Cargo ships carrying steel products are heading toward African ports from Zhangjiagang Port in East China’s Jiangsu province, and canned beans from Yancheng, Jiangsu, are reaching the dining tables of Middle Eastern families, as local Chinese enterprises continue to expand their businesses overseas, according to Nanjing Customs.
Chinese companies nationwide, not just enterprises in Jiangsu, are revving up their efforts to expand their footprint overseas and strengthen international cooperation.
In the two weeks following the Spring Festival holiday, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade said it arranged for eight groups of Chinese entrepreneurs to travel abroad for economic and trade activities.
Representatives from more than 200 companies visited Kazakhstan, Germany, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Beijing-based council said on Friday.
“During the visits, the willingness of foreign companies to cooperate with China exceeded our expectations, and 33 cooperation intent agreements were reached, covering sectors such as finance, energy, infrastructure, automobile manufacturing and the digital economy,” said Yang Fan, a spokeswoman for the CCPIT.
“This has fully demonstrated the strong desire and broad prospects for pragmatic cooperation between Chinese and foreign business communities,” she said.
The more difficult the times, the more determined the global business community is to work together and achieve win-win cooperation, Yang said, noting that this is the greatest certainty that balances many uncertain factors in global economic growth.
Unilateralism and protectionism can’t interfere with the main theme of economic globalization, she added.
In mid-February, a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs visited Kazakhstan and achieved better-than-expected results. During the two-day visit, representatives of enterprises from China and Kazakhstan signed eight cooperation agreements, including an energy strategic cooperation agreement and an agricultural products import and export agreement.
The visit was aimed at deepening trade, investment and industrial and supply chain cooperation between China and Kazakhstan and further consolidating the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the CCPIT said.
Chinese entrepreneurs were also warmly welcomed in other countries, and Chinese and foreign business communities engaged in enthusiastic talks.
In South Africa, the country’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile met with a Chinese business delegation in person, while in Germany, the management teams of major multinational corporations, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Bosch, held in-depth talks with Chinese entrepreneurs, Yang said.
In the UAE, officials from government departments and major business associations actively engaged in dialogues with Chinese entrepreneurs, she added.
In the past few years, Chinese enterprises have shown strong willingness to promote industrial and supply chain cooperation with their foreign counterparts.
Last year, the CCPIT organized a total of 2,249 business groups to visit 102 countries and regions, which means on average six Chinese delegations went abroad for business talks each day.
Jiangsu Kanghui New Material Technology Co, an affiliate of Hengli Group, which focuses on the full production chain in oil refining, petrochemicals, polyester new materials and textiles, is a leading company in producing wide polyester films. A variety of polyester film products have rolled off its production line for exports.
In particular, the company has been actively expanding its business in emerging markets such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to Nanjing Customs.
“Last year, our products exported to ASEAN countries enjoyed preferential tariffs and received an exemption of 8.47 million yuan ($1.16 million), thanks to the China-ASEAN free trade agreement,” said Zhang Liping, director of imports and exports at Jiangsu Kanghui New Material Technology.
“With preferential tariffs, our products have become more competitive in overseas markets. In 2024, the company’s export value in the ASEAN market reached $24 million,” Zhang added.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) shakes hands with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, March 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that Britain will allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds (2 billion U.S. dollars) of British export finance to purchase more than 5,000 air defense missiles.
“This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure and strengthening Ukraine,” Starmer told a press conference following a summit with Western leaders in London.
The goal is “to put Ukraine in the strongest position” so the country can negotiate from a position of strength, he added.
Western leaders, including more than a dozen European heads of state and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, gathered in London on Sunday for a defense summit aimed at advancing a peace plan for Ukraine.
Starmer said leaders at the summit had agreed on a four-step plan to guarantee peace in Ukraine: to maintain military aid to Ukraine while the conflict continues and increase economic pressure on Russia; to ensure that any lasting peace guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, with Ukraine at the table for any negotiations; to deter “any future invasion by Russia” in the event of a peace deal; and to establish a “coalition of the willing” to defend Ukraine and uphold peace in the country.
The leaders also agreed to meet again soon to sustain the momentum behind these efforts, Starmer said.
The prime minister reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting the peace plan with “boots on the ground, and planes in the air.”
“Europe must do the heavy lifting,” he said, emphasizing that the agreement needs U.S. backing.
“Let me be clear, we agree with Trump on the urgent need for a durable peace. Now we need to deliver together,” he said.
Earlier on Sunday before the summit, Starmer announced that Britain, France and Ukraine will work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States. He named three essential points to achieve “lasting peace” — a strong Ukraine, a European element with security guarantees, and a U.S. backstop, with the last one being the subject of “intense” discussion.
The summit took place amid diplomatic tensions, following a heated exchange earlier this week between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, which led to the cancellation of an anticipated raw materials agreement between the two countries.
On Saturday, Zelensky met with Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where the British prime minister reaffirmed the UK’s “unwavering determination” to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. Following the meeting, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko announced that Britain and Ukraine had agreed on a loan of 2.26 billion pounds to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities. (1 pound = 1.26 U.S. dollar)
A trap or a misstep? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sit-down with Donald Trump and JD Vance heads south.AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelenskyy.”
That was the verdict of the editorial team at the Kyiv Independent, one of Ukraine’s leading media outlets, on a remarkable spat in the Oval Office that played out on Feb. 28, 2025.
The online newspaper European Pravda characterized the “quarrel at the highest level” as a diplomatic failure, but added that it was “not yet a catastrophe.”
Some Ukrainians I have spoken to since the fractious encounter, during which Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy was repeatedly hectored by U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, have indeed characterized it as disastrous for the country. But for others, the incident has been calmly accepted as the new reality in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
There have been some questions directed at Zelenskyy – did he allow himself to be baited into an an argument that could have real consequences? Should he have remained silent? But for the most part, the treatment of Ukraine’s president by Trump and Vance has produced a presumably unintended consequence: It has unified a war-weary Ukrainian people.
As one friend who has been displaced by war from the now occupied city of Nova Kakhovka told me, there has not been this level of mobilization and patriotism in three years.
‘The country needs unity’
This unity is seen in the response across Ukraine’s political divide.
Petro Poroshenko, an often outspoken opponent of Zelenskyy and leader of the opposition party European Solidarity, said on March 1 that, to the surprise of many, he will not criticize Zelenskyy’s performance at the White House. “The country does not need criticism, the country needs unity,” he said in the video posted on X.
Anecdotally, even those Ukrainians who did not vote for Zelenskyy have told me that events in the Oval Office made them feel more supportive of Zelenskyy.
However, a sense of realism is sinking in over the shifting stance of the U.S. administration. Trump’s stated trust in Vladimir Putin and his conciliatory comments over Russian aggression – including a refusal to acknowledge Russian war crimes – have, for many Ukrainians, set low expectations that the White House can help achieve a quick and lasting peace. Yet, as Inna Sovsun of the opposition party Holos noted, “It was difficult to watch a president who’s been a victim of Russian aggression being attacked by the leader of the free world.”
Setting the record straight
The Feb. 28 meeting between the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders followed weeks of increasingly harsh Trump rhetoric toward Zelenskyy. Since being inaugurated on Jan. 20, Trump has called the Ukrainian leader a “dictator without elections,” claiming – incorrectly – that Zelenksyy had 4% approval ratings. He also indicted that the invasion by Russian troops in February 2022 was Ukraine’s fault.
Such comments had already made Ukrainians rally around Zelenskyy, who has a healthy 63% approval rating, according to the latest polls.
The ugly scenes in the Oval Office could see a further rallying around Zelenskyy, especially if he can successfully characterize his role in the dispute as that of defender of his people. Doing so would tap into growing popular resentment over the new U.S. administration’s apparent unwillingness to acknowledge Russian war crimes.
Large U.S. and Ukrainian flags hang on the Kyiv River Port building on March 2, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images
The angry exchanges in the Oval Office seemed to have been sparked by Zelenskyy’s objection to Trump’s assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a man of his word.
That refusal to call out Putin – who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court – angers Ukrainians who have suffered Russian aggression for three years. To hammer that point home, Zekenskyy showed Trump and others in the Oval Office photos of Ukrainian prisoners of war who return from Russian captivity tortured and abused.
As Ukrainian human rights lawyer and Nobel Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk noted in a Feb. 17 speech, 65% of Ukrainians polled early in the conflict said their main disappointment in ending the war would be “impunity for Russian crimes.” Three years of conflict will have only hardened that sentiment – yet the U.S., under Trump’s leadership, looks increasingly willing to let Putin off the hook.
Defender of the nation – and truth
A large section of Ukrainian media – both traditionally pro- and anti-Zelenskyy alike – have since Feb. 28 portrayed the president in the role of a defender of both his nation and the truth.
He was, this framing has it, forced into the difficult position of having to set the record straight and challenge untrue statements in real time, and in front of the seemingly antagonistic leader of the world’s largest economy, whose support has been crucial in Ukraine’s attempt to repel the invading Russian army.
To some, keeping silent would have been tantamount to capitulation, but others have questioned Zelenskyy’s approach.
While still maintaining that Zelenskyy’s key message was correct, some Ukrainians have suggested that his emotional tone in the Oval Office was not constructive.
Opposition lawmaker Oleskiy Goncharenko suggested in an interview on CNN that Zelenskyy should have been more “diplomatic” and more “calm” given that the stakes were so high.
Meanwhile, there were also those who questioned the decision to hold such an important conversation in front of the press, especially without the use of professional translators who potentially could have tamped down the rhetoric and slowed the pace of the exchange. Thus, as Tymofiy Mylovanov, the adviser to the office of the president and head of the Kyiv School of Economics put it, some things could “have been lost in translation.”
‘Zelensky is our democratic leader’
So where does the Oval Office dispute leave both Zelenskyy and U.S.-Ukrainian relations?
In the aftermath of the dispute, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham – who has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine – suggested that Zelenskyy should resign, the implications being that his relationship with Trump was so broken that his presence is now counterproductive for Ukraine’s priorities.
Moreover, to many Ukrainians the barrier to harmonious Ukraine-U.S. relations is not Zelenskyy, but Trump.
Mustafa Nayyem, who served in Zelesnkyy’s government, summed up the view of many Ukrainians by claiming in a social media post that the Trump administration “does not just dislike Ukraine. They despise us.” The “contempt is deeper than indifference, and more dangerous than outright hostility,” he added in the Feb. 28 post.
Intentional provocation
Serhii Sternenko, a Ukrainian activist lawyer and blogger, described the Oval Office spat as an intentional provocation on behalf of Trump to discredit Ukraine as an unreliable partner in the peace negotiations.
Sternenko is not alone in his assessment. Journalist and blogger Vitaly Portnikov argued that the spat was the result of Trump’s unrealistic promise of ending the war quickly being confronted with the reality that perhaps Russia does not want to make any concessions. The thinking here is Putin has shown no indication that he will bend on his war goals, so for Trump, framing Zelenskyy as “not ready for peace” allows the U.S. president to walk away from his campaign promise without accepting defeat.
Among friends: Zelenskyy with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron on March 2, 2025. Justin Tallis – WPA Pool/Getty Images
A new reality
Beyond the headlines and initial reactions from Ukrainian politicians, journalists and civilians, there is also another sentiment that is emerging: resignation to the new reality.
Most Ukrainians want an end to war, but in a way that preserves their sovereignty and guarantees future security. Until recently, that was shared by the occupants of the White House. It is becoming increasingly clear to many Ukrainians that, in regards the war in Ukraine, the U.S. will play a different role under Trump – meaning Ukraine will increasingly look to European leaders as primary partners.
Perhaps Goncharenko, the opposition member of Ukraine’s Parliament, best summed up the consequences of the Oval Office spat: “It was not Ukraine, it was not the United States who won … it was Putin.”
Lena Surzhko Harned does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Flags of European Union (EU) and Ukraine are seen at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
French President Emmanuel Macron proposed on Sunday that the European Union (EU) member states should raise their defense spending to 3 to 3.5 percent of the EU’s total gross domestic product (GDP).
Speaking to the French daily Le Figaro after participating in a defense summit in London, Macron said EU member states should invest “heavily” in European defense to prepare for America’s eventual disengagement and to ensure Europe’s security.
The French president suggested raising considerable amounts together through joint loans or even the European Stability Mechanism. “We probably need initially 200 billion euros (208 billion U.S. dollars) to kick off,” he added.
According to statistics published by the European Council, in 2024, the EU member states’ total defense expenditure reached an estimated 326 billion euros (338 billion U.S. dollars), about 1.9 percent of the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Regarding Ukraine, Macon told Le Figaro that he didn’t believe in the possible ceasefire signed by the Americans and Russians.
He, along with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, had proposed a one-month “truce” in Ukraine, he said.
Macron stressed again that the European troops would only be deployed to Ukraine after the peace should be established.
A Chinese cultural event held on Sunday at the Malta Chinese School offered students an immersive experience of “ancient Xi’an,” one of China’s most historic cities.
Wang Xiaozhou, a staff member of the China Cultural Center in Malta, introduced the rich history of Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. She highlighted the city’s most iconic archaeological discoveries, including the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, bronze chariots and horses, and the Xun, an ancient Chinese wind instrument made of pottery.
Students eagerly participated in the session, answering Wang’s questions about Xi’an and trying out the pottery Xun.
The event, co-hosted by the China Cultural Center in Malta and the Malta Chinese School, showcased Xi’an’s deep historical and cultural significance. With a history spanning more than 3,100 years, Xi’an served as the capital for 13 dynasties in Chinese history and is home to the renowned Terracotta Warriors, created during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC).
“I love Chinese and will keep learning it,” said six-year-old Matilda Metsola, who has been studying Chinese for more than two years at the school. Having previously visited China with her family, she eagerly hopes to return.
Her mother, Liesbeth Oost Metsola, shared her family’s enthusiasm for Chinese culture, noting that Matilda’s younger siblings are also learning Chinese. “Matilda is always happy to study Chinese and eager to master it. She sets a great example for her younger brother and sister.”
Chen Juheng, head of the Malta Chinese School, noted that the event sparked strong interest among students in the wisdom of Chinese civilization. “Chinese language education is inseparable from cultural heritage,” he said.
Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta, said that more events of this kind will be organized in the future to strengthen ties between Chinese and Maltese civilizations.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) shakes hands with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, March 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that Britain will allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds (2 billion U.S. dollars) of British export finance to purchase more than 5,000 air defense missiles.
“This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure and strengthening Ukraine,” Starmer told a press conference following a summit with Western leaders in London.
The goal is “to put Ukraine in the strongest position” so the country can negotiate from a position of strength, he added.
Western leaders, including more than a dozen European heads of state and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, gathered in London on Sunday for a defense summit aimed at advancing a peace plan for Ukraine.
Starmer said leaders at the summit had agreed on a four-step plan to guarantee peace in Ukraine: to maintain military aid to Ukraine while the conflict continues and increase economic pressure on Russia; to ensure that any lasting peace guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, with Ukraine at the table for any negotiations; to deter “any future invasion by Russia” in the event of a peace deal; and to establish a “coalition of the willing” to defend Ukraine and uphold peace in the country.
The leaders also agreed to meet again soon to sustain the momentum behind these efforts, Starmer said.
The prime minister reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting the peace plan with “boots on the ground, and planes in the air.”
“Europe must do the heavy lifting,” he said, emphasizing that the agreement needs U.S. backing.
“Let me be clear, we agree with Trump on the urgent need for a durable peace. Now we need to deliver together,” he said.
Earlier on Sunday before the summit, Starmer announced that Britain, France and Ukraine will work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States. He named three essential points to achieve “lasting peace” — a strong Ukraine, a European element with security guarantees, and a U.S. backstop, with the last one being the subject of “intense” discussion.
The summit took place amid diplomatic tensions, following a heated exchange earlier this week between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, which led to the cancellation of an anticipated raw materials agreement between the two countries.
On Saturday, Zelensky met with Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where the British prime minister reaffirmed the UK’s “unwavering determination” to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. Following the meeting, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko announced that Britain and Ukraine had agreed on a loan of 2.26 billion pounds to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities. (1 pound = 1.26 U.S. dollar)
Carers in education urged not to miss out on extra money.
This National Student Money Week (3 – 7 March 2025), unpaid carers in education are being encouraged to check if they are entitled to financial help from Social Security Scotland.
It is estimated that there are around 35,000 unpaid carers attending college or university in Scotland. The type of help they provide includes emotional, mental or physical support for a family member, friend or neighbour. But many don’t recognise themselves as a carer, which could mean they are missing out on extra money.
There are three payments delivered by Social Security Scotland that could help student carers during their studies.
Carer Support Payment replaces Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. Unlike Carer’s Allowance, it is available to more carers in education.
Louise Reid, Student Support Adviser at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Financial Capability Champion on the National Association of Student Money Advisors (NASMA) Board, explains the importance of this type of help.
“Students, alongside wider society, are consistently pushed to the limit financially from sources outside their control. The cost of housing, energy and food have all been consistently high and this hits student carers particularly hard.
“As caring responsibilities can limit or completely reduce any capacity for part time work to top up existing student funding, additional financial resources are vital.
“Carer Support Payment is an invaluable financial resource that can make the difference between continuing with studies or not. Being able to claim this benefit, whilst studying really makes such a difference to students who provide care.”
To find out more about all Social Security Scotland payments for carers, visit mygov.scot/carers or call free on 0800 182 2222.
Background:
Carer Support Payment is a payment of £81.90 a week and is available to carers who are aged 16 or over and who provide unpaid care for 35 hours or more a week to someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit. They need to earn £151 a week or less after tax, National Insurance and expenses. Carers in education who may be eligible includes:
Part time students – those who spend less than 21 hours a week in class or doing coursework for any course
Students aged 20 and over and who study full time for any course
Students aged 16-19, who study full time in advanced education at university or for a college course such as a Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma
There are also some circumstances where students aged 16-19 studying over 21 hours a week in non-advanced education, such as studying for National Certificates and Scottish Highers, who may also be eligible if they meet certain criteria. Find out more at If you study – mygov.scot
Carer’s Allowance Supplementis an extra payment for eligible unpaid carers who are getting Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance on the qualifying date. The payment is made twice a year and is unique to Scotland. Each payment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement is currently £288.60. It is paid automatically without the need to apply.
Young Carer Grant is available for carers aged 16, 17 or 18 who provide support for an average of 16 hours a week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. It is a yearly payment of £383.75 and the money can be spent on whatever the young person wants.
If you are an organisation that supports student carers in Scotland, there are shareable resources, many of which are available in different languages, via our resources pages on our website:
“I am extremely pleased that NPCC and the College of Policing are again able to coordinate this wonderful celebration of all things police staff. We saw an outstanding response to last year’s event, with hundreds of our colleagues being recognised and praised, and their work highlighted by peers across the country.
“I’m excited that this year’s celebration will also see the introduction of the first National Police Staff Awards. We received an incredible number of nominations, detailing the amazing work staff are doing every day across policing, and we can’t wait to share these stories with you all.
“It is so important that the work of police staff is recognised as they play a critical role in keeping our communities safe, bringing offenders to justice, supporting victims, investigating crime and enabling policing.
“I sincerely thank everyone who is involved in making this week and these events possible, and I look forward to hearing more wonderful stories and case studies from colleagues across the country this week.”
“Our inaugural week of celebration and recognition held last year significantly helped to install a sense of pride in the police staff workforce by highlighting examples of individuals and teams who have truly gone above and beyond in the course of their duties, and in service to their communities.
“I know this year we again will help to raise the profile of police staff, and it is our intent that this recognition will also help to inform the workforce of the future about the incredibly rewarding career opportunities available to those who want to work in policing.
“The fact that this year also sees the first ever national awards for police staff is such a positive step for us all. We created these awards to demonstrate the breadth and complexity of the work police staff are undertaking to enable and support the policing mission, and we know that people will feel humbled after hearing these stories.
“Congratulations to all award winners, as well as those who were highly commended!”
NPCC Chair Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said:
“I am delighted to once again see this week of celebration take place. As we saw last year, taking the time across policing to collectively recognise the work and achievements of police staff really does help to promote the incredible breadth of work that they do.
“Police staff do not always get the profile and recognition that they deserve, and I know all police chiefs would agree with me and say that this is something that we must continue to champion.
“For those less familiar with policing, I would urge them to explore the range of roles that are open to police staff: from those conducting analytical, research and scientific support, to forensics and investigations, and neighbourhood policing, these truly are vitally important roles that policing simply could not exist without.
“I’d personally like to thank each and every staff member and volunteer for the huge role they play.”
“Keeping the public safe is not achieved by police officers alone, and I’m delighted that the many skilled and dedicated staff whose work may be less visible but is no less vital in preventing crime are being recognised this week.
“Crime is changing, and it is often those who work behind the scenes who are at the forefront of dealing with emerging types of crime. Whether they work in forensics, as a crime analyst, in IT support or as a call handler, police staff are instrumental to protecting communities across the country. I’d like to thank them for their commitment and to congratulate those being recognised in this week’s inaugural National Police Staff Awards.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
UK Government boosts digital collection of world’s oldest English language daily newspaper
Belfast News Letter editions from 18th-20th centuries to be digitised as UK Government project promotes Northern Ireland’s cultural heritage.
Historic editions of the world’s oldest English language daily newspaper still in circulation are to be digitised by the UK Government, delivering on commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper.
The News Letter, first published in September 1737, will this year mark its 288th anniversary as the oldest continuously published English language daily paper. To strengthen understanding of Northern Ireland’s cultural traditions around the world, the Northern Ireland Office is working in partnership with the British Library and FindMyPast to expand the online collection of the historic publication in the British Newspaper Archive. Building on previous preservation and scanning initiatives, the digitisation of these copies from three centuries of the historic Belfast title means that all known surviving copies of the News Letter will become accessible online for the first time.
Announcing the start of the project, Secretary of State Hilary Benn visited Belfast’s Linen Hall Library to view historic copies of the News Letter. While historic copies of the publication are available in physical and microfilm format in libraries across Northern Ireland, this project will ensure a worldwide audience will be able to observe the newspaper’s unique insight into the political situation in Ireland from the late 18th century to the early 19th and 20th centuries.
Key historical events, such as the Irish Parliament winning legislative independence from Britain in 1782, the formation of the Orange Order in 1795, the 1798 rebellion of the United Irishmen, and the 1801 implementation of the Act of Union are covered by the newly digitised pages.
Originals of the News Letter are being provided in microfilm and newspaper format by the British Library, to be digitised by the online platform Findmypast, which has spent nearly 15 years working on a collaborative project to digitise the British Library’s vast newspaper collection.
The archive is then made available online through the British Newspaper Archive and on Findmypast, where it can be viewed freely at the British Library sites in London and Yorkshire, as well as at any library or by any private individual around the world with a subscription.
Speaking after his visit to The Linen Hall Library, Secretary of State Hilary Benn said:
“The News Letter’s status as the longest-running continuously published English language daily newspaper in the world is an important part of Northern Ireland’s unique cultural heritage.
“As set out in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, the UK Government is committed to digitising these historical archives to promote the richness of Northern Ireland’s traditions around the world, including in nations with historic ties, such as the United States.
“This will also ensure that these precious historical records are preserved and accessible for generations to come.”
Sarah Bush, Managing Director of Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, said:
“As the trusted partner of many iconic British and Irish institutions, we work to digitise millions of records from our nation’s history and make them accessible to the public online.
“Alongside the British Library, we’re delighted to make this unique and culturally important title available to be searched and viewed on Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, offering a fascinating window into centuries of Northern Ireland’s history as it happened.
Beth Gaskell, Lead Curator of News and Moving Image at the British Library, said:
“The British Library cares for one of the world’s greatest news archives with over 60 million issues of British and overseas newspapers dating back to the 1600s, as well as ever expanding collections of radio, television, and web news.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Findmypast and the UK government to build on the existing collection of the News Letter available through the British Newspaper Archive to make all known surviving copies of the historic Belfast title accessible for the first time.”
New Letter’s David Montgomery, Executive Chairman of the News Letter’s owners, National World plc, said:
“For four centuries The News Letter has been in the frontline of local and global
news and opinion – it was already in its fortieth year when it covered the U.S.
Declaration of Independence. In the 1990s it and other Northern Ireland papers helped pave the pathway to peace.
“Today The News Letter is often a solitary and essential promoter of its community’s rich heritage. The digital archive is an eternal reminder of that crucial, continuing role of reliable independent journalism.”
The UK Government continues to make progress on the delivery of the commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, which formed the basis upon which the Northern Ireland Executive was restored last year.
The digitisation project will see Findmypast digitise pages of the Belfast News Letter using specialist microfilm scanners, which scan thousands of newspaper pages every day, in its state-of-the-art studio at the British Library’s facility in Boston Spa. This ensures the faithful reproduction of the newspaper as it once appeared, and enables online searching of the newspaper by name, keyword, date, or specific location.
The digitisation process will be completed this Spring. Once online, individuals will be able to access the editions free of charge by visiting libraries with a subscription to Findmypast, includingthe British Library’s sites in St Pancras, London and Boston Spa, Yorkshire. They will also be accessible to people around the world with a subscription to the Findmypast or British Newspaper Archive websites.
The editions of the News Letter being digitised are from 1738-1750, 1752-1770, 1772, 1775-1780, 1782, 1784-1785, 1787-1800, 1802-1803, 1806, 1816-1825, 1827, 1959 (Mar-Dec), 1960, 1961 (Jan-Jun)
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Young people urged to ‘Think Fraud’ over rent offers
New data shows 18 to 39 year olds account for almost 3 quarters of rental fraud reports as phase 2 of nationwide ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign launches.
Young people aged between 18 and 39 account for almost three quarters of cases of rental fraud, according to exclusive National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) data released by the Home Office today.
Rental fraudsters typically target their victims by offering access to properties that do not exist, or which are not theirs to rent, often using fake details and photos, and usually offering prices at well below market rate. To secure the property or even arrange a viewing, they will usually demand a deposit or the first month’s rent, and many individuals desperate to find a home will make the upfront payment to avoid missing out.
According to the NFIB data, the resulting fraud losses amounted to nearly £9 million across around 5,000 reported cases last year. The 18 to 29 age group accounted for 48% of all reported rental fraud cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland last year, with the 30 to 39 age group accounting for 25%.
With many students and young workers using the spring months to search for new rented accommodation, Home Office ministers are urging renters to avoid rushing into a quick decision or paying over any money for a property before they have viewed it in person.
And with rental fraud often taking place through properties advertised on social media websites, the government is also renewing its calls for tech companies to go further and faster to tackle fraud on their platforms ahead of convening the next Joint Fraud Taskforce meeting later this month.
Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:
Rental fraud is an utterly shameful crime, and this new data should serve as a stark reminder that anyone can be a victim. It doesn’t matter how streetwise and tech-savvy you are, fraudsters will get to anyone who doesn’t stop and think before handing over their money.
That’s why I am determined to root out fraud from our society, crack down on the callous criminals behind it, and ensure that stronger protections are put in place by the tech companies on whose platforms much of this fraud takes place.
The Home Office will be making progress on all of those issues through the next phase of our Stop! Think Fraud campaign, and the new, expanded fraud strategy we are developing this year as part of this government’s Plan for Change.
Oliver Shaw, Commander for Fraud and Cybercrime, City of London Police, said:
Young people are disproportionally targeted by criminals whilst they look for new accommodation or housing opportunities. This can result not only in a devastating financial loss but can also lead to a negative impact on their mental health. The data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau highlights clearly how much of a critical issue this is in affecting 18 to 29 year olds.
That’s why we, as the national lead force for fraud, continue to support the Stop! Think Fraud campaign’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of this vital issue. And we continue to work to highlight emerging cybercrime and fraud types that could be a threat, understanding the importance of reporting, and advocating ways the public can prevent themselves from becoming victims of fraud.
The new figures are published on the same day as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – part of GCHQ – launches the second phase of a nationwide campaign encouraging individuals and small businesses to set-up 2-step verification (2SV) on their most important accounts.
2SV adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for attackers to access your accounts even if your password is compromised.
Online fraudsters are constantly finding new ways to trick you into sharing personal information or money, but thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself.
Today, we’re launching a nationwide campaign urging everyone to strengthen their security by enabling 2SV, which adds an extra layer of protection to keep your accounts safe.
Toughen up your online security by enabling 2SV today – usually found in the security settings of your accounts – and keep the fraudsters out.
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, on the margins of the Securing our Future Summit in London, United Kingdom, where European partners and Canada met to discuss security for Europe and Ukraine.
The leaders discussed the importance of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. They underscored that Ukraine must be part of any negotiations for a peace deal as well as the need for robust security guarantees.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Starmer highlighted the close relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom, founded on deep historical links, common values, and strong economic relations. They agreed to stay in close contact.
This month, as the weather stays high and you’re likely to want to stay under the air-conditioning, our experts have a cornucopia of shows and films they’re watching to suit every mood.
There is Robert de Niro’s romp through politics which “stretches the bounds of credibility”, new seasons of The Traitors from both the United Kingdom and the United States, three new Aussie productions and a new comedy from Aotearoa New Zealand. There is a documentary about Cyclone Tracy for the history buffs – and to round it all out, the intriguingly titled Nightbitch.
Zero Day
Netflix
It seems appropriate that Netflix’s attempt to create a show that captures the state of US politics should be as absurd and troubling as the first months of the Trump administration. Zero Day stretches the bounds of credibility, but, like Trump, it is hypnotic viewing.
A former president, George Mullen (Robert de Niro) is called upon to track down the source of a cyber-attack which turns off all power for one minute, leading to multiple deaths.
Mullen’s own family story becomes central to the plot, involving both his wife (Joan Allen) and daughter (Lizzy Caplan) – who conveniently happens to be a congresswoman, clearly inspired by left-wing congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Zero Day is full of such references, from the current president (Angela Bassett), a nod to Kamala Harris, to a populist radio host and a sinister tech tycoon.
American reviews have complained the series tries too hard to appeal across partisan lines, to suggest woke calls from the left is equivalent to extremism on the right. Yes, there’s a fuzziness to the politics of Zero Day. But I saw it as a cry of despair at the state of American public life which is also highly entertaining television.
– Dennis Altman
Optics
ABC iView
What does it mean to tell the truth? And how do we, as consumers of media, differentiate truth from fabrication? Optics, a new comedy series from the ABC, asks these questions through the setting of a public relations firm.
The show expertly balances humour with quick-wit, social media vernacular, and a level of marketing wordsmithing that makes you question if the news has ever told you a true story.
The show is based in the PR firm Fritz & Randell and opens with the death of its aging CEO Frank Fritz (Peter Carroll), in a men-only board meeting no less.
After Frank’s death, the son of the cofounder, Ian Randell (Charles Firth) makes a bid for top spot. But the owner of the firm, Bobby Bahl (Claude Jabbour) is concerned with “optics”, so he puts two young women in charge instead.
Their young, spunky attitude and social media prowess is seen as a massive advantage. And it is. But it soon becomes apparent this move is much more than a feminist fresh-take for the firm – and is rather a bid to push some skeletons further back in the closet.
With outrageous lines such as “is there an emoji for miscarriage”, you are guaranteed an entertaining watch. The show will have you questioning the stories you yourself are presented through news outlets. Further still, it will make you wonder how many hands those stories passed through before they hit the papers and screens.
N00b is a coming-of-age story set in small town Gore, New Zealand, a proverbial “arse-end” of the world. Under show creator Victoria Boult, the series bristles with a vibrancy and edginess.
It’s a familiar story of rugby jocks (“boys”) and popular kids, geeks, misfits, and their witless teachers. It’s something of a modest, reality snapshot of the teen dramas it so confidently riffs on, shows like Laguna Beach and The O.C.
But what makes this a courageous entry in the genre is N00b’s willingness to be both uproariously funny and caustically cynical. This is a very funny teen comedy, and yet it is also dark and provocative in ways I found refreshing and quite surprising.
Boult cut her teeth on film studies at the University of Sydney and then went on to work with Jane Campion on The Power of the Dog. The sureness of vision and the deftness of the way in which Boult understands genre is so impressive. The production is based on Boult’s viral TikTok series of the same name (which I can highly recommend).
I sincerely hope that N00b finds a major audience and perhaps even garners a cult following. Highly recommend.
– Bruce Isaacs
The Traitors US and UK, seasons three
TenPlay (Australia), ThreeNow (New Zealand)
The third seasons from The Traitors UK and US are fantastic companion pieces, with respective hosts Claudia Winkleman and Alan Cumming guiding the plucky contestants with their camp prowess.
With their third seasons, the creative teams behind each version have realised that the more theatrical the better, with Winkleman and Cumming leading the charge with their sass and eccentric fashion choices. The setting of Ardross Castle (for both series) in the Scottish Highlands helps.
The premise is simple: a cast of contestants must complete challenges to earn money for the kitty. Hidden among the faithful contestants are traitors. If a traitor makes it to the end, they keep the money for themselves.
Each episode, the faithfuls must banish a contestant who they think is a traitor. That evening, the traitors also meet in their turret, wearing mysterious cloaks of course, to “murder” a contestant in their sleep.
The British season has a diverse cast of everyday contestants, with standouts being one person who gives herself away as a traitor within seconds of being chosen, and another faking a Welsh accent to appear more down to earth.
The US season is vastly different with a cast of former reality television show icons. Here, it’s fascinating to see how contestants from different franchises, such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, Real Housewives, Survivor and Big Brother all approach the game differently.
Both the American and British versions of The Traitors are fantastic viewing and it’s a genuine shame that the Australian version was let down with substandard casting choices and an aesthetic that was the antithesis of camp.
– Stuart Richards
Cyclone Tracy
9 Now
On Christmas Eve 2024, Australia remembered the 50th anniversary of the destruction of Darwin wrought by Cyclone Tracy. Fittingly, the 9 Now streaming service marked this anniversary by featuring the 1986 miniseries Cyclone Tracy, a vivid depiction of 1970s Darwin and the terrible impact of the cyclone.
Cyclone Tracy stars Tracy Mann as Connie, a widow and mother of two who has just paid off the mortgage of her hotel, which serves as the central stage for the drama.
The series captures the cultural diversity of Darwin (though some portrayals veer towards caricature at times), and the city itself is beautifully evoked through archival footage and great production design. The cyclone itself is frightening, and its destructive power is powerfully evoked (the series’ director of photography, Andrew Lesnie, would later win an Oscar for cinematography).
In the mid-1980s, when this series first went to air, many viewers would have still been coming to terms with this terrible disaster: it was an act of storytelling for the nation. Watching it in 2025, Cyclone Tracy reminds us of the importance of these nation-making television programs that were once such an important part of Australian culture.
– Michelle Arrow
Apple Cider Vinegar
Netflix
Apple Cider Vinegar tells the story of the elaborate cancer con orchestrated by Australian blogger Annabelle (Belle) Gibson.
For anyone who followed Gibson during her rise to fame in the 2010s – or her spectacular fall – the show feels eerily familiar.
From the clothing, to the makeup, to the food, Apple Cider Vinegar excels in set design and staging. Every effort has been made to ensure this true story, based on a lie, looks like it did when it was unfolding on our phone screens in the 2010s.
As someone who followed Gibson closely and spent months hunting down the recalled cookbook to see if the health claims were as outlandish as I’d heard (they were), this show was a treat to watch.
The scenes are cut with recreations of Belle’s stylised Instagram pictures of green juices, beaches and food with “no nasties”. Belle’s account was removed from Instagram after the massive public ousting of her hoax.
Apple Cider Vinegar has done an incredible job recreating this account and breathing life back into the deleted content.
Whether or not you are already familiar with Gibson’s story, Apple Cider Vinegar is a compelling watch. You’ll especially love it if you enjoy non-fiction productions that play with ideas of truth such as iTonya, the Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna.
Stan’s new series Invisible Boys follows four young gay men as they understand and explore their identities while living in Geraldton, a regional town in Western Australia.
Charlie Roth (Joseph Zada), Zeke Calogero (Aydan Calafiore), Kade “Hammer” Hammersmith (Zach Blampied) and Matt Jones (Joe Klocek) represent four very different young men. Yet they share the experience of feeling invisible because of their sexuality.
An adaptation of Holden Sheppard’s novel of the same name, the story challenges linear narratives of progress and typical ideals of queer life. It also shows how such mentalities can lead gay and bisexual men growing up in regional Australia to feel invisible, as they often don’t fit the neat narratives associated with “progress”.
No previous teen drama has been quite as truthful in its representation of some young gay and bisexual men’s experiences.
As someone who grew up gay in regional Australia, it feels like an authentic representation of my own experience. There’s something universal about Charlie, Zeke, Kade and Matt’s stories of not fitting in, and of being invisible to be safe.
Most striking is the way the series captures the complicated mix of joy and fear – the clash of opportunity and consequence – that accompanies becoming visibly gay in these environments.
“Motherhood,” the beleaguered stay-at-home mother of Nightbitch tells us in contemplative voice-over, “is probably the most violent experience a human can have aside from death itself”.
The film sets out to show motherhood is also far more savage and feral than the anodyne images posted on social media by retrograde tradwives or mumfluencers would have us believe.
As Nightbitch puts it, it’s “fucking brutal”.
Mother (Amy Adams) is an unnamed installation artist who places her career on hold to raise her young son. Wrung out by the demands of motherhood and increasingly furious with the lack of support she receives from her incompetent and often absent Husband (Scoot McNairy), Mother starts to spiral out of control, morphing into a dog complete with tail, sharpened canines, extra nipples and a ravenous desire for raw meat.
Nightbitch takes the fear of the reproductive woman literally, drawing on magic realism and horror tropes to show the visceral and psychological metamorphosis women undergo on becoming mothers. Unfortunately director Marielle Heller’s refusal to lean into the body horror results in a neutered narrative with more bark than bite.
Michelle Arrow receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Bruce Isaacs, Damien O’Meara, Dennis Altman, Edith Jennifer Hill, Rachel Williamson, and Stuart Richards do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Last month tech giant Meta announced plans to build the world’s longest submarine communication cable.
Known as Project Waterworth, the 50,000-kilometre cable would link five continents. Meta says it would improve connectivity and technological development in countries including the United States, India and Brazil.
But submarine cables can do far more than just enhance telecommunications. In fact, a recent conference I attended in London highlighted how a relatively new generation of cables can also be used to keep us safe from threats such as climate change and natural disasters.
The Transatlantic submarine cable, connecting British North America to Ireland, was laid in 1858. Rod Allday, CC BY-SA
These cables are equipped with sensors that measure vital environmental data in the ocean. This data includes seismic activity, temperature fluctuations and pressure changes. It can be used to improve early-warning systems for tsunamis and earthquakes as well as tracking changes in the climate.
OFS – short for optical fibre sensing – cables are aimed at protecting critical infrastructure. They use the fibre within to detect vibrations surrounding the cable. This allows cable operators to identify potential disruptions from fishing activity, ship anchors and other physical disturbances.
The topic of sensing cables comes up at conferences, thanks to industry professionals who work on it pro bono. But the technology isn’t widely adopted by the broader industry and governments. For example, SMART cables have been around since 2010, but there are only two projects in development.
The reasons for this slow uptake boil down to three major concerns, as discussed at the conference.
1. Outdated regulation
The legal framework governing undersea cables is outdated.
This legal ambiguity introduces additional complexities to already lengthy and complex processes for obtaining permits when sensing technologies are integrated into cables.
2. No clear business model
Industry executives question the financial feasibility of sensing cables. For example, during the conference in London, several industry executives suggested adding sensors raises costs by approximately 15%, with no clear revenue return.
Unlike data traffic, environmental data doesn’t directly generate income. Unless governments intervene with funding, tax incentives or expedited permits, cable operators have little incentive to absorb these added costs and complexities.
3. Security risks
At the subsea cable conference in London, several industry insiders also warned embedding sensors in cables could create new security risks.
Some governments might view sensing-equipped cables as surveillance tools rather than neutral scientific infrastructure.
There is also concern such cables could become attractive targets for malicious actors.
But there are good reasons for more countries and industry to invest in SMART cables.
For example, information on ocean depth, seabed composition and temperature fluctuations is valuable. A wide array of industries, from shipping and offshore energy to fisheries and insurance, could leverage this data to enhance their operations and mitigate risks.
Scientists have also pointed out that in order to better understand climate change, we need more and better data about what’s happening in the ocean.
Current subsea cable regulatory hurdles make investing in sensing technology challenging. But if regulation is updated, projects such as Meta’s Waterworth Project could more easily integrate sensors.
With experts suggesting the Waterworth Project be viewed as multiple cables instead of one, sensors could just be deployed on less geopolitically sensitive cable branches.
They could facilitate the creation of an open-access, publicly funded database for ocean observation data. Such a platform could consolidate real-time data from sensing cables, satellites and marine sensors. This would provide a transparent, shared resource for scientists, policymakers and industries alike.
Of course, deploying sensing technology may not be feasible in volatile regions such as the Baltic or South China seas.
But there is potential in areas especially vulnerable to climate change, such as the Pacific. Here, scientific data could be harnessed to model oceanic changes and explore solutions to rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns.
Data collected from submarine cables can help us better understand the effects of climate change on the ocean. somavarapu madhavi/Shutterstock
A path forward
Portugal demonstrates a path forward for SMART cables. Despite the regulatory challenges, it is actively investing in SMART cables in order to improve climate data.
Other governments can learn from this if they wish to fulfil their moral duty to invest in infrastructure that serves as a public good.
The idea of embedding sensors in cables may not be the perfect climate change fix. But it’s a step toward understanding the ocean’s invisible rhythms – a small but necessary gesture to stop pretending our planet’s breakdown will fix itself.
Cynthia Mehboob 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
News story
Chair’s Statement: Leaders Meeting on Ukraine, London, 2 March 2025
Chair’s Statement from the Leaders Meeting on Ukraine in London on 2 March 2025.
Today, I hosted counterparts from across Europe including Türkiye, as well as the NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the EU Commission, EU Council and Canada, in London to discuss our support for Ukraine.
Together, we reaffirmed our determination to work for a permanent peace in Ukraine, in partnership with the United States. Europe’s security is our responsibility above all. We will step up to this historic task and increase our investment in our own defence.
We must not repeat the mistakes of the past when weak deals allowed President Putin to invade again. We will work with President Trump to ensure a strong, just, and lasting peace that ensures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security. Ukraine must be able to deter and defend itself against future Russian attack. There must be no talks on Ukraine without Ukraine. We have agreed that the UK, France and others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting which we will discuss further with the US and take forward together.
Equally importantly, we discussed further rapid steps to enhance our support for Ukraine in pursuit of ‘peace through strength’. We will step up our military support, ensuring Ukraine has the support it needs to train its armed forces and accelerating our support in areas of greatest need. To help bring President Putin to the table, we will put further pressure on Russia by increasing sanctions, including on Russia’s energy revenues, while tightening enforcement of existing measures.
We also agreed that Ukraine must have robust security arrangements in place at the time of any future peace deal so that Russia does not invade again. We will accelerate plans to build up Ukraine’s own armed forces and border defences after any deal, and ensure that Ukraine can draw on munitions, finance and equipment to defend itself.
In addition, many of us expressed readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security, including through a force consisting of European and other partners, and will intensify our planning.
We will continue to work closely together to drive forward next steps, and will take decisions in the coming weeks.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Historic £1.6bn deal provides thousands of air defence missiles for Ukraine and boosts UK jobs and growth
Deal will create 200 jobs in Northern Ireland and provide 5000 air defence missiles missiles to Ukraine.
200 new jobs will be created and hundreds more supported at one of the UK’s leading defence manufacturers, after a £1.6bn deal was announced by the Prime Minister today to supply thousands of advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine.
The latest measures in the UK’s support for Ukraine to achieve peace through strength, the deal will also provide a major boost to the UK economy and support 700 existing jobs at Thales in Belfast, which will manufacture more than 5,000 lightweight-multirole missiles (LMM) for Ukraine’s defence. The deal will see production of LMMs at Thales’s factory treble and will also benefit companies in the Thales Supply Chain across the UK – putting more money in working people’s pockets.
It is the largest contract ever received by Thales in Belfast and the second largest MOD has placed with Thales, building on a previous contract with Thales, signed in September 2024 for 650 missiles. The first batch of missiles were delivered before Christmas, and this new contract will continue deliveries.
The deal comes after the Prime Minister announced the Government’s commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and confirmed an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament, in order to keep Britain safe and secure for generations to come. This investment will be an opportunity to translate defence spending into British growth, British jobs, British skills, and British innovation.
The deal helps deliver on the Government’s pledge in its Plan for Change to improve the lives of people in every corner of the UK by growing the economy. By spending more on defence we will deliver the national security that underpins economic growth, and unlock new jobs, skills and opportunities across the country.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
My support for Ukraine is unwavering. I am determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security.
I am also clear that national security is economic security. As well as levelling up Ukraine’s air defence, this loan will make working people here in the UK better off, boosting our economy and supporting jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond.
By doubling down on our support, working closely with key partners, and ensuring Ukraine has a strong voice at the table, I believe we can achieve a strong, lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
Three years since Putin launched his full-scale invasion, we are now at a critical moment for the future of Ukraine and the security of us all in Europe.
We all want a secure and lasting peace. As today’s meeting has showed, the UK will continue to lead international efforts to support Ukraine in securing a ceasefire and durable peace. And we will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war. This new support will help protect Ukraine against drone and missile attacks but it will also help deter further Russian aggression following any end to the fighting.
This new deal delivers on the UK’s ironclad commitment to step up military support for Ukraine, whilst boosting jobs and growth at home.
Today’s deal marks a historic step for industrial relations between the UK and Ukraine, building on the 100 Year Partnership signed recently by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The contract will enable Ukraine to draw on £3.5bn of export finance to acquire military equipment from UK companies, boosting both the UK’s and Ukraine’s defence industrial bases and support investment in further military capabilities.
Ukraine has already put the highly capable LMM missile to use as part of its air defences where it has proven to be incredibly effective in protecting civilians and critical infrastructure from Russia’s bombardment. A £162m contract announced in September last year saw 650 LMM missiles supplied to Ukraine as an initial order to ramp up production – deliveries started in December 2024.
Thales Northern Ireland will deliver the contract – worth an initial £1.16bn with the potential for around a further £500m of work to be added – in collaboration with a Ukrainian industry partner, which will manufacture launchers and command and control vehicles for the missiles in Ukraine.
The contract has been placed by the MOD’s procurement arm Defence Equipment & Support on behalf of the Ukrainian Government, to be funded by a loan underwritten by United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) after a deal signed last year to allow Ukraine to draw on £3.5bn worth of support from UKEF to spend with UK industry.
As set out in the Plan for Change, national security is the first duty of the Government – and a strong economy is built on the bedrock of strong security. Increased defence spending will support highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the whole of the UK. Last year, defence spending supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, the equivalent to one in every 60, and 68% of defence spending goes outside of London and the Southeast, benefitting every nation and region of the country.
Andy Start, DE&S CEO and UK National Armaments Director said:
The UK’s Defence Industry has supported Ukraine from the start of the war and this important contract underlines industry’s ability to scale up production at pace to deliver the world-class defence equipment Ukraine requires.
This contract is a critical next step in the work of Task Force HIRST in developing lasting partnerships between the UK and Ukraine’s defence industries. The substantial increase in LMM production capacity will benefit both Ukraine’s fight tonight, as well as the longer-term security of the UK.
The deal marks the next milestone in the work of the MOD’s Taskforce HIRST and the first of a series of “mega projects” to be delivered for Ukraine, with the HIRST team working to build long-term relationships with Ukrainian industry to restore and modernise their defence industrial base, support its future defence and economic growth.
Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary announced a new £150m military support package to support Ukrainian troops fighting Russia on the frontline, part of the UK’s unprecedented £3 billion annual pledge to Ukraine.
The UK has committed to spending £3bn next financial year to support Ukraine, with an additional £1.5bn from interest on seized assets through the Extraordinary Revenue Accelerator – taking the total to £4.5Bn. This will ensure Ukraine can achieve peace through strength and underscoring the new 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine.
The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, was in London today, where this morning she had bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. This afternoon, President Meloni attended the leaders’ summit on Ukraine held at Lancaster House.
For over three years, Ukraine has fought with extraordinary courage and resilience against Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion. This ongoing aggression is not only a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, but also a direct attack on the rules-based international order, freedom, and democracy everywhere. Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine and its people as they continue to defend their independence.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today participated in the Securing our Future Summit in London, United Kingdom. Hosted by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, the Summit brought together Euro-Atlantic and NATO leaders to promote unity, reinforce collective security, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued aggression.
During the Securing our Future Summit, the Prime Minister announced new sanctions against 10 individuals and 21 entities, including paramilitary organizations and their leaders, to help counter Russia’s reliance on third-party organizations and countries to advance its political and military objectives in Ukraine. To date, Canada has imposed sanctions on over 3,000 individuals and entities complicit in Russia’s aggression – and we remain committed to working with our partners to increase economic pressure on Russia.
Throughout the Summit, the Prime Minister engaged with his counterparts on the future of international support for Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need for continued and co-ordinated action in the face of growing global instability and uncertainty. Together, the leaders agreed that there can be no sustainable peace in Europe without security for Ukraine, that any peaceful end to the conflict must include Ukraine at the negotiating table, and that any peace deal should include robust security guarantees.
At a plenary session, Prime Minister Trudeau underlined that strengthening security and stability in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic region will remain a top priority for Canada, including as part of our G7 Presidency this year. He underscored our leadership in supporting Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, which includes almost $20 billion in multifaceted assistance ranging from military aid – such as armoured vehicles and drone technology – to humanitarian and financial assistance to help Ukraine rebuild and recover.
The Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing work of members of the Canadian Armed Forces in the United Kingdom and Poland under Operation UNIFIER. Since 2015, they have provided military training to over 44,000 Ukrainian troops. Canada continues to engage closely with Ukraine, Allies, and partners on how best to enhance support through Operation UNIFIER to help Ukraine defend itself.
Prime Minister Trudeau also emphasized the importance of standing together to hold Russia accountable for its violations of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.
Canada’s commitment to Ukraine is unwavering. We will continue to stand with Ukraine and work closely with our Allies to provide the necessary military, economic, and humanitarian support to push back against Russian aggression. We are stronger when we work together. And together, we can ensure Ukraine is able to defend itself, rebuild, and secure a just and lasting peace.
Quote
“Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty is a fight for freedom and democracy everywhere. The important discussions we had today reinforced our shared resolve: as Allies, we will remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine. Canada will be there for Ukraine until there is a just and lasting peace. Slava Ukraini!”
Quick Facts
In London, the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer. Before returning to Canada tomorrow, he will also have an audience with His Majesty King Charles III.
The new sanctions announced today include nine leaders of post-Wagner paramilitary organizations, one member of the affiliated senior Russian military leadership, nine paramilitary organizations operating in Ukraine and in the Kremlin’s Africa-network, and 12 affiliated organizations that are responsible for resource extraction within this network.
Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has committed almost $20 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine. This includes:
Over $12.4 billion in direct financial assistance, the highest in the G7 on a per capita basis.
$4.5 billion in military assistance, such as M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, thermal clothing, body armour, fuel, and more.
$585 million in development assistance, including support to Ukraine’s energy system.
$372.2 million in humanitarian assistance, including support for emergency health interventions, protection services, and essentials such as shelter, water, sanitation, and food. Programming also addresses child protection, mental health support, and prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
Nearly $225 million in security and stabilization assistance.
As announced by the Prime Minister in Kyiv last month, Canada has started delivering on its commitment of a $5 billion contribution toward the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans mechanism. Launched at last year’s G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the ERA Loans aim to bring forward future revenues from frozen Russian sovereign assets to provide Ukraine with approximately US$50 billion in additional funding as it continues to defend its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
In February 2024, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy signed the historic Agreement on Security Cooperation between Canada and Ukraine, establishing a new strategic security partnership between our two countries. This included $3.02 billion in critical financial and military support to Ukraine for 2024.
Launched by Canada and Ukraine in 2024, the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children co-ordinates joint efforts and co-operation between Ukraine and partner states to address the issue of the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia. To date, 41 states and the Council of Europe have joined the Coalition, helping successfully facilitate the safe return of over 1,000 children.
As part of the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the federal government announced last year its intention to double down on our efforts to support Ukraine, including through proposed legislative changes that will ensure profits from frozen Russian assets are used to rebuild Ukraine.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 220,000 Ukrainians. We are helping Ukrainian families find a safe, temporary home and have put support services in place for their arrival. This includes temporary financial assistance and access to federally funded settlement services, such as language training and employment-related services.
Canada and Ukraine have long been steadfast partners and close friends. In 1991, Canada became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence. Today, 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent call Canada home – the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the Western world. In 2022, total bilateral trade between our two countries was valued at over $421 million.
This was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 11th official visit to the United Kingdom.
Canada and the United Kingdom share a strong relationship rooted in deep historical ties and common values. We work closely together to advance shared priorities, including sustainable growth, rules-based international trade, gender equality, the fight against climate change, democracy and media freedom, and support for Ukraine.
In 2023, the United Kingdom was Canada’s third-largest destination for goods and services exports, with trade valued at $47 billion.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
PM meeting with Prime Minister Meloni of Italy: 2 March 2025
The Prime Minister met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Downing Street this morning.
The Prime Minister met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Downing Street this morning, their third meeting since July. The meeting came ahead of the Prime Minister convening international leaders in London today to discuss how partners can work with the USA to move forward to a lasting peace for a sovereign Ukraine. They agreed on the importance of the transatlantic alliance in confronting shared challenges.
They had a warm and constructive discussion, agreeing the strength of the UK-Italy relationship is as vital now as it has ever been. They reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, agreeing that the UK and Italy will stand with them for as long as it takes.
The two leaders acknowledged positive progress made since their last meeting in joint working to tackle irregular migration. They agreed secure borders are a bedrock of a secure economy. They noted the significance of recent successful joint operations to disrupt smuggling gangs and agreed there is greater opportunity to disrupt gangs upstream at source when countries work together. They will strengthen cooperation to share intelligence and data, such as through Europol. The Prime Ministers committed to continue to work closely together in these areas.
The two Prime Ministers committed to staying in close contact to take today’s discussion forward at pace.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
PM call with leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: 2 March 2025
The Prime Minister spoke to President Alar Karis of Estonia, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa of Latvia and President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania this morning.
The Prime Minister spoke to President Alar Karis of Estonia, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa of Latvia and President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania this morning.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are key partners of the UK, including through the Joint Expeditionary Force, and welcomed their leading contributions in support of Ukraine since Russia’s illegal invasion began.
The Prime Minister updated them on his discussions with the leaders of Ukraine, France and the United States in recent days – and underlined his focus on securing a lasting peace in Ukraine that ensures their future sovereignty, backed up by strong security guarantees.
They all agreed that Europe must unite and drive forward urgent action that will secure the best outcome, which will be vital for Europe’s future security.
The Prime Minister updated on his plans to convene leaders in London later today for further discussions and they agreed to stay in close contact in the coming weeks.
Press Release Nokia and industry partners accelerate AI-RAN development #MWC25
Nokia’s ecosystem of industry partnerships is driving advancements in AI-RAN architecture and the deployment and optimization of AI-powered Radio Access Networks.
Collaboration helps lay the foundations for platform-as-a-service business models for operators offering scalable computing infrastructure and capabilities for AI and other services in addition to connectivity.
Nokia opens AI-RAN Center in Dallas, U.S to accelerate development of AI-RAN with partners.
AI-RAN will have a transformative impact on the future of telecommunications infrastructure and services.
2 March 2025 Espoo, Finland – At Mobile World Congress 2025, Nokia and its ecosystem of industry partners, KDDI, SoftBank Corp., T-Mobile US, and NVIDIA today outlined the advances made in the deployment and optimization of revolutionary AI-powered Radio Access Networks (RAN) as well as the future architecture for AI-RAN. These joint efforts will lay the foundations for developing platform-as-a-service (PaaS) business models for CSPs, which helps them unlock new monetization opportunities by offering scalable computing infrastructure and capabilities for processing AI and other services. Under its anyRAN approach, Nokia is evolving Cloud RAN solutions to include AI computing in the shared infrastructure to maximize resource efficiency for operators.
Nokia has taken a leadership role in exploring how AI will transform the future of telecommunications infrastructure and services. To accelerate the innovation and development of AI-RAN, Nokia is establishing an AI-RAN Center at its offices in Dallas, U.S. The center will enable Nokia’s partners to develop and test AI-RAN solutions in real-world network conditions with a focus on creating innovative use cases, prototypes, and to validate AI-RAN reference architecture. Nokia is also working with its industry partners across a range of initiatives including:
Nokia and NVIDIA Over the past year, Nokia has worked closely with NVIDIA to assess and evaluate multi-purpose NVIDIA accelerated computing infrastructure to enable the transformative power of AI-RAN.
Nokia and KDDI Nokia has also formed a strategic partnership with KDDI to research the practical applications of AI-RAN, including use cases and architectures, to make it commercially viable in the future. The companies will explore how AI applications can enhance the user experience, enhance network quality, reduce 5G network-related costs and power consumption through automation, and create monetization opportunities that leverage GPUs and Generative AI. The companies will conduct a commercial trial using AI-enabled RAN hardware and research AI utilization to optimize network performance.
Nokia and SoftBank Nokia and SoftBank’s innovative partnership has successfully showcased the powerful integration of multi-purpose, optimized AI workloads within the AI and RAN platform based on Red Hat OpenShift, the industry’s leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes. This is managed through Nokia’s MantaRay NM solution for network management and SoftBank’s AITRAS Orchestrator. This collaboration illustrates how both RAN and non-RAN AI workloads can efficiently share the computing resources, significantly enhancing resource utilization. This not only leads to improved operational efficiencies but also accelerates the return on investment for network operators.
Nokia and T-Mobile U.S. Nokia and T-Mobile are redefining the future of network connectivity by exploring innovative architectures for a multi-purpose cloud infrastructure. Since the announcement of the AI-RAN collaboration last year, both companies are working together to evaluate AI-RAN network architecture, the feasibility of using accelerated computing for L1, and to understand the co-existence of AI and RAN on the shared infrastructure using Nokia Cloud RAN and NVIDIA platforms. The companies are also exploring monetization opportunities and techno-economics of the AI-RAN multi-purpose cloud infrastructure.
“To fully harness the transformative power of AI-RAN, Nokia is working hand-in-hand with an ecosystem of leading industry partners. We enable the evolution of 5G networks toward a multi-purpose cloud platform that unlocks new revenue models and infrastructure synergies for AI and RAN while already today enhancing RAN performance and efficiency with AI-powered products and services,” commented Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia.
“Alongside AI-RAN Alliance co-founders Softbank and T-Mobile US, it is encouraging to see new operators such as KDDI collaborating with Nokia to explore AI-RAN technologies, use cases and business models. This growing industry participation shows the strong appetite for AI integration with radio access networks,” said Rémy Pascal, Senior Research Manager for Mobile Infrastructure at Omdia.
“We are thrilled to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nokia to collaborate on the research and development of AI-RAN. This collaboration will accelerate the path to commercial viability by exploring practical applications of AI-powered networks. We anticipate that AI-RAN will unlock significant network optimization, enhance user experiences, reduce costs, and generating new services and revenue, leading to a more efficient and intelligent 5G ecosystem,” noted Kazuhiro Furuhata, Executive