Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
News story
AUKUS partnership strengthened with Prime Minister appointing new Special Representative
Sir Stephen Lovegrove appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS.
Britain will maximise the benefits of AUKUS and unlock more opportunities across the historic partnership, following the Prime Minister appointing Sir Stephen Lovegrove as his Special Representative on AUKUS today.
AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership between the UK and two of its oldest and closest partners, Australia and the United States. It will enable Australia to field a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo Pacific; strengthen the defence industrial bases of both the UK and the US; and accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies by all three countries. The AUKUS submarine programme is set to generate 7,000 additional British jobs, supporting the government’s Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth.
Sir Stephen will support the Defence Secretary and the National Security Adviser to drive the AUKUS programme forward. He brings a wealth of experience, having served as National Security Adviser at the time of the AUKUS announcement in 2021, the Prime Minister’s Defence Industrial Adviser, and as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence.
Last year, the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary commissioned Sir Stephen to conduct a Review of the UK’s progress against its core commitments under AUKUS, identifying barriers to success, and setting out recommendations on how to unlock further areas of opportunity, both nationally and with the US and Australia. Sir Stephen presented his findings to the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary earlier this year. His report will be shared with US and Australian partners and a public version released in due course.
Defence Secretary, John Healey said:
AUKUS is a historic partnership which reinforces peace and stability across the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, and will also provide thousands of highly skilled jobs and investment in communities across the UK. It shows how defence can be an engine for growth across our three nations while keeping us secure at home, and strong abroad.
Sir Stephen is fully committed to ensuring the UK plays a leading role within AUKUS and holds widely respected national security experience.
I am very grateful to him for taking up this appointment and look forward to working closely with him and our partners in the US and Australia as we take the AUKUS partnership to new heights.
Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, said:
When the AUKUS partnership was announced in 2021 it was regarded, rightly, as the most significant capability collaboration since the Mutual Defence Agreement of 1958.
Since then, the strategic relevance of AUKUS has only increased. It is a uniquely powerful partnership which will develop and deliver cutting-edge capabilities, help to revitalise Britain’s defence industrial base and provide sustained employment for thousands of people across the UK, US and Australia.
I am delighted to accept the role as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS and I look forward to starting work immediately to help maximise the potential of this vital partnership.
Sir Stephen will begin his role as Special Representative tomorrow. He is travelling to Washington DC this week to present his Review findings to the US government and will then travel to Canberra to share findings with the Australian government after the conclusion of the Australian federal election.
The AUKUS partnership is supporting more unified defence and industrial collaboration, better information and technology sharing and greater resilience. The development of SSN-AUKUS and new cutting-edge military technologies under AUKUS Pillar’s One and Two will help grow the UK’s industrial base and improve the enabling environment. It represents a multi-billion-pound investment into UK industry, supporting thousands of new British jobs.
A Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical team has reported six cases of malnutrition among children in the Samos closed controlled access centre (CCAC) in Greece, which houses asylum seekers. This is the first time MSF has identified malnutrition in the facility since we began working there in 2021.
Six children aged six months to six years were diagnosed with severe or moderate acute malnutrition— a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical intervention to prevent further deterioration. However, paediatric care remains inadequate, not only in the CCAC but across all of Samos island.
Additionally, cash assistance for asylum seekers has been halted since June, leaving families without the means to buy essential, nutritious food for their children.
Refugee families already endure extreme hardships traveling through multiple countries while facing food insecurity and a lack of medical care. Children are especially vulnerable to the cumulative effects of prolonged malnutrition.
The Greek authorities and European Union institutions must ensure a healthy and safe environment for refugee children, including adequate paediatric healthcare. Cash assistance should also be reinstated so that families can afford nutritious food.
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Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said:
“I was deeply concerned to hear about the stabbing in Blackbird Leys over the weekend. My thoughts are with the young person who was injured and with their loved ones at what must be a frightening and painful time.
“I have been in touch with Thames Valley Police and will continue to work closely with them and other partners to understand what happened and how we can respond together.
“Blackbird Leys is a strong and proud community, and I know many people locally will be feeling unsettled. I support the use of the Section 60 order and additional patrols as a short-term measure to help keep residents safe while police continue their investigations.
“I want to reassure residents that the Council is working alongside the police, youth workers and communities to ensure a visible presence and support for young people and families in the area.
“If you have any information that could help the police, please report it to Thames Valley Police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. We must all come together to tackle the causes of violence and keep our communities safe for everyone.”
If you have any information about the incident in Blackbird Leys on 6 April (incident reference 1366), please contact Thames Valley Police by calling 101 or via their website. You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers.
On 13 February 2025, Baltic Horizon Fund (the “Fund”) disclosed the plan to terminate the Fund’s Swedish Depositary Receipts („SDR“) program and delist the SDR from Nasdaq Stockholm: https://view.news.eu.nasdaq.com/view?id=1342914&lang=en.
Today, the issuer of SDRs, Nordic Issuing AB, has sent a notice of termination to the SDR holders under section 17.1 of the terms and conditions of the SDR-s (Nordic Issuing AB’s General Terms and Conditions for Swedish Depository Receipts regarding fund units in Baltic Horizon Fund, the „Terms“, available on https://www.baltichorizon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Terms-and-conditions-for-SDR.pdf). Investors are hereby notified that the SDRs will be terminated on 14 October 2025, which is the record date (the “Record Date”) for de-registration of the SDRs from the Euroclear Sweden register.
As a result of the termination, every holder of the SDR must decide before the Record Date if they will sell their SDRs or convert them into the fund units held in Nasdaq CSD by giving respective notice to Nordic Issuing AB. Where no decision has been made by the holder before the Record Date, mandatory conversion will take place, provided that the respective investor has the ability to hold fund units. If the mandatory conversion is technically impossible, the underlying fund units of the remaining SDRs will be sold by Nordic Issuing AB according to section 17.2 of the Terms. Such SDR holder shall be entitled to the sale proceeds following deduction for reasonable costs, fees and taxes.
The timeline for the termination of the SDRs is set out below:
8 October 2025 – Last day of trading in the SDR on Nasdaq Stockholm
14 October 2025 – Record Date in Euroclear Sweden for the de-registration of the SDRs
Following the Record Date, any remaining SDRs will be mandatorily converted into fund units, or, if the conversion is not possible, the underlying fund units represented by SDRs on the Record Date will be sold by Nordic Issuing AB.
In order to convert the SDRs into fund units, an investor holding the SDRs through a nominee account (the nominee-registered holder) should contact their bank, and an investor holding the SDRs directly (the direct-registered holder) should contact Nordic Issuing at info@nordic-issuing.se.
The Fund invites holders of the SDRs to join its investor conference webinar on the delisting, where more information will be provided on the termination and de-listing, scheduled at 14:00 (local Estonian time) on 14 April 2025.
You will be provided with the webinar link and instructions how to join successfully. The webinar will be recorded and available online for everyone at the company’s website on www.baltichorizon.com.
The Fund is a registered contractual public closed-end real estate fund that is managed by Alternative Investment Fund Manager license holder Northern Horizon Capital AS.
Distribution: GlobeNewswire, Nasdaq Tallinn, Nasdaq Stockholm, www.baltichorizon.com
NUMBER OF SHARES COMPOSING CURRENT SHARE CAPITAL AND TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTING RIGHTS AS OF 31 MARCH 2025
Regulated Information
Paris, 7 April 2025
Information about the total number of voting rights and shares pursuant to Article L.233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and Article 223-16 of the AMF General Regulations.
Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.
The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:
French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.
Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.
Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).
UK Government must “meet the moment” with decisive action.
First Minister John Swinney has called for a new package of support for industry from the UK Government in the face of global economic uncertainty.
As financial markets react to global events, Mr Swinney has called on the Prime Minister and the Chancellor to change their fiscal rules and commit to a package of investment to support business, workers and consumers.
The First Minister said:
“We are currently enduring a time of global financial and economic uncertainty and volatility. But while we are not immune to global trends, we can be confident in the strength of Scotland’s economy
“Indeed, throughout my time in the United States since last week, there has been a clear confidence in Scotland as a place to do business and as a destination for investment.
“However, the global economy is clearly going through a time of upheaval and it is vital that we see strong action to meet the moment, support Scottish industry and ensure workers and consumers are protected.
“My government will continue to do everything in our power to do that, but given where powers over the economy sit, this will require clear, determined and decisive action from the UK Government.
“The old economic orthodoxies of Westminster will not be enough to meet a moment of real global challenge. The UK Government cannot meet this global uncertainty with austerity – we need to see a new approach which provides investment and support for industry as we are seeing in countries like Spain.
“It is now obvious that the era in which the UK Government’s fiscal rules were set is over. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor must accept that new reality, end their outdated commitment to the fiscal rules and deliver serious investment to support industry.
“And in the face of this economic volatility, the last move any serious government would implement is a tax on jobs. The increase in employer’s national insurance contributions was always the wrong move – but the Prime Minister should not risk further economic damage by making it more difficult for business to take on or keep staff. The Chancellor should abandon the national insurance hike immediately.
“The events of the last few days require truly bold action from the Prime Minister. He cannot simply respond to an unprecedented situation by continuing with a plan set in completely different circumstances and which already looks doomed to failure.”
Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track relay event is returning to Silksworth on Sunday 13 April from 1pm.
Families are being invited to join in this fun family fitness event at Silksworth Sports Complex on the recently refurbished Silksworth Athletics Track. As a group, families need to complete the 8k (8,000 meters) of continuous running loops of various distances from 200m, 400m and 800m. Families can choose any combination of loops but must run a combined total of 8k. These loops are run individually before running the final stretch to the finish line all together.
Each team can be between three to five people, of which at least one must be under 16 and at least one over 18.
The relay event will give the whole family a chance to be active together, no matter their fitness level. This will be the first event to take place on the recently refurbished Silksworth Athletics Track which received £230,000 worth of funding from Everyone Active last November.
The event takes place on a closed running track and will be a safe and fun event. Everyone who completes the event will receive a medal, t-shirt and goodie bag.
After the run, families can extend their day of fun and fitness and participate in a range of rugby skills delivered by Active Sunderland and partners. This will take place on the 3G pitches near the athletics track. Anyone can take part no matter your age or ability and even without any experience of rugby. This is part of a Community Rugby programme delivered in the city in advance of Sunderland hosting the opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Friday 22 August at the Stadium of Light.
Come along and take part in some rugby themed games and try something new between 2pm and 4pm.
Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “It is fantastic to see this event taking place and bringing families together for a fun day of exercise and sport.
“Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track event is always so popular, it’s great to see it come back on our newly refurbished athletics track. And the free rugby skills sessions following are a good opportunity for residents to learn the sport and try something new ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer.
“I’d like to encourage families to come and take part in this brilliant fun family fitness afternoon.”
Ian Bradgate, contract manager for Everyone Active said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming families from the local community to this fantastic event. This is a great opportunity to showcase our state-of-the-art athletics track to people of all ages and abilities, and we encourage everyone to get involved.”
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico , April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Miguel Zaragoza Fuentes, founder and president of Grupo Zeta, has played a significant role in developing the energy sector in Mexico and Latin America.
With a long-term business perspective, he has supported strategic projects to improve the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) while contributing to regional economic activity and environmental initiatives.
Energy infrastructure with global reach
One of the key milestones in Zaragoza Fuentes’ career has been developing and operating LPG storage and distribution facilities across several countries. Notably, the plant in Escombreras, Spain, stands out as a project approved by environmental authorities, meeting high standards of safety, operational efficiency, and environmental compliance.
At the same time, Grupo Zeta has expanded its operational network in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador, contributing to the region’s energy infrastructure. These efforts have improved access to reliable energy while supporting job creation and local economic growth.
Sustainability and innovation as strategic axes
Miguel Zaragoza Fuentes’s management model is based on constant modernization and environmental commitment. The company has incorporated technologies that optimize its operations, such as low-emission transport vehicles and storage systems that minimize gas leaks, aligning itself with international best practices in energy sustainability.
