Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Robot dogs showcased at the Lincolnshire Show
The team’s new canine ambassadors sparked chats on clean energy, local jobs and a future powered by fusion.
The STEP team pose with a robot dog. Image credit: UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd.
The UK’s first of a kind Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) fusion energy team wowed the crowds at the Lincolnshire Show last week with a pair of robo-dogs. The STEP Programme is located at West Burton, a previous coal-fired power station with plans to build a fusion energy power plant at the site which uses robotics to help movement inside the plant. The dog duo proved a hit at the Showground and generated many conversations around fusion energy, the boost the programme will bring to local businesses, thousands of extra jobs that STEP will bring to the area and opportunities around new skills for future generations of workers.
Thousands of people gathered at the show which centres on agriculture, trade and local produce, a true celebration of rural life in Lincolnshire. This year the show returned for its 140th year with around 60,000 visitors and a constant flow of people around the STEP robot dogs who were providing entertainment to people of all ages, and they also caught the attention of a few (real) dogs too who were not quite sure what to make of the lively little robots.
STEP was hosted by West Lindsey District Council at the annual show, who are proud to be neighbours of this upcoming national significant infrastructure project beginning with construction that will take the commercialisation of fusion energy a step closer to getting clean and green power on to the Grid. The local MP for Gainsborough, Sir Edward Leigh was on hand to speak to people visiting the Show. He commented:
This is the most exciting thing that has happened to Gainsborough in a hundred years. We’re going to be at the cutting edge of technology, just as Gainsborough was in the middle of the 19th century when it became an industrial town. It’s really exciting. Fusion is unlimited green energy, it’s completely safe, it will transform humankind. Gainsborough is really coming up in the world, and this will just be the icing on the cake.
You can join in with some of the fusion fun and help the STEP team who are running a competition to name the two newest members of their team – the robot dogs!
The first of its kind, STEP is the UK’s major technology and infrastructure programme to build a prototype fusion power plant that will demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. This will pave the way for the potential development of a fleet of future fusion power plants around the world and the commercialisation of fusion energy.
We’ll achieve this by producing a prototype tokamak power plant – in an innovative spherical shape – that will demonstrate net energy. That’s why the programme is called STEP: it stands for ‘Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production’. But STEP is about more than tokamak technology – it’s a huge endeavour encompassing design, site development and construction, alongside supply chain logistics and industry. Fusion research and development has the potential to catalyse new ideas and technologies that will benefit multiple industries and help secure our future on this planet.
By fusing government and business, inspiration and pragmatism, theory and practice, UK-expertise and international impact, we’re going to realise the step-change that will secure humanity’s bright future. A recent report by AMION, commissioned by local authorities, set out the economic potential of the STEP programme.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on the UK heatwave.
Prof Richard Allan, Professor of Climate Science, University of Reading, said:
“The UK is on the edge of a large dome of heat encompassing continental Europe which is briefly causing heatwave conditions to affect southern Britain as June turns to July. Ocean temperatures are also up to 2 degrees Celsius above average across the waters to the southwest of the UK and hotter still in the western Mediterranean. The ebb and flow of gigantic atmospheric waves have generated the stable, cloud-free conditions for heat to build up across Western Europe. But rising greenhouse gas levels due to human activities are making it more difficult for Earth to lose excess heat to space and the warmer, thirstier atmosphere is more effective at drying soils, meaning heatwaves are intensifying, with moderate heat events now becoming extreme. The severity of summer heatwaves, but also extremes of dry as well as wet weather events, will continue to worsen until we rein in our greenhouse gas emissions and stabilise our warming climate.”
Dr Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor at the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of Oxford, said:
“Populations in urban areas like London are particularly susceptible to extreme heat as the concrete and asphalt absorb and re-emit the sun’s radiation, amplifying its impact on our bodies. For this reason, outdoor workers are particularly at risk and should take regular breaks to hydrate in the shade.
“Soaring temperatures will see a corresponding rise in demand for cooling systems like air conditioning, which can put a strain on our energy infrastructure. Air conditioning and other cooling systems become crucial to maintaining health, productivity and quality of life amidst rising temperatures. However, access to cooling is unfortunately rarely equal even in developed countries, and the UK’s most disadvantaged people will bear the brunt of this heatwave.”
“Over-reliance on air conditioning creates a negative feedback loop: more fossil fuels are burnt to power more air-con units, which in turn worsens climate change and raises global temperatures. Use of fans, shade, green spaces and natural ventilation can all help to reduce air conditioning usage. When we have to rely on air-con, it is important to make sure the systems we are using are the most energy efficient.”
Dr Laurence Wainwright, Departmental Lecturer at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, said:
“While news coverage of hot weather usually includes images of sunbathing and ice creams, an often-overlooked consequence of heatwaves is their negative impact on our mental health and behaviour. Violent incidents increase, depression worsens and the effect of psychiatric medications on our body can be altered. For every 1°C increase in monthly average temperature, mental health-related deaths increase by around 2.2%. Spikes in relative humidity also result in a higher occurrence of suicide. Learning to adapt to the increasing frequency of heatwaves brought by climate change will mean taking account of all its impacts – including on our state of mind.”
Dr Chloe Brimicombe, Climate Scientist, Royal Meteorological Society, said:
“We are yet to have an attribution study, the heatwave earlier in June in the UK was 100 times more likely with Climate Change. In general we can say the heatwaves and hot spells in the summer are increasing in duration, how often they occur and intensity, how hot temperatures get to. We also think they are growing in area so more people are exposed every time they occur.
“Beyond heat killing people. They cause a rise in hospitalisations especially in the vulnerable groups to heat. In some parts of Europe it has been shown that exposure to extreme heat can raise the likelihood of preterm births and also lower birth weight babies with developmental delay. It can change how long people breastfeed for. In the long term instances of kidney disease also rise.
“We know it can cause a rise in psychosis and suicides. And an increase in small level crime.
“It puts pressure on power grids. Roads melts, railway tracks can overheat, there are signal failures. It puts pressure on the food supply chain and refrigerated lorries. It also can cause a reduction with dry conditions in crops and sunburn in apple and grapes.
“It can reduce appetites, it also can reduce productivity if proper work-rest schedules aren’t in place.
“Shopping patterns change. With less people going shopping or shopping for different products at different times.
“It impacts every part of our society. It will continue to increase unless we transition to net zero and how fast we do this also impacts how much worse these events will get.
“I think it is important that proper early warning systems that save lives are designed to be supported by other policy areas such as urban design and improving critical infrastructure. They should be integrated into our societal system better.”
Dr Friederike Otto, Associate Professor, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said:
“We absolutely do not need to do an attribution study to know that this heatwave is hotter than it would have been without our continued burning of oil, coal and gas. Countless studies have shown that climate change is an absolute game-changer when it comes to heat in Europe, making heatwaves much more frequent, especially the hottest ones, and more intense. Heatwaves are called the silent killer, for a reason, every year thousands of people in Europe die due to extreme heat, particularly those that live in poorly insulated homes, on busy, polluted roads, and that have already health problems. But extreme heat also leads to agricultural losses, infrastructure failure and puts a big strain on plants and animals. To stop people from dying in ever larger numbers we need to stop burning fossil fuels, but we also need to adapt.”
