Source: United Nations (Video News)
The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica, opened this Monday 9 June in Nice, France, with strong calls to accelerate action and mobilize all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
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Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Ocean Conference
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Lebanon
– Security Council
– Nigeria
SECRETARY-GENERAL/OCEAN CONFERENCE
The Secretary-General delivered remarks this morning at the opening of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, which is co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that although the sea that has sustained life for millennia, we are failing to protect the ocean – thanks to overfishing, plastic pollution and rising temperatures.
He urged all countries that have not yet ratified the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction to do so. He also issued a strong call to all countries to agree on an ambitious and legally binding treaty on plastic pollution this year.
Underscoring his support for the work of the International Seabed Authority, the Secretary-General said the deep sea cannot become the Wild West.
Mr. Guterres urged Member States to advance progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14, which is unfortunately one of the least funded SDGs. He encouraged the conference participants to be bold in all their efforts, saying, “The ocean of our ancestors – teeming with life and diversity – can be more than legend. It can be our legacy.”
In the afternoon, the Secretary-General spoke at the Africa for the Ocean event, co-hosted by Morocco and France. In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that with over 30,000 kilometres of coastline and 38 coastal states, Africa is a maritime powerhouse. “Its future is also written in its waters,” he said, adding that this blue wealth is too often undervalued and overexploited. He said that investments have too often bypassed Africa, even as its marine resources were exploited by others.
Also this afternoon, the Secretary-General had a productive meeting with civil society representatives from around the world active in ocean action. He highlighted the current paradox: despite major breakthroughs —such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction— the crisis facing the oceans is worsening.
The Secretary-General noted similar dynamics in climate action: while renewable energy is expanding rapidly, emissions continue to rise. The ocean-climate connection, he warned, is deteriorating —marked by rising temperatures, accelerating sea-level rise, glacier melt, coral bleaching, and growing plastic pollution. He also pointed to the threat of mass displacement from vulnerable river deltas.
He emphasized the importance of civil society perspectives, momentum, and insights to accelerate progress and increase global attention on ocean, climate, and biodiversity action.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Secretary-General held a number of bilateral meetings.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that the crisis in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels of despair as people continue to go hungry across Gaza. Many are forced to risk their lives in search of food, as we receive more reports of people being killed and injured near non-UN distribution sites.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, just this morning, 29 casualties arrived at the ICRC field hospital in west Rafah, eight of whom were dead. Almost all had explosive trauma wounds, with two others admitted with gunshot wounds. The UN reiterates that civilians must always be protected. No person, anywhere, should be forced to choose between risking one’s life and feeding one’s family.
Fuel stocks in Gaza are critically low – putting further strain on critical services and humanitarian operations. Over the weekend, some 260,000 litres of fuel were looted in northern Gaza. Prior to this, the UN had repeatedly attempted to reach these stocks to retrieve them, but these attempts were denied by the Israeli authorities.
Since 15 May, the missions to retrieve this fuel were denied by the Israeli authorities 14 times. The UN attempts to reach fuel supplies in Rafah, in the south of Gaza, also continue to be denied. The UN warns that unless a solution is found in the coming days, the entire aid operation could come to a standstill.
Since the Israeli authorities allowed limited amounts of aid to enter Gaza on 19 May, the UN and its partners have only been able to collect about 4,600 metric tonnes of wheat flour from the Kerem Shalom crossing. Most of it was taken by desperate, starving people before the supplies reached their destinations. In some cases, the supplies were looted by armed gangs.
Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=09%20June%202025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The company was making substantial losses when it accepted additional investment from bondholders it was never going to be able to repay
Former sports presenter Alan Bentley has received an 11-year directorship ban after his football betting firm collapsed owing investors over £10 million, having continued to collect £1.5 million in investments despite no evidence of trading activity
His company, Bentley Global (UK) Limited, promised investors returns of up to 20% by using a football betting algorithm, but financial records showed trading losses of millions of pounds with no recorded turnover
Insolvency Service investigations found that the company had “no reasonable prospect” of repaying investors despite continuing to accept their money
The founder of a football betting investment firm has been banned as a director after his company went into administration owing investors more than £10 million.
Former television presenter Alan Bentley allowed his Bentley Global (UK) Limited company to obtain more than £1.5 million from investors during late 2019 and the first half of 2020, promising returns of up to 20%.
Investors’ funds were to be used to place bets on the outcomes of football matches using an artificial intelligence algorithm called Algol88.
However, no evidence was produced that Bentley Global (UK) Limited was actually betting on football matches in that period.
Bentley Global (UK) Limited also had no known source of trading income in that time, having suffered losses of more than £5 million by August 2019 and over £4 million by August 2018.
The 63-year-old, of Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, has been banned as a company director for 11 years.
Bentley’s brother, Brian Bentley, was also disqualified as a company director in 2024 for misconduct while he was a director at Bentley Global (UK) Limited.
Brian Bentley, 62, of Anchorage Lane, Doncaster, was banned as a director for six years, with his disqualification running until April 2030.
Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:
Alan Bentley’s company secured more than £1.5 million from hundreds of investors under a bond investment scheme during a nine-month period in 2019 and 2020 when there was no evidence of any trading.
Bentley knew the company had made huge losses and was unable to pay its debts. His company had no reasonable prospect of being able to repay the investments and interest payments under the bond scheme because of its dire financial position.
Directors have a responsibility to be honest and transparent with investors, especially when handling their money. This case sends a clear message that those who abuse their position and mislead investors will not be able to continue to act as company directors.
Bentley Global (UK) Limited began receiving funds from investors in 2018 under a bond investment scheme.
The scheme offered annual interest payments between 12% to 20% and repayment of the investment funds at the end of three years.
Bentley Global (UK) Limited’s accounts for the periods ending 31 August 2018 and 31 August 2019 recorded no turnover for the company.
Trading losses of £4.137 million and £5.321 million were recorded for the same periods.
Despite this, Bentley Global (UK) Limited continued to acquire money from investors.
A total of £1.597 million was secured from investors across the world between 4 September 2019 and 16 June 2020.
Bentley has not disputed that there is no evidence of the company carrying out its stated trading activity of betting on football matches in that period. The company also had no known source of trading income during that time.
Bentley Global (UK) Limited owed £10.065 million to investors when it went into administration in May 2022.
The Official Receiver has since been appointed as liquidator and is overseeing the winding-up of the company and identification of any potential assets.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Alan Bentley, and his ban started on Wednesday 4 June.
It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.
Alan Bentley is of Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Essex. His date of birth is 6 January 1962
Brian Bentley is of Anchorage Lane, Doncaster. His date of birth is 2 February 1963
Bentley Global (UK) Limited (company number 09718466)
Individuals subject to a disqualification order or undertaking are bound by a range of restrictions
Source: Aisle of Wight
The Isle of Wight Council’s Adult and Community Learning (ACL) service has been praised in a newly published Ofsted inspection, which awarded the service an overall rating of ‘Good’.
The inspection highlighted strong performance across the board, with the quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and adult learning programmes all rated ‘Good’. Notably, behaviour and attitudes to learning were judged ‘Outstanding’.
Learners reported enjoying their lessons and valuing the practical benefits of their new knowledge and skills in everyday life. Inspectors noted that learners with special educational needs or disabilities achieve just as well as their peers, thanks to the high expectations and inclusive support provided by tutors.
Inspectors were particularly impressed by learners’ motivation and resilience. Many who had previously lost confidence in their abilities are now thriving in a supportive and encouraging environment, they said.
Rob Brindley, ACL manager, said: “We are incredibly proud of this Ofsted report. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and the determination of our learners.
“Our mission is to help people rediscover their confidence and potential, and it’s heartening to see that recognised. We’ll continue to build on this success and ensure our programmes remain inclusive, inspiring, and impactful.”
The ACL service offers a wide range of programmes across the Island, including qualifications in English, maths, and digital skills, as well as non-accredited courses in health and well-being, family learning, and employability.
At the time of inspection last month, 66 learners were studying maths, 22 were enrolled in English courses, and eight were developing essential digital skills. An additional 18 learners were participating in tailored, non-accredited programmes.
Learners praised the nurturing and friendly atmosphere created by staff, which encourages them to take risks, make mistakes, and grow in confidence.
Tutors were commended for their expert planning, clear explanations, and ability to adapt lessons to meet individual needs. Volunteer learning helpers also play a key role in supporting learners to overcome barriers.
The service’s partnerships with local organisations were highlighted as a strength, enabling learners to progress from foundation-level courses to higher qualifications.
Innovative programmes such as equine therapy and carnival arts are helping to reach learners in disadvantaged communities, building both practical and interpersonal skills.