Zeta Gas has also promoted high-impact environmental programs, such as the “Zeta Gas, the Ecological Flame” project, launched in Guatemala in 2014. This initiative seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using LPG as a clean energy alternative.
Social responsibility and community engagement
As part of its broader approach, the company has supported reforestation campaigns in local communities. These initiatives aim to restore deforested areas and promote environmental awareness with residents’ active participation.
“Every project we undertake reflects a clear business philosophy: responsible growth, purposeful technology, and energy serving the collective well-being,” said Miguel Zaragoza Fuentes.
The projects developed under his leadership have delivered tangible results in the energy sector and have been recognized for their innovative approaches and social contributions. Zeta Gas has received awards for adopting clean technologies and is committed to operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Contact:
Miguel Zaragoza Fuentes info@miguelzaragozafuentes.com
Under the initiative and decision of the Board of AB Amber Grid (company code 303090867, registered office address: Laisvės ave. 10, LT-04215 Vilnius, Lithuania) (further on Amber Grid, the Company), the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Amber Grid s convened at the Company’s registered office (address: Laisvės ave. 10, LT-04215 Vilnius, Lithuania) on 30 April 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
The agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Amber Grid:
1) To read the independent auditor’s report on the AB „Amber Grid“ 2024 set of financial statements and the AB „Amber Grid“ 2024 Consolidated Management Report
2) On the approval of the AB „Amber Grid“ 2024 consolidated and separate financial statements
3) On the approval of the distribution of AB „Amber Grid“ profits for 2024
4) On the approval of the information on the remuneration for 2024 of AB „Amber Grid“
The beginning of the shareholders’ registration: at 9:30 a.m., on 30 April 2025. The end of the shareholders’ registration: at 9:45 a.m., on 30 April 2025.
The record date of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders: 23 April 2025. The right of participation and voting at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders can be exercised only by the persons who remain shareholders of Amber Grid by the end of the record date of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.
A person participating at the General Meeting of Shareholders and entitled to vote must provide a document confirming the person’s identity. A person who is not a shareholder shall, in addition to the afore-mentioned document, provide a document confirming his/her right to vote at the General Meeting of Shareholder.
Participation and voting at the General Meeting of Shareholders by electronic means shall not be possible.
On 7 April 2025, the Board of Amber Grid approved the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders and the draft decisions of the Meeting:
1) To read the independent auditor’s report on the AB „Amber Grid“ 2024 set of financial statements and the AB „Amber Grid“ 2024 Consolidated Management Report.
The draft decision:
“The Board of Directors submits to the General Meeting of Shareholders for information the Consolidated Management Report of AB „Amber Grid“ (attached). The General Meeting of Shareholders should take into account the opinion of the independent auditor’s report to the shareholders of AB „Amber Grid“ when deciding on the approval of the 2024 set of financial statements of AB „Amber Grid“ (enclosed). No resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders is required.”
2) On the approval of the AB „Amber Grid“ 2024 consolidated and separate financial statements.
The draft decision:
“To approve the 2024 set of financial statements of AB „Amber Grid“”
3) On the approval of the distribution of AB „Amber Grid“ profits for 2024.
The draft decision:
“To approve the distribution of AB „Amber Grid”’s profit for 2024 (attached)”
4) On the approval of the information on the remuneration for 2024 of AB „Amber Grid“.
The draft decision:
“To approve the information on remuneration for 2024 provided by AB „Amber Grid“ as part of the Consolidated Management Report for 2024 (attached)”.
The shareholders may familiarise themselves with the draft resolutions of the General Meeting of Shareholders and other additional materials related to the General Meeting of Shareholders also with the implementation of the shareholders’ rights at the Central Database of Regulated Information www.crib.lt and on the Company’s website www.ambergrid.lt .
The shareholders of Amber Grid, whose shares are entitled to at least 1/20 of the total number of votes, have the right to supplement the agenda for the General Meeting of Shareholders. The proposal to supplement the agenda shall be submitted in writing and sent by registered mail or delivered to the head office of the Company to the address: Laisvės ave. 10, LT-04215 Vilnius (the “Head Office”). The draft resolutions on the proposed issues or, when it is not mandatory to adopt resolutions, explanatory notes on each proposed issue of the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders must be presented alongside the proposal. The agenda will be supplemented if the proposal is received not later than by 15 April 2025.
The shareholders entitled to at least 1/20 of the total number of votes have the right, at any time before the General Meeting of Shareholders or during the meeting, to propose in writing new draft resolutions on the items put on the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders. Such proposal must be made in writing and submitted to the Company by registered mail or delivered to the Head Office. The proposal submitted during the meeting must be formalized in writing and delivered to the Secretary of the General Meeting of Shareholders.
The shareholders have the right to submit questions to the Company regarding the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on 30 April 2025, in advance, but not later than by 24 April 2025. Questions must be formalized in writing and delivered to the Company by registered mail or to the Head Office. The Company will not provide any answer to the question submitted by a shareholder personally to him / her in case relevant information is available on the Company’s website www.ambergrid.lt.
Each shareholder has the right to authorise a natural or legal person to participate and vote on his/her behalf at the General Meeting of Shareholders. The proxy holder of the shareholder must have the document confirming the person’s identity and the Proxy certified in accordance with the procedure established by the laws, which must be delivered to the Head Office not later than before the end of the registration of the attendees of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. At the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, the proxy holder has the same rights as would be held by the shareholder represented by him/her. The form of the Proxy for the representation at the General Meeting of Shareholders is available on the website of the Company www.ambergrid.lt.
On the issues on the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders may vote in writing by filling in a General Ballot Paper. On the shareholder’s request, the Company, not later than 10 days before the day of the General Meeting of Shareholders, will send a General Ballot Paper by registered mail free of charge or submit it in person against signature to the shareholder. The shareholder or his/her proxy holder must undersign the filled in General Ballot Paper. If the General Ballot Paper is signed by a person who is not a shareholder, a document certifying his / her right to vote must be appended to the filled in Ballot Paper. The duly filled General Ballot Paper must be delivered to the Company by registered mail or submitted against signature at the Head Office not later than before the end of registration of the attendees of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. The form of the General Ballot Paper is available on the website of the Company www.ambergrid.lt.
On the day of convocation of the Ordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders the total number of shares was 178 382 514. All these shares grant a voting right.
Information referred to in Article 262 of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania will be available on the website of the Company www.ambergrid.lt.
Information about the additions to the agenda, as well as resolutions adopted by the general meeting will also be available on the Central Database of Regulated Information www.crib.lt.
ANNEXES:
Draft profit allocation of Amber Grid AB of 2024.
Consolidated and separate financial statements of Amber Grid AB for 2024 December 31, consolidated annual report, confirmation of responsible persons, independent auditor’s report.
General Ballot Paper.
Proxy Form.
Press release.
More information:
Laura Šebekienė, Head of Communications of Amber Grid, +370 699 61 246, l.sebekiene@ambergrid.lt
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Two studies published in JAMA Neurology look at diabetes drugs and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Comments on both studies:
Prof Atticus Hainsworth, Professor of Cerebrovascular Disease, St George’s, University of London, said:
“These two studies have looked at drug prescribing databases, to assess whether diabetic medications impact on risk of Alzheimer’s, vascular and other dementia types. The findings are intriguing, even though they are somewhat contradictory. But nothing can substitute for a prospective, hypothesis-testing experiment, which in this context means a prospective clinical trial.”
Prof Mark Evans, University Professor of Diabetic Medicine & Honorary Consultant Physician, Institute of Metabolic Science & Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, said:
Background:
“It is increasingly apparent that there is an association between diabetes and increased risk of dementia. Although it is not clear how this association is mediated (and whether this is to do with elevated blood glucose from diabetes or a broader effect of diabetes for example on the circulation or inflammation pathways), the obvious pragmatic question arising is whether or not treating diabetes with glucose lowering therapies can reduce risk of dementia and importantly whether certain types of glucose lowering therapy are particularly effective.
“Newer glucose lowering treatments used in (type 2) diabetes seem to carry additional health benefits beyond just glucose lowering. For example, treatments that act via signalling at the GLP-1 receptor or by blocking SGLT glucose transporter channels have been shown to carry broader protective effects for the heart and kidneys.
“Some data already exist to suggest that these agents may also have brain-protective effects against the development of dementia. The evidence to date has largely fallen into two different types. Firstly, examining clinical trials of glucose lowering therapies where usually dementia is not the primary focus but in the clinical trials, investigators will document all health changes including a new diagnosis or change in dementia or cognition. Secondly, examining large real-world datasets for the association between diabetes, different types of therapy and a clinical record of dementia.
These two papers:
“These two papers cover each of these areas respectively. Seminer2et al have performed an analysis of clinical trials broadly similar to ones previously reported. They found that glucose-lowering therapies in general were not significantly associated with a reduction in dementia, although when comparing different types of therapy, GLP-1R targeted drugs but not those acting on SGLT channels were associated with a reduction in dementia. There are cautions arising from these data and the authors have acknowledge these appropriately. Overall, the absolute rates of dementia reported in the studies contributing to their analysis were relatively low which thus reduces the ability for this type of analysis to identify differences. There may be a number of reasons for this, for example the clinical trials were not designed to look in detail for possible changes in dementia.
“The other paper from Tang1 et al was a real-world analysis. Consistent with previous data, this did seem to show less dementia in those using either GLP-1R agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors. The authors were aware of the limitations of observational data. In other words, it may be that the type of person receiving these agents was different from the type of person prescribed other glucose lowering therapies. As an example, one obvious potential confounder from their paper was that the groups receiving GLP 1 agonist or SGLT inhibitor therapy were younger than the comparison groups.
General Reflection:
“Overall these papers whet the appetite for two large clinical trials (EVOKE and EVOKE+) that will complete towards the end of this year. These were specifically designed to look at whether semaglutide, a GLP 1 receptor agonist, can reduce progression of Alzheimer’s dementia and may give us a more definitive answer, at least for GLP 1 receptor agonist treatment.”
Prof David Strain, Associate Professor in Cardiometabolic Health, and a clinical geriatrician, University of Exeter, said:
“Living with diabetes is associated with twice the rate of decline towards both vascular and Alzheimer’s Type dementia. Although long-term high blood sugar is recognised to be warm contributor to this, there are many others including genetics, the body’s ability to produce insulin, episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and inflammation. For years, the best way of preventing this was to attempt to keep the sugar in the “goldilocks zone“ that is not too high but not too low.
“GLP-1 receptor antagonists (such as semaglutide and dulaglutide) and SGLT-2 inhibitors (such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) have been demonstrated to control the sugar, and also reduce the inflammation (a key driver of Alzheimer’s disease) and reduce vascular risk (a key driver of vascular dementia) more than would be expected by the sugar control alone. It is therefore no surprise that these data show a lower risk of dementia in people who receive them as part of her routine care.
“We must be cautious how we interpret these data though. Firstly, there were very small numbers of events in the randomised control trials and these were not fully validated so there is a possibility that there were many other cases of dementia missed, indeed that patients reported as having Alzheimer’s type dementia may have had other problems. In the database study, we can never be certain of other unmeasured factors that influenced the doctor to prescribe one medication over another. These may also have had an impact on whether a person would progress to dementia or not.
“It is also important to say this is talking about the risk of dementia in people with diabetes. We have recently seen benefit of the GLP-1 RAs for cardiovascular health in people who do not have diabetes, likewise the SGLT 2 inhibitors are regularly used in other conditions. Today’s studies will need to be replicated prospectively, in people with and without diabetes such as the work we are performing at the University of Exeter, to determine if we can help reduce the progression towards dementia in many more people in the country.”
Prof Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine/Honorary Consultant, University of Glasgow, said:
“These two papers on potential for GLP-1RA medicines to lower dementia risk are somewhat encouraging but they are FAR from definitive, given the design of one is observational and the numbers of people with dementia in the trial meta-analyses were incredibly small, leading to limited power. Hence, we need to await the results of ongoing randomised trials in this area before drawing sensible conclusions. There is optimism GLP-1RAs (and related medicines) may lower future dementia risk, however, given they favourably impact multiple diseases (cardiovascular, hypertension, kidney and diabetes) known to increase dementia risk, it might be that it is having a lower risk of stroke /heart disease and diabetes that actually then is linked to a lower risk of dementia. Hopefully, far more robust trial evidence – needed before any clinical implications are drawn – should be forthcoming in the near future.”
