Imphal (Agenzia Fides) – “With the resignation of the Prime Minister, we find ourselves in a political stalemate and we must wait and see. The situation in which Manipur finds itself today is very complex and it is not easy to find a solution. It is necessary to continue efforts to activate a path of dialogue that involves all possible actors, at the local level, at the level of the central government, at the level of the representation of civil society and the communities in conflict”, said Archbishop Linus Neli of Imphal, capital of the Indian state of Manipur, on the situation in the north-eastern Indian state, which is in a state of polarization between the two communities of the Meitei and Kuki-zo, who started an inter-ethnic conflict in May 2023. While on the ground the provisional solution was to divide the conflicting parties into isolated and strictly separate areas, “efforts to activate dialogue with a negotiating table and mediators,” explains the Archbishop. Now the political earthquake is leading to a situation of uncertainty and stalemate: “The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs Manipur, will have to find another politician to appoint as Prime Minister. In the meantime, the administration is temporarily subordinate to the central government in Delhi. Now we have to wait and see, and the situation will become even more complicated,” notes Archbishop Neli. If the BJP fails to appoint a new Prime Minister due to internal disputes, the state parliament could be dissolved and new elections held. Biren Singh, a member of the BJP and Prime Minister of Manipur for two terms, resigned due to growing disagreements within his own party, mainly related to the handling of the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The political crisis in Manipur is unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing ethnic violence, which continues to displace thousands of people in precarious conditions. After months of clashes, sporadic outbreaks of violence involving armed groups in both factions continue to occur despite the massive deployment of security forces sent by the central government.The local Catholic community, which has believers in both the Meitei and Kuki communities, is calling for “a clear orientation towards peace,” said Archbishop Neli, who, along with other religious leaders, is personally involved in organizations and forums ready to participate in any initiative for dialogue and mediation. “We are in the Jubilee Holy Year and the theme is hope: our hope is that a concrete step of reconciliation can take place this year,” he concludes. “The most important thing is a common will. Let us pray and hope that the Lord will accompany us on this path of rapprochement and pacification.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 14/2/2025)
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by Gianni ValenteDamascus (Agenzia Fides) – Her name is Hind Aboud Kabawat, she teaches at American universities and is the only Christian in the seven-member committee (five men and two women) tasked with preparing the announced “National Conference of Syria”, which will begin the process of drafting a new constitution and defining the new institutional structure of the Middle Eastern country.The seven members of the committee were chosen by the self-proclaimed “interim” president Ahmad al-Sharaa. Under the name Abu Muhammad Jolani, al-Sharaa led for years “Hayat Tahrir al Sham”, an Islamist group that played a leading role in the group of armed militias that joined forces to fight the Assad regime, which collapsed in December last year.By including Hind Kabawat in the committee that is supposed to help pave the political path to a constitution and elections, the current rulers in Syria want to send a signal that concretely confirms their declared open and inclusive attitude towards the local Christian communities. And a look at the professional profile of the Syrian-Canadian professor reveals details about the criteria of the geopolitical strategies of the new Syrian leadership. Hind Kabawat, a Catholic, has two children – a boy and a girl – and comes from an interdenominational Christian family: a Greek Catholic father, a Greek Orthodox mother. Her CV is full of outstanding references, which also attest to her constant commitment to initiatives and institutions supporting interreligious dialogue and strategies for mediation, pacification and the promotion of women in Syria, which has been torn apart by conflict and atrocities in recent years.Hind Kabawat studied economics at the University of Damascus and obtained a second degree in law from the Arab University of Beirut. She continued her academic training with a master’s degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University (near Boston, Massachusetts) and certificates in conflict resolution and negotiation strategies from the universities of Toronto and Harvard.The Syrian-born professor heads the Interfaith Peacebuilding program at the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution (CRDC) at George Mason University (Virginia) and was deputy head of the Geneva office of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, formerly known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC).In her role at the then HNC, Hind Kabawat had already participated in the eight rounds of Geneva peace talks on Syria in 2017. Her skills were therefore known in networks and bodies outside Syria that dealt with the situation in Syria. Hind Kabawat was also involved in the creation of the “Tastakel” center, an educational center for women dedicated to promoting non-violence and dialogue to resolve conflict situations.The spokesman for the preparatory committee for the conference on national dialogue, Hassan Dagheim, said in an interview with the official Syrian news agency “SANA” that the committee would work to ensure that all social, ethnic, cultural and religious realities in Syria are represented and that the diversity of the various Syrian provinces is respected. At the same time, with regard to the appointment of Hind Kabawat, local analysts are wondering what significance the contribution of a Christian woman has in a committee in which the radical Islamist component seems to be predominant.As in Aleppo, many local councils of professional associations (doctors, lawyers, etc.) have recently been reorganized, and the new organizational charts are predominantly made up of people linked to “Hayat Tahrir al Sham” and other influential groups in post-Assad Syria.As early as the end of August 2022, the Islamist militiamen of “Hayat Tahrir al Sham” had again allowed the celebration of a mass in a church that had been closed for ten years in the area of Idlib province under their control (see Fides, 6/9/2022). The leader of the jihadist group al-Jolani himself had “guaranteed” the celebration of the mass in the Armenian Apostolic Church “Saint Anne” near the village of Yacoubia in the northwest of Idlib. Dozens of Christians of various denominations took part in the liturgical celebration in the holy site, which previously served as a refuge for refugees. Pictures of the celebration were distributed by the Islamist militias themselves. In the previous weeks, Muhammad al-Jolani had told representatives of the Christian communities who were still in then villages of Qunaya, Yacoubia and al-Jadida, announced his intention to “protect” their liturgical celebrations and to guarantee them the gradual return of the land previously confiscated from the Christian owners. Even then, al-Jolani’s move had provoked mixed reactions. Other Salafist groups such as “Hurras al Din” had accused al-Jolani of making the province of Idlib “less Muslim”. Other analysts saw the initiative as part of a strategy by this Islamist group to make its declared “moderate turn” known internationally. Militiamen of the “Hayat Tahrir al Sham” emphasized the need to “open a new chapter” and reaffirm that Islam does not prohibit non-Muslims – including Christians – from practicing their faith freely.In 2013, al-Jolani himself was still classified as a “global terrorist” by the US State Department. In 2022, Aaron Y. Zelin wrote in an analysis of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, published at the time on the website of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, that al-Jolani was “no longer just the leader of a terrorist group or a rebel group” but should be seen as a representative of a change that also includes a change in attitude towards the United States. Zelin also reported that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham allegedly used secret channels to convey the following message to US officials: “We want to be your friends. We are not terrorists. We are only fighting against Assad. We are not a threat to you”. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 14/2/2025)
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Scotland’s longest continuous running boat race will celebrate its 30th contest when Aberdeen’s two universities battle it out along the River Dee next month.
Taking place on Saturday 15 March, the Aberdeen Boat Race will see the top crews from both Robert Gordon University (RGU) and University of Aberdeen face off to claim city bragging rights.
The nation’s answer to the famous Oxford-Cambridge rivalry takes in 3.5km of the River Dee, beginning by the Bridge of Dee before crossing the finishing line at Aberdeen Boat Club and the respective university boathouses.
