Source: Government of Italy (English)
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22 Maggio 2025
The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, received the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, at Palazzo Chigi today. Following their meeting, the two leaders issued statements to the press.
Source: US State of Connecticut
Dean JC Zhao of the UConn College of Engineering has appointed Professor Kay Wille as the director of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SoCEE). Wille’s formal appointment will start in August 2025.
Wille has served as interim director since August 2024.
“I feel incredibly fortunate for the vote of confidence in leading the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering,” Wille said. “Having been part of this academic community for more than a decade, I’ve seen firsthand the talent, dedication, and innovation that define our students, faculty, and staff. I’m excited to build on our legacy of research excellence and educational leadership while preparing the next generation of engineers to tackle society’s most urgent infrastructure and sustainability challenges.”
Wille joined UConn Engineering in 2010 as an assistant professor in the (then) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He then served as associate professor from 2016- 2024, and professor and interim director since 2024. He has held roles as group coordinator of Structures and Applied Mechanics from 2022-2024 and the director for graduate programming from 2015-2016.
“Dr. Wille is an excellent scholar, an innovative researcher, and a respected leader in our community,” said Zhao. “His deep commitment to student success and impactful research make him well-suited to lead the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering into its next chapter. We’re proud to have him at the helm.”
Wille has led a total of 31 funded research projects (26 as PI), totaling more than $12.7 million.
His research focuses on ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC), concrete durability, and sustainable infrastructure materials. He is a leading expert in UHPC development and application, with particular emphasis on fiber-reinforced composites. His work also addresses concrete deterioration caused by pyrrhotite-containing aggregates, and he actively explores resource-efficient, sustainable mix designs to improve long-term performance and environmental impact.
Before arriving at UConn, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan, and a graduate research/teaching assistant, and research assistant at the University of Leipzig in Germany.
He earned his diploma and Ph.D., both in civil engineering, from the University of Leipzig in 2002 and 2008, respectively.
During his teaching career at UConn, he has taught 54 courses, impacting more than 1,600 students.
He has authored one book, two patents, 60 journal papers, and 40 conference papers. His significant contributions to research and scholarship have led to the recognition to be among the top 2% of world scientists ranked by the methodology developed by Stanford University.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor
When it comes to the sincerity, or otherwise, of Vladimir Putin’s apparent willingness to talk peace with Ukraine, the Russian leader has given us plenty of hints. He may insist he wants to see a deal done and an end to the killing. But his insistence that any agreement would have to address the “root causes” of the war is a clear indication that he hasn’t rowed back from his original maximalist war aims. To whit: no Nato membership, a Kremlin-friendly government in Kyiv, ownership of Crimea and control – preferably annexation – of the four provinces of Ukraine presently under Russian occupation.
Meanwhile his great ally Dmitry Medvedev continues to insist that there are at present no Ukrainian officials who legitimately qualify as partners for negotiation. The Russian national security council secretary claims that Ukraine is a “failed state” whose leaders’ lack of legitimacy, meanwhile, raise “serious questions” about who Russia can conclude any agreement with.
So when Donald Trump said this week after a two-hour chat with Putin that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start negotiations” toward a ceasefire, it’s not clear who he thought the Russian president was planning to talk to if, as Putin and his cronies insist, Zelensky and his team are not legitimate. And, from what he had to say about his recent phone call with Putin, it appears that Trump has his eyes more on the sorts of deals that might be done with Russia once this is all cleared up.
As he posted on his Truth Social platform after talking with Putin: “Russia wants to do largescale [sic] TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.”
Accordingly, he has backed away from his previous willingness to join Europe in imposing fresh sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile Russia continues to hammer Ukraine both on the battlefield and via ever larger drone and missiles attacks against its civilian population.
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The real clue to Trump’s attitude, writes Stefan Wolff, is the order of phone calls on Monday. Before settling down to talk with Putin, the US president put in a call to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Reporting back on the call, Zelensky said he had urged Trump that he mustn’t make any decisions about Ukraine “without us”. Having subsequently spoken at length with Putin, Trump emerged saying in his Truth Social post that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” towards a ceasefire and an end to the war.
But Wolff, professor of international security at the University of Birmingham who has written regularly here about the conflict, believes that the fact that Trump added the conditions for peace “will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be” suggests he is indeed planning to abandon his peacemaking ambitions. The whole deal was taking far longer than the 24 hours he boasted of during the election campaign last year.
Where this leaves Europe is unclear, writes Wolff. If it can no longer rely on Washington as a security partner (and the signs aren’t good), then this will require a substantial rethink. Indeed there are signs, with the UK’s recent agreement over security and defence, that minds are increasingly focused on a more self-reliant future. In turn, this has implications for US security. If Europe is compelled to rethink its security relationship with the US it could cut both ways as Washington pivots to face an increasingly aggressive China.
Read more:
After another call with Putin, it looks like Trump has abandoned efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine
Of course, it should have been clear to all concerned not to take Putin at face value over his apparent willingness to talk peace with Zelensky when he failed to turn up to talks in Istanbul at the end of last week. As Natasha Lindstaedt writes here, none of the main players attended the talks, despite plans for Putin, Zelensky and Trump to all meet face-to-face.
Lindstaedt, an expert in international relations at the University of Essex, describes what for all the world seemed like a bizarre game of bluff – certainly as far as Putin and Trump are concerned. All three leaders had promised to be there, but in the end they all sent intermediaries with the result that nothing of any consequence was agreed. Trump’s aides insisted that if Putin attended he would be there. Then the US president said the reason that Putin hadn’t turned up was because he knew Trump wasn’t going to be there.
“It’s certainly hard to take peace talks seriously when there is an awkward back-and-forth just about who is going to attend,” Lindstaedt concludes. “And while Trump thinks peace is only possible through bilateral meetings between himself and Putin, it’s clear he can’t even influence Putin to show up to peace talks that the Russian president himself suggested.”
Read more:
Putin is testing how far he can push Trump by not turning up for Istanbul talks
The US president, meanwhile, has announced plans for an ambitious missile defence system to be called “Golden Dome”. It’s a next-generation system, says Trump, “capable even of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world, or launched from space”.
The plan, for which US$25 billion (£18.6 billion) has been set aside in the US president’s “one big beautiful bill”, presently before the US Congress, calls for a network of surveillance satellites complemented by a separate fleet of offensive satellites that would shoot down offensive missiles soon after lift-off. Trump has estimated this will cost US$175 billion and will be completed by the end of his current four-year term. But other estimates are that it will be much more expensive and take far longer to complete.