Dr Ivan Koychev, Clinical Reader in Neuropsychiatry and Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Imperial College London and Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Both papers are of good quality. Tang et al is a large epidemiological study; the limitation comes from the fact that such designs limit the ability to draw conclusions about causality. Seminer et al look at clinical trial data where dementia and cognitive effects were not the primary targets of the studies. Therefore, it is possible that some of these effects were missed or over-reported due to the opportunistic nature of the data collection.
“The two studies add to a growing and remarkably consistent body of evidence that GLP1 receptor agonists associate with a reduction in dementia incidence. The Seminer et al paper is significant as it shows that GLP-1 RAs outperform SGLT-2 inhibitors in clinical trial settings. This suggests that the dementia protection effects are not due to glucose control mechanisms. Instead, inflammation and cerebrovascular effects are likely involved. Overall, these data support the urgent exploration of GLP1 RAs as a preventative treatment in people at risk for dementia.”
Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Group Leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, and President of the British Neuroscience Association said:
“The study by Tang1 and colleagues examined data from over 90,000 people with diabetes to determine whether treatment with two different glucose lowering drugs were associated with risk of developing dementia. Both glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RAs) and
sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2is) drugs were associated with reduced risk of developing dementia over 8 years from starting treatment compared to people taking other glucose lowering treatments. There was no difference in risk between people taking the GLP-1Ras and SGLT2is. This is a strong study that adds to the growing data suggesting that diabetes increases risk for developing dementia.
“The paper from Seminer2 and colleagues examined data from 26 clinical trials to determine whether glucose lowering treatments were associated with developing dementia. They observed that GLP-1Ras but not but not SGLT2is were associated with a reduction in dementia in these trials.
“Together, these data are encouraging for the potential of using GLP-1Ras to lower dementia risk in people with diabetes, but even within these 2 strong studies, there are slightly conflicting results over SGLT2is highlighting the need for further research. It is important to note that these drugs do have side effects and that they are not guaranteed to prevent dementia. The studies had important limitations including a relatively short follow up time. Future work will be important to understand how risk factors like diabetes and obesity increase risk of dementia to develop effective treatments and prevention strategies.”
Dr Emma Anderson, Principal Research Fellow and Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Division of Psychiatry, UCL, said:
“Regarding the systematic review of glucose lowering therapies2, my comments are as follows:
“These results should be interpreted with caution for several reasons. Firstly, although an effect of GLP-1RAs was identified for all cause dementia, the heterogeneity in the studies included in this analysis was high (meaning that the studies included are not necessarily comparable, undermining the validity of the combined results). There was tentative evidence that this heterogeneity could have been explained, at least in part, by the proportion of women included in these studies.
“Secondly, there was no evidence of an effect of GLP-1RAs with either Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia; the two most common causes of dementia. Thus, overall, there is still a question around whether GLP-1RAs would actually reduce dementia risk.
“For the emulated target trial1, my comment is:
“This study should be interpreted with caution, as emulated target trials are as susceptible to confounding by indication bias as traditional observational epidemiology studies. This means that there is a possibility that the results they have observed are actually due to the underlying reason people are prescribed these glucose-lowering medications in the first place, rather than the medication itself. More robust study designs, which overcome this very important limitation, are needed before such conclusions can be made.”
Prof Masud Husain, Professor of Neurology & Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Oxford, said:
“For me, these new retrospective analyses suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly semaglutide, might reduce the risk of developing dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. But we need data from prospective trials to provide stronger evidence.
“The wider question of whether such drugs might also be protective against dementia in people who don’t have diabetes is a really intriguing one, and the focus of several ongoing clinical trials.”
Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics, Open University, said:
“I’ll restrict myself to pointing out a few things about these two studies, which may well all be obvious. I’m writing as a statistician and did not spot any important statistical flaws – but I can’t comment on non-statistical aspects.
“Both studies are only in people who already had type 2 diabetes. I believe there’s been wider interest in whether GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs (GLP-1RAs), such as semaglutide (e.g. Ozempic or Wegovy) might reduce dementia risk, in people who are taking them for other reasons than having diabetes. These studies can’t directly tell us anything about that – though the wider context discussed in the linked editorial by Dr Diana Thiara does make some points about the wider context. That editorial is definitely worth reading to make sense of all this, in my view.
“At first sight it might look like a sort of contradiction that one1 of the studies (Tang et al.) found evidence of a decreased risk of certain dementias in people with type 2 diabetes taking either GLP-1RAs or drugs of another class (SGLT2is) used to lower glucose in people with type 2 diabetes, compared to people with type 2 diabetes taking other glucose-lowering drugs, while the other2 study (Seminer et al.) found no evidence that passed the usual statistical criteria that people with type 2 diabetes taking any of GLP-1RAs, SGLT2is, or another drug called pioglitazone did reduce all-cause dementia. It looks as if one is saying that, in people with type 2 diabetes, taking GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is is associated with reduced dementia risk, and the other is saying that it isn’t associated with reduced dementia risk. But there’s no contradiction, for the following reasons:
The Tang study1 has quite a complicated type of study design (target trial emulation), but that’s still a type of observational study and so cannot completely rule out the possibility that the differences it found in dementia risk are actually caused by something other than the drugs being taken. The Seminer study2 is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials so doesn’t carry the same bias issues about cause and effect.
The comparator (control) treatments were different in the two studies. In the Tang study1, patients taking either GLP-1RAs or SGLT2is were compared with patients taking a different glucose-reducing drug. In the Seminer study2, patients taking the drugs were compared, in each of the RCTs they considered, with patients taking a placebo (that is, something with no active ingredients that otherwise is just like that drug under trial), so not a drug at all.
The two studies were considering different outcome measures. The Tang study1 considered only Alzheimer’s dementia and related dementias. The Seminer study2 included, as its primary outcome, dementia (of any type) or cognitive impairment.
“Therefore the two studies differ in terms of the treatments involved (taking the comparator, control, treatment into account), the type of study design, and the risk of bias. So direct comparison of their findings doesn’t make as much sense as you might think at first. Again, the Thiara editorial makes this all clearer, I think.
“Despite the overall finding of the Seminer2 meta-analysis that the three drug classes that it considered weren’t associated with a reduction in overall risk of dementia or cognitive impairment, on average, compared to controls taking a placebo, they found that GLP-1RAs (considered on their own, leaving out the other drug classes) were associated with a reduction in dementia risk.
“Tang found overall no difference between the risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias between type 2 diabetes patients taking GLP-1RAs or SGLT2is, but it did find a lower risk in patients taking semaglutide compared to patients taking SGLT2is.
“Though both studies involved large numbers of patients overall, the number of patients who actually had a dementia diagnosis was pretty low, particularly for newer drugs, and the follow-up time was short, given how long it can take for dementias to develop. This is quite a big limitation.”
Dr Richard Oakley, Director of Research and Innovation, Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“Last year, the Lancet Commission in Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care – funded by Alzheimer’s Society – highlighted diabetes as one of 14 risk factors for dementia.
“Drugs that lower blood glucose are often used as part of diabetes treatment, and research has shown they might also be effective in reducing dementia risk.
“Whilst both of these studies found a link between GLP-1RAs and reduced dementia risk, only one found SGLT2is, another class of diabetes drug, were also associated with a reduced risk. More research is needed to properly understand how diabetes treatments may lower the risk of dementia, by tracking people for longer, especially as they get older.
“Alzheimer’s Society is interested to hear results from ongoing clinical trials of the GLP-1RA drug semaglutide for people with early Alzheimer’s disease, to learn whether these drugs can slow the course of the disease.”
Comments on just the Tang et al study:
Dr Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“This study1 used health records from nearly 400,000 people who had type 2 diabetes who were taking drugs called SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs to control their condition. These drugs are usually taken to lower blood sugar levels in diabetes. The researchers compared these drugs with other standard medications used to manage diabetes to evaluate the risk of developing dementia.
“People who were taking the SGLT-2 inhibitors or GLP-1RA medications appeared to have a decreased risk of developing dementia compared with those taking other diabetes medicines.
“The results from this study support the growing evidence that GLP-1RA and SGLT-2 inhibitors medicines may be linked with a lower risk of developing dementia. We don’t know yet why these medicines may be protective, and will need more research to understand how they are affecting the brain.
“Clinical trials are already looking at the use of these types of drugs, including the EVOKE study, which is testing semaglutide (Ozempic) as a potential treatment for people with early Alzheimer’s.
“While the findings of this study are interesting, it’s important to consider whether any other factors might be influencing the results such as the severity of type 2 diabetes, health, income, and education.”
1: ‘GLP-1RA and SGLT2i Medications for Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias’ byHuilin Tanget al.was published in JAMA Neurology at 16:00 UK time on Monday 7 April 2025.
DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.0353
2: ‘Cardioprotective Glucose-Lowering Agents and Dementia Risk A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’ byAllie Semineret al.was published in JAMA Neurology at 16:00 UK time on Monday 7 April 2025.
DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.0360
Declared interests
Prof Atticus Hainsworth: “I lead the Vascular Experimental Medicine team within DementiasPlatformUK:
Prof Mark Evans: “I have received personal fees from Medtronic, Ypsomed, Dexcom, Abbott, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Zucara, Pila Pharma and research support from NovoNordisk, this includes a current PhD student who is funded by Novo Nordisk to examine the mechanisms underpinning the relationship between diabetes/ metabolic disease and dementia but does not include examining the effects of therapies. Abbott, Eli Lilly, Sanofi. The University of Cambridge has received salary support for MLE from the National Health Service in the East of England through the Clinical Academic Reserve.”
Prof David Strain: “I have received speaker fees from AstraZeneca (dapagliflozin) and Novo Nordisk (semaglutide). I lead the UK Stakeholders consensus document for the management of diabetes in older adults which the current UK guidelines are based.”
Prof Naveed Sattar “Has consulted for several companies that make diabetes medicines but also contributed to several lifestyle trials.
“For Novo Nordisk: have consulted for company in advisory boards but not on any of their weight loss drug trial committees; am on steering committee for ZEUS trial but this is not a weight loss trial product but anti-inflammatory. Do not have any shares either for any product in health etc.
“N.S. declares consulting fees and/or speaker honoraria from Abbott Laboratories, Afimmune, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Sanofi; and grant support paid to his university from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, and Roche Diagnostics.”
Dr Ivan Koychev: “IK has received speaker fees as well as an investigator initiated grant to explore the effects of semaglutide in people at risk for dementia from Novo Nordisk.”
Prof Tara Spires-Jones: “I have no conflicts with this study but have received payments for consulting, scientific talks, or collaborative research over the past 10 years from AbbVie, Sanofi, Merck, Scottish Brain Sciences, Jay Therapeutics, Cognition Therapeutics, Ono, and Eisai. I am also Charity trustee for the British Neuroscience Association and the Guarantors of Brain and serve as scientific advisor to several charities and non-profit institutions.”
Dr Emma Anderson: “I have no conflicts of interest.”
Prof Masud Husain: “I don’t have any conflicts of interest.”
Prof Kevin McConway: “Previously a Trustee of the SMC and a member of its Advisory Committee.”
Dr Richard Oakley: “No conflicts of interest to declare from Richard or the Society.”
Dr Leah Mursaleen: “Leah has no conflicts of interest to declare.”
The Safer Routes to School scheme near Manor Primary School includes school zone road markings, new signs, speed cushions, dropped kerbs at crossings and waiting/loading restrictions in Ettingshall Road and Foster Avenue.
A review of the location showed 2 collisions involving pedestrians at school drop off and pick up times in the last 3 years.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “These measures are in response to calls for action at this location and follow consultation held on the proposals.