Dr Michael Byrne, Reader in Climate Science, University of St Andrews, said:
“Heat domes – the cause of this week’s European heatwave – are nothing new. They have always happened and always will happen. Heat domes occur when high pressure weather systems, normally lasting a few days, get stuck in place for a week or more. When this atmospheric ‘blocking’ happens in summertime, heatwaves occur. But what is new are the temperatures heat domes deliver: Europe is more than 2 degrees Celsius warmer than in pre-industrial times, so when a heat dome occurs it drives a hotter heatwave.
“Some research suggests heat domes will become more common as climate warms, with more frequent heatwaves as a result. There is large uncertainty regarding the future of heat domes, with no scientific consensus yet. But what is crystal clear is that climate change is loading the dice such that when a heat dome does occur, it brings hotter and more dangerous temperatures.”
Dr Leslie Mabon, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Systems, The Open University, said:
“The extreme high temperatures we are seeing in the UK are being exacerbated by the same phenomenon that is causing the heat dome across Europe. The ‘heat dome’ happens when an area of high pressure air stays over the same area for days or weeks, trapping hot air below it which then expands outwards like a dome.
“In the UK, heat-related illnesses, greater risk for this with pre-existing conditions, and wildfires can all come about because of heatwaves. This is another reminder that climate change makes extremes like this more frequent or intense.”
Declared interests
Prof Richard Allan: No conflicting interests
Dr Radhika Khosla: No declarations
Dr Laurence Wainwright: No declarations
Dr Chloe Brimicombe: No declarations
Dr Friederike Otto:No declarations
Dr Michael Byrne: No declarations
Dr Leslie Mabon: Leslie Mabon is an Ambassador for Scotland’s National Centre for Resilience. This is a voluntary position, committed to ensuring that government, industry and society are able to make decisions about resilience that are informed by the best available evidence.
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, Philip R. Lane, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB
Sintra, 30 June 2025
Good afternoon, ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane and I welcome you to this press conference, on the occasion of the conclusion of the 2025 assessment of our monetary policy strategy.
The Governing Council recently agreed on an updated monetary policy strategy statement. You can find this statement on our website, together with an explanatory overview note and the two occasional papers presenting the underlying analyses.
I will start by putting this strategy assessment into the broader context. Philip Lane will then go through the updated strategy statement and explain what has changed and why, as well as what has remained unchanged.
Following the strategy review we carried out in 2020-21, the Governing Council committed to “assess periodically the appropriateness of its monetary policy strategy, with the next assessment expected in 2025”. Such regular assessments ensure that our framework, toolkit and approach remain fit for purpose in a changing world.
And the world has changed significantly over the last four years. Some of the issues we were most concerned about back in 2021 – including inflation being too low for too long – have taken a rather different turn.
Not only did we see inflation surge, but some fundamental structural features of our economy and the inflation environment are changing: geopolitics, digitalisation, the increasing use of artificial intelligence, demographics, the threat to environmental sustainability and the evolution of the international financial system.
All of those suggest that the environment in which we operate will remain highly uncertain and potentially more volatile. This will make it more challenging to conduct our monetary policy and fulfil our mandate to keep prices stable.
During the strategy assessment, we asked: what do these changes mean for the way we assess the economy, conduct our policy, use our toolkit, take our decisions and communicate them? In seeking to answer this question, our mindset was forward-looking.
On the whole, we concluded that our monetary policy strategy remains well suited to addressing the challenges that lie ahead.
But our strategy also needs to be updated and adjusted in certain areas, so that the ECB can remain fit for purpose in the years to come. The next assessment is expected in 2030.
With our updated strategy statement, we are taking a comprehensive perspective on the challenges facing our monetary policy, so that the ECB can remain an anchor of stability in this more uncertain world.
This is our core message to the euro area citizens we serve: the new environment gives many reasons to worry, but one thing they do not need to worry about is our commitment to price stability.
The ECB is committed to its mandate and will keep itself and its tools updated to be able to respond to new challenges.
Let me conclude by thanking, on behalf of the Governing Council, all the colleagues across the Eurosystem who have contributed to this assessment in a great team effort.
I now hand over to our Chief Economist Philip Lane and, following his remarks, we will be ready to take your questions.
Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, Philip R. Lane, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB
Sintra, 30 June 2025
Good afternoon, ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane and I welcome you to this press conference, on the occasion of the conclusion of the 2025 assessment of our monetary policy strategy.
The Governing Council recently agreed on an updated monetary policy strategy statement. You can find this statement on our website, together with an explanatory overview note and the two occasional papers presenting the underlying analyses.
I will start by putting this strategy assessment into the broader context. Philip Lane will then go through the updated strategy statement and explain what has changed and why, as well as what has remained unchanged.
Following the strategy review we carried out in 2020-21, the Governing Council committed to “assess periodically the appropriateness of its monetary policy strategy, with the next assessment expected in 2025”. Such regular assessments ensure that our framework, toolkit and approach remain fit for purpose in a changing world.
And the world has changed significantly over the last four years. Some of the issues we were most concerned about back in 2021 – including inflation being too low for too long – have taken a rather different turn.
Not only did we see inflation surge, but some fundamental structural features of our economy and the inflation environment are changing: geopolitics, digitalisation, the increasing use of artificial intelligence, demographics, the threat to environmental sustainability and the evolution of the international financial system.
All of those suggest that the environment in which we operate will remain highly uncertain and potentially more volatile. This will make it more challenging to conduct our monetary policy and fulfil our mandate to keep prices stable.
During the strategy assessment, we asked: what do these changes mean for the way we assess the economy, conduct our policy, use our toolkit, take our decisions and communicate them? In seeking to answer this question, our mindset was forward-looking.
On the whole, we concluded that our monetary policy strategy remains well suited to addressing the challenges that lie ahead.
But our strategy also needs to be updated and adjusted in certain areas, so that the ECB can remain fit for purpose in the years to come. The next assessment is expected in 2030.
With our updated strategy statement, we are taking a comprehensive perspective on the challenges facing our monetary policy, so that the ECB can remain an anchor of stability in this more uncertain world.
This is our core message to the euro area citizens we serve: the new environment gives many reasons to worry, but one thing they do not need to worry about is our commitment to price stability.
The ECB is committed to its mandate and will keep itself and its tools updated to be able to respond to new challenges.
Let me conclude by thanking, on behalf of the Governing Council, all the colleagues across the Eurosystem who have contributed to this assessment in a great team effort.
I now hand over to our Chief Economist Philip Lane and, following his remarks, we will be ready to take your questions.
Today at 11:30 CET, we will announce the results of our strategy assessment.
At 13:00 CET / 12:00 noon Lisbon time, President Christine Lagarde and Chief Economist Philip R. Lane will answer questions from journalists in a press conference.
India’s industrial production recorded a modest growth of 1.2 per cent in May 2025, according to the latest Quick Estimates released under the revised calendar for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
The latest data shows a slight moderation in growth when compared to April 2025, when the IIP had registered an increase of 2.7 per cent. The overall index for May stood at 156.6, up from 154.7 in the corresponding month last year. Sector-wise, the manufacturing segment was the main driver, recording a growth of 2.6 per cent, even as the mining sector saw a marginal contraction of 0.1 per cent. The electricity sector, however, registered a significant decline, contracting by 5.8 per cent.
