Source: European Central Bank
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Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street
The Prime Minister spoke to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin this morning.
The Prime Minister spoke to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin this morning to congratulate him on his election.
The leaders agreed that the UK – Ireland relationship was going from strength to strength, and it was vital to continue that in such a volatile geopolitical context.
Discussing devastating Storm Éowyn at the weekend, the leaders paid tribute to the work of first responders and engineers to restore electricity to thousands of homes. The Prime Minister said that he had also spoken to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and that the UK stood by to offer further support, as required.
The Prime Minister also updated on his EU reset, and the leaders underscored the importance of a close and constructive relationship with the EU to boost prosperity and security.
Looking ahead to the upcoming UK-Ireland summit, both agreed that the meeting would offer a chance to deepen collaboration across all areas of the bilateral relationship, including business, innovation, and energy.
Turning to Ukraine, the Prime Minister reflected on his visit earlier this month and reiterated his view that it was vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position.
The leaders also discussed Holocaust Memorial Day today. The Prime Minister said he had been deeply moved by his visit to Auschwitz earlier this month, and the leaders agreed the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau was a poignant reminder on the need to defeat antisemitism and hatred.
They looked forward to meeting soon.
Published 27 January 2025
Source: Europol
On 17 December, law enforcement conducted raids at 14 properties across Barcelona (4), Madrid (9), and Toledo (1) in Spain, and one property in Zagreb in Croatia. These operations resulted in 30 arrests, among which were the leaders of the criminal network. In addition, EUR 180 000 in cash was also seized, alongside weapons, 70 passports, equipment to falsify passports…
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pacvue, the leading commerce acceleration platform that integrates retail media, commerce management and measurement, today announced expanded access to its full range of Amazon DSP capabilities beyond North America, bringing Pacvue’s intelligent automation, reporting and optimization solutions to 16 countries across LATAM, EMEA and APAC. Through Pacvue, brands in these regions now have self-serve access to a full suite of programmatic media solutions to elevate their growth strategies.
“Our partners around the globe have been eagerly awaiting access to Amazon DSP tools, so we’re excited to be among the first platforms to unlock these new capabilities for them,” said Melissa Burdick, president and co-founder at Pacvue. “Access to Amazon DSP tools brings greater capabilities and reach for advertisers in these regions, as well as opportunities for growth from a wider variety of ad types, channels and audiences.”
Pacvue is an early adopter of the Amazon DSP Campaign Management API’s global expansion. Previously, Pacvue’s Amazon DSP customers outside North America only had access to reporting capabilities. Now, advertisers in these regions are able to leverage the Pacvue platform to reach Amazon Ads audiences via Amazon DSP. This expansion includes campaign creation and management, budget, bid and dayparting automation controls.
“The synergy between Amazon DSP, Amazon Search and Pacvue’s intelligent platform has transformed how we are able to measure success on a global scale for Crucial, Micron’s only consumer brand,” said Becky Durbin, VP Marketplaces at Labelium. “By combining our Amazon targeting strategy with Pacvue’s advanced optimization and reporting tools, we successfully activated new AMC audiences, drove campaign efficiencies and delivered impactful, full-funnel measurement across multiple markets.”
Pacvue announced the following features for customers in expanded regions:
Countries where Pacvue’s full Amazon DSP platform will now be available:
In addition to the expansion of Amazon DSP campaign management tools, Pacvue is also an official Amazon DSP Reseller. As a reseller, Pacvue offers businesses access to Amazon DSP capabilities, empowering advertisers with the tools and support needed to maximize their digital advertising impact.
Visit Pacvue.com to learn about its latest commerce solutions and recent company developments.
About Pacvue:
Pacvue is the leading commerce acceleration platform that integrates retail media, commerce management, and measurement. The company’s first-to-market platform drives incrementality, profitability and market share for brands, while turning insights into actionable recommendations. Backed by a global team of experts, Pacvue works with over 70,000 brands and agencies across 95+ retailers worldwide including Amazon, Walmart, Target and Instacart. With the incorporation of Pacvue’s enterprise solution with Helium 10 for SMBs, Pacvue is now the most comprehensive commerce and retail media platform available in the market. Founded in 2018, their global presence includes locations in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, London, Shanghai and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.pacvue.com.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Milan, Italy, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Codego, a licensed EMI/Virtual Asset Operator and banking innovator, has announced the launch of its groundbreaking Cryptogateway solution for merchants. This new platform sets a global standard in digital payment technology, offering unparalleled functionality for both in-person and remote transactions.
The Future of Payments Is Here
Codego’s Cryptogateway enables merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments seamlessly from customers while receiving funds instantly in their IBAN accounts. Accepting payments in Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, USDT, and USDC from customers, while allowing merchants to receive settlements in 35 fiat currencies directly into their preferred IBAN accounts, with zero transaction fees, the solution delivers instant, borderless, and cost-effective payment processing.
Merchants can create multiple Terminal IDs at no cost, making it easy to manage different business locations or divisions. This flexibility, combined with cutting-edge technology, ensures a user-friendly experience for businesses of all sizes.
Why Codego’s Cryptogateway Is the Ultimate Solution
The solution is ideal for industries such as gambling and forex, enabling customers to deposit in cryptocurrencies and ensuring instant settlement of funds directly to merchants’ IBAN accounts.
– Zero Fees: Merchants pay no commissions on transactions, maximizing their revenue.
– Instant Settlement: Payments are processed and funds are available instantly, reducing cash flow delays.
– Global Reach: Supports 35 cryptocurrencies, enabling businesses to cater to a wider audience.
– Easy Integration: Multi-terminal setups at no cost ensure seamless adoption.
– Licensed and Secure: Codego operates under EMI/Virtual Asset and banking licenses in multiple jurisdictions, ensuring full regulatory compliance.
“Codego’s Cryptogateway is not just another payment solution; it’s a revolution in how businesses interact with digital assets. We’re empowering merchants to embrace the future of payments without complexity or excessive costs,” saidSimone Binotto Torre, Chief Operating Officer, Codego.
A Trusted Global Partner in Financial Innovation
Codego is renowned for its pioneering role in the financial technology landscape. With banking licenses across multiple countries and a reputation for providing White Label IBAN bank accounts to emerging neobanks, Codego continues to drive innovation. The company operates 11 branches globally, spanning Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and now Oceania. Its expansion reflects a commitment to bringing cutting-edge solutions to every corner of the globe.
Redefining Merchant Solutions
This Cryptogateway launch is part of Codego’s ongoing mission to revolutionize financial services through innovation. From supporting neobanks with White Label solutions to creating customer-centric payment platforms, Codego’s expertise ensures merchants stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.
About Codego
Codego is a global leader in financial technology, offering licensed banking and payment solutions that empower businesses to thrive. For more information about our White Label solutions, codegotech.com and codegopay.com. With a presence across Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Oceania, Codego delivers tailored solutions for modern commerce. From White Label IBAN bank accounts to innovative payment gateways, Codego is at the forefront of financial evolution.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
MONTREAL, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boralex inc. (“Boralex” or the “Company”) (TSX: BLX) announces that the release of the 2024 fourth quarter results will take place on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11 a.m.
Financial analysts and investors are invited to attend a conference call during which the financial results will be presented.
Date and time
Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET
To attend the conference
Webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/fifq2sc5
To attend the event by phone: Click here to register for the earnings call. Once you have completed your registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link and your personal PIN to connect to the call. If you lose this link and your PIN, you will be able to register again. You must register if you wish to attend the call by phone.
Media and other interested individuals are invited to listen to the conference and view a presentation which will be broadcasted live and on a deferred basis on Boralex’s website at www.boralex.com. A full replay will also be available on Boralex’s website until February 28, 2026.
The financial information will be released through a press release and on Boralex’s website on February 28, 2025, at 7 a.m.
About Boralex
At Boralex, we have been providing affordable renewable energy accessible to everyone for over 30 years. As a leader in the Canadian market and France’s largest independent producer of onshore wind power, we also have facilities in the United States and development projects in the United Kingdom. Over the past five years, our installed capacity has more than doubled to over 3.1 GW. We are developing a portfolio of more than 7.2 GW in wind, solar projects and storage projects, guided by our values and our corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach. Through profitable and sustainable growth, Boralex is actively participating in the fight against global warming. Thanks to our fearlessness, our discipline, our expertise and our diversity, we continue to be an industry leader. Boralex’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BLX.
For more information, visit boralex.com or sedarplus.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
For more information
Source: Boralex inc.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
UKHSA confirms rare case of bird flu (H5N1) in the West Midlands region.
UKHSA has confirmed a case of influenza A(H5N1) in a person in the West Midlands region. Bird-to-human transmission of avian influenza is rare and has previously occurred a small number of times in the UK.
The person acquired the infection on a farm, where they had close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds. The risk to the wider public continues to be very low.
The individual is currently well and was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit.
The birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype, one of the viruses known to be circulating in birds in the UK this season. This is different to strains circulating among mammals and birds in the US.
Although there has been no demonstrated human-to-human transmission despite extensive recent surveillance of influenza A(H5N1), UKHSA has been tracing all individuals who have been in contact with the confirmed case of avian influenza. Those at highest risk of exposure have been offered antiviral treatment. This is done to reduce the chance that any virus they have been exposed to will be able to cause infection.
The case was detected after the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) identified an outbreak of avian influenza(H5N1) in a flock of birds. UKHSA carried out routine monitoring on people who had been in close contact with the infected birds.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:
The risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low despite this confirmed case. We have robust systems in place to detect cases early and take necessary action, as we know that spillover infections from birds to humans may occur.
Currently there is no evidence of onwards transmission from this case.
People are reminded not to touch sick or dead birds and it’s important that they follow Defra advice about reporting any suspected avian influenza cases.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:
While avian influenza is highly contagious in birds, this is a very rare event and is very specific to the circumstances on this premises.
We took swift action to limit the spread of the disease at the site in question, all infected birds are being humanely culled, and cleansing and disinfection of the premises will be undertaken all to strict biosecure standards. This is a reminder that stringent biosecurity is essential when keeping animals.