“It will improve safety by slowing traffic and ensuring roads near the school are kept free from vehicles parking dangerously.
“Creating a safer environment will encourage more families to walk to school improving healthy lifestyles, cutting carbon emissions and benefitting air quality.”
Work is due to begin on Wednesday 9 April and last about a week. Works prior to the school holidays will be carried out between 9.30am and 2.30pm.
Temporary 3 way traffic signals will be in place on Ettingshall Road on Friday 11 April and 14 April at the Foster Avenue and Nally Drive junctions.
Ettingshall Road will be closed on 15 April between the junctions of Nally Drive and Foster Avenue from 8am to 4.30pm with diversions in place and access to frontages maintained.
Ettingshall Road will also be closed on 16 and 17 April between the same junctions from 8am to 4.30pm with diversions in place and access to frontages maintained.
Source: Republic of France in English The Republic of France has issued the following statement:
On this World Health Day, France reiterates its support for a coordinated approach at the international level aimed at guaranteeing solid healthcare systems and universal access to care while resolutely combating inequality This is a prerequisite for collective health security.
During this difficult international period, France reaffirms its full support for the World Health Organization (WHO) and the central role it plays in the global health architecture. It embodies international cooperation, scientific rigor and scrupulous standard-setting.
France also reiterates its support for all international organizations that deal with global health. It is one of the main funders of such efforts and remains committed to the swift adoption of a pandemic agreement.
In order to ensure global health security, France works in particular to advance the fight against epidemics; the promotion of maternal and child health; the One Health approach, which underscores the close ties between human health, animal health and ecosystems; universal health coverage; and the strengthening of healthcare systems. In this regard, the WHO Academy in Lyon, which opened its doors in December 2024, aims to become a global center of excellence for the training of healthcare workers.
France reaffirms its commitment to global health and its conviction that health is a fundamental right for every human being. Since 2000, we have helped provide antiretroviral treatments to 25 million people with HIV/AIDS, treat more than 7 million tuberculosis patients, and distribute nearly 230 million mosquito nets. We have also participated in the vaccination of more than a billion children since 2000 and, through the Muskoka Fund, we funded care for more than 22 million women and children in 2023 to reduce maternal and child mortality.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on the new Health Data Research Service, funded by the UK Government and the Wellcome Trust.
Understanding Patient Data,said:
“We welcome today’s announcement of a new health data research service, jointly funded by Wellcome and the UK government.
“The Health Data Research Service aims to create a secure single access point for existing datasets, streamlining the process for researchers and potentially speeding up life-saving medical breakthroughs.
“This is a valuable step towards implementing the Sudlow review recommendations and making better use of existing health data to support research, innovation, and improved health outcomes.
“At Understanding Patient Data, we’ve consistently seen that people are supportive of their data being used for public benefit — when there are clear safeguards in place, transparency about how decisions are made, and visible patient and public involvement in decision-making. The governance arrangements put in place for the health research service need to meet these expectations to ensure that public trust is earned and maintained.
“In light of ongoing financial pressures and substantial change to how the NHS is managed, continued investment in public engagement is more critical than ever. The health data research service has the opportunity to build strong foundations from the start: transparent governance, clear accountability, and a commitment to delivering measurable public benefit.”
Janet Valentine, Executive Director Innovation and Research Policy, ABPI said:
“The scale and ambition of the Prime Minister’s announcement today shows he understands the huge opportunity for the UK to be a global leader in clinical research, and that unlocking research access to health data and speeding up the set-up of clinical trials are fundamental to achieving that goal.
“Public and patient confidence in the responsible use of health data will be critical to the success of the service, which is why the government is right to work closely with a trusted partner like the Wellcome Trust.
“To make the most of this opportunity, it will be essential to build on the existing strengths and expertise within the UK health data system. It will also be vital that the pharmaceutical industry, as a major investor in research and development of innovative medicines, plays an integral role in the design and implementation of the new health data research service.”
The nature of this story means everyone quoted above could be perceived to have a stake in it. As such, they are implicit in each person’s affiliation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave remarks at Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing site in the West Midlands.
Thank you Rachel and thank you Adrian.
And can I just say a big thank you to the entire workforce here. Some of you are here with us this afternoon. I just want to say thank you for showing us what you do. We have been able to see some of the skill and experience that you put into this incredible product, years and years in the making and the technology.
But thank you also for making us proud to be British, because as each car rolls off here, that is rolling off your production line. That is your commitment, your toil, your work, your professionalism. But it is then a product which you should be rightly proud of, and we are really proud of as a country.
I know how much you put into that, and I want you to know just how much we appreciate what you do.
Thank you for everyone for joining us this afternoon.
Jaguar Land Rover, our leading exporter of goods, employing thousands of people across the West Midlands and beyond.
That proud symbol of British engineering brilliance. And brilliance is the right word. It is our industrial heritage, but also in my strongly held view, it is our industrial future, not just our heritage.
My message to you is simple: these are challenging times, but we have chosen to come here because we are going to back you to the hilt.
I think it’s really significant that after the announcement on Wednesday, we had Adrian with us in Downing Street at 7 o’clock the next morning, and here we are on Monday, so read into that a statement of intent because it is a statement of intent about how important this is for you, for us and for the country.
As Rachel has said, there is no doubt about the challenge, but this is a moment for cool heads.
No one wins from a trade war.
But it is also a moment for urgency.
Because we have to rise, together as nation to the great challenge of our age, and it is the great challenge to renew Britain so that we are secure in this era of global instability.
Nobody is pretending that tariffs are good news. You know that better than anyone.
25% tariffs on automative exports. 10% on other goods.
That is a huge challenge to our future. The global economic consequences could be profound. But this moment has also made something very clear.
That this is not a passing phase. And just as we’ve seen with our national security and defence, particularly in relation to the war in Ukraine, now with our commerce and trade,
This is a changing and completely new world.
An era where old assumptions, long taken for granted, simply no longer apply.
Before the election – I called it an age of insecurity. And that is the right phrase. Insecurity. Because that’s how this is felt in the lives of working people. Insecurity and worry for builders, for carers, for nursers, for factory workers like people here in Coventry, working harder and harder for the pound in their pocket, yet watching this rising tide of insecurity threaten to sweep away the things we cherish in our communities.
Trust me – I know people will be feeling that right now.
But to those people, I say, we have your back.
This government will not just sit back and hope.
That is how politics has failed you in recent years.
Attempting to manage crises without fundamental change just leads to managed decline.
So no – we’re going to seize the possibilities.
Fight for the future. On defence spending, on AI, on clean British energy and on manufacturing, including car building.
Make those forces work for Britain. Rewire our economy and our state so that once again they serve the interests of working people.
This is why we are rewiring the state completely.
Ripping up the regulation that stops it being a force for good.
Building new homes, new towns, new infrastructure.
Accelerating the investment that will finally unlock the potential of every community.
And let me be really clear as well. Our future is in our hands.
And so of course – we will keep calm and fight for the best deal with the US and we have been discussing that intensely in the last few days.
But we’re also going to work with our key partners to reduce barriers to trade across the globe.
Accelerate trade deals with the rest of the world and champion the cause of free and open trade – right across the globe. And just like car building, that has always been our heritage – and we won’t turn our backs on it now.
And look, when it comes to the US, I will only strike a deal if it is in the national interest. If it is the right thing to do for our security. If it protects the pound in the pocket that working people, across our country, work so hard to earn for their family.
That is my priority. That is always my priority. Strength abroad – security and renewal at home.
And on that journey of renewal we take another step today with our car industry.
You know, there are people in this country who love to talk down our manufacturing. They say – we don’t make anything important anymore. ‘That’s not Britain’. Well – I would invite anyone who thinks like that to come here and see what you do in this factory.
Anyone who is talking down manufacturing. Come here to Jaguar Land Rover and see what you are doing and they wouldn’t say that again.
Because just as I’ve said, when we were going around earlier, what I saw made me proud.
And I hope that if I feel proud of what you are doing, you are entitled to feel proud of what you are doing.
This is British brilliance in the flesh.
You’re making cars here – but you’re also representing our country with each car as it departs. That’s the pride that always goes with making things.
And I’ve said it many times before, but I will say it again: my dad worked in a factory. He was an engineer. He made things with his hands. And he taught me as I was growing up, you should value the things that we make.
And that’s what brilliant about manufacturing. And manufacturing shapes the identity of a place. This place, and of a community and a country. And that’s how it gets in your blood.
Which is why electric vehicles are so important. Yes – of course it’s about the climate and you won’t hear me undermining the urgency of that cause.
But it’s also about taking the pride, the heritage, the identity of places like this and securing it for the future.
That’s what the previous government never understood. The link between manufacturing and who we are as a country.
But those days are over. They are finished. This is a government of industrial renewal.
Because my choice, in this volatile world is to back British brilliance.
I believe that British car companies should be at the forefront of the electric revolution. This is a race we belong in.
And so I think EV targets are a good thing.
They are good for the climate. Good for business certainty and investment. Good for British manufacturing.
But I accept – those targets have to work for British manufacturers.
And I don’t want British firms, like this one put in a position where you have to pay a hefty fine or buy credits from foreign EV companies.
So today – we’re going to introduce much more flexibility into EV mandates.
We’re going to help car companies based in Britain reach the targets in a way that supports growth.
We’re going to cut any fines – which I do not want or expect to see – by 20% and any money that is raised – would be invested directly back into support for the British car industry.
We’re also going to take action on hybrids because these cars make a massive difference to reducing emissions.
I mean, if you drive a Toyota Prius around town. Or, perhaps if you work here, a Range Rover you probably spend a lot of the time in electric mode. So I think for these vehicles a 2030 ban is too soon. So we’ll push that back to 2035 – for all hybrids. That’s a new step we are taking and a new announcement today.
And because we’re not ideological about how we cut carbon emissions, we’ll also make sure that cleaner, efficient, petrol cars sold before 2030 count towards your EV mandate. That will be good for British car manufacturers like this one.
As Rachel has said, we are also putting £2.3 billion pounds into the British car industry, giving people tax breaks worth hundreds of millions of pounds a year to help them switch to electric.
Improving charging infrastructure. That is a massive factor when people are thinking about switching and our approach means we are seeing a new public charging point popping up every half an hour.
Because this is the moment when we back British business and charge up the electric revolution.
British electric cars running off clean British power, made by British workers.
British cars for British workers!
And as you know by the way switching to electric can also save you up to £1100 a year so if we get this right it can help the cost of living as well.
But look – it’s not just our car industry we need to back.
In the coming days and weeks, we are going to use industrial policy to shelter British business from the storm.
Take our life sciences sector, another shining example of British brilliance. An absolutely pivotal part of our export economy. We’re going to back them, as well.
We’re going to rip up the red tape. Cut the stifling bureaucracy that slows down clinical trials. Now Britain used to be better at this but we’ve taken our foot off the pedal.
The latest data says it takes over 250 days to set up a clinical trial. I’m going to slash that to 150.
And on top of that, I can also announce – a new investment up to £600 million in a new Health Data Research Service. A welcome partnership with the Wellcome Trust strengthening the genome cluster in Cambridge.
Making sure that patient data in our NHS is unlocked for the public good. An opportunity for growth – but more importantly to save lives with cutting edge medicine and Britain is so good at this.
We saw that in the pandemic. And we now need to pick up the pace again. This country has never waited around for history to shape us. We have shaped history – and we will do so again now.
Take our future into our hands. Do everything necessary to defend our national interest.
Strengthen our alliances, increase our defence power, support our businesses, jobs and workers.
Rebuild, in defiance of a volatile world, our industrial strength.
That is the purpose of this Government. Security and renewal. The world may be changing but we are driving forward securing our future with a clear Plan for Change.
EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office secured a multistate settlement in principle with pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc. (Mylan) that will deliver up to $335 million nationwide to help combat the opioid crisis. Mylan, which is now a part of Viatris, has manufactured and sold a variety of opioids since 2005, including generic fentanyl patches, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine products. The attorneys general allege Mylan deceptively promoted its products as less prone to abuse despite knowing for years that many of its opioid products – particularly its fentanyl patches – were actually more vulnerable to abuse. The company fueled the opioid crisis by marketing directly to doctors, leading to dangerous overprescribing and diversion of its opioids into the illegal drug market. Under the multistate settlement in principle, Mylan will pay up to $335 million to participating states over nine years.