The detailed figures highlight the resilience of key industry groups within the manufacturing sector. Of the 23 industry groups at the two-digit level of the National Industrial Classification, 13 recorded positive growth. The manufacture of basic metals grew by 6.4 per cent, driven by strong production of items such as MS blooms, billets, ingots, pencil ingots, MS slabs and flat products of alloy steel. The manufacture of machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified rose by 11.8 per cent, supported by healthy output of separators, decanter centrifuges, various types of pumps and stationary internal combustion piston engines for non-automotive uses. The manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products grew by 6.9 per cent, boosted by production of cement, cement clinkers and glassware.
Under the use-based classification, the index for primary goods stood at 157.9, while capital goods recorded a notable jump to 120.1, reflecting a robust growth of 14.1 per cent compared to May 2024. Intermediate goods rose to 168.1 with a growth of 3.5 per cent, while infrastructure and construction goods registered an index of 198.1, translating into a year-on-year growth of 6.3 per cent.
On the consumer front, the scenario appeared mixed. While the index for consumer durables stood at 129.3, it marked a marginal decline of 0.7 per cent over the same period last year. Consumer non-durables slipped further, with the index dropping to 150.3, showing a contraction of 2.4 per cent.
The latest release also included the final revision for April 2025, compiled with a weighted response rate of 93 per cent, while the Quick Estimates for May 2025 were compiled with a response rate of 89.5 per cent.
The Central Statistics Office will now release the Quick Estimates on the 28th of every month, or the next working day if the date happens to be a holiday.
Ukraine has joined other countries bordering Russia in signalling that it will withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, in the face of what they say are growing military threats from Russia.
NATO members Finland, Poland and the three ex-Soviet Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – have either withdrawn from the convention or indicated that they would do so, citing the increased military danger from their neighbour.
The moves threaten to reverse decades of campaigning by activists who say there should be a global ban on a weapon that blights huge swathes of territory and maims and kills civilians long after conflicts have abated.
Countries that quit the 1997 treaty – one of a series of international agreements concluded after the end of the Cold War to encourage global disarmament – will be able to start producing, using, stockpiling and transferring landmines once again.
COUNTRIES EXITING
All European countries bordering Russia have announced plans to quit the global treaty,apart from Norway which has only a 200 km (125 mile) border with Russia in its remote Arctic far north, andsaid it was important to maintain stigma around landmines.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that he had signed a decree to pull Ukraine out of the Convention because Russia has used anti-personnel mines extensively in parts of Ukraine during the 40-month-old war.
Anti-personnel mines, Zelenskiy said, are “often the instrument for which nothing can be substituted for defence purposes”.
Some European countries have said they fear that Russia could use any pause in fighting to re-arm and target them.
Officials have suggested a withdrawal could put them on more of an equal footing with Russia which has not signed or ratified the treaty. Other major powers that have not signed include the United States and China.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres in mid-June raised grave concerns about recent withdrawal announcements, and urged all states to adhere to existing treaties and immediately halt any steps towards their withdrawal.
FUNDING CUTS
As countries quit the convention, global demining efforts are also backsliding amid “crippling” U.S. funding cuts under President Donald Trump, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Washington had provided more than $300 million a year, or 40% of total international support for removing mines, according to the Landmine Monitor report in 2024.
A State Department official said in March it had restarted some global humanitarian demining programmes and activities, without giving details. It has previously run major programmes in Iraq, Afghanistan and Laos.
Anti-personnel landmines are generally hidden in the ground and designed to detonate automatically when someone steps on them or passes nearby. More than 80% of mine victims are civilians, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The convention includes provisions to assist victims, many of whom have lost limbs and suffer from other permanent disabilities.
In June 2025 the U.N. reported that Ukraine had become the most mined country in the world. It said there had been around 800 civilian casualties due to unexploded ordnance.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Change of British High Commissioner to the Bahamas: Smita Rossetti
Mrs Smita Rossetti has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Mrs Rossetti will take up her appointment during August 2025.
Smita Rossetti
Mrs Smita Rossetti has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in succession to Mr Tom Hartley, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
Mrs Rossetti will take up her appointment during August 2025.
Curriculum vitae
Full name: Smita Rossetti
Year
Role
2023 to 2025
Language training, Arabic
2021 to 2023
Cabinet Office, Head of Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), responsible for tackling threats to UK national security
2018 to 2020
FCO, Deputy Head, Pakistan and Afghanistan Department
2014 to 2018
Rabat, Deputy Ambassador
2013 to 2022
Thomson House School, London, Co-founder and Chair of Governors
UN Human Rights Council 59: Joint Statement on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change
Joint Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change. Delivered at the 59th HRC in Geneva.
Thank you Mr President.
Austria, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, the Marshall Islands, the Netherlands, Panama, and the United Kingdom thank the Special Rapporteur for her report.
Climate change and environmental degradation pose a risk to the lives and wellbeing of individuals and communities across the world, especially the most marginalised. This is compounded by the impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle.
3.5 billion people now live in contexts highly vulnerable to climate change. Rapid and enduring action must be taken to safeguard the full enjoyment of human rights for individuals both now and in the future.
As per the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement adopted at COP28, advancing the transition away from fossil fuels is crucial.
It deserves mention in this session’s human rights and climate change resolution.
We will continue to demonstrate leadership, including through the Global Clean Power Alliance Initiative, and our ambitious and credible 2035 NDC targets.
Environmental defenders and Indigenous Peoples are vital stewards of nature. We support their meaningful participation and leadership in climate action.
Special Rapporteur, what more can states do to build global consensus and advance the transition away from fossil fuels?
The final meeting of this academic year took place on June 25. Academic Council of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. And if at previous meetings issues of technological development, international cooperation and financial stability of the university were considered, now the emphasis was placed on social issues.
“Today, the Academic Council is about people,” said HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov, opening the meeting. Before discussing the main agenda, he reported that the day before, on June 24, in accordance with the decree of the President of Russia, several university employees became recipients of state awards.
The Order of Friendship was awarded to full professors Viktor Bolotov and Anton Ivanov, and the medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd degree, was awarded to research professor FSN Leonid Polyakov. The honorary title “Honored Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation” was awarded to full professor Andrei Klimenko, “Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation” – to full professor Vladislav Podinovsky.
Nikita Anisimov also recalled that in the recent elections to the Russian Academy of Sciences, four HSE employees elected academicians, seven – corresponding members. “This is evidence of the good potential and power of our university, the dynamics of its development and the attitude towards it,” the rector emphasized.
The first item on the agenda was the traditional summer competition for filling positions of professorial and teaching staff (PTS). Its preliminary results were reported by HSE Vice-Rector Alexey Koshel and Head of the Commission on Personnel and Awards of the Academic Council Marina Oleshek.
Alexey Koshel noted that the number of recommended candidates for three- and four-year contracts in Moscow has increased compared to the winter competition. The vice-rector noted that the St. Petersburg campus demonstrated high activity in terms of staff renewal: there are almost as many external candidates for professor vacancies there as internal ones.
All this speaks to the effectiveness of the chosen vector of development of personnel policy: the university attracts talented teachers and scientists to the positions of teaching staff, with whom it is ready to enter into long-term cooperation. At the same time, the status of a professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics is highly attractive on the market, ensuring serious competition and stable renewal of the academic environment.
