Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
A cocktail reception between the Legislative Council (LegCo) Members and the Consuls-General (CGs) as well as Honorary Consuls (HCs) in Hong Kong was held today (July 15) in the LegCo Complex, providing an opportunity for them to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.
Before the cocktail reception, the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, conducted a briefing for the attending CGs and HCs on the work of LegCo. He highlighted that the current-term LegCo has enacted a total of 117 bills, which is nearly double the amount compared to the same period of the previous term; and the amount of funding proposals approved exceed HK$650 billion. Mr Leung also emphasized LegCo’s efforts in collaborating with the Government to uphold the rule of law, attract investment and global talent to Hong Kong, advance the development of the Northern Metropolis, develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education and a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services, support the development of fintech as well as innovation and technology industries, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, among other initiatives. The attending CGs and HCs then toured the Chamber of the LegCo Complex and the enhanced facilities of the LegCo Library.
A total of 30 Members attended the cocktail reception. Meanwhile, 37 CGs or their representatives and 11 HCs attended the briefing, guided tour and cocktail reception.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
A cocktail reception between the Legislative Council (LegCo) Members and the Consuls-General (CGs) as well as Honorary Consuls (HCs) in Hong Kong was held today (July 15) in the LegCo Complex, providing an opportunity for them to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.
Before the cocktail reception, the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, conducted a briefing for the attending CGs and HCs on the work of LegCo. He highlighted that the current-term LegCo has enacted a total of 117 bills, which is nearly double the amount compared to the same period of the previous term; and the amount of funding proposals approved exceed HK$650 billion. Mr Leung also emphasized LegCo’s efforts in collaborating with the Government to uphold the rule of law, attract investment and global talent to Hong Kong, advance the development of the Northern Metropolis, develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education and a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services, support the development of fintech as well as innovation and technology industries, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, among other initiatives. The attending CGs and HCs then toured the Chamber of the LegCo Complex and the enhanced facilities of the LegCo Library.
A total of 30 Members attended the cocktail reception. Meanwhile, 37 CGs or their representatives and 11 HCs attended the briefing, guided tour and cocktail reception.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
A cocktail reception between the Legislative Council (LegCo) Members and the Consuls-General (CGs) as well as Honorary Consuls (HCs) in Hong Kong was held today (July 15) in the LegCo Complex, providing an opportunity for them to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.
Before the cocktail reception, the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, conducted a briefing for the attending CGs and HCs on the work of LegCo. He highlighted that the current-term LegCo has enacted a total of 117 bills, which is nearly double the amount compared to the same period of the previous term; and the amount of funding proposals approved exceed HK$650 billion. Mr Leung also emphasized LegCo’s efforts in collaborating with the Government to uphold the rule of law, attract investment and global talent to Hong Kong, advance the development of the Northern Metropolis, develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education and a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services, support the development of fintech as well as innovation and technology industries, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, among other initiatives. The attending CGs and HCs then toured the Chamber of the LegCo Complex and the enhanced facilities of the LegCo Library.
A total of 30 Members attended the cocktail reception. Meanwhile, 37 CGs or their representatives and 11 HCs attended the briefing, guided tour and cocktail reception.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government launches SEPs Consultation to Boost UK Innovation
Businesses and stakeholders invited to respond by 7 October 2025
Further details:
Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) are building blocks of our connected future, enabling our devices to communicate seamlessly. They help power our connected economy and deliver real technological change for real people
the Government is seeking views on proposed Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) measures to support the UK’s technology-driven economic growth
proposals aim to address challenges in transparency, dispute resolution and licensing efficiency
further evidence sought on ways to address knowledge and information gaps between parties in SEPs negotiations, helping avoid complex and costly litigation
interested parties from across the SEP ecosystem are invited to submit views and evidence by 7 October 2025
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has today launched a consultation on potential measures to address challenges in the UK’s Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) ecosystem.
A patent that protects technology which is essential to implementing a technical standard (such as 5G) is known as a Standard Essential Patent (SEP). SEPs help our devices to communicate seamlessly – from smartphones to electric vehicles, smart manufacturing to innovations in healthcare. They are the building blocks of our connected future and help deliver real technological change.
However, available evidence points to inefficiencies in the UK’s SEP ecosystem that may create barriers to innovation – particularly for smaller businesses when seeking to implement standardised technologies.
These challenges include knowledge and information gaps between SEP holders and implementers, a lack of transparency in the SEPs licensing process, and a costly and often complex dispute resolution environment. Resolving disputes can be costly and time-consuming – one recently reported case cost £31.5 million.
The Government is consulting on policy options to ensure the UK’s SEP framework operates more efficiently, supporting both patent holders and technology implementers. The proposals aim to reduce frictions in licensing, achieve greater efficiency in dispute resolution, and more effectively deal with knowledge and information gaps between parties.
The proposed measures aim to enable businesses of all sizes, including start-ups and scale-ups, to navigate the SEP framework more confidently.
Proposed measures include
Specialist rate determination track: Introducing a specialist track to provide licence rates for SEP portfolios on a case-by-case basis. This could increase consistency and transparency in SEP pricing. It could give businesses of all sizes a more efficient and cost–effective route to obtain a SEP licence rate.
Mandatory provision of searchable information: Requiring patent holders to disclose standard-related patent information to the IPO. This would help address the current lack of transparency around SEPs and licensing obligations.
We are gathering further evidence on
The use of pre-action protocols: We are seeking further evidence on pre-action protocols to establish if they work well in SEPs negotiations, by encouraging early disclosure of relevant information. This will help establish if a specialist SEP pre-action protocol may be needed in cases where negotiations are less likely to reach agreement and may move towards litigation.
Essentiality checking solutions: Conducting a landscape review of essentiality checking solutions, to establish whether they are accessible for all parties, and establish if there is a case for government to introduce an essentiality determination opinion service.
SEP remedies: We are seeking to better understand whether the patent framework provides adequate remedies for SEP disputes.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) measures: We are also looking to understand the current provision of ADR services that can resolve SEP disputes, and the extent to which they are used and accessible for all businesses, especially smaller businesses.
Minister for Intellectual Property Feryal Clark MP said:
Intellectual property is central to the Government’s growth mission and underpins the technologies that power our connected future, from 5G and electric vehicles to smart manufacturing and healthcare.
This consultation will help make the licensing of these technologies more straight forward and accessible – driving innovation, reducing costly litigation, and helping UK firms lead in developing the technologies of tomorrow.
President of the IP Federation Sarah Vaughan said:
The IP Federation welcomes the Government’s open and evidence-based approach in launching this consultation on standard essential patents (SEPs). As long-standing advocates for a balanced and effective IP framework, we support measures that enhance transparency, facilitate timely and fair licensing negotiations, and promote efficient dispute resolution.
President of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) Bobby Mukherjee said:
The UK patent profession is one of the most skilled and experienced in the world in the SEP arena and we welcome the IPO’s energy and vision in initiating activity in a vital support area for our market leading offering. CIPA members welcome the opportunity to participate in this evidence-led consultation openly, reflecting the spectrum of views from SEP rights holders to implementers.
Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office Adam Williams said:
This consultation is a critical opportunity for all stakeholders to help build a SEP ecosystem that works for everyone. We particularly want to hear from businesses developing or using standardised technologies about how proposed measures could affect their innovation, investment and growth plans.
The proposals outlined seek to address the diverse needs within our innovation ecosystem and take a balanced approach. By combining possible regulatory interventions with market-driven solutions, we want to create a framework that enhances the UK’s competitiveness while ensuring fairness and transparency across the technology value chain.
The Government is encouraging responses from interested parties across the SEP ecosystem. These include patent holders and innovators who develop standard-essential technologies, technology implementers who incorporate SEPs into their products, legal services and academia. We are also encouraging views from start-ups and scale-ups who may face particular challenges with the current licensing system.