“When drug companies put profits over people, innocent patients can get sucked into deadly cycles of addiction and overdoses,” said Attorney General James. “Mylan deceptively marketed its opioid products as safe, despite knowing they would be abused and sold illegally. While no settlement can fully repair the damage caused by dangerous opioids, these funds will help New York and other states fight the opioid crisis.”
This settlement in principle was negotiated by Attorney General James and the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia in coordination with the attorneys general of Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, and Vermont.
Attorney General James is a national leader in holding accountable the companies that fueled the opioid crisis and securing resources to help combat the epidemic of addictions and overdoses. To date, Attorney General James has secured more than $3 billion to support New York opioid abatement, treatment, and prevention efforts from companies including Purdue, Indivior, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt, Allergan, Endo, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen. Attorney General James has also led multistate coalitions in reaching settlements for billions of dollars with CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart for their roles in failing to properly regulate opioid prescriptions. Additionally, Attorney General James and a bipartisan coalition of states secured settlements with consulting firm McKinsey & Company and the marketing firm Publicis Health for their role in fueling the opioid crisis.
For New York, this settlement with Mylan was negotiated by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy, Special Counsel Monica Hanna, and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Conrad, of the Executive Division, and Data Scientist Ken Morales of the Research and Analytics Department.
BILLERICA,Mass., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — E Ink (8069.TW) the originator, pioneer, and global commercial leader in electronic paper (ePaper) technology, today announced its latest technological breakthrough with E Ink Marquee™. E Ink successfully developed a 4-particle color system that allows for vibrant color with an extended temperature range for outdoor and digital out of home (DOOH) signage.
E Ink Marquee stands out for its exceptional energy efficiency and broad temperature range, making it ideal for outdoor deployments. Unlike conventional LCD and LED displays, Marquee’s thermal performance reduces the need for complex cooling systems, offering a cost-effective outdoor signage solution. Moreover, Marquee’s ability to seamlessly switch pages expands its versatility across various applications, from interactive street furniture displays to dynamic advertising platforms, enabling seamless integration with brand activations and programmatic campaigns.
“The future of E Ink is becoming more colorful with our E Ink Marquee innovation,” said Johnson Lee, CEO, E Ink. “E Ink Marquee will be a cornerstone of our organization and define the future of display technology across industries.”
Preliminary performance metrics for E Ink Marquee’s full-color application features an operating temperature range between -20 and 65 °C., with ongoing development of the newest displays focused on reaching sizes as large as 75” diagonal and update times between 5-7 seconds.
“Building upon our pioneering ePaper foundation established in 1997, E Ink Marquee represents an exciting evolution.” said Edzer Huitema, US CTO, E Ink. “We expect E Ink Marquee to redefine the digital display industry and challenge people’s perception of E Ink and what is possible.”
While E Ink Marquee’s roadmap is still being defined, Touch Taiwan 2025 serves as an important opportunity to showcase the recent breakthrough and provide a glimpse into the future of digital displays. If visitors would like to experience the latest E Ink technology demonstrations, they can visit booth #L717 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from April 16-18. E Ink Marquee will also be shown at Display Week in San Jose, CA from May 13-15.
E Ink’s ePaper technology is energy-efficient and non-emissive, reducing power consumption and carbon emissions compared to paper and LCDs. Solar-powered ePaper signage can run entirely on renewable energy, ideal for net-zero initiatives. Through its PESG framework, E Ink delivers low-carbon solutions that accelerate this transition. According to FTSE Russell, 99.9% of the company’s product sales revenue is green, and Moody’s has verified E Ink’s green loans as compliant with Green Loan Principles, awarding a positive sustainability score. These achievements highlight E Ink’s strong environmental performance and alignment with international standards.
About E Ink
E Ink Holdings Inc. (8069.TWO), based on technology from MIT’s Media Lab, provides an ideal display medium for applications spanning eReaders and eNotes, retail, home, hospital, transportation, logistics, and more, enabling customers to put displays in locations previously impossible. E Ink’s electrophoretic display products make it the worldwide leader for ePaper. Its low power displays enable customers to reach their sustainability goals, and E Ink has pledged using 100% renewable energy in 2030 and reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040. E Ink has been recognized for their efforts by receiving, validation from Science-Based Targets (SBTi) and is listed in both the DJSI World and DJSI Emerging Indexes. Listed in Taiwan’s Taipei Exchange (TPEx) and the Luxembourg market, E Ink Holdings is now the world’s largest supplier of ePaper displays. For more information please visit www.eink.com. E Ink. We Make Surfaces Smart and Green.
Contact: V2 Communications for E Ink eink@v2comms.com
NEW YORK, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Affiliate Credo, a globally recognized platform specializing in men’s wellness and performance enhancement, has officially published a new article discussing the Quick Extender Pro, a leading solution for non-invasive enhancement and curvature correction.
The newly released publication focuses on answering key questions users may have about the device—its unique technology, the range of packages offered, how it is used, and how it compares to other traction-based systems. Instead of reviewing the product in depth, Affiliate Credo outlines what the article explores in detail: the patented Double Strap Support (DSS) system, user routines, medical insights, and frequently asked questions about safety, results, and pricing.
Follow this link to read more about the article and access the full content
Affiliate Credo Announces Why Quick Extender Pro Deserves Attention in 2025
Affiliate Credo’s new penis extender review explores why Quick Extender Pro continues to gain recognition in 2025. It addresses what makes the DSS system different, how it improves traction consistency, and what types of users may benefit from choosing this penis traction device—particularly individuals managing Peyronie’s disease.
The article also shares insights about the device’s compatibility with long-term routines and how it leverages clinically tested penile traction methods for progressive results.
What Questions Are Covered in Affiliate Credo’s New Article
What are the main benefits of using Quick Extender Pro?
Which packages are available and who are they for?
How does the patented DSS technology differ from older systems?
What should new users expect in terms of comfort and use of this penis extender?
Are there real medical facts supporting the use of traction-based systems?
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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Prime Minister turbocharges medical research
Better and faster access to NHS data for researchers with gold standard security and privacy measures.
Latest in a series of pro-growth measures to build a strong, resilient economy with more well-paid jobs.
Changes will help make Britain the best country in the world for medical research, driving growth that puts more money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change.
Next step in delivering the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and unlocking the potential of the Oxford‑Cambridge Growth Corridor.
The Prime Minister has today announced action to accelerate the discovery of life-saving drugs, improve patient care and make Britain the best place in the world for medical research.
The Government and the Wellcome Trust will invest up to £600 million to create a new Health Data Research Service. This will transform the access to NHS data by providing a secure single access point to national-scale datasets, slashing red tape for researchers.
Clinical trials will also be fast-tracked to accelerate the development of the medicines and therapies of the future, with the current time it takes to get a clinical trial set up cut to 150 days by March 2026 – where latest data collected in 2022 was over 250 days. This will be achieved by cutting bureaucracy and standardising contracts so time isn’t wasted on negotiating separate details across different NHS organisations, and ensuring transparency by publishing trust level data for the first time.
Through this new drive, patients will have improved access to new treatments and technologies. We already saw the power of health data during the pandemic and this will allow the NHS to make huge strides in patient care.
The changes are a major boost for the life sciences sector as the Government goes further and faster in delivering the Plan for Change and reshaping our economy in response to the new era of global insecurity.
They follow key steps to support the British car industry and form part of our modern Industrial Strategy, which includes life sciences. Full plans will be published alongside the Spending Review later this year.
Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:
The new era of global insecurity requires a Government that steps up, not stands aside.
That is why we are going further and faster in reshaping our economy and delivering our Plan for Change.
Life sciences, like our brilliant car industry, is a great British success story.
The measures I am announcing today will turbo-charge medical research and deliver better patient care. I am determined to make Britain the best place in the world to invest in medical research.
That is not just good for patients and their families. It means growth that puts more money in working people’s pockets with more, better paid jobs.
Patient confidentiality will continue to be held to a gold standard with these changes – with rigorous security measures being in place, like anonymity and virtual locked rooms, to ensure no one’s health data is compromised.
The Health Data Research Service brings access to data for medical research into one secure and easy-to-use location, meaning a researcher doesn’t have to navigate different systems or make multiple applications for information for the same project.
This improvement – which will begin from the end of 2026 – will speed up the process and could set the UK on a path to cure cancer, dementia, and arthritis quicker, which will improve patient outcomes and help turbocharge the economy.
It follows the recent decision to scrap NHS England to do away with unnecessary bureaucracy and make government work better for people, patients, and the economy.
The new service will be housed at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridgeshire, where Wellcome is building a range of new R&D lab and office spaces to expand the current campus’s capacity for innovative genomics and biodata companies.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:
Our Plan for Change will unleash the unparalleled power of NHS data, catalysing our efforts to fix the broken health service.
We will unblock the barriers preventing our greatest scientists from safely accessing what they need to save patients’ lives – while keeping data secure.
This venture will drive vital investment into the UK and put us at the epicentre of breakthroughs in science.
If we can combine the care of the NHS with the ingenuity of our world-leading scientists, our health service could truly become the envy of the world.
Science Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:
Building an NHS fit for the future is central to this government’s Plan for Change. Ensuring our research community can access the data which will drive untold improvements for patients across the country is key to that ambition.
This is a service which has truly transformative potential – giving health experts access to the insights they need to drive forward more research and more clinical trials quicker than ever before.
Protecting the data and anonymity of patients is non-negotiable. That’s why we’re also putting robust protections in place to make sure the incredible benefits we will all receive from this service will never come at a personal cost.
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said:
Improving health for future patients and future generations depends on medical research, and that depends on data.
Bringing health data together will allow scientists to understand diseases, to prevent them and to develop new treatments more quickly and more effectively to improve future health.
John-Arne Røttingen, Chief Executive of Wellcome, said:
There is so much more we could learn from health data in this country by joining it up better.
The new service will give researchers a way to easily harness the data held across different parts of the NHS. The simpler it is to analyse data or identify patients to join clinical trials, the more quickly we can improve our understanding of illness and develop new treatments.
Providing a single, secure service for approved researchers will take away the significant overhead associated of locating, accessing and comparing disparate datasets. It will create opportunities for patients to access new treatments through trials that would otherwise have been hard to arrange or conduct.
We’re pleased to be providing our support to help establish the new service quickly. This public-philanthropic partnership will put public trust in the use of health data at the heart of its approach.
Dr Vin Diwakar, National Director of Transformation at NHS England, said:
We’ve seen over the past few years the vital role that research plays in improving healthcare – from the rollout of the Covid vaccine to the development of new cancer treatments – and this new service will transform how that research is carried out.
The Health Data Research Service will remove the complexities of accessing data through multiple systems while making sure the very highest security and privacy measures remain in place, including using secure data environments to protect patient confidentiality and ensure NHS data doesn’t leave NHS IT systems.
We’ll continue to seek feedback from the public as we develop the service and will only allow access to NHS data where there is likely to be a direct benefit to NHS patients – so that health researchers can get the data they need faster, and patients can benefit from advances in treatments much sooner.
Executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, Dr Ian Walker, said:
This is a welcome and much-needed investment from the government. The information held within NHS data could help to improve our understanding of diseases like cancer and contribute to the creation of effective new treatments.
Despite its huge potential, access to this data has long been a significant challenge for the research sector, and anything that unleashes the power of NHS data, whilst protecting the security and anonymity of patients, will help enormously.
The UK can lead the world in data science for the benefits of patients both at home and abroad. It will be essential to consult with patients every step of the way.
