A man arrested in connection with a series of arson attacks in north London has been charged.
Roman Lavrynovych 21 (06.02.04), of Sydenham, a Ukrainian national has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
The charges, which were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, relate to three incidents – a vehicle fire in NW5 on 8 May, a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on 11 May and a fire at a residential address in NW5 in the early hours of 12 May.
Due to the property having previous connections with a high-profile public figure, officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command have led the investigation into the fires.
Lavrynovych was arrested in the early hours of 13 May and has remained in custody after warrants of further detention were obtained.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May.
Reuse Network member ILM Highland, in partnership with The Highland Council, proudly launched a new Household Electrical Recycling Collection Service with a community event in Fort Augustus held on Friday 2nd May.
The launch marked the beginning of a new monthly collection service aimed at helping residents across Highland communities recycle unwanted electrical items—whether working or broken. The new service covers Fort Augustus, Caol, Kinlochleven, Mallaig, Kingussie, Golspie, Melvich & Bettyhill, Kinlochbervie, Aultbea, Kyleakin, Lochcarron, Raasay & Sconser.
The Highland Council and ILM Highland have been awarded £135,000 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund (Small Grant Scheme) to increase circular economy practices for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) across the region.
This includes the introduction of the new electrical and electronic equipment collection service and new facilities at 4 Household Waste Recycling Centres which will be available in the coming weeks, for the separation of domestic appliances which are suitable for reuse.
The funding includes the purchase of a new van which will be utilised by ILM Highland to provide the monthly collection of WEEE in communities which have limited access to Household Waste Recycling Centres, to help increase the recycling and reuse of this type of waste.
David Gunn, Manager (Recycling Improvement Fund) Operations at Zero Waste Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to see recycling and reuse being made more accessible to rural communities through this new service. By supporting households across the Highlands to recycle their electrical items – whether broken or in working order, this initiative is not only helping to reduce waste but also playing a vital role in Scotland’s journey towards a more circular economy.”
The event was held at the Village Hall car park, where members of the public joined representatives from ILM Highland and Highland Council for a photo opportunity and live demonstration of the collection service.
Residents are encouraged to bring any electrical item with a plug, cable, or household battery. While most small and large appliances are accepted, vapes and disposable/rechargeable vape devices could not be collected. Lithium batteries in power tools, however, are accepted.
Martin Macleod, CEO at ILM Highland said: “This initiative represents our continued commitment to reducing waste and supporting our communities. We’re grateful to Highland Council for their partnership and to the residents of Fort Augustus for such a warm welcome.”
All reusable items collected will be earmarked for repair and resale, while remaining components will be responsibly recycled—supporting ILM Highland’s mission as a social enterprise reinvesting profits into community support and home improvement services for vulnerable residents.
Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee, said: “I am delighted that The Highland Council and ILM Highland have been successful in securing the funding from the Scottish Government to help improve the recycling facilities in Highland. Electrical and electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world, and recent research shows that the Highland region, produces the most e-waste per capita than anywhere else in Europe. Increasing the opportunities for the public to recycle and reuse e-waste has significant environmental and social benefits that help to reduce carbon emissions, preserve precious metals found in all kinds of tech and helping to create jobs within Highland.”
Details of the new WEEE collection service are available on the Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk/recycle.
Councillors have approved a progress report on Highland Council’s Operational Delivery Plan for 2024/25 which provides a planned approach to transforming Highland communities by bringing major sources of investment to the area and new ways of delivering services.
The report noted positive feedback from Audit Scotland on progress made since 2020, including plans in place to support priorities and an embedded culture of transformation.
Transformation projects within the Delivery Plan aimed to make savings of £27.6m in 2024/25, for example, by changing procurement processes, generating income from tourism, and reducing numbers of senior managers. The report forecasts that 95% of savings will have been delivered, excluding Adult Social Care, where earmarked reserves have been used to frontload the transformation of the service.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “I welcome this report which shows the progress being made as directed by our Future Highland Programme bringing changes in services to benefit communities across Highland. A focus on driving external investment has already seen successes such as £17.5 million investment for home energy efficiency.
“The report also reflects the positive comments in the recent Audit Scotland report about the ways in which Highland Council is taking steps to transform its delivery of services.”
Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban added: “Members have had the opportunity to discuss the Delivery Plan report which is vital to ensure that the Council’s ambitious plans are robustly scrutinised to keep project delivery on track. Innovative approaches to income generation such as the Storr Centre are paying off for people in Highland.”
Chair of Corporate Resources Committee, Cllr Derek Louden said: “Long term financial stability, sustainable service delivery and affordability is what we are aiming to achieve to enable continuous improvements to service delivery for Highland. This report is a positive step in the right direction, highlighting the importance of good value systems and processes such as in procurement, where savings of hundreds of thousands of pounds have been delivered.”
The report also highlighted how staff have been kept informed and involved, with 97% agreeing that a roadshow programme for staff set the Council’s vision for the future; 96% that it clearly articulated opportunities; and 78% that they could see the benefits for communities from the Council’s Delivery Plan.
The delivery plan shows how Highland Council intends to transform over time, with a focus on six development areas incorporated into the following portfolios:
Highland Councillors have considered £756m investment across Highland communities over the next 5 years when they discussed an updated report on the consolidated Highland Investment Plan (HIP) at a meeting of The Highland Council today Thursday 15 May.
Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: “The consolidated programme which was presented to Members is part of a longer-term strategy for the Highland Investment Plan which creates a potential £2.1bn of capital investment over a twenty-year period.
“Councillors agreed that officers progress actions to ensure the HIP programme is managed within the overall funding as described in the report.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “The Highland Investment Plan is creating a new generation of community based facilities known as Points of Delivery or PODs. In addition to schools and community facilities the HIP also aims to provide investment for transport and roads, depots and offices. People will start to see a real difference in their communities over the coming five years as these projects are rolled out.”
The first phase of agreed HIP projects includes investment in Beauly, Charleston, Dingwall, Dunvegan, Fortrose, Inverness High and Thurso schools.
The consolidated HIP report reflects decisions made by the Council over the past year on capital project priorities and budgets, and the HIP will continue to operate within agreed funding and affordability. The full report can be found here (Item 4).
More information on the Highland Investment Plan can be found on the Council’s website:
Members of The Highland Council have noted the feedback received during phase 1 of the Community Council Scheme Review 2024-25 public consultation and have agreed to proceed to a second and final consultation.
Members also agreed an amendment from the Nairnshire Area Committee members to amend the “Review of the Highland Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils 2024/25 – Phase 1 Feedback” 2.1(ii) to add an additional bullet point:
The proposals for East Nairnshire CC as set out in 7.3 and Appendix 2 to proceed to phase 2 consultation.
The consultation will focus on revised and new boundary proposals, amendments to existing Scheme proposals, and new proposals.
The Council has made a commitment to review the Scheme on a regular cycle.
Feedback was received on boundary proposals, finance, the role of Community Councils, membership, and elections.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “During the first consultation period we received 96 responses from individuals, Community Councils and individual Community Council members so I’d like to thank everyone for their input into the process.”
Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban added: “We are now ready to move forward and the proposals we are consulting on in this next phase have all come following feedback directly from the first phase of public consultation.”
A 12-week public consultation will run from 22 May until 13 August 2025.
Following this, a further report will go to a special meeting of The Highland Council on 18 September at which Members will make a final decision to approve a New Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
By Jiang Chenglong
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Wednesday laid out six proposals to support the reform and transformation of United Nations peacekeeping operations, reaffirming China’s long-standing commitment to multilateral security cooperation.
Speaking at the 6th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, Dong said peacekeeping missions offer peace and hope to people suffering in conflict zones. His remarks were released Thursday by China’s Ministry of National Defense.
China “steadfastly promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind,” Dong said, adding that the country remains a firm supporter and constructive contributor to UN peacekeeping.
Dong’s six-point proposal included advancing the Global Security Initiative through unity, cooperation and mutual benefit in addressing international security challenges. He also called for firm support for the UN’s central role in global peace and security.
Additional proposals included enhancing training for peacekeeping professionals, organizing high-level strategic seminars, expanding training sessions, and improving the readiness and capabilities of China’s peacekeeping standby forces.
On the sidelines of the conference, Dong met with senior UN officials as well as defense leaders from France, Germany, Italy and Nepal.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
BEIJING, May 15 — The Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun, who is currently on a visit to Germany at invitation, held talks with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, on May 15.
The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the relations between the two countries and the two militaries, international and regional situations as well as issues of common concern, and reached a consensus on strengthening practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries.
MINNEAPOLIS, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aleran Software announced today that its digital commerce platform is now certified by SAP® as built with SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), SAP’s platform for the Intelligent Enterprise.
Aleran helps mid-market B2B manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors quickly and easily orchestrate omni-channel B2B sales and commerce. It does this with an AI-fueled holistic commerce platform that simplifies complex product configuration and pricing by delivering customer portals, B2B eCommerce, end-to-end sales order management, and AI-powered catalog embedded buying – all with minimal IT support.
“Discrete manufacturers often believe their products, pricing, or go-to-market models are too complex for online selling. In fact, it’s surprisingly easy to do,” said Aleran CEO Alex Sayyah. “We’ve focused on making it easy to implement our cloud-based platform with minimal IT, and easy for customers to find, price and buy what they need so your sales and channel partners can focus on creating sustainable, value-driven customer relationships.”
Aleran’s cloud-based platform is available on the SAP Store and is purpose-built to support make-to-stock, make-to-order and engineer-to-order companies that have complex product, pricing or sales processes. Key capabilities include:
Automated native configuration, order, quote management, and pricing functionality designed to accelerate the sales process.
Customer portals for self-service ordering and re-ordering and viewing and managing quotes and invoices, lowering the cost of sales.
Simplified and improved customer experience with AI Sales Agent and catalog-embedded buying.
One global industrial and mechatronic manufacturing company with over $1 billion in sales was able to increase its average customer spend by 20% and decrease sales operations costs by over 50% by adding Aleran’s digital commerce platform to complement its traditional sales processes.
SAP Integration and Certification Center (SAP ICC) has certified that Aleran’s digital commerce platform is built with SAP BTP, extending the capabilities of SAP S/4HANA® to orchestrate omni-channel sales through tailored B2B e-commerce features. SAP BTP helps companies connect and integrate their business processes and data with SAP and third-party applications to make well-informed decisions and meet their evolving needs.
About Aleran
Aleran Software provides the first holistic, all-in-one commerce platform purpose-built for discrete manufacturing, industrial distributors and wholesalers. Aleran’s connected commerce platform helps manufacturers simplify, unify, and accelerate sales online, offline and everywhere they sell. Based in Minneapolis, Aleran empowers manufacturers with the ability to sell easily, efficiently, and economically by seamlessly integrating with core business technology, including ERP, CRM, and WMS systems, while also streamlining and digitizing the entire sales process. Aleran’s full suite of features enables manufacturers to easily create e-commerce buying experiences for individual customers at scale, launch personalized pricing and promotion, leverage AI-enabled suggested selling, automate configurable pricing and quoting and much more. Learn more about Aleran at www.aleran.com.
SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
Last July, a powerful student-led uprising in Bangladesh toppled the authoritarian, corrupt government led for 15 years by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh now shows modest signs of democratic recovery. Months into its tenure, a transitional government has reopened political and civic space, especially at universities, and begun reforming key state bodies.
Yet, violence and political retribution persist. This week, the interim government banned Hasina’s former party, the Awami League, under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act while a tribunal investigates its role in the deaths of hundreds of protesters last year.
Amid this fragile transition, interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel-prize winning economist, has emerged as a rare figure of trust and calm. His popularity is so high, in fact, many are calling for him to remain at the helm for another five years.
Given the uncertainty, Bangladesh faces some uncomfortable questions: can it afford electoral democracy right now? Or must stability come first, with democracy postponed until institutions can catch up?
And what happens if emergency governance becomes the new normal?
Fraught road to democratic renewal
According to a global democracy report, Bangladesh is still classified as an “electoral autocracy” — one of the few in the category that actually got worse in 2024.
The opposition, chiefly the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), has mounted a fierce challenge to the interim government’s legitimacy, arguing it lacks a democratic mandate to implement meaningful reforms.
While the BNP and its former ally, the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, may appeal to segments of Bangladesh’s Muslim majority, their support is undermined by reputational baggage and limited resonance with younger voters.
At the same time, radical, right-wing, Islamist forces are exploiting the vacuum to reassert themselves, exacerbating tensions between Muslims and the Hindu minority.
Economically, the country is also still reeling from the damage done under Hasina’s regime.
Corruption hollowed out the banking system, leaving key institutions almost bankrupt. Although Yunus has taken steps to stabilise the economy by bringing in competent officials, uncertainty continues to dampen investor confidence.
Inflation remains high. And unless job creation accelerates, especially for the youth, the seeds of further unrest are already planted.
In addition, law and order has deteriorated sharply. The country’s police force has been tainted by its association with the Alami League, and the former police chief is facing charges of crimes against humanity.
Street crime is rising and minorities are experiencing growing harassment. Women feel deeply unsafe — both online and on the streets. Some parties are also seen as a threat to countering violence against women.
Despite strong laws on paper, weak law enforcement and victim-blaming are allowing violence to flourish. It’s very difficult to hold perpetrators of crimes to account.
Bangladesh is also increasingly isolated on the global stage.
India, long allied to Hasina’s government, has turned its back on the interim government. The United States is disengaging, as well. USAID had committed nearly US$1 billion (A$1.6 billion) from 2021–26 to help improve the lives of Bangladeshis, but this funding has now been suspended.
Some gains on civil liberties
This year, Bangladesh improved slightly in Freedom House’s index on political freedoms and civil liberties, from a score of 40 points out of 100 last year to 45. This is a step in the right direction.
Among the improvements in the past year, the government has:
and committed to major judicial reforms to increase accountability.
The appointment of new election commissioners and the creation of advisory commissions for judicial and anti-corruption reform also signal an institutional reset in motion.
But gains remain fragile. While politically motivated cases against opposition figures have been dropped, new ones have emerged against former ruling elites. The military’s policing role has expanded and harassment of Awami League supporters by protesters persists.
In this fractured environment, urgent reforms are needed. But these need to be sustainable, as well. Whether the interim government has the time, authority or support to deliver them remains in doubt. The government also needs to deliver on its promise to hold free and fair elections.
A new party on the rise
The country’s politically engaged youth have not been dissuaded by these issues. Rather, they are trying to reshape the political landscape.
The new National Citizen Party (NCP) was formed in early 2025 by leaders of last year’s student uprising. It has positioned itself as the party to bring a “second republic” to Bangladesh. Drawing from historical models from France and the US, the party envisions a new elected, constituent assembly and constitution.
With organisational support and tacit backing from the interim government, the NCP has rapidly grown into a viable political force.
Still, the party faces a steep, uphill climb. Its broad, ideological umbrella risks diluting its message, blurring its distinctions with the BNP.
For the NCP to turn protests into policy, it must sharpen its identity, consolidate its base, and avoid being co-opted or outflanked.
Whether this moment of political flux leads to real transformation or yet another cycle of disillusionment will depend on how boldly — and how sustainably— the interim government and new actors like the NCP act. And they must not draw out the process of transition for too long.
Intifar Chowdhury does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Change of Governor of the Falkland Islands: Colin Martin-Reynolds
Mr Colin Martin-Reynolds CMG has been appointed Governor of the Falkland Islands and His Majesty’s Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in succession to Ms Alison Blake CMG. Mr Martin-Reynolds will take up his appointment during July 2025.
Curriculum vitae
Full name: Colin Martin-Reynolds
Date
Role
2023 to 2025
FCDO, Director, Organisational Improvement
2022 to 2023
FCDO, Director, Covid-19 Inquiry Unit
2019 to 2022
Bogota, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2018
Pre-posting training (including Spanish language training)
A serving officer has been convicted of assaulting a man suffering a mental health crisis after he sprayed him with PAVA and stuck him 14 times with a baton while he was already restrained.
PC Rhys Walmer, attached to the East Area Basic Command Unit, was convicted on Thursday, 15 May of causing assault by beating and administering a noxious substance (PAVA) with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
He will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, 14 July.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, in charge of policing for the East Area Basic Command Unit, said: “The level of force used by PC Walmer was not proportionate or necessary and his actions have been subject to proper scrutiny and accountability through the legal process.
“I would like to thank the hospital staff for quite rightly raising their concerns with the officer’s supervisor. All officers must be held account for their actions, especially when it comes to use of force. Those found to be using excessive use of force, like PC Walmer, will be brought to justice.”
The court heard that on 3 August 2022, officers from the East Area Basic Command Unit were on hospital guard at an east London hospital for a man who had been arrested and subsequently sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
He was at hospital awaiting an assessment and had been placed in handcuffs, limb restraints and a spit guard.
The victim appeared to be resisting officers and as he attempted to stand up, Walmer deployed his PAVA into his face.
As officers continued to restrain the victim, Walmer delivered a total of 14 strikes with his baton to his right arm and leg – despite the victim already being restrained by three officers and being in limb restraints, handcuffs and a spit guard.
Due to the level of force used by Walmer, hospital staff raised their concerns with a police supervisor. They carried out enquiries and the incident was passed to the local Policing Standard Unit, which referred it to the Directorate of Professional Standards.
Following a thorough investigation, Walmer was charged by postal requisition on 21 June 2024 and was convicted as above.
Walmer was placed on restricted duties in November 2022.
Now that criminal proceedings have taken place, Walmer will face a misconduct hearing at the earliest opportunity.
Headline: Making learning more accessible with Microsoft Education
For GAAD 2025, explore how Microsoft accessibility tools enhance education, creating inclusive and engaging classrooms where every student can thrive.
Accessibility tools for learning play a significant role in student success, helping all students fully engage with what’s happening in class and beyond. By providing access to content that might otherwise be difficult to access, these tools help to create a more inclusive classroom where everyone can feel understood, valued, and supported for their unique strengths. Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2025, celebrated on May 15, reminds us that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Every student—whether they have a permanent disability, a temporary challenge like a broken hand, a situational disability such as difficulty reading in bright sunlight, or simply needs extra support with reading or writing—can benefit from greater accessibility to digital tools to support their learning experience. At Microsoft, we believe accessibility isn’t just a feature—it’s a foundation for empowering all students and educators to reach their full potential. Built-in accessibility features across Microsoft software and hardware can amplify everyone’s success, regardless of learning differences or physical abilities. Explore Microsoft accessibility tools and see how you can make learning more inclusive, engaging, and equitable for your school community.
Building an inclusive learning environment
Every student’s learning needs are unique. Some may have a disability, while others might be learning English, recovering from an injury, or trying to focus in a noisy home environment. Microsoft accessibility tools are designed to empower every student to engage independently and confidently in their learning. These tools come with built-in accessibility features, eliminating the need for extra downloads or stigmatizing third-party applications. Students get the help they need, right when they need it.
Get started with Microsoft accessibility tools today and learn how to create a more inclusive classroom experience with professional learning from Microsoft Learn.
Start the accessibility training module
Immersive Reader
Available in Microsoft products like Reading Coach and Microsoft Edge, Immersive Reader can help students improve reading comprehension, while also supporting learning differences. Students can use line focus to concentrate on one part of the text at a time. They can break words into syllables, adjust font size, and increase line, word, and letter spacing to reduce visual crowding to improve readability. For educators in Kent School District in Washington, US, using Immersive Reader helps make sure that all students are empowered to share their voices and participate.
I think when we’ve got kids that need different support mechanisms to learn, the Microsoft assisted learning tools become really, really vital. Last year, I had a student that had dysgraphia and dyslexia and so being able to listen to the audio was necessary and the Immersive Reader was essential for the success of this student.
Amber Raftery, sixth-grade teacher, Kent School District, US
As teacher-librarian and technology integration specialist Amber Gonzalez shares, the power of Microsoft 365 is that accessibility and assistive learning features like Immersive Reader are just one click away—helping to make it easy for every student to get the support they need, when they need it.
Reading Coach
Reading Coach is a free, standalone Learning Accelerator that uses AI-powered stories and personalized practice to help students improve their reading fluency. Used by half a million learners in over 190 countries worldwide, Reading Coach can help make reading more engaging and accessible with built-in tools like Immersive Reader, providing an opportunity for students to boost their potential and confidence. Educators can also suggest reading practices and track student progress with new educator features in Reading Coach.
After three weeks of Reading Coach, we saw students gain one reading level—sometimes even one and a half. Some jumped two levels in just six weeks. And nearly half the class reached their expected reading level.
Kris Vande Moortel, former teacher and Microsoft education advisor, Belgium
Get started with Reading Coach
Reading Coach with AI-powered stories helps students take charge of their learning and push themselves further by providing individualized support. Some teachers are seeing remarkable progress in a fraction of the time—giving them more opportunities for one-on-one attention where it’s needed.
Microsoft Translator
Translator offers real-time translation of text and speech in over 60 languages, helping to make communication easier for students, parents, and caregivers who speak different languages. For educators in Texas City Independent School District, the embedded support of Translator in Word and mobile devices helps ensure that multilingual students have assistance when they encounter an unfamiliar word.
We found that Microsoft Translator is key to enabling English as a second language (ESL) students to keep up and to learn along with the rest of the class. When they are hung up on a word or a phrase or want to learn how to say something in English, they can transition back to their native language and use Translator to quickly contextualize in English.
Hope Smalley-Jackson, business teacher, Texas City Independent School District, US
Students can use Translator at school, home, or whenever they need language support. It can help bridge communication gaps, supporting accessible classroom learning with cross-language understanding and even multilingual casual conversations to help students and families.
Additional tools
If typing is tough—whether due to learning challenges, a temporary issue like a broken arm, or even fatigue—students can use dictation to turn speech into text effortlessly. Tools like live captions also help by converting speech to text or translating languages in PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams meetings, providing support for people with hearing disabilities, auditory processing disorders, or language needs. Plus, live captions fully supports multiple languages, making content accessible for multilingual speakers, too.
Support accessibility with AI
Additionally, AI-powered tools can help you address specific student needs. For instance, a 2024 study commissioned by Microsoft from professional services firm EY highlights how AI can help address the specific challenges faced by employees who are neurodivergent or living with a disability. The study found that Microsoft 365 Copilot helped:
Remove barriers that arise like drafting communication and organizing thoughts.
Reclaim time and energy by simplifying tasks like summarizing and proofreading.
Boost confidence and sense of inclusion by enhancing performance and work quality.
While the study focused on workplace settings, the insights can be applied to educational environments. Just as AI tools can support diverse employee needs, they can also be instrumental in addressing diverse learning needs. Copilot helps educators personalize instruction, making it easier to tailor lessons to individual student requirements. Educators in Northern Ireland saw this firsthand when the Education Authority of Northern Ireland (EANI) adopted Copilot.
EANI initially rolled out AI-powered learning tools on a small scale, selecting key innovative educators to pilot the free version of Copilot Chat in their classrooms. They also introduced training sessions focused on effective prompt writing, showcasing Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities. Educators quickly discovered the practical benefits of upgrading to Microsoft 365 Copilot for tasks like creating PowerPoint presentations, generating questions in Microsoft Forms, and developing differentiated classroom resources. The substantial time savings and enhanced ability to meet diverse student needs drove widespread staff adoption and growing enthusiasm.
Try Copilot Chat
Make your classroom more inclusive by using AI to differentiate materials for students. Try using the dedicated IEP assistant tool in Khanmigo for Teachers or use Copilot Chat and your own prompts and files to help you draft parts of an individualized education program (IEP).
For Copilot Chat, be sure to sign in with your school’s Microsoft account to ensure your data is protected, then copy and paste this prompt:
You are a special education teacher drafting an IEP for a [grade level] student who [describe student’s needs]. Write a goal for [area/topic] that is specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and time bound.
Whether you’re exploring AI, excited to try Reading Coach, or looking to make your classroom more inclusive with tools like Immersive Reader and Translator, GAAD 2025 is the perfect time to dive in. Get started and explore Microsoft accessibility tools to help every student thrive.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine looks at a new CRISPR gene therapy for children with a rare genetic disease.
Dr Alena Pance, Senior Lecturer in Genetics, University of Hertfordshire, said:
“The authors searched thoroughly for off-target effects because this would seriously jeopardise the use of the approach in therapy. However, as far as the document I could see goes, there is no attempt to assess the cell type targeting efficacy, meaning whether the genetic tools (CRISPR and guide RNA) are reaching hepatocytes and what percentage or proportion of these cells are being corrected. This is very important because this will determine the level of physiological improvement of the disease hence also the value of the intervention.
“CRISPR-based therapy has been used to correct genetic diseases before as the authors mention in their introduction. The best example is the recently approved therapy for sickle cell disease. The approach used in that case, as well as the one in development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is different though in the sense that sickle cell anaemia is overcome by using CRISPR tools to de-silence a foetal globin gene that leads to functional haemoglobin. This is done outside the body using Haematopoietic stem cells which give rise to all cell types in the blood, these cells are obtained from the patient, modified and then put back to re-populate the bone marrow, so in this way full correction can be achieved. The DMD approach consists in using CRISPR to cause skipping of the portion of the dystrophin gene that has the most frequent mutations in it. These mutations lead to deficiency in dystrophin expression by generating a stop signal so the protein isn’t made, so by making the machinery ‘hope over’ this region, a smaller but functional dystrophin is made thereby restoring muscle mass and function. In this case, the therapy is administered intravenously and though not all the muscle cells are corrected, and the proportion varies, it is sufficient for a significant restoration to make a physiological difference. Many different cell types will be targeted but as only muscle cells produce dystrophin, it doesn’t really matter.
“In the case of CPS1, the therapy consists in substituting a nucleotide for the correct one, so this is a highly precise corrective change. As opposed to the two examples described which can be applied to a variety of mutations causing the same disease, the approach in the paper is applicable to the one specific nucleotide change or in other words this specific form of the disease. The paper explains that the patient has in fact two different mutations affecting each of the genes from their father and their mother, only one, the paternal mutation, is targeted. The approach is applicable to any disease caused by a single nucleotide change, however more often than not, diseases are caused by a variety of variants so perhaps more general strategies could be more effective than very precise ones. It will depend on how accurate the general vs specific options can be in terms of targeting the right cell types and DNA sequences.”
Comments provided by our friends at the Spanish SMC:
Dr Miguel Ángel Moreno-Mateos, Tenured scientist CSIC & PI, Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology, CSIC-Pablo de Olavide University, said:
“Since the emergence of CRISPR-Cas technology, progress has been made to develop a variety of tools that have the potential to contribute to the cure of many genetic diseases. This work demonstrates how, by detecting a specific congenital disease in the first days after birth, a robust protocol can be implemented with the ultimate goal of curing, at least partially, a patient with a particular genetic alteration that causes a rare disease. This protocol contains several steps, including i) characterization of the mutation or mutations that cause the disease, ii) design and comparison of the efficiency of various CRISPR-Cas approaches, which in this case are based on base editing and include various Cas proteins with different DNA recognition capabilities, iii) genetic and physiological safety testing of CRISPR-Cas reagents and lipid nanoparticle-based complexes both in vivo and in vitro, and iv) finally, targeted treatment in the patient’s liver in two doses seven months after birth, following approval by the relevant agencies.
“Although this has been a very specific approach, partly motivated by the devastating nature of the disease, it represents a milestone that demonstrates that these therapies are now a reality. In any case, as the article reports, the patient will be monitored for a long time to ensure his well-being and determine whether additional doses are needed to further improve the symptoms of the disease.
“On the other hand, given the risk involved and as the article itself acknowledges, the percentage of gene editing in the patient himself and any possible unwanted edits have not been evaluated, although they were determined in in vivo and in vitro studies. However, based on the physiological results, everything indicates that, at least so far, the therapy has been successful and has significantly improved the patient’s quality of life.
“In summary, this work is proof of principle for a rapid and effective protocol for CRISPR-Cas therapies for the cure of human diseases in general and so-called rare diseases in particular, opening the door to other similar treatments in the near future.”
Prof Marc Güell, coordinator of the Translational Synthetic Biology research group and full professor at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), said:
Is the study of good quality?
“It seems to me to be a study of the highest quality and totally extraordinary. In fact, I was deeply moved to read it. It reflects the great potential of gene editing for therapeutic purposes. The researchers and clinical team have done a very thoughtful design with all the precautionary steps that the situation allows: characterisation of mutations, design of editors to correct, measurement of efficiency and off-target [unwanted effects], as well as testing the reagents in cell and animal models. Extraordinary work in record time.”
How does this work fit with the existing evidence?
“Great proof of concept that it is not impossible to treat very rare diseases at the individual level.”
Are there any major limitations to be taken into account?
“We will have to characterise the precision gene editing process in the future (patient safety permitting). For now, it has been possible to measure the positive clinical effects, but for patient safety reasons it has not been possible to obtain liver tissue to characterise the efficiency of gene editing.
“It’s a great demonstration, but it’s also worth noting that this correction has been done in the liver; other tissues are much more difficult to gene edit, for now.”
What are the implications for the real world?
“Individualised, tailor-made therapies for a single patient are no longer a dream. Obviously, the process followed is of very high complexity and will require a lot of work to see how to scale it up and expand it to other cases. In any case, this work sheds a lot of light on the future.”
Prof Gemma Marfany, Professor of Genetics at the University of Barcelona (UB) and CIBERER member, said:
“This is the first case of a fully customised therapy, for a single baby (what is called ‘n of 1 therapy’), treated in vivo with a base-editing therapy for a very severe ultrarare disease. The disease causes the accumulation of ammonium, which is highly toxic to neurons and can lead to death in the first months of life. With the help of several leading biotech companies, a novel and very precise strategy has been designed to uniquely modify the mutated nucleotide in the gene to reverse the effect, and instead of a truncated protein, produce the complete protein. In addition, instead of using therapeutic viruses, lipid particles have been used to deliver the gene-editing system to the liver, in three doses within weeks of each other, avoiding an unwanted immune response and achieving remission of the most dangerous symptoms, reducing palliative medication and allowing incorporation of a normal diet.
“It is truly a unique case, a successful proof of concept, designed and applied in record time, in which researchers and clinicians have not skipped a single preclinical step, as they have generated human cellular models and also a humanised mouse model with the patient’s mutation to test the safety of the dose and the efficiency of the therapeutic strategy. In addition, they have had all the approvals from the relevant bioethics committees. It seems to me to be a scientific ‘miracle’ that has made it possible to cure a very rare severe disease, and provides knowledge to treat many other diseases.”
‘Patient-Specific In Vivo Gene Editing to Treat a Rare Genetic Disease’ by K. Musunuru et al. was published in The New England Journal of Medicineat 18:00 UK time on Thursday 15 May 2025.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2504747
Declared interests
Dr Miguel Ángel Moreno-Mateos: “I have collaborated with one of the authors of the paper, Benjamin P. Kleinstiver, with whom I published a research paper three years ago.”
Prof Gemma Marfany: no conflicts of interest
Dr Alena Pance: No conflicts.
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
May 15, 2025Buffalo, NY, United StatesEnforcement and Removal
Orlando Duncan Da Silva Bain arrested by ICE Buffalo
BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a citizen of the United Kingdom who misrepresented himself upon entry when he failed to disclose his criminal record in his home country. ICE Buffalo officers apprehended Orlando Duncan Da Silva Bain during a targeted enforcement operation May 7 in Niagara Falls, New York.
Da Silva Bain, 19, was recently admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant in Orlando, Florida. By failing to acknowledge his significant criminal record in the U.K. on his Electronic System for Travel Authorization application, he violated the terms of admission under the visa waiver program and is thereby amenable to removal from the U.S.
After Da Silva Bain’s admittance, officials discovered he has been convicted of the following offenses:
Take a child so as to keep him/her from a person having lawful control.
Offender 18 or over engage in penetrative sexual activity with a minor.
Cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13-17.
Possess indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.
Cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity-offender 18 or over.
Postal service-send obscene/indecent article.
Da Silva Bain is in ICE custody at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility pending his removal from the U.S.
Members of the public can report suspicious activity by completing ICE’s online tip form.
Learn more about ERO Buffalo’s mission to preserve public safety on X at @EROBuffalo.
Sunderland’s ever popular Roker and Seaburn beaches have been named among the best in the country in the 2025 Seaside Awards.
The awards from leading environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of its coastline.
Councillor Lindsey Leonard, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero at Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted that both Roker and Seaburn beaches will be proudly flying the national Seaside Awards flag again this year after being recognised as being among the best in England for their quality, cleanliness, and management. We’re also delighted that Roker Beach has once again been awarded a prestigious blue flag – a symbol of the highest standards in water quality, cleanliness, and visitor facilities.
“And the award of a Seaside Award for Seaburn Beach – alongside a ‘Good’ rating for water quality – reflects the high standards maintained across the seafront. It continues to be a fantastic place for residents and visitors to enjoy the seaside and one of the city’s most popular destinations for residents and visitors. Our teams work tirelessly to keep our coastline clean, welcoming, and safe all year round, and this continued recognition through national awards is a testament to that hard work.”
Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, added: “We’re fortunate in having a stunning coastline, with much loved award-winning beaches and panoramic views and its own growing food and drink scene, as well as fantastic facilities for families and we’re looking forward to welcoming the many people who enjoy them all year round.
“We’ve also just recently confirmed the expansion of Sunderland BID to our seafront – an exciting development that will unlock even more potential across Roker and Seaburn – helping us strengthen our coast-to-city visitor journey and support businesses in one of our most-loved locations so we’re really excited about the future of Roker and Seaburn and making the most of the many attractions they have to offer.”
Millions of pounds worth of investment in the regeneration of the city’s seafront have seen it going from strength to strength in recent years, with new developments including the Seaburn Inn hotel, Stack and a host of new restaurants and cafes, including Blacks Corner Tram Shelter, North and the Tin of Sardines making it a magnet for residents and visitors alike.
While a new play area at Seaburn with digital play, sand and sensory zones which was designed with the help of local school children has significantly increased the family offer.
The recent launch of a new Seafront Business Improvement District (BID) is set to bring further significant benefits to the seafront by creating a vibrant, welcoming and safe environment and improving links with the city centre and Sheepfolds to attract more visitors and boost the local economy.
Sunderland City Council has also recently launched a city wide app to help residents, businesses and visitors to get the best out of the city by getting all the latest updates on local events and attractions.
Downloading The Sunderland App allows users to discover hidden gems from cosy cafes to gourmet restaurants, navigate their way around the city using interactive maps and unlock exclusive deals and discounts: The Sunderland App – MySunderland
People can also take advantage of free Superfast WiFI covering the city centre, right along to the seafront too to download the app and use it without using up their data: Free Sunderland Wi-Fi – MySunderland
While www.mysunderland.co.uk is the place to go to keep up with everything you need to know about the city’s offer.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Violent man’s sentence extended after abusing against ex-partner
A violent man who assaulted and harassed his ex-partner in a sustained campaign of abuse has had his sentence extended after the Solicitor General intervened.
Jordan Crewe (27), from Caerphilly, has had his two-year sentence increased after the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
The court heard that Crewe was sentenced to 16 months in March 2022 for harassment and malicious communication offences committed against his ex-partner. The court also placed Crewe under a 12-year restraining order.
On the same day that Crewe was released on license in the October, he immediately breached his bail conditions when he barged into his ex-partner’s home before assaulting her and deflating her tyres.
The next day, Crewe visited his ex-partner’s home and, even after he was recalled to prison, continued to harass his ex-partner, sending abusive letters, messages and phone calls. He also asked his ex-partner to drop the charges against him.
Crewe was released from prison in May 2023 under strict conditions not to contact his ex-partner unless for extenuating circumstances.
However, a year later Crewe reignited his campaign of harassment. Over three months, Crewe sent unsolicited text messages asking the victim where she was, he activated a tracker app on the victim’s phone without her consent, he didn’t allow his ex-partner to see her family without him present and controlled what she wore.
Crewe sent videos where he simulated committing suicide, groped her in public, assaulted her and bit his ex-partner’s face.
The abuse and harassment culminated in an incident on New Years Eve where the victim was in a car with Crewe before he shouted at her, threatened to assault the victim’s family, and eventually assaulted his ex-partner in her car.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, the victim said that she was a happy bubbly person but now a shell of the person she was before. She also added that the mental and emotional abuse suffered will stay with her forever.
The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:
Jordan Crewe’s tirade of abuse against his ex-partner was appalling. He carried out a systematic campaign of violence and coercive control. Thankfully the Court has recognised the severity of Crewe’s actions and increased his sentence.
On 18 February 2025, Jordan Crewe was sentenced to two years at Cardiff Crown Court for one count of harassment, one count of strangulation, one count of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, and one count of controlling or coercive behaviour.
On Thursday 15 May 2025, the Court of Appeal extended Crewe’s sentence to two years and ten months’ under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
BALI, INDONESIA, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Elizaveta Babanova’s debut book, “Zen and Stilettos,” has sold approximately 100,000 copies since its release, securing a spot in her publisher’s top-10 bestsellers list in its first year.
Market analysts report that the book, which combines spiritual practices with practical business advice, has resonated with readers seeking to balance material success with personal development, particularly among professional women aged 30-45.
“When I achieved what once felt impossible—discovering my purpose—I forged a path forward,” Babanova said in a recent interview. “At its core is my mission: to help others rediscover their soul’s intention, reconnect deeply with their essence, and live a multifaceted, fulfilling life.”
Industry experts attribute the book’s commercial success to its practical approach to spirituality in an increasingly complex business environment. Nielsen BookScan data indicates a 23% growth in the personal development category over the past year, with spiritual business guides showing particular strength.
“I spent years searching for meaning,” said Babanova, who holds a background in finance before transitioning to writing and entrepreneurship. “It’s striking how much of the external world seems designed to disconnect us from our true selves.”
According to published reports, Babanova’s second book, “The Best Year of My Life,” has also achieved bestseller status. Both titles have maintained strong sales momentum through traditional retail and e-commerce platforms.
The author has leveraged her literary success to develop additional creative ventures, including the “Path of the Soul” music series, featuring music composed by Elizaveta and performed by Tchaikovsky and Gnesin Conservatories graduates. The concerts have been staged in Bali and the United Arab Emirates. This spring, “Path of the Soul” concerts will be performed in Damanhur, Italy and Moscow, Russia.
“Through books, music, broadcasts, and writing, I share my inner state,” Babanova explained. “Those who resonate with it form a natural, deep connection. There’s no greater joy than helping others unlock their divine potential—it fulfils my own purpose.”
Market analysts note that Babanova’s success represents a growing trend of merging traditional business principles with holistic approaches to personal development. Her ability to translate spiritual concepts into commercially viable products has positioned her as a notable figure.
In addition to her writing and music, Babanova operates Mystic Travel, which organises retreats to locations she describes as sacred “places of power.” “For most of my adult life I have been called to places on Earth that hold sacred codes,” Babanova said of the travel venture. “They’re like haute cuisine: you can follow a Michelin-starred chef’s recipe, but it’s never the same as tasting their dish in their kitchen. Similarly, documentaries and books can’t rival the visceral transformation of being in these spaces. Their energy expands and reshapes you,” said the world traveler, who has spent time in over 45 countries.
The diversified business model has proven effective, with revenue streams from book sales, concert tickets, retreat packages, and merchandise contributing to overall growth. Industry analysts project continued expansion as Babanova’s brand gains international recognition.
According to publisher announcements, her forthcoming book, “Dance in Abundance,” will be released in 2025 and will deeply explore universal codes of abundance, including ancient initiation traditions and their modern applications. An English-language edition is being prepared for international distribution.
“I have deeply immersed myself in the study of the ancient practice of initiation,” Babanova said regarding her upcoming work. “During one of my own, I received an insight about crafting a line of sacred artefacts. In ancient times, every significant initiation was marked by a special object—a symbol of transformation that amplified a person’s desired qualities.”
That insight led to developing a pearl jewellery brand that combines natural elements with spiritual symbolism, adding another dimension to her business portfolio.
According to social media analytics firm Socialblade, the author maintains active social media channels with over 500,000 combined followers across platforms, where she shares content related to personal growth and business development.
“Creative expression became my way of sharing profound inner states,” Babanova said. “Books, albums, and concerts flowed naturally from what I felt. Words alone couldn’t capture the depth of those emotions, so I turned to music and performance to convey unconditional love and the joy of existence.”
Market research firm BookScan reports that the success of “Zen and Stilettos” has helped drive a 15% increase in the spiritual business advice subcategory over the past fiscal year. The book has been particularly successful in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, with growing interest in international markets.
Literary critics have noted the book’s accessibility despite addressing complex philosophical concepts. The Russian Publishers Association recognised the work in its annual report as an example of effectively bridging practical business advice with personal development principles.
“Every project starts as a personal need—to experience and express life as something magnificent and eternal. Then it finds its audience, resonating with those meant to connect with it,” Babanova explained her creative process.
According to development partners, the author plans to launch a mobile application called “World of Abundance” later this year. The application will feature daily practices and support resources for her tribe.
Babanova’s rise in the publishing industry follows a broader trend of increasing consumer interest in integrated approaches to business success and personal fulfilment. Global market research firm Ipsos reports that 67% of professionals consider spiritual well-being important to their career development.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
PM meeting with Prime Minister Rama of Albania: 15 May 2025
The Prime Minister was hosted by Prime Minister Edi Rama in Albania today.
The Prime Minister was hosted by Prime Minister Edi Rama in Albania today, ahead of the European Political Community summit tomorrow.
The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Rama for Albania’s warm hospitality and the leaders reflected on the significance of the first official visit by a UK Prime Minister.
They noted the UK and Albania’s joint work on tackling migration and sharing intelligence had been crucial in stemming the flow of migrants from the country.
The two countries agreed they would take that work even further with the updated UK-Albania Strategic Partnership agreed today. The Prime Minister said the model between the UK and Albania had been such a success, he wanted to roll out the approach with partners across Europe through the Joint Migration Taskforce, which both leaders welcomed the expansion of.
Reflecting on the partnership, the Prime Minister also welcomed the addition of strengthened defence cooperation between the two countries and growing economic ties.
Discussing the European Political Community summit tomorrow, both leaders agreed it was a crucial moment for Europe to demonstrate their solidarity with Ukraine and commitment to shared security.
The leaders looked forward to speaking again tomorrow.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Secretary of State visit highlights NI company’s major growth under Windsor Framework
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland visits food distribution company, PRM, as figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency show the Northern Ireland economy grew faster than the UK as a whole in the final quarter of 2024.
Secretary of State Hilary Benn with CEO and Founder of PRM Group Philip Morrow and Company Director Lynne Morrow.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland today [Wednesday 14 May] visited PRM, a leading food distribution company based in Lisburn. While there, he learned more about the significant growth the company has seen from having the benefit of dual market access provided under the Windsor Framework. This status, unique only to Northern Ireland, allows the free movement of goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and the EU.
PRM has said that dual market access to both the UK and EU is a major factor behind its growth strategy, which over the past year has enabled it to commit to a £15m investment in its Lisburn headquarters paired with the creation of 40 additional jobs.
The NI Composite Economic Index (NICEI) from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) shows that in each of the five sectors it tracks, Northern Ireland grew in output between October and December 2024. Output rose by 0.9% in Q4, contributing to a yearly growth in output of 3.6% across NI. Whilst for the UK overall, Q4 growth was 0.1% and yearly growth was 1.4%.
Today’s visit follows the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of two new trade deals with the US and India. Both deals will open up new export opportunities for businesses across Northern Ireland, providing them with full market access to two of the world’s largest economies and enabling them to grow further and thrive. Sectors said to benefit the most from these trade deals include agricultural food products, biotechnology manufacturing and whiskey.
Speaking after his visit, the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, said:
“PRM’s expansion is a great example of how dual market access is helping Northern Ireland’s businesses to expand and create more jobs.
“With full access to both the UK and EU markets, and now new trade opportunities with the US and India, Northern Ireland is uniquely placed for success.
“These are tangible benefits that are strengthening Northern Ireland’s economy and creating prosperity.”
Philip Morrow, CEO and Founder of PRM Group, said:
“While Brexit brought with it understandable apprehension, there’s no doubt that the Windsor Framework has unlocked unique advantages for businesses and individuals in Northern Ireland.
“We have found ourselves in a very favourable position perfectly positioned between the UK and EU with full access to both markets. That’s an enviable place to be, and it’s been instrumental in shaping our investment decisions and future growth.
“At PRM, it’s allowed us to commit £15 million to expanding our Lisburn headquarters and create over 40 new jobs. Businesses here have been handed the key to the best of both worlds and that’s something we should champion, celebrate and capitalise on.”
Our Plan for Change sets out a bold vision for Northern Ireland’s economic future – to go further and faster in driving growth, attracting investment, and putting more money in the pockets of working people. Expanding international trade, cutting red tape and supporting innovation are key pillars to this plan.
The government continues to operate the Duty Reimbursement Scheme, allowing companies to claim back any additional duties paid on goods deemed “at risk” of entering the EU, ensuring fairness and competitiveness.
Solutions30, the European leader in multi-technical field services for the telecommunications, energy, and IT sectors, announces the appointment of Antoine Mirabel as CEO of its operations in France. He succeeds Amaury Boilot, who had been serving in this role on an interim basis since June 2023, in addition to his group-level responsibilities. The Group also announces the appointment of Oliver Fidorra as Co-CEO of its operations in Germany, alongside Luc Brusselaers, who also serves as the Group’s Chief Revenue Officer. Finally, in Belgium, Axel Vandevenne has been appointed Co-CEO, tasked with leading and developing local operations alongside Raf Winnelinckx.
Antoine Mirabel was previously an Associate Partner at Bain & Company. With nearly 15 years of experience in strategy and management consulting, particularly focused on the energy sector, he brings deep expertise in performance improvement, operational excellence, integration, and extensive experience in digital transformation projects. Antoine Mirabel is a graduate of Télécom Paris and HEC. Following a transition period with Antoine Mirabel, Amaury Boilot will retain his role as Group Secretary General, which includes oversight of the Group’s administrative and financial management.
Oliver Fidorra brings nearly 20 years of experience in the construction sector, with particular expertise in fiber optic deployment, energy infrastructure, building technical equipment, and civil engineering. Prior to joining Solutions30, he served as Regional Director North and was a member of the management team at Vitronet.
Axel Vandevenne, with Solutions30 since 2018, has held several managerial positions within the Group, demonstrating strong operational leadership. Prior to joining the Group, he gained solid experience in the telecommunications sector, having worked for the two largest Belgian operators, Proximus and Telenet, where he served as Director of Operations. He holds both a Master of Engineering and a Master of Business. His appointment as Co-Managing Director for Belgium is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the organization in this strategic market. In this context, Jonathan Crauwels will refocus on his role as Chief Financial Officer of Solutions30 Belgium.
Gianbeppi Fortis, Chairman of the Management Board of Solutions30, stated: “We welcome Antoine and Oliver, whose expertise and leadership will be invaluable assets in supporting the Group’s development. Antoine will lead the transformation of our French operations, successfully initiated by Amaury, with the objective of tripling revenue in energy services by 2026. Meanwhile, Oliver, alongside Luc, will drive the continued growth of our operations in Germany, where we are also targeting a threefold increase in revenue by 2026. In Belgium, Axel and Raf will work closely together to build a sustainable organizational structure and support our growth.”
About Solutions30 SE
Solutions30’s mission is to make the technological developments that are transforming our daily lives accessible to everyone, individuals and businesses alike, especially with regard to the digital transformation and the energy transition. With its network of more than 16,000 technicians, Solutions30 has completed over 65 million call-outs since its inception and led over 500 renewable energy projects with a combined maximum output surpassing 1800 MWp. Every day, Solutions30 is doing its part to build a more connected and sustainable world. Solutions30 has become an industry leader in Europe with operations in 10 countries: France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Poland. The capital of Solutions30 SE consists of 107,127,984 shares, equal to the number of theoretical votes that can be exercised. Solutions30 SE is listed on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN FR0013379484- code S30). Indices : CAC Mid & Small | CAC Small | CAC Technology | Euro Stoxx Total Market Technology | Euronext Tech Croissance.
In September 2025, the Global Fund, the main funder of a worldwide response to HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, will host its eighth replenishment conference, where donor countries will make pledges to fund its vital, life-saving work.
Ahead of the conference, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has released a report based on our experience with the communities we serve. This report highlights the challenges this replenishment faces, including the impact of shrinking donor support. Without sufficient funding there will be antiretroviral, antimalarial and tuberculosis drug stockouts, people will travel long distances only to be turned away at dispensaries, community health workers will go unpaid or under-supported, and critical prevention activities will be neglected. These challenges are not confined to ‘fragile’ settings. People in countries with functioning health systems that are simply under-resourced will also feel the impacts.
This report references findings from Burundi, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, and Sudan.
The stakes for replenishment are high. Now is the time to step up—to protect gains made and ensure a future where HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria do not threaten millions of lives.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
World news story
UK advocates clean energy development in Honduras
An official from the UK’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) engaged with stakeholders in Honduras to advance energy transition.
Mitchell Lloyd, Senior Policy Advisor on International Energy Transition at DENZ visited Honduras 15-16 May. He met with the Secretary of Energy, other government departments, private sector and international financing institutions developing clean energy initiatives in Honduras.
The discussions included a series of topics ranging from the need to galvanize global and local leadership and foster international cooperation on a clean energy transition, to unlocking clean growth, job opportunities and build robust clean energy supply chains.
Honduras aims to achieve an 80% share of renewables in power generation by 2038. The country has high-quality solar potential for electricity production, and hydropower has historically been a significant contributor.
The visit supports the UK’s government mission to become a clean energy superpower, protecting households from unstable fossil fuel markets, including coal, while at the same time unlocking job opportunities at home and abroad for the clean energy sector.
Homeless families in Plymouth are set to benefit from an additional £334,380 in investment in temporary accommodation.
The money will help purchase four homes from the open market that can be used to temporarily house local families.
It comes after the Council were already successful in obtaining £1,531,231 from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as part of round three of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF)
The proposal is for the grant to be passported to Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA), and Plymouth Access to Housing (PATH) to directly acquire, own and manage these family homes. BCHA have already successfully delivered the previous two rounds of the Local LAHF.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Cooperative Development, said: “Providing more temporary accommodation for homeless families in Plymouth is a key part of the measures we’re putting in place to tackle the housing crisis.
“Having more options specifically for families is especially key because we are well aware of the detrimental effects to mental health caused by prolonged period in accommodation that is not suitable for the needs of whole households.
“These people aren’t statistics; they’re human beings with real lives and so anything we can do to help make such a stressful period of their lives that little more tolerable is time and money well spent.”
Victoria Allen, Chief Executive of Path (Plymouth Access to Housing), said: “The Local Authority Housing Fund is an excellent initiative which helps provide temporary accommodation for families and we are thrilled to be able to help with providing more housing as part of this scheme.
“We have been working closely with BCHA and the Council to deliver this programme and we have already seen two successful rounds of the fund that have been delivered to support those who are eligible, and we look forward to working with them for this next phase.”
Nicola Greenfield, Director of Support at BCHA said ‘We are delighted to be in a position to provide these homes in Plymouth for families in need.
“The grant, along with BCHA’s additional funding, will enable these much needed, good quality and affordable homes in the area.
“The close working between ourselves, the Plymouth Alliance and Plymouth City Council has helped make these additional homes a reality.”
Three of the homes will be used as family temporary accommodation and one house for the resettlement of Afghan families who are in the UK as part of the Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme or Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.
These two initiatives are designed to relocate locally-employed staff who worked for British forces, often in dangerous and challenging situations, during the conflict in their country.
The staff, who have moved with their families, provided roles such as translators, interpreters or clerks. Their work undoubtedly contributed to saving British lives and, in recognition of the commitment and bravery shown since 2013, they are entitled to build new lives in the UK.
Plymouth is just one of a number of cities involved in the scheme and the city’s involvement supports its strong connections with the Armed Forces and further boosts Plymouth’s credentials as a welcoming city.
The aim is that these properties will be purchased and lived in by March 2026.
More than £900,000 is being invested to create more capacity at special schools in Plymouth.
This is part of Plymouth City Council’s £13 million SEND sufficiency plan, which aims to improve support for children and young people with special needs and/or disabilities (SEND) by increasing the availability of special school places.
The Council will spend £728,392 to carry out reconfiguration works at Woodlands Special School, transforming an unused space to facilitate a 10-place assessment nursery provision and creating extra school places.
The nursery provision will provide year-long placements for pre-school aged children who are waiting to be assessed for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It will be staffed by a teacher and Education, Health and Care assistants, who will monitor children to see whether they need a specialist or mainstream school place. Children will then be supported to transition directly from the nursery into their new school placement.
A further £192,000 will also be used to increase capacity at Longcause Special School, by converting four offices into additional classroom spaces to better meet the needs of pupils at the school.
Woodlands Special School supports pupils aged between two and 19-years-old who have complex physical and sensory difficulties, with many also having medical needs.
Longcause Special School provides places to children aged four to 16-years-old who are on the autism spectrum and have other learning difficulties.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “One of the biggest challenges we face when it comes to improving our SEND services is the lack of special school places available for children who really need extra support to learn and thrive.
“We are committed to maximising the limited resources available to us to create more specialist provision. I’m delighted that we’re able to work with Longcause and Woodlands to reconfigure their respective school buildings to turn underutilised space into useful learning environments for children and young people with SEND.
“Thank you to our special school headteachers for working so constructively with us to help find creative solutions to what are very complex problems.”
All of the new places for the next school year have already been allocated to children who have been waiting for a specialist place.
The majority of the building work is due to take place during the summer holidays to avoid disrupting pupils and staff.
While most children’s needs can be met in a mainstream setting, for some a specialist setting is more appropriate. To be eligible for a special school place, children must have an EHCP or be undergoing a statutory assessment of their special educational needs and have needs that cannot be met in a mainstream school.
The Council and local schools have recently launched a new website outlining the Plymouth Graduated Approach to Inclusion. This helps schools and parents and carers by setting out the support available for children and young people with SEND to ensure that their needs are meet. Find out more at https://plymouthgati.co.uk.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
A UN-facilitated political process can deliver lasting peace, stability and security for Libya: UK Statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Legal Adviser Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.
I will make three points.
First, let me express the UK’s deep concern at the escalation of violence which has occurred in Tripoli over recent days.
This has included the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas, resulting in credible reports of civilian casualties.
This most recent escalation underscores the urgent need for a credible, UN-facilitated political process that can deliver lasting peace, stability and security for the Libyan people.
We welcome recent reports that the Libyan parties have agreed on a ceasefire and we urge that it be fully and unconditionally respected.
Secondly, we welcome the continued progress made by the Office of the Prosecutor during this reporting period.
We note, for example, the 20 additional Missions undertaken by the Office of the Prosecutor over recent months and especially welcome the increased engagement with civil society organisations described in the briefing today.
The unsealing of the arrest warrant against Osama Elmasry Njeem represents a further positive step, further strengthening the Office’s work in relation to crimes allegedly committed in detention facilities in Libya.
As mentioned in the briefing today, the national authorities in the UK engaged closely with the Court in relation to this matter, including freezing Mr Njeem’s bank accounts in the United Kingdom.
We were pleased to read in the report of some positive steps taken by the authorities in Libya over recent months. This includes the arrest of a number of perpetrators of crimes allegedly committed in Tarhunah, at least two of whom remain subject to ICC arrest warrants.
However, we also note that the Office of the Prosecutor has requested further assistance, both in order to gain access to investigative files and to assist with the surrender of suspects.
We also warmly welcome the decision just announced by the government of Libya to submit a declaration under Article 12, Paragraph 3 of the Rome Statute. This is clearly an important and very positive development.
Mr President, it is clear that cooperation remains key to the Court’s work. It is therefore important that all States fulfil their obligations pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 1970 and the Rome Statute, including in relation to those subject to ICC arrest warrants.
Mr President, let me conclude by reiterating the UK’s strong support for the International Criminal Court and for its independence.
It is important that the Court is able to carry out its mandate free from sanctions or other measures which interfere with the work of the Court or its officials.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
MHRA approves vaccine to protect against pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia and meningitis
As with all products, the MHRA will keep its safety under close review.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (15 May 2025) approved a vaccine (Capvaxive) for people aged 18 years and older to help protect against illnesses caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus.
Illnesses caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria include lung infection (pneumonia), inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and infection in the blood (bacteraemia). The vaccine works by helping the body to make its own antibodies, which protect against these diseases.
This vaccine has been approved through the International Recognition Procedure (IRP). The IRP allows the MHRA to take into account the expertise and decision-making of trusted regulatory partners for the benefit of UK patients.
The MHRA conducts a targeted assessment of IRP applications and retains the authority to reject applications if the evidence provided is not considered sufficiently robust.
As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine under close review. Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.
Notes to editors
The marketing authorisation was granted on 15 May 2025 to Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Limited.
More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgments to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.
LEICESTER City Council is encouraging people in Leicester to consider becoming foster carers this Foster Care Fortnight.
Foster Care Fortnight is an annual campaign organised by The Fostering Network. It runs until 25 May and is the UK’s largest foster care awareness campaign.
Throughout the next two weeks, the city council will be joining others across the UK to thank foster carers for all they do and raise awareness of the life-changing impact fostering can have.
This year’s theme – The Power of Relationships – highlights the vital connections at the heart of fostering, of which there are many. Foster carers play a crucial role in providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children and young people – many of whom have faced difficult or traumatic experiences, helping them to grow in trust and confidence.
Not only do foster carers support the children they care for in their education and physical and emotional wellbeing, but they often support them in maintaining ties to their birth families too.
Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive of The Fostering Network, said: “Strong, supportive relationships are at the heart of fostering. They connect foster carers, children, families, and practitioners, creating a community that surrounds children with the care they need to thrive. But with more children entering care, we urgently need more people to step forward so every child can have the right home for their needs.
“There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ foster carer. The fostering community is made up of people from all walks of life- regardless of age, gender, relationship status, or sexual orientation. So, if you do one thing this Foster Care Fortnight, take a moment to find out more about fostering.”
Debbie fosters for Leicester City Council and has done so for seventeen years now. She has fostered many children over the years and currently has two young people living with her. Debbie said: “My relationship with the young people that I look after, and particularly the ones I have now, is amazing. We have such a special bond and I’m sure they feel the same.
“I still keep in touch with some of the young people who have lived with me, and the very first foster child I ever looked after came to me a couple of years ago. I hadn’t seen him for all this time, and he came back and told me that he was doing a degree in university and it’s so nice to know that I was a part of that.”
Debbie’s story is just one example of how foster carers promote long-lasting relationships for the children and young people they care for. A short film featuring Debbie and other city foster carers is on the fostering website.
More foster carers like Debbie are urgently needed, nationwide. Across the UK, there is currently a shortage of around 6,000 foster families, leaving too many children without the homes they need. Without local foster carers, children can end up in foster homes outside of their local authority area, far away from everything they know – family, friends, schools and clubs.
Cllr Elaine Pantling, Leicester asst city mayor for children and young people said: “Debbie’s story is a wonderful example of the impact foster carers have on our children and young people. We are so proud of the foster carers we have here in Leicester, and if this is something you have thought about, I would urge you to explore whether fostering may be an option for you and your family.
“One way to do this is to attend one of the information events and drop-in sessions we will be hosting over the next two weeks or so, to give potential new carers the chance to speak to staff and our existing foster carers, and ask any questions they have about fostering.”
Upcoming events include:
Thursday 22 May: online information session, 18:30 – 19:30
Details of future events and more information about fostering for Leicester City Council are available on the city council’s fostering website. The fostering team can be contacted by calling 0116 454 4500 or emailing fostering.information@leicester.gov.uk.
Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring completes acquisition of German group Merca Leasing
Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring (CAL&F) announces that it has obtained all the necessary authorizations and today finalized the acquisition of 100% of Merca Leasing, a group that has been a partner to the German manufacturing industry for over three decades. This operation is fully in line with CAL&F’s development strategy and will enable it to accelerate its growth in the particularly dynamic German leasing market.
After obtaining the necessary approvals from German BaFin1 and the German Competition Authority, Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring finalized today in Frankfurt the acquisition of Merca Leasing Group, in line with the announcement made to the markets in October 2024.
Founded in 1989, Merca Leasing is based in Kronberg, near Frankfurt, with branches in Hamburg and Berlin. The group, which is one of the top ten independent Leasing companies in Germany2, offers tailor-made leasing solutions to SMEs, with a strong expertise in financing industrial equipment through Direct Sales channels.
With the acquisition of Merca Leasing, Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring strengthens its expertise and service offering, especially in Mobility, and expands its footprint in the highly fragmented German market, which is a priority in the development strategy of its businesses.
The impact of the transaction on Crédit Agricole S.A.’s CET1 ratio is not significant.
“We are delighted to welcome all the employees of Merca Leasing, whom I warmly greet on behalf of all the teams at Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring. The acquisition of Merca Leasing is an important step in Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring’s European development, and is fully in line with our strategy and the achievement of the ambitions of our 2025 Medium-Term Plan “Transitions to the Future”. This transaction offers the CAL&F and Merca Leasing teams the opportunity to pool their expertise and strengths to serve our customers and the German market.” Hervé VARILLON, Chief Executive Officer of Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring
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ABOUT CRÉDIT AGRICOLE LEASING & FACTORING
A subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole group, Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring “CAL&F” has been a key player in Leasing and Factoring for more than 60 years, as well as in the financing of renewable energies and infrastructure in the territories. Present in 10 countries in Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland) and thus benefiting from a wide range of activities, Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring offers specialised financing, more responsible mobility and second-life equipment solutions to its customers: corporates, professionals, farmers and local authorities. In this way, Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring supports, facilitates and accelerates their growth and their transitions towards a more inclusive world, which consumes fewer resources for the planet.
KEY FIGURES AT THE END OF 2024 (FRANCE AND INTERNATIONAL) 260,400 customers, including 33% abroad 2,769 employees €34 billion in outstandings, including 30% abroad For further information: www.ca-leasingfactoring.com
ABOUT MERCA LEASING GMBH Merca Leasing was founded in 1989 by Kredietbank N.V., Brussels, Belgium, & U. Helmdach and integrated into the KBC Bank & Insurance Group in 1998. In 2012, the KBC Lease (Deutschland) Group was taken over by the management, renamed Merca Leasing again, based in Kronberg / Taunus (near Frankfurt). The group offers financing solutions for business-critical movable equipment focusing on production machinery through leasing, hire purchase, sale-and-lease-back, retrofitting funding services and forfaiting solutions (through Merca Vendor). Key figures at the end of 2024 : 37 employees – New sales €309m – Portfolio (actual outstandings) €472m For further information: www.merca-leasing.de
AUSTIN, Texas, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As SAP customers face the looming ECC end-of-support deadline in 2027, the pressure to establish a business case and clear path to S/4HANA is building. That’s why UK-headquartered independent SAP consultancy, Resulting IT, has announced entry into the US with Austin (TX) based Resulting LLC — bringing its proven Phase Zero approach stateside.
Unlike traditional systems integrators, Resulting isn’t focused on SAP implementation. Instead, the firm works 100% customer-side, ensuring transformation starts with strategic business alignment, then supports customers with expertise during their SAP transformation programs.
“Too many SAP programs are set up to fail before they begin—because they skip the clarity of thought up front,” said Stuart Browne, CEO at Resulting IT. “Our role is to help customers gain business alignment, exec buy-in, and set their risky ERP transformation up for success. Every dollar companies invest in Phase Zero equates to around $30 once their program is up and running.”
Setting a Clearer Path Before You Migrate
With 61% of SAP ECC customers yet to move to S/4HANA¹, organizations increasingly need to run their S/4HANA Phase Zero—the pre-project planning, alignment, and decision-making stage that precedes migration — but few SAP consultancies have the skills and experience to support them on this project.
“We’ve proven in Europe that SAP customers value independence as SIs and Big 4 consultancies may have a vested interest in their own solutions. We come at the problem solely from the customer’s perspective, which they find refreshing. There’s a clear space in the US for the same approach,” adds Nick Coburn, Principal Partner at Resulting IT.
Whether navigating RISE with SAP, building internal business cases, or designing future SAP operating models, Resulting’s proven Phase Zero approach enables customers to cut through the noise and make informed, risk-aware choices that stick.
Supporting North American Organizations Where It Matters Most
The Austin-based firm will focus on sectors including utilities, manufacturing, and retail—industries where SAP is deeply ingrained and transformation is highly complex.
Resulting already has several US clients serviced from the UK, but recognizes the need to establish a broader workforce to meet demand.
Resulting’s US presence reflects increasing demand for:
Objective S/4HANA roadmaps free from SI or vendor bias
Independent advice in areas such as RISE, licensing, and BTP
Help selecting Systems Integrators for S/4HANA programs
Building stronger internal capabilities and change resilience
Measurable business outcomes, not just SAP go-lives
Strengthening Community Roots Through ASUG
The US presence coincides with Resulting IT becoming a member of ASUG (Americas’ SAP Users’ Group), deepening its engagement with the SAP community in North America.
Mirroring its long-standing relationship with UKISUG (The UK and Ireland SAP User Group), Resulting’s ASUG membership reinforces its commitment to business-led transformation—and provides a platform to share Resulting’s deep SAP knowledge freely with the SAP community through events.
What Makes Resulting Different
In their 21-year trading history, Resulting IT has earned a reputation for being the SAP consultancy that speaks business first. This focus plays out through their market-leading Net Promoter Score of 93%.
Resulting is a “sleeves rolled up” consultancy that can help customers think strategically and translate that to pragmatic hands-on delivery, working within the customer team alongside their SI.
“We don’t just consult—we commit,” added Abigail Allman, Head of SAP Ecosystem Engagement at Resulting. “We roll up our sleeves and get in the trenches with our clients. From shaping vision to managing complexity, our focus is to de-risk SAP programs and link them to outcomes that matter.”
Following a significant transformation as part of the stunning £35.1 million refurbishment of Derby Market Hall, the full reopening of Osnabruck Square has been set for later this summer.
The refurbished Grade II-listed Market Hall will reopen on Saturday 24 May with a spectacular week-long celebration packed with music, creative workshops, and family-friendly activities.
Access to the Market Hall from Osnabruck Square will be maintained throughout the remainder of the works to transform the square. Hoardings around the square will be updated and repositioned, with windows being introduced so the public can see the progress of the square during the final stages of the project.
The enhanced Osnabruck Square, a vital connecting space within the city centre, will be a flexible area for events and entertainment, with outdoor café seating, and artistic installations, providing a lively hub for local markets and homegrown talent. It will also feature a vibrant green space, featuring carefully selected new raised planting beds, trees, and shrubs designed to be visually appealing.
The design of the square prioritises accessibility, with enhancements such as free-standing inclusive benches, improved access through re-aligned crossings, and dedicated blue badge parking.
Featuring a new main entrance to the refurbished Derby Market Hall, Osnabruck Square will enhance city centre accessibility, seamlessly connecting the Market Hall with Exchange Street, Albion Street, and the Derbion shopping centre, drawing people through the area.
Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:
The transformation of Osnabruck Square, together with the revitalised Market Hall, will breathe new life into this key city centre location. The square will not only look beautiful but will also improve accessibility and help draw more people into the heart of our city.
This is the culmination of a great deal of hard work and planning, and I look forward to seeing the area become a vibrant destination for shopping, eating, and entertainment.
The Derby Market Hall redevelopment is a £35.1m project part funded with £9.43m from the Government’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF).
Located at the heart of the city centre, linking Derbion and St Peter’s Quarter with the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell, the redeveloped Market Hall will play a key role in widening the diversity of the city centre and is expected to generate £3.64m for the local economy every year.
Follow Derby Market Hall on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with what’s going on. Full details of the programme of events are available on the Derby Market Hall website.