The second issue on the agenda is the system of material motivation of HSE employees. The key element of this system is the Regulation on Remuneration, adopted back in 2015. At that time, it represented a set of the most modern solutions in the education system. Since then, many changes have occurred at the university, in legislation and in the labor market, the requirements and basic expectations of employees have been transformed, the range of best practices for working with material motivation has expanded, so there was a need to develop a new version of the document.
“A high level of guaranteed wages for full-time employees and a system of academic bonuses have been and remain a serious factor and incentive for the development of the university. The revision of the Regulation on wages has become a logical and necessary step to maintain leadership and motivation of the team, which today works on global projects in science and education, and faces serious professional challenges,” said Alexey Koshel.
The new regulation includes a support system for young professionals: financial support for the period of adaptation to professional activity, a paid mentoring system, and an allowance for defending dissertations for the degree of candidate of science. The regulation revises and supplements the list of incentive payments and social measures. The model for remuneration of external part-time workers has been changed, and business processes for concluding civil law contracts have been simplified. In addition, digital tools are being developed that allow employees to see all the financial incentives available at the university.
Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Alexander Balyshev also noted the importance of maintaining the volume of the university’s investments in academic allowances taking into account inflation. Changes in their structure are possible, but they will remain an incentive tool.
The proposed innovations were approved by the relevant commissions of the Academic Council, as well as Trade Union of HSE Employees, as its chairman, ordinary professor Dmitry Kuznetsov, spoke about.
The Academic Council supported the changes: they will come into force in 2026. As Nikita Anisimov emphasized, the material motivation system is a framework that is designed to streamline wages and make people’s lives easier. The new system will become more balanced, transparent and fair, aimed at a systematic increase in the salaries of university employees.
The meeting also focused on non-material motivation. The Academic Council approved the Regulation on the system of awards and incentives at the National Research University Higher School of Economics. This system exists at the university, but, like the remuneration system, it needs to be modernized. “Its principles should also be clear to the team,” Nikita Anisimov noted. Alexey Koshel spoke in more detail about the innovations in this matter.
He noted that professional recognition as a tool of non-material motivation does not lose its relevance. “Today, it is important to focus efforts on ensuring that managers at all levels have complete and up-to-date information about the award system and actively use the available tools. The University plans to develop the practice of presenting awards in a solemn atmosphere and make professional recognition a significant event for colleagues and the University as a whole,” said Alexey Koshel.
The incentive system includes a letter of gratitude and a thank-you note, which will be available to any employee from the first days of work (according to the previously effective rules – with at least one year of experience). The award system includes a certificate of honor from HSE, medals from HSE, honorary badges from HSE and honorary titles (statuses). Two new statuses are “Honorary Worker of HSE” and “Honorary Professor of HSE”, and the latter can be assigned to external colleagues – partners, trustees of the university.
He stated that it was possible to preserve all the advantages of the scientific conference: a stable brand, an interdisciplinary program, the involvement of different scientific schools, and the attraction of young scientists, including those from Russian regions. The top 10 countries by the number of foreign speakers included China, India, Qatar, the USA, Belarus, Brazil, Kazakhstan, the UK, South Africa, and Kyrgyzstan.
The Academic Council decided to rename the conference. Now it will be called the April International Scientific Conference named after E.G. Yasin.
Concluding the meeting, Nikita Anisimov thanked his colleagues for the involved discussion and for their effective work in the past academic year. He recalled that the admissions campaign had begun at the Higher School of Economics, which would continue after the vacation period.
“It is important that the university has formed a united and diverse team, which is well represented in the Academic Council. In this unity and diversity lies our strength and our future,” the HSE rector concluded.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development A government spokesman said, “Since its establishment in 2023, the Task Force has been rendering valuable advice that is both innovative and practical in respect of the potential and direction of Web3 development in Hong Kong. The newly appointed and reappointed members are all leaders and professionals in the relevant sectors. As the Government recently promulgated the Policy Statement 2.0 on the Development of Digital Assets in Hong Kong, their expertise and experience will contribute to promoting the continued and prosperous development of the digital asset ecosystem in Hong Kong, with a view to establishing Hong Kong as a leading global hub for digital assets.”
The Financial Secretary announced in the 2023-24 Budget the establishment of the Task Force to provide recommendations on the sustainable and responsible development of Web3 in Hong Kong. The Task Force was established in July 2023. Chaired by the Financial Secretary, in addition to non-official members from the relevant market sectors, the Task Force also comprises relevant key government officials and representatives from financial regulators.
The membership of the Task Force, with effect from July 1, 2025, is as follows:
Chairman ———– Financial Secretary
Non-official members (in alphabetical order of family names) ———————— Professor Alex Au Wai-chi Mr Cai Wensheng (newly appointed member) Mr Norman Chan Tak-lam Mr Duncan Chiu Mr Lawrence Chu Sheng-yu Dr Jack Kong Jianping Mr Kwock Yin-lun (newly appointed member) Ms Joy Lam Mr Marco Lim Jun-kit (newly appointed member) Professor Lin Chen Mr Robert Andrew Lui Chi-wang Mr Henry Ma Chi-to (newly appointed member) Dr Johnny Ng Kit-chong Professor Jack Poon Sik-ching Mr Alessio Quaglini (new appointed member) Ms Elizabeth Quat Mr Siu Yat Mr Neil Tan Mr John Wang Jiachao Dr Xiao Feng
Official members ——————- Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Commissioner for Digital Policy Director-General of Investment Promotion, Invest Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Executive Officer, Securities and Futures Commission Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Authority Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Issued at HKT 19:21
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity – Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) has been widely welcomed by the local public and visitors since its opening on April 16. The exhibition received its 200 000th visitor today (June 30), and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, presented a souvenir to the 200 000th visitor who is a primary school teacher. Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the exhibition features 130 sets of treasured exhibits from Shaanxi and archaeological finds from Hong Kong, such as the world-renowned terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shihuang and a dazzling array of warrior of Emperor Jing of Han. Admission is free. The exhibition will run until July 7, and members of the public are welcome to seize the opportunity to visit this exhibition in the remaining week.
The 200 000th visitor is Ms Woo, a primary school teacher from LKWFS Lau Tak Yung Memorial Primary School. She has led over 30 Primary Five students to visit the exhibition today. She said that the students had studied the history of the Qin and Han dynasties in the Chinese language course, so the school arranged this museum visit. The most remarkable exhibits for her are the Terracotta General from the Qin dynasty and the pottery acrobat figurine from the Han dynasty, which highlight the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient artisans. The HKMH presented a teaching kit specially produced for primary and secondary schools as a souvenir. The teaching kit includes Qin and Han dynasties matching games, a timeline of the Qin and Han dynasties, multi-perspective relic boxes, and worksheets for extended learning, allowing students to enhance their understanding of the history of the Qin and Han dynasties in a lively way. Teaching kits are also available free of charge to primary and secondary schools, and the museum will gradually distribute them to schools.
The exhibition is the second major exhibition of the General History of China Series. In addition to the local public and tourists from the Mainland and overseas, the exhibition has also been well received by schools. More than 4 700 students from over 120 kindergartens and primary and secondary schools have visited the exhibition. The HKMH has organised a series of fascinating educational and extension programmes for free, including public lectures by experts from Shaanxi and scholars from Hong Kong, guided tours as well as workshops for making mini terracotta warriors and clay mirrors, which have been highly popular. Additionally, the museum has collaborated with the Hong Kong Public Libraries to organise outreach programmes, attracting over 60 000 participants.