Setting this year’s race day apart from any other, there will also be a special 500m double skull contest that will see RGU’s Principal and Vice Chancellor Steve Olivier join forces with Sports President Abhishek Kumar as they take on Aberdeen University’s Tonis Tilk, Vice President for Activities, and Dr Heather May Morgan, Dean for Enterprise and Innovation.
Professor Steve Olivier said: “The 30th Aberdeen Boat Race provides a great opportunity to not only support the sporting prowess of our students but also celebrate the city and make the most of what’s on offer in Aberdeen.
“I look forward to the event and wish good fortune to all of those involved. If you can make it, it would be great to see a strong crowd lining the banks and bridges to encourage each crew over the finish line.”
Leaders of each crew are looking forward to the challenge that awaits them. For RGU, Laura Stewart is President of the University’s Boat Club as well as a fourth year Business with Marketing student. She said: “The build up to race day is on and I’m excited to see how the crews match up against each other. With a few different races throughout the day, it should shape up to be an entertaining event for all to come and watch.
“We’re currently training hard to try and win back the title. Aberdeen University’s had a few years in a row so winning on the 30th occasion would be something special. I’m excited to see everyone down at the river cheering on the crews.”
Her counterpart is Katharina Kusserow, President of the Aberdeen University Boat Club and third year PhD researcher in Medical Sciences. She added: “I am excited for the crews to race and celebrate the 30th Aberdeen Boat Race. We have trained hard in the run up to the day and will do our best to defend the title. We’re really grateful for all our supporters and can’t wait to feel that encouragement on the day.”
The day promises to bring together the communities of both universities with the north-east’s public and I encourage everyone to come along and show their support for this very special event.” Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen
Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: “This year marks a significant milestone as the Aberdeen Boat Race has now been a major highlight in the city’s sporting calendar for 30 years.
“Every year students from the two universities give it their all and their sporting excellence is evident on the water. The day promises to bring together the communities of both universities with the north-east’s public and I encourage everyone to come along and show their support for this very special event.”
The event at Aberdeen Boat Club will include both a second crew race and an alumni boat race. The head-to-head standing for the main race makes for pleasant reading for University of Aberdeen who take a 21-8 lead into the 30th contest.
The showpiece race will also bring the curtain down on the final event of this year’s Granite City Challenge, where sports clubs from both city universities compete against each other in 40+ contests.
This year’s race has gained sponsorship from neospace, a flexible workspace and wellness facility on Riverside Drive adjacent to the River Dee and the route that the crews will take.
Scott Paton, Managing Director, said: “neospace is proud to sponsor the Aberdeen Boat Race, a fantastic local event just steps from our door. With wellness at the heart of our ethos, we’re excited to support competitors with NeoGym’s state-of-the-art training facilities.”
Both universities are partners alongside Scottish Rowing to comprise University Rowing Aberdeen, a rowing programme established in 2012 that presents Aberdeen-based students the opportunity to learn to row, train, compete and fulfil their ambitions within the sport.
The Aberdeen Boat Race, which first began in 1996, regularly attracts crowds to the River Dee. Hot refreshments will be available within the Aberdeen Boat Club boathouse.
Today (Friday 14 February) marks an exciting milestone as the first turf is cut for a state-of-the-art standalone nursery on the Ferryhill School site in Aberdeen.
The new nursery is Phase 1 in a two-phase project which is part of Aberdeen City Council’s wider suitability improvement initiative to create an enhanced learning environment for nursery and primary school-aged children in the Ferryhill area.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “It’s great to get the shovel in the ground so that this major upgrade project at Ferryhill School can begin. I am delighted that the school will benefit from a new nursery building as well as significant refurbishment and extension work.
“The considerable investment of £17.1m by Aberdeen City Council will really improve the learning environment for the pupils for generations to come. The excellent new facilities will enhance the opportunities to support and care for the young people. It is a place where they can be inspired to be creative and adventurous.”
Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I share the excitement and anticipation of Ferryhill School pupils and staff as work begins on their new nursery ahead of major improvement works to the school building.”
The nursery will address the limitations of the existing provision and provide significantly upgraded facilities for pupils and staff. The construction work is being undertaken by Morrison Construction North with local architects Mackie Ramsay Taylor responsible for the design work.
Designed with modern learning and play in mind, the nursery will feature a large, open-plan, and well-lit playroom and covered external spaces, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor environments to offer year-round access to play and learning areas. The building is designed to achieve high environmental standards, reflecting the Council’s and architects’ commitment to sustainability.
The nursery building will meet high energy-efficiency standards, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. Heated by air-source heat pumps and powered in part by rooftop photovoltaic panels, it will be an example of responsible design.
The construction work is expected to be finished this summer with pupils set to move into their new nursery in August 2025.
Ferryhill Nursery will be completed as work begins on Phase 2, which will see Ferryhill School handed over to Morrison Construction at the start of the summer to begin a major refurbishment and extension of the building.
The Ferryhill School improvements will mean greater flexibility and better use of space across the whole school site; a modern dining facility providing a much improved experience for the pupils and staff, and facilitate any future free school meals expansion; a double-court PE hall, which conforms with Sport Scotland guidance; and the improved nursery provision including direct access to the outdoors.
Mike Bruce, Managing Director, Morrison Construction North, said: “Morrison are delighted to be involved in the construction of Ferryhill Nursery, these works will involve the Nursery, playing field and the attenuation system for the Primary School extension due to start this summer. As ever we will be using local Sub Contractors, with our own labour planned to complete the kit frame which is due to start next month.”
Bruce Ballance, Director, Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects, said: “This project marks a significant milestone in Mackie Ramsay Taylor’s broader vision to create an innovative, sustainable, and community-focused educational setting.
“While the first phase is the state-of-the-art standalone nursery, future phases will include the extension of the primary school and the creation of a central landscaped area, further enhancing the educational environment. We look forward to the positive impact this development will have on the school community.”
Ferryhill School Nursery pupils at the turf-cutting ceremony expressed their excitement about the new facilities.
Three-year-old Brian said he is looking forward to watching the “Builders making our nursery, building the walls.”
Four-year-old Rosie added that she is looking forward to “Playing in the big sandpit in the new garden.”
While Henley, also four, said she is looking forward to “Our new nursery with its new big playroom.”
During Phase 2 of the project, the pupils and staff at Ferryhill School will temporarily relocate to the vacant Walker Road School building, to ensure uninterrupted learning.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee; Allister McKechnie, Architect, Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects; Mike Bruce, Managing Director, Morrison Construction North; Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee; with Ferryhill School Nursery pupils, Henley, Brian and Rosie.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
First-of-its-kind international defence trade mission to Kyiv deepens industry ties between Ukraine and its allies
The UK and allies have deepened industry ties with Ukraine by leading a first-of-its-kind international defence trade mission to Kyiv this week.
Led by the Minister for the Armed Forces, the trade delegation, which included Norway and The Netherlands, met with Ukrainian ministers, officials, and industry partners to strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance defence cooperation in support of Ukraine.
This was the fifth trade mission to Ukraine by Britain’s Task Force HIRST, but the first in conjunction with allies, setting a blueprint for future trade missions to be international as the norm.
Following the visit, UK companies have agreed to work more closely with Ukrainian partners, agreeing to new commitments that will build on previous agreements and boost their capabilities.
Despite a significant Russian airstrike targeting Kyiv on Wednesday morning this week, which killed one innocent civilian, the trade mission went ahead successfully, highlighting that the UK and our Allies will not be intimidated by Putin’s brutal tactics.