STAKEHOLDER REACTION
Professor Cathie Sudlow, Former Chief Scientist and Strategic Advisor, Health Data Research UK, and author of the Sudlow Review: Uniting the UK’s Health Data: A Huge Opportunity for Society, said:
Today’s announcement of a Health Data Research Service, a central recommendation of my recently published review of the UK’s health data landscape, is a major step forward for UK health research. It has the potential to be a game-changer, by accelerating secure, trustworthy, data-driven research to improve patient care and public health for the tens of millions of people in this country and beyond.
The service should enable faster, more reliable access for approved researchers to the data needed to tackle society’s most pressing health research needs – to develop and test new approaches for preventing, diagnosing and treating health conditions such as cancer, dementia, heart disease, depression, arthritis and infectious outbreaks. It should support better studies, quicker answers for the health and care system and, ultimately, faster, better outcomes for patients and their families.
Turning this investment from the UK Government and Wellcome into something that delivers will demand focus, cooperation across multiple organisations, attention to detail and – crucially – ongoing, meaningful involvement of patients, public and health and care professionals. However, with the UK’s rich health data assets and strong life sciences and data science research capabilities, I am confident that we can make this work for everyone’s benefit.
Nicola Perrin, Chief Executive of the Association of Medical Research Charities, said:
The announcement of a Health Data Research Service is excellent news – for patients, for the NHS and for UK life sciences. Sustained, ringfenced funding – from the Government and Wellcome as a charitable funder – is the best way to unlock the power of NHS data to transform research and to improve health outcomes.
This partnership is exactly what is needed to help to ensure a trustworthy approach, and to build confidence among public, patients and healthcare professionals which will be so crucial for success. We look forward to engaging closely with the new HRDS as the plans develop, building on and consolidating the multiple initiatives that currently exist for data access.
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden, said:
I’ve seen first-hand how harnessing NHS data can accelerate and improve cancer research – so today’s news is hugely welcome for cancer patients and researchers alike.
By offering our world leading researchers a centralised, convenient and highly secure central hub for medical research, innovative and potentially life changing developments could become more likely, helping to transform cancer patient lives.
Emma Walmsley, Chief Executive Officer, GSK, said:
We welcome the ambition and urgency of today’s announcements on health data and clinical trials. The UK has unique potential to bring health data securely together with an NHS system that recognises the value of innovation, to accelerate and deliver the next generation of medicines and vaccines for patients. This offers value to society and to the economy. What matters now is execution at pace and we stand ready to support.
Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
This is a game-changing initiative that could drive faster progress for people with dementia and bring us closer to a cure. Better access to high-quality NHS data will help researchers understand the diseases behind dementia in greater detail, spot those at risk sooner, and develop effective new treatments more quickly.
The UK is home to some of the most detailed, nationwide, life-long health datasets in the world, with huge potential to transform how we prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat major health conditions. But right now, researchers face barriers that stop them unlocking this data’s full, life-saving power. By cutting red tape around data access and clinical trials, the UK can accelerate the development of new diagnostics and treatments, and become a magnet for global investment. Dementia is the nation’s biggest killer, and with no treatments currently available on the NHS that slow or stop the condition, this momentum couldn’t come at a more urgent time.
To make the new Health Data Research Service work, people affected by dementia must be at the heart of how the system is designed. With the right safeguards in place, trusted access to NHS data can be a powerful force for good – helping the UK lead the world in life sciences and transform the outlook for everyone affected by dementia in the UK.
Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Innovation at Asthma + Lung UK, said:
The new health data service has the potential to make a huge difference to the health of the nation. Improved access to such a wealth of data is fantastic news for health research, and will help researchers better understand lung disease, which will affect 12 million people in the UK during their lifetime.
Decades-long underinvestment has left lung research on life support. But this new investment into data will help scientists better understand early development and progression of lung disease, ultimately leading to better diagnosis, treatment and management.
Every five minutes, someone in the UK dies a from lung condition. Urgent action is needed to increase investment into lung research to give everyone fighting for breath a future. Because breakthroughs can happen and when they do, they save lives. Our vision is a world where everyone has healthy lungs.
Professor James Leiper, Director of Research at the British Heart Foundation, said:
This investment in the huge potential of data science is a welcome and farsighted move.
Health data has the power to give us unparalleled insights into cardiovascular disease, and will supercharge research which promises to save lives in the years to come.
Ensuring cardiovascular researchers have simplified access to the wealth of data the NHS holds, while also ensuring security and patient confidentiality, will place the UK at the cutting edge of data science for health. We look forward to hearing further detail on plans in the coming months.
Jacob Lant, Chief Executive at National Voices, said:
As patients, our health records can fuel a revolution in medical research that will both help the NHS and ensure communities across the country get faster access to groundbreaking new treatments.
The Government’s new partnership with the Wellcome Trust can unlock this potential by offering scientists easier access to data, but crucially also giving the public concrete guarantees around data security and anonymity. This is vital to building the public trust needed to move forward and realise the full benefits of modern medical research.
Dr. Sam Barrell, CEO of LifeArc, said:
Rapid, transparent, and secure access to high-quality linked health data is essential for translation of research into tangible patient benefit. This is especially crucial for those with rare diseases, where large-scale data and international collaboration are vital.
Today’s funding announcement is a welcome signal to the sector that the UK is committed to making life science life changing, powered by health data.
Kieran Winterburn, Alzheimer’s Society’s Head of National Influencing, said:
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. Research will beat dementia, but we need to make it a reality sooner – through more funding, more partnership working, better access to data and more people taking part in dementia research.
That’s why Alzheimer’s Society welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement today that red tape will be slashed for researchers, with a new secure, single access point to NHS data. Dementia researchers can face gridlock with a lengthy and complex process to access NHS data, navigating through various systems to gather the information they need for vital population and clinical studies.
As well as improving access to existing data, we also need to see improvements in the recording, analysis and collation of health data generally. There’s a serious disconnect between the scale and urgency of dementia as a condition and the relative scarcity of existing data on it. Having more data on dementia published will be crucial to improving diagnosis, care, and service planning.
We’re so proud that Alzheimer’s Society-funded research 30 years ago led to the breakthroughs in disease-modifying treatments we’ve seen recently. Research we fund now, powered by better access to data, will be pivotal in unlocking more breakthroughs.
Dr Jeanette Dickson, Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said:
We know the UK can deliver high quality international practice-changing research and this tremendous initiative will enable our scientists to perform at their best by providing safe access to essential data – which in turn will improve care, speed up innovation and drive economic growth.
Anna Steere, Head of Understanding Patient Data, said:
This is a really welcome step toward improving how health data is used to speed up research and deliver public benefit. Research shows that people are generally supportive of their data being used in this way — but they want to see transparency, strong governance and security at the heart. We are pleased to see a commitment to working with patient groups in shaping how the service is designed and run. Getting this right from the outset is key to building lasting public confidence.
Professor Ford is also the Co-Founder and Director of the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank in Wales, said:
I am really delighted to hear of this recent announcement, which will bring a very substantial and much needed investment into the UK’s data infrastructure. The SAIL Databank looks forward to playing its part in making the new exciting vision a reality.
The National Data Guardian, Dr Nicola Byrne, said:
Access to data is essential for researchers and innovators to transform great ideas into real health improvements. With the right safeguards in place, the public is eager to see data used to drive new treatments, improve services, and tackle health inequalities.
To maintain the public’s trust, it’s crucial that data security, clear public benefits, and full transparency around data access and use remain at the forefront. I look forward to working with others to ensure the new Health Data Research Service meets these expectations, unlocking the power of data to benefit patients and the public alike.
Professor Andrew Morris, Director of Health Data Research UK, said:
As a doctor and researcher, the announcement of a Health Data Research Service is a day many of us have been waiting for. It is a big investment in the future health of the nation.
We have a rich abundance of health data in this country thanks to the NHS. The team at HDR UK demonstrated for the first time last year that UK wide studies harnessing data on 68M people is possible for public benefit. But the system remains slow and fragmented which means that safe and secure research using the data is delayed or prevented for months and years. This is stalling advances that could benefit millions of patients and is wasting taxpayers’ money and medical charity donations invested in research.
A Health Data Research Service was the main recommendation of the Sudlow Review, which offered a set of solutions to tackle these problems and for which Health Data Research UK provided the secretariat. So I am delighted that within a few months of publication.
Ending Violence against Women and Girls Conference Armagh City Hotel Armagh 31 March 2025 CREDIT: LiamMcArdle.com
“Violence against women and girls is a very serious challenge in our society – and one that affects everyone. It is a problem that is hidden in plain sight and every day impacts the lives of women and girls, in our schools, in our communities, and in our workplaces.
“Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council stand committed to challenging harmful attitudes towards women and girls, and to work to promote a culture of respect and equality. To create a community where women and girls are safe, respected, and empowered. So that every woman and girl can live with dignity, safety and freedom.”
This was the message from the Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Kyle Savage at a recent, hard-hitting conference addressing the serious issue of ending violence against women and girls.
Entitled ‘It’s In Your Hands’, the conference had around 200 attendees and featured a number of high profile speakers who covered topics including coercive control, partner violence, what a healthy relationship should look like and how we can educate everyone in our communities to prevent abuse and harm against women and girls.
There were also interactive sessions where those in attendance could really think about the impact that they can make – as individuals and organisations – to help make the borough a safer place for women and girls.
Speakers included Dr Ngozi Anyadike-Danes, a Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Ulster University, Marcella Leonard MBE and Noel McNally who bravely spoke about his daughter Natalie.
This event was organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and funded by The Executive Office.
For more information on this issue please log onto https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/safeguarding/
Plans for new football and basketball facilities in Southwick to help tackle inequalities in access to sport are taking a step closer to being delivered.
The start of the construction phase of a Football Foundation PlayZone in Southwick, has been made possible thanks to Sunderland City Council securing a £198,076 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, £10,000 from North Sunderland Area Committee and £34,955 from the city’s Healthy City Fund.
The new multi-sport pitch will be one of more than 200 PlayZones to be delivered across the country, offering a wide range of opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to be active in a way that suits them and get involved in sport and physical activity.
This investment will support the development of brand-new facilities, as well as bringing back to life old facilities through refurbishment works. The PlayZone will also include smart -access technology and a booking system.
The PlayZone in Southwick will be managed by Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Project and will be open to the public to book seven days a week.
Ruth Walker, who operates the project, said: “This is an exciting development for the area, bringing a former games area back to use and making the area look great, it’s going to be fantastic. The new facility is for the local community to use, it’s going to make an enormous difference to getting our local community active as well as giving young people something positive to do.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation said: “When it comes to tackling the greatest inequalities to becoming active, the Football Foundation knows a ‘one-size fits all’ approach doesn’t work. That’s why community engagement is at the heart of our PlayZones programme.
“As with all PlayZones, the new facility in Southwick has been shaped by the local community who’ll be able to step out onto the pitch and get active in a way that suits them.
“Thanks to the funding we receive from our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government, the Foundation will be delivering over 200 PlayZones like this one across the country.”
Cllr Beth Jones Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are delighted to have been able to secure this funding from the Football Foundation to help regenerate a local community.
“The PlayZone represents our commitment to ensuring that sport, physical activity and play are central to the well-being of communities and that everyone can access safe and modern facilities. This space will not only enhance physical well-being but also serve as a gathering place for families and friends to develop new, positive experiences with sport, play and physical activity.”
The Scottish Government’s Housing Bill amendments do not go far enough in tackling sky high rents or supporting tenants, say the Scottish Greens.
The comments, from Green MSP Maggie Chapman, come as the government has published amendments to the upcoming Housing Bill that would allow rent increases to the level of the CPI annual rate of inflation plus 1%, up to a maximum increase of 6% in rent control areas.
There are no plans in place to provide protection for tenants since the government allowed protections introduced by the Scottish Greens to expire last week.
Ms Chapman said:
“The Housing Bill can and must be the biggest extension of renters rights since devolution, and should finally end the grip that the landlord lobby has on the rights and wellbeing of tenants.
“That is what was at the heart of the Bill that Patrick Harvie introduced when he was a Green Minister.
“I don’t believe that what the government is proposing goes far enough. It certainly doesn’t live up to the scale of the crisis that far too many are facing. They would see above inflation hikes even in areas where rents and living costs have been allowed to spiral out of control.