We are seeing a growing number of avian flu cases in birds on both commercial farms and in backyard flocks across the country. Implementing scrupulous biosecurity measures will help protect the health and welfare of your birds from the threat of avian influenza and other diseases.
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:
The safety of the public is paramount, and we are monitoring this situation closely.
The risk of wider or onward transmission is very low, however the UK remains prepared and ready to respond to any current and future health threats.
We recently added the H5 vaccine, which protects against avian influenza, to our stockpile as part of our preparedness plans.
UKHSA will publish further details about the confirmed human case in due course.
Published 27 January 2025
Source: Scottish Government
First Minister sets out major increase in NHS capacity.
People across Scotland will have better access to NHS treatment through increased capacity, expanded primary care services, enhanced use of digital innovations and a range of other measures, First Minister John Swinney announced today.
Speaking to representatives from across the health and social care sector, the First Minister set out action to drive down waiting times and reduce pressure on frontline services.
The First Minister was joined by Health Secretary Neil Gray and announced a range of actions including:
The First Minister said:
“Protecting, strengthening, renewing our National Health Service – that is a goal I think we can all get behind. A real focus of common purpose.
“That requires action from me, as First Minister, from my Health Secretary Neil Gray, and from my Government. We can offer the leadership and direction – as the measures outlined today seek to do.
“So, today, we commit to a substantial increase in capacity in order to significantly reduce people’s waits.
“Our plan will ensure that a greater proportion of new NHS funding goes to primary and community care. GPs and services in the community will have the resources they need to play a greater role in our health system.
“This increased investment will result in GP services that are easier for people to access. That is important in terms of people’s confidence in the health service – but equally, it will make it more likely that health issues are picked up quickly and dealt with earlier.
“Our National Health Service is there when we need it. No other public institution supports us with so much care through life’s biggest moments. We must support it in return.
“The approach I set out today charts our course to do that. It addresses both the challenges and the opportunities. It sets the NHS on a path of modernisation and renewal.”
Background
Improving Public Services and NHS Renewal – First Minister’s speech – gov.scot
Source: City of Plymouth
Three public figures known for their achievements in Plymouth and in recognition of their outstanding leadership, were awarded Freedom of the City at the Full Council meeting today (27 January).
Sir Gary Streeter
Gary had a career in politics spanning over 30 years, he started his involvement with politics in 1986 as he was passionate about contributing to the community.
Gary was an Elected Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton from 1992 to 1997 when the boundaries changed, and subsequently elevated to the whip’s office. He was also then promoted to Minister in the Lord Chancellor’s department in 1996 to 1997.
Gary was Shadow Secretary of State for International Development from 1998 to 2001.
Gary was re-elected as MP for South West Devon, and became Vice Chairman of the Conservative party in 2001 to 2002, and Member of Parliament for South West Devon from 1997 to 2024.
Gary said: “It is a great honour to be granted the freedom of such a great city. It has been an absolute privilege to serve so many Plymouth residents for over 30 years as their member of parliament. I am very grateful to the city council for bestowing such an honour upon me.”
Kevin Nancekivell
Kevin played non-league football for Bideford Town and Tiverton Town before getting his chance with Argyle at the age of 28.
Retiring from playing in 2004, Kevin began a coaching journey that saw him rise through various roles with Argyle’s Centres of Excellence and Academy, gaining his UEFA A Licence in 2010.
In 2011, new Argyle manager Carl Fletcher asked Nancekivell to join his first-team coaching staff, and when Fletcher left in 2013 Kevin, along with Romain Larrieu, took temporary charge of the team.
It was the first of five times where Nance has taken caretaker charge of Argyle, either solo or as a unit, typically with strong results.
For his passion, dedication and honesty, not to mention his skill as a coach, Kevin is a beloved figure to the Green Army, who sometimes refer to him as ‘Mr Plymouth Argyle’.
Kevin said: ‘I’m incredibly honoured to receive the Freedom of the City award. Plymouth has been a huge part of my life, and it’s a privilege to represent this great city through football.
“To be recognised in this way is truly humbling but it wouldn’t have been possible with the support and dedication of my family, colleagues, teammates and of course Argyle supporters.”
Linda Gilroy
With a political career spanning over 40 years, Linda started her journey in Plymouth politics in 1987, when she was elected as the secretary to the Plymouth Drake Constituency Labour Party and was elected chairwoman of the Cornwall Labour Party for four years from 1990.
Linda was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Plymouth Sutton for 13 years from 1997 until 2010.
In parliament she was a member of the European legislation select committee from 1997 until the 2001 General Election when she was appointed Minister of State for Local and Regional Government. From 2005 to 2010 she served on the Defence Select Committee and as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Science Minister.
Linda said: “In thanking the Lord Mayor and the Council for this honour, I would like to pay tribute to Plymouth City Council’s award-winning work. During my time representing the city this helped many campaigns succeed. These included bringing down the dockyard wall and the regeneration of Devonport still flowing from this, rescuing Ford Park Cemetery from dereliction and securing investment for the Peninsula Medical and Dental Schools and community health facilities in Cattedown and Mount Gould. It is good to see that work going from strength to strength.”
Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Tina Tuohy added: “I am pleased to present the award to Sir Gary, Kevin and Linda for their achievements in the service of Plymouth, and in recognition of their outstanding leadership, contributions to the public and the Plymouth communities.
“This is why we have chosen to grant Freedom of the City to them today. I would like to thank them for all the incredible work that they do. A huge congratulations to them all.”
Source: City of Derby
Have you ever thought about what it’s like to welcome someone new into your family? That’s exactly what Shelley and Lyn have been doing for years—they’ve been foster carers for a very long time, helping over 100 children feel safe and cared for in their home.
Lyn says, “We started fostering because we wanted to help children feel loved and safe. It’s like being a big family, where everyone is welcome.”
Shelley and Lyn have taken care of children of all ages, from tiny babies to teenagers. They’ve even helped teenagers learn how to live on their own when they grow up. One of their favourite memories is taking a child to the seaside for the first time.
“Seeing their excitement when they felt the sand and saw the sea was magical,” says Lyn. Shelley adds, “Even small things, like giving a child a Christmas present or a party dress, can mean the world to them. It shows them they matter.”
Shelley and Lyn believe fostering is all about helping children feel like they belong. They’ve stayed close to many of the children they fostered, and some even see them as grandparents now.
“It’s so special to know we’ve made a difference,” Shelley says.
Anyone considering fostering is encouraged by Shelley and Lyn to gather as much information as possible and ask plenty of questions. While fostering can be incredibly rewarding, it comes with challenges such as increased training, paperwork, and the need for flexibility. They stress the importance of family support, explaining that having loved ones to lean on during tough times is essential. Confidentiality is key in fostering, so having a trusted support system makes all the difference.
Shelley and Lyn also emphasise that fostering is open to everyone, regardless of gender, background, or family structure. Single mums, single dads, same-sex couples, and traditional families can all provide the loving and safe environment children need. What truly matters is a big heart, a sense of humour, and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations.
Despite the challenges, they say fostering is one of the most worthwhile things you can do, as it offers a chance to make a life-changing impact on a child’s future.
Cllr Hardyal Dhindsa, representing the Lead Council’s Cabinet Member for Foster East Midlands said:
“Shelley and Lyn have dedicated their lives to fostering, providing love, care, and a safe home to over 100 children. Their commitment shows how fostering can truly transform lives, from helping babies and teenagers feel secure to guiding young adults toward independence. Their story proves that a big heart and a welcoming home can change a child’s future forever. The council is deeply grateful for their unwavering dedication and the incredible support they’ve given to so many children.”
If you’ve been inspired by Shelley and Lyn’s story and want to make a difference in a child’s life, why not take the first step towards fostering? Contact Foster for East Midlands, your local council fostering team for Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire, Derby City, and Derbyshire. Call 03033 132 950 or visit the website at fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk to learn more.
A warm, safe, and loving home could change a child’s future – and it starts with you.
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
The Prime Minister spoke to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin this morning.
The Prime Minister spoke to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin this morning to congratulate him on his election.
The leaders agreed that the UK – Ireland relationship was going from strength to strength, and it was vital to continue that in such a volatile geopolitical context.
Discussing devastating Storm Éowyn at the weekend, the leaders paid tribute to the work of first responders and engineers to restore electricity to thousands of homes. The Prime Minister said that he had also spoken to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and that the UK stood by to offer further support, as required.
The Prime Minister also updated on his EU reset, and the leaders underscored the importance of a close and constructive relationship with the EU to boost prosperity and security.
Looking ahead to the upcoming UK-Ireland summit, both agreed that the meeting would offer a chance to deepen collaboration across all areas of the bilateral relationship, including business, innovation, and energy.
Turning to Ukraine, the Prime Minister reflected on his visit earlier this month and reiterated his view that it was vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position.
The leaders also discussed Holocaust Memorial Day today. The Prime Minister said he had been deeply moved by his visit to Auschwitz earlier this month, and the leaders agreed the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau was a poignant reminder on the need to defeat antisemitism and hatred.
They looked forward to meeting soon.
Published 27 January 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hola Prime, a leading name in the prop trading industry, has taken another leap in empowering traders by launching the Hola Prime Visa Card. Designed to streamline access to earnings, this innovative solution ensures that traders can effortlessly manage their payouts whenever and wherever they need.
With the new Visa Card, Hola Prime addresses a major pain point for traders – delayed or complicated payout processes. This card provides instant access to funds, allowing traders to seamlessly handle their earnings through online transactions, in-store purchases, and ATM withdrawals worldwide.
A New Standard in Trader Accessibility
Instant Payouts: Traders can access their earnings immediately without relying on lengthy bank transfers.
Global Usability: Whether online shopping, dining out, or withdrawing cash, the Visa Card works everywhere Visa is accepted.
Enhanced Security: Transactions are safeguarded with 3D Secure technology, providing traders with peace of mind.
Flexible Payments: From contactless payments to POS systems and ATM cash withdrawals, this card caters to all needs.