With firms across the UK ramping up defence production to meet Ukraine’s requirements, support for Ukraine will directly boost the UK defence sector, create UK jobs, and deliver on this Government’s growth agenda and Plan for Change.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said:
The UK is continuing to lead the way on global support for Ukraine. By strengthening defence industry ties with allies, we are providing Ukraine with the firepower it needs on the battlefield, whilst bolstering our own defence industrial base —creating jobs and driving investment.
Our partnerships with The Netherlands, Norway, and Ukraine will help build resilient supply chains to ensure we put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to achieve a just and lasting peace through strength.
We will stand with our allies to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.
The Minister, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence and Department for Business and Trade, attended meetings focused on continuing to develop the industrial relationship with Ukraine, boosting their capabilities on the battlefield, whilst supporting growth back in the UK.
The Ministry of Defence set up Task Force HIRST to drive increases in UK, Ukrainian and allies’ industrial capacity to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as national military resilience.
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS said:
Our continued industrial partnership with the Ukraine will be pivotal if we are to strengthen our collective security. It is an honour for ADS and our members to work in such close collaboration with Ukraine.
UK support to Ukraine has, at its heart, the knowledge that helping Ukraine is protecting our values and way of life.
The visit coincided with the NATO meeting of defence ministers, where the Defence Secretary announced a new £150 million package of military aid to Ukraine.
The £150 million package includes thousands of drones, dozens of battle tanks and more than 50 armoured and protective vehicles to be deployed to Ukraine by the end of spring, building on the thousands of pieces of equipment the UK has already given to Ukraine.
In a boost to the UK’s economy, the package also includes a multi-million-pound contract with UK defence firm Babcock, who will train Ukrainian personnel to maintain and repair crucial equipment such as Challenger 2 tanks, self-propelled artillery, and combat reconnaissance vehicles inside Ukraine. Through this agreement, equipment can be serviced and returned to the frontline quicker.
This is part of the UK’s unprecedented £4.5 billion pledge for Ukraine this year, its highest-ever level.
The Government is clear that the security of the UK starts in Ukraine and is therefore committed to Ukraine’s long-term security as a foundation for the government’s Plan for Change.
Feb. 14, 2025 Release Number 20250214-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. — The Cessation of Hostilities Implementation “Mechanism” met for the fifth time in Naqoura today. UNIFIL hosted the meeting, with the United States serving as chair. They were joined by France, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and the Israeli Defense Forces. The attendees conducted military technical planning for the transfer of all remaining villages in the Southern Litani Area to full LAF control prior to Feb. 18.
“We have made significant progress over the last few months, and I am confident that LAF will control all population centers in the Southern Litani Area before next Tuesday. However, it is important to remember that the Cessation of Hostilities arrangements have many components in the 13 paragraphs, and we will continue to assist with the implementation of all of these principles, even beyond the 18th of February. The Mechanism will stay focused, continuing its work with all parties until implementation is fully achieved,” said Major General Jasper Jeffers, US Mechanism Co-chair.
LONDON, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NordVPN, a leading cybersecurity company, underwent an independent assurance engagement at the end of 2024. Seeking to maintain a high level of trust and transparency, NordVPN commissioned Deloitte Audit Lithuania, one of the market-leading Big Four firms, to conduct an assurance report on the configuration of its IT systems, supporting infrastructure, and no-logs claims.
For the fifth time in NordVPN’s history, an independent team of researchers verified that the company’s no-logs statement is accurate and aligns with its privacy claims.
“The trust we earn from our customers underscores everything we do in the cybersecurity industry. It’s a currency that’s hard to acquire and one we never take for granted. To maintain that trust, we not only strive each year to innovate and develop world-leading cybersecurity products, but we also fully commit to our promise not to monitor or record our users’ online traffic. Having this assurance reaffirmed by independent, globally respected researchers for the fifth time demonstrates that privacy isn’t just a buzzword at NordVPN — it’s in our DNA,” says Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN.
During the engagement process, Deloitte’s practitioners interviewed NordVPN’s employees and inspected server infrastructure, and technical logs. They had access to NordVPN services from November 18 until December 20, 2024 and reviewed privacy relevant configuration settings and deployment processes of standard VPN, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated servers, and P2P servers.
Deloitte Audit Lithuania conducted the assessment in accordance with the International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised) (ISAE 3000), established by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) with the aim of examining NordVPN’s IT system configuration and management.
NordVPN’s first independent no-log engagement was completed in 2018, followed by second, third, and fourth assessments in 2020, 2022, and 2023, showing the company’s continuous commitment to privacy.
The full no-logs assurance engagement report is available to all NordVPN users, after logging in to their Nord Account user control panel.
ABOUT NORDVPN
NordVPN is the world’s most advanced VPN service provider, chosen by millions of internet users worldwide. The service offers features such as dedicated IP, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN servers, which help to boost your online privacy with zero tracking. One of NordVPN’s key features is Threat Protection Pro™, a tool that blocks malicious websites, trackers, and ads and scans downloads for malware. The latest creation of Nord Security, NordVPN’s parent company, is Saily — a global eSIM service. NordVPN is known for being user friendly and can offer some of the best prices on the market. This VPN provider has over 6,400 servers covering 111 countries worldwide. For more information, visit https://nordvpn.com.
Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland
The following article by TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister recently appeared in the News Letter.
Magical Thinking in Whitehall and Brussels
Newsletter readers may well recall my article of 14thJanuary in which I explained why I would force a vote on the Official Control Amendment Regulations later that day. A debate in the House of Lords on 29thJanuary has since shed further light on the innovative aspect of these regulations, which should be understood by all unionists as we approach 24 February when the Government will begin to apply new aspects of the Irish Sea Border on goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
On the one hand, in accommodating the GB side of the Irish Sea border, these regulations are implicated in giving effect to all the border difficulties with which we are increasingly familiar, the disenfranchisement of 1.9 million UK citizens, not just in relation to one law, or 300 laws, but 300 areas of law, and all the attendant economic disruption and disinheritance that arises from the EU disrespecting the territorial integrity of the UK.
On the other hand, however, the regulations present a new difficulty for the Government. The justification for the construction of the Irish Sea Border was the need to avoid having Border Control Posts on the UK-ROI land border. Its champions claimed that this was required by the Belfast Agreement notwithstanding the fact that the text of the Agreement says no such thing, and notwithstanding the fact that insisting on their alternative Irish Sea border solution has made them the instigators of the biggest reversal of democracy in the history of the western world, violating three central provisions of the Belfast Agreement. The Regulations, however, make provision for the border to be moved to the Irish Sea, while dispensing with infrastructure on the border by means of allowing checks to take place away from Border Control Posts and making provision for inland Border Control Posts located away from the border, (see regulations 14, 7, 11, 16 and 17).
In doing so, they remove the justification for moving the customs and phytosanitary (SPS) border from the international border. Speaking in the Lords on 29 January, Baroness Hayman confirmed:
‘The instrument (the Regulations) also provides the power to allow for inland border control posts …’
She further stated, in an attempt to placate concerns about this move:
‘…this instrument only provides provision to be made for documentary, identity and physical controls to be undertaken at places other than border control posts or control points, and that we have robust, evidence-based risk modelling that can place SPS into categories based on the inherent risk that the product poses to animal, food, biosecurity and public health.’
The use of the word ‘only’ in this instance is interesting because the checks that take place at border control posts are documentary, identity and physical checks!
The political implications of, first, moving the border to the Irish Sea, supposedly on the basis that we could not have a hard border across the island of Ireland, only to then make provision for that border without infrastructure, were then spelt out very clearly by Baroness Hoey and Lord Morrow but the minister did not respond.
Had the Minister attempted to defend this arrangement she might have said that while the UK is content to have a border with no hard infrastructure for goods moving from the Republic and wider EU into the UK, the EU is not prepared to have such a border with respect to goods moving the from Northern Ireland into the Republic. Now that the new regulations are in place, though, demonstrating the option of a better way, this is an increasingly weak defence.
Going forward the Government has to explain why, knowing: i) that such a solution is workable, and ii) that the proportion of goods entering the Republic from Northern Ireland in 2020 was tiny (only worth 0.003% of EU GDP in 2020), they agree with a border ‘solution’ that is giving the EU the right to both make Northern Ireland an EU colony in 300 areas of laws and then imposing a hard border interrupting a far greater flow of goods from one part of the UK, GB, to another, NI. This is not only absurdly disproportionate but also deeply dishonourable, sacrificing key aspects of the citizenship of its own people and disrespecting the territorial integrity of the UK.
In this the EU also faces real difficulties. Given its stated commitment to democracy in both its accession criteria, requiring that candidate countries demonstrate the ‘stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities’, and in its aid policy, why is the EU needlessly threatening the stability of our democratic institutions? Its intervention is both instigating the most pompous act of colonial disenfranchisement since democracy became a norm of western society and the removal of cross community consent, the most important political protection for minorities – in certain critical contexts.
Quite apart from demonstrating that far from representing ‘magical thinking’, running a border, while removing hard infrastructure from that border, constitutes government policy, the Official Controls Amendment Regulations remind us that the first such solution was advanced to give effect to Brexit by the EU itself. Mutual Enforcement was developed by Sir Jonathan Faull who served as EU Commission ‘Director General of the Task Force for Strategic Issues related to the UK Referendum’, together with Prof JH Weiler and Prof Daniel Sarmiento. Providing a means of delivering Brexit that protects the integrity of both the UK and the EU Single Markets without a hard border, Mutual Enforcement presents the solution proposed by my EU Withdrawal Bill currently before Parliament.
Instead of pressing ahead with the further needless division of our country into two with the arrival of the red lane parcels border on 31st March, the Government should adopt my Bill.
Police appealed for information to locate Adam Glanville who had been reported missing and was believed to be with his mother Karima Mahmoud.
We are pleased to confirm that Adam was located safe and well on 13 February and is now with family.
Karima Mahmoud, 44, was in breach of a court order and is due to appear at the Central Family Court on Monday, 17 February.
We also appealed for assistance to trace two men who were involved in an altercation with another man at the time Adam and his mother were last seen together in Richmond on 3 June 2024.
Both these men, aged in their 50s, have been traced and arrested on suspicion of child abduction. They have both been bailed pending further enquiries.
A third man, also aged in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of child abduction – he has been bailed pending further enquiries.
We thank the media for their assistance in publicising our appeals in relation to this case and now that Adam has been located and the two men identified, we ask that all images are removed from circulation.
Abusing an infrastructure of legal businesses, the criminal network is believed to have managed the illegal trafficking and disposal of the waste from the countries of origin, mainly Italy, to the destination in Croatia. To that end, the criminal network relied on legal companies in Italy, as well as transport companies and other legitimate businesses in Italy and Croatia. Laboratory…
Car parking at one of Sunderland’s most popular parks is being boosted with new spaces for 90 more vehicles
Works at Herrington Country Park, which at over 320 acres is also one of the city’s biggest park, are due to begin on Monday 17 February.
The park has had a 20 year run of annual Green Flag awards from Keep Britain Tidy and alongside its lakes, paths, play areas and wildlife, is known for its views of Penshaw Monument. It is also a major events space and hosts a weekly 5k park run and the annual Kubix festivals. This year’s Kubix festival is due to be held on Saturday 12 July.
New car parking is to help meet its growing popularity and prevent inconsiderate visitor parking which has damaged some grassed areas and verges. The car park project was agreed as part of Sunderland City Council’s ongoing investment budgets and maintenance programmes into the city and its infrastructure.
The City Council’s Environment, Transport and Net Zero Portfolio Holder, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: “We have unrivalled parks and green spaces in our city which are the envy of many. We all understand how important they are for the thousands of residents and visitors who access and enjoy them annually.
“But when the car parks are full we do get some inconsiderate parking and this in turn damages grassed areas and verges and can make parts of the park look unsightly. Increasing the number of parking spaces will help prevent this as while a relatively small grassed area is lost, even more is protected because drivers will not be parking on it.”
The current number of spaces at the café car park is 62 with 55 of those being standard spaces, five are disabled parking and two are electric vehicle charging bays, and there are nine standard bays at the skate park.
The expanded car parking will see the existing car park close to the café expanded to a total capacity of 129 which includes five accessible bays, provision for seven future EV charging bays and four minibus bays. There will also be a new layout and improvements to footpaths, cycle and motorbike parking and landscaping. The skate park parking will increase to 33 standard bays with plans to create a wildflower meadow nearby.
Existing drainage will be upgraded as part of the project to mitigate current flooding issues occurring in the main cafe car park and on the highway leading to the skate park.
Cllr Leonard added: “We’re continuing our City Plan for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant smart city, and city parks are an important part of this work so that everyone can enjoy our outdoor spaces.
“We appreciate the patience of Herrington’s many visitors while we carry out these improvements at one of our most popular parks.”
This development is estimated to take 15 weeks and will be completed by June 2025. The park and businesses will continue to be open throughout with minimal disruption.
Parents and carers are being urged to ensure their children have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine amid a rise in measles cases nationwide, including in Leeds.
Parents and carers are being urged to ensure their children have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine amid a rise in measles cases nationwide, including in Leeds.
Measles is a serious disease which can be spread easily amongst unvaccinated people with babies, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, at highest risk. It can lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases tragically can cause death.
The uptake of routine childhood vaccinations nationally, including the MMR vaccine, is the lowest in a decade. In January 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) declared a national measles incident to coordinate the wider investigation and response to the rise in cases.
The majority of cases nationally and locally are among children under the age of 10 who have missed their MMR vaccine. Normally the first dose of MMR vaccine is given around a child’s first birthday; the second dose is given at around three years and four months old, before starting school.
However, it is never too late to get vaccinated, people can be vaccinated at any age with the two doses providing the best protection.
Young adults are also being urged to catch up on any missed doses, particularly before thinking about starting a family given the risk of the disease to pregnant women.
Over the past few months Leeds City Council has been working in partnership with the NHS, UKHSA, schools, higher education settings and community organisations to increase uptake of the MMR vaccine in communities in Leeds and provide advice on how to recognise symptoms and where to access the vaccine.
Victoria Eaton, director of public health, Leeds City Council, said:
“Measles can be a very serious disease; it can have similar symptoms to chickenpox but the health complications from measles can be much more severe and in some cases could lead to brain inflammation and pneumonia. Measles symptoms often start with a cough, high fever, runny nose and sore watery eyes, usually followed by a rash a few days later, this often starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
“If you do think you have symptoms, ring 111 or contact your doctor’s surgery immediately – please don’t go to hospital or your doctor’s surgery without first calling ahead, it’s extremely important you don’t spread the disease to vulnerable people.