“We will be publishing proposals in the days ahead that will take a very different approach and will offer support and stability to people and families on the frontline of the housing emergency.
“Homes are for living in and not for squeezing every last penny of profit from. Everyone deserves a warm, comfortable and affordable place to call home, and it is crucial that the Housing Bill delivers that.”
Last week the Scottish Government allowed renter protections introduced by the Scottish Greens to expire, removing an effective cap on the worst rent hikes.
Ms Chapman added:
“By allowing renter protections to expire the Scottish Government has thrown people to the mercy of a broken market and rogue landlords who have proven that they cannot be trusted.
“There are few things that create as much anxiety and poverty as rip-off rents. Our parliament and our government needs to lead the way and make Scotland the best country it can be for renters rights.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Welsh food and drink delicacies earn protected status
Welsh gin, oysters and honey granted protected status under UK Geographical Indication schemes
Welsh gin, oysters and honey are to join the list of food and drink products granted protected geographical indication (PGI) status under the UK’s Geographical Indication schemes.
Dovey Native Botanical Gin, Pembrokeshire Native Oysters, Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters and Welsh Heather Honey have been formally recognised for their distinctive qualities and regional heritage, ensuring only authentic items meeting strict production standards and geographical requirements can be marketed under these protected names.
Welsh culinary tradition dates back centuries, with its food and drink deeply rooted in the nation’s landscape, culture, and history. From nutrient-rich waters producing exceptional seafood to vibrant heather moorlands ideal for honey production, Welsh producers have long crafted distinctive products shaped by local environments and passed-down expertise.
This recognition gives producers a valuable market advantage while preserving traditional production methods, protecting and championing local products while creating economic opportunity across all parts of the UK under the Government’s Plan for Change.
UK Government Minister for Food Security, Farming and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner said:
The UK is home to a feast of flavours from every corner of the British Isles, and these new protections help celebrate the outstanding craftsmanship and heritage behind Welsh food and drink.
By giving these products unique status, we’re helping local businesses grow while ensuring consumers can enjoy authentic regional specialities for generations to come.
These additions join other popular Welsh products already recognised under the GI scheme, including Anglesey Sea Salt, Welsh Leeks, Traditional Welsh Cider and Single-malt Welsh Whisky, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Wales.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
Dovey gin, Pembrokeshire oysters and Welsh honey are fantastic products and it’s right that they are being recognised as the high-quality, specialist items they are.
The GI scheme guarantees quality and excellence while celebrating our outstanding local Welsh produce and driving growth in this vital sector.
Wales’ Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, who has responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said:
This recognition strengthens Wales’ growing family of protected foods, showcases the extraordinary quality of our produce, and reflects our commitment to high-quality, sustainable food production.
From the mountains to the coast, Wales produces some of the UK’s most iconic foods, cultivated with care and tradition. Each GI product tells the story of our landscape, our producers’ expertise and our proud culinary heritage.
With these new registrations, the total number of UK GIs now reaches 97, representing premium produce from across all four nations of the United Kingdom.
The GI schemes support UK food and drink businesses by protecting the reputation of regional products, promoting traditional and agricultural activity while boosting growth in local economies.
Danny Cameron of Dovey Native Botanical Gin said:
Having GI Status is a good thing and helps to raise awareness of Botanical gin being provenance-based and produced to such a strict and high quality.
Gruffydd Rees of Gwenyn Gruffydd Ltd in Carmarthenshire said:
I am delighted that Welsh Heather Honey’s precise origin and characteristics have been recognised. The UK GI application process is long, and it is wonderful that Wales is the first UK nation to have a honey receive PGI status.
Jake Davies, Atlantic Edge Oysters, said:
Having a PGI Status will attract a broader audience and market who are more aware of GI products and will allow us to join the GI family which has a number of fantastic products.
ASHEVILLE, N.C., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: HTB) (“Company”), the holding company of HomeTrust Bank (“HomeTrust” or the “Bank”), announced today that Robert “Rob” McCain III has assumed the position of Market President of the Bank’s Charlotte metropolitan area, effective March 31, 2025. McCain will focus on expanding the Bank’s presence in the market, with the primary responsibility of growing commercial and treasury management market share and revenue. He will report to John Sprink, Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking.
“I am very excited to have Rob join the Charlotte team and the HTB family,” Sprink said. “He has a tremendous reputation and an impressive record of building teams and business in the Charlotte market, while exemplifying the cultural fundamentals that define HomeTrust Bank.”
McCain said he is honored to take on the role and values HomeTrust’s ability to foster strong relationships with clients while building a collaborative culture. “Over recent years HomeTrust has proven it is more than qualified to serve the needs of businesses in Charlotte, which has transformed itself into a hub of innovation and commerce,” he said. “I’m excited to bring my decades of experience in the Charlotte market to this opportunity.”
As a native of the area, McCain said he will take special pride in working to establish the Bank as a strong community partner.
McCain has worked in commercial banking in Charlotte since 1989 in roles that include Market Executive and Manager of Commercial Banking at First Citizens Bank, as well as Line of Business Manager for Commercial Real Estate Lending in the Carolinas at SunTrust.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Master in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is also a graduate of the School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
About HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.
HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for HomeTrust Bank. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had assets of $4.6 billion. The Bank, founded in 1926, is a North Carolina state chartered, community-focused financial institution committed to providing value added relationship banking with over 30 locations as well as online/mobile channels. Locations include: North Carolina (the Asheville metropolitan area, the “Piedmont” region, Charlotte, and Raleigh/Cary), South Carolina (Greenville and Charleston), East Tennessee (Kingsport/Johnson City, Knoxville, and Morristown), Southwest Virginia (the Roanoke Valley) and Georgia (Greater Atlanta).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but instead are based on certain assumptions including statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, assumptions and statements about future economic performance and projections of financial items. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by forward-looking statements. The factors that could result in material differentiation include, but are not limited to, the impact of bank failures or adverse developments involving other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; the remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on general economic and financial market conditions and on public health, both nationally and in the Company’s market areas; natural disasters, including the effects of Hurricane Helene; expected revenues, cost savings, synergies and other benefits from merger and acquisition activities might not be realized to the extent anticipated, within the anticipated time frames, or at all, costs or difficulties relating to integration matters, including but not limited to customer and employee retention, might be greater than expected, and goodwill impairment charges might be incurred; increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; changes in the interest rate environment; changes in general economic conditions, both nationally and in our market areas; legislative and regulatory changes; and the effects of inflation, a potential recession, and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission – which are available on the Company’s website at www.htb.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any of the forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this press release or in the documents the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made and may turn out to be wrong because of inaccurate assumptions, the factors described above or other factors that management cannot foresee. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
TORONTO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced the opening of its all-new “Design You Can Feel” exhibition at Milan Design Week. The show explores the themes of materiality, craftsmanship, and artificial intelligence (AI) to explain the design thinking behind ASUS products, including the latest ASUS Zenbook laptops.
The event also features playful interactive exhibits that explore the latest ASUS products and the design stories behind them as well as a spectacular immersive installation by Studio INI, the experimental design and research studio founded by Nassia Inglessis.
Taking place at Galleria Meravigli, a historic 1920s gallery in the heart of Milan, the exhibition will run from April 8 to 13. It is open to the public from 10:00AM to 6:00PM each day and is free to attend.
An interactive sensory experience: “Willful Wonder”, a bespoke installation by Studio INI
The themes of the Design You Can Feel exhibition will be encapsulated by a specially commissioned installation by Studio INI. Housed beneath the curved glass ceiling of Galleria Meravigli, the installation dynamically responds as visitors walk through it, their presence activating wing-like, semi-transparent panels that open and close behind them.
The wings, composed of an aluminum honeycomb with elements made from the ASUS proprietary material Ceraluminum™, engage the senses by reflecting and absorbing light, inviting visitors to interact with the structure as they pass through it. The entire installation mirrors Zenbook’s slim silhouette by sculpting lightness and mimicking nature’s sensitive triggering mechanisms, creating a playful interplay of revealing and concealing movements.
“At Studio INI, we seek to create what we call an embodied intelligence in our designs – we create a seamless connection between built architecture and the human element,” said Studio INI founder Nassia Inglessis.
“As people walk through the installation and touch the Ceraluminum™, each touch will be recorded by the changes in its conductivity. So, people will be able to see a spatial representation of their behavior in the installation.”
Building on Studio INI’s expertise in creating experiential public artworks, the installation draws inspiration from the ASUS Zenbook laptop, known for its innovative, lightweight design and Ceraluminum™ material, to create a kinetic, biomimetic sculpture. The installation measures changes in conductivity caused by visitors’ touch to create an AI-generated model representing their real-world interactions with the piece.
In “Willful Wonder,” humans and technology unite in an interactive journey. This fusion of technology and aesthetics mirrors the ASUS commitment to innovation, cutting-edge engineering, nature-inspired materials, and meticulous design, resulting in high-performing, practical, dynamic, lightweight, and beautiful devices.
ASUS Design Thinking: The Inside Story
The Design You Can Feel exhibition will showcase the latest ASUS products and the design stories behind them through playful interactive exhibits. It will encourage users to feel the lightness, duality, slimness, and sleekness of the ASUS Zenbook, the fragrance of the Adol, the outdoor functionality of ProArt, and the unique style of ROG.
This includes the “Design Thinking: The Inside Story” exhibit, which delves into the heart of ASUS design philosophy and allows visitors to experience the company’s latest innovations firsthand. At ASUS, design thinking is more than just a process; it’s ingrained in the company’s DNA. ASUS embraces a human-centered approach that prioritizes user needs and experiences. The designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also address real challenges, ensuring that innovation is intuitive, practical, and meaningful. By focusing on user-driven design, ASUS creates solutions that are both impactful and practical.
Through hands-on demonstrations, visitors will discover how ASUS seamlessly blends aesthetics with functionality, focusing on enhancing everyday life. From ultra-lightweight designs crafted with revolutionary materials to versatile devices that adapt to various workflows, and even explorations into new sensory experiences, this event will showcase how the ASUS commitment to excellence and user-driven innovation shapes the future of technology.
Next, visitors can step into the world of “Ceraluminum™: A Tribute to Nature’s Wonder” and explore the revolutionary material that’s redefining laptop design. This showcases the unique qualities of Ceraluminum™, a patented ASUS material born from modern alchemy, blending exceptional durability with exquisite craftsmanship. Visitors can discover how plasma discharges transform aluminum into a ceramic-like layer, offering unparalleled wear, scratch, and shock resistance, all while maintaining a smudge-free elegance.
An additional attraction will be the debut of the Ceraluminum™ Signature Edition, a collection of Zenbook laptops that pay homage to Earth’s breathtaking landscapes. Each of the four distinctive finishes—Obsidian Black, Pamukkale White, Terra Mocha, and Luminous Blue—tells a story of nature’s splendor, from volcanic terrains and cascading terraces to desert dunes and bioluminescent shores. Inspired by nature and designed for a sustainable future, Ceraluminum™ eliminates traditional chemical manufacturing processes, making it 100% recyclable and environmentally responsible. This is a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and the enduring beauty of our planet.
“At our core, we believe in the power of sensory experiences to forge meaningful connections with design. It’s all about crafting products that allow each user to feel and make good use of our innovations,” said H.W. Wei, Associate VP of ASUS Design Center.
ASUS Zenbook Ceraluminum™ Signature Edition
ASUS will unveil a stunning limited-edition series, a tribute to the iconic Zenbook line and the revolutionary Ceraluminum™ material, a patented technology that merges the lightness of metal with the resilience of ceramics.
The innovative Ceraluminum™, created via ceramization of aluminum, boasts a fracture toughness three times higher than anodized aluminum while remaining remarkably lightweight. This material revolution, showcased in the Zenbook Signature Editions, underscores the dedication ASUS has to both innovation and environmental responsibility. It elevates the celebrated Zenbook line’s legacy of cutting-edge engineering and sleek design into a tangible celebration of Ceraluminum and nature’s splendor.