For information about the exhibition, please visit hk.history.museum/en/web/mh/exhibition/The-Great-Unity.html. After the exhibition concludes, the Chinese Culture Promotion Office (CCPO) plans to produce a virtual exhibition featuring selected exhibition content, which will be uploaded to the websites of the CCPO and the HKMH in July for online revisits. Please visit www.ccpo.gov.hk/en.
Thousands of IAM members across Boeing facilities in St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah, Ill., are rising in unity and now, IAM District 837 members in St. Louis are making it clear they’re ready to join the fight for the fair contract they’ve earned. With negotiations underway, members are standing strong and prepared to take action if Boeing Defense fails to deliver a contract that honors their skills, sacrifices, and value.
In a powerful show of solidarity, IAM members overwhelmingly voted 99% to authorize a strike should negotiations with Boeing fall short. Their vote sends a signal that IAM members across Boeing Defense are united and ready.
A strike sanction vote is when union members vote to give their leaders the power to call a strike if needed. It doesn’t mean a strike will definitely happen, it just means the members are united and ready to strike if the company doesn’t offer a fair contract. This vote also helps ensure that if a strike does happen, union members can get strike benefits, such as financial support, without delay.
“We’re not just demanding a fair contract for ourselves, we’re standing up for the future of aerospace jobs in St. Louis,” said IAM District 837 President and Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “Our message to Boeing is simple we’re ready to negotiate, but we’re also ready to act if necessary.”
Just as members in Seattle and Portland filled stadiums and halls with chants of solidarity, the spirit of unity is alive in St. Louis. With momentum growing, the pressure is on Boeing to come to the table and deliver a deal that respects those who make its success possible.
“Our members in St. Louis build the world’s most advanced military aircraft and missiles and they deserve a contract that reflects their role in protecting our country,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Boeing Defense makes billions from the hands-on talent of our members. It’s time those same hands are rewarded with respect, dignity, and a strong agreement.”
District 837 members play a critical role in building key defense platforms, including the F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, and the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned refueler. Their craftsmanship and dedication are vital to Boeing’s ability to meet national security needs and lead in aerospace innovation.
The post IAM Union Boeing Defense Workers in St. Louis Send Strong Message With Overwhelming Strike Sanction Approval appeared first on IAM Union.
IAM Union District 6 held a HELPS event at Meals from the Heartland in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in which Local 1526 members and their families helped pack over 25,000 Taco Mac meals. When prepared, each meal pack contains six servings. Meals from the Heartland provides meals globally; however, these meals will be given to children and families in Cedar Rapids and throughout northeast Iowa to reach those in need.
“Our union is rooted in service, not just to our members, but to the communities we live in,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “When we show up to help feed families in need, we’re putting our values into action.”
“Food insecurity is real for many children and their families in Iowa,” said IAM District 6 Directing Business Representative Pam Gonzales. “We believe that taking some time from our busy lives to help provide nutritious meals for those in need is the least we can do to give back to our communities. Showing the public that the IAM Union cares about people in the community is humbling, and we are proud to volunteer our time.”
H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing, and Servicing. Each District and Unaffiliated Local in the Midwest Territory will host at least one H.E.L.P.S.event per year.
The post IAM Union District 6 Packs 25,000 Meals to Fight Hunger in Cedar Rapids appeared first on IAM Union.
Sevilla, Spain – BREAKING: Activists from Greenpeace Spain today covered the iconic Setas de Sevilla monument with a massive banner, displaying the message: “They are destroying the planet. And you are paying for it.” The action marked the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development Conference (FfD4).
Eva Saldaña, Executive Director of Greenpeace Spain and Portugal, said “Global activism is the essence of our democracy and climate justice. If we want to build a green and fair world, the people have to unite against the takeover by billionaires and polluters, and call for a redistribution of wealth and power in the multilateral arena and international financial institutions. Global justice must prevail over greed!”
After four consecutive sessions of gains, benchmark equity indices ended lower on Monday as investors chose to book profits in the absence of strong domestic cues.
The BSE Sensex declined by 452 points, or 0.54 per cent, to settle at 83,606.46. The index oscillated between an intra-day high of 84,099.53 and a low of 83,482.13. The NSE Nifty also lost ground, shedding 120.75 points, or 0.47 per cent, to close at 25,517.05, after moving within a narrow range through the session.
Despite the subdued performance of the headline indices, the broader market continued to display resilience. The Nifty Midcap100 rose by 0.6 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap100 added 0.52 per cent, suggesting sustained investor interest in mid- and small-cap stocks.
Among the Sensex constituents, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finance, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel and Bharti Airtel were among the major laggards. On the other hand, Trent, State Bank of India, Bharat Electronics, Titan, Bajaj Finserv and Eicher Motors recorded notable gains.
Sectorally, performance was mixed. PSU banks outperformed, with the Nifty PSU Bank index jumping 2.66 per cent. Shares of Maharashtra Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Canara Bank, UCO Bank, Indian Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank advanced sharply during the session.
Other sectors including IT, consumer durables, pharma, healthcare, media and energy indices ended in positive territory. However, indices tracking automobiles, banking, financial services, FMCG, metals, realty, private banks and oil & gas sectors closed in the red.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, observed that while global cues have turned marginally positive on hopes of easing geopolitical tensions and progress in a potential US trade agreement, the domestic market paused to consolidate recent gains.
“Investors are now looking ahead to the upcoming corporate earnings season, with mid- and small-cap segments showing strength in anticipation of improved results supported by healthy consumer demand and better margins,” he said.
The India VIX, which measures market volatility, rose by 3.2 per cent to 12.78, indicating a slight uptick in investor caution.
Meanwhile, the rupee weakened by 0.21 per cent to trade near 85.70 against the US dollar, as profit booking and long unwinding weighed on the currency following recent gains.
“The rupee came under pressure ahead of a crucial week marked by key US data releases and the expiry of the 90-day extended tariff deadline. The domestic unit is expected to remain volatile in the 85.35–86.00 range,” said Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst at LKP Securities.
After four consecutive sessions of gains, benchmark equity indices ended lower on Monday as investors chose to book profits in the absence of strong domestic cues.
The BSE Sensex declined by 452 points, or 0.54 per cent, to settle at 83,606.46. The index oscillated between an intra-day high of 84,099.53 and a low of 83,482.13. The NSE Nifty also lost ground, shedding 120.75 points, or 0.47 per cent, to close at 25,517.05, after moving within a narrow range through the session.
Despite the subdued performance of the headline indices, the broader market continued to display resilience. The Nifty Midcap100 rose by 0.6 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap100 added 0.52 per cent, suggesting sustained investor interest in mid- and small-cap stocks.
Among the Sensex constituents, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finance, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel and Bharti Airtel were among the major laggards. On the other hand, Trent, State Bank of India, Bharat Electronics, Titan, Bajaj Finserv and Eicher Motors recorded notable gains.
Sectorally, performance was mixed. PSU banks outperformed, with the Nifty PSU Bank index jumping 2.66 per cent. Shares of Maharashtra Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Canara Bank, UCO Bank, Indian Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank advanced sharply during the session.
Other sectors including IT, consumer durables, pharma, healthcare, media and energy indices ended in positive territory. However, indices tracking automobiles, banking, financial services, FMCG, metals, realty, private banks and oil & gas sectors closed in the red.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, observed that while global cues have turned marginally positive on hopes of easing geopolitical tensions and progress in a potential US trade agreement, the domestic market paused to consolidate recent gains.
“Investors are now looking ahead to the upcoming corporate earnings season, with mid- and small-cap segments showing strength in anticipation of improved results supported by healthy consumer demand and better margins,” he said.
The India VIX, which measures market volatility, rose by 3.2 per cent to 12.78, indicating a slight uptick in investor caution.
Meanwhile, the rupee weakened by 0.21 per cent to trade near 85.70 against the US dollar, as profit booking and long unwinding weighed on the currency following recent gains.
“The rupee came under pressure ahead of a crucial week marked by key US data releases and the expiry of the 90-day extended tariff deadline. The domestic unit is expected to remain volatile in the 85.35–86.00 range,” said Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst at LKP Securities.
Firefighters battled wildfires in Turkey and France on Monday as an early heatwave hit the region.
In Turkey, the wildfires raged for a second day in the western province of Izmir, fanned by strong winds, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said, forcing the evacuation of four villages and two neighbourhoods.
Media footage showed teams using tractors with water trailers and helicopters carrying water, as smoke billowed over hills marked with charred trees.
Turkey’s coastal regions have in recent years been ravaged by wildfires, as summers have become hotter and drier, which scientists say is a result of human-induced climate change.
In France, where temperatures are expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, wildfires broke out on Sunday in the southwestern Aude department, where temperatures topped 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), burning 400 hectares and forcing the evacuation of a campsite and an abbey, authorities and local media said.
The fires were under control but not yet extinguished, authorities said on Monday.
Weather service Meteo France put a record 84 of the country’s 101 departments on an orange heatwave alert from Monday until midweek. About 200 schools will be at least partially shut over the next three days because of the heat, the Education Ministry said.
HEATWAVE IMPACTS RHINE SHIPPING
The heatwave has lowered water levels on Germany’s Rhine River, hampering shipping and raising freight costs for cargo owners, commodity traders said.
The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities such as grains, minerals and oil products. Forecasters said temperatures as high as 40 C are possible in Cologne.
In Seville, southern Spain, where global leaders were gathering for a United Nations conference, temperatures were expected to hit 42 C.
Tourists were trying to deal with the heat. “Really hard currently,” Mehrzad Joussefi, from the Netherlands, said.
Spain is on course for its hottest June on record, the national meteorological service AEMET said.
Most of the country remains under alert for heat, with AEMET forecasting the peak of the heatwave on Monday.
“Over the next few days, at least until Thursday, intense heat will continue in much of Spain,” said Ruben del Campo, a spokesperson for the weather agency.
Italy’s Health Ministry issued heatwave red alerts for 21 cities, including Rome and Milan. Weather forecast website IlMeteo.it said temperatures on Monday would go as high as 41 C in Florence, 38 C in Bologna and 37 C in Perugia.
The Lombardy region, part of Italy’s northern industrial heartland, is planning to ban open-air work in the hottest times of the day, heeding a request from trade unions, its president said on Monday.
Heat can affect health in various ways, and experts are most concerned about older people and babies, as well as outdoor labourers and people struggling economically.
Globally, extreme heat kills up to 480,000 people annually, surpassing the combined toll from floods, earthquakes and hurricanes, and poses growing risks to infrastructure, the economy and healthcare systems, Swiss Re said earlier this month.
Global surface temperatures last month averaged 1.4 C higher than in the 1850-1900 pre-industrial period, when humans began burning fossil fuels on an industrial scale, the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said earlier this month.
Scientists say the main cause of climate change is greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Last year was the planet’s hottest on record.
Firefighters battled wildfires in Turkey and France on Monday as an early heatwave hit the region.
In Turkey, the wildfires raged for a second day in the western province of Izmir, fanned by strong winds, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said, forcing the evacuation of four villages and two neighbourhoods.
Media footage showed teams using tractors with water trailers and helicopters carrying water, as smoke billowed over hills marked with charred trees.
Turkey’s coastal regions have in recent years been ravaged by wildfires, as summers have become hotter and drier, which scientists say is a result of human-induced climate change.
In France, where temperatures are expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, wildfires broke out on Sunday in the southwestern Aude department, where temperatures topped 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), burning 400 hectares and forcing the evacuation of a campsite and an abbey, authorities and local media said.
The fires were under control but not yet extinguished, authorities said on Monday.
Weather service Meteo France put a record 84 of the country’s 101 departments on an orange heatwave alert from Monday until midweek. About 200 schools will be at least partially shut over the next three days because of the heat, the Education Ministry said.
HEATWAVE IMPACTS RHINE SHIPPING
The heatwave has lowered water levels on Germany’s Rhine River, hampering shipping and raising freight costs for cargo owners, commodity traders said.
The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities such as grains, minerals and oil products. Forecasters said temperatures as high as 40 C are possible in Cologne.
In Seville, southern Spain, where global leaders were gathering for a United Nations conference, temperatures were expected to hit 42 C.
Tourists were trying to deal with the heat. “Really hard currently,” Mehrzad Joussefi, from the Netherlands, said.
Spain is on course for its hottest June on record, the national meteorological service AEMET said.
Most of the country remains under alert for heat, with AEMET forecasting the peak of the heatwave on Monday.
“Over the next few days, at least until Thursday, intense heat will continue in much of Spain,” said Ruben del Campo, a spokesperson for the weather agency.
Italy’s Health Ministry issued heatwave red alerts for 21 cities, including Rome and Milan. Weather forecast website IlMeteo.it said temperatures on Monday would go as high as 41 C in Florence, 38 C in Bologna and 37 C in Perugia.
The Lombardy region, part of Italy’s northern industrial heartland, is planning to ban open-air work in the hottest times of the day, heeding a request from trade unions, its president said on Monday.
Heat can affect health in various ways, and experts are most concerned about older people and babies, as well as outdoor labourers and people struggling economically.
Globally, extreme heat kills up to 480,000 people annually, surpassing the combined toll from floods, earthquakes and hurricanes, and poses growing risks to infrastructure, the economy and healthcare systems, Swiss Re said earlier this month.
Global surface temperatures last month averaged 1.4 C higher than in the 1850-1900 pre-industrial period, when humans began burning fossil fuels on an industrial scale, the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said earlier this month.
Scientists say the main cause of climate change is greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Last year was the planet’s hottest on record.
Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has uploaded the 2003 Electoral Rolls of the state on its official portal, providing access to details of approximately 4.96 crore electors.
In line with the ECI’s instructions dated June 24, 2025, Chief Electoral Officers, District Electoral Officers, and Electoral Registration Officers have been directed to make the 2003 rolls freely available to all Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in both hard copy and digital formats. This allows electors and officials to easily verify details while filling out the Enumeration Form.
The availability of the 2003 Electoral Roll is expected to ease the documentation process for nearly 60% of Bihar’s electorate, who now only need to verify their details from the roll and submit the form without any additional documents. Those not listed in the 2003 roll may still use the relevant extract for their parents, eliminating the need for other supporting documents for them, though personal documents will still be required.
The ECI emphasized that the revision of electoral rolls before every election is a legal mandate under Section 21(2)(a) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Rule 25 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. For 75 years, the Commission has consistently carried out annual roll revisions – both intensive and summary – to ensure accuracy.
Given the dynamic nature of the Electoral Roll, which changes due to deaths, migration, and the addition of new voters turning 18, such revisions are critical. As per Article 326 of the Constitution, only Indian citizens aged 18 and above who are ordinarily resident in a constituency are eligible to be registered as electors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday shared an article emphasizing the crucial role of policy initiatives and innovation in propelling India’s steel industry toward global leadership.
In reply to a social media post by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on X, the Prime Minister said, “From infrastructure and defence to electric mobility and clean energy, steel is the backbone of a rising India.”
“Union Minister Shri @hd_kumaraswamy outlines how policy push and innovation are shaping India’s journey to becoming a global steel leader,” the PM added in his post.
At least eight people were killed and 26 others injured in an explosion at a chemical factory in Telangana’s Sangareddy district on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister’s Office said:
“Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a factory in Sangareddy, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000: PM @narendramodi.”
V. Satyanarayana, Inspector General of Police, Multi Zone II, said, “There was a blast at Sigachi Pharma, a chemical production factory in Pasamailaram. The incident occurred between 8:15 and 9:35 am, and the police were informed within 10 minutes. We reached the spot within 20 minutes. NDRF, SDF, and other rescue teams, along with 10 fire engines, arrived at the scene. So far, six bodies have been recovered, and two more people died while undergoing treatment at Chanda Nagar.”
“A total of eight people have died, and 26 are injured, with two or three in critical condition. Government officials are providing all necessary medical care. There were 150 workers on shift, with 90 present in the blast area. Firefighting operations are ongoing, and the rescue mission is still in progress. Further details will be shared soon,” he added.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
UK Introduces New Trade Measures to Support Steel Sector
UK strengthens steel safeguard measures
UK steel producers to benefit from stronger trade safeguards that better protect against surges in cheap imports.
These changes will adjust how much steel countries around the world can send to the UK, protecting British jobs while making sure the UK still has a reliable supply.
Reinforces the Government’s commitment as part of the Plan for Change to rebuild Britain’s industrial strength and reversing decades of decline.
Steel producers across the UK will benefit from stronger trade measures from 1 July, as the government moves to better protect domestic industry from unforeseen surges in foreign imports as part of the Plan for Change.
Following a recommendation from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), the Business Secretary has confirmed the final decision on the current steel safeguard, taking decisive action in the national interest to strengthen existing protections against spikes in foreign imports- delivering on the Government’s commitment to rebuild Britain’s industrial strength.
The changes to the steel safeguard will make the measure more effective by slowing future increases, capping certain import levels and tightening country-specific limits- ensuring UK steel producers won’t be undercut while still making sure the UK has a steady and reliable supply.
They will also strike the right balance between maintaining open trade and ensuring long-term viability for the UK’s steel sector which remains critical to the economy and to communities across the country.
This decision builds on the Trade Strategy published last week, which set out how the UK Government will strengthen its trade defences to protect key industries like steel, ensuring a fairer and more secure trading environment.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
This Government is unapologetic in our support for the UK steel sector-it underpins Britain’s industrial strength, our national security, and our status as a global power.
These measures back our producers and the thousands of families and communities who rely on steel production in the UK.
We’ve taken decisive action to protect the UK market and level the playing field, and we’ll go further with our new Steel Strategy to build a stronger, more competitive future for British steel making central to our Plan for Change.
Today’s announcement delivers immediate protection and builds on the Industrial and Trade Strategies announced last week, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting jobs and securing the long-term success of domestic industry.
This decision sits alongside a call for stakeholder views to shape the UK’s future trade approach to steel after June 2026. Yet another example of the UK’s commitment to strengthened trade defences.
Notes to editors:
The steel safeguard Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) review assessed whether the UK should make changes to its steel safeguard measure to ensure more effective protection for producers from unforeseen import surges whilst balancing security of supply.
The Business and Trade Secretary’s decision on the Steel Safeguard TRQ was informed by stakeholder engagement, legal analysis, and broader strategic considerations.
The UK steel industry employs thousands of people in key manufacturing regions and supports critical supply chains in construction, automotive, and defence.
The UK Government is committed to taking effective action to support a level playing field for domestic industry and will publish a comprehensive Steel Strategy later this year.
The current UK steel safeguard measure ends in June 2026 and cannot be extended. The Call for Evidence launched on 26 June invites industry views to help shape new, future-ready trade measures that will protect UK businesses and jobs nationwide.
A letter outlining the government’s intended decision was issued to the TRA on 24 June to enable WTO engagement.
The Youth Justice Roadmap, ‘Reimagining Youth Justice: A Child First Roadmap for Jersey’ (2025-2030) has been released by the Government of Jersey.
This bold child-centred plan has been designed to ensure all children – including those who have come into contact with the youth justice system – are supported to lead safe, successful, and fulfilling lives.
The Roadmap is part of the Building A Safer Community, BASC, Framework, which brings together government departments, the emergency services, courts, community services, charities and families to work in partnership to prevent crime, respond effectively when it occurs, and support young people to thrive.
At the heart of the Roadmap is a vision for a youth justice system that puts children first – one that helps them build positive identities, break the cycle of offending by addressing their needs, and become resilient Islanders who contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Assistant Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Connétable Richard Vibert said: “Youth justice extends far beyond statistics; it touches lives, shapes futures, and defines the fabric of our island life. A child diverted from crime is not just a reduction in offending; it is a family strengthened, a victim restored, and a safer island.
“This is about putting children’s rights at the centre of how we build a safer, more supportive Jersey. It’s not just about reducing crime – it’s about creating opportunities, restoring trust, and making sure every child has the chance to succeed, no matter what has happened in their past.”
An outcomes-based approach has been adopted to align with the BASC framework and the Children’s, Young People and Families Plan 2024-2027. This will enable the measurement of success in delivering key actions aligned to the outcomes below.
The Youth Justice Roadmap sets out four clear outcomes to guide services and professionals working with children, which are:
Outcome 1: The youth justice system will enable a partnership approach to support a wider systemic approach to engage children in law-abiding and positive behaviours
Outcome 2: Children are diverted away from the formal criminal justice system at the earliest point with appropriate support
Outcome 3: Children who are engaged in serious or persistent conflict with the law go on to achieve positive outcomes
Outcome 4: Children, families, witnesses and community victims recover and move on beyond the impact of the harm they haveexperienced.
The roadmap is rooted in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNCRC, affirming every child’s right to safety, support, and a voice – regardless of their circumstances.
Services and the community across Jersey – including the States of Jersey Police, Royal and Youth Courts, Children Young People Education and Skills, Honorary Police, Justice and Home Affairs, Jersey Youth Service, Parish Halls, Health and Care Jersey, and Social Services – will work together to ensure children and families receive timely, co-ordinated, and trauma-informed support.
Progress will be closely monitored through feedback from children and families, data on community safety, and oversight from the Youth Justice Partnership and BASC Co-ordinator.
The Youth Justice Roadmap has been developed over several years and involved input from a wide range of stakeholders. Alongside this input a wide range of evidence and existing pieces of work were drawn upon to inform the roadmap.
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Rosneft enterprises took part in Youth Day – a holiday for young people, which is celebrated annually in our country on the last Saturday of June. The Company’s employees held a series of events aimed at developing sports, creativity and professional growth.
Samotlorneftegaz supported a large-scale city festival in Nizhnevartovsk. The company’s specialists organized a thematic platform with a diverse program. Festival guests were able to take a virtual tour of the Samotlor field using modern VR technologies, get acquainted with exclusive samples of innovative equipment and materials used in the oil and gas production process.
A special entertainment program was prepared for young visitors: educational coloring books with images of animals that Rosneft studies and cares for, as well as master classes and exciting thematic quizzes for different age groups.
A special atmosphere was created by the company’s employees and volunteers who took part in the “Candle of Memory” and “Victory Waltz” events, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Samotlor field.
The Saratov Oil Refinery organized a sports bike ride for the plant’s employees and their families. The participants covered several dozen kilometers through the picturesque Kumysnaya Polyana nature park along routes of varying difficulty. Young specialists of the plant also held a team-building training aimed at developing teamwork skills and achieving common goals.
Novokuibyshevsky Oil Refinery presented its interactive platform at the city festival. In the format of an exciting quest, festival guests got acquainted with the main areas of the enterprise’s activities, its social projects and production achievements.
The guests’ attention was drawn to the ecological site with the Ecosphere master class, where participants took a virtual tour of the Samarskaya Luka National Park using the Ecotropa63 mobile application.
Rosneft enterprises implement various events and programs aimed at supporting the younger generation, including a mentoring and internship system, participation of young specialists in innovative projects and scientific research, and development of professional competencies. The company is actively involved in the development of young specialists: it organizes training in modern advanced training programs, including new educational tracks aimed at developing management competencies. The company supports youth scientific and practical conferences and professional skills competitions: this year, large-scale hackathons were organized, where young specialists developed innovative solutions for the oil and gas industry.
Rosneft creates opportunities for professional and personal growth of young specialists. By investing in young talents, the Company creates a solid foundation for the development of the younger generation.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 30, 2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) — A train loaded with 104 standard containers of auto parts and mechanical equipment worth more than 15 million yuan departed from Beijing’s Fangshan district on Monday for Azerbaijan’s capital Baku. It is the first China-Europe trans-Caspian train linking Beijing and Baku.
According to the Beijing branch of China State Railway Corporation (CSRC), the train departed from the Fangshan district station, crossed the state border through the Khorgos checkpoint (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwest China), and arrived at the Caspian port of Aktau (Kazakhstan), from where these goods will be delivered by ferry to the port of Alyat, and then by rail to Baku.
Transportation of cargo from Beijing to Baku involves the use of the multimodal method “railway – sea – rail”. The cargo will cover a distance of more than 8 thousand km and arrive in Baku in 15 days. Upon arrival in Baku, some of the cargo will be transported to Georgia, Turkey, Serbia and other countries.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is the southern corridor of the China-Europe international freight routes, and this multimodal “rail-sea-rail” mode, compared with traditional sea transportation, will not only shorten transportation time, but also expand the coverage of relevant services to countries along the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as Central and Eastern European countries and Western European countries, said Wang Chuanmeng, general manager of Beijing Fangshan International Land Port Management Company.
The launch of the above-mentioned cargo service has created a more convenient and efficient international logistics channel for enterprises in Beijing and surrounding areas, which will help reduce their logistics costs and enhance their competitiveness in the international market, and will effectively promote trade cooperation between China and Azerbaijan and other countries, said a senior official of the Beijing branch of the CGRC. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) — The Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Monday to review a set of regulations on the work of the CPC Central Committee’s coordinating bodies for discussion and decision-making.
The meeting was chaired by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping.
The meeting noted that the provisions will further standardize the establishment of coordinating bodies under the CPC Central Committee for discussion and decision-making, as well as their responsibilities and functioning.
They are of great importance for proper design at the highest level, unified planning and coordination, comprehensive promotion and facilitation of the implementation of the most important tasks, the meeting added.
Such bodies should provide more effective leadership and coordination of critical work, focusing on planning and discussing key tasks and ensuring their implementation.
The meeting noted that in-depth research is needed to improve the quality and effectiveness of discussions and decision-making, and to advance effective policy measures that are in line with reality.
The meeting emphasized the need to refrain from formalism and bureaucracy and the importance of achieving real results in work. -0-
Alexandria, Egypt – 30 June 2025 – Representatives from Arab states, regional organizations, and international partners convened from 28 to 30 June at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Abu Qir for the First Coordination Meeting of the Arab Programme for Reducing Marine Disasters.
Organized under the auspices of the League of Arab States and hosted by AASTMT, the three-day meeting marked a significant step towards operationalizing the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction by establishing a coordinated regional programme to address marine disaster risks.
Strengthening Regional Capacities and Coordination
The meeting opened with remarks from Dr. Mahmoud Fathallah, Director of the Department of Environment and Meteorology and Supervisor of Humanitarian Affairs, Water Resources, and Disaster Risk Reduction at the League of Arab States, and Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of AASTMT. Speakers highlighted the urgent need to enhance preparedness and reduce risks associated with marine hazards, including intensified storms, sea level rise, oil spills, and pollution that threaten ecosystems, livelihoods, and coastal resilience across the region.
Key Outcomes
Participants engaged in four thematic sessions covering:
Development of the Arab Programme for Reducing Marine Disasters Concept and the 2025–2027 Action Plan, facilitated by UNDRR and AASTMT experts.
Presentations on global and regional marine disaster risk reduction efforts by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), European Union Commission, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED).
Sharing of national experiences and lessons learned by Arab states.
Identification of regional priorities, capacity-building needs, and coordination mechanisms to advance joint action.
Technical field visits to AASTMT’s Integrated Simulation Complex, Planetarium, Maritime Safety Institute, and College of Maritime Transport and Technology simulators showcased cutting-edge technologies that strengthen preparedness, response, and training capacities.
Towards a Safer Marine Environment
The Arab Programme for Reducing Marine Disasters (2025–2030) aims to:
Establish a joint operational framework for preparedness, response, and recovery.
Enhance early warning systems and preventive measures in line with international standards.
Strengthen emergency response capacities at national and regional levels.
Promote the protection of marine environments and biodiversity.
Facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building among Arab states.
Advance regional and international cooperation to build marine disaster resilience.
Next Steps
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a set of recommendations and an implementation roadmap to guide the programme’s roll-out in the coming years. The League of Arab States, together with AASTMT, UNDRR, and partner organizations, will continue supporting Arab countries to build the technical, scientific, and institutional capacities needed to reduce marine disaster risks and safeguard marine resources as critical lifelines for sustainable development and resilience in the region.
In the second quarter of 2025, UNDRR ONEA & GETI and its partners have recently led a series of capacity-building initiatives to strengthen disaster risk reduction (DRR), urban resilience, and climate adaptation across regions. Highlights include Korea’s contributions were showcased at the 8th GP2025, including school safety training and smart city operations for Incheon educators, technical workshops in Togo on DRR tools and early warning systems, innovative masterclasses on resilient housing and infrastructure, and training programs for urban and private sector resilience. Collaborative events such as the UNDRR–WCCD workshops in Vaughan and Ajman emphasized data-driven resilience, while webinars with CCFLA and MCR2030 explored climate finance and project implementation. Other notable efforts included advancing disability inclusion in DRR, an online workshop on risk-informed governance and climate finance co-hosted with UNPOG and UNITAR, and a partnership with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and KPMG India to bolster urban resilience in Mumbai.