“Having two doses of the MMR vaccine at the right time gives long-term protection against measles and it is free from your GP practice.
“A non-porcine version of the MMR vaccine is also available which does not contain any pork products; however, you may need to request this from your GP practice ahead of vaccination.”
Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council executive member for equality, health and wellbeing,said:
“We’ve done a lot of work with our NHS partners and other organisations to increase public awareness and understanding of the risk of measles and as a result we are pleased that more parents are coming forward to get their children vaccinated, however there is still more work to do.
“If you or your child have missed your vaccine doses, it’s never too late, call or contact your GP surgery and request the MMR vaccine as soon as possible.”
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 14.02.2025, 11-34 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 2.824) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 3.06179 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 25.0%) of the UPRO security (Unipro JSC) were changed.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 14.02.2025, 12-10 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 100.83) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1068.38 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A101590 (DOM 1P-7R) were changed.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 14.02.2025, 12-18 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 70.68) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 740.96 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 12.5%) of the SU26239RMFS2 security (OFZ 26239) were changed.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 14.02.2025, 13-19 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 106.67) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 114.405 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 21.25%) of the FLOT (Sovcomflot) security were changed.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 14.02.2025, 13-39 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 86.83) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 267.38 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A102CR0 (MosOb35015) were changed.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 14.02.2025, 14-42 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 95.07) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 994.55 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A1012B3 (FPK 1P-07) were changed.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Vitaly Savelyev held a weekly meeting of the Government Commission for the Elimination of the Consequences of the Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait
February 14, 2025
Vitaly Savelyev held a weekly meeting of the Government Commission for the Elimination of the Consequences of the Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait
February 14, 2025
Vitaly Savelyev held a weekly meeting of the Government Commission for the Elimination of the Consequences of the Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait
February 14, 2025
Vitaly Savelyev held a weekly meeting of the Government Commission for the Elimination of the Consequences of the Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait
February 14, 2025
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Vitaly Savelyev held a weekly meeting of the Government Commission for the Elimination of the Consequences of the Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait
A meeting of the government commission to coordinate work to eliminate the consequences of the emergency caused by the sinking of tankers in the Kerch Strait in December 2024 was held in Moscow under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev.
Work continues to remove the stern section of the Volgoneft-239 tanker. In total, more than 240 tons of metal structures have been removed for disposal, which is almost 35% of the total volume. The work is scheduled to be completed by March 31 of this year.
357 km of coastline have been cleared, more than 186 thousand tons of contaminated sand and soil have been collected. About 144 thousand tons have been removed to temporary storage sites, and more than 48 thousand tons have been removed for disposal to specialized organizations.
The data from air, drinking water, and bioresources samples taken by Rospotrebnadzor laboratories remain normal.
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education is actively working to collect and analyze promising scientific and technological solutions for eliminating the consequences of an emergency. A special interdepartmental working group has been formed to analyze the existing scientific and scientific and technical potential, which includes leading scientists, representatives of business and interested government institutions and departments. The group has organized the collection and analysis of technological proposals for eliminating the consequences of an emergency on land and in water areas, which, if assessed positively, are tested in Krasnodar Krai.
A total of 223 proposals were submitted to the group for consideration. A positive conclusion was received for 115 submitted technologies and technical solutions from 71 organizations, including 84 projects (57 organizations declared their readiness to test the submitted technologies in the emergency zone). Of the 115 submitted technologies, 36 solutions are in industrial and pilot-industrial readiness: 23 proposals for the elimination of emergency consequences on land, 13 proposals for the elimination of emergency consequences in the marine area.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
When we see objects in museum display cases, it often doesn’t tell their whole story. One thing that tends to get ignored or even lost in the conservation process is the smell. We lose a lot of valuable information as a result, such as how the object was produced or how it functioned.
My field is called sensory heritage, which relates to how we engage with heritage objects with senses other than vision. As part of this, I develop methods to identify and preserve culturally significant smells.
For example, I have worked with St Paul’s Cathedral to recreate the scent of its library, to ensure that it can be experienced by future generations. I was also part of an EU-funded project called Odeuropa, which worked with computer scientists and historians to tell the stories of smells from 300 years of European history.
With help from some perfumers, we brought back smells such as 17th-century Amsterdam, with its canals and linden trees. As a result, for example, visitors to Museum Ulm in southern Germany can experience our olfactory interpretations for ten of the paintings on display.
My latest project delves much further into the past. I was asked by the University of Ljubljana, in association with the University of Krakow and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, to help with a study of mummified bodies. Ljubljana was studying a mummified body in the national museum in Slovenia, and had been invited to extend its research to some mummified bodies in Cairo.
The strict guidelines about studying these bodies stipulate that researchers must use techniques that are not destructive. One way is to see what can be learned by smelling, which is why I joined the project, led by Professor Matija Strlič and PhD researcher Emma Paolin.
Sarcophaguses on display in Cairo. Author provided, CC BY-SA
We studied nine mummified bodies at the Egyptian Museum, four of which were on display and five in storage. They span different time periods, with the oldest being from 3,500 years ago. They were also conserved in different ways and stored in different places, so they give a decent representation of all the mummified bodies in different collections around the world.
I put together a team of eight expert sniffers, of which I was one. Some are specialists who have worked with me on other projects, while some are colleagues from the Egyptian Museum who were given smell training in advance. We wanted them on the panel because they are so familiar with the smells in question.
The research
We began by doing chemical analysis to ensure the bodies were safe to smell, since in prior decades they were treated with synthetic pesticides to keep them preserved. Several bodies had high concentrations of these pesticides, which could potentially be carcinogenic, so these were removed from the study.
With the remaining nine, we slightly opened their sarcophaguses to insert little pipes and extract quantities of air. A measured volume of this air went into special bags which we took into a room away from display areas, so I and the other sniffers could experience them “nose on”.
More air was captured inside metal tubes containing a polymer that traps the volatile organic compounds, so they could be studied in a laboratory at the University of Ljubljana. This air was subjected to various chemical analyses to see which compounds were present, and also separated into its constituent parts using chromatography, so that we sniffers could experience and describe each smell individually.
This was very hard work: we usually took turns to sit on the end of a special machine with an outlet known as an olfactory port. You spend 15 to 20 minutes experiencing one smell after another, having to quickly describe them and rate their intensity. It can be as much as one smell every second, which can be overwhelming – hence the taking of turns.
Emma Paolin taking her turn at the olfactory port in Ljubljana. Author provided, CC BY-SA
Our findings
I was more excited at the prospect of discovering something new than nervous about what it would be like to smell these ancient bodies. However, you’d be forgiven for thinking these odours would not be agreeable. From the accounts of archaeologists to movies such as The Mummy (1999), mummified bodies are associated with foul smells.
Yet surprisingly, the smells were quite pleasant. The sniff team’s descriptions included “woody”, “floral”, “sweet”, “spicy”, “stale” and “resin-like”. We were able to identify ancient embalming ingredients including conifer oils, frankincense, myrrh and cinnamon.
Opening the sarcophagus. Author provided, CC BY-SA
We also identified degraded animal fats used in the mummification process; the human remains themselves; and both synthetic pesticides and benign plant-based pest oils that had more recently been used by the museum for preservation.
Bodies in display cases had a stronger scent than those in storage, but none was as strong as, say, a perfume. Surprisingly, one smelled distinctly of black tea: when you smell a body from millennia ago, you certainly don’t expect to be transported back to your kitchen. The other sniffers agreed about the tea smell, and we later established that the source was probably a chemical called caryophyllene.
Future steps
Next, we will reconstruct the smell of the mummified bodies so that visitors to the Egyptian Museum can experience them first-hand. We’ll make both a faithful chemical construction of what we smelled, plus an interpretation of how the body would have smelled when it was sealed off in its tomb.
It will probably be 2026 before the public can experience these. In the meantime, we’re also being approached by other museums with ancient Egyptian collections who are interested in working with us to apply similar methods.
Separately, I am working with other colleagues on developing a catalogue for smells of cultural significance to the UK, including vintage cars, traditional dishes and more libraries.
Gotta love the smell of an old library. Author provided, CC BY-SA
Hopefully, our work with mummified bodies is an example of how you can bring back another dimension of heritage. Experiencing smells helps to give visitors a more holistic appreciation and understanding of the subjects.
And everyone is fascinated by mummified bodies. Soon, it will be possible to put yourself in the shoes of the archaeologists who originally discovered their tombs, and revealed their secrets to the modern world.
Part of the research mentioned in this piece was funded by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (grant P1-0447), and the Odeuropa research was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101004469.
On November 1 2024, the roof of a newly €55 million renovated railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second biggest city, collapsed and killed 15 people. The deaths sparked Serbia’s largest wave of student-led anti-government protests since Yugoslavia’s disintegration in 2000.
The protests pose the most serious threat to Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić’s power since he became prime minister in 2014, and president in 2017. The protest movement has highlighted Vučić’s growing authoritarian rule and widespread corruption in Serbia.
Serbians believe that the deadly roof collapse was caused by government corruption. The station was renovated by a Chinese-led consortium as part of China’sBelt and Road Initiative investments and growing political ties with Serbia. The Chinese consortium and Vučić refused to publish the railway station restoration procurement contract after protesters demanded it.
The protesters have four demands: the publication of all procurement documents concerning the renovation of the station, a stop to the prosecution of students arrested during the protests, the prosecution of police and security forces involved in attacking students during the protests and a 20% increase in the budget for higher education.
However, the Serbian government and media — most of which Vučić controls through a network of political patronage and cronyism – are downplaying the protests and threatening students.
Vučić claims that foreign powers are behind the protests to topple him and destabilise Serbia. Russia and China have fully supported Vučić’s claims that Serbia is the target of a western plot to orchestrate the protesters and overthrow Vučić.
Serbia’s history of corruption
In the decade after former president Slobodan Milošević was overthrown, Serbia implemented a number of democratic and anti-corruption reforms. As a result, the country climbed to 72nd place out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index in 2013. Serbia opened EU membership negotiations the following year.
However, since Vučić took office, Serbia has become more authoritarian. Corruption is widespread, and the government has exploited tensions and instability with most of its western Balkans neighbours, primarily Kosovo, for political gain.
Serbia was downgraded to partly free by Freedom House in 2019, and the V-Dem Institute (Varieties of Democracy) labelled it as as an “electoral autocracy”. Serbia dropped to 105th place in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index in 2024.
Many international organisations monitoring anti-corruption, human rights and democracy have reported Vučić’sauthoritarian tendencies and corruption in Serbia.
A report from Amnesty International published in December 2024 describes Serbia as a “digital prison”. It has been reported that Serbian authorities are using surveillance technology to monitor and suppress the protesters and other political opponents.
International response
The EU has mostly stayed silent since the protests began. After receiving letters from NGOs and activists, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that the EU is following the protests in Serbia, and backed the rule of law and freedom of assembly.
This is a far cry from the EU’s response to protests in Georgia last year. EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen said “the Georgian people are fighting for democracy” – yet has stayed silent on the protests in Serbia.
Some argue this (lack of) response is because in August 2024, Vučić made a deal with the EU to provide lithium to the bloc – a boon to the EU’s electric vehicle production. There were also widespread protests against the lithium deal over its transparency and concerns that the mine would cause irreversible environmental destruction to Serbia’s Jadar Valley.
The US has also stayed quiet. President Donald Trump’s associates were recently granted permission to build a Trump hotel in Belgrade. Further, Rod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois who served eight years in prison for corruption, is being considered as the new US ambassador to Serbia. Blagojevich, whose father is from Serbia, expressed support for Vučić and visited the country.
What is next for Serbia?
Serbia’s prime minister, Miloš Vučević, and Novi Sad’s mayor, Milan Đurić, both resigned in an effort to de-escalate the protests. Following the resignation of the PM, Vučić has said that he is open to the new government making the documents about the station collapse public.
While this may be a sign that the protests are loosening Vučić’s grip, the movement has only intensified, spreading to more than 200 towns on February 1.
Vučić has pledged to either form a new government within one month, or organise a new parliamentary election in the spring to address the protesters’ demands. However, this would barely paper over the cracks of systemic corruption in Serbia.
The student movement has revealed how democracy and the rule of law have eroded since Vučić came to power in 2014.
The protests have also exposed the international community’s complicity in supporting Vučić under the premise that he is a constructive partner for regional cooperation and stability in the western Balkans.
But to have a lasting impact in Serbia, the protesters should also demand a transitional government to undertake anti-corruption and democratic reforms to strengthen the rule of law, and to organise the next elections.
At the heart of these reforms must be constitutional changes, such as term limits on elected public office. Research shows stricter term limits can reduce the costs of corruption, abuse of power and attacks on the rule of law and democracy.
Term limits would also prevent figures with authoritarian tendencies, like Vučić, from becoming the state themselves with unlimited and unaccountable power.
The EU also has a role to play here. By not putting pressure on Vučić, the EU is empowering his authoritarian tendencies. Second, in EU membership negotiations, it should introduce electoral reform as a new requirement for all EU candidate countries.
Other leaders in the western Balkans have adopted similar authoritarian government models and patronage systems as Serbia to maintain power. These would undermine and threaten the EU rule of law, if they were to join the bloc today.
The EU must also publicly support student protesters who want Serbia to become more democratic and accountable. After all, the students are fighting for the very ideals on which the EU was founded.
Andi Hoxhaj does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2
BEIJING, Feb. 14 — “China requires the Philippine side to recognize the high sensitivity and severe consequences of the deployment of Typhon missile system, remove the system as soon as possible to honor its previous open promises, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultations at an early date,” said a Chinese defense spokesperson at a press briefing on Friday.
The US Indo-Pacific Command recently said that the Typhon strategic mid-range missile system had been relocated from the Laoag airfield to another location on the island of Luzon, and that the relocation, however, was not an indication that the system would be permanently deployed in the Philippines. The Philippine side said that it would return the Typhon system to the US so long as China stops claiming Philippine territory, harassing Philippine fishermen and attacking Philippine ships.
In response, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said that China has made clear multiple times its firm opposition against the US deployment of the mid-range missile system in the Philippines.
“The Typhon missile system is a strategic asset and an offensive weapon. The Philippine side has repeatedly gone back on its words and brought in the system to cater to the US,” said the spokesperson, pointing out that such decision would only place the Philippines’ own security and national defense in the hands of others, and lead to geopolitical confrontation and risks of arms race in the region. It’s like giving an open invitation to the burglar and assisting the evildoer.
The spokesperson mentioned that the territory of the Philippines is defined by a series of international treaties, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, the 1900 Treaty between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain for Cession of Outlying Islands of the Philippines, and the 1930 Convention between His Majesty in Respect of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States regarding the Boundary between the State of North Borneo and the Philippine Archipelago.
“China’s Nansha Qundao and Huangyan Dao fall outside the Philippine territory defined by these treaties,” said the spokesperson, adding that China’s law-enforcement activities in relevant waters are reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach.
“By using the deployment of Typhon as a bargaining chip on the South China Sea issue, the Philippine side is selling out its own national security, putting the well-being of its people and regional peace and stability at grave risks. Such behavior is ridiculous and very dangerous,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson urged the Philippine side to recognize the high sensitivity and severe consequences of this issue, remove the Typhon missile system as soon as possible to honor its previous open promises, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultations at an early date.
The spokesperson stressed that China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely counter provocations and infringements and safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
PackUK invites industry experts to join key advisory groups.
PackUK, the newly appointed administrator for the pEPR scheme, is committed to working with experts from across the packaging value chain to guide it in its work.
This close working relationship will be supported by expert advice from the following four advisory boards:
Effectiveness and Efficiency Technical Advisory Committee
Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group
The recommendations from these groups will play a central role in guiding PackUK as it grows and develops.
These four voluntary advisory groups will provide expert advice and recommendations to the PackUK leadership team. The groups will not be decision-making, but a trusted source of knowledge and experience comprising members who will have a wealth of operational and policy expertise from a variety of both public and private sector organisations.
Expression of interest to join PackUK’s Advisory Committees now open
We are excited to announce that we are now welcoming expressions of interest to join the following three advisory groups:
Effectiveness and Efficiency Technical Advisory Committee
Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group
Fifteen positions will be available on each on these advisory groups, subject to a fair and open competitive application process.
Applications will close 10 March 2025. Demonstrable experience in the sector will be essential. Further information on how to apply can be found below.
The RAM TAC will provide technical advice on packaging sustainability and supporting PackUK to deliver iterations of the RAM which reflect both recyclability and consider different bases of assessment. They will ensure that the advice that the PackUK Scheme Administrator (SA) receives regarding packaging recyclability and other environmental characteristics is up to date and reflects trends and innovations.
The SA RAM TAC will also assess selected technical queries and issues relating to packaging materials and advise the SA of the outcome of their technical assessment.
The RAM TAC will meet quarterly.
Efficient and Effective Technical Advisory Committee (E&E TAC)
The E&E TAC will be an independent technical committee who understand local authority and waste management best practice from across the UK and using their expertise they will make recommendations to PackUK on how to support LAs who operate in a range of different scenarios.
The committee will provide well evidenced, expert advice, guidance and recommendations to the SA Executive Committee (SA ExCo), but is not a decision-making body.
The E&E TAC will meet quarterly.
Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group (CBCAG)
The CBCAG will bring together value chain expertise, four nation representation and behavioural change knowledge to guide and provide expert advice to the PackUK Executive Committee on impactful communications and behaviour change strategies.
The CBCAG will meet quarterly.
We will share opportunities to join the Scheme Administrator Steering Group (SASG) later in spring 2025.
How to apply
More information can be found in the candidate packs:
To apply for any of these voluntary positions, your CV and supporting statement should be returned to packuk.governance@defra.gov.uk by mid-day on 10 March 2025, marking which advisory group you would like to join in the subject field.
All candidates are also required to submit the following:
diversity information and conflicts of interest form
CV of no more than two sides of A4 outlining professional qualifications
a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria, providing specific examples (500 words maximum)
The Council is increasing its presence and investing more money to further tackle antisocial behaviour in Westminster. This includes a new cleaning van with a generator and water tank to dedicated to cleaning graffiti and deep cleaning of pavements
Graffiti and other forms of antisocial behaviour cause real problems for local residents and visitors, and the Council is committed to tackling it.
The Council’s waste contractor, Veolia, runs three teams, seven days a week to tackle graffiti in the city. Any offensive graffiti is always removed within 12 hours from the moment it’s reported, and other types of graffiti are cleaned within three days. Around 80-100 cleaning jobs are undertaken weekly, totalling around 400 every month.
This form of antisocial behaviour has been on the rise across London in recent years. There were a reported 4,141 graffiti cases within Westminster, with the Soho, St James’s and the West End areas seeing the most cases.
This comes shortly after the Council announced a new front-line team to tackle antisocial behaviour. The six-person unit consists of officers with experience in city management and can be deployed wherever antisocial behaviour is reported.
Cllr Max Sullivan, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Streets, said:
“At Westminster Council we’re committed to keeping our streets clean and safe. Adding another deep cleaning vehicle to our arsenal means we’ll be able to remove graffiti even more quickly.
“Help us by reporting graffiti on public property or street furniture to us , and we will make sure it’s gone within 3 days, or within 12 hours if its offensive.”
Please report unsightly markings on public property or street furniture so it can be inspected and removed.
Local foster carers came together last week to share their views and experiences at Foster for Plymouth’s second annual fostering summit.
Foster carers and practitioners at Dartmoor Zoo for the 2025 summit
Foster for Plymouth is Plymouth City Council’s own fostering service. The summit provides a valuable opportunity for the Council to thank foster carers for their hard work, and also to listen to their feedback about the kinds of improvements that could be made to better support them and the children in their care.
More than 20 foster carers and Connected Carers (friends or family approved to care for specific children) attended the event, alongside more than 20 practitioners working in Children’s Services and partner agencies across health and social care.
The first fostering summit last year led to the creation of a new package of support for foster carers that included increased financial allowances and more training and support.
This year’s summit was held at Dartmoor Zoo who generously donated the event space free of charge. This is part of the zoo’s ongoing support for Foster for Plymouth, which has also included giving all fostering households a free family pass to enjoy a day out at the zoo.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “Our foster carers are simply brilliant and it was fantastic to be able to say a huge thank you to so many of them in person at the summit. It is absolutely inspiring to see their dedication to their role and the passion they have for supporting children and young people in our city.
“I’d also like to say a big thank you to the team at Dartmoor Zoo for their ongoing support of Foster for Plymouth, they have been really generous towards our fostering families and it is greatly appreciated.”
Councillor Jemima Laing speaking at the 2025 Fostering Summit
David Haley, Director of Children’s Services at Plymouth City Council, said: “The summit provides us with the opportunity to recognise and value the vital role that foster carers make in the life of a child or young person from Plymouth and to listen to their feedback about the Foster for Plymouth offer and services that they engage with so that we can keep making the offer even better.
“This is incredibly important, because it means that we come away with practical ideas about changes that can be made that will not only support the retention and recruitment of foster carers but that will also mean better support for the children and young people in our care.”
At the summit, foster carers received an update about the success of the Mockingbird programme. Mockingbird uses an extended family model in the form of ‘constellations’, consisting of a central hub home which supports several satellite homes of other foster carers. The hub home carers are specially recruited for their experience and will help the satellite carers with peer support, social activities and respite care in the form of sleepovers.