“Traders can directly receive their payouts on the Hola Prime Visa Card and use them however they like – whether for online purchases, in-store transactions, or ATM withdrawals. These cards now serve as a standard payout withdrawal method for traders,” said CFO, Ms. Sumedha Sharma.
“We already offer one-hour payouts, and this Visa Card takes convenience to the next level, providing traders with the freedom and flexibility they deserve anytime, anywhere” she added.
Global Expansion: Hola Prime Opens Office in London
In a strategic move to expand its global footprint, Hola Prime has inaugurated a new office in London, one of the world’s leading financial hubs. This milestone underlines the firm’s vision of empowering traders globally while ensuring top-notch support for its European clientele.
The London office will enable Hola Prime to serve traders in the region with greater efficiency, offering localized solutions and bolstering its reputation as a global leader in prop trading.
“London is a pivotal market for finance and trading. Establishing our presence here allows us to engage closely with traders and cater to their unique needs in a dynamic and international environment,” said Ms. Sharma.
A Vision for Innovation and Empowerment
Hola Prime’s dual initiatives – the Visa Card and its London expansion – demonstrate its unwavering focus on innovation and trader-centric solutions. From simplifying financial management to enhancing global accessibility, the company is setting benchmarks that resonate with modern traders.
As Hola Prime continues to break new ground, its dedication to fostering a transparent, accessible, and empowering trading ecosystem remains its defining ethos.
About Hola Prime
Hola Prime is a leading global proprietary trading firm with a strong presence in the UK, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Dubai, and India. Renowned for its commitment to transparency, Hola Prime serves prop traders across 175+ countries, offering access to over 50 trading instruments. The firm is dedicated to empowering traders with real-time risk management, advanced technological infrastructure, and a secure trading environment. Committed to fairness and trust, Hola Prime ensures seamless payouts, robust compliance, and a reliable trading experience. With multiple trading platforms and a focus on bringing freshness to the prop trading industry, Hola Prime is redefining the future of trading.
Social Links
Facebook: https://fb.com/profile.php?id=61565158992654&sk=about_contact_and_basic_info
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holaprime_global/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtVEJa1Ml132Be7tnk-DjeQ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hola-prime/?viewAsMember=true
Twitter: https://x.com/HolaPrimeGlobal
Discord: https://discord.gg/TJ7TcHPXBf
Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/HolaPrime/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/HolaPrime/
Medium: https://medium.com/@social_46267
Media Contact
Company: Hola Prime
Contact: Media Team
Email: marketing@holaprime.com
Website: https://holaprime.com/
SOURCE: Hola Prime
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Paul O’Neill, Assistant Clinical Professor of Food and Hospitality Management, Drexel University
Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.
The Fundamentals of Beer
After 25 years of working in professional kitchens and as a server in fine dining, I became an adjunct professor and then director of special projects in the Food and Hospitality Management department at Drexel University. Lynn Hoffman, the founder of the school’s culinary program and the author of “The Short Course in Beer,” suggested we create a 10-week beer course.
It seemed like a no-brainer, given beer’s popularity with college students. But it was also an opportunity to help our students appreciate beer’s dizzying array of styles, as well as its deep cultural and historical significance – including right here in Philadelphia.
The course explores the history of brewing and how different societies – specifically Sumerian, German, English and Belgian – influenced the ingredients and brewing techniques used to make different styles of beers.
Some styles are named after their city of origin – for example, pilsners originated in Pilzen, Czech Republic. Others are derived from the brewing procedure. “Lager,” for example, is German for “to stock or store.” These beers are stored at refrigerated temperatures for months after they’re brewed in order for residual flavors to subside, making way for a cleaner, crisper and more refreshing profile. Meanwhile, “porters” are named after the London working-class longshoremen – those who loaded and unloaded cargo at ports – who commonly consumed them.
After studying the foundational aspects of beer, students learn about its evolution in America, with a focus on the Philadelphia region.
For example, Yuengling, originally named Eagle Brewery, was established in 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, about 100 miles outside Philadelphia, and is credited with being America’s oldest continuously operating brewery. And in the city itself, local brewer Robert Hare Jr. made what George Washington referred to as “the best porter in Philadelphia,” just down the street from where America’s first lager was purportedly brewed by Bavarian expat John Wagner around 1840.
We also discuss current Philadelphia-area brewers such as the Philadelphia Brewing Company, Dock Street and Yards, and their impact on the city’s craft beer industry.
Beer and other alcoholic beverages have a significant financial impact on the restaurant industry, where many businesses operate on thin margins. Restaurants can attract diners with a dynamic beverage offering. A good beer program requires an informed staff, locally brewed options and an array of diverse styles. They might showcase classic lagers and ales alongside popular contemporary favorites such as New England IPAs and Italian pilsners, and off-the-wall experiments like Fruity Pebbles kettle sour ales.
Beer appreciation is not inebriation.
There is a proper way to analyze beer through sight, aroma, palate texture and flavor. We use a tasting grid to guide students through this process. First we assess the beer’s color, clarity and foam, which gives us our initial ideas regarding the beer’s character. We then evaluate the beer’s aroma, which is derived from the grains, hops and fermentation. Then we sip and focus on the texture of the beer to determine the weight of it on the palate, the quality of the carbonation and the mouthfeel – whether it is thin, full or silky. Last, we assess the flavor profile.
Students get the opportunity to distinguish the various malt and hop characters present in many popular beer styles – from the crisp, biscuit or cracker flavor and light green bitterness of a pilsner, to the dried fruit and dark caramel-laden quality of doppelbocks, to the cold-brew coffee style of dry stouts.
“Tasting” and not simply “drinking” beer enables students to understand and appreciate what is in their glass. It is also important to note that when analyzing a beer, the glass must be clean, clear and of a certain shape – tulip. Having a globe to swirl the beer allows tasters to judge the viscosity, test the carbonation and open up the aromas.
Lynn Hoffman’s “Short Course in Beer” offers a digestible summation of beer styles, history and how beer can be enjoyed in settings ranging from tailgates to fine dining.
Joshua Bernstein’s “The Complete Beer Course” illustrates the beer family tree in great detail, includes interviews with prominent brewers and provides textbook examples of various beer styles.
The Brewers Association’s Style Guidelines
and Tasting Grid are go-to guides for how beer styles are delineated using a scale of color, bitterness and flavor attributes.
Six 1-oz. weekly samples allow students to taste historical representations and current iterations of a particular beer style, such as Bohemian pilsners, German hefeweizens, English bitters and Belgian tripels.
We also do a guided tour and tasting at one of Philadelphia’s larger independent craft beer brewers, Yards brewery.
Students learn about the history of beer production and its cultural relevance, and develop an understanding of tasting notes and profiles for various beer styles so they can distinguish between ale and lager family styles. By the end of the course, they should also be able to design their own beer menu for a restaurant.
Paul O’Neill does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. College course teaches Philly students to appreciate beer − whether they’re tailgating or fine dining – https://theconversation.com/college-course-teaches-philly-students-to-appreciate-beer-whether-theyre-tailgating-or-fine-dining-244476
Source: European Union 2
Investigations into the group began in 2023 when border police in Spain noticed suspicious trips from their airports transporting large sums of money. The trips to Cyprus by members of the criminal group were used to deliver criminal profits, which were then laundered. Authorities stopped the criminals from travelling and seized more than EUR 1.8 million.
The authorities discovered that the group was running a sophisticated money laundering service for other criminal organisations. The group acted as a financial service to transfer criminal profits internationally. Cryptocurrencies were used to move cash profits between criminal organisations. To dispose of the cash profits, money was transported on commercial flights, mainly to Cyprus, and by public transport to neighbouring countries of Spain. The group was able to carry out four to six money laundering transactions per week.
Running this financial service required a professionally structured organisation consisting of at least 52 members, operating mostly from Spain and Cyprus. The group worked with contacts outside of their organisation to liaise with clients and receive the cash to be laundered. Their contacts are linked to several commercial companies around the world.
As the financial service was used throughout Europe, authorities had to work together to stop the criminal group. An international investigation was launched by setting up a joint investigation team (JIT) at Eurojust between Spanish, Cypriot and German authorities, Eurojust and Europol. Through the JIT, information from tax and judicial authorities was exchanged that led to the takedown of the criminal group. Europol supported this international operation with experts specialised in financial crime, fighting high-risk criminal networks, unravelling money laundering structures, and tracing cryptocurrency flows.
A series of actions were carried out to stop the financial service. In October 2024, actions were carried out in Spain, France and Cyprus to dismantle the criminal group. This was followed by actions in November 2024 that targeted actors working with the criminal group. A total of 91 searches were carried out, 77 in Spain, 1 in France and 13 in Cyprus. Twenty suspects were arrested in Spain, one in France and two in Slovenia. Authorities seized a total of EUR 8 million in cash, 2 million in bank accounts and froze EUR 27 million in cryptocurrency. Investigations into the group and its financial service continue.
The following authorities were involved in the actions:
Source: European Union 2
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the unprecedented horrors of the Holocaust. This year marks 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. EU leaders condemn the recent rise in anti-semitism, vowing to combat all forms of discrimination.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Foreign Secretary David Lammy gave a speech at the annual Holocaust Memorial Day reception co-hosted with the Israeli Embassy held at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Thank you, Ambassador, for organising this event with us, and I want to echo Hazel’s thanks to Janine Webber.
I hugely admire the willingness of her and other survivors to continue sharing their stories with the world.
Many of you will have seen Prime Minister Keir Starmer visiting Auschwitz recently.
I can distinctly remember my own visit there some years ago, and the many stories on display.
The raw emotion of seeing a site of such evil. Such suffering. Such loss.
80 years on from the liberation, we must face up to the reality described so eloquently by Auschwitz survivor, Primo Levi:
Everyone needs to know that Auschwitz existed…
Auschwitz is outside of us, but it is all around us, in the air. The plague has died away, but the infection still lingers and it would be foolish to deny it.
Foolish, indeed.