“There has never been anything like this”, the US president said. And indeed there hasn’t, writes Matthew Powell, an expert in air power from the University of Portsmouth. In fact, Powell is deeply sceptical that the technology to enable such an ambitious defence system exists at present. He points to Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, which became known by critics, with their tongues in their cheeks, as “Star Wars”, which never really got any further than the drawing board.
It did, however, have the effect of signalling to the Kremlin and the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, that the sky would be the limit in terms of US willingness to push the boundaries of defence spending. Powell believes it significantly changed the calculations when it came to the feasibility of continuing the nuclear arms race and may have been responsible for the end of the cold war.
Read more:
Golden Dome: what Trump should learn from Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ missile defence system plan
Incidentally, the US president’s funding bill scraped through the House of Representatives with 215 votes for and 214 against. In addition to setting aside funds for Golden Dome, the bill, which in its current form adds trillions of dollars to the US debt, has been described by Democrat critics as a “tax scam”. A statement from Democrat leaders said: “This fight is just beginning, and House Democrats will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the GOP Tax Scam is buried deep in the ground, never to rise again.”
But how much stomach do the Democrats have for the fight? They’ve had a pretty terrible few months since the election. Their approval rating in March was at 29%, the worst since polling began in 1992. Fernando Pizarro, a lecturer in journalism at City St Georges, University of London, who has several Emmys under his belt for his work on US politics, has cast his eye over some of the leading Democrats who he thinks will spearhead the opposition to the Republicans over the next few years and identifies a few players who could vie for the presidential nomination in 2028.
Read more:
The top Democrats leading the fight against Trump’s agenda
Meanwhile, after 11 weeks of Israeli blockade of aid to the people of Gaza, limited deliveries have now recommenced in the face of pressure from both the US and increasingly outspoken interventions from the likes of the UK, France and Canada.
But despite reports that up to 100 trucks are now being allowed into the Gaza Strip, human rights agencies and aid organisations have said that there is a desperate threat of widespread starvation unless the amount of food, fuel and medicine getting through increases exponentially. And fast.
There is talk of a US-administered programme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which could be up and running by the end of May and could accelerate the delivery of vital supplies to the civilian population while ensuring it does not does not get into the hands of militants or black marketeers.
But this scheme has its critics, write Sarah Schiffling and Liz Breen, experts in humanitarian logistics and health service operations at Hanken School of Economics and the University of Bradford respectively. They point to a number of flaws, including the plan to concentrate the secure distribution points in southern and central Gaza, forcing large numbers of people to travel considerable distances for supplies.
The GHF plan also calls for aid distribution to be coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces, which humanitarian organisations says is a “humanitarian cover for a military strategy of control and dispossession”.
Schiffling and Breen point out that humanitarian organisations have 160,000 pallets of supplies and almost 9,000 aid trucks ready to be dispatched across the border “as soon as Israel allows it”. Whether Israel will allow it is, of course, another question entirely.
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– ref. Ukraine: it’s clear right now there are no serious plans for peace – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-its-clear-right-now-there-are-no-serious-plans-for-peace-257388
Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk.
Prime Minister Tusk congratulated Prime Minister Carney on his election. The prime ministers discussed shared priorities, including Euro-Atlantic security, co-operation within NATO, and support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The leaders emphasized deepening bilateral and commercial ties between Canada and Poland, and agreed to remain in close contact.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Over 7 000 celebrate culture and sport at 11th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Antwerp Issued at HKT 22:05
A vibrant crowd of over 7 000 paddling enthusiasts and spectators gathered on May 10 in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium (Antwerp time), for the 11th edition of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, one of the city’s most anticipated annual events. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) proudly sponsored the festival.
Organised by Rotary Antwerp International and Rotary Antwerp West, the festival brought together some 30 dragon boat teams for a full day of spirited racing, cultural exchanges, and community celebrations. HKETO, Brussels was the main sponsor.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Grace Li shared her enthusiasm for the event. “HKETO Brussels is proud to continue supporting the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. The dragon boat race symbolises the strong, enduring ties between Hong Kong and Belgium,” she said. “We are proud to once again support this vibrant celebration of sport, culture, and community.”
Encouraging the audience to explore more, she added, “Come visit Hong Kong – a city brimming with life, colour, and culture. As Asia’s world city and a hub for global events, Hong Kong is ready to welcome you with open arms.” She ended her speech by also promoting Hong Kong as a talent hub where ambition meets opportunity to advance studies or build a career.
Beyond the festivities, the event also supported meaningful causes. Proceeds benefited Thomas Houses, a local charity dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities integrate into society and the well-known medical organisation Mercy Ships, as well as other charitable organisations.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury indictment and criminal complaint unsealed today charge 16 defendants who allegedly developed and deployed the DanaBot malware which a Russia-based cybercrime organization controlled and deployed, infecting more than 300,000 victim computers around the world, facilitated fraud and ransomware, and caused at least $50 million in damage.
The defendants include Aleksandr Stepanov, 39, a.k.a. “JimmBee,” and Artem Aleksandrovich Kalinkin, 34, a.k.a. “Onix”, both of Novosibirsk, Russia. Stepanov was charged with conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information, unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, wiretapping, and use of an intercepted communication.
Kalinkin was charged with conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to a computer to obtain information, to gain unauthorized access to a computer to defraud, and to commit unauthorized impairment of a protected computer. Both defendants are believed to be in Russia and are not in custody.
According to the indictment and complaint, DanaBot malware used a variety of methods to infect victim computers, including spam email messages containing malicious attachments or hyperlinks. Victim computers infected with DanaBot malware became part of a botnet (a network of compromised computers), enabling the operators and users of the botnet to remotely control the infected computers in a coordinated manner. The owners and operators of the victim computers are typically unaware of the infection.
The DanaBot malware allegedly operated on a malware-as-a-service model, with the administrators leasing access to the botnet and support tools to client coconspirators for a fee that was typically several thousand dollars a month. The DanaBot malware was multi-featured and had extensive capabilities to exploit victim computers. It could be used to steal data from victim computers, and to hijack banking sessions, steal device information, user browsing histories, stored account credentials, and virtual currency wallet information.
DanaBot also had the capability to provide full remote access to victim computers, to record keystrokes, and record videos showing the activity of users on victim computers. DanaBot has further been used as an initial means of infection for other forms of malware, including ransomware. The DanaBot malware has infected over 300,000 computers around the world, and caused damage estimated to exceed $50 million.
DanaBot administrators operated a second version of the botnet that was used to target victim computers in military, diplomatic, government, and related entities. This version of the botnet recorded all interactions with the computer and sent stolen data to a different server than the fraud-oriented version of DanaBot. This variant was allegedly used to target diplomats, law enforcement personnel, and members of the military in North America, and Europe.
“Pervasive malware like DanaBot harms hundreds of thousands of victims around the world, including sensitive military, diplomatic, and government entities, and causes many millions of dollars in losses,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “The charges and actions announced today demonstrate our commitment to eradicating the largest threats to global cybersecurity and pursuing the most malicious cyber actors, wherever they are located.”
“The enforcement actions announced today, made possible by enduring law enforcement and industry partnerships across the globe, disrupted a significant cyber threat group, who were profiting from the theft of victim data and the targeting of sensitive networks,” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. “The DanaBot malware was a clear threat to the Department of Defense and our partners. DCIS will vigorously defend our infrastructure, personnel, and intellectual property.”
“Today’s announcement represents a significant step forward in the FBI’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle the cyber-criminal ecosystem that wreaks havoc on global digital security,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of our domestic and international law enforcement partners in holding cyber criminals accountable, no matter where they operate.”
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, Kalinkin would face a statutory maximum sentence of 72 years in federal prison, and Stepanov would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
As part of today’s operation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) agents effected seizures and takedowns of DanaBot command and control servers, including dozens of virtual servers hosted in the United States. The U.S. government is now working with partners including the Shadowserver Foundation to notify DanaBot victims and help remediate infections.
These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation Endgame, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling and prosecuting cybercriminal organizations around the world.
Amazon, Crowdstrike, ESET, Flashpoint, Google, Intel 471, Lumen, PayPal, Proofpoint, Team CYMRU, and ZScaler provided valuable assistance.
The investigation into DanaBot was led by the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, working closely with Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), the Netherlands National Police, and the Australian Federal Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting these cases. Assistant United States Attorney James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the forfeiture case.
Source: Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has expressed disappointment that an agreement on GP contracts has not been reached between the Minister for Health and GP representative bodies.
The party’s spokesperson for Health and Chair of the Assembly Health Committee said:
“It is crucial that a speedy and satisfactory resolution is found to ensure the stability of our GP services.
“GPs practices are facing significant pressure which is impacting people’s ability to access GP appointments when they need them.
“The delivery of GP services in communities often prevent people’s health deteriorating and avoid additional pressure on hospital settings.
“They also play a key part of the transformation of health services and the roll out of multidisciplinary teams is something which the Sinn Féin Finance Minister has allocated £61 million towards.
“Sinn Féin will urge the Health Minister to re engage with GPs to find a resolution and to ensure people across the north continue to have access to good quality GP services in their communities now and into the future.”
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
Highland Council has today updated members of the Communities and Place Committee on its Fleet Action Plan supplied to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.
The action plan was developed following an independent audit of the Council’s fleet operations and addresses a number of improvements being made in relation to compliance and control processes and monitoring of heavy goods vehicles.
Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie, said: “Our large fleet plays a key role in service provision for our communities and maintaining a legally safe and compliant fleet of vehicles is essential. I welcome the opportunity to further enhance the fleet operation within Highland Council as we continue to review the way we manage the fleet and look to continuously improve as we move into a completely digital operation.”
Priority items in the action plan included reviewing the structure and process for control and compliance of drivers and licences, increasing team resource and training, improvements in ongoing vehicle monitoring and maintenance check processes and introducing new process efficiencies.
Vice-Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Hugh Morrison, said: “Our improvement plans are significant and show our ambition to be a leading fleet service in Scotland. We aim to restructure the fleet service to enhance resources across the whole operation, invest via the Highland Delivery Plan into new and upgraded depots and workshops, and move to a completely digital operation from drivers checks through to digital inspection forms.”
22 May 2025
Source: Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA, Philip McGuigan has said Health and Social Care workers’ ‘value and appreciation’ must be matched by pay and work conditions.
The Health Committee Chair was speaking after attending a Living Wage NI event today which discussed how a living wage could be introduced in the north’s social care sector.
“The real living wage must be the bare minimum for all workers and Sinn Féin is committed to seeing this delivered across the island,” the North Antrim MLA said.
“This can be seen in Finance Minister John O’Dowd making the Civil Service a Living Wage employer as part of the latest pay deal, while former Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, ensured that the living wage was a requirement for firms attaining government contracts.
“It was enlightening to attend the Living Wage NI event and discuss how a fair wage is not only crucial in recognizing the value of health and care workers but also to attracting more people to the sector.”
Mr. McGuigan said he wanted to see the Health Minister’s commitment to end minimum wages for care workers and make the care sector a Living Wage Sector be progressed urgently.
“A real living wage, and career progression opportunities can only help bring more people into the care profession and encourage those currently employed to stay – benefiting our care workers and improving our health service and importantly patient outcomes.
“Paying the real Living Wage to our care workers is not just good for those workers, but for our economy, our health service and for society as a whole.”
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
The Scottish Government have awarded The Highland Council £450k from the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme for a project to renovate Borrodale School and School House.
The project aims to develop an innovative solution to the renovation which will provide much needed affordable housing, but which also supports the local community, businesses and minimises the carbon footprint both during construction and in use.
Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “This is exactly the type of project the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme should be supporting. The renovation of this derelict school and school house will create 5 or 6 fuel efficient user-friendly housing unit, in an area where affordable housing is very limited.”
The Council will the administer the funding and the project will be delivered by the Communities Housing Trust Communities Housing Scotland (CHT) working with The Glendale Trust.
The project will be a case study to demonstrate how derelict buildings can be refurbished cost effectively, provide significant benefits to the community and much needed housing.
While undertaking the renovation, under existing building regulations, each stage will be analysed to determine improvements that could make renovations a more attractive and cost-effective option.
Councillor Gowans added: “Improvements identified could include changes to regulations and planning status, project efficiencies, energy management, waste management and reduction in environmental impact.
“I wish everyone involved all the very best as they move forward with this exciting transformation project.”
22 May 2025
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
Members of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have today welcomed progress against the Council’s Equality Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report and agreed a revised set of equality outcomes for 2025- 2029.
Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie, said: “The Council’s Equality Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report outlines the steps taken to mainstream equality into the work of the Council and proposes key outcomes for the next four years. Our outcomes must ensure that people are supported to access Council services and that equality is embedded in all our activities and decision making.”
Priorities have included tackling discrimination, reducing barriers to services, developing inclusive approaches, re-establishing Access Panels in all areas of Highland and delivering an engagement and involvement strategy.
The report outlines a number of case studies which illustrate ways in which Highland Council has supported better outcomes for groups more likely to suffer inequality and ensured these groups can influence decisions directly affecting them.
Examples include the formation of a new British Sign Language panel which has been established to give BSL users greater involvement and a Children and Young People’s Participation Strategy, which was agreed in 2024 and co-produced by young people. This strategy sets out a commitment to the meaningful participation of children and young people in decisions which affect them and a route map for achieving this.
Vice-Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Hugh Morrison, said: “We acknowledge that continuous improvement is needed in our equality outcomes to prevent disadvantage and promote equality. By welcoming diversity, promoting fairness and engaging with the most vulnerable in our communities, we will ensure that people can be involved in the decisions that affect them, making Highland a more inclusive, sustainable and successful region.”
Ends
22 May 2025
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Comments to the media by Georgios Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and President of the Security Council for the month of May, on behalf of the Security Council members signatories to the Joint Pledges related to Climate, Peace & Security on Protection of Civilians and Denmark, Guyana, Panama, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and United Kingdom.
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001960/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kostas Papadakis (NI)
The vast majority of school buildings in Greece are in a deplorable condition. 30 % of schools do not comply with any earthquake code at all, and 30 % were built in line with the 1959 code, which is outdated and obsolete. The vast majority of schools are not in line with modern scientific knowledge on earthquake-proofing and protection, leaving pupils and teachers at risk.
Can the Commission therefore answer the following:
Submitted: 15.5.2025
Source: European Parliament
Prevention of international child abduction and the regulation of cross-border issues related to parental responsibility are an essential part of the EU policy to promote the rights of the child and a core feature of EU judicial cooperation, including with third countries.
At EU level, the Brussels IIb Regulation establishes very strict rules concerning the return of the child after abduction[1] which supplement the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in relations between EU Member States.
The regulation, which is directly applicable to Member States, is constantly monitored by the Commission and discussed in the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (EJN-civil) to ensure correct application in the Member States. To date, no complaints have been received on its implementation by France.
The Commission has taken several initiatives to inform and train judges, lawyers and Central Authorities, including via the 2022 practice guide[2] to improve the application of the regulation.
The Hague Convention is subject to the monitoring of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Special Commissions to identify problems and best practices are convened on a regular basis, most recently in 2023[3], and the Commission proactively participates to ensure proper implementation and enforcement.
Source: European Commission
European Commission Press release Brussels, 22 May 2025 Today, Member States endorsed the Commission’s proposal to mobilise €15 million from the agricultural reserve to support farmers in Czechia, Slovenia and Germany affected by adverse weather events and a recent animal disease outbreak.
Source: European Parliament
An Employment and Social Affairs Committee delegation is travelling to Germany’s Ruhr area to visit chemical and steel plants and educational facilities.
Five MEPs from Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee will be in the Ruhr area from 26 to 28 May 2025 to meet with business leaders, trade union representatives and the state government. The delegation will be led by Dennis Radtke (EPP, DE). The other four members of the delegation are:
Interested journalists can accompany the delegation or join the concluding press briefing on 27 May.
On Monday 26 May, MEPs will visit the Chemical Park Marl, one of the largest chemical industry centres in Europe. They will also visit thyssenkrupp Duisburg, an international industrial and technology group.
On Tuesday 27 May, the parliamentarians will meet workers and trade union representatives for a discussion at the Quaz-Ruhr Qualification Centre in Bochum. The delegation will also stop at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), where they will visit the Worldfactory Start-up-Center and Makerspace, both central RUB hubs for start-ups and technology transfer.
In the afternoon, the MEPs will visit DASA − Germany’s largest exhibition on the world of work, where they will have a debate with the North Rhine-Westphalia State Minister for Labour, Health, and Social Affairs, Karl-Josef Laumann.
Press briefing
On Tuesday 27 May, at around 17:30, there will be a press briefing with Dennis Radtke (EPP, DE), the head of the delegation, and State Minister Karl-Josef Laumann at DASA, Working World Exhibit.
For any media questions, or to register for the press briefing, you are kindly advised to get in touch with Parliament’s press officer in Germany, Thilo Kunzemann (email: thilo.kunzemann@europarl.europa.eu; phone: +49 171 388 4775).
Background
Historically, the Ruhr area is well-known across Europe for its production of coal, iron, and steel. Production reached peak levels in the 1950s, when the sector accounted for about 70% of the Ruhr’s total workforce. With decarbonisation, jobs in the sector have since decreased drastically, and the region has shifted from an industry-based economy to one based on services and knowledge. The region is often seen as a successful example of the just transition, having transformed into a major “green hub”.
Source: European Parliament
Housing Committee to discuss housing needs in Barcelona A delegation from the Committee on Housing is travelling to Barcelona to meet local, regional and national governments, economic and social actors and education and research institutions.
Source: NATO
On Thursday 22 May, Major General Christophe Hintzy from France assumed command of NATO Mission Iraq, at a change of command ceremony in Baghdad. He succeeds Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs from the Netherlands, who had been in post since May 2024. The ceremony was attended by Iraqi officials, Ambassadors from Allied and partner countries, NATO officials, and other representatives from the international community in Baghdad.
“For France and for me personally, it is an honour and immense privilege to take over command of the NATO Mission in Iraq, a country often regarded as the cradle of civilization,” Major General Hintzy said. “Together with Iraqi security institutions and Iraqi Security Forces, we share a common goal. Our success will never be an individual success, but rather a collective one to develop tailored and sustainable solutions that will help Iraq as a valued partner for NATO,” he pointed out.
The outgoing commander, Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs, thanked his Iraqi counterparts for their hospitality and excellent cooperation and praised them for their commitment to the cooperation with NATO and to further strengthening the Iraqi security forces and institutions. “To our Iraqi partners — your resilience and leadership inspire us. We have learned much from you, and it has been a privilege to serve alongside you. To our Allies and partners — thank you for investing in Iraq’s future and in our shared security,” he said. “Christophe, I pass this command to you with full confidence. You inherit a team of dedicated professionals and a resilient network of partnerships. I know you will lead with vision and respect for both NATO’s principles and the Iraqi context. This mission is about people — about trust, support, and sovereignty. I know you will carry it forward with the integrity it deserves,” Lieutenant General Schreurs added.
At the NATO Summit in Brussels in July 2018, Allied leaders launched NATO Mission Iraq, following a request and upon invitation from the Government of Iraq. The mission was established in Baghdad, in October 2018. It is a non-combat, advisory, and capacity-building mission that assists Iraq in building more sustainable, transparent, inclusive and effective security institutions and forces, so that they themselves are able to stabilise their country, fight terrorism, and prevent the return of ISIS/Daesh.
All efforts of NATO Mission Iraq are carried out with the consent of the Iraqi government and conducted in full respect of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ahead of the change of command ceremony of NATO Mission Iraq, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Tom Goffus, participated in the second meeting of the High-Level Dialogue for Partnership between NATO and Iraq, held in Baghdad, on 21 May. “This second meeting of the High-Level Dialogue for Partnership, here in Baghdad, is a testimony to our partnership with Iraq and to cementing this dialogue,” he said, adding that “NATO continues to stand prepared to support the Government of Iraq and its security institutions into the future through NATO Mission Iraq.”
The High-Level Dialogue for Partnership between NATO and Iraq was launched in Brussels on 27 August 2024. It provides an additional framework for consultations and exchange of views on issues of mutual interest – including stability across the Middle East.
Source: City of Derby
Derby City Centre has undergone a transformative green makeover thanks to funding from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund.
New planters have been installed around the city centre, giving a fresh and vibrant feel to the area.
Many of the new planters have seating incorporated, which has been designed to be accessible to all visitors. Whether stopping for a quick rest or enjoying the sunshine, people can now experience Derby in a whole new way.
Alongside the new planters, residents will already be familiar with the living roof bus shelters, which continue to be installed around the city. On top of being more visually appealing, these shelters also provide food sources and habitats for a wide variety of pollinating insects.
Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said:
This project marks a real step forward in making Derby a greener, more climate-conscious city. By adding trees, plants, and accessible seating, we’re turning grey spaces into greener, more welcoming areas.
Over the last year I have been holding several events with schools across the city as part of the Derby Promise. Their voices have been clear; make our city greener. I hope that they like the new greening of our city.
These changes not only improve the look and feel of our streets, but also support biodiversity, help tackle air pollution and create a more resilient urban environment for the future.”
These new planters have been installed by Whitehouse on behalf of Derby City Council.
In 2020, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council secured £161m from the Transforming Cities Fund to invest in local transport infrastructure that will improve sustainable transport options, support growth, and encourage more low carbon journeys.
As part of this wider vision, Derby’s city centre streets have been reimagined to provide improved access for road users and pedestrians, improve traffic flow, and reduce emissions. This includes new segregated cycle lanes, wider pavements, and improved traffic signals.
The greenery and seating has been strategically placed where Transforming Cities infrastructure works were completed. These enhancements are not just aesthetic, but are helping to revive Derby’s city centre by creating a more pleasant environment that attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and encourages sustainable travel choices.
The new planters and seating areas are the latest in our plans to make Derby a greener city. Six new pocket parks have recently been installed around Derby, providing an accessible, safe space for citizens to take a break.
The Transforming Cities Fund works support actions in the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan to increase active and sustainable travel, increase biodiversity which in turn improves health and wellbeing whilst supporting the local economy.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
DUBLIN, Ireland, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN – Fusion Fuel Green PLC (Nasdaq: HTOO) (“Fusion Fuel” or the “Company”), a leading provider of full-service energy engineering, advisory, and utility solutions, today announced that its majority-owned operating subsidiary, Al Shola Al Modea Gas Distribution LLC (“Al Shola Gas”), has secured an estimated $2.7 million in new engineering contracts since the beginning of March 2025, and, since the beginning of January 2025, has added more than 1,800 residential service contracts and two commercial service contracts to its portfolio for estimated recurring revenue of more than $0.9 million. The Company also provided an update on Al Shola Gas’ bulk LPG supply.
Overview of New Contracts – Engineering Projects
Since March 2025, Al Shola Gas has signed contracts for design, supply, installation, maintenance, and operations with an estimated total value of approximately $2.7 million.
“The award of these market-leading contracts exemplifies Al Shola Gas’s capability to undertake and execute the industry’s most exemplary and demanding projects. We continue to expand our operations as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) benefits from increased migration and construction sector growth,” added Al Shola Gas, Managing Director, Sanjeeb Safir.
Overview of New Contracts – Residential Utilities
Since the commencement of the current year, Al Shola Gas has signed contracts for the supply and maintenance of LPG utility solutions for over 1,800 new apartments situated in 16 buildings throughout Dubai, UAE. The anticipated annual recurring revenue generated from the new contracts is projected to be approximately $0.9 million. Consequently, with the incorporation of these new contracts, the current billings for utility solutions rendered by Al Shola Gas will increase to encompass over 12,000 customers.
Overview of New Contracts – Commercial Utilities
Furthermore, since the beginning of 2025, Al Shola Gas has signed commercial LPG supply and maintenance contracts for two food and beverage facilities in Dubai. With the addition of these properties, Al Shola Gas now manages monthly billing for over 170 food and beverage outlets.
Overview of Bulk LPG Supply
Bulk LPG supplied by Al Shola Gas to its current customers has consistently exceeded 600 MT monthly. Bulk LPG supply has been organically growing at a rate of 10 to 20 MT per month. With new bobtail trucks purchased and expected to join the Al Shola Gas fleet in the coming months, the company expects to reach 800 MT per month in bulk LPG supply by the end of the year.
“Al Shola Gas continues to deliver impressive operational results and commercial traction,” said John-Paul Backwell, CEO of Fusion Fuel. “These new contracts reflect the market’s trust in our capabilities and contribute meaningful value to our long-term revenue base through project and recurring utility income.”
About Fusion Fuel Green PLC
Fusion Fuel Green PLC (NASDAQ: HTOO) is an emerging leader in the energy services sector, offering a comprehensive suite of energy supply, distribution, and engineering and advisory solutions through its Al Shola Gas and BrightHy brands. Al Shola Gas provides full-service industrial gas solutions, including the design, supply, and maintenance of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems, as well as the transport and distribution of LPG to a broad range of customers across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. BrightHy, the Company’s newly launched hydrogen solutions platform, delivers innovative engineering and advisory services enabling decarbonization across hard-to-abate industries.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target”, “may”, “intend”, “predict”, “should”, “would”, “predict”, “potential”, “seem”, “future”, “outlook” or other similar expressions (or negative versions of such words or expressions) that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Fusion Fuel has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations, are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, those set forth in Fusion Fuel’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2025, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements.
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Source: Scottish Greens
Climate breakdown already costs households in Scotland over £3,000 a year on average.
Climate inaction will cost Scottish households and the economy unless big polluters are made to pay, says Scottish Greens Co-Leader Lorna Slater MSP at First Minister’s Questions.
Research by Global Witness has revealed that the costs of climate breakdown in the UK amount to an estimated £3,000 per household over the course of 2025.
The cost of wildfires, flooding, crop losses, and more, means higher bills for households, such as insurance and everyday essentials, warns Tax Justice UK.
Scottish Greens have long called for a windfall tax on the fossil fuel sector to pay for a Just Transition for North East workers, and to fund urgent climate action.
In the Holyrood chamber, Ms Slater asked the First Minister:
“Your Government has spent the last year ripping up policies designed to tackle the climate emergency. And I know the First Minister knows that delaying action on climate, actually costs a lot more in the long run.
“Analysis from Global Witness shows that climate damage is already costing Scottish households £3,000 every year, on average, while multinational fossil fuel giants are still raking in billions of pounds of profit.
“Unless polluters pay, communities will be worse off and the super rich will keep getting richer.
“So that we can invest more now, not only to save money later, but to create green jobs and opportunities that we know will benefit Scotland, will the First Minister support policies to tax polluters?”
Responding to Ms Slater, the First Minister did not set out any clear examples of climate action or attempts to make polluters pay his government would take.
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
Xinhua | 22.05.2025
Key words: China-France
Source: Xinhua
Lightning: China, France should jointly safeguard international trade rules and world economic order, practice true multilateralism – Xi Jinping Lightning: China, France should jointly safeguard international trade rules and world economic order, practice true multilateralism – Xi Jinping
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
Xinhua | 22.05.2025
Key words: China-France
Source: Xinhua
Flash: Xi Jinping calls on China, France to be reliable forces to uphold international order, open forces to promote global growth, and progressive forces to lead multilateral cooperation Flash: Xi Jinping calls on China, France to be reliable forces to uphold international order, open forces to promote global growth, and progressive forces to lead multilateral cooperation
Source: St Albans City and District
Publication date:
Councillor Paul De Kort has been re-elected Leader of St Albans City and District Council.
He was voted to the role for the second year in succession at the annual meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 21 May.
Cllr De Kort will chair the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee which has responsibility for the budget and other financial issues.
He will also chair the Planning Policy and Climate Committee, which is overseeing the progress of the Local Plan.
Cllr De Kort represents Harpenden East ward and has been a Councillor since 2021. He has previously held several key committee positions including Vice Chair of Resources and Chair of Audit.
He said after the meeting confirmed his appointment:
I am delighted to have been voted Leader again by my fellow Councillors.
During the coming year, we will continue our work on behalf of our residents to make St Albans District an even better place to live and work.
Over the past 12 months, we have completed the construction of Jubilee Square, a landmark development in a sustainable location in the heart of the City. It has provided 30 new social rent homes for people on our housing register and it will also considerably increase footfall in the centre once the commercial space is occupied.
In the year ahead, we are on track to get our Local Plan adopted, a blueprint for the sustainable growth of St Albans District over the next 16 years.
This will allow for 15,000 much-needed new homes as well as £750 million of new infrastructure including new schools, better public transport, locations for 15,000 jobs, green spaces and health facilities.
We will also remain committed to tackling the climate emergency, promoting inclusive communities and ensuring that our leisure facilities remain at a very high level. We have achieved all this despite the challenging financial climate.
The Council meeting also agreed to the appointment of six other Lead Councillors who will each have a wide range of responsibilities. They are:
Councillor Helen Campbell: Deputy Leader, Chair of the Public Realm Committee and Lead for car parking, parks and leisure.
Councillor Terrie Smith: Vice-Chair of the Public Realm Committee and Lead for heritage, waste and recycling.
Councillor Simon Johns: Chair of the Housing and Inclusion Committee and Lead for housing services and homelessness.
Councillor Sarwar Shamsher: Vice-Chair of the Housing and Inclusion Committee and Lead for equality, inclusion and community safety.
Councillor Giles Fry: Vice-Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee and Lead for resources.
Councillor Jacqui Taylor: Vice-Chair of the Planning Policy and Climate Committee and Lead for sustainability, climate and housing delivery.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
Source: City of Plymouth
Plymouth City Council has today published the findings of an independent learning review into the events surrounding the felling of trees on Armada Way in March 2023 — and has committed to a comprehensive action plan to improve how it delivers major projects and engages with residents.
Commissioned by the current administration and led by a panel of independent experts through SOLACE, the review explored how decisions were made, how the project was managed, and how the Council communicated with the public. The panel reviewed extensive documentation, court evidence, and conducted interviews with staff, partners, and residents.
The report offers valuable insights into areas where the Council’s approach did not meet the standards expected — particularly in governance, project management, engagement, and staff wellbeing. It highlights opportunities that were missed and processes that did not function as effectively as they should have.
In response, the Council has reflected and acknowledged that there were weaknesses in the approach to bringing forward the project, many of which had underlying causes. As a result, a detailed action plan has been published outlining how the Council will address the findings and ensure that lessons are fully embraced. This includes strengthening decision-making processes, improving consultation and communication, and introducing a new corporate approach to project management.
Chief Executive Tracey Lee said: “I want to thank David Williams and the panel for their thorough and thoughtful work. We are grateful for the insights the review has provided — even where they are difficult to hear. It’s clear that in some key areas, we came up short of where we needed to be. And for that, we are sorry.
“Every single day, this Council delivers outstanding work. From supporting vulnerable families to delivering major infrastructure, we are making a real difference to people’s lives. The issues highlighted in this report are not reflective of the vast majority of what we do. But they do show us where we need to improve.
“We are committed to being a learning organisation — one that reflects honestly, adapts, and grows from experience. That’s not just important for us as a Council — it’s vital for the people we serve. When we learn, we improve. And when we improve, we deliver better outcomes for our communities.
“But, let me be clear — Plymouth City Council is not anti-tree. In fact, since November, thanks in part to a huge new partnership effort, there are over 35,000 new trees growing and establishing across the city. This has resulted in us being recognised by the Tree Cities of the World programme. But we are also ambitious for Plymouth. We want this city to grow — and that means making difficult decisions.
“This review was about how we made those decisions, and it’s evident that we didn’t always get it right. We are committed to learning from this experience and doing better.”
The Council’s action plan includes:
The report and action plan will be discussed at the Council meeting on 2 June, where the Chair of the Independent Review Panel will present the findings to members.
David Williams, Chair of the Review Panel, said: “This was a complex and sensitive situation. While there were clearly areas where the Council could have done better, what stood out to us was the genuine commitment to the city’s regeneration and the strong community voice advocating for green spaces.
“This review wasn’t about blame. It was about understanding how things unfolded, where opportunities were missed, and how the Council can move forward in a more inclusive and resilient way. We hope the findings support healing, strengthen trust, and help the Council deliver its ambitions with the community alongside them.”
Tracey Lee added: “We are committed to rebuilding trust through transparency and accountability. We won’t always get everything right, but we will always listen, learn, and strive to do the right thing for Plymouth.”
The Council has already begun implementing changes and will report regularly on progress through the Audit and Governance committee process.
You can read the full Independent Learning Review Report and Action Plan on our website.
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
The UK underlines appreciation for the work and added value of the OSCE Mission to Skopje over the last 12 months, particularly in supporting government reforms.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
Firstly, I would like to welcome back Ambassador Wahl to the Permanent Council. Thank you for the work of your team over the last year, and for your comprehensive and engaging report this morning.
The United Kingdom highly appreciates the work and added value of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, and the Mission’s support to government reforms.
The United Kingdom and North Macedonia have developed a strong and supportive bilateral partnership since we established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago. I am delighted that our Prime Minister met with Prime Minister Mickoski during the European Political Community summit last week and announced the new strategic partnership between our two countries. This deepens our mutual commitment to work together on issues of trade and investment, foreign policy, tackling organised crime, infrastructure cooperation and migration.
The UK welcomes the findings of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission that the parliamentary and presidential elections held in North Macedonia last year were competitive and fundamental freedoms were respected, though we note the concerns highlighted over insufficient regulation of the process. We encourage the Government of North Macedonia to continue engagement towards addressing the remaining recommendations in the ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report ahead of municipal elections later this year.
The UK positively notes the OSCE Mission’s achievements over the past 12 months, set out clearly in your Report. We particularly welcome your continued engagement to promote social cohesion and community rights, and your support on criminal justice reform – including work in the last 12 months on judicial independence, promotion of fair trial standards and strengthening cooperation with civil society.
The UK is also pleased to note the Mission’s continued commitment to gender equality – particularly your support for women’s political participation, and your engagement with parliament on the adoption of a new Gender Action Plan for 2025-2027.
Mr Chair, it is vital for the work of all OSCE field operations that participating States agree a Unified Budget for 2025 and beyond. As highlighted in the Report, the continued non-agreement of budgets and the resulting forced subsistence on monthly allotments make it very challenging for field missions to deliver across their mandates and adjust to changing priorities. We urge all participating States to engage constructively with upcoming proposals to resolve the impasse over budgets.
Thank you, Ambassador Wahl. Thank you, Mr Chair.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: First aid and emergency response in focus of OSCE Training of Trainers Course for border guards in Turkmenistan
Participants during a practical exercise with simulation of various injuries and conditions held as part of an OSCE-organized Tactical Medical Training of Trainers Course, Ashgabat, 22 May 2025, OSCE (OSCE) Photo details
An OSCE-organized Tactical Medical Training of Trainers (ToT) Course, took place from 20 to 22 May 2025 in Ashgabat. The course brought together thirty-one participants, including border guards who work in remote areas serving as first responders to emergencies and incidents, and specializing in rescue operations as well as doctors from the Central Hospital for Border Guards.
The course aimed to enhance trainees’ practical skills focusing on tactical medical content, pre-hospital emergency medical care, modern and effective methods of first aid and emergency response. Participants were trained in first aid skills with simulation of various injuries in demanding environmental and emergency conditions complemented by practical training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and procedures for moving patients to the next level of care.
In his address at the opening of the ToT course, John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, said: “There are a number of OSCE Commitments related to border security and management, including those outlined in the “Border Security and Management Concept” adopted by the OSCE Ministerial Council in December 2005.”
“Clearly, the work of the border guards entails specific risks to health and physical safety, since border guards serve in different climatic and geographical conditions at any time of the day.” stressed MacGregor”.
“When you are out of range of immediate medical support and face real risk in remote environments with prolonged time to evacuation, knowing how to respond in the first minutes after an injury can save lives and mitigate the losses.” he added.
The course was facilitated by an international medical expert from Uzbekistan. Applying an experiential learning method, the expert involved trainees in simulation exercises that were carefully tailored to climatic and geographical conditions of the region.
The ToT course was organized within the framework of the Centre’s extrabudgetary project “Strengthening State Border Service Capacities of Turkmenistan” and financially supported by the Government of Germany.
Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice
Press release no.12
PDF version
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the Romanian Police and Romania’s Department for the Fight Against Fraud (DLAF), are hosting European anti-fraud specialists in Bucharest to discuss the use of digital tools to fight fraud against the EU budget. The meeting aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation and improve the detection and investigation of fraud through advanced digital means.
Running from 20-23 May 2025, the Technical Workshop on Digital Anti-Fraud Tools brings together nearly 100 anti-fraud experts from EU Member States, the European Court of Auditors (ECA), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), Eurojust, Europol, and OLAF. The event focuses on building a community of digitally skilled anti-fraud specialists and identifying best practices in anti-fraud detection and investigation in digital environments. It is also aimed at fostering synergies in the development of data-driven tools – including artificial intelligence – to protect European taxpayers’ money.
Additionally, on 22 May 2025, OLAF and the Romanian National Trade Register Office (ONRC) signed a bilateral agreement to facilitate access to national company data for the purpose of anti-fraud investigations. This agreement reflects a shared commitment to ensuring a more effective protection of EU financial interests.
Ville Itälä, OLAF Director-General said: “OLAF is proud to play a leading role in driving the digital transformation of the anti-fraud community, particularly by fostering the development and take-up of digital tools, including artificial intelligence. These innovative tools will significantly strengthen our ability to protect the EU budget.”
Benone Marian Matei, General Inspector of the Romanian Police said: “The Central Unit for Information Analysis reaffirms its commitment to the development and use of advanced analytical tools to support the early identification of fraud patterns and to enhance the protection of European funds.”
Ionuț Bogdan Dințoi, Secretary of State and Head of DLAF said: “DLAF reiterates the good cooperation with OLAF and, as a partner in the protection of EU financial interests, supports OLAF’s efforts to bring together professionals and create a framework for sharing good practices in using and developing digital and AI tools in the anti-fraud domain, specifically to protect Union expenditure.”
Luiza Mardare, ONRC Director-General, commented on the signing of the bilateral agreement with OLAF: “The signing of these protocols is a step towards standard practice and, we hope, an important support for the actions carried out by the European Anti-Fraud Office in protecting the financial interests of the European Union. In this regard, by granting the European Anti-Fraud Office free access to the data held by the Trade Register, we can contribute to the fight against corruption within the European Union.”
OLAF mission, mandate and competences:
OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.
OLAF fulfils its mission by:
• carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
• contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
• developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.
In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
• all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
• some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
• suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.
Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.
For further details:
Pierluigi CATERINO
Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335
Email: olaf-media ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social
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Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Astronomers have observed two distant galaxies – both possessing roughly as many stars as our Milky Way – careening toward each other before their inevitable merger at a time when the universe was about a fifth its current age, a scene resembling two knights charging in a joust.
The galaxies, observed using two Chile-based telescopes, were seen as they existed about 11.4 billion years ago, approximately 2.4 billion years after the Big Bang event that initiated the universe.
At the heart of one of the galaxies resides a quasar, a highly luminous object powered by gas and other material falling into a supermassive black hole. The intense radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum unleashed by the quasar is seen disrupting clouds of gas and dust, known as molecular clouds, in the other galaxy.
It is molecular clouds that give rise to stars. But the effects of the quasar’s radiation turned the clouds in the affected region into “only tiny dense cloudlets that are too small to form stars,” said astrophysicist Sergei Balashev of the Ioffe Institute in Saint Petersburg, Russia, co-lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature.
This is the first time such a phenomenon has been observed, Balashev said.
Stars form by the slow contraction under gravity of these clouds, with small centers taking shape that heat up and become new stars. But the galaxy affected by the quasar’s radiation was left with fewer regions that could serve as such stellar nurseries, undermining its star formation rate.
The interaction between the two galaxies reminded the researchers of a medieval joust.
“Much like jousting knights charging toward one another, these galaxies are rapidly approaching. One of them – the quasar host – emits a powerful beam of radiation that pierces the companion galaxy, like a lance. This radiation ‘wounds’ its ‘opponent’ as it disrupts the gas,” said astronomer and co-lead author Pasquier Noterdaeme of the Paris Institute of Astrophysics in France.
Supermassive black holes are found at the heart of many galaxies, including the Milky Way. The researchers estimated the mass of the one that serves as the engine of the quasar studied in this research at about 200 million times that of our sun.
The intense gravitational strength of the supermassive black hole pulls gas and other material toward it. As this stuff spirals inward at high speed, it heats up due to friction, forming a disk that emits extremely powerful radiation in two opposite directions, called biconical beams.
The ultraviolet light from one of these beams is what played havoc with the gas in the companion galaxy.
This supermassive black hole is much more massive than the one at the center of the Milky Way – called Sagittarius A*, or Sgr A* – which possesses roughly 4 million times the mass of the sun and is located about 26,000 light-years from Earth. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).
The researchers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, to characterize the two galaxies and used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, or VLT, to probe the quasar as well as the gas in the companion galaxy.
The configuration of the galaxies as viewed from the perspective of Earth enabled the researchers to observe the radiation from the quasar passing directly through the companion galaxy.
Most galactic mergers that have been observed by astronomers occurred later in the history of the universe.
“Galaxies are typically found in groups, and gravitational interactions naturally lead to mergers over cosmic time,” Noterdaeme said. “In line with current understanding, these two galaxies will eventually coalesce into a single larger galaxy. The quasar will fade as it exhausts the available fuel.”
(Reuters)
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Teachers in England set to receive a 4% pay award from September.
Teachers will receive a 4% pay boost from September, after the Education Secretary accepted the teachers’ pay body recommendation in full today (22 May) marking a major step toward delivering 6,500 teachers by the end of Parliament.
The independent School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) recommended a pay award of 4% for 2025/26 academic year, building on the 5.5% pay award made last year.
Like the rest of the public sector, schools will need to play their part in getting maximum value from every pound of public money. Schools will be expected to find the first 1% of the pay award through improved productivity and smarter spending with the government providing significant additional investment of £615 million. Many schools are already making savings and driving costs down including the 400 schools who took part in the department’s new energy deal which will save them 36% on average.
The government has also taken tough but fair choices to afford the above inflation pay award – ending tax breaks for private schools, as well as programmes offering poor value for money and driving efficiency through boosting digital capability, so every pound is spent on driving high and rising standards for our children.
The pay boost builds on the work already underway to deliver on the government’s commitment as part of its Plan for Change to drive high and rising standards for every child, in every school. This includes a stronger accountability system through reforms to Ofsted inspection, new regional improvement teams to tackle poorly performing schools, and a new, rich and broad curriculum so pupils are set up for life, work and the future.
£160 million will also be provided to colleges and providers of 16-19 education. The cash will help them to address immediate priorities, including recruiting and retaining expert teachers in subject areas such as construction and manufacturing so more young people gain the skills needed to drive economic growth and deliver the workforce which businesses and public services need.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
Teachers have been overstretched and undervalued for far too long but from my first day in office, I have made it my priority to back them so that teaching is restored as the highly valued profession it should be.
This pay award for schools backed by major investment alongside funding for further education is in recognition of the crucial role teachers play in breaking the link between background and success and will support schools and colleges to invest in the workforce they need, so every young person achieves and thrives.
As part of our Plan for Change, we are already seeing green shoots, with two thousand more secondary school teachers training this year than last and more teachers forecasted to stay in the profession.
Through its Plan for Change the government is determined to ensure there are more expert teachers in front of classrooms, so every child and young person has access to an excellent education.
Hundreds of millions of pounds are also being invested to offer tax free financial incentives and professional development to attract and keep the best and brightest teachers across the country, alongside targeted action to improve teachers’ workload and wellbeing.
There are encouraging signs that this is working with two thousand more secondary school teachers training this year than last, a 25% increase in the number of people accepting teacher training places in STEM subjects, and more teachers forecasted to stay in the profession.
Alongside the significant investment announced today the government has been clear that it will support leaders to get best value from their funding including by offering schools a suite of productivity initiatives to help them slash the costs on things like energy, banking and recruitment so every penny is invested on delivering opportunities for young people.
Through its landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the government is also legislating so every parent can be confident of a core high quality education offer for their child – ensuring that all children learn from a cutting-edge curriculum and are taught by an excellent qualified teacher.
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