The first constellation in Plymouth launched in November 2024 and has been hugely beneficial to the fostering families involved. The second constellation is due to launch this summer, so that more carers and children can benefit from family-style support.
About fostering
To be a foster carer, you need to be over 21 years old, have a spare room and have a genuine interest in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people in care.
There are fewer barriers to fostering than many people realise and foster carers receive financial, emotional and practical support to enable them to take on the role.
Investment from the highways capital programme for 2025/26 will be bolstered by an extra £500,000 City of Wolverhampton Council commitment, bringing the total to £9.7 million.
Potholes are a priority for the council and over the past year more than 7,900 have been repaired. But with more than 740 kilometres of carriageway to manage, prevention work is key.
That is why the council uses a data driven, informed strategy to identify where targeted surfacing works can extend the life of roads – reducing the need for reactive repairs.
Surface dressing is completed quickly with little disruption to traffic and protects the road from water and frost – one of the key causes of potholes.
Where required the council also carries out full road resurfacing projects.
Over the past 5 years the council has treated more than 560 square kilometres of carriageway by resurfacing or surface dressing and repaired more than 58,000 defects in roads and footways – up to 44 per working day.
A range of new surface dressing and full resurfacing works are included in the proposed highway improvements for 2025/26.
Other planned improvements include road safety and traffic management work with upgrades to the council’s car park management systems.
There will also be a completion of the streetlighting upgrade, with almost 30,000 streetlights now switched to energy and money saving LED, helping cut carbon emissions.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City, said: “By investing we can ensure an efficient, safe and smooth flowing network for all modes of transport that supports businesses and helps achieve our sustainable regeneration ambitions and climate change commitments.
“We know potholes are an important issue for people, as they are up and down the country.
“We have a clear data led, long term strategy to tackling this which strikes a safe and prudent balance of reactive and preventative maintenance as we move forward.”
The council will carry out the 2025/26 work under the next phase of its Highway Capital Programme. Funding has come through external grants and council resources.
The programme has delivered £37.5 million worth of improvements and development work since 2020.
Completed improvements in 2024/25 include several road safety and Safer Routes to Schools projects and a raft of maintenance works to carriageways, footpaths and structures, alongside surface treatments.
There has been an expansion of the CCTV network and smart technology systems and further rollout of electronic driver information signs, helping to manage car parks across the city.
The Highway Capital Programme aligns with the ongoing work of the Black Country Transport and Wolverhampton Major Transport Investment Programme to deliver transport schemes across the city and wider region, developed mainly with external funding.
Projects for delivery under this programme include the development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across the region, active travel schemes and the ongoing development of the A4123, A449 and A454 corridors.
The planned improvements are pending approval at City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet meeting on 19 February.
A major new partnership, Policing Futures London, has been announced with the potential to transform the delivery of police degree apprenticeships in the capital.
The collaboration brings together Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of West London (UWL) – two universities that are at the forefront of police education in the UK – with the aim of leading the Metropolitan Police’s initial recruit training from 2026, in line with the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029.
Policing Futures London’s mission closely aligns with the A New Met for London strategy, ensuring that officers are not only highly skilled but are deeply connected to the city’s communities and its policing priorities.
With world-class facilities in east London, near Canary Wharf, and west London, the two universities have already been providing policing education at scale since 2021, all within 60 minutes travel of the Metropolitan Police’s 12 Basic Command Units.
Anglia Ruskin University and the University of West London have a track record for delivering quality, integrated Police Constable Entry Route (PCER) programmes and could accommodate the full cohort of Metropolitan Police’s recruits at any one time.
Anglia Ruskin University has successfully co-delivered PCER programmes alongside the seven forces in the South East and East of England to over 2,600 student police officers since 2021, while together Anglia Ruskin and the University of West London have four years’ experience of working with the Metropolitan Police, training more than 3,870 Met officers.
Building on the delivery over the last four years, with the rich knowledge and experience of the collective academic staff, new programmes would be co-designed with the police service and led by teams who live and work in London, ensuring that officers are fully equipped to police the communities they serve.
Policing Futures London would prioritise support for widening access and inclusive outreach recruitment programmes, would embed community engagement models to build trust between new officers and the diverse communities of London, and would be delivered by both police professionals and academic experts.
Policing Futures London is backed up by world-class research, with Anglia Ruskin University home to both the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute and the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Uniformed Public Services.
In the last 18 months, Anglia Ruskin University has been named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards, the Times Higher Education University of the Year, and is in the top 20% of universities in the country for teaching quality, having been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
University of West London was the number one London university for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2024* and was named best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
“This partnership is about more than just delivering quality education – it’s about shaping the future of policing in London. By bringing together two institutions with deep experience in police education, we are ensuring that London’s officers receive the highest quality training, close to the communities they serve, and preparing them for the challenges of 21st-century law enforcement.”
Sara Archer, Head of Police Education at Anglia Ruskin University
“This exciting partnership brings together two powerhouses in policing education, not only in London but nationally, ready to deliver police training programmes that London deserves: resilient, innovative, and reflective of its communities. Policing Futures London is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build that.”
Adrian Ellison, Pro Vice-Chancellor and executive lead for policing education at the University of West London
“As a London university we understand London and its unique policing needs. We have directly influenced the design of the new PCDA standard, based on our extensive experience working with the MPS, to place practice-based learning and assessment at its heart. Understanding the need for everyone to work to ever tightening budgets, we will never sacrifice quality for cost.
“This exciting new partnership combines a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise with the aim of giving Londoners the continued quality of policing they deserve.”
Andy Rose, Head of the Institute for Policing Studies at the University of West London
*calculated as the average of all questions by registered populations. Excludes specialist providers, National Student Survey 2024.
To help support Council tenants who are experiencing domestic abuse, City of York Council’s housing staff will be trained and supported to spot the signs and support victims and survivors.
As part of the Council’s wider work to tackle or prevent domestic abuse, a new policy was agreed on 5 February which commits the Council to better supporting its tenants and leaseholders as part of its ongoing journey of improvement.
Some 4,000 residents across York are estimated to be currently living with domestic abuse, with a further 16,000 residents having experienced it at some point in their lives.
Whether it involves ‘love bombing’, coercive control, psychological, financial or emotional abuse, domestic abuse is often carried out at home. With training, staff who visit tenants will be better able to spot the signs. They can then help prevent or tackle it, discreetly signpost tenants to support, and back action to bring perpetrators to account.
Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Communities at City of York Council, said:
Those experiencing domestic abuse can feel they have nowhere to turn. We are saying you are not alone, you will be believed and we care about you.
“Domestic abuse is simply not acceptable in our homes. A home should be a safe haven but sadly that is not always the case. Fearing what might happen in it or feeling that you have to leave it to escape abuse, should never be an issue, but all too often it is.
“I want to reassure tenants that any concerns raised about domestic abuse with us will be met with empathy and an appropriate response. This is part of our commitment to being the best landlord we can as we work hard to improve, and our new policy embeds this approach into all we do.”
Any York resident concerned about a relationship, whether their own or that of someone they know, please speak to someone you trust, or find advice and support from IDAS, either online or by calling 03000 110 110.
If domestic abuse puts you at risk of becoming homeless or if you’re being threatened with homelessness, please call 01904 554500 or visit www.york.gov.uk/HousingOptions
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