Industry bodies and standards organisations, intellectual property experts and research institutions involved in standardized technologies, and consumer groups representing end-users of SEP-enabled technologies are also encouraged to share their views.
The evidence and insights gathered will help ensure our proposed measures address a broad set of needs across the innovation ecosystem and support balanced growth across the UK economy.
The consultation is open until 7 October 2025. Full details and response information are available at the consultation page.
A technical standard is an agreed or established technical description of an idea, product, service, or way of doing things, which enables the sharing of knowledge. Standards can encourage innovation, enable jobs and growth, and ensure the interoperability, safety and quality of products.
The number of patents declared as essential (SEPs) worldwide has been estimated to have more than tripled over the last decade, growing from 82,000 in 2010 to around 305,000 in 2021.
As part of ongoing improvements to the town centre, a key outcome of the recent public realm project is the creation of a continuous pedestrian-priority route across the King Street and New Street junction.
The Minister for Infrastructure has signed a Ministerial Decision to change the previous traffic arrangements on New Street and New Cut for an initial 12-month trial period. The main changes from the previous arrangements is the removal of access across King Street for buses and taxis, along with a minor alteration to permitted access times for commercial unloading.
A recent traffic survey showed that during core retail hours, 10am-4pm, around 50% of vehicles using this route were taxis, with buses accounting for 8%. Removing taxi access southbound from New Street into Library Place and rerouting buses will support pedestrian safety and reduce congestion.
Only pedal cycles and essential commercial deliveries between 8pm and 10am will be permitted to cross King Street via New Cut.
Engagement with Liberty Bus and the taxi industry is ongoing, while work is also underway to identify new taxi rank locations in town to support better and more convenient access – for the avoidance of any confusion it should be noted that the rank at Library Place will remain.
Officers are working with disabled minibus services and the Parish of St Helier to ensure continued access for those who need it. The number of Blue Badge car parking spaces will not be affected. The number of spaces in the area has been increased and there is an ongoing piece of work to review how the Blue Badge facilities parking can be further improved. We will shortly be launching a new map of Blue Badge spaces across the Island to help improve accessibility.
This change supports the Public Realm Movement Strategy and the Sustainable Transport Policy, both of which aim to prioritise pedestrian access in the town centre.
Are you a cancer patient, survivor, or carer with lived experience of cancer services in Jersey? Would you like to help shape the future of cancer care on the island?
We are inviting expressions of interest from individuals who wish to join the new Cancer Advisory and Patient Strategy, CAPS, Group, a formal patient advisory sub-committee that will play a vital role in guiding the continued implementation of Jersey’s Cancer Strategy, Together.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from:
People currently living with cancer
Cancer survivors
Family members or carers of those affected by cancer.
We are especially keen to ensure representation from all different backgrounds.
About the CAPS Group:
The CAPS Group will consist of 11 members, the majority of whom will have lived experience. Members will work collaboratively with Health and Care Jersey, Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, and Jersey Hospice Care to co-produce improvements in cancer services, from early diagnosis to palliative care.
What to expect:
A meaningful opportunity to influence cancer care policy and service design
Quarterly meetings (starting in September 2025)
Support with accessibility, transport, and digital access
A safe, inclusive, and respectful environment.
How to apply:
To express your interest, please email e.gomesdossantos@health.gov.je or call Gemma Gouveia/Kerry Smith on 442661, deadline: 31st July 2025.
We are also working with Macmillan Jersey and Jersey Hospice Care to share this invitation through their networks. If you know someone who might be interested, please help us spread the word.
Your voice matters. Help us build a cancer care system that truly reflects the needs and experiences of our community.
Islanders are being invited to take part in a public consultation on proposed reforms to Jersey’s planning service, which opens on 15 July and will run for eight weeks.
The consultation is part of the Minister for the Environment’s commitment to reform the Island’s planning system to ensure it is more efficient and responsive.
This priority is reflected in both the Government Plan 2025-2028 and the Council of Ministers’ Common Strategic Policy, which includes a pledge to “reform the planning service to enable sustainable development in Jersey.”
The consultation will explore potential changes to the legal framework that underpins elements of the current planning system. It sets out a number of possible reform options within three key themes:
Permitted Development Rights – considering whether a wider range of development could proceed without formal planning permission, helping to streamline the process for householders, businesses and developers.
Planning Appeals System – reviewing how decisions are challenged then how appeals are handled and determined.
Plan-Making Process – examining how the Island Plan is developed then revised to better reflect the needs of the community and future priorities.
The consultation will be staged to allow for both feedback from key stakeholders and from the public. The aim is to help shape a modernised planning system that supports Jersey’s growth and sustainability while remaining accessible to Islanders.
Deputy Steve Luce, Minister for the Environment said: “Islanders rightly expect a planning system that is clear, consistent and capable of responding to change.
“This consultation is an opportunity to explore how we can simplify the rules, improve decision making and create a service that better meets the needs of Islanders now and in the future.
“I encourage everyone with an interest in how our Island develops to share their views and help us shape a better planning system for Jersey.”
Wimbledon may be over, but who says the rallies have to stop?
Tennis is back on the agenda at Seaclose Park, where two of the three courts have now reopened.
The reopening, following the Isle of Wight Festival, is thanks to a swift and well-coordinated effort by the Isle of Wight Council’s public realm, parks and open spaces team, ensuring the facilities are match-fit for players once again.
But it’s not just tennis players who have reason to celebrate. The netball courts are back in action too, ready for training, matches, or a friendly game in the sun.
And for those who prefer a scenic stroll or cycle, the much-loved shared-use pathway known as N120 — which follows the water’s edge from Seaclose Park toward Island Harbour — has also reopened.
Each summer, Seaclose Park plays host to the iconic Isle of Wight Festival, a highlight of the Island’s cultural calendar that brings music, energy, and thousands of visitors to the Island.
Naturally, such a large-scale event can leave its mark on the park’s infrastructure — but this year, thanks to improved planning and a coordinated response, the reinstatement of public facilities has been completed faster than ever.
“We know how important these spaces are to the community, so getting them back up and running quickly was a top priority,” said Councillor Karen Lucioni, who chairs the council’s environment and community protection committee.
“Seaclose Park is more than just a green space — it’s where people come to play, train, relax, and connect. After a major event like the Isle of Wight Festival, there’s always a bit of work to do, but this year we were determined to get everything back in shape as quickly as possible.
“Thanks to some forward planning and a brilliant team effort, we’ve been able to reopen the courts and the path earlier than expected. It’s been lovely to already see people out enjoying them again — it really makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Whether you’re looking to get active, meet up with friends, or simply enjoy the outdoors, now is the perfect time to visit Seaclose Park.
Grab your racket, lace up your trainers, or hop on your bike and explore everything the park has to offer.
The West Wight Sports Centre played host to the Island’s fifth annual PEACH Games on Friday 3 July. The event saw 320 primary school children and 80 sports leaders from secondary schools across the Island, take part.
The games, organised by the Isle of Wight Public Health team in collaboration with the School Games Organisers, marks the continued success for the Partnership for Education, Attainment and Children’s Health (PEACH) programme.
Pupils participated in a variety of activities and rotated through team-based and individual games to experience the benefits of sport. Each helps to improve personal skills, cardiovascular fitness as well as coordination and balance.
Alongside the sporting activities, pupils learned about physical activity options, and first aid while boosting confidence and self-esteem, all within the athlete’s village. The Island Games is an international programme held every two years for Island teams across the world. The flags designed by the schools will be taken to Orkney with the Island Games athletes.
Simon Bryant, Director of Public health for the Island commented ‘The PEACH Games are important to promote physical activity, positive wellbeing and healthy competition. This supports young people to lead healthy lives with plenty of exercise and a good, balanced diet.
Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Ian Dore said ‘‘The Games are really important as they build team spirit among the children, who spent the whole day cheering on their friends. There was so much positivity, inspiration and collaborative working, all pushing each other to cross the line. There’s nothing better than young people getting out and being fit and healthy, and the great weather on the day only amplified that.’’
The feedback received from participating schools has been positive. The secondary school sports leaders worked tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly and provided inspiration and leadership to the primary aged participants.
The PEACH programme supports schools in improving the health and wellbeing of their pupils, staff and families. It is an award-based framework offered to schools, focussing on the four health domains of Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, PSHE and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
As well as the annual PEACH Games event the Schools Games Organisers make a big impact in schools, offering a series of inclusive festivals designed to get children moving, regardless of ability or experience. These events are delivered as part of the key tasks of the School Games Vision and Mission. The School Games Organisers make a positive and meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people through sport and physical activity. This is achieved by putting physical activity and school sport at the heart of schools.
Over the academic year, children and young people have taken part in nine PEACH events, trying their hand at everything from rugby and gymnastics to basketball and hockey.
The programme aims to support year 3 and 4 pupils who are less engaged in physical activity, year 5 and 6 pupils who may require support in transition from primary to secondary school and years 9-13 students to provide leadership opportunities for secondary school sport leaders.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the local organisations who helped make the PEACH Games extra special:
Later this month when convicted criminal Donald Trump visits Scotland he will meet with SNP First Minister John Swinney in a move described as “out of step with Scotland’s values” by the Scottish Greens.
The US President was found guilty of 34 felonies in 2023 relating to falsified business records, after he paid $130,000 in hush money to cover up an affair with an American porn star. Trump also has dozens of sexual assault allegations against him dating back to the 1970’s. Since his return to power he has pursued a dangerous and increasingly far right agenda.
The Scottish Greens have long called for an investigation into Donald Trump’s finances in Scotland through an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO).
A UWO is a power held by the Scottish Government to investigate the finances of politically active individuals who have gained wealth through suspicious means. Given Donald Trump’s Menie Estate golf course, which he is set to visit this month, was cited in one of his felony charges, it’s now clearer than ever that a UWO must be used.
“Donald Trump is a convicted criminal and political extremist, there can be no excuses for trying to cosy up to his increasingly fascist political agenda.
“We’ve all watched in recent months as the US President has sent troops to threaten their own citizens on the streets of Los Angeles, kidnapped innocent people under the guise of mass deportations and now they are constructing a concentration camp in Florida.
“This is a man who has a complete lack of respect for human rights and democracy in America, and whose climate denial threatens everyone around the world.
“The SNPs decision to meet with this convicted felon is a tragic one, and is out of step with Scotland’s values. Appeasing political extremists like Trump won’t save us from his misinformation and toxic rhetoric. His Vice President has already attacked our parliament by lying to international media about a bill passed by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay.
“If the Scottish Government won’t make it clear to Trump, then I’m sure the people of Scotland on the streets protesting his every move will make it loud and clear. Donald Trump is not welcome here.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Birmingham fraudster spent part of Covid loan funds at safari park, restaurants and paying off personal credit card debt
Money from the loans was only supposed to be used for the economic benefit of the business
Fitness company owner Junaid Dar dishonestly obtained £45,500 in Covid Bounce Back Loans during 2020
Dar used some of the funds for legitimate purposes, but he also used money for personal spending at retailers, restaurants and leisure attractions
The 34-year-old was handed a suspended sentence following investigations by the Insolvency Service
A Birmingham fraudster who secured three Covid loans for his company when businesses were only entitled to one used some of the funds for personal spending at restaurants and a safari park.
Junaid Dar, 34, made fraudulent applications to three separate banks for Bounce Back Loans worth a combined total of £45,500 during 2020 for his JDARPT Ltd fitness company.
Dar, of Stratford Road, Birmingham, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday 10 July.
He was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity, 180 hours of unpaid work, and pay costs of £2,400.
David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:
Junaid Dar deliberately made false representations to fraudulently receive three Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only entitled to one.
Instead of using this money to support his fitness business through the pandemic as intended, he diverted significant sums for personal spending.
Bounce Back Loans were designed to provide quick and simple financial support to businesses genuinely affected by Covid. The Insolvency Service will not tolerate abuse of the public purse and will continue to pursue fraudsters who exploited schemes designed to help legitimate businesses during a national crisis.
JDAPRT was incorporated in March 2017 with Dar as its sole director. The company’s trading activities were recorded as fitness facilities on Companies House.
Dar’s first fraudulent application was for a £13,000 Bounce Back Loan in May 2020.
In the application, Dar claimed JDAPRT’s turnover was £55,000.
Just two days later, Dar made a second application to a different bank for a Bounce Back Loan of £15,000.
In this application, Dar said his company’s turnover was now £60,000.
Dar’s third and final fraudulent application in September 2020 was for a Bounce Back Loan of £17,500.
This time, Dar falsely claimed his company’s turnover was £70,000. Insolvency Service analysis of the bank account revealed the company’s turnover was closer to £61,000.
Dar used some of the Bounce Back Loan funds for legitimate purposes. However, several transactions were recorded which Insolvency Service investigators found to be for personal use.
Payments were made to Amazon and Argos, along with spending at restaurants and meat stores. Further spending was identified at West Midlands Safari Park and making credit card payments.
JDARPT went into liquidation in July 2021.
Dar was also disqualified as a company director for 11 years from April 2022 for his misconduct at JDARPT.
Further information
Junaid Dar is of Stratford Road, Birmingham. His date of birth is 21 February 1991
The Insolvency Service is a government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors.
Journalists with enquiries can call the Insolvency Service Press Office on 0303 003 1743 or email press.office@insolvency.gov.uk (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Out of hours
For any out of hours media enquiries, please contact the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) newsdesk on 020 7215 2000.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
More than 500 thousand spectators visited the International Open Festival “Theater Boulevard – 2025” during the first half of the project.
“The festival started with a full house, and even now empty seats at the venues remain a rarity. In total, more than 500 thousand spectators visited it during the first half of the project, and about 1.6 thousand hours of the program have already been held on the five main stages. Thanks to the festival, the theater season in Moscow actually lasts the entire year, without a break for the summer holidays, and an equally rich program awaits guests ahead: performances by foreign artists and high-profile productions on the festival stages,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Culture
The festival includes classical dramatic productions, musical performances, circus shows, and experimental formats such as the theatre of taste and plastic theatre. There are also special programmes dedicated to memorable dates – Russia Day, A.S. Pushkin’s birthday, the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, and Youth Day.
This year, Theatre Boulevard is attended by groups from 40 regions of Russia, from the Kaliningrad Region to the Altai Territory, including the State Drama Theatre on Vasilievsky Island (St. Petersburg), the Perm Academic Theatre-Theatre (Perm), and the F. Volkov Drama Theatre (Yaroslavl).
Andrey Merzlikin and Darya Moroz, Kristina Babushkina, Anton Shagin, Yulia Peresild, Konstantin Raikin, Igor Mirkurbanov, Alexandra Rebenok, Anna Chipovskaya performed their projects at the festival venues. The parade of stars will continue in the second half of the festival.
Particular attention is paid to children’s and family events. Now they are held on the main stages of the festival. Thus, in July, the “Family Conversations” section was opened, where the stories of theatrical dynasties were presented in a unique format. Among the heroes are Konstantin and Polina Raikin, Yulia and Anna Peresild, Igor and Grigory Vernik.
The second half of the festival will be more diverse. High-profile premieres, immersive productions and master classes by leading directors are planned, as well as performances by artists from Serbia, Uruguay, Argentina, Iran, China, Italy and other countries.
The Theatre Boulevard Festival is organized by the capital’s Department of Culture as part of Sergei Sobyanin’s Summer in Moscow project. https://leto.mos.ru/ It will last a record 92 days. More than 600 performances will be shown at 14 venues across the city, and three thousand artists from Russia and other countries will perform. In addition to theatrical productions, each venue will host creative workshops, patriotic programs with favorite actors, and interactive zones, including for children.
Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.
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: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
As part of the implementation of large-scale investment projects (MaIP), the city provided investors in the Northern Administrative District with land for the construction of retail, business and other commercial facilities. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.
“Implementation of large-scale commercial investment projects allows for the development of territories, organizing business activity centers and jobs. This helps create favorable conditions for business and improve the quality of life of Muscovites. Currently, 10 MAIPs are at various stages of implementation in the Northern Administrative District, for which more than 10 hectares of land have been allocated near the city’s railway stations. There will be shopping, public, business and multifunctional complexes with a total area of about 500 thousand square meters,” said Vladimir Efimov.
A large-scale investment project is a special status that can be granted to various objects, the construction of which is aimed at the development of the capital. For their construction, city plots are provided for rent.
“The construction of commercial real estate in the north of Moscow stimulates economic activity in the district. New shopping centers, cafes, restaurants and company offices will expand opportunities for leisure and employment for local residents. For example, a multifunctional complex consisting of two buildings will appear between the Polezhaevskaya and Khoroshevskaya metro stations. In addition to office space, it will include space for shops, restaurants and service enterprises. A land plot of almost 1.4 hectares has been allocated for the implementation of this large-scale investment project,” she noted.
Ekaterina Solovieva, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of City Property.
Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin said that it is planned to implement it by 2030 37 projects on land plots located near 32 Moscow city railway stations and metro stations.
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: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Orenburgneft, Rosneft’s key production asset in the Volga region, has increased the reliability of power supply to oil production facilities by servicing 6 (10) kV power lines with truck-mounted hydraulic lifts on high-traffic chassis.
The unique tracked model has high technical and off-road capabilities. In particular, the driver of the special vehicle can automatically level the working platform and control the equipment remotely from the control panel.
The equipment also allows for the safe delivery and lifting of people and large loads (metal structures, construction equipment), and the performance of transport and technological operations in particularly difficult road and climatic conditions of marshy terrain, afloat and virgin snow.
The use of hydraulic lifts increases the speed of response to technological shutdowns of network infrastructure during periods of adverse weather conditions by reducing the time it takes for special equipment to arrive at the site of damage, which ensures uninterrupted operation of oil-producing wells and reduces transportation costs.
The Company’s enterprises regularly replenish their fleets of specialized equipment with new models from domestic developers. Domestic all-terrain vehicles also help the enterprise maintain reliable power supply at any time of year on any site. Last year, the fleet of Orenburgneft’s special equipment was replenished with ten such high-traffic vehicles.
Reference:
JSC Orenburgneft, a subsidiary of Rosneft Oil Company, carries out production activities in the Orenburg, Samara and Saratov regions. The company’s fields are supplied with electricity by 51 35-110 kV substations with a total length of 6-110 kV networks – more than 4,000 km. From 2019 to 2024, as part of the implementation of the program to improve the reliability of power supply to oil production facilities, Orenburgneft commissioned seven 35-110 kV electrical substations, 170 km of overhead lines of 35-110 kV voltage class were built.
Department of Information and AdvertisingPJSC NK RosneftJuly 15, 2025
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
BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) — The China-Russia Intangible Cultural Heritage Fair was held in Heihe, Heilongjiang Province, from July 12 to 14, showcasing the rich folk arts of the two countries, according to the city’s Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism.
On the Chinese side, the event was attended by heirs of 11 intangible cultural heritage sites of various levels, while the fair brought together 24 artists engaged in decorative and applied arts from 12 regions of the Russian Federation, including Moscow, Kamchatka Krai, Magadan Oblast, the Republic of Buryatia and Amur Oblast.
At the exhibition within the framework of the fair, visitors saw paintings made of fish skin, various birch bark products, stone microminiatures, etc., the manufacturing technique of which is related to the intangible cultural heritage in China. Meanwhile, Russian artisans presented unique wooden dolls, wood and stone carvings, ceramic dishes, sculpture, etc.
At the fair, Russian artists opened several master classes, during which visitors were able to try making traditional Yakut amulets, textile folk dolls, etc. with their own hands.
In addition, the heirs of intangible cultural heritage and invited guests from both countries conducted an in-depth exchange of experiences and organized a dialogue on the topic of preserving, inheriting and innovative development of traditional handicrafts.
The three-day event, which aimed to promote intangible cultural heritage exchanges between China and Russia, attracted thousands of local residents as well as domestic and foreign tourists, promoting the sale of arts and crafts, the department said in a statement. -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
JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) — A rescue team in Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands said on Tuesday that 17 people were found alive after a speedboat capsized in the Sipora Strait in West Sumatra province on Monday.
According to preliminary reports, the speedboat, which was carrying 18 passengers, including several children, departed from Sikakap Island at around 08:00 local time and capsized around 11:00 while en route to Sipora Island in difficult weather conditions.
Eleven people were initially reported missing after the crash. As of Tuesday morning, 10 of them had been found safe.
Rudy Ihu, head of the Mentawai Islands Search and Rescue Agency, told Xinhua that most of the survivors managed to swim to the shores of nearby islands.
“Currents, waves and winds helped them reach the coast,” he said.
He noted that, judging by preliminary data and the words of survivors, the capsizing was caused by extreme weather conditions, when large waves hit the boat.
Rescuers continue searching for missing person. –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.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Senegal becomes the ninth country in WHO’s African Region to have achieved this feat.
“I commend Senegal for freeing its population from this disease”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone is yet another sign of the remarkable progress being made against neglected tropical diseases globally, and offers hope to other countries still working to eliminate trachoma.”
Trachoma has been known in Senegal since the early 1900s and was confirmed as a major cause of blindness through surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. Senegal joined the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma in 1998, conducted its first national survey in 2000, and completed full disease mapping by 2017 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. Trachoma control was consistently integrated into national eye health programmed, first under the National Program for Blindness Prevention (PNLC) and later through the National Program for the Promotion of Eye Health (PNPSO) – maintaining its commitment to trachoma elimination.
“Today we celebrate our victory against trachoma, 21 years after the one against dracunculiasis” said Dr Ibrahima Sy, Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action. “This new milestone reminds us that our overarching goal remains a Senegal free from neglected tropical diseases. We are fully committed to this, and we are making good progress, notably against human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis”.
Senegal implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners, reaching 2.8 million people who needed them across 24 districts. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting antibiotic mass drug administration of azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.
Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Senegal. In 2004, the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Senegal joins 24 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. These are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider of group of 57 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases.
WHO is supporting Senegal’s health authorities to closely monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.
“Trachoma has cast a shadow over communities in Senegal for more than a century. This long-awaited validation is not only a milestone for public health but a powerful tribute to the tireless dedication of frontline health workers, communities, government leaders, and partners who never gave up,” said Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo, WHO Representative in Senegal. “Today, we close a chapter that began over a hundred years ago, united with pride, gratitude and resolve. WHO remains committed to supporting Senegal as the country continues to lead in sustaining this hard-earned achievement.”
Disease prevalence
Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. WHO’s African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.
Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.
There are currently 20 countries (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. A further 3 countries in the Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau and Namibia) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination.
The island of Mauritius was once the native habitat of the dodo—a striking, flightless bird that went extinct in the face of unsustainable hunting by sailors. Today, the dodo is a national symbol for the country, representing the importance of conservation and sustainability efforts.
Economies are also shaped by human action, including fiscal policy. Mauritius has a strong policy track record that has engendered a transition from an agricultural economy to a diversified upper-middle-income country.
However, Mauritius now faces challenges from high public debt, significant public investment needs, low productivity, and an ageing society. To address them, fiscal policy would need to be recalibrated to preserve today’s dodo: inclusive economic prosperity.