As a black man descended from the Windrush generation, as MP for the most diverse constituency in Britain – including, I am proud to say, a thriving Jewish community. And now, as Foreign Secretary, I see all too many signs of that lingering infection.
Auschwitz did not start in its gas chambers. Genocide does not start with genocide. It starts with denial of rights. With attacks on the rule of law. With a festering resentment of the other.
And so, as Levi and so many other survivors rightly insisted, it is a duty for us all to reflect on what had happened. ‘Never again’ is a solemn promise which we owe to the victims, but also which we must uphold for our own sake, and for the sake of future generations.
We need Holocaust remembrance. Holocaust education. Action against antisemitism – it is how we build a better future for us all together.
That is why it was a great honour to make my first visit as Foreign Secretary to Yad Vashem last July. Why I am proud to host you all in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Holocaust Memorial Day and why I have been so glad to come into this job as the UK holds the Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
I want to thank all those involved in running our Presidency, in particular Lord Eric Pickles, whose work as Envoy only reinforces the cross-party nature of our country’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance.
One of the projects we have been sponsoring during our Presidency has been 80 Projects – 80 Lives. curated by the Association of Jewish Refugees and the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, this exhibition connects the testimonies of 80 survivors with 80 objects from before.
Wedding rings. The pages of a prayer book. A doll. A suitcase. Everyday objects, connecting the courageous survivors to the communities, the families, the lives they have lost forever. I like this project as well because it charts a path for this work in the years ahead. 80 years on from the defeat of Nazism, the number of survivors still with us is inevitably dwindling.
The world of the 1930s and ‘40s can feel ever more distant from our high-tech world of today. The next generation risks being distracted, clickbait making it all too easy not to grasp the full horror of the Holocaust.
We therefore need to find new ways to tell the story.
To capture people’s imagination – young people’s most of all, and prompt real reflection.
We need them to understand what a catastrophic moral failure for humanity Auschwitz was, and how the seeds of such a catastrophe are still around us.
Another Auschwitz survivor, Viktor Frankl, wrote that one lesson he drew was how everything can be taken from human beings. But not our ability to “choose one’s own way”.
Today, for all the great challenges we face, we are fortunate to live in a very different moment. But it is still up to each of us to choose our own way.
For this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, my hope is that people here in Britain, people all over the world, choose to heed the Auschwitz story.
And I am choosing once again to work with all who share this hope to try to make sure they do.
Thank you.
Published 27 January 2025
Source: City of Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton Music Service has provided free tickets to secondary and special schools for two concerts at the city’s largest cultural venue, The University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, on Tuesday 11 February, featuring performances by Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and young musicians from Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra.
Students will learn about the development of orchestral music through the years, with performances of pieces by Charpentier, Beethoven, Mozart, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Holst, Christopher Tin and John Williams. In addition, Wolverhampton born composer Grace-Evangeline Mason will feature with an excerpt from her piece, The Imagined Forest.
Presenter Rachel Leach will enthuse the audience with her knowledge, passion and energy while all participating schools will receive a full concert programme and curriculum materials in advance to support pupils’ learning experience.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “This will be the second year that our Music Service has joined forces with Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra to offer this fabulous opportunity to local pupils, and they are sure to have a wonderful time.”
Head of Wolverhampton Music Service, Ciaran O’Donnell, added: “We think it is important that every child in Key Stage 3 has the chance to hear a live orchestra during their school days as it is the most authentic way to understand what an orchestra is and what it sounds like.
“I am immensely proud that Wolverhampton has over 100 musicians to bring to the stage to make it all happen – it is unique to our city that we can do that.
“We’re also grateful for the commitment from schools who make the huge effort to transport children there and back.”
Source: Aisle of Wight
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School in Carisbrooke welcomed the chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Karl Love, for a special occasion last week.
The visit was organised to recognise Year 4 student, Elsie, who emerged as the winner of Councillor Love’s Christmas card competition.
Elsie’s creative design was selected to be the chairman’s official Christmas card, a proud moment for the young artist. During a school assembly, Councillor Love presented her with a certificate to acknowledge her impressive achievement.
Adding to the significance of the event, the council’s mace bearer, Steve Hammond, accompanied Councillor Love, bringing along the ceremonial mace. The presence of the mace captivated the children, leading to a lively session of questions about its history and importance.
Head of school, Patsy Mauri, said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed Councillor Love’s visit; they were very engaged while he spoke and asked very sensible questions. We are very proud of Elsie’s accomplishment.”
Councillor Love shared his enthusiasm about the visit, saying: “It was a delight to be back in the classroom in front of children, having spent many years working for education and young people.”
Elsie had the opportunity to take a photo with the mace, thanks to some careful positioning of the sleeve of her jumper as touching the mace directly is not permitted!
The visit not only celebrated Elsie’s artistic talent but also provided the students with a valuable learning experience, offering insights into local government and its traditions.
Source: City of Coventry
A leading Government official paid a visit to Coventry to see the work of the city’s Family Hub Offer and how they are helping parents, children and families across the city.
Justin Russell, Director General for Families Group at the Department for Education, and Natalie Downing lead for the national Family Hubs programme, attended the Harmony Family Hub in Hillfields on Wednesday (22 January).
They were able to see a range of services that the Hub offers children, young people and adults through partnership with other agencies including Skills, Employment and Adult Education Services, Early Years, Hillfields Nursery school, Midwifery, Health Visiting, The Job shop, Haven and Early Help.
They talked to parents and Family Hub staff, observed a ‘50 things to do before you’re 5 session’ and were shown around by Charneze St Juste, the Family hub co-ordinator who ensures that the hub is meeting the needs of its local residents.
There was also an opportunity for a lengthy discussions about the work of Coventry’s Family Hub offer with Cllr Patricia Seaman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Coventry City Council, and Jane Moffat, the Council’s Operational Lead ~ Early Help.
The Harmony Hub is one of eight around the city that offer local support to residents.
They help to join up the planning and delivery of family services; build connections between families, practitioners, services and providers; and put relationships at the heart of family support.
The Family Hubs offer support to families with children of all ages up to 19 years (and up to 24 for those with a SEND), with services including learning support, infant feeding and parent/child relationships support.
Coventry has helped to pioneer the use of Family Hubs and has also been recognised as a trailblazer in the national Family Hub and Start for Life Programme.
The Family Hub and Start for Life Programme was announced by the Government as a way of delivering improvements to support for babies, children, young people, parents, and carers.
Cllr Seaman said: “Our Family Hubs have been a fantastic success and have helped families and children across the city by bringing joined-up support right into the heart of communities.
“We all know how important those first few months and years are in a child’s life, and how vital it is for parents to be able to get the support they need, and our Family Hubs are really making a difference.
“The Hubs are vibrant, happy, caring centres and so many parents now know they can go there and find a friendly face and someone who will listen and give the help they need.”
Jane Moffat added: “The Hubs bring a wide range of professionals and services together to provide a connected offer of help, support and care, and they are a lifeline to many parents and families and help them to build links and friendships in their communities.
“This was our second visit now from Government teams to see some of that incredible work and we were delighted to show what is happening in Coventry and to showcase the work of the Family Hub and Start for Life offer and the impact of the work of Early Help to meet the needs of children, young people and their families.”
Find out more about the work of the Family Hubs and how they could help your family.
Source: Government of Sweden
Published
On 28–29 January, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will visit Colombia. The visit will include meetings with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo. A business delegation comprising around 20 Swedish companies, with a focus on mining and energy, will take part in the visit.
“I look forward to deepening relations between our countries on this visit. Sweden and Colombia enjoy broad cooperation on green transition, gender equality and human rights. There is also extensive trade between our two countries, and strong Swedish business interests in areas including mining and energy,” says Ms Malmer Stenergard.
The visit to Colombia is a follow-up to President Petro’s visit to Sweden in mid-2024. As part of the trip, Ms Malmer Stenergard will visit the department of Chocó on Colombia’s Pacific coast, where she will meet with UN bodies, civil society organisations and public authorities working with peace issues, humanitarian assistance to victims of the armed conflict in Colombia, and women’s empowerment and participation in the peace process.
Source: Government of Italy (English)
Eighty years ago, the horror of the Shoah was revealed to the world in all its terrifying force.
On 27 January 1945, the gates of Auschwitz were torn down and, with them, the wall which had prevented the world from clearly seeing the Nazis’ abominable plan to persecute and exterminate the Jewish people crumbled too.
Men, women, children and elderly people ripped from their homes, forced to leave everything behind, and taken to death camps, where they were killed just because they were Jewish. The premeditated brutality of that plan makes the Shoah a tragedy unparalleled in history.
The plan carried out by Hitler’s regime also had the complicity of the fascist regime in Italy, with its disgraceful racial laws and involvement in rounding up and deporting people.
There were many Righteous who bravely stood up against that abyss, and did not hesitate to disobey and risk their own lives in order to save thousands of innocent people.
Today, we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the names and surnames of the victims and we revive the memory of what happened, also through the first-hand accounts of survivors and their descendants. Living witnesses to a horrific chapter of our past, to whom we extend our gratitude once again, for it is above all thanks to them that today we know what happened. Sami Modiano said: “I am alive to bear witness. There was a bigger plan for me, and I will keep on remembering for as long as I live”. This is an extraordinary lesson, and one we must embrace in order to cultivate remembrance and increasingly raise awareness among the younger generations.
Anti-Semitism was not defeated when the gates of Auschwitz were pulled down. It is a scourge that survived the Holocaust and has taken on different forms, spreading through new means and channels. Combatting anti-Semitism in all its forms, old and new, is a priority for this Government.
We have never wavered in this commitment and we intend to pursue it with strength and determination, also by developing a new national strategy for the fight against anti-Semitism, a detailed and scenario-based document that establishes concrete goals and actions to counter a despicable phenomenon that has no place in our societies.
[Courtesy translation]
Source: City of Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council has unveiled an exciting new design for its park and ride service, showcasing eye-catching blue and pink double-decker buses. Working with operator First Bus Solent, the council has introduced improved ticketing options to provide a more convenient travel experience. The refreshed service now makes it easier for both visitors and commuters to purchase tickets, simplifying travel into the city for work or leisure.
Located just off junction 1 of the M275, Portsmouth Park and Ride provides a less stressful alternative to city driving which allows passengers to avoid a great deal of traffic and enjoy a smoother, more relaxing ride into the heart of Portsmouth. By helping to reduce traffic congestion in the city, the park and ride service plays a crucial role in enhancing air quality, while providing an affordable and efficient way to commute and explore Portsmouth.
The PR1 route runs every 15 minutes and quickly connects passengers in minutes to key destinations, such as Portsmouth International Port, city centre for Guildhall and Commercial Road shopping, and The Hard Interchange, for Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays and onward travel.
Day visitors can take advantage of unlimited travel on the park and ride route for just £4, allowing them to explore the city throughout the day. More regular users can opt for flexible fares, including smartcards and flexipasses, starting at only £2 per day. All ticket choices offer great value for money for up to five passengers.
As part of the council’s renewed contract with First Bus Solent for the next five years, the new-look buses maintain Euro 6 high environmental standards, supporting Portsmouth’s vision to be a green city where people live heathy and active lives. Customers can relax on board with comfortable, high-backed seating, USB charging, next-stop announcements, and high visibility, white-on-black destination displays.
Alongside the refreshed branding, passengers will benefit from improved ticketing options. Tickets can now be purchased via the First Bus app, RingGo app, or directly from the bus driver by cash, card, or contactless payment. Smartcard holders can top up online or through the First Bus app, ensuring a more seamless and flexible travel experience. As part of the rebrand, the council will shortly launch a new website, providing a one-stop-shop where customers can learn more about routes, fares, ticketing and other useful information about the service.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The new look and enhanced ticketing options for park and ride make sustainable and affordable travel into the city easier and more accessible for everyone.
“With the refreshed branding, I’m sure these park and ride buses are set to become a recognisable feature in our city and a key part of the Council’s overall plan to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, as we work towards a greener, healthier and better-connected future for everyone.”
For more information on Portsmouth Park and Ride, including routes, ticket options, and timetables, visit https://parkandride.portsmouth.gov.uk
Source: University of Aberdeen
Professor Mirela DelibegovicA University of Aberdeen diabetes expert will share the incredible journey which took her from a teenager fleeing war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1994 to becoming the first female Regius Chair of Physiology – a position appointed directly by the King – three decades later.
Professor Mirela Delibegovic will host a Founders’ Week Lecture to celebrate the 530th anniversary of the creation of the University.
At the free event on Wednesday February 12 she will share with the audience how her early life inspired her research journey and details of her ground-breaking work following in the footsteps of another Aberdeen diabetes pioneer, credited with saving millions of lives.
Professor Delibegovic came to the UK on a scholarship from George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh, where her potential as a scientist was encouraged. She went on to study pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, for a PhD in biochemistry at the University of Dundee and then undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Her initial interest in diabetes research was fuelled by a family history and prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in Bosnia and Herzegovina – and she was determined to play her part in understanding why our bodies stop responding to the effects of our own hormone, insulin.
She now leads the Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre exploring how diabetes, obesity, heart disease and ageing are woven together and in 2024 her successful research career was recognised when she was appointed by the King as the first female Regius Chair of Physiology.
Her work follows in the footsteps of previous Aberdeen Regius Chair of Physiology, JJR Macleod, who led the Toronto team credited with the discovery of insulin.
Professor Delibogovic said: “Thanks to the team led by Professor Macleod, people living with type 1 diabetes, who do not produce insulin, have been able to inject it for more than a century.
“But it wasn’t until the early 1980s that the receptor through which insulin works was identified and this is crucial knowledge for type 2 diabetes, where the body produces insulin but it doesn’t do its job.
“We are trying to understand if we can use the targets post insulin receptor, to improve patients’ lives either through treatment or through earlier intervention.”
The lecture forms part of the University of Aberdeen’s Founders’ Week celebrations which will also include a discovery day of family fun on Monday February 10 with tours of the Old Aberdeen campus, visits to the Zoology Museum, and STEM activities for all ages delivered by TechFest. The University’s Professor Gordon Noble will also speak at a Café Sci event in Aberdeen Art Gallery on Tuesday February 11 about his research into Pictish kingdoms in north-east Scotland.
The week pays tribute to Aberdeen’s historic origins as an ancient University and provides an opportunity to highlight the important role the institution continues to play in education and research.
Professor Delibegovic collaborates with researchers worldwide and from a range of different disciplines with the aim of turning the findings made at the laboratory bench into diagnostic tools, medicines and other interventions.
“Understanding what causes insulin resistance and finding ways to postpone or even reverse these conditions is crucial to our future health,” she said.
“My hope is that the research we are doing now will lead to simple, achievable and affordable therapies that tackle diabetes and its complications in the future.”
The Founders’ Week inaugural lecture takes place at the Suttie Centre, Foresterhill on February 12 from 6pm to 7.15pm. It will include a question and answer session and will be followed by a reception.
Entry is free but places should be reserved by visiting https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/21867/
Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh
Southern Regional College’s Big Apprenticeship Event returns this February to Craigavon’s Civic Centre on Thursday 6th February from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. The Big Apprenticeship Event is a one stop shop for those seeking to start a new apprenticeship course from level 2 to level 5 from September 2025. The event seeks to match potential apprentices with employers, with over 40 employers and support organisations expected to attend both the Newry and Craigavon events. College staff will also be present discussing course modules, entry requirements and assessments.
Also returning to the event this year are student ambassadors from various programmes of study, giving a first-hand account of what it is like being an apprentice and sharing their incredible journeys and giving the low-down on the reality of studying whilst being an apprentice. Employers, support organisations, lecturing staff and student ambassadors alike will be answering questions from attendees.
Now in its 7th year the Big Apprenticeship Event, delivered in partnership with Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the ABC Labour Market Partnership, this event provides opportunities to young people and adult returners alike to develop skills and gain relevant experience with recruiting employers.
Apprenticeships and higher level apprenticeships are flexible career pathways providing the chance to earn a salary while pursuing qualifications. With course fees funded by the Department for the Economy, now has never been a better time to start an apprenticeship or higher level apprenticeship at Southern Regional College.
Apprenticeships are offered at level 2 and 3 at Southern Regional College in over 30 areas ranging from business, children’s care, construction, engineering, hairdressing & barbering, hospitality & food manufacturing to motor vehicles.
Higher Level Apprenticeships provide participants with recognised foundation and honour degrees, referred to as level 5 and 6 qualifications in 20 subject areas. This ranges from accounting, business, finance and marketing, computing, construction, engineering, science, sports & exercise and tourism, hospitality & events management.
The College has successfully run Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes of study for 10 years, providing over 1,200 people with jobs since the inception of the programme. This year could be attendees’ opportunity to add a degree and a new source of employment to their accomplishments.
Lee Campbell, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented:
“We are delighted to once again host The Big Apprenticeship Event in our local communities. The event provides attendees the unique opportunity to start conversations and directly engage with a wide and varied range of employers.
“Attendees will have the opportunity to gather information on the various programmes of study and gain an understanding of the benefits of studying an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships offer value by combining hands on vocational training, equipping individuals with the skills and experience currently in demand by employers.
“Whether you are a school leaver, a career changer, or someone seeking professional development, this event promises to deliver a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to help you shape your future.”
Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Kyle Savage added:
“ABC Council is delighted to support the return of the Big Apprenticeship event on Thursday 6th February in Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre. Apprenticeships and higher level Apprenticeships have the opportunity to transform the lives of individuals, families and communities, connecting local people with local career pathways in forward-thinking local businesses, sparking partnerships that drive innovation and strengthen our economy.
“Apprenticeships and higher level Apprenticeships are not just a win for individuals who have the opportunity to earn while they learn, but they are also a win for local business and our Borough as a whole as we work collectively to nurture a pipeline of skilled individuals to strengthen the local economy both now and into the future.”
With many career opportunities available, attendees are encouraged to make their way to their closest Big Apprenticeship Event. Free tickets are now available to book using the registration link https://src-big-apprenticeship-event-2025.eventbrite.co.uk
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
On January 27, the Day of the Complete Liberation of Leningrad from the Siege, the Polytechnic University held the event “Polytechnic. Siege. Leningrad”. The leaders, employees and students of SPbPU, as well as graduates and veterans of the university, gathered at the Monument to the Fallen Polytechnicians to remember those who defended our city, who gave their lives for the victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The residents of besieged Leningrad demonstrated unprecedented fortitude. Despite the fact that they suffered enormous hardships, these people stood firm. Our task is to perform our actions based on the gratitude we feel for the generation that defended the city. I am sure that it is the unity of spirit that will help us overcome any difficulties and cope with any tasks, – the first vice-rector of SPbPU Vitaly Sergeev opened the memorial event.
The event participants remembered the heroes who fought bravely at the front and steadfastly endured the hardships of life in the besieged city. 300 students and teachers of the Polytechnic Institute fought in the 3rd Frunze Division of the Leningrad People’s Militia Army. They were part of one of the companies of the Vyborg Regiment. In August 1941, the militia prevented the creation of a second blockade ring in the Olonetsky direction in Karelia. The institute continued scientific work aimed at solving wartime problems.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Polytechnic University helped the city and the country. And now, during the special military operation, the university provides assistance to various units, including mine. Polytechnicians provide camouflage nets, high-cross-country vehicles, special devices, and help civilians, said SVO participant Kirill Chernykh. He presented letters of gratitude to the SPbPU workforce for their assistance and to the volunteers who weave camouflage nets.
Milana Yukhnevich, Chairperson of the Military History Club “Our Polytechnic”, spoke on behalf of the younger generation. Students of the Natural Science Lyceum Lev Tyukov and Rodion Kurskiyev, as well as third-year college student Daria Brovkina, recited poems.
The siege took more than a million lives, the Great Patriotic War took millions of lives, but time, of course, took even more lives. Unfortunately, there are no more veterans left who came to our memorial events just a few years ago. We must carry the baton of memory, preserve it and gather every year so as not to forget the terrible years of the siege and the war. So that, as today, we honor the memory of those who did not live to see this moment, – shared the leading specialist of the SPbPU History Museum Artem Solovyov.
The rally ended with a minute of silence in memory of all those who died during the blockade and the laying of flowers at the Monument to the Fallen Polytechnicians.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Cambridge
Our cognition and mental wellbeing are crucial factors for our quality of life and put us in a good position to contribute to society. Ultimately, it can be near impossible to achieve physical goals and demanding life challenges if our brain health is not optimal.
Yet most of us appear to be more concerned with physical health than brain health. According to the YouGov website the most popular New Year’s resolutions in the UK in 2024 were doing more exercise, saving money, losing weight and dieting – with about 20% reporting they were failing some resolutions only just six days into the year. A large study of approximately 1,000 participants showed that mental health only featured in about 5% of resolutions.
It’s easy to monitor your physical health using mobile devices and wearable technology to preserve physical health throughout your life. It may be more unclear, however, how to improve and monitor brain health and mental wellbeing. In our new book Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life, we draw on research to offer practical tips.
A number of factors contribute to our happiness in life, including genetics, our social and physical environment, cognition and our behaviour, such as lifestyle choices. Studies have shown that good cognitive function is related to better wellbeing and happiness.
Interestingly, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report all five Nordic countries – Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – are in the top 10 happiest countries. The UK and the US, however, do not feature in the top 10.
In the UK, the YouGov website has been tracking mood states and while it reports that happiness is the most commonly expressed emotion, only 45% of people feel it. Ideally this number should be much higher.
In addition, feeling stressed and frustrated are the next top emotions with 40% and 35% of people having these feelings respectively. Disappointingly, optimism is also low, for example, only 23% of 18-24 year-olds and over 75-year-olds feel optimistic on average, and 17% of 45-54 year-olds.
Happiness and wellbeing in general reduces the effects of stress and promotes health and longevity.
In our book, we draw on the latest scientific evidence, including our own, to highlight seven essential lifestyle factors that improve our brain health, cognition and wellbeing. We demonstrate how simple — and often surprising —adjustments to our daily habits can enhance brain fitness, boost cognition, and promote overall wellbeing.
We suggest small incremental steps to improving lifestyle habits and ensuring these fit within our daily activities, as well as being enjoyable and pleasurable. In this way, we can ensure, that unlike New Year’s resolutions that we give up within six days, we can maintain these throughout life. This puts us in a better position to achieve physical challenges in the future.
These lifestyle factors include exercise, diet, sleep, social interactions, kindness, mindfulness and learning, and knowing how to get the best out of work. For example, exercise is an “all-rounder”, as it can boost our physical health but also our brain health, cognition and mood. In fact, studies have shown that exercise can increase the size of our hippocampus, which is critical for learning and memory.
Similarly, sleeping the optimal number of hours each night can improve our immune system, brain structure and mental wellbeing. Our own study showed that sleeping 7-8 hours per night in middle to older adulthood was associated with better brain structure, cognition, such as processing speed and memory, and mental health.
Staying socially connected also plays an important role in our brain health. We have shown that being socially isolated in older adults is associated with a 26% increased risk of dementia. Whereas, having the optimal number of friends in adolescence, about five, is linked with better brain structure, cognition, educational attainment and wellbeing.
Learning new things is also essential to keep the neural circuits in our brain functioning at their best level for as long as possible. We need to challenge ourselves mentally to keep our brains active – just as we need to do physical exercise to keep our bodies fit.
This builds cognitive reserve and helps us in times of stress. We can also keep our brains active in a number of ways, for example, by learning a new language or how to play a musical instrument or you can read an educational book about something that interests you.
Keeping our bodies healthy is incredibly important. But we need to also nurture our brains if we want to be happy, mentally sharp and well protected against diseases such as dementia.
Embracing these simple strategies to prioritise our brain health and wellbeing is essential for a happier and more fulfilling life. Ultimately, lifestyle choices play a significant role in reducing stress and promoting resilience, creativity and overall quality of life.
Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian receives funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Lundbeck Foundation. Her research work is conducted within the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Themes. She consults for Cambridge Cognition.
Christelle Langley receives funding from the Wellcome Trust. Her research work is conducted within the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Themes.
– ref. Why neglecting your brain health can make it harder to achieve physical goals – https://theconversation.com/why-neglecting-your-brain-health-can-make-it-harder-to-achieve-physical-goals-248043
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kelsey Norman, Fellow for the Middle East, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University
For more than a decade, Syrians have been the world’s largest refugee population.
More than 6 million Syrians have fled the country since 2011, when an uprising against the regime of Bashar Assad transformed into a 13-year civil war. Most ended up in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, while a sizable minority wound up in Europe. But the overthrow of the Assad regime in late 2024 by opposition forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has seemingly opened a window for their return, and tens of thousands of former refugees have since made the decision to go back to their homeland.
How many and who decides to go back, and the circumstances under which they reintegrate into Syrian society, will have enormous implications for both Syria and the countries they resettled in. It also provides an opportunity for migration scholars like ourselves to better understand what happens when refugees finally return home.
Previous research has shown that Syrian refugees who are trying to decide whether to return are motivated more by conditions in Syria than by policy decisions where they’ve resettled. But individual experiences also play an important role. Counterintuitively, refugees who have been exposed to violence during the Syrian civil war are actually more tolerant of and better at assessing the risk of returning to Syria, research has shown.
But such research was conducted while Assad was still in power, and it has only been several weeks since Assad fell. As a result, it’s unclear how many Syrians will decide to go back. After all, the current government is transitional, and the country is not fully unified.
In the month after Assad’s fall, about 125,000 Syrians headed home, primarily from Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. But for the majority of those yet to return, important questions and considerations remain.
First and foremost, what will governance look like under the transitional government? So far, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s rule under Ahmed al-Sharaa has suggested the group will embrace inclusivity toward Syria’s diverse array of ethnic and religious minorities. Even so, some observers worry about the group’s prior connections to militant Islamist groups, including al-Qaida.
Similarly, initial fears about restrictions on women’s participation in public life have mostly been assuaged, despite the transitional government appointing only two women to office.
Syrians debating whether to return home must also confront the economic devastation wrought by years of war, government mismanagement and corruption, and international sanctions placed on the Assad regime.
Sanctions blocking the entry of medications and equipment, along with Assad’s bombing of infrastructure throughout the war, have crippled the country’s medical system.
In 2024, 16.7 million Syrians – more than half the country’s population – were in need of essential humanitarian assistance, even as very little was available. In early 2025, the U.S. announced that it was extending a partial, six-month reprieve of sanctions to allow humanitarian groups to provide basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity.
But rebuilding the country’s infrastructure will take much longer, and Syrian refugees will have to weigh whether they are better off remaining in their host countries. This is especially true for those who have worked to build new lives over a long period in exile from Syria.
The caretaker Syrian government will also have to address the issue of property restitution. Many individuals may want to return home only if they indeed have a home to return to. And the policy of forced property transfers and the settlement by Alawite and minority groups allied to the Assad regime in former Sunni areas vacated during the war complicates the issue.
Since the start of the civil war, approximately 1.3 million Syrians have sought protection in Europe, the majority of them arriving in 2015 and 2016 and settling in countries such as Germany and Sweden. As of December 2023, 780,000 individuals still held refugee status and subsidiary protection – an additional form of international protection – with the remainder having received either long-term residency or citizenship.
Subsidiary protection was granted to those who didn’t meet the stringent requirements for refugee status under the Geneva Conventions – which requires a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group – but “would face a real risk of suffering serious harm” if returned to their countries of origin.
Recognition rates for Syrians have remained consistently high between 2015 and 2023, but the breakdown between subsidiary protection and refugee status has fluctuated over the years, with 81% receiving refugee status in 2015 versus 68% receiving subsidiary protection in 2023.
For Syrians in the EU who hold refugee status or subsidiary protection, as well as for those with pending asylum claims, the future is very uncertain. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, EU law allows governments to revoke, end or refuse to renew their status if the reason to offer protection has ceased, which many countries believe is the case after Assad’s fall.
Since then, at least 12 European countries have suspended asylum applications of Syrian nationals. Some nations, such as Austria, have threatened to implement a program of “orderly return and deportation.”
A much larger number of Syrians obtained protection in neighboring countries, namely Turkey (2.9 million), Lebanon (755,000) and Jordan (611,000), though estimates of unregistered Syrians are much higher. In Turkey, which hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees, Syrians are afforded only temporary protection status.
In theory, this status allows them access to work, health care and education. But in practice, Syrian refugees in Turkey have not always been able to enjoy these rights. Coupled with anti-immigrant sentiments worsened by the 2023 earthquake and presidential election, life has remained difficult for many.
And while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly stated that Syrians should return home according to their own timeline, his previous scapegoating of the refugee population indicates that he may ultimately like to see them returned – especially as many in Turkey now believe Syrian refugees have no reason to stay in the country.
Syrians in Lebanon, which hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees per capita, face even greater economic and legal challenges. The country is not a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, and its stringent domestic asylum law has granted residency to only 17% of the more than a million Syrians who live in the country.
Lebanon has been pressuring Syrian refugees to leave the country for years through policies of marginalization and forced deportation, which have intensified in recent months with a government scheme to deport Syrians not registered with the United Nations. As of 2023, 84% of Syrian families were living in extreme poverty. Their vulnerability was exacerbated by the recent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, which led 425,000 Syrians to escape war once again and return to Syria even though conditions at the time were not safe.
Offering go-and-see visits – whereby one member of a family is allowed to return to a home country to evaluate the situation and subsequently permitted to reenter the host country without losing their legal status – is the norm in many refugee situations. The policy is being used at present for Ukrainians in Europe and was used in the past for Bosnian and South Sudanese refugees.
The same policy could serve Syrian refugees now – indeed, Turkey recently implemented such a plan. But above all, we believe returns to Syria should be voluntary, not forced. Getting the conditions right for returning refugees will have enormous implications for rebuilding the country and keeping the peace – or not – in the years to come.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Assad’s fall opens window for Syrian refugees to head home − but for many, it won’t be an easy decision – https://theconversation.com/assads-fall-opens-window-for-syrian-refugees-to-head-home-but-for-many-it-wont-be-an-easy-decision-247051
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Katie Scofield, Assistant Instructional Professor in Political Science, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
While concerns about the future of American democracy dominate headlines worldwide, millions of Texans are already seeing a rapid decline in democratic standards.
In December 2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion-inducing medications to a woman in Collin County, Texas, alleging that the shipment violated Texas’ near-total ban on abortion.
Two months earlier, Paxton’s office had sued to block a federal rule protecting women’s out-of-state medical records from criminal investigation. And in 2022, it sued the Biden administration over federal guidelines requiring doctors to perform abortions in emergency situations.
Paxton’s lawsuits – alongside the state’s restrictive abortion policies – raise troubling questions about individual privacy and women’s bodily autonomy in Texas, where I live and teach. And they’re indicative of a broader problem. As my research on democracy and human rights shows, the state government is becoming increasingly antidemocratic.
Scholars examine a number of factors to determine the health of a democracy. Elections must be free and fair. There should be freedom of expression and belief, multiple competitive political parties and minimal corruption. A democratic government must also respect individual freedom.
On many of these metrics, I believe Texas falls short.
Texas has some of the most restrictive voting laws in the United States, including strict voter ID laws, stringent limits on mail-in and absentee ballots and no online voter registration.
Republicans, who passed each of these policies, claim their concern is a democratic one – election integrity. Yet, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick offered a US$25,000 reward to anyone who could prove voter fraud in the 2020 election, it led to just one arrest.
The Texas Legislature nonetheless pledged to pass an even more restrictive voting bill in 2021, referencing “purity of the ballot box,” an old Jim Crow phrase. Democratic lawmakers ended up fleeing the state to paralyze the state assembly and keep the most egregious parts of the bill from passing.
Healthy democracies also have robust competition between multiple parties so that voters have real choices at the polls.
Yet since its current constitution was written in 1876, Texas has effectively been a one-party state governed by conservatives. No Democrat has won statewide office since 1994 – the longest Democrats have been locked out of statewide office in any state.
Texas puts no limits on individual campaign contributions to the governor, one of just 12 U.S. states that lacks this common anti-corruption measure.
This has allowed Texas’ current governor, Greg Abbott, who has been in office since 2015, to raise vast sums of money. In the 2022 Texas gubernatorial race – the most expensive in the state’s history at $212 million – Abbott outspent his Democratic opponent by almost $50 million. In 2018, he had 90 times more cash on hand than his Democratic opponent.
Texas’ lack of effective campaign finance regulations has given big donors access to power in the form of gubernatorial appointments.
An in-depth investigation by The Texas Tribune in 2022 revealed that 27 of the 41 members of the governor’s COVID-19 task force were campaign donors who had collectively paid $6 million toward the governor’s reelection. Many were business owners who had a vested interest in reopening the state.
Texas is also at the center of a national struggle over academic freedom, a key component of free expression.
Texas passed a law in 2023 requiring public universities to close their diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, offices, depriving the most vulnerable student communities of resources such as scholarships, mental health programs and career workshops.
The Texas Senate is considering expanding this legislation to prohibit “DEI curriculum and course content.”
The mere threat appears to be squelching freedom of thought and intellectual exploration in Texas universities already. The University of North Texas in November started editing course titles and syllabi to remove identity-based topics.
On Jan. 14, Abbott threatened to fire the president of Texas A&M University – a part of my university system – if faculty attended an academic conference showcasing the work of Black, Latino and Indigenous scholars.
Abbott’s campaign to control the U.S.-Mexico border has raised concerns among human rights groups about civil rights in the state.
In March of 2021, Abbott declared a state of emergency in counties on the Texas border, allowing him to deploy the Texas National Guard there. The initiative, Operation Lone Star, was supposed to stop migrants from crossing the border outside official government checkpoints.
Since border enforcement is a federal authority, however, the troops have mostly enforced state laws on trespassing or drugs and weapons possession. Guardsmen have also participated in busing migrants to Democratic-run cities such as New York and Chicago and built razor-wire barriers in the Rio Grande.
The result is an $11 billion policing program that has largely targeted Latino American citizens – not immigrants. Fully 96% of those arrested on trespassing charges are Latino, and 75% of those facing court proceedings for that and other crimes as a result of Operation Lone Star are U.S. citizens.
Finally, women’s right to bodily autonomy is under threat in Texas, which has one of the country’s most restrictive abortion laws.
At least three women have died as a result of doctors being afraid to treat their miscarriages. Overall, maternal mortality rates have increased by 56% since the ban was imposed in 2021. Scary statistics haven’t stopped the state’s plans to tighten its ban.
The 2025 Texas legislative session began with Republican legislators having prefiled several bills aimed at ending abortion by mail services, including one that would reclassify common abortion pills as controlled substances like Valium or Ambien. Doctors warn that this reclassification could also make it harder for them to disperse these medications quickly in life-threatening emergencies.
And a handful of rural Texas counties have made it illegal to transport women seeking out-of-state abortions on their roads.
The question of whether a government is democratic is often not black or white. It should be viewed on a sliding scale.
Freedom House, a nonpartisan international democracy watchdog, ranks countries on a 100-point scale based on the factors I mentioned earlier, among others, and labels countries as “free,” “partly-free” and “not free.”
The freest country in 2024, Finland, had a score of 100. The U.S. has been sliding down the rankings, receiving a score of 83 in 2024 – down from 94 in 2010. It’s still solidly in the “free” category, but U.S. democracy looks less like Germany’s and more like Romania’s. The antidemocratic policy changes made in Texas and a handful of other states contribute to this slide.
Freedom House doesn’t rank states, but if it did, Texas would likely still rate as a “free” democracy. There is space for dissent, opposition and free speech. Democratic politicians have occasional political victories.
But Texas is decidedly less democratic than the U.S. at large. Democracy here is not lost, but I fear Texas is in danger of becoming only “partly-free.”
Katie Scofield does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. I study democracy worldwide − here’s how Texas is eroding human rights, free expression and civil liberties – https://theconversation.com/i-study-democracy-worldwide-heres-how-texas-is-eroding-human-rights-free-expression-and-civil-liberties-246936
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill marked Holocaust Memorial Day by urging Scots to “unite in the stand against hatred, intolerance and prejudice”
Minister McNeill was shown around the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre, located within Garnethill Synagogue, by manager Kerry Patterson and Lionel Most, chair of the centre.
This year’s Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is the 80th anniversary since the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Events are taking place across Scotland, the UK and worldwide to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust, other victims of Nazi persecution and those who died in subsequent genocides.
Increasing education about the danger of discrimination and preventing the spread of hatred is a key objective of the activity.
The UK Government is committed to supporting all communities so they can live and worship safely – and through the Plan for Change will deliver a decade of national renewal, providing opportunity for all.
Among the events in Scotland, Minister McNeill visited the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre and Garnethill Synagogue in Glasgow ahead of HMD.
Here she heard more about the community’s history and vast contributions to life in Scotland, the venue’s Holocaust education programmes and modern day antisemitism challenges.
The Minister also hosted a pre-HMD event at the UK Government’s Edinburgh hub, Queen Elizabeth House, with Gillian Field – daughter of Holocaust survivors Henry Wuga MBE and Ingrid Wolff BEM.
Here a captivated audience heard Gillian describe the story of how her parents met in Glasgow after they were brought to the city in 1939, aged 15, through Kindertransport – a rescue operation that moved Jewish children from Nazi-controlled Europe to safety in Britain.
Both her parents deservedly received honours for their services to Holocaust education and Gillian now continues their legacy by shining a light on Jewish life across Scotland.
Minister McNeill said:
The annual Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment for us all to pause, reflect, and remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. It also commemorates other victims of Nazi persecution, those who died in more recent genocides, and educates about the importance of continuing to unite in the stand against hatred, intolerance and prejudice.
For the past 200 years the Jewish community has made a significant contribution to life in Scotland, a nation which I’m proud to say played a key role in providing sanctuary to so many refugees. It was a privilege to meet community leaders at the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre and Garnethill Synagogue and hear of their excellent work. My conversations with them and Gillian Field fill me with hope that the horrors of the past will never be forgotten and that love and respect continue to be the values by which our diverse range of Scottish communities enjoy their lives.
To mark HMD communities and organisations from across the UK are taking part in events including ones by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust – the charity established and funded by the UK Government to promote and support HMD.
HMD also commemorates the victims of more recent genocides of Rwanda, Srebrenica, and acts of genocide in Cambodia and against the Yazidi people.
The BBC is marking HMD with programmes across tv, radio and online, as well as full coverage of the Auschwitz Ceremony from Poland and commemorative events across the UK.
Published 27 January 2025
Source: Scottish National Party
Like all of us, the National Health Service is personal for me – I see first-hand all that it does, and has done, for my own family.
In the last years of my beloved Mother’s life, I saw such care and attentiveness in the community and in hospital care.
My wife would not have the capacity and capability she has in dealing with MS, had it not been for the outstanding care and insight of the National Health Service alongside, might I say, her absolutely personal determination to stay strong.
I would not have had such joy in my life at the birth of my three children without the National Health Service.
It is personal for all of us.
That is why we care about it so much.
That is why we want to see it thriving once again.
We all know the tremendous pressures our NHS has been under in recent years.
We see a service still reeling from the strain of a global pandemic – a pandemic that revealed the NHS’s many strengths but also exposed its underlying weaknesses.
Weaknesses made worse by a decade and a half of austerity, and by the body blow of inflation that has meant – as we know from our own family finances – the available money delivers less.
It is a service still beset by backlogs and delayed discharges, and struggling to meet the increasing needs of an ageing population.
The challenges are great, of that I have no doubt. But I know also that our NHS is fundamentally resilient, fundamentally robust.
I witnessed both these realities earlier this month when I spent a Saturday evening visiting the emergency department at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
In the midst of both winter pressures and a particularly challenging flu season, I saw patients who waited too long to be seen, but also staff who went above and beyond.
I saw an NHS that in the face of the storm kept on standing, kept on delivering.
There are some who oppose the NHS model, who believe that the answer to our health challenges is a privatisation of care. They want us to believe that the health service is beyond saving, that it is on the point of collapse.
But that is simply not true.
There are challenges.
Some services are struggling.
Periods of real crisis as we have seen in recent weeks as flu cases spiked.
The impact of these issues on too many patients is real.
But, as I will set out today, there is nothing wrong with the National Health Service that can’t be fixed by what is right with the National Health Service.
What is right with the National Health Service includes the thousands of health and care staff who are doing phenomenal things under enormous pressure.
People who, time and again, display resilience, selflessness and grit, who truly go above and beyond.
It includes innovations, such as the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service, a new pathway that delivers significant reductions in the time from referral to diagnosis, opening the door also to faster treatment.
It includes national public health initiatives like the HPV vaccination programme, which has resulted in no cases of cervical cancer in young women who have been fully vaccinated.
A remarkable, utterly remarkable, life-saving achievement.
And it includes cutting-edge research, multiple projects, looking into the ways AI can transform diagnosis and treatment in the years to come.
The foundations on which we will build NHS recovery and renewal are strong.
Under this Government, the NHS will always remain in the hands of the public and free at the point of use. That is non-negotiable.
The question then becomes how do we do better?
How do we ensure our health service is not just the best in these isles but the best it can possibly be?
The answer to that question is not a simple one. There is no ‘magic bullet’.
Rather, it involves progress across multiple fronts, a balancing of sometimes competing demands and interests.
It will require choices and action by central government, yes, but that must be delivered in partnership with others – local government, the third sector, patient groups, and health and social care workers at all levels.
It must deliver reform that is fundamentally patient-centred but do so through a health and social care system that becomes an ever more interconnected whole.
I have said before that my approach as First Minister is to seek the right solutions, not merely the quick ones.
I favour consensus building and collaboration over diktats from on high. For the future success of our NHS this is not only the right approach, but also the necessary approach.
We will only succeed on this path of reform and renewal if we walk it together.
That is why the Cabinet Secretary for Health and I meet regularly with staff in all parts of the National Health Service.
It is why we have been engaging with health boards, local government, Health and Social Care Partnerships, the Scottish Ambulance Service, Public Health Scotland, and NHS 24.
We have listened carefully, also, to patients and their families, to all those who depend on the NHS for lifesaving, life-enhancing care.
We have been told all that is going well and all that must be better.
We have heard the advice from those with direct, frontline experience. And that has helped us develop a clear understanding of where the challenges are, and what changes are needed.
It is this kind of open, collaborative approach, with a focus on solutions, on the right answers over the easy ones, that has led to the actions I am setting out today.
It is a set of actions with clear outcomes – tangible improvements that we can and will deliver.
Tangible improvements to make people’s experience of the NHS in Scotland better than it is today.
Actions made possible by the record funding we are delivering to the NHS frontline.
Actions that will address the immediate issues in our health service – those problems of access that I know cause so much frustration, and indeed for some, unnecessary pain.
Actions that set out a new course so we can safeguard the NHS for the long-term.
Over the coming weeks, the Government will set out for Parliament what the different elements of our approach will mean in practice.
And we will be reminding Members of Parliament as we do that, that the delivery of this stronger NHS depends on the safe progress of the draft Budget currently being considered by Parliament.
The actions we will take to deliver a more accessible, more person-centred NHS have three clear purposes:
First, to reduce the immediate pressures across the NHS.
Second, to shift the balance of care from acute services to the community.
Third, to use innovation – digital and technological – to improve access to care.
Together, these will address the problems that right now, every day weigh down our National Health Service.
They will begin to deliver the long-term, systemic improvement that is needed to ensure our health service is sustainable for the future.
And they will make it easier for people across Scotland to live healthier lives, helping us to build a future in which health is practiced in homes and communities as much as it is practiced in surgeries and hospitals.
So let’s talk first about those immediate problems, the crises facing too many parts of our National Health Service.
The first and most important thing on many people’s minds is how long it can take to access services.
Delays in access, with waiting times that are too long, and delays in discharge, because appropriate at home or in community care is not available.
The two, of course, are fundamentally connected.
Last year, I referred to delayed discharge as the canary in the coal mine of our National Health Service. I think of waiting times in much the same way.
Both these delays tell us that the flow of people through the health system is not happening as it should.
Put more simply, people are not getting the right care in the right place, at the right time.
That is not acceptable to me.
It is not acceptable to my Government, because it can lead to people getting sicker as they wait, and it can mean they can take longer to recover.
It adds substantially to the stress they and their loved ones experience.
It creates greater strain across the system, leading to more delays elsewhere, poorer outcomes for others and still further stress on services.
It is the very definition of a vicious circle, and it has to come to an end.
So, today, we commit to a substantial increase in capacity in order to significantly reduce people’s waits.
The changes we propose – including an enhanced regional delivery model, alongside increased levels of activity in our National Treatment Centres – will deliver over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures – in hospitals, in communities – in the coming year.
That includes 10,000 extra procedures through smarter working in the National Treatment Centres.
Other sites – including Gartnavel, Inverclyde, Stracathro, Perth Royal Infirmary and Queen Margaret Hospital – will deliver 9,500 extra cataract procedures.
As well as 2,500 extra orthopaedic appointments and procedures – operations such as hip or knee replacements.
In this way, we will create centres of excellence, places of expertise and specialisation, where we will be better placed to capitalise on the technological innovation and the potential of AI.
And we will cut our waiting lists.
Cancer referrals, gynaecology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, and radiology – all benefiting from this new investment.
Centres able to deliver more care, more quickly and more efficiently than traditional, smaller, more fragmented facilities – with transport support provided for those who need it.
And, to ensure that they do, we will put in place clear milestones and targets for those specialities that add the most to our waiting lists.
Our second focus will see more and better care delivered in the community.
I spoke earlier about the importance of people receiving the right care at the right time, in the right setting.
That right setting will always be the least intensive setting appropriate to the person’s needs.
Sometimes that appropriate setting is in hospital. More often, it is not.
So to strengthen and renew our NHS, we will shift more care into communities and into homes.
As much as possible, people who do not need to be in hospital will not go to hospital, protecting those acute services for those who absolutely need them.
This new approach will mean changing the way we deliver acute services.
By this summer, we will have specialised staff in frailty teams, at the front door of every A&E department in Scotland.
This will mean that frail patients, often older patients with complex needs, will bypass our busy A&Es, in order to receive the specialist care and support they need, whether in hospital or back at home.
It will mean better care for these most vulnerable patients while reducing the pressure on our A&Es.
Our actions will also improve the NHS’s capacity to treat people at home.
Our Hospital at Home initiative, which allows hospital-levels of care in a person’s home, will be expanded to at least 2,000 beds by the end of 2026.
Without the need for any new bricks and mortar, the effective capacity of every single hospital in Scotland will be expanded.
Taken together, it is action that will ease acute pressures, reduce delays, cost less to our NHS, and most importantly, help people get better more quickly, more comfortably.
Quality care for thousands of Scots delivered not simply close to home, but at home.
Of course, we cannot simply shift services out of acute settings. We also need to build capacity in our primary care and community health settings.
With this in mind, the Government has been listening carefully to the views of Scotland’s GPs.
They have described the multiple contributions general practice can make as we shift to more community-focused care. They have argued that GPs must be given the resources they need to fulfil that role.
We have listened, and we have been persuaded.
As a result, our plan will ensure that a greater proportion of new NHS funding goes to primary and community care.
GPs and services in the community will have the resources they need to play a greater role in our health system.
This increased investment will result in GP services that are easier for people to access.
That is important in terms of people’s confidence in the health service – indeed, difficulties making GP appointments top the list of issues that people often raise with me.
But equally, it will make it more likely that health issues are picked up quickly and dealt with earlier.
For there is no better way to deal with illness than to prevent it.
Addressing conditions early and intervening to prevent diseases from progressing, prevents manageable conditions from becoming serious ones.
It is good for patients and of vital importance for the future sustainability of our National Health Service.
That is why our plan also includes £10.5 million to build GP capacity to intervene earlier and prevent illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease.
But this is not only an issue of money. We must also innovate and identify new ways of working.
For example, I want to see the NHS Scotland Pharmacy First Service expand so that community pharmacies can treat a greater number of clinical conditions and prevent the need for a GP visit in the first place.
The third part of our approach is innovation to improve access to, and delivery of, care.
Better use of data will ensure that more operating theatres are working at maximum capacity, with best practice approaches, approaches shown to increase productivity by 20%, rolled out across the country.
Using existing capacity, more operations will be delivered – enabling us to also deliver shorter waiting times.
The latest innovations in genetic testing will be harnessed to enable better targeting of medications in cases ranging from recent stroke patients to new-born infants with bacterial infections.
Smarter care, better care.
Building on the already successful model of digital support for mental health – a service that saw 74,000 referrals in 2023-24 – we will offer support in additional areas including dermatology and the management of long-term conditions.
This type of care, because it is not dependent on physical attendance, at a specific time, in a specific place, is more flexible.
It means care can be made to fit better into the lives of those who use the services.
Again, smarter care, and better care.
And, as a much-needed addition to improve patients’ interaction with the NHS, there will be a Scottish health and social care app.
This ‘Digital Front Door’ will begin rollout from the end of this year, starting in Lanarkshire, and, over time, it will become an ever more central, ever more important access and management point for care in Scotland.
This is the third in a series of speeches I have delivered in recent weeks.
In each I have spoken about the importance of identifying clear goals, clear direction to national policy.
If we have a clear sense of the direction we wish to travel, the levels of success we wish to achieve, and if we can unite behind these goals, then genuine progress becomes all the more possible.
Protecting, strengthening, renewing our National Health Service – that is a goal I think we can all get behind.