While the report was overwhelmingly positive, Ofsted recommended a few areas for improvement.
These include increasing the number of learners who complete their programmes, offering a more structured personal development curriculum, and better tracking of learners’ progress after they finish their courses.
Councillor Paul Brading, chairman of the children’s services, education and skills committee, said: “The Adult and Community Learning Service plays an important role in supporting learners across the Island, and this report reflects the commitment of its staff and leadership.”
Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent
Published: Tuesday, 10th June 2025
The Big Green Fund has been created to help tackle fly-tipping, help promote sustainable and environmentally friendly neighbourhoods, and unite residents and communities.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has today (June 10) proudly announced ‘The Big Green Fund’ is back for 2025.
The Big Green Fund has been created to help tackle fly-tipping, help promote sustainable and environmentally friendly neighbourhoods, and unite residents and communities.
Up to £45,000 is available for residents and community groups to apply for to help clear and rejuvenate local brownfield/abandoned plots of land, unadopted alleyways, an area in a local park or small grass areas.
The fund will cover three successful entries in the north of the city, the south of the city, and in the central area of the city, with a maximum fund allocation of £15,000 per site.
The ‘Big Green Fund’ first launched in 2023, and saw six successful entries be awarded up to £15,000 in funding.
Sites included:
The positive impact can already be felt across the community. A spokesperson from Middleport Garden described the new sensory garden as a thriving community space, offering residents a peaceful retreat with in walking distance. The 2023 funding also helped to ensure the outdoor area of the Sneyd Green Community Hub was accessible to allow more members to enjoy being outdoors.
The funding also enabled a safe and accessible walk-way to a community garden for residents in Meir.
Cllr Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for environment and enforcement said, “We want residents to feel proud of where they live and have something to nurture and grow with. This is a unique opportunity and we are providing the tools to give residents the chance to take ownership of where they live.
“We have spent the last two years working to reduce the level of illegal dumping in the city, clearing 1267 skips worth of waste from January to April this year. We know some areas are still a magnet for illegal dumping and it can be rife in high-density areas, and part of the problem is the unadopted spaces we have dotted across the city. Supporting residents to come together, help clean up the areas they live in, and promote sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to the problem is one of the many initiatives we will be launching over the coming weeks and months. “
“If you are part of a resident association or community group, or you and your neighbours want to work together and have unadopted land in your area, we welcome entries/applications from you.”
“By supporting residents to help them improve their local area, it will also reduce clean-up costs, fly-tipping and waste, and provide clean, green spaces for health and wellbeing.”
To find out more about the eligibility criteria and application process visit – www.stoke.gov.uk/thebiggreen
The entry form will also detail what options are available when thinking about what to do with unadopted spaces, from a community garden in an unadopted alleyway to a flower meadow.
The closing date for entries is Sunday 20 July at midnight.
Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen
Five libraries in Aberdeen are to see their opening hours revised, including at weekends and evenings.
The following libraries will see a change in their opening hours from June 2025:
Airyhall – 10am-7pm (Monday and Wednesday), 10am-5pm (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) and 10am-1pm and 2-5pm (Saturday);
Bucksburn – 10am-7pm (Monday), 10am-5pm (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) and 10am-1pm and 2-5pm (Saturday);
Dyce – 10am-5pm (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), 5:15-8pm Open+ hours (Wednesday) and 10am-1pm Open+ hours (Saturday);
Kincorth – From Tuesday 17 June: 10am-5pm (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday), 10am-7pm (Wednesday) and 10am-1pm (Saturday), and;
Torry – From Monday 2 June to Saturday 16 August: 11am-6pm (Monday and Thursday), 1-7pm (Wednesday) and 10am-1pm (Saturday).
Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “We are constantly looking for ways in how our Library and Information Service can be improved so that it becomes a more flexible and accessible library service for everyone throughout the city.
“I hope that this will encourage more people to use their local library regularly at a time that suits them best.”
The changes in the opening hours come following a consultation in 2023 which found that there was a need for increased and more consistent opening hours and access being available outside of 9-5.
All community libraries will also open at 10am and include opening until 7pm on at least one evening and opening on Saturdays.
Dyce Library will also begin a trial of Open+, a system which enables library members to access library buildings and resources outside of normal opening hours using their library card.
Since April 2025, library members have also not received late fees on any overdue items. The introduction of this will help to break down potential financial barriers to using libraries and encourage use throughout the city.
The changes to Aberdeen City Libraries come as part of the Future Library Service Model, which is introducing a series of improvements to the service so that it can better meet the needs of communities.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
From 2026, self-driving cars without a safety driver could be available for people to book via an app for the first time.
Nearly 40,000 jobs could be created, roads could be safer, and billions could be added to the economy as self-driving vehicle pilots are set to start in England from spring 2026.
Today (10 June 2025), Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed that the government will fast-track pilots to spring 2026, introducing self-driving commercial pilots on England’s roads.
Firms will be able to pilot small scale ‘taxi- and bus-like’ services without a safety driver for the first time – which could be available to members of the public to book via an app – before a potential wider rollout when the full Automated Vehicles Act becomes law from the second half of 2027.
Innovation, world-leading regulation and road safety will be at the forefront of the pilots, with self-driving vehicles aiming to reduce human error – which contributes to 88% of all road collisions.
Bringing forward the pilots of self-driving vehicles will help the government deliver the Plan for Change, by creating 38,000 jobs to put money in the pockets of hardworking people, driving investment to back British engineering excellence and creating an industry worth £42 billion by 2035.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology.
With road safety at the heart of our pilots and legislation, we continue to take bold steps to create jobs, back British industry, and drive innovation to deliver our Plan for Change.
The Automated Vehicles Act will require self-driving vehicles to achieve a level of safety at least as high as competent and careful human drivers, and they will undergo rigorous safety tests before being allowed on our roads.
By having faster reaction times than humans, and by being trained on large numbers of driving scenarios, including learning from real-world incidents, self-driving vehicles can help reduce deaths and injuries. Unlike human drivers, AVs can never get distracted or tired and they won’t drink-drive or speed.
Self-driving vehicles can also improve transport for millions of people – providing greater choice and flexibility to get around more easily. They could add new public transport options in rural areas to boost connectivity for local communities, and improve mobility, accessibility and independence for those unable to drive.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
We can’t afford to take a back seat on AI, unless it’s on a self-driving bus. It’s great to see the UK storming ahead as a global leader in using this technology – making our roads safer, travel easier and driving growth by spurring innovation across the country.
That’s why we’re bringing timelines forward today, placing the UK firmly in the fast lane and creating opportunity along the way so people across the country benefit.
Self-driving trials have already been taking place in the UK since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa spearheading significant breakthroughs in the technology. From spring 2026, self-driving cars without a safety driver could be available for people to book via an app for the first time.
The UK is already host to a thriving self-driving sector. Wayve secured a record-breaking investment of over $1 billion and announced recent partnerships with Nissan and Uber, while Oxa has already supported ‘bus-like’ services in the US and started rolling out self-driving vehicles at Heathrow Airport to improve baggage handling.
Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO, Wayve says:
The UK has been Wayve’s home since 2017 – building this technology here has been an incredible journey, from testing our first prototype in Cambridge to deploying the world’s first end-to-end AI driver on public roads, starting in London and expanding nationwide.
Accelerating commercial self-driving pilots to 2026 positions the UK as a leading destination for the deployment of L4 self-driving technology. These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services, and markets. For Wayve, this means we can prioritise the UK for early deployment and help deliver safer, cleaner mobility to the UK. We’re excited to bring the benefits of L4 autonomous mobility to cities around the UK.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
Britain’s self-driving vehicle revolution moves one step closer, with today’s announcements putting the country on track to reap the road safety and socio-economic benefits this technology can deliver.
Pilot rollout of commercial self-driving services from next year will widen public access to mobility, while the consultation will ensure the technology is deployed in a safe and responsible way. These latest measures will help Britain remain a world leader in the development and introduction of self-driving vehicles, a manifest application of AI at its finest.
Launched during London Tech Week, the commitments are a cornerstone of the department’s new Transport AI action plan – a groundbreaking vision which sets out how the government is using AI to drive economic growth, reduce traffic congestion, and improve transport for everyone in the UK.
Gavin Jackson, Oxa’s CEO, said:
Oxa welcomes the Department for Transport’s (DfT) decision to enable driverless services on British roads by 2026.
Since 2024, Oxa has advocated for an expedited regulatory regime. Clear rules will open up the market and encourage transport companies to introduce the benefits of autonomous vehicles across the country. Today’s announcement shows that Britain is ready for this technology.
Sarfraz Maredia, Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery at Uber, said:
We welcome the UK government’s continued leadership on AV regulation and today’s announcement marks a significant step toward bringing autonomous services to the UK.
Uber already enables tens of thousands of driverless trips each month worldwide through partnerships with leading AV developers. Having recently appointed a dedicated leader for our UK autonomous efforts, we look forward to working with regulators and partners to deploy this technology safely in Britain.
Michelle Peacock, Head of Global Public Policy at Waymo said:
The United Kingdom has long been home to our first European engineering team dedicated to the development of our AI-powered Waymo Driver. We’re delighted to see the government lay the groundwork for new investment possibilities in the years ahead.
Today, our fully autonomous driving technology provides more than a quarter of a million paid trips each week across major American cities. We hope to continue growing our footprint globally, and one day bring Waymo’s safety, accessibility and sustainability benefits to the people of the United Kingdom.
Julian David OBE, CEO, techUK, said:
Today’s announcement is great news for the UK’s AV and tech sectors. Safety must be front and centre of any new regulatory regime. The call for evidence on the statement of safety principles enables a healthy discourse on what outcomes the public should expect from self-driving vehicles. The public must also be able to understand when their vehicle really is capable of driving autonomously to prevent accidental misuse. This is why the techUK members also strongly supports the draft statutory instrument on protecting marketing terms.
The UK must also make sure it doesn’t fall behind other countries despite the promising progress made in 2024 to create new, bespoke legislation for AVs. The ability to deploy truly driverless passenger services from 2026 is a major milestone towards bringing the benefits of autonomy to communities across the country. That is why we warmly welcome plans to accelerate delivery of the necessary regulatory changes to make this a reality.
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The CNPA Board bids farewell to long-serving members, Sir Craig Mackey and Sue Scane.
Sir Craig Mackey QPM, Susan Johnson OBE, Simon Chesterman OBE QPM and Sue Scane.
Two independent members of the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA) Board were presented with Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) service plaques at the end of their final Board meeting last week.
Sir Craig Mackey and Sue Scane both completed the maximum service – two terms of three years. Sir Craig served as interim chair in 2021/22 and Sue as chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee (ARFC).
Reflecting on his time in the role, Sir Craig said: “I first worked closely with CNC when I was the Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary. Ten years later and having retired from the Metropolitan Police, the board posts were advertised, and I jumped at the chance.
“I consider myself very lucky to have got the role and have been fortunate to work with a range of industry members and independent members who all want CNC to be the best it can be. This, combined with the quality and commitment of people across CNC, getting to meet them at sites across the UK, hear about their achievements at Awards ceremonies and fully appreciate the complexity and risks that people are managing day-to-day, has made it a real privilege to be part of.”
The people and the places were also the source of stand-out moments for Sue, for whom visiting sites and meeting officers and staff was both interesting and inspirational: “In all the locations we’ve visited, we have had the opportunity to speak with the officers and understand the organisation from their perspective. This has always brought the work in the Board room to life,” she said.
“Not that many people are able to see inside a nuclear power station – whether operational, under decommissioning, or under construction, but seeing each of these stages has also been really memorable, and makes you appreciate the complexity inherent in each site.”
Looking back on what has been achieved during her time with the CNPA, Sue is pleased with the progress she has been part of: “I have always worked in areas where my job has been to ensure that the Governance of the organisation was embedded in the way people worked – whether they realised it or not – so it has been rewarding for me to see the improvements over the last six years. Improved financial systems, the programme management which now delivers on time and within budget, and a costed medium-term plan which allows management to plan for the future.”
The Chair of the CNPA, Susan Johnson, thanked them both, saying: “On behalf of the CNPA, I want to acknowledge the time that Sue and Craig have dedicated to the CNC and thank them for their service. During the six years they’ve been in post, they have brought significant knowledge and expertise to the work of the Board and helped to navigate the organisation through some challenging and exciting times. Sue and Craig have provided wise counsel to our executive team whilst challenging the team in a constructive and supportive way to drive continuous improvement.
“Sue’s leadership of the Audit Risk and Finance Committee has strengthened the assurance to the Board that risks are effectively managed and that we are delivering an efficient and effective service to our Site Licence Companies. Craig supported the organisation through a difficult period when he took on the role of interim Chair and he has also been the Board lead on professional standards, supporting the executive through peer review. Craig’s extensive experience in Home Office policing has contributed positively to bring greater alignment of CNC pay, reward and pension conditions with those of Home Office forces.
“I would like to recognise the sterling support they have both provided and wish them the very best with whatever they do next. Thank you for your work, on behalf of us all at the CNPA.”
Source: Scotland – City of Perth
The local area is one of 112 places worldwide working hard to take decisive, Earth-positive action to build resilience, manage climate impacts and create a better future for their communities.
The CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a not-for-profit organisation that runs the global disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.
The continued A status also highlights how things have improved – in 2019, Perth and Kinross received a D-grade from the CDP, but by 2022 this had risen to a B rating, before achieving the highest grade possible in 2023, and maintaining this in 2024.
To score an A, among other actions, cities and local authorities must publicly disclose their environmental data through CDP, have an area-wide emissions inventory and have published a climate action plan. A listers must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation goal to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. Many A List locations are also taking a variety of other leadership actions.
Climate Change and Sustainability Convener, Councillor Richard Watters said: “We’re very proud to be maintaining our place on the CDP A List again alongside locations around the world. We have seen the real impacts of climate change on the local area and taking appropriate, data-based steps to protect our environment and our communities into the future is vital.”
For more information about the CDP’s 2024 Cities, States and Regions A List, visit the CDP website.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Intellectual Property Office (IPO) partners with Taskmaster Education to offer new skills building opportunity for secondary schools.
The main developments are:
the Intellectual Property Office has partnered with Taskmaster Education to launch a new creative skills opportunity for UK secondary school students aged 11 to 16
‘Taskmaster Club 100’ applications open on 10 June 2025 and close on 15 August 2025. Successful schools will be notified by 1 September 2025
selected schools will gain free access to Taskmaster Club resources and have the unique chance to win a virtual lesson with Alex Horne and more
The IPO has partnered with Taskmaster Education to launch ‘Taskmaster Club 100’. This innovative new initiative focuses on building essential skills in the next generation of innovators through fun classroom activities. It aims to make creative learning opportunities accessible to students aged 11 to 16 across the UK from every background, and in diverse educational settings.
Up to 100 selected schools will receive exclusive access to the ‘Taskmaster Club Bathtub’ series of fun, interactive task-focused lesson plans. These ready-to-implement activities help develop key skills like reasoning, problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, perseverance, oracy and resilience, delivering multiple educational outcomes.
The series includes valuable intellectual property (IP) competencies in teaching notes, empowering educators to enhance activities with concepts of creative ownership, value and protection. These help students develop vital skills in understanding and respecting intellectual property rights in today’s increasingly digital and interconnected world.
To join Taskmaster Club 100, schools simply need to complete a short application form online to register their interest – or in the words of Alex Horne: “click the link and fill in a thing.”
Applications open 10 June 2025, and the successful schools will be notified by 1 September 2025.
The IPO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adam Williams said:
An understanding of IP and a respect for others’ IP rights is a vital life skill – inside and outside of the classroom. In today’s connected environment, young people increasingly create and use IP, accessing and developing digital content independently and regularly. The Taskmaster format uniquely encourages creative thinking, perseverance and teamwork – helping to develop the ideas that will shape tomorrow.
Our partnership with Taskmaster Education will help support schools to nurture the development of these crucial skills in UK schools in a fun and exciting way. Together, we look forward to enabling and accelerating access to innovation learning opportunities and inspiring the next generation of creators and innovators.
The initiative includes:
The initiative is designed to be flexible, with schools able to implement activities in various ways. Previously, schools have implemented Taskmaster activities for inter-house competitions, transition events, personal development lessons, and off-timetable resilience building. This versatility ensures the programme benefits all students.
Feedback from schools already using Taskmaster materials, including the Bathtub series has been overwhelmingly positive.
Katie Walker, Dean Trust Ardwick, Greater Manchester, said:
Taskmaster club has been a great addition to our extra-curricular. In secondary school children start to become more socially conscious which can stop them from thriving and building key skills. Taskmaster combats this.
Alex McKinnon, St Martin’s School, Shropshire, said:
Guaranteed silliness that made me view my pupils’ creative skills with new eyes.
Another secondary teacher added:
We used the Taskmaster package as a drop-down day for Year 11. It was a really beneficial and fun day for them. Students were able to see how thinking outside the box and working as a team helps them to solve problems. A really good day to help them start to think about the upcoming exams.
Comedian and Taskmaster creator Alex Horne commented:
Taskmaster Club has already proven to be an immense hit in classrooms across the country. This partnership with the IPO allows us to help even more young people develop problem-solving and communication skills while having fun. I can’t wait to see what these students invent!
Dr Ali Struthers and James Blake-Lobb, Co-Founders of Taskmaster Education added:
We’ve loved seeing Taskmaster Club being used at secondary level to improve key skills and outcomes. The programme’s success comes from its naturally inclusive approach – different tasks allow different students to shine, ensuring everyone has opportunities to experience success and build confidence. We’re excited to partner with the IPO on Taskmaster Club 100 to continue developing young people’s curiosity and creativity across more UK schools.
Teachers interested in can visit Taskmaster Education’s website for more information.
The application deadline is 15 August 2025.
complete the digital application form to register your interest
selected schools will also gain exclusive early access to new IPO x Taskmaster Education resources
selected schools will also have the opportunity to win a virtual lesson with Alex Horne and a year’s subscription to Taskmaster Club by submitting students’ creative inventions to Taskmaster’s ‘Club 100’ national competition, closing in December 2025
Taskmaster Education adapts the format of Channel 4’s Taskmaster to create fun and educational experiences for children and young people. In the show, the Taskmaster and his assistant Little Alex Horne challenge comedians with creative tasks. Taskmaster Education uses similar activities to develop important skills in children. These skills include problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking. Taskmaster Education provides a flexible and engaging way to inspire learning in classrooms and beyond
schools can set up their own Taskmaster Club for pupils. This allows children to try more tasks while developing important life skills. These skills include teamwork, creativity, and reasoning. The Club series that includes the Kids Invent Stuff task is called ‘Bathtub’. To find out more, visit the Taskmaster Education website
the IPO has also developed a range of tools, guidance and teaching resources IP in Education for primary, secondary, further and higher education, researchers and university management
alternative application methods are available by emailing CrackingIdeas@ipo.gov.uk
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Hammersmith.
Apapale Adoum, 39, (12.02.1986) of no fixed address, was charged on Thursday, 5 June with the murder of Victoria Adams, aged 36.
Adoum appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 6 June. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 10 June.
On Sunday, 9 February at 22:13hrs, police were called to a residential property in Coulter Road, following reports that a man was attempting to force entry into one of the flats. Officers arrived and having gained entry to the property found a woman, aged 36, who had sadly died.
A 38-year-old man was initially arrested on Sunday, 9 February at the scene on suspicion of murder and subsequently charged as above.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
|
Company Announcement No 26/2025 |
Peberlyk 4 6200 Aabenraa Denmark Tel +45 74 37 37 37 Sydbank A/S |
| 10 June 2025 |
Dear Sirs
Sydbank A/S share buyback programme: transactions in week 23
On 26 February 2025 Sydbank A/S announced a share buyback programme of DKK 1,350m. The share buyback programme commenced on 3 March 2025 and will be completed by 31 January 2026.
The purpose of the share buyback programme is to reduce the share capital of Sydbank A/S and the programme is executed in compliance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016, collectively referred to as the Safe Harbour rules.
The following transactions have been made under the share buyback programme:
| Number of shares | VWAP | Gross value (DKK) | |
| Accumulated, most recent Announcement |
933,000 |
391,688,360.00 |
|
| 02. June 2025 03. June 2025 04. June 2025 05. June 2025 (Constitution Day) 06. June 2025 |
13,000 12,000 12,000 – 13,000 |
444.21 442.90 443.61 – 448.68 |
5,774,730.00 5,314,800.00 5,323,320.00 – 5,832,840.00 |
| Total over week 23 | 50,000 | 22,245,690.00 | |
| Total accumulated during the share buyback programme |
983,000 |
413,934,050.00 |
All transactions were made under ISIN DK 0010311471 and effected by Danske Bank A/S on behalf of Sydbank A/S.
Further information about the transactions, cf Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on market abuse and Commission delegated regulation, is available in the attachment.
Following the above transactions, Sydbank A/S holds a total of 983,283 own shares, equal to 1.92% of the Bank’s share capital.
Yours sincerely
Mark Luscombe Jørn Adam Møller
CEO Deputy Group Chief Executive
Attachment
Source: Green Party of England and Wales
Responding to news that EDF will build a new nuclear power plant at Sizewell at an estimated cost of over £14bn, co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay MP, said:
“Nuclear power is hugely expensive and far too slow to come on line. The only thing delivered by EDF so far at Hinkley Point in Somerset is overspend and delay. Electricity was promised by 2017 with a price tag of £22bn but this has mushroomed to 40bn and Hinkley is still producing no power.
“The money being spent on this nuclear gamble would be far better spent on insulating and retrofitting millions of homes, bringing down energy bills and keeping people warmer and more comfortable. We should also be investing in genuinely green power such as fitting millions of solar panels to roofs and in innovative technologies like tidal power. All this would create many more jobs than nuclear ever will.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
10,000 jobs, including 1,500 apprenticeships, to be created as the government announces multi-billion investment to build Sizewell C.
Ten thousand jobs will be created as the government announces a £14.2 billion investment to build Sizewell C nuclear plant as part of the Spending Review, ending years of delay and uncertainty.
The Chancellor is set to confirm the funding at the GMB Congress later today ahead of the government’s Spending Review, as the Energy Secretary vows a ‘golden age’ of nuclear to boost the UK’s energy security.
The government’s investment will go towards creating 10,000 jobs, including 1,500 apprenticeships, and support thousands more jobs across the UK.
The company has already signed £330 million in contracts with local companies and will boost supply chains across the UK with 70% of contracts predicted to go to 3,500 British suppliers – supporting new jobs in construction, welding, and hospitality.
The equivalent of around six million of today’s homes will be powered with clean homegrown energy from Sizewell C. The investment in clean, homegrown power brings to an end decades of dithering and delay, with the government backing the builders in the drive for energy security and kick-starting economic growth.
The announcement comes as the government is set to confirm one of Europe’s first Small Modular Reactor programmes. This comes alongside record investment in R&D for fusion energy, worth over £2.5 billion over five years. Taken together with Sizewell C, this delivers the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation.
Clean, home-grown power at Sizewell C will help drive the UK’s energy security, as part of the government’s mission to protect family finances by replacing the UK’s dependency on fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators with homegrown power that we control.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:
Today we are once again investing in Britian’s renewal, with the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation. This landmark decision is our Plan for Change in action.
We are creating thousands of jobs, kickstarting economic growth and putting more money people’s pockets.
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband said:
We will not accept the status quo of failing to invest in the future and energy insecurity for our country.
We need new nuclear to deliver a golden age of clean energy abundance, because that is the only way to protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis.
This is the government’s clean energy mission in action- investing in lower bills and good jobs for energy security.
Sizewell C will provide 10,000 people with employment at peak construction and support thousands more jobs across the UK, including 1,500 apprenticeships. The company has already signed £330 million in contracts with local companies and will boost supply chains across the UK with 70% of contracts predicted to go to 3,500 British suppliers – supporting new jobs in construction, welding, and hospitality. Jobs in the nuclear industry pay well above national averages and the government is committed to working with nuclear trade unions such as the GMB, Unite, and Prospect, who will continue to play a pivotal role in building the industry.
Despite the UK’s strong nuclear legacy, opening the world’s first commercial nuclear power station in the 1950s, no new nuclear plant has opened in the UK since 1995, with all of the existing fleet except Sizewell B likely to be phased out by the early 2030s.
Sizewell C was one of eight sites identified in 2009 by then-Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as a potential site for new nuclear. However, the project was not fully funded in the 14 years that followed under subsequent governments.
The government’s nuclear programme is now the most ambitious for a generation – once small modular reactors and Sizewell C come online in the 2030s, combined with Hinkley Point C, this will deliver more new nuclear to grid than over the previous half century combined.
Great British Nuclear is expected to announce the outcome of its small modular reactor competition imminently, the first step towards the goal of driving down costs and unlocking private finance with a long-term ambition to bring forward one of the first SMR fleets in Europe.
The government’s nuclear resurgence will support the UK’s long-term energy security, with small modular reactors expected to power millions of homes with clean energy and help fuel power-hungry industries like AI data centres.
This follows reforms to planning rules announced by the Prime Minister in February 2025 to make it easier to build nuclear across the country – changing the rules to back the builders of this nation, and saying no to the blockers who have strangled our chances of cheaper energy, growth and jobs for far too long.
The government is also looking to provide a route for private sector-led advanced nuclear projects to be deployed in the UK, alongside investing £300m in developing the world’s first non-Russian supply of the advanced fuels needed to run them.
Companies will be able to work with the government to continue their development with potential investment from the National Wealth Fund.
The government is also making a record investment in R&D for fusion energy, investing over £2.5 billion over 5 years. This includes progressing the STEP programme (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), the world-leading fusion plant in Nottinghamshire, creating thousands of new jobs and with the potential to unlock limitless clean power.
This builds on the UK’s global leadership to turbocharge economic growth in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, while helping deliver the UK’s flagship programme to design and build a prototype fusion power station on the site of a former coal-fired plant.
To secure the UK as a leader in both civil and defence nuclear, the government will also be investing £4 billion over the next decade in the Plymouth naval base as well as continued long-term investment in our Defence Nuclear Enterprise and its industrial base, as this is critical for our national security while also being a significant generator of economic opportunities, jobs and growth across the entire country. Further investments in the defence nuclear sector include over £6 billion over the Spending Review period to enable a transformation in the capacity, capability and productivity of the UK’s submarine industrial base, including at BAE Systems in Barrow and Rolls-Royce Submarines in Derby – to deliver the increase in the submarine production rate announced in the Strategic Defence Review.
In addition, we will embark on a multi-decade, multi-billion redevelopment of HMNB Clyde, with an initial £250 million of funding over 3 years, supporting jobs, skills and growth across the West of Scotland.
The government will also invest over £420 million of additional funding in Sheffield Forgemasters, securing 700 existing skilled jobs and creating over 900 new construction roles.
Julia Pyke and Nigel Cann, Joint-Managing Directors of Sizewell C said:
Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Sizewell C, the UK’s first British-owned nuclear power plant in over 30 years. It’s a privilege to be leading a project that will create over 10,000 jobs, secure Britain’s energy future and revitalise the UK’s nuclear industry.
We aim to showcase British infrastructure at its best – delivering a cleaner, more secure energy future for generations to come.
Warren Kenny, GMB Regional Secretary, said:
Sizewell C is absolutely vital if the UK is to hit net zero.
Nuclear power is essential for clean, affordable, and reliable energy – without new nuclear there can be no net zero.
Sizewell C will provide thousands of good, skilled, unionised jobs and we look forward to working closely with the government and Sizewell C to help secure a greener future for this country’s energy sector.
Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said:
Delivering this funding for Sizewell C is a vital step forward, this project is critical to securing the future of the nuclear industry in the UK.
New nuclear is essential to achieving net zero, providing a baseload of clean and secure energy, as well as supporting good, unionised jobs.
Further investment in SMRs and fusion research shows we are finally serious about developing a 21st century nuclear industry. All funding must be backed up by a whole-industry plan to ensure we have the workforce and skills we need for these plans to succeed.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:
This new nuclear programme will give the country the jobs, the economic growth and the energy security we need to ensure a secure and reliable power supply for the future. This announcement shows the government is serious about new nuclear, and realising the economic benefits that come with it, and will be welcomed in communities the length and breadth of Britain.
Source: City of Derby
At Foster for East Midlands Councils, we welcome foster carers from all communities – what is important is your ability to offer a safe, supportive, and loving home. As we honour Pride Month, we’re shining a light on the incredible contribution LGBTQ+ carers make to our fostering community and want to encourage more people to consider whether fostering could be the perfect role for them.
Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, or simply want to learn more, this Q&A may help highlight the vital role LGBTQ+ carers play in transforming children’s lives.
Anyone over the age of 21 years old can foster! What is important is that you have the space and time in your life to give a child the love, safety and routine that they need. All of our children are different, and we know having a vibrant and diverse community of foster carers with families of all shapes and sizes gives us the best chance to provide the nurturing environments they all need.
The first step is to speak to someone on the Foster for East Midlands team about you and your circumstances. You will receive a friendly and welcoming response – we are always looking at the potential people have to become foster carers. Any aspects of your life that are more personal to you are treated sensitively and respectfully – we know that some aspects that a person might feel more cautious about sharing are actually what make you more skilled in understanding how a child in your care might be feeling.
All of our foster carers across our four councils go through the same assessment to become a foster carer. The assessment looks at you, your life and circumstances, and how these shape the type of carer you can be for a child. We know that your identity is an important part of you and your life and this is celebrated within the assessment. At Foster for East Midlands we are committed to equality and inclusivity.
We know how important support is for our foster carers. All four councils within our region offer a comprehensive, inclusive support package, including support that is bespoke to you and your family. You will have your own social worker who will be there to support, advocate, guide and celebrate with you as a foster carer. You will also be part of more informal support networks with like-minded carers – for our LGBT+ carers and allies, alongside other support groups we have a Fostering Inclusivity group where you can share valuable information, guidance and resources to support you and the children in your care.
We understand the importance of finding the right fostering home for every one of our children – we consider you and your circumstances alongside the child’s needs and background as part of this process.
Pride Month is a time to celebrate love, identity, and inclusion—but our commitment doesn’t end in June. At Foster for East Midlands Councils, we stand with the LGBTQ+ community every single day. We know that love makes a family—and LGBTQ+ foster carers bring love, compassion, and resilience to the children they care for.
If you’ve ever considered fostering—or just want to learn more—we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re single, in a couple, LGBTQ+ or not, what matters most is your heart. Together, we can create brighter futures for children across the East Midlands. Get in touch with your local council fostering team via Foster for East Midlands Councils today call 03033 132 950, email hello@fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk.
Read Lyn and Shelley’s foster carers story, caring for over 100 children – visit our news web page
Pride Events Foster for East Midlands will be attending are:
Special ‘All for One’ Drop-In Event
Friday 13 June, 3.30pm and 7pm
Arnold Library, 161 Front Street, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 7EE
Drop in anytime during the session to find out everything about fostering.
Online via Zoom
Email hello@fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk for a link to join:
In Person
Register your place at fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk/events:
For full event details and more, visit Foster for East Midlands information event web page.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NICE, France, June 10 (Xinhua) — Countries must respect science and international law when it comes to exploiting the seabed to prevent it from becoming a lawless “Wild West,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday at the opening of the third U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, southeastern France.
He said there was a need to balance legitimate concerns about environmental impacts with legitimate interests in using ocean resources to support economic sustainability and the transition to green energy. He stressed that future actions should be “science-based, precautionary and consistent with the rights and obligations enshrined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
“I support the ongoing work of the International Seabed Authority on this important issue. The deep sea cannot become the Wild West,” the Secretary-General added.
The third UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, aims to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14): conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke out against deep-sea exploitation, warning that much of the seabed remains largely unexplored. “It is madness to exploit the deep sea before exploration has even begun… A moratorium on deep sea exploitation is an international imperative,” Macron said.
“The deep sea is not for sale, just like Greenland, Antarctica or the open sea,” he said.
In April, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing deep-sea mining, a unilateral move that drew criticism from the International Seabed Authority. –0–
Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland
Statement by TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister:
“The scenes of disorder in Ballymena are deeply concerning. Violence on our streets is not only wrong—it undermines the legitimate anger felt over the horrific sexual assault of a young girl and the growing local concern about unchecked immigration into the town.
“The reported racial dimension of Saturday night’s attack has acted as a catalyst for public outrage, drawing attention to long-standing frustrations. The large turnout this evening demonstrates the strength of feeling in the local community—feelings which were, in the main, expressed peacefully. Sadly, the actions of a small number have cast a shadow over what was, for most, a lawful protest. Evidence suggests that individuals from outside the area came with the express purpose of causing disruption.
“The influx of Roma, in particular, into Ballymena in recent years—often arriving freely from the Republic under EU movement rules, while the UK’s internal border remains neglected—has driven rapid demographic change. The failure of successive authorities to manage integration or address local concerns has left many residents feeling ignored and disrespected.
“Nevertheless, violence serves no cause. It does not help the young girl or her family, and it distracts from the very real grievances being voiced. It must stop — and be condemned by all.”
MEUDON, France – Thales today announced the launch of Thales File Activity Monitoring, a powerful new capability within the Thales CipherTrust Data Security Platform that enhances enterprise visibility and control over unstructured data, enabling organizations to monitor file activity in real time, detect misuse, and ensure regulatory compliance across their entire data estate. As the only integrated platform provider that secures structured and unstructured data, Thales provides comprehensive monitoring and auditability for data types that were previously difficult to track.
In today’s evolving threat landscape, organizations must gain tighter control over unauthorized access and misuse of unstructured data, which according to IDC represents 90% of all worldwide data. File Activity Monitoring enables security teams to analyze and monitor the activity of unstructured data, including unexpected copying, downloading, and sharing of files such as emails, chat logs, media files, and application logs that can contain sensitive data. Real-time alerts, analytics, and encryption tracking further accelerate threat insights and protect sensitive data across the enterprise. This reduces exposure risks, supports compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, and strengthens organizations’ overall data security posture.
“Thales’ innovative approach to File Activity Monitoring tackles key challenges like blind spots in hybrid environments, offering real-time visibility and smart anomaly detection — a potential game-changer for teams overwhelmed by false positives. By striking the right balance of depth and simplicity, FAM shows promise in helping us strengthen the SOC without added complexity. With tighter SIEM integration, it can sharpen response and let teams focus on what matters most. We’re excited to see how FAM evolves and enhances our data security,” Leila KUNTAR, Principal Information Security Engineer, Amadeus, said.
“As unstructured data grows rapidly across distributed environments, organizations need more integrated ways to track and safeguard their most sensitive information,” Todd Moore, Vice President of Data Security Products at Thales, said. “With File Activity Monitoring, Thales reinforces its leadership in enterprise data security by delivering real-time insight, intelligent automation, and unified visibility through a single, powerful platform.”
Thales has been a leader in digital security for decades in structured database activity. Building on this extensive expertise, customers can expect the same world-class experience that they’ve had with Thales, now extended to encompass unstructured data protection.
File Activity Monitoring strengthens DSPM by enabling security teams to:
Built-in GenAI tools simplify audits, boost response, and cut complexity
To further simplify compliance and security operations, File Activity Monitoring includes a Generative AI-powered Data Security Assistant. This integrated chatbot helps teams query audit data, generate custom reports, and streamline compliance workflows, reducing the burden on IT and security professionals and making it easier to meet regulatory obligations.
“As technology evolves rapidly, our controls must be flexible enough to keep pace without adding complexity,” Moore said. “Automation and intelligence help overwhelmed security teams scale operations and focus on what matters most. With tools like our chatbot, they can ask natural language questions and get instant, actionable answers, accelerating response times and improving operational efficiency.”
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.
The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.
Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Greste, Professor of Journalism and Communications, Macquarie University
The video of a Los Angeles police officer shooting a rubber bullet at Channel Nine reporter Lauren Tomasi is as shocking as it is revealing.
In her live broadcast, Tomasi is standing to the side of a rank of police in riot gear. She describes the way they have begun firing rubber bullets to disperse protesters angry with US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.
As Tomasi finishes her sentence, the camera pans to the left, just in time to catch the officer raising his gun and firing a non-lethal round into her leg. She said a day later she is sore, but otherwise OK.
Although a more thorough investigation might find mitigating circumstances, from the video evidence, it is hard to dismiss the shot as “crossfire”. The reporter and cameraman were off to one side of the police, clearly identified and working legitimately.
The shooting is also not a one-off. Since the protests against Trump’s mass deportations policy began three days ago, a reporter with the LA Daily News and a freelance journalist have been hit with pepper balls and tear gas.
British freelance photojournalist Nick Stern also had emergency surgery to remove a three-inch plastic bullet from his leg.
In all, the Los Angeles Press Club has documented more than 30 incidents of obstruction and attacks on journalists during the protests.
It now seems assaults on the media are no longer confined to warzones or despotic regimes. They are happening in American cities, in broad daylight, often at the hands of those tasked with upholding the law.
But violence is only one piece of the picture. In the nearly five months since taking office, the Trump administration has moved to defund public broadcasters, curtail access to information and undermine the credibility of independent media.
International services once used to project democratic values and American soft power around the world, such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, have all had their funding cut and been threatened with closure. (The Voice of America website is still operational but hasn’t been updated since mid-March, with one headline on the front page reading “Vatican: Francis stable, out of ‘imminent danger’ of death”).
The Associated Press, one of the most respected and important news agencies in the world, has been restricted from its access to the White House and covering Trump. The reason? It decided to defy Trump’s directive to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.
Even broadcast licenses for major US networks, such as ABC, NBC and CBS, have been publicly threatened — a signal to editors and executives that political loyalty might soon outweigh journalistic integrity.
The Committee to Protect Journalists is more used to condemning attacks on the media in places like Russia. However, in April, it issued a report headlined: “Alarm bells: Trump’s first 100 days ramp up fear for the press, democracy”.
Why does this matter? The success of American democracy has never depended on unity or even civility. It has depended on scrutiny. A system where power is challenged, not flattered.
The First Amendment to the US Constitution – which protects freedom of speech – has long been considered the gold standard for building the institutions of free press and free expression. That only works when journalism is protected — not in theory but in practice.
Now, strikingly, the language once reserved for autocracies and failed states has begun to appear in assessments of the US. Civicus, which tracks declining democracies around the world, recently put the US on its watchlist, alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, Serbia and Pakistan.
The attacks on the journalists in LA are troubling not only for their sake, but for ours. This is about civic architecture. The kind of framework that makes space for disagreement without descending into disorder.
Press freedom is not a luxury for peacetime. It is a requirement for peace.
Peter Greste is Professor of Journalism at Macquarie University and the Executive Director for the advocacy group, the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom.
– ref. In Trump’s America, the shooting of a journalist is not a one-off. Press freedom itself is under attack – https://theconversation.com/in-trumps-america-the-shooting-of-a-journalist-is-not-a-one-off-press-freedom-itself-is-under-attack-258578
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Tuesday interacted via video conference with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission, an official statement from the Indian Air Force said.
Air Chief Marshal Singh extended best wishes to Group Captain Shukla, who will be India’s second astronaut to travel to space since 1984.
In a post on X, IAF said, “As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new chapter to the Indian Space Odyssey”.
The Axiom-4 mission, originally scheduled for launch on June 10, was postponed due to unfavorable weather and is now set for 5:30 PM IST on June 11. The mission will carry Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation’s first mission to the ISS. According to Axiom Space, this will be India’s second government-sponsored human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984.
In a video message shared by Axiom Space, Shukla expressed his excitement about the opportunity, recalling how he was inspired by India’s first astronaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma. He also revealed that he learned about his selection just a week before reporting for training.
Earlier, SpaceX Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, William Gerstenmaier, emphasized safety improvements in the Dragon capsule used for this mission, noting design changes to propulsion components to enhance reliability for human spaceflight.
Notably, SpaceX is on track for a record-breaking year, with around 100 launches remaining to reach its ambitious target of 170 orbital missions in 2025.
-ANI
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TEL AVIV, Israel, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LightSolver, inventors of a new laser-based computing paradigm, and HLRS (High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart) today announced the joint presentation of their co-authored, peer-reviewed research paper, “Exploring QUBO on LPUs for Engineering,” at this week’s ISC High Performance 2025 conference in Hamburg, Germany. The presentation will take place this Friday, June 13th during the 4th HPC on Heterogeneous Hardware (H3) workshop, on the first floor of Hall X6 from 2:00-6:00pm.
With HPC simulations demanding immense computational power, emerging specialized processors like LightSolver’s Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) offer a promising path toward reducing total time to solution and improving energy efficiency. This is reflected in the research paper, which explores the use of the LPU to address mesh decomposition, a common task in Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE). It will be presented by Dr. Dan Gluck, senior algorithm researcher for LightSolver, and Dr. Johannes Gebert, deputy director at HLRS and group lead for future computing.
Mesh decomposition is the process of breaking down a complex 3D mesh (a collection of vertices, edges, and faces that define the shape of a 3D object) into simpler subcomponents. This technique is widely used in computer graphics, geometry processing, 3D modeling, finite element analysis, and robotics. For their research, LightSolver and HLRS used Direct Tensor Computation, a biomechanical application in which mathematical operations are performed directly on multi-dimensional arrays called tensors, rather than being broken down into simpler components. The team converted the mesh decomposition into a QUBO (Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization) formulation and ran it on the LPU emulator, developing a methodology and proving that mesh decomposition could be addressed by an optical computing platform.
“We are proud to present our joint research with HLRS, which highlights how optical computing can address common bottlenecks in engineering software,” said Ruti Ben Shlomi, CEO of LightSolver. “To crack current performance limits and achieve greater energy efficiency, it is crucial for industry and research to partner and examine novel computing paradigms. This initial paper has demonstrated the feasibility of running a mesh decomposition on our optical processor, the LPU. We’re looking forward to deepening our collaboration with HLRS and presenting practical pathways for integrating specialized processors into heterogeneous computing frameworks.”
The H3 Workshop provides a platform for pioneering work in algorithmic research, software libraries, programming models, and workflows designed for increasingly heterogeneous hardware environments. The presentation by LightSolver and HLRS aligns with the workshop’s mission to explore new paradigms and strengthen the bridge between software and specialized hardware in HPC.
About LightSolver
LightSolver is a photonics computing company that is developing an all-optical supercomputer capable of solving complex and large computational problems at the speed of light.” Utilizing the interference patterns of lasers, the Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) can tackle challenges that were previously constrained by the limits of electronics, while fitting into a rack unit and operating at room temperature. Dr. Ruti Ben-Shlomi and Dr. Chene Tradonsky, physicists from the world-renowned Weizmann Institute, founded the company in 2020. More than 2/3 of the team are physics, math and computer science PhDs. LightSolver has secured investment from TAL Ventures, Entree Capital, IBI Tech Fund, Angular Ventures, Maverick, and Artofin. The company has also received a €12.5M grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to advance its all-optical supercomputer. Connect with LightSolver @LightSolverCo on X and on LinkedIn. For more information, visit lightsolver.com or email info@lightsolver.com.
Media Contact:
Seth Menacker
Fusion PR
lightsolver@fusionpr.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Municipality Finance Plc
Stock exchange release
10 June 2025 at 10:00 am (EEST)
Municipality Finance issues a GBP 100 million tap under its MTN programme
On 11 June 2025 Municipality Finance Plc issues a new tranche in an amount of GBP 100 million to an existing benchmark issued on 7 March 2024. With the new tranche, the aggregate nominal amount of the benchmark is GBP 650 million. The maturity date of the benchmark is 2 October 2028. The benchmark bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.375 % per annum.
The new tranche is issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and final terms of the notes are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.
MuniFin has applied for the new tranche to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on 11 June 2025. The existing notes in the series are admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft acts as the Dealer for the issue of the new tranche.
MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC
Further information:
Joakim Holmström
Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
tel. +358 50 444 3638
MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the State of Finland.
The Group’s balance sheet is over EUR 53 billion.
MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. Our customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, joint county authorities, corporate entities under the control of the above-mentioned organisations, and affordable social housing. Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.
MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.
Read more: www.munifin.fi
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This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Nokia and Leonardo partner to deliver worldwide mission-critical private wireless networks for public safety and critical infrastructures
10 June 2025
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced a partnership with Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defense, and Security, to deliver cutting-edge mission-critical services worldwide integrated into Nokia’s Core Enterprise Solutions. The solid collaboration strengthens Nokia’s leadership in secure and scalable private wireless connectivity for essential services like public safety and industrial segments such as energy and railways that demand the highest performance, resilience, and reliability levels.
Nokia will embed Leonardo’s flagship Mission Critical Services platform MC_linX a next-generation broadband mission-critical services platform, into Nokia’s enterprise solutions portfolio. This technology combination will deliver worldwide a pre-integrated solution that accelerates deployment, reduces complexity, and ensures operational readiness. It also enables faster emergency response, increasing operational safety, and improving service reliability – ultimately benefiting communities and essential services worldwide.
“By combining Nokia’s robust private wireless and core software capabilities with Leonardo’s trusted mission-critical technologies, we are delivering a seamless solution that meets the stringent demands of industries like public safety, energy, and rail. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to empowering critical infrastructure with secure, real-time, resilient communication solutions,” said Prakash Sagadopan, Head of Enterprise Wide Area Networks, Nokia.
“We are thrilled that Nokia selected Leonardo’s MC_linX for the integration into their Core Enterprise Solutions after an in-depth competitive process. Leveraging the high scalability and reliability of our Mission Critical Services platform together with Nokia we provide an entirely made in Europe, unparalleled communication ecosystem for Public Safety and Critical Infrastructures,” said Claudio Rando, SVP Marketing & Sales, Leonardo Cyber & Security Solutions Division.
Fully compliant with 3GPP standards, the MC_linX platform enables mission-critical push-to-talk, video, and data services over private and commercial LTE/5G networks, supporting real-time communication, enhanced situational awareness, and fast, coordinated responses. Nokia’s Core Enterprise Solutions offer customized, low-footprint core modules optimized for mission-critical communications in public safety, utilities, and railway operations.
About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.
With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.
About Leonardo
Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 60,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aeronautics, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes such as Eurofighter, JSF, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA. Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (71.6%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50% ), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (29.6%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2024 Leonardo recorded new orders for €20.9 billion, with an order book of €44.2 billion and consolidated revenues of €17.8 billion. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
Leonardo’s expertise in the mission critical communications sector relies on several decades of successful design, supply, delivery and service of mission critical networks, ranging from Land Mobile Radio systems to the next-generation broadband systems for Public Safety and Critical Infrastructures.
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Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE organizes study trip to Finland for representatives of the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship
Meeting at the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce (OSCE) Photo details
From 2 to 6 June, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) organized a study visit to Finland for a delegation from the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. The visit aimed at deepening institutional knowledge on sustainable development, green economy policies and educational innovation.
The programme included a series of meetings with Finnish governmental bodies, educational institutions and business associations to explore Finland’s successful integration of sustainability into governance, education and entrepreneurship.
During the visit, the Uzbek delegation met with key Finnish institutions including the Finnish Institute of Public Management (HAUS), the Finnish Association of Entrepreneurs, Aalto and Metropolia universities and the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, amongst other partners.
Discussions focused on integrating sustainability into public administration, supporting green entrepreneurship and embedding green economy principles into education and training.
The programme also featured site visits to the city of Lahti, highlighting Finland’s circular economy and waste management practices, offering practical insights into how government, academia and the private sector collaborate to promote sustainable development.
The study trip is a continuation of the PCUz’s support of Uzbekistan’s green transition and ongoing collaboration with the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship in improving its curriculum and best practices.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
British novelist Frederick Forsyth, who authored best-selling thrillers such as “The Day of the Jackal” and “The Dogs of War,” has died aged 86, his publisher said.
A former correspondent for Reuters and the BBC, and an informant for Britain’s MI6 foreign spy agency, Forsyth made his name by using his experiences as a reporter in Paris to pen the story of a failed assassination plot on Charles de Gaulle.
“The Day of the Jackal”, in which an English assassin, played in the film by Edward Fox, is hired by French paramilitaries angry at de Gaulle’s withdrawal from Algeria, was published in 1971 after Forsyth found himself penniless in London.
Written in just 35 days, the book was rejected by a host of publishers who worried that the story was flawed and would not sell as de Gaulle had not been assassinated. De Gaulle died in 1970 from a ruptured aorta while playing Solitaire.
But Forsyth’s hurricane-paced thriller complete with journalistic-style detail and brutal sub-plots of lust, betrayal and murder was an instant hit. The once poor journalist became a wealthy writer of fiction.
“I never intended to be a writer at all,” Forsyth later wrote in his memoire, “The Outsider – My Life in Intrigue”. “After all, writers are odd creatures, and if they try to make a living at it, even more so.”
So influential was the novel that Venezuelan militant revolutionary Illich Ramirez Sanchez, was dubbed “Carlos the Jackal”.
Forsyth presented himself as a cross between Ernest Hemingway and John le Carre – both action man and Cold War spy – but delighted in turning around the insult that he was a literary lightweight.
“I am lightweight but popular. My books sell,” he once said.
His books, fantastical plots that almost rejoiced in the cynicism of an underworld of spies, criminals, hackers and killers, sold more than 75 million copies.
Behind the swashbuckling bravado, though, there were hints of sadness. He later spoke of turning inwards to his imagination as a lonely only child during and after World War Two.
The isolated Forsyth discovered a talent for languages: he claimed to be a native French speaker by the age of 12 and a native German speaker by the age of 16, largely due to exchanges.
He went to Tonbridge School, one of England’s ancient fee-paying schools, and learned Russian from two emigre Georgian princesses in Paris. He added Spanish by the age of 18.
He also learned to fly and did his national service in the Royal Air Force where he flew fighters such as a single seater version of the de Havilland Vampire.
THE REPORTER
Impressing Reuters’ editors with his languages and knowledge that Bujumbura was a city in Burundi, he was offered a job at the news agency in 1961 and sent to Paris and then East Berlin where the Stasi secret police kept close tabs on him.
He left Reuters for the BBC but soon became disillusioned by its bureaucracy and what he saw as the corporation’s failure to cover Nigeria properly due to the government’s incompetent post-colonial views on Africa.
It was in 1968 that Forsyth was approached by the Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, and asked by an officer named “Ronnie” to inform on what was really going on in Biafra.
By his own account, he would keep contacts with the MI6, which he called “the Firm”, for many years. His novels showed extensive knowledge of the world of spies and he even edited out bits of The Fourth Protocol (1984), he said, so that militants would not know how to detonate an atomic bomb.
His writing was sometimes cruel, such as when the Jackal kills his lover after she discovers he is an assassin.
“He looked down at her, and for the first time she noticed that the grey flecks in his eyes had spread and clouded over the whole expression, which had become dead and lifeless like a machine staring down at her.”
THE WRITER
After finally finding a publisher for “The Day of the Jackal,” he was offered a three-novel contract by Harold Harris of Hutchinson.
Next came “The Odessa File” in 1972, the story of a young German freelance journalist who tries to track down SS man Eduard Roschmann, or “The Butcher of Riga”.
After that, “The Dogs of War” in 1974 is about a group of white mercenaries hired by a British mining magnate to kill the mad dictator of an African republic – based on Equatorial Guinea’s Francisco Macias Nguema – and replace him with a puppet.
The New York Times said at the time that the novel was “pitched at the level of a suburban Saturday night movie audience” and that it was “informed with a kind of post‐imperial condescension toward the black man”.
Divorced from Carole Cunningham in 1988, he married Sandy Molloy in 1994. But he lost a fortune in an investment scam and had to write more novels to support himself. He had two sons – Stuart and Shane – with his first wife.
His later novels variously cast hackers, Russians, al Qaeda militants and cocaine smugglers against the forces of good – broadly Britain and the West. But the novels never quite reached the level of the Jackal.
A supporter of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, Forsyth scolded Britain’s elites for what he cast as their treachery and naivety.
In columns for The Daily Express, he gave a host of withering assessments of the modern world from an intellectual right-wing perspective.
The world, he said, worried too much about “the oriental pandemic” (known to most as COVID-19), Donald Trump was “deranged”, Vladimir Putin “a tyrant” and “liberal luvvies of the West” were wrong on most things.
He was, to the end, a reporter who wrote novels.
“In a world that increasingly obsesses over the gods of power, money and fame, a journalist and a writer must remain detached,” he wrote. “It is our job to hold power to account.”
(Reuters)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Tuesday interacted via video conference with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission, an official statement from the Indian Air Force said.
Air Chief Marshal Singh extended best wishes to Group Captain Shukla, who will be India’s second astronaut to travel to space since 1984.
In a post on X, IAF said, “As Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new chapter to the Indian Space Odyssey”.
The Axiom-4 mission, originally scheduled for launch on June 10, was postponed due to unfavorable weather and is now set for 5:30 PM IST on June 11. The mission will carry Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation’s first mission to the ISS. According to Axiom Space, this will be India’s second government-sponsored human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984.
In a video message shared by Axiom Space, Shukla expressed his excitement about the opportunity, recalling how he was inspired by India’s first astronaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma. He also revealed that he learned about his selection just a week before reporting for training.
Earlier, SpaceX Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, William Gerstenmaier, emphasized safety improvements in the Dragon capsule used for this mission, noting design changes to propulsion components to enhance reliability for human spaceflight.
Notably, SpaceX is on track for a record-breaking year, with around 100 launches remaining to reach its ambitious target of 170 orbital missions in 2025.
-ANI
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
The Prime Minister spoke to the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz ahead of the G7 and NATO summits later this month.
The Prime Minister spoke to the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz ahead of the G7 and NATO summits later this month.
The leaders began reflecting on the Chancellor’s visit to Washington D.C. last week and welcomed President Trump’s efforts to secure a sustainable peace for Ukraine.
Both leaders also welcomed efforts by NATO Allies to step up defence spending and agreed on the importance of a NATO that was fair, resilient and had the capabilities it needed to face the threats of today.
Discussing proposals to increase focus and funding for national resilience and protecting critical national infrastructure, the leaders welcomed NATO’s suggestions in this space.
Turning to the challenge of tackling illegal migration, the leaders agreed on the importance of working together to intercept migrant routes upstream, and the need to go further together to break the business model of smuggling gangs.
Both looked forward to seeing one another again soon.
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Rolls-Royce SMR selected as preferred bidder to build country’s first small modular reactors
New era for nuclear power as Rolls-Royce SMR selected as preferred bidder to build country’s first small modular reactors
Follows rigorous two-year competition to select nuclear technology for UK deployment, building clean power for the country through publicly-owned company
Project could support up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction and power the equivalent of around 3 million of today’s homes as part of government’s Plan for Change to make the UK a clean energy superpower
Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as the preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear to develop small modular reactors, subject to final government approvals and contract signature – marking a new golden age of nuclear in the UK.
Today (Tuesday 10 June) Great British Energy – Nuclear is taking on a new name from Great British Nuclear, reflecting its joint mission with Great British Energy to rollout clean homegrown power as two publicly-owned energy companies.
As part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy to revive Britain’s industrial heartlands, the government is pledging over £2.5 billion for the overall small modular reactor programme in this Spending Review period – with this project potentially supporting up to 3,000 new skilled jobs and powering the equivalent of around 3 million homes with clean, secure homegrown energy.
The biggest nuclear rollout for a generation will support the clean power mission – boosting energy security and protecting families’ finances. Great British Energy – Nuclear is aiming to sign contracts with Rolls-Royce SMR later this year and will form a development company.
Great British Energy – Nuclear will also aim to allocate a site later this year and connect projects to the grid in the mid-2030s. Once small modular reactors and Sizewell C come online in the 2030s, combined with the new station at Hinkley Point C, this will deliver more nuclear to the grid than over the previous half century.
“SMRs” are smaller and quicker to build than traditional nuclear plants, with costs likely to come down as units are rolled out. The outcome of this competition is the first step towards reducing costs and unlocking private finance, enabling the UK to realise its long-term ambition of delivering one of Europe’s first small modular reactor fleets. It comes after the government announced plans to shake up the planning rules to make it easier to build nuclear, including small modular reactors across the country.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
We are ending the no-nuclear status quo as part of our Plan for Change and are entering a golden age of nuclear with the biggest building programme in a generation.
Great British Energy – Nuclear has run a rigorous competition and will now work with the preferred bidder Rolls-Royce SMR to build the country’s first ever small modular reactors – creating thousands of jobs and growing our regional economies while strengthening our energy security.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:
The UK is back where it belongs, taking the lead in the technologies of tomorrow with Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred partner for this journey.
We’re backing Britain with Great British Energy – Nuclear’s ambition to ensure 70% of supply chain products are British built, delivering our Plan for Change through more jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.
Simon Bowen, Chairman of Great British Energy – Nuclear said:
This announcement is a defining moment for the UK’s energy and industrial future.
By selecting a preferred bidder, we are taking a decisive step toward delivering clean, secure, and sovereign power. This is about more than energy—it’s about revitalising British industry, creating thousands of skilled jobs, and building a platform for long-term economic growth.
Gwen Parry-Jones, CEO of Great British Energy – Nuclear, said:
We are proud to lead this national mission. Nuclear is the cornerstone of the UK’s energy strategy, and today’s announcement will accelerate deployment.
Together with Rolls-Royce SMR, our selected preferred bidder, and subject to government approvals and contract signature, we will deliver a programme that is technically world-class and delivers real value to the British people—through energy security, economic opportunity, and environmental leadership.
The global SMR market is, according to the International Energy Agency, projected to reach up to nearly £500 billion by 2050, and today’s announcement puts Britain at a competitive advantage as a frontrunner in the global race to build new nuclear technology.
The selection follows a rigorous and transparent procurement process over two years, with the competition having launched in July 2023. Subject to final approvals and contract signature, Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd will enter a strategic technology development partnership with Great British Energy – Nuclear – a fully publicly-owned company.
Rolls-Royce SMR is progressing through the final stage of the assessment by the UK nuclear industry’s independent regulators.
ENDS
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Tashkent, June 10 (Xinhua) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico held a meeting, the press service of the Uzbek leader reported on Monday.
“On June 9, negotiations were held at the Kuksaroy residence between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico,” the statement said.
As reported, current issues of further development of practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Slovakia were discussed. At the beginning of the meeting, the leader of Uzbekistan particularly emphasized that the current visit opens a qualitatively new stage in the history of Uzbek-Slovak multifaceted relations.
It is noted that special attention was paid to issues of increasing trade turnover, primarily by expanding the range of mutual deliveries. “We are talking about deliveries from Uzbekistan of textile, agricultural, electrical, chemical products, polymers, and from Slovakia – rubber, auto components, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial goods,” the report says.
In conclusion, an agreement was reached that, in order to ensure timely and high-quality implementation of the decisions and agreements made, the governments of the two countries will adopt a comprehensive “road map.” –0–
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Euronext announces volumes for May 2025
Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 10 June 2025 – Euronext, the leading European capital market infrastructure, today announced trading volumes for May 2025.
Euronext informs that the template has been aligned with the new reporting framework, which was implemented as of the first quarter 2025 results publication.
Monthly and historical volume tables are available at this address:
euronext.com/investor-relations#monthly-volumes
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Investor Relations Aurélie Cohen
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