Each Signature Edition Zenbook showcases the artistry of Ceraluminum, featuring a unique finish inspired by the dynamic landscapes that shape our world. This collection transforms the Zenbook into a celebration of both premium technology and the organic beauty of nature, highlighting the sensory-rich experience that Ceraluminum enables. The laptops will be displayed alongside corresponding sleeves and packaging, providing a complete visual and tactile journey.
The ASUS Zenbook Ceraluminum Signature Edition collection is a celebration of the Zenbook and the unique beauty of Ceraluminum, inspired by Earth’s most breathtaking landscapes, each representing the raw power and beauty that shape our world. Each finish is a reminder of the ASUS commitment – not just to design, but to a philosophy – to create tools that are as enduring as the landscapes that inspire them.
ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.
TORONTO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced the global unveiling of a signature edition series of its iconic Zenbook at the “Design You Can Feel” exhibition in Milan. This exclusive release transforms the celebrated Zenbook into a narrative of nature’s splendor through four distinct, nature-inspired finishes, each a tribute to Earth’s dynamic landscapes. At the same time, it reinforces the Zenbook series’ legacy of combining high-performance technology with refined, functional aesthetics.
In this unique series, each Zenbook is transformed into a narrative piece that echoes the beauty and complexity of nature. Crafted using the revolutionary ASUS Ceraluminum™ technology—a breakthrough material that merges the strength of aluminum with the durability of ceramic—each signature edition finish is created with a sustainable, one-of-a-kind manufacturing process:
Geldingadalir, Iceland – Obsidian Black: Inspired by Iceland’s volcanic landscapes, this finish masterfully balances matte and glossy textures. Precision laser sintering recreates the natural flow of cooling lava, evoking both the raw energy and the serene balance of fire-forged terrain.
Pamukkale, Turkey – Pamukkale White: Drawing on the tranquil beauty of cascading terraces and mineral-rich waters, this variant features dual golden sheens. Advanced CNC diamond cut precision milling refines every curve and shimmer, capturing the interplay between flowing water and solid stone.
Wadi Rum, Jordan – Terra Mocha: Reflecting the rugged elegance of sandstone cliffs and shifting dunes, this edition incorporates an intricate, rosette-like pattern achieved solely through the ASUS proprietary ceramization technology. The tactile finish celebrates the organic dialogue between nature’s unpredictability and the precision of modern engineering.
Vaadhoo Island, Maldives – Luminous Blue: Capturing the mesmerizing glow of bioluminescent ocean shores, this finish uses calibrated laser-induced oxidation to create a dynamic interplay of light and texture. Its soft, natural luminescence evokes the enchanting magic of starlit waves.
Each signature edition device is more than just a color variation—it is a testament to the commitment ASUS has to sustainability and innovative design, with every piece bearing a unique pattern that mirrors nature’s singular beauty. From the laptops to the sleeves and packaging, every part is created with eco-friendliness in mind. The sleeve bag, crafted from Kvadrat Febrik’s knitted upholstery textile Arda, embodies this philosophy by drawing inspiration from the intricate forms and textures of the natural world. Made primarily from wool and produced using an innovative technique that significantly reduces water consumption, Arda reflects a dedication to minimizing its impact on the natural environments that it mimics. Each finish is a reminder of the ASUS commitment—not just to design, but to a philosophy—to create tools that are as enduring as the landscapes that inspire them.
At the heart of these signature editions lies the patented ASUS Ceraluminum technology—a material revolution that redefines durability and sustainability. This innovative material is used to build the Zenbook series laptops including the latest Zenbook A14. Ceraluminum is an innovative material that combines the lightness of aluminum with the resilience of ceramic. The process involves ceramizing aluminum, which results in a material that is lighter and has a fracture toughness 10 times higher than traditional ceramic. This process results in:
Unrivaled Durability: The ceramic-like finish delivers exceptional scratch resistance and long-lasting resilience.
Unique Aesthetics: Every device features its own distinctive pattern, celebrating nature’s inherent diversity.
Sustainable Manufacturing: By eliminating traditional chemical processes, Ceraluminum is 100% recyclable and environmentally responsible.
This breakthrough not only enhances the Zenbook series’ premium look but also reinforces the commitment ASUS has to eco-friendly innovation.
Engineered to empower modern professionals, the Zenbook epitomizes the perfect blend of form and function. Built with the robust internals of the Zenbook S14 Copilot+ PC, it delivers tangible benefits designed to enhance everyday productivity:
Ultra-Thin, High-Performance Design: Crafted with state-of-the-art CNC milling, its ultra-slim chassis not only captivates with its aesthetic appeal but also provides exceptional portability. The integrated vapor chamber cooling system ensures peak performance, even during demanding tasks.
Intuitive, User-Centric Experience: Featuring a dedicated Windows Copilot key and an expansive 16:10 seamless touchpad with smart gesture support, the Zenbook streamlines user interaction and multitasking. The vibrant 3K 120Hz ASUS Lumina OLED display offers lifelike visuals, while the Harman Kardon-certified audio system delivers immersive, cinematic sound.
Next-Generation Power: Powered by the latest AI-enabled Intel® Core™ Ultra processor (Series 2) paired with Intel Arc™ graphics, along with up to 32GB of fast memory and a 1TB PCIe® 4.0 SSD, the Zenbook ensures swift performance, reliable multitasking, and enhanced efficiency—all in an ultra-quiet, cool operating environment.
The result is a laptop that not only elevates productivity but also transforms everyday computing into an engaging, sensory-rich experience.
An immersive journey into design and innovation
The Design You Can Feel exhibition in Milan invites visitors to embark on an immersive journey where technology, craftsmanship, and nature converge. Alongside interactive installations by Studio INI, attendees can experience firsthand the tactile beauty of Ceraluminum and the refined elegance of the signature edition Zenbook series. This dynamic showcase reinforces the commitment ASUS has to crafting products that resonate emotionally, perform flawlessly, and set new standards for sustainable innovation.
ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.
The equity and the net asset value of INVL Technology amounted to EUR 51.43 million, which is 18.2% more than a year earlier. The per share value of its equity and NAV was EUR 4.2896 and grew 19%.
The company had a net profit last year of EUR 8.09 million.
The annual information is published in the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) in compliance with the requirements of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/815 of 17 December 2018 (xhtml file format is attached). This is the official format for the annual information that will be approved by the Ordinary General Shareholders‘ Meeting. The annual information (without the auditor‘s report) is additionally provided in pdf format as a copy of the published ESEF information.
Additional information:
INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, had an audited net profit of EUR 8.09 million in 2024, 56.5% more than in 2023 when the net profit was EUR 5.17 million.
The company’s equity and net asset value were EUR 51.43 million at the end of December 2024, which is 18.2% more than a year earlier. The per share value of its equity and NAV was EUR 4.2896 and grew 19%.
“INVL Technology’s portfolio companies working in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, and the development and deployment of information systems had good operating results. We are continuing work with potential investors on the process of selling the business,” says Kazimieras Tonkūnas, INVL Technology’s managing partner.
In mid-March this year, the company announced that it had signed an agreement with the Zurich branch of M&A intermediation service provider Corum Group’s Luxembourg-based unit Corum Group International, to advise and serve as M&A intermediary on the sale of the company’s portfolio of businesses.
Performance of INVL Technology’s business holdings
In 2024, INVL Technology’s portfolio companies had aggregated revenues of EUR 66.23 million, which is 5.8 % more than in 2023. Their gross profit increased 9.7 % in the period of comparison to EUR 19.78 million, while their aggregated EBITDA grew 42.7 % to EUR 5.13 million.
INVL Technology owns and manages the cybersecurity company NRD Cyber Security, the GovTech company NRD Companies, and the Baltic IT company Novian.
The consolidated revenue of NRD Cyber Security, which also owns NRD Bangladesh, increased 37.6% in 2024 compared to 2023 to EUR 10.19 million. NRD Cyber Security’s gross profit grew 12.7% in the same period of comparison to EUR 4.50 million, while its EBITDA rose 6.9% during the year to EUR 1.22 million.
NRD Companies had consolidated revenue of EUR 9.97 million last year, 9.3% less than in 2023. It had a gross profit of EUR 4.83 million in 2024, or 9.8% more than the previous year, while its group EBITDA decreased by 4.1% to EUR 1.30 million. Norway-based NRD Companies has the subsidiaries Norway Registers Development in Norway, with a branch in Lithuania, and NRD Systems and Etronika in Lithuania.
Novian had consolidated revenues of EUR 38.90 million in 2024, 2.4% more than in 2023, while its gross profit of EUR 8.80 million was 14.4% larger than the year before. The Novian group’s EBITDA more than doubled last year to EUR 2.58 million. The group consists of Novian in Lithuania with the technology-area businesses Novian Technologies, Zissor in Norway, Novian Eesti in Estonia, Andmevara in Moldova, and Novian Rwanda (earlier Norway Registers Development Rwanda) in Rwanda, and the software services businesses Novian Systems and Novian Pro in Lithuania.
INVL Technology, which is managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltics, is a closed-end investment company which must exit its investments no later than mid-July 2026 and distribute the money to shareholders.
The person authorized to provide additional information: Kazimieras Tonkūnas INVL Technology Managing Partner E-mail k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt
INVL Technology announces a presentation that will be used for the meetings with investors.
Additional information:
INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, had an audited net profit of EUR 8.09 million in 2024, 56.5% more than in 2023 when the net profit was EUR 5.17 million.
The company’s equity and net asset value were EUR 51.43 million at the end of December 2024, which is 18.2% more than a year earlier. The per share value of its equity and NAV was EUR 4.2896 and grew 19%.
“INVL Technology’s portfolio companies working in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, and the development and deployment of information systems had good operating results. We are continuing work with potential investors on the process of selling the business,” says Kazimieras Tonkūnas, INVL Technology’s managing partner.
In mid-March this year, the company announced that it had signed an agreement with the Zurich branch of M&A intermediation service provider Corum Group’s Luxembourg-based unit Corum Group International, to advise and serve as M&A intermediary on the sale of the company’s portfolio of businesses.
Performance of INVL Technology’s business holdings
In 2024, INVL Technology’s portfolio companies had aggregated revenues of EUR 66.23 million, which is 5.8 % more than in 2023. Their gross profit increased 9.7 % in the period of comparison to EUR 19.78 million, while their aggregated EBITDA grew 42.7 % to EUR 5.13 million.
INVL Technology owns and manages the cybersecurity company NRD Cyber Security, the GovTech company NRD Companies, and the Baltic IT company Novian.
The consolidated revenue of NRD Cyber Security, which also owns NRD Bangladesh, increased 37.6% in 2024 compared to 2023 to EUR 10.19 million. NRD Cyber Security’s gross profit grew 12.7% in the same period of comparison to EUR 4.50 million, while its EBITDA rose 6.9% during the year to EUR 1.22 million.
NRD Companies had consolidated revenue of EUR 9.97 million last year, 9.3% less than in 2023. It had a gross profit of EUR 4.83 million in 2024, or 9.8% more than the previous year, while its group EBITDA decreased by 4.1% to EUR 1.30 million. Norway-based NRD Companies has the subsidiaries Norway Registers Development in Norway, with a branch in Lithuania, and NRD Systems and Etronika in Lithuania.
Novian had consolidated revenues of EUR 38.90 million in 2024, 2.4% more than in 2023, while its gross profit of EUR 8.80 million was 14.4% larger than the year before. The Novian group’s EBITDA more than doubled last year to EUR 2.58 million. The group consists of Novian in Lithuania with the technology-area businesses Novian Technologies, Zissor in Norway, Novian Eesti in Estonia, Andmevara in Moldova, and Novian Rwanda (earlier Norway Registers Development Rwanda) in Rwanda, and the software services businesses Novian Systems and Novian Pro in Lithuania.
INVL Technology, which is managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltics, is a closed-end investment company which must exit its investments no later than mid-July 2026 and distribute the money to shareholders.
The person authorized to provide additional information: Kazimieras Tonkūnas INVL Technology Managing Partner E-mail k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt