on critical insights, and stay ahead in shaping Africa’s sustainable future.
Download your copy (http://apo-opa.co/46V5oxu) of the Enlit Africa 2025 Post Event Report today to explore the metrics, strategies, and stories behind the movement. Join us in carrying this momentum forward as we continue to transform Africa’s power, energy, and water sectors together.
Save the date for Enlit Africa 2026: 19 – 21 May 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa. Pre-register here (http://apo-opa.co/4o0ihwx).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
Contact details: For sponsorship or exhibition opportunities, contact Marcel du Toit: marcel.dutoit@wearevuka.com
About Enlit Africa: Enlit Africa brings the top manufacturers, associations, institutions, and government leaders together to shape a sustainable, prosperous energy and water future for Africa. A leading power, energy and water conference and exhibition, Enlit Africa is designed to provide a unique platform to connect decision-makers and determine Africa’s future direction of travel.
Enlit Africa takes place annually at the CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa. The event is CPD accredited by the SAIEE and SAICE, thereby contributing to the professional development of industry experts.
About The VUKA Group: VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com) brings people and organisations together to connect with information and each other in meaningful conversations to reach the next level of growth in their industry ecosystem. With 20 years of experience in Africa, the group serves the Energy, Mining, Smart Mobility, Transport and Retail sectors, through a range of industry touchpoints across digital, print and in-person platforms. With a commitment to data at its core, the group is well-positioned to support industry stakeholders today and into the future. Operating from Cape Town, South Africa the group is actively involved in projects across continental Africa and boasts a diverse African team who take great pride in the work they do for the sectors and markets they serve.
Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has historically affected not just South Africa but also countries around the world.
“We are here because we believe that TB – a disease that has shaped the history and health of our country and indeed, the whole world – can be ended. Not through words alone, but through action, partnership, and innovation,“ he said on Thursday.
The Minister was delivering a keynote address at the country’s TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop held in Johannesburg. The workshop is aimed at advancing policy and decision-making for the introduction of TB vaccines.
Addressing policymakers, scientists and community leaders, Motsoaledi stated that the upcoming phase will introduce preventative TB vaccination measures, which will also enhance the ongoing fight against HIV and Aids.
For over a century, South Africa has relied on the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine to protect its children from TB, but the Minister pointed out that there has been no tool that can protect adolescents and adults.
“These are the very groups most at risk of getting sick and transmitting TB.”
With several new TB vaccine candidates in the late stages of clinical trials, the most promising options are expected to be available in the next few years.
This workshop positioned the country as one of the first that is ready to deliver a new generation of TB vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, including adolescents and adults.
The Minister expressed confidence that the upcoming clinical trials would yield positive results, potentially leading to a new vaccine for older age groups within the next few years.
TB is a leading cause of death from an infectious disease and a major contributor to ill-health in South Africa and globally.
“Imagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis,” he said, likening it to “the day of true freedom from slavery” for those suffering from the disease.
Motsoaledi described the disease as a form of “devastating slavery” that exacerbates poverty and leads to premature death.
“South Africa is not waiting for the world to act. We are preparing – intentionally, early and inclusively.”
The Minister has used the first national gathering dedicated to the TB vaccine readiness platform to reiterate South Africa’s commitment to lead by example in the global fight against TB and HIV.
“When South Africa wins against TB and HIV and Aids the world will win the war,” he said.
He told the attendees that through his tenure as Health Minister, he consistently sought to elevate the profile of TB on a global scale.
Motsoaledi recalled his 2018 address at the United Nations, where he rallied for world leaders to commit to addressing the TB crisis.
“While global attention has often turned to emerging health threats, South Africa has remained focused on the enduring challenge of TB,” he said.
He also acknowledged the disease’s severe impact on communities already struggling with HIV.
“Today’s discussions remind us that vaccine introduction is not just about science – it is about health systems. It is about trust. It is about readiness.”
He also used the platform to emphasise the importance of preparing the health sector for the rollout of the TB vaccine.
The agenda for the workshop highlighted key thematic areas crucial for readiness, including generating evidence for policy and investment, strengthening delivery systems for TB vaccines, and ensuring manufacturing and supply chain readiness.
“Investment in human life means everything,” he said, stressing the need for robust financial backing to ensure effective vaccine deployment.
The Minister took the time to urge stakeholders to foster community trust and strong advocacy to ensure widespread acceptance of the TB vaccine upon its introduction.
“We must walk the path with our people,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded BMW South Africa’s launch of the locally produced BMW X3 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) as a significant leap toward a low-carbon future and a boost for South Africa’s industrial and economic growth.
Speaking at BMW’s Rosslyn plant in Tshwane on Thursday, the President praised the milestone as a symbol of trust in the country, as well as a demonstration of BMW Group’s long-standing commitment to the South African market.
The President highlighted that this world-class facility was the first BMW plant to be built outside of Germany and has been at the centre of the group’s operations since 1973.
“A number of world-class vehicles are manufactured right here at this plant, including both ICE and hybrid models from the BMW X family. And now, we have reached another milestone with the production of the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
“The shift to green mobility and electrification in vehicle production is in line with commitments by countries to reduce emissions and support the transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient global economy. We are greatly encouraged by this milestone reached by the BMW Group,” the President said.
WATCH |
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President Ramaphosa said the Rosslyn plant remains a pillar of South Africa’s automotive sector, which contributes approximately 4.9% to the country’s GDP, sustains over 115 000 direct manufacturing jobs, and supports more than half a million jobs across its value chain.
BMW’s investment in local manufacturing comes at a time when South Africa is working to position itself as a globally competitive hub for future mobility.
“As the transition to battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen mobility gathers momentum, South Africa is perfectly positioned as a key global manufacturing base for the mobility of the future,” President Ramaphosa said.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to enabling this shift, highlighting the recently released Electric Vehicle White Paper and an incentive programme under the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP).
These are aimed at creating a stable and predictable policy environment to attract investment, grow exports, and expand the local electric vehicle (EV) market.
“The production of the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid locally is a testament to the trust placed in our skills, our workers, our partnerships and our potential. Let us honour this achievement by staying the course, driving transformation, creating jobs and leading Africa’s industrial future,” he said.
President Ramaphosa also touched on the strategic opportunity presented by South Africa’s mineral wealth.
“The global shift to clean vehicles presents opportunities for the local component manufacturing sector, whose focus has been on ICE components. With our significant reserves of critical minerals, we must become a hub for processing and beneficiation.
“We are finalising targeted incentives for battery cell localisation, EV component manufacture, clean mobility research and design, and critical mineral beneficiation,” he said.
The President also acknowledged the changing global trade landscape – particularly the recent announcements on tariffs by the United States.
“The recent announcements on tariffs by the United States, an important market for our vehicle exports, further underscores the need to diversity our export base and accelerate domestic value creation,” he said.
Youth development
The President commended BMW’s commitment to youth development, including its training academy that produces 300 apprentices annually, its long-term support for the Youth Employment Service (YES), and its initiatives to develop young women leaders and black industrialists.
He also praised BMW’s investment in digital skills through its partnership with UNICEF and its Tshwane-based IT Hub, which employs more than 2 000 digital professionals.
“As a founding partner of the Youth Employment Service, BMW has supported over 3 500 youth, with placements across all provinces and in diverse sectors such as retail, IT, education and health.
“BMW’s roots may be in Bavaria, but its beating heart is South African. We are proud of your presence. We are greatly encouraged by your ongoing investment as we strive to build the low-carbon economies of the future,” the President said.
Looking ahead
Calling on BMW to continue its role as a flagship partner in the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC), the President urged the company to deepen localisation, expand youth training, lead in EV battery development, and support township-based supplier development.
“As the Government of National Unity, we welcome the role you continue to play in supporting our drive for inclusive growth and job creation.
“BMW’s presence in the country is one of mutual interest and shared value. To the entire BMW team, you are building more than cars.
“You are building a legacy of excellence, inclusion and hope among South Africans. We look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting the next chapter of your journey,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
Are you a woman who exercises regularly? If so, here’s a vital question: do you train your pelvic floor muscles as part of your routine?
If the answer is no, now’s the time to start. It’s never too late to protect yourself from pelvic floor dysfunction – and the benefits go far beyond avoiding leaks.
The pelvic floor is a complex hammock of muscles and ligaments stretching from the front of your pelvis to your tailbone. It weaves around the urethra, vagina and anus, supporting the pelvic organs and helping them stay in the right place.
These muscles are essential for bladder and bowel control, sexual function and core stability. In fact, your pelvic floor works alongside the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and back muscles in what’s known as the “core canister” or “core rectangle.” Together, they help stabilise the spine, protect internal organs, and support movement, especially in high-impact or strength-based activities.
Movements such as jumping, running, landing and breath-holding during exertion all increase intra-abdominal pressure, which pushes down on the pelvic floor. Without proper conditioning, these muscles can become strained or fatigued, especially if they’re weaker than the surrounding core muscles.
Endurance sports can also take their toll, causing the pelvic floor to repeatedly contract under pressure. Like any muscle, the pelvic floor is susceptible to overuse injuries and needs time to recover.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can show up in several ways, including leaking urine or faeces during exercise, coughing or sneezing; disrupted bowel habits; a heavy or dragging feeling in the lower abdomen or vagina; pain during sex; a bulging sensation or visible tissue in the vaginal area; and pelvic organ prolapse.
These symptoms may appear during exercise – or at rest – and often worsen over time without the right support or training.
Exercise can help with pelvic floor dysfunction – only if the pelvic floor is actively and effectively engaged. Many workouts target the abs or general core, but if the pelvic floor isn’t included with the same intensity, muscular imbalances can develop. Combined with gravity and high-impact movement, this puts the pelvic floor at greater risk of dysfunction.
The good news? The pelvic floor responds well to training. With regular, focused practice, these muscles become stronger, more coordinated and more resilient – helping to prevent dysfunction and even aiding recovery after childbirth.
How to train your pelvic floor
Not sure where to start? Here’s a simple exercise:
Imagine you’re holding in wind – gently contract your anus.
Next, squeeze your urethra as if stopping a flow of urine.
Now, lift upwards through the vagina.
Hold the contraction for a few seconds (or as long as you comfortably can), then release.
That’s one pelvic floor contraction: well done!
Try doing a few reps at a time, and gradually build up. You can incorporate these into your run, add them to your core workout, or practise them during rest days or cool-downs. The goal is to make pelvic floor training a regular part of your routine.
Your pelvic floor deserves just as much attention as your abs, glutes or quads. If you’re a woman who exercises, training these deep core muscles can boost your performance, reduce your risk of injury and support your overall health now and in the future.
So next time you lace up your trainers or hit the gym, don’t forget your pelvic floor. Your body will thank you.
Holly Ingram does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Council Advice Services in Dundee have successfully helped secure over £17 million in financial gains for people across the city.
Compared to the previous year, there has been a 37% increase in the total amount of money put back into people’s pocket. This is largely a result of increased collaborative partnership working and more proactive community engagement.
Significant financial gains and benefit claims were made in several key areas over the past year, including:
Maximising benefit uptake with Macmillan Cancer Support – over £2 million
Working with Midwives and Health Visitors to identify and support people eligible for financial support – over £500,000
Pension Credit Take-Up campaign – over £2 million
Partnership work with GP surgeries – over £3 million
In addition, the Council’s money advisers have been working with people who are struggling with debt, offering advice and assistance to help them regain financial stability.
As part of the proactive community engagement efforts, Council Advice Services has been holding clinics directly in local communities. These clinics are available in several locations including Lochee Hub, Broughty Ferry Library, and St Mary’s Community Centre. You can find a full list on our website.
Welfare Rights, along with Brooksbank Centre are co-located in several GP surgeries and to make an appointment, you can call a GP surgery directly to book an appointment. You can find the full list of surgeries on our website.
Convener of City Governance Mark Flynn said: “Getting £17 million into the pockets of people across the city is quite incredible, I know how important it will be to each family or individual to get more money, especially during the cost-of-living crisis.
“The team at the council have been working with partners to extend their proactive outreach work and target people who may be entitled to benefits that they don’t know they are. The outcome of this work is proving hugely successful in improving the financial wellbeing across our communities.
“I want to thank the team for all their hard work and would encourage anyone struggling or know of people who may need more help to get in touch with the council so we can see what support they may be entitled to and see how we can support them.”
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Neeraja Chinchalkar, PhD student, Earth and Planetary Science and Exploration, Western University
A satellite image of the Clearwater Lakes, the site of two large asteroid impacts that struck Earth about 290 million years ago(NASA Earth Observatory)
While most asteroid impacts on Earth happened millions of years ago, their remnants are still preserved across the Earth’s surface. Impact-affected rocks experience intense heat and pressure during the impact.
Zircon is a mineral commonly found in a variety of rock types on Earth and in some rocks on the moon and other planets. It is an incredibly durable, naturally occurring mineral that has been around since as long as the Earth itself. The physical resilience of zircon makes it a useful tool to study natural geological phenomena.
Zircon, when heated enough, begins to break down into its components: zirconia (ZrO₂) and silica (SiO₂). Zirconia has different forms depending on how hot it gets, called polymorphs — these are minerals with the same chemical make up but different crystal structures that adapt to changing physical conditions. One of the polymorphs of zirconia is cubic zirconia, named for its cubic structure.
Finding cubic zirconia in nature is incredibly rare because of the specific conditions it requires to remain structurally stable. Cubic zirconia forms only under extreme conditions where temperatures reach above 2,370 C. On the Earth’s surface, such naturally hot temperatures have only been known to exist during impact crater formation.
At West Clearwater Lake, we found evidence of this natural cubic zirconia preserved in natural glass — a remnant of the intense heat from the ancient asteroid impact. For comparison, active volcanoes such as those in Hawaii reach temperatures in the range of 800 to 1,200 C.
In nature, zirconia exists in several forms, depending on the temperature and pressure it’s exposed to. The three main polymorphs are: monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic.
Monoclinic zirconia is stable at lower temperatures and is the most common form of zirconia found in nature. Tetragonal zirconia exists at moderately high temperatures and is unstable at low temperatures. Cubic zirconia is only stable at extremely high temperatures above 2,370 C, and is also unstable at lower temperatures.
How, exactly, did cubic zirconia end up in these rocks?
When the asteroid hit the West Clearwater Lake region millions of years ago, it generated temperatures hot enough to melt and vaporize some of the surface rock. As the molten rock cooled and solidified, microscopic crystals of zircon, originally present within target material, got caught up in the hot melt and began to transform.
At temperatures above 2,370 C, these zircon crystals started to break down, and some of them turned into cubic zirconia. This provided evidence of the extreme heat, which our research team discovered in our recent study.
This fascinating evidence gives us insights into how hot it can get during a meteorite impact, something that’s hard to measure millions of years after the fact.
Artificial production
Synthetic cubic zirconia is produced artificially by heating zirconium oxide to high temperatures, then cooling it in a controlled environment; the zirconia then forms crystals that resemble diamonds. Synthetic cubic zirconia is a popular substitute for diamonds in jewelry because it is cheap to produce but still sparkles like diamonds.
Synthetic cubic zirconia contains high amounts of stabilizing agents, like the element yttrium, that prevent it from becoming unstable and help it maintain its brilliance over time.
Without the additives used in synthetic cubic zirconia, natural zirconia is much more likely to transform into other forms as it cools down. That’s why finding natural cubic zirconia is so rare — it exists only in places where temperatures were once unimaginably high.
Synthetic cubic zirconia is a popular substitute for diamonds in jewelry because it is cheap to produce but still sparkles like diamonds. (James St. John/Flickr), CC BY
Asteroid impacts
Apart from being a fascinating geological discovery, finding evidence of cubic zirconia in an impact structure gives scientists a better understanding of the conditions created during asteroid impacts. These ancient events weren’t just violent — they fundamentally changed the Earth’s surface in ways that we’re still learning about.
While the discovery of cubic zirconia in West Clearwater Lake is exciting, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Impact craters are not unique to Earth — they are found on most rocky objects in our solar system. For example, cubic zirconia has been found in moon rocks brought back by astronauts of the Apollo missions.
Meteorite craters like the West Clearwater Lake are only a small part of a larger story of Earth’s history. During its nascent years, Earth was regularly bombarded by asteroids that were remnants of the debris from the formation of the solar system, and these collisions helped shape the planet’s surface. In fact, there is compelling evidence that asteroid impacts may have played a role in the origin of life by creating environments where complex chemicals could form.
Neeraja Chinchalkar is affiliated with the Lunar and Planetary Institute
Gordon Osinski receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Space Agency.
Timmons Erickson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, led Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in introducing the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada.
“Small businesses are the beating heart of Vermont’s economy, and they operate on the thinnest of margins. There’s no way small businesses can be expected to absorb the costs of President Trump’s tariffs. That’s especially true for smaller businesses across our state that rely on strong partnerships with Canada,” said Senator Welch. “This commonsense bill protects America’s Main Street businesses from Trump’s reckless trade war with Canada, and in turn helps Main Street customers.
“Instead of lowering costs for families, Trump’s destructive tariffs are raising prices and hurting American small businesses, from small manufacturers to Main Street shops, hotels, and restaurants that sustain thousands of local jobs. Trump’s chaotic trade war is burning bridges and ruining relationships with our closest ally and key trade partner, Canada, while driving away tourists and costing local economies billions. This bill would help restore our cherished relationship with our next-door neighbor and major economic partner, and bring relief to our communities and small businesses,” said Leader Schumer.
“President Trump’s tariffs are increasing prices on everyday goods and making it harder for businesses and working families to get by,” said Senator Shaheen. “Canada is New Hampshire’s northern neighbor and largest trading partner, meaning Granite State small businesses are especially hard hit by these blanket tariffs. By shielding small businesses from rising costs incurred by the President’s trade war, our legislation would give Main Street some much-needed relief and certainty to plan for the future and keep their businesses afloat.”
“I’ve heard loud and clear from small businesses in Alaska: tariffs are forcing prices to rise and making it difficult to plan long-term,” said Senator Murkowski. “We’re not just neighbors with Canada, we’re partners in everything from trade, tourism, defense, and fishing. I’m hopeful this legislation sends a clear message to the administration that we want to continue this strong partnership by alleviating the effects of these tariffs on our small businesses.”
“President Trump’s broad-based tariffs are causing economic chaos, uncertainty, and higher costs for families and businesses,” said Senator Kaine. “I’ve heard from small businesses across Virginia about how Trump’s trade wars have forced them to make tough decisions about how they’ll continue to operate. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with my colleagues to exempt small businesses from Trump’s tariffs on Canada, one of our closest allies and top trading partners.”
“Imposing tariffs on Canada, Maine’s closest trading partner, threatens jobs, drives up costs, and hurts small businesses that have long relied on cross-border cooperation and exchange,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would shield small businesses throughout the country from unnecessary economic harm while preserving the vital trade ties that support so many Maine communities.”
“Donald Trump is hell-bent on turning Main Street into Pain Street for America’s small businesses. Trump’s tariffs threaten to supercharge costs in New England and Massachusetts, a region and a state that relies on trade with Canada to meet the bottom line,” said Senator Markey. “Blanket tariffs will only lead to layoffs, closures, and economic pain. That’s not putting America first. I’m proud to join my colleagues to protect small businesses in the Bay State and all of New England from this disastrous trade war.”
“Trump’s Canada tariffs don’t make sense for ANYONE, but especially not for American small businesses. Taxes on products from Canada means small businesses in America will pay more for the inputs they use to make things here in the United States – meaning prices will go up, jobs will be lost and small companies will shut down. This is a commonsense bill to exempt small businesses from Trump trade taxes and cushion some of the blow of his senseless trade war with Canada,” said Senator Wyden.
President Trump has changed or modified his tariff proposals and policies 28 times in his second term. These tariffs have been difficult to navigate for small businesses across the United States—especially in Vermont, where Canada is the state’s largest trading partner. Tariffs lead to supply chain disruptions, increased costs of goods and materials, smaller profits and higher costs for consumers.
The CANADA Act is supported by Main Street Alliance and Small Business Majority.
“The relationship between Canada and the United States is a critical one for farmers, small business owners, and Main Streets across the US, but especially in the border states. It is essential for this relationship that US trade policy is predictable, purposeful, and designed to benefit both countries. The erratic, fact-devoid tariff emergencies put into effect by President Trump are making it harder for US businesses to start and operate while not even achieving the goals they claim to have in the first place. The Senate passing the CANADA Act by Sen. Peter Welch is a step in the right direction, with more to do to restore US global leadership and rebuild trust that’s been unfortunately damaged over the past 7 months,” said Shawn Phetteplace, National Campaigns Director, Main Street Alliance.
“The constantly shifting tariff policy landscape has left small businesses struggling to plan ahead. Any amount of clarity lawmakers can offer right now, including an exemption for small businesses importing goods from a specific country, would help by giving entrepreneurs some degree of certainty in a chaotic time. If nothing is done soon to help protect small businesses from tariffs, we expect inflation, uncertainty and chaos will crush many small firms, damage America’s economy and cause the loss of countless jobs,” said John Arensmeyer, Founder and CEO, Small Business Majority.
In 2024 alone, trade with Canada accounted for 35% of Vermont’s exports, 67% of its imports, and 56% of its total trade. One in four businesses in Vermont relies on trade with Canada. Vermont buys more goods from Canada than the next nine largest foreign markets combined. In 2023, Vermont exported $150 million just in food and agricultural products to Canada.
Vermont boasts nearly 82,000 small businesses, which represent 99% of all businesses in the state, and employ over 62% of Vermont’s overall workforce—higher than the national average. Small businesses in Vermont also employ a diverse workforce, with 43.8% of small businesses in the state owned by women and 6% owned by veterans.
Senator Welch has blasted Trump’s tariffs and trade war and shared stories from Vermonters about how President Trump’s economic policies have impacted their businesses, farms, and communities. In May, Senator Welch joined a bipartisan delegation and traveled to Ottawa to meet with Canadian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, to discuss bipartisan support for a U.S.-Canada partnership and their commitment to a strong trading relationship between the United States and Canada. The Senator has hosted roundtables in Stowe, Newport, St. Albans, Manchester, and virtually to hear concerns and first-hand stories from Vermont and Canadian leaders impacted by the trade war.
Read and download the full text of the bill.
European Council President António Costa held a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following the EU-China summit held in Beijing on 24 July 2025. In his remarks, President Costa underlined the importance of the EU-China relationship.
Report by the Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe: UK Response, July 2025
Ambassador Holland welcomes the OSCE Programme Office’s engagement with the Government of Tajikistan during the reporting period, and its continued focus on promoting gender equality, fostering cross-border cooperation and supporting penal reforms.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I warmly welcome Ms. Turcan to the Permanent Council and thank you for stepping into the leadership role during this transitional period. Strong leadership and reliable resourcing are essential for OSCE field missions to function effectively. We again urge participating States to resolve the budget impasse and ensure all OSCE institutions – including the Border Management Staff College – are adequately funded.
I would like to highlight several areas of the Programme Office’s work that are of particular importance to the UK.
First, the Mission’s efforts to promote gender equality and support survivors of domestic violence through Women’s Resource Centres and police capacity building. These centres provide vital shelter and services, helping women escape cycles of abuse and rebuild their lives. The UK remains deeply committed to addressing gender-based violence.
Second, the Programme Office’s role in fostering cross-border cooperation and regional security. We commend Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic for their leadership in peacefully resolving border disputes. These diplomatic achievements underscore the value of dialogue. The UK remains committed to working with Tajikistan, its neighbours, and the OSCE to address regional challenges, including those stemming from Afghanistan.
Third, we commend the Mission’s work in the human dimension, particularly on penal reform and embedding human rights in government training. We also welcome efforts to strengthen media standards. We note with regret that ODIHR’s observation mission were unable to implement their mandate for the elections in March and encourage all relevant parties to facilitate the required access in the future.
I would also like to commend the Government of Tajikistan for their continued leadership on climate and water security, not least demonstrated by their co-hosting of the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation earlier this year resulting in the adoption of the Dushanbe Declaration. As climate change makes water access more competitive and harder to manage, cooperation and solutions become more vital.
Finally, we support Tajikistan’s ambitions for sustainable economic growth. Achieving this requires a stable, transparent investment climate grounded in the rule of law. This will attract quality foreign investment and create clean, inclusive growth for Tajik citizens.
Madam Chair, in closing, I thank Ms. Turcan again for her report and wish her continued success.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday signed the eagerly-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a landmark moment in the bilateral economic relationship.
As part of the historic pact, the UK will reduce duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports, while India will lower tariffs on 90 per cent of British goods, significantly easing tariff barriers and regulatory procedures across multiple sectors.
The agreement is expected to make imported goods more affordable for Indian consumers, including luxury cars, cosmetics, medical devices, gin, and Scotch whisky. Within the next two years, India’s leather industry is projected to increase its market share in the UK by 5 per cent.
A high-level industry delegation led by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises and Co-Chair of the India-UK CEO Forum, accompanied Prime Minister Modi. The delegation included 16 key business leaders and was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Calling the pact a “game-changer,” Indian industry leaders praised the FTA for opening new opportunities and strengthening long-term economic collaboration between the two nations.
“Indian industry across all sectors welcomes the India–UK FTA with great optimism. This agreement establishes a modern, forward-looking partnership that will stimulate innovation, ease market access, and foster investment,” said Mittal. “Businesses in both India and the UK stand to benefit as this lays the foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation across key growth sectors.”
Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO and MD of Mahindra Group, called the agreement a transformative milestone in the global economic landscape. “It’s not just a win for trade, but a blueprint for a modern, values-led partnership that puts innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth at the heart of global collaboration,” he said.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, noted the FTA’s positive impact on India’s gem and jewellery sector. “Currently, exports to the UK stand at $941 million. With the duty concessions in place, this figure is expected to surge to $2.5 billion within the next three years, elevating overall bilateral trade in our sector to an estimated $7 billion,” Bhansali said.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CSB and CMAB co-organise talk to commemorate 80th anniversary of victory in Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and in World Anti-Fascist War During the talk, Professor Wang gave a comprehensive analysis of the history of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, delving into the historical status, major contributions and the significance of the war as the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the Communist Party of China’s role as the pillar of the War of Resistance. Professor Lau also shared with participants the heroic deeds of the East River Column and the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade during the war period.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, politically appointed officials and civil servants in the directorate, senior and middle ranks attended the talk today. Together with those participating via video conferencing, over 200 participants attended the talk.
Delivering the opening remarks, Mrs Yeung said that civil servants shoulder the important mission of serving the people of Hong Kong and contributing to the prosperous development of the country. She pointed out that civil servants should learn from history, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, uphold the spirit of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, and make greater contributions to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the lasting peace and stability of the country.
She encouraged civil servants to actively participate in the thematic seminars and learning activities organised to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, to deepen their understanding of the history and significance of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and to truly appreciate the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people and the importance of safeguarding national security. Issued at HKT 21:37
Business, universities, and investors have jointly urged the federal government to commit to cutting the cost of red tape by 25% by 2030, in a submission for next month’s Economic Reform Roundtable.
The push to reduce regulation is in line with action by the EU and the United Kingdom’s Labour government, the submission says.
“Cutting red tape means faster home builds, quicker loan approvals, and lower prices at the checkout,” it says.
“For Australians, it’s the difference between waiting months or days for a service, and it ensures growth isn’t choked by unnecessary or outdated processes that haven’t kept up with the modern world.”
The need to push against red tape is highlighted in the recently-published book Abundance by Derek Thompson and Ezra Klein. The book has impressed Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who has urged his colleagues to read it.
The coalition of 27 groups includes small, medium and large businesses, universities and the investment community. The united approach is an attempt by business to avoid being divided and trapped at the roundtable, as business felt it was at the 2022 Jobs and Skills summit.
On taxation, the submission proposes a three-month review, supported by Treasury, the Productivity Commission, business representatives and other stakeholders to “kick start” comprehensive tax reform.
The exercise would be underpinned by principles that encouraged investment and economic growth.
Business has become concerned the roundtable could be a way of seeking support for tax increases rather than comprehensive tax reform.
The submission says tax reform and the trade offs involved, should not be pursued separately from measures to promote efficiency and spending restraint to “ensure government lives within its means”.
Tax reform should support the dynamism and productivity of Australian individuals and businesses”, the submission says.
Revenue should be raised with the least possible cost to society, and there should be minimum distortions to work, savings and investment.
Among other proposals, the coalition urges a boost to investment and innovation by reforming the handling of R&D.
It says there should be a national strategy to boost Australia’s investment competitiveness.
The submission backs reforming the framework for environmental and planning approvals. It says there should be a “single, predictable, and transparent approval pathway that provides timely and certain decisions.”
“Our economic rule book is out of date. If we don’t fix it, not only will Australians struggle to get ahead in life, but future generations are at risk of missing out on the quality of life we enjoy today,” the joint group of industry associations says.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Call for evidence: An inspection of refusals and cancellations of permission to enter the UK
The ICIBI invites anyone with knowledge or first-hand experience of refusals and cancellations of permission to enter the UK to submit evidence to contribute to this inspection by close of play 20 August 2025.
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) has begun an inspection of refusals and cancellations of permission to enter the UK.
As Independent Chief Inspector, I am inviting anyone with knowledge or first-hand experience of refusals and cancellations of permission to enter the UK 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 role of Border Force officers in refusing and cancelling permission to enter the UK at airports, seaports and juxtaposed controls
the efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of current practice
the impact of carrier checks for organisations and passengers
the impact of digitisation of the border on the ability of Border Force officers to identify individuals whose permission to enter the UK should be refused or cancelled
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 20 August 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. The Chief Inspector is interested in hearing from people with lived experience of refusals and cancellations of permission to enter the UK, 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 CBE, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
Work will start next week (last week of July) to remove the old link bridge and pontoon at Mount Batten Pier.
The structure has been closed to the public since last spring and ferry services rerouted to the landing stage at the Mount Batten Water Sports and Activities Centre nearby.
An investigation earlier this year found that cracks detected within the bridge link to the pontoon had opened up significantly and could break at any time, posing a risk to marine traffic in the vicinity. Bracing works were carried out to the structure as a temporary measure while options were considered.
Marine traffic were made aware and asked to keep their distance from the structure.
The Council has been looking at the logistics of removing the bridge and pontoon and following a competitive tender process, has now entered into an arrangement to transfer ownership of the bridge and pontoon to Voyager Marine, who will also carry out the works to safely remove the structure.
Logistics are being finalised but this move expected to start next week, subject to tide and weather.
The Mount Batten Water Taxi service has been using the Mount Batten Sailing and Watersports Centre pontoon to operate since the closure.
The link bridge will be removed by barge when high tide facilitates this and will be towed away, with the pontoon, to Voyager Boat Yard where they will be repurposed. The work will also involve removal of the piles below the seabed.
The Plymouth Sound National Marine Park project have plans in train to replace the centre’s pontoon with a new structure. These plans have been extended to include extra provision for the Mount Batten Water Taxi to enable a return to a full service.
The Council, is working in partnership on the project with the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and the Mount Batten Centre and its board. Detailed onsite investigations have been carried out and the Council has issued a tender for work to build a new pontoon, with associated seabed infrastructure.
The contract is expected to be awarded later this summer.
Plymouth City Council’s Taxi Licensing Team is set to play a greater role in keeping the public safe, thanks to new powers granted through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) accredited by Devon and Cornwall Police.
The accreditation recognises the team’s ability to support frontline safety efforts and gives officers additional tools to help tackle anti-social behaviour, manage traffic incidents, and work more closely with police.
CSAS gives trained Council officers limited police powers, enabling them to respond more effectively to issues that affect residents and visitors across the city.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety for Plymouth City Council, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our Taxi Licensing Team and a real boost for community safety in Plymouth. By equipping our officers with additional powers and training, we’re making sure they can respond quickly and effectively to issues that matter to residents. It’s about being proactive, visible, and working hand-in-hand with the police to keep people safe.”
The team has undergone an assessed training with police colleagues, including traffic management and public engagement. Once accredited, officers will be able to:
Request name and address in cases of anti-social behaviour
Power to stop and direct traffic to protect public safety
Require names and addresses for individuals not complying with the above requests
Share and access relevant intelligence with Devon and Cornwall Police
These new powers will help the team respond more effectively to incidents, increase partnership working between the council and provide a more visible uniformed presence in the community. Officers will continue to wear their standard uniforms, which will now display the CSAS logo as well as carrying police-approved ID badges and powers cards to reflect their new responsibilities.
The scheme has already proven successful in other parts of the country, and across Devon and Cornwall, and Plymouth’s adoption marks a significant step forward in local efforts to build safer, more resilient communities.
Find out more about CSAS and other schemes in Plymouth and the surrounding area by visiting www.dc.police.uk/csas
We’re branching out again! Over the next few days over 40 new trees will be taking root in Armada Way, adding even more leafy loveliness to the city centre. Here’s the lowdown on our latest green arrivals:
Magnolia Kobus – These beauties are blooming marvellous!
Alders – Perfectly planted in rain gardens, because they absolutely love a good soak.
Himalayan Birch – Forming a stunning copse grove, surrounded by rain gardens for that extra splash of nature.
‘New Horizon’ Elms – Specially bred to thrive in city settings and resistant to Dutch Elm disease, adding strength and structure to the landscape
Red Maple – a one-of-a-kind showstopper in the scheme marking the new mobility hub.
London Plane – the tallest and most majestic of them all, this striking specimen will be the crown jewel of Armada Way’s canopy.
These trees have been specially chosen to thrive in a city centre setting, boosting biodiversity and bringing shade, shelter, and seasonal colour to Armada Way. All this in time for the countdown of the big reveal! The first section of the Armada Way regeneration scheme opens on Thursday 31 July!
The first zone around the Phoenix Fountain – which includes the brand-new amphitheatre and performance space – will be ready to welcome you. Expect pop-up events, live music, and plenty of reasons to stop and enjoy the space.
It’s a tree-rific time to be in Plymouth!
Planting trees in the summer
We know that there are a lot of questions as to why we’re planting trees in Armada Way this summer.
We know summer isn’t the ideal time to plant trees – normally, it’s better to do it in the cooler, dormant months. But because Armada Way is such a complex and busy part of the city, we’ve had to carefully plan the work to avoid too much disruption for residents, businesses and everyone who uses the city centre. That means some of the tree planting is happening now, during the growing season.
We’re not taking any chances though. Our team has worked closely with tree experts, nurseries and contractors to make sure the trees have the best possible chance to thrive. Here’s what we’re doing:
Quick turnaround: Trees are being planted as soon as they arrive, so they’re not left out of the ground for long.
Top-quality trees: We’ve chosen strong, healthy trees from trusted nurseries that are used to growing for urban environments.
Specialist planting team: The people planting the trees are experienced and using the right tools and techniques.
Container-grown trees: Where we can, we’re using trees that have been grown in containers, which makes them more adaptable to being planted in summer.
Better soil: We’ve used specially engineered soil that holds moisture and nutrients, and we’ve made sure the roots have plenty of space to grow.
Boosting root health: We’ve added natural fungi to the soil to help the roots absorb water and nutrients more easily.
Smart watering: A built-in irrigation system is in place to keep the trees well-watered, and we’re also using misting during heatwaves.
Mulch magic: A layer of mulch around each tree helps keep the soil moist and stops weeds from taking over.
Regular checks: Our team is keeping a close eye on the planting to make sure everything’s done properly and the trees are settling in well.
We’re also being realistic. Even with all these measures, planting trees in a city centre during summer is tough – especially with the kind of heatwaves we’ve had this year.
That’s why we’ve got a two-year aftercare plan in place. If any trees don’t make it, they’ll be replaced.
This is all part of making Armada Way greener, more welcoming and better for the future. Thanks for bearing with us while we get it done.
Aberdeen Art Gallery has welcomed its one millionth visitor since re-opening in November 2019 following its landmark redevelopment. Eleanor Watson of Giffnock was visiting with her sister and nephew. They were met by Helen Fotherghill, Service Manager – Archives Gallery & Museums, who presented Dorothy with a certificate for an artwork which will be ‘adopted’ in her name – A Ground Swell, Carradale, by William McTaggart, which is on display in the French Impressions gallery. Eleanor also received a goody bag of Tall Ships commemorative items.
Visitor numbers to the Art Gallery swelled during the Tall Ships Races weekend, with the Gallery offering extended opening hours until 8pm during the event for visitors to enjoy the Monsters of the Deep exhibition and Festival of the Sea events.
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman, said, “The re-imagined Art Gallery, with its outstanding collection, is the city’s flagship cultural venue. I’m delighted to share the news of this major milestone and offer my congratulations to Eleanor Watson on being the millionth visitor. The Art Gallery is a safe, accessible, public space in the heart of the city where you can see great art for free. We want everyone to feel welcome here and we look forward to inspiring and delighting the next million visitors.”
Commenting on being the millionth visitor, Eleanor said, “I’m thrilled and honoured to be the one millionth visitor. This is my first visit to the Gallery, but my nephew Eoin, who lives in Aberdeen, is a regular visitor, and he suggested we come today. I’m delighted to have this beautiful painting by William McTaggart adopted in my name to commemorate the milestone. I’m looking forward to finding out more about the artist and to visiting again when we’re next in Aberdeen.”
Eleanor’s nephew, Eoin, said, “The Gallery has been a very important place for me. I visited with my mother from early childhood. I lost both my parents to cancer at a young age and have been away from Aberdeen for some 30 years. Recently returning to the city I am extremely grateful I rediscovered the Gallery. I have faced a number of personal challenges this year and the Saturday morning Artroom sessions at the Gallery run by Elaine from Grampian Hospitals Art Trust, which I have attended for a couple of months, have shone a light in my life. It is so apt and somewhat overwhelming that walking through the door with my Aunts, showing them where Mum and I spent time together, that Eleanor should be singled out as the millionth visitor since reopening.”
Aberdeen City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund were the major funders of the Art Gallery redevelopment, with support from many other trusts, foundations, corporate and individual donors. The much-loved building, which was designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and originally opened in 1885, was completely re-imagined by internationally-acclaimed Hoskins Architects and exhibition designers Studioarc.
Notable milestones and successes since the re-opening include:
2020 – joint winner of Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021 – only Scottish venue for the prestigious British Art Show 9; named Building of the Year by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland 2022 – shortlisted for European Museum of the Year 2023 – presented the major special exhibitions Galloway Hoard – Viking Age Treasures (on loan from National Museums Scotland) and Book of Deer, one of the principle antiquities of Celtic Scotland (on loan from Cambridge University Library); named Best Visitor Attraction – Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Thistle awards 2024 – acquired a ceramic pot by celebrated British Artist Sir Grayson Perry 2025 – offered new experiences for visitors – All Fired Up interactive display of studio ceramics and the McBey reference library, supported by volunteers; achieved Gold level Green Tourism Award
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Speech
50 years on from the signing of the Helsinki Final Act Russia fails to live up to its promises: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Holland commits to continuing to highlight and condemn Russia’s attacks against Ukraine for as long as Russia insists on carrying them out. Doing so is necessary because of the obvious humanitarian imperative but it is also a question of living up to our promises to one another when we signed the Helsinki Final Act.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
Mr Chair, there have been 120 Permanent Councils and 46 Special and Reinforced Permanent Councils since Russia launched its illegal full scale war of aggression on Ukraine in February 2022. The UK has spoken on each of these occasions, highlighting Russia’s violation of the Helsinki principles and the Final Act.
Next week we gather in Helsinki to mark 50 years of the signature of the Final Act. This should have been a moment to reflect on its positive and historic legacy; alongside the UN and Paris Charters, it has set the standards by which we should treat each other and our citizenry. Instead we are travelling to Finland with drones still pummelling Ukrainian civilian targets indiscriminately and an unapologetic Russia refusing to take the outstretched hand of peace offered to them by the victim of their aggression, Ukraine.
The UK deeply regrets that there is still no sign of a let up in these attacks on civilians. One of the latest of these was an attack on the entrance to a metro station providing shelter to Ukrainian civilians escaping Russian bombardment. The Russian State evidently want as many Ukrainian people to be terrorised as possible. The UK will continue to highlight and condemn them for as long as Russia insists on carrying them out. As well as an obvious humanitarian imperative, doing so is also a question of living up to our promises to one another when we signed the Helsinki Final Act.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) — China is deeply concerned about the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and hopes the two countries can properly resolve the dispute through dialogue and consultation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Thursday.
Calling Thailand and Cambodia China’s friendly neighbors and important members of ASEAN, the Chinese diplomat noted that good-neighborliness and proper settlement of differences are in the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides.
In view of the common interests and concerns of countries in the region, China, in a fair and impartial position, continues to make efforts to promote reconciliation and peace talks, thereby playing a constructive role in easing tensions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ZHENGZHOU, July 24 (Xinhua) — A research report on building a community with a shared future for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was released by a think tank in China on Thursday, calling for a closer regional community with a shared future and focusing on expanding dialogue among civilizations and people-to-people cooperation.
The document was released by the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, central China.
The report notes that building a community of shared destiny for the SCO is an important step in line with the flow of history and a significant conceptual innovation in contemporary international relations. It is necessary to formulate a framework for action aimed at promoting regional cooperation through stability and achieving regional prosperity through development.
In order to fully realize the high-quality platform function of the SCO, all member states should accumulate collective strength while taking into account their own interests, the document added.
According to the report, the SCO member states have different cultural traditions. They should attach great importance to organizing a broad dialogue among civilizations and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, sports, expand exchanges between different groups of people, especially between the media and youth, and continue to hold high-level forums of people’s diplomacy, media forums, youth forums and women’s forums.
The report emphasizes that in order to improve the regional governance system and make joint efforts to implement modernization, it is necessary to clearly understand the differences between the current major tasks and long-term goals for the future. A series of small-scale but effective projects for improving the people’s well-being of the member states of the organization should be implemented to demonstrate the most significant signs of building a community of common destiny of the SCO. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Xinhua | 24.07.2025
Key words: China-Russia
Source: Xinhua
Flash: Xi Jinping sends telegram of condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over Russian passenger plane crash Flash: Xi Jinping sends telegram of condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over Russian passenger plane crash
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
DAMASCUS, July 24 (Xinhua) — A powerful explosion rocked northwestern Syria’s Idlib province on Thursday, causing casualties and causing fires near the town of Maarat Misreen, Syrian state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV reported.
Idlib’s Disaster Management Authority confirmed that the blast, whose cause has not yet been determined, killed and injured people. Private Syria TV reported that the blast likely occurred at an ammunition depot in the area.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported an unidentified aircraft flying over the region at the time of the explosion, although no official statement has confirmed the airstrike.
The number of victims and the cause of the explosion are being determined. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