Fiscal sustainability measures
The Mauritian authorities recently announced their 2025-26 budget, which prioritizes reforms to support sustainable fiscal policy. These reforms aim to increase tax revenue by over two percent of GDP in 2025-26, while reducing government spending by over one percent of GDP in the same period. Overall, the authorities expect to reduce government debt from 87 percent of GDP in 2024 to 75 percent in 2030.
Our recent annual economic health check of the island nation—our Article IV Staff Report and Selected Issues Papers—offers policy options to achieve sustainable fiscal policy in Mauritius, including (i) strengthening revenue mobilization, (ii) reforming the pension system, and (iii) increasing spending efficiency. The announced budget is in line with many of our proposed policy options.
Increasing fiscal revenue
Given that tax exemptions are high—they accounted for 4.6 percent of GDP in 2024-25—the new budget aims to discontinue selected exemptions from VAT and excise duties, such as those for construction, real estate, and electric vehicles. The budget also lowers tax payment thresholds and raises new taxes. The implementation and sequencing of these reforms would need to limit any potential adverse impact on economic growth, while also protecting the most vulnerable.
Reforming pensions
On the expenditure side, there is room to make pension spending more sustainable. Benefits paid to individuals through the Basic Retirement Pension program (BRP)—received by all Mauritians aged 60 and older—have more than doubled since 2019. On top of higher benefits, fiscal pressures are mounting from a relative increase in the number of pensioners. As society ages, Mauritius is expected to face a doubling in the old-age dependency ratio over the next thirty years, resulting in a fast-growing pension bill.
Maintaining the present system would imply significant intergenerational redistribution from younger to older generations, as the (relatively small) younger cohort would likely face higher taxes to finance pensions for the (larger) older one. An option to help contain the growing cost of the BRP is a gradual alignment of the eligibility age from 60 to the official retirement age of 65. Given demographic trends, the alignment in the BRP eligibility age would help make the pension system more sustainable, while containing intergenerational inequalities and protecting the most vulnerable. The announced budget is a step in this direction.
Spending efficiently
There is also scope for streamlining broadly targeted and regressive fiscal transfers. Social subsidies in Mauritius, in many cases, reach relatively few poor individuals. For example, only 11 percent of beneficiaries of the social aid program are defined as poor. The announced budget proposes savings by gradually unwinding some broadly targeted subsidies. The resulting savings will help create fiscal space to finance targeted schemes for the most vulnerable, while making fiscal policy more sustainable.
Unlike the dodo, now extinct, Mauritius’ economy will continue to thrive so long as fiscal sustainability is secured.
The 2025 Western Cape Youth in Action Career Expo has been hailed a tremendous success, drawing more than 11 500 attendees, which doubles the number from the 2024 turnout.
Organised by the Western Cape Education Department in partnership with the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) marketing team, the event served as a valuable platform for young people to explore various career paths and connect with potential opportunities.
The expo, which was hosted early this month, aimed to create an inclusive and empowering environment where learners from underserved schools and communities, as well as people with disabilities, could access information and opportunities.
Senior Curriculum Planner for Life Orientation, Dr Ismail Teladia, highlighted the event’s alignment with the subject’s world of work component, providing vital exposure to industry partners and tertiary institutions.
Key stakeholders, including the City of Cape Town and Gift of the Givers, provided transportation for learners from as far as Toews River.
“Despite inclement weather, parents and learners showed remarkable enthusiasm, keeping exhibitors busy for two days. More than 171 institutions participated, offering education, training, bursaries, and employment opportunities,” the Western Cape Education department said in a statement.
Institutions from outside the province, including North West University, the University of Free State, Rhodes University, and Focus Air, an aviation school in Durban, showcased their programmes.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including the Founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman, Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli, and Western Cape Agriculture MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer.
“They praised the expo’s impact and potential to empower young people. Dr Teladia thanked all participants, exhibitors, and stakeholders for their contributions to the event’s success.”
Teladia said the planning for next year’s expo has already begun, promising another opportunity for young people to connect with their future. – SAnews.gov.za
Minister welcomes 15 year sentences in R30m plant poaching case
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has commended the conviction and sentencing of four foreign nationals involved in a major plant poaching case, valued between R6 million and R30 million.
The Calvinia Regional Court sentenced the accused to 15 years direct imprisonment for the illegal harvesting of 303 specimens of the critically endangered Clivia mirabilis, a rare species endemic to parts of the Northern and Western Cape.
The plants, commonly known as the miracle bush lily or Oorlogskloof bush lily, are highly sought after in the illicit global plant trade.
The convicts, Mark Daddy (43), Raphael Mhashu (25), Simbarashe Charanelura (33), and Elton Ngwanati (34), were arrested on 20 April 2024 after being found in possession of the endangered specimens.
The accused were convicted and sentenced on 3 July 2025 on charges related to the illegal harvesting of protected plant species and breaches of South Africa’s immigration legislation.
The Minister said the case reflects a broader trend of organised criminal syndicates expanding their focus beyond succulents to exploit a wider range of South Africa’s rare flora, driven by high international demand, particularly in Asian markets.
He warned that these crimes threaten biodiversity, disrupt ecosystems, and push already vulnerable species closer to extinction.
“This conviction is a critical milestone in our fight against environmental crime. It sends a clear message: those who profit from exploiting our natural heritage will face serious consequences.
“The department will continue to strengthen enforcement, build international partnerships, and work closely with police and prosecutors to stop the illegal trade in wildlife and plants,” George said.
The Minister also commended the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and all involved officials in the case, in particular investigating officer Constable Danver Matthys and Prosecutor Darryl Bromkamp, for their dedication and professionalism in securing the conviction.
George confirmed that the department is actively investigating related cases of illegal plant poaching.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity and support efforts to protect South Africa’s natural heritage for future generations. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Completed fish pass in Suffolk’s chalk stream help fish to thrive
A new £1.2 million fish pass on the River Lark in Mildenhall improves migration for trout, eels, and course fish.
The new £1.2 million fish pass on the River Lark in Mildenhall that improves migration for trout, eels, and coarse fish.
Thousands of fish will benefit from improved access to vital habitats following the installation of a new fish pass on a precious chalk stream.
The natural limestone fish passage at Turf Lock on the River Lark has replaced 2 weirs that were preventing wild brown trout, eels and coarse fish from migrating upstream.
Built as a rock ramp-style fish pass using natural materials, boulders were carefully placed to disrupt the flow. The new design allows fish to swim between boulders, as they move upstream, which provide shelter and creates better conditions for migration across varying water levels and flows.
Lou Mayer, environment programme manager for the Environment Agency in Suffolk, said:
It’s fantastic to see work completed on this important project and witness fish swimming up into Mildenhall for the first time in centuries. Chalk streams are a valuable natural resource that the Environment Agency and its partners are working hard to restore and protect.
Over time, there has been a gradual decline in both biodiversity and the overall health of the River Lark’s ecosystem. This project and other planned initiatives will help this river continue to recover and become more resilient to future challenges of climate change.
Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, said:
Protecting and enhancing Suffolk’s environment is one the county council’s core ambitions, and the fish pass project is a great example of what can be achieved.
The Brecks is such a nationally unique area, and thanks to the hard work and care of all the partners involved, it is wonderful to know that fish are now accessing parts of the river for the first time in generations.
This initiative forms part of the government’s Plan for Change commitment to restore nature and improve water quality across the country.
The project is being delivered through the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and hosted by Suffolk County Council in collaboration with local authorities, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, Natural England and other partners.
The Environment Agency invites residents to come and learn about the fish pass and the wider effort to restore the health of the River Lark. Friday July 18, 5pm – 7pm at the Mildenhall Cricket Club, Mildenhall IP28 7JU. No need to book.
Background:
The Environment Agency is funding this project from the Water Environment Improvement Fund, which has been used to unlock £3million of National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership scheme, delivering heritage conservation projects on the Breck’s fenland fringe, key freshwater habitats and primary river corridors.
The River Lark’s catchment partnership objective is to make improvements to habitat and ecological status of the river. Find out more here: The River Lark Catchment Partnership
The River Lark has been identified as a flagship river for The Chalk Stream Restoration Project nominated as a Flagship catchment by Anglian Water and supported by the River Lark Catchment Partnership.
Gov.uk blog about eel migration: Ancient mystery of European eel migration unravelled to help combat decline of critically-endangered species – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Anyone aged 13 or over needs a licence to fish for salmon, trout, eels or freshwater species, with the price as little as £6.60 for a day. Through buying a licence, anglers help protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries: https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
New Incoming CEO of the National Wealth Fund
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has today announced the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Wealth Fund.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has today announced the appointment of Oliver Holbourn as the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Wealth Fund, to lead it through its next chapter.
Oliver brings more than 25 years of experience across banking, strategy, and public financial investments including CEO roles at RBS International and, formerly, UK Financial Investments.
The National Wealth Fund is the government’s principal investor and policy bank. It is at the forefront of investing public money and mobilising private capital to help deliver on the government’s growth and clean energy missions.
Since its launch in October 2024, the National Wealth Fund has committed £2.5 billion, supporting 10,700 jobs. It also has expanded firepower, with £5.8 billion of additional capital to deploy. The NWF’s economic capital limit has been increased allowing it to take on greater risk, providing greater flexibility over its investments to support more projects to access private finance.
The Chancellor recently set this government’s Strategic Priorities for the National Wealth Fund over this Parliament. Under Oliver Holbourn’s leadership, the National Wealth Fund will enter a new phase of delivering these priorities: significantly increasing the amount of capital it deploys; expanding into new sectors; and trialling Strategic Partnerships with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to develop richer pipelines for regional investment.
This appointment followed a fair and open recruitment process, and he is expected to take up his post on 1 November.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:
I would like to congratulate Oliver on his appointment as CEO of the National Wealth Fund.
Oliver brings a wealth of private sector expertise and public service experience to this critical role. His expertise will be instrumental in delivering the government’s growth and clean energy missions.
I would like to thank John Flint for his leadership in successfully transforming the UK Infrastructure Bank into the National Wealth Fund and for laying a strong foundation for its future growth.
Incoming CEO of the National Wealth Fund, Oliver Holbourn said:
The National Wealth Fund has an important role to play in the economic success of the UK; so I am deeply honoured to be taking the reins as Chief Executive at such a pivotal time.
I am excited to get to work – using the NWF’s expertise and resources to partner with businesses, investors, mayoral combined and local authorities, and ministers and stakeholders to mobilise private investment alongside public sector finance. This will help drive sustainable economic growth across the UK and support the clean energy transition.
Chair of the National Wealth Fund, Chris Grigg said:
Oliver is the ideal person to lead the Fund into our next phase. He is passionately committed to our mission, brings a rare combination of senior leadership across both the public and private sectors, and has a background in banking, which is at the heart of what we do.
I look forward to working with Oliver to realise the full potential of our expanded mandate, delivering the Government’s ambitions for growth and clean energy, underpinned by the new Industrial Strategy.
Biography
Oliver Holbourn was until very recently the CEO of RBS International Holdings, a subsidiary of the NatWest Group, where he was on the Group Executive Committee for over four years.
With over 25 years of experience across investment banking, government investments, and strategic leadership. Oliver brings deep expertise in managing capital to deliver public value having previously served as Chief Executive Officer of UK Financial Investments (UKFI), where he was responsible for managing the government’s shareholdings in RBS, Lloyds and UK Asset Resolution, overseeing complex, high-value shareholdings on behalf of the UK taxpayer.
Earlier in his career, Oliver spent over a decade at Bank of America, latterly as Managing Director of Equity Capital Markets for the UK, Ireland, and South Africa. His career has been defined by a strong track record in financial leadership, capital markets, and public sector engagement.
Extra money is being earmarked for a brand-new multi-million-pound housing estate, made up of almost 120 homes, on a former Stoke-on-Trent school site.
More than £31 million is now set to be spent on a developing and transforming the former Brookhouse Green Primary School in Wellfield Road, Bentilee, into 117 affordable homes.
It marks the biggest single investment in an affordable housing project in the city’s history. The brownfield development will consist of a series of different types of homes, from single-occupier bungalows to three-bedroom family houses.
Plans to develop the homes on the brownfield site were approved in April as part of the city council’s mission to ensure everyone has access to a decent home.
The authority has entered into a pre-construction services agreement with developer John Graham Construction Ltd (GRAHAM) – and work is expected to start on site by 2026.
The national company will work in partnership with the council to ensure that homes are of high quality and energy efficient.
The council’s cabinet is now set to approve a budget of just over £31 million for the project when it meets later this month. Funding will come from a number of spending pots and grants, as well as the authority’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA).
The redevelopment of the Wellfield Road site, which was deemed surplus to requirements in 2020, is also being supported by a £1.8 million government grant from the Brownfield Land Release Fund.
The scheme forms part of the council’s new housing pipeline strategy, which – if approved by cabinet later this month – will see nearly 5,000 homes built across the city in the next few years.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This is a history-making housing project, which will deliver the types of affordable homes that many people are crying out for in the city.
“It is also one of many schemes we will be looking to deliver over the next few years as we make housing – ranging from single occupier bungalows up to larger family homes – a real focus. We will also be making it a priority to transform brownfield and current derelict sites as we regenerate our city.
“By working together, we’re making great strides to bring much-needed new homes to the city to ensure families can live their best lives now and into the future.”
Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Armenia: Alexandra Cole
Ms Alexandra Cole has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia in succession to Mr John Gallagher.
Ms Alexandra Cole has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia in succession to Mr John Gallagher who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Cole will take up her appointment during September 2025.
Curriculum vitae
Full name: Alexandra Pamela Cole
Year
Role
2024 to present
Pre-posting training
2023 to 2024
FCDO, Head of Contingency Planning, MENA
2020 to 2023
Doha, Deputy Head of Mission
2018 to 2020
Tbilisi, Deputy Head of Mission
2013 to 2018
UK Mission to the UN in Geneva, Counsellor Specialised Agencies
2011 to 2013
FCO, Policy Unit
2008 to 2010
Cairo, Consular Regional Director
2006 to 2008
FCO, Engaging with Islamic World Group
2004 to 2006
Islamabad, Second Secretary Human Rights
2002 to 2004
Sarajevo, Second Secretary Political
2001 to 2002
Pre-posting training (including Bosnian language training)
India’s trade deficit narrowed to $18.78 billion in June, down from $21.88 billion in May, according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday.
Merchandise exports remained nearly flat at $35.14 billion in June compared to $35.16 billion in the same month last year. Imports, however, declined by 3.71 per cent to $53.92 billion from $56 billion a year ago.
In the services sector, India recorded an estimated surplus of $15.62 billion for June, with services exports at $32.84 billion and imports at $17.58 billion.
Combined exports of merchandise and services stood at $67.98 billion in June, while combined imports were $71.50 billion, resulting in a net trade deficit of $3.51 billion for the month.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal recently said that global conflicts and economic uncertainties are impacting Indian exports. The government, he added, is working closely with exporters to address issues related to shipping and insurance.
The trade numbers come as India continues negotiations with the US and other partners to secure favourable market access. The US has been pushing for wider access for its agricultural and dairy products — a sensitive issue for India due to its impact on the livelihoods of small farmers.
India is also seeking an exemption from former US President Donald Trump’s 26 per cent tariffs by aiming to conclude an interim trade deal. Simultaneously, India is pushing for tariff concessions on its labour-intensive exports, including textiles, leather and footwear.
Trump has announced that his administration will begin notifying trading partners about tariff rates as early as Friday, even as last-stage talks continue with countries including India to avoid higher US duties.
Meanwhile, India’s trade performance in Q3 FY25 (October–December 2024) reflected cautious resilience amid global geopolitical tensions, according to a quarterly report by NITI Aayog released on Monday. Merchandise exports in that quarter rose 3 per cent year-on-year to $108.7 billion.
The report also highlighted a sharp rise in exports of aircraft, spacecraft and parts, which entered the top ten export categories with over 200 per cent annual growth driven by demand from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the Czech Republic.
India’s high-tech merchandise exports, led by electrical machinery and arms and ammunition, have maintained steady momentum since 2014, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10.6 per cent.
Our new study presents analysis of the UK-wide trends for three major pollutants – nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) and tiny particulate matter known as PM₂.₅ – between 2015 and 2024 to calculate how often air quality targets were breached.
Both nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ showed robust decreases over the period 2015-2024, declining on average by 35% and 30% respectively. In 2015-2016, the average Defra monitoring site exceeded the nitrogen dioxide target on 136 days per year. By 2023-2024, this had dropped to 40 days per year.
For PM₂.₅, the number of days the average Defra site breached the target went from 40 to 22 days per year. While this is an improvement, the World Health Organization advises that these targets should not be breached on more than four days per year.
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To examine the sources of pollution, we studied how pollutants were influenced by factors including time of day, day of week, wind direction and origin, location of monitoring station and even interactions between pollutant. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations are highest at monitoring sites located next to busy urban roads, lower at urban background sites (which are located at sites further from traffic such as parks) and much lower in rural sites.
Profiles over 24-hour periods show strong nitrogen dioxide peaks coinciding with the morning and evening rush hours and clear decreases at weekends. This all points to local traffic emissions being the major source. While PM₂.₅ is also higher in urban than rural locations, it exhibits more muted rush hour peaks and is more consistent between the week and weekend, suggesting traffic plays a smaller role.
We explored how wind direction and origin influenced nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ by running a weather forecast model backwards for three UK locations: Reading, Sheffield and Glasgow. While nitrogen dioxide showed only a weak correlation with wind origin, PM₂.₅ was much more dependent.
For example, the probability of PM₂.₅ breaching air quality targets on a given day exceeded 15% only when the air had come from continental Europe and, for Sheffield and Glasgow, passed over much of the UK too.
NO₂ and PM₂.₅ pollution reduced over the last decade but remains too high while O₃ pollution has worsened. James Weber, CC BY
While nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ showed clear improvements, ozone exhibited a less positive picture. Ozone increased in 115 of the 121 sites considered, growing by 17% on average. A similar trend was observed across much of northern Europe. The average number of days ozone exceeded the World Health Organization target doubled from seven to 14 per year.
This may seem modest at present, but several factors are conspiring to drive ozone higher. In much of the UK, the relatively high levels of nitrogen dioxide effectively suppress ozone: as a result, ozone is higher in rural rather than urban areas and, as nitrogen dioxide decreases, ozone will increase further.
Unless, that is, we also target nitrogen dioxide’s partner in crime, volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are critical to the production of ozone and are emitted from human sources such as traffic and industry, plus certain types of vegetation like oak trees. While emissions of nitrogen dioxide fell by 20% between 2015-2024, human-driven VOC emissions declined by only 1%.
Ozone also increases in periods of hot weather due to elevated VOC emissions from vegetation and greater mixing of air from higher up in the atmosphere into the layer closest to the surface. Incidents of hot weather are only going to become more frequent in the UK, making it even more critical to crack down on human-driven VOC emissions to limit ozone pollution.
Up in the air
In the UK, considerable efforts have been made to improve air quality. Its importance has been enshrined in law for nearly 70 years. An extensive network of air quality monitoring sites is maintained by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) plus devolved and local authorities.
Local authorities are required to monitor air quality and develop air quality management areas in places where targets are unlikely to be met. Clean air or low emission zones have been introduced as a result.
However, air quality policy must be designed to reflect the complex nature of each pollutants’ drivers. Nitrogen dioxide is dominated by local sources, PM₂.₅ by transport from further afield and ozone by a combination of both.
Local and national policies that cut traffic emissions by incentivising the replacement of older cars with newer, cleaner vehicles, retrofitting buses and restricting entry of the most polluting vehicles into towns and cities will probably reduce nitrogen dioxide further.
But, if nitrogen dioxide decreases are not accompanied by reductions to VOC emissions, locally and internationally, ozone will continue to rise, especially with more frequent hot weather.
By contrast, most PM₂.₅ comes from sources further afield, including industry and agriculture from other parts of the UK and beyond, so reductions hinge on stronger national and global policies that target emissions at source rather than just local efforts.
Air pollution doesn’t respect borders and while the technologies to facilitate continued improvements exist, they must be deployed in joined-up, international efforts.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
James Weber 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.
Our new study presents analysis of the UK-wide trends for three major pollutants – nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) and tiny particulate matter known as PM₂.₅ – between 2015 and 2024 to calculate how often air quality targets were breached.
Both nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ showed robust decreases over the period 2015-2024, declining on average by 35% and 30% respectively. In 2015-2016, the average Defra monitoring site exceeded the nitrogen dioxide target on 136 days per year. By 2023-2024, this had dropped to 40 days per year.
For PM₂.₅, the number of days the average Defra site breached the target went from 40 to 22 days per year. While this is an improvement, the World Health Organization advises that these targets should not be breached on more than four days per year.
Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox.Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.
To examine the sources of pollution, we studied how pollutants were influenced by factors including time of day, day of week, wind direction and origin, location of monitoring station and even interactions between pollutant. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations are highest at monitoring sites located next to busy urban roads, lower at urban background sites (which are located at sites further from traffic such as parks) and much lower in rural sites.
Profiles over 24-hour periods show strong nitrogen dioxide peaks coinciding with the morning and evening rush hours and clear decreases at weekends. This all points to local traffic emissions being the major source. While PM₂.₅ is also higher in urban than rural locations, it exhibits more muted rush hour peaks and is more consistent between the week and weekend, suggesting traffic plays a smaller role.
We explored how wind direction and origin influenced nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ by running a weather forecast model backwards for three UK locations: Reading, Sheffield and Glasgow. While nitrogen dioxide showed only a weak correlation with wind origin, PM₂.₅ was much more dependent.
For example, the probability of PM₂.₅ breaching air quality targets on a given day exceeded 15% only when the air had come from continental Europe and, for Sheffield and Glasgow, passed over much of the UK too.
NO₂ and PM₂.₅ pollution reduced over the last decade but remains too high while O₃ pollution has worsened. James Weber, CC BY
While nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ showed clear improvements, ozone exhibited a less positive picture. Ozone increased in 115 of the 121 sites considered, growing by 17% on average. A similar trend was observed across much of northern Europe. The average number of days ozone exceeded the World Health Organization target doubled from seven to 14 per year.
This may seem modest at present, but several factors are conspiring to drive ozone higher. In much of the UK, the relatively high levels of nitrogen dioxide effectively suppress ozone: as a result, ozone is higher in rural rather than urban areas and, as nitrogen dioxide decreases, ozone will increase further.
Unless, that is, we also target nitrogen dioxide’s partner in crime, volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are critical to the production of ozone and are emitted from human sources such as traffic and industry, plus certain types of vegetation like oak trees. While emissions of nitrogen dioxide fell by 20% between 2015-2024, human-driven VOC emissions declined by only 1%.
Ozone also increases in periods of hot weather due to elevated VOC emissions from vegetation and greater mixing of air from higher up in the atmosphere into the layer closest to the surface. Incidents of hot weather are only going to become more frequent in the UK, making it even more critical to crack down on human-driven VOC emissions to limit ozone pollution.
Up in the air
In the UK, considerable efforts have been made to improve air quality. Its importance has been enshrined in law for nearly 70 years. An extensive network of air quality monitoring sites is maintained by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) plus devolved and local authorities.
Local authorities are required to monitor air quality and develop air quality management areas in places where targets are unlikely to be met. Clean air or low emission zones have been introduced as a result.
However, air quality policy must be designed to reflect the complex nature of each pollutants’ drivers. Nitrogen dioxide is dominated by local sources, PM₂.₅ by transport from further afield and ozone by a combination of both.
Local and national policies that cut traffic emissions by incentivising the replacement of older cars with newer, cleaner vehicles, retrofitting buses and restricting entry of the most polluting vehicles into towns and cities will probably reduce nitrogen dioxide further.
But, if nitrogen dioxide decreases are not accompanied by reductions to VOC emissions, locally and internationally, ozone will continue to rise, especially with more frequent hot weather.
By contrast, most PM₂.₅ comes from sources further afield, including industry and agriculture from other parts of the UK and beyond, so reductions hinge on stronger national and global policies that target emissions at source rather than just local efforts.
Air pollution doesn’t respect borders and while the technologies to facilitate continued improvements exist, they must be deployed in joined-up, international efforts.
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James Weber 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.
India has reduced the number of children who missed all vaccinations — also called zero-dose children — by 43% in just one year, according to new data released on Tuesday by WHO and UNICEF.
As per the 2024 data, India brought down its number of zero-dose children from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024 — a drop of nearly 700,000.
“This is a proud moment for South Asia. More children are protected today than ever before,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, while also stressing the need to reach the remaining children in remote areas.
South Asia, as a region, achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage. In 2024, 92% of infants received the third dose of the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. This marks a 2% increase from 2023 and even surpasses pre-COVID levels.
Nepal also saw major improvement, cutting its number of zero-dose children by more than half. Pakistan reached its highest-ever DTP3 coverage at 87%. However, Afghanistan remains a concern, with the lowest coverage in the region and a slight decline compared to last year.
Measles coverage improved as well: around 93% of infants received the first dose and 88% received the second. Reported measles cases fell sharply by 39% in 2024.
Vaccination against HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which prevents cervical cancer, also made progress. Bangladesh vaccinated over 7.1 million girls since launching its programme last year, while Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka also reported increases. India and Pakistan are expected to begin their HPV vaccination campaigns later this year.
The WHO and UNICEF report praised strong leadership from governments, the tireless work of frontline health workers, and the better use of data and technology for achieving these gains.
“It is heartening to see the WHO South-East Asia Region reach its highest-ever immunization rates, surpassing the pre-pandemic uptrend. We must build on this momentum and step up efforts to reach every child with these lifesaving vaccines. Together we can, and we must,” said Dr Thaksaphon Thamarangsi, Director of Programme Management, WHO South-East Asia Region.
Still, experts warned that over 2.9 million children in South Asia remain un- or under-vaccinated and must be reached to ensure full protection against deadly diseases.
Designers from across Europe invited to apply, starting 15 July 2025
Application platform open until 18 August 2025
Governing Council’s decision on final design expected by end of 2026 following a public survey
The European Central Bank (ECB) today launched a public contest for the design of future euro banknotes – the next step in the euro banknote redesign process. The ECB’s Governing Council has already selected two possible themes for the future euro banknotes after consulting experts and the public. These are: “European culture”, focusing on shared cultural spaces and important Europeans; and “Rivers and birds”, focusing on the resilience and diversity of Europe’s natural ecosystems. In January the Governing Council also selected motifs to illustrate the two possible themes.
The design contest, which is open to graphic designers residing in the European Union, aims to identify the best design proposals for the future euro banknotes. The contest will proceed in two phases: an application phase and a design proposal phase. During the application phase, designers must meet the specific requirements listed in the contest notice. The applicants will be assessed on the basis of their qualifications and achievements. Selected designers will be invited to participate in the second phase and submit their design proposals. A group of independent experts – the Design Contest Jury – will evaluate the proposals and select up to five per theme.
“The euro is more than a currency – it symbolises European unity and diversity. Through this contest, we invite designers across Europe to shape the future of our banknotes to reflect our shared cultural identity and natural heritage,” said ECB President Christine Lagarde.
After the contest finishes, the public will be invited to provide feedback on the designs selected. The Governing Council is expected to decide on the final design by the end of 2026. The new banknotes will be ready to enter circulation some years after this decision and following the production process. For detailed information about the contest, please refer to the ECB’s website and the Official Journal of the European Union. Designers interested in participating are invited to submit their application by 12:00 CET on 18 August.
It is the duty of the ECB and the euro area national central banks to ensure that euro banknotes remain an innovative, secure and efficient means of payment. Developing new series of banknotes regularly is standard practice for all central banks. In a world where banknote reproduction technologies are rapidly evolving and counterfeiters can easily access information and materials, it is necessary to issue new banknotes on a regular basis. Beyond security considerations, the ECB is committed to reducing the environmental impact of euro banknotes throughout their life cycle, while also making them more relatable and inclusive for Europeans of all ages and backgrounds, including vulnerable groups such as the visually impaired. For more information, see the Future banknotes page on the ECB’s website.
The theme of the current euro banknotes is “Ages and styles” and the main motifs on each banknote are windows, doorways and bridges based on architectural styles from various periods in European history. For more information, see the Design elements page on the ECB’s website.
Designers from across Europe invited to apply, starting 15 July 2025
Application platform open until 18 August 2025
Governing Council’s decision on final design expected by end of 2026 following a public survey
The European Central Bank (ECB) today launched a public contest for the design of future euro banknotes – the next step in the euro banknote redesign process. The ECB’s Governing Council has already selected two possible themes for the future euro banknotes after consulting experts and the public. These are: “European culture”, focusing on shared cultural spaces and important Europeans; and “Rivers and birds”, focusing on the resilience and diversity of Europe’s natural ecosystems. In January the Governing Council also selected motifs to illustrate the two possible themes.
The design contest, which is open to graphic designers residing in the European Union, aims to identify the best design proposals for the future euro banknotes. The contest will proceed in two phases: an application phase and a design proposal phase. During the application phase, designers must meet the specific requirements listed in the contest notice. The applicants will be assessed on the basis of their qualifications and achievements. Selected designers will be invited to participate in the second phase and submit their design proposals. A group of independent experts – the Design Contest Jury – will evaluate the proposals and select up to five per theme.
“The euro is more than a currency – it symbolises European unity and diversity. Through this contest, we invite designers across Europe to shape the future of our banknotes to reflect our shared cultural identity and natural heritage,” said ECB President Christine Lagarde.
After the contest finishes, the public will be invited to provide feedback on the designs selected. The Governing Council is expected to decide on the final design by the end of 2026. The new banknotes will be ready to enter circulation some years after this decision and following the production process. For detailed information about the contest, please refer to the ECB’s website and the Official Journal of the European Union. Designers interested in participating are invited to submit their application by 12:00 CET on 18 August.
It is the duty of the ECB and the euro area national central banks to ensure that euro banknotes remain an innovative, secure and efficient means of payment. Developing new series of banknotes regularly is standard practice for all central banks. In a world where banknote reproduction technologies are rapidly evolving and counterfeiters can easily access information and materials, it is necessary to issue new banknotes on a regular basis. Beyond security considerations, the ECB is committed to reducing the environmental impact of euro banknotes throughout their life cycle, while also making them more relatable and inclusive for Europeans of all ages and backgrounds, including vulnerable groups such as the visually impaired. For more information, see the Future banknotes page on the ECB’s website.
The theme of the current euro banknotes is “Ages and styles” and the main motifs on each banknote are windows, doorways and bridges based on architectural styles from various periods in European history. For more information, see the Design elements page on the ECB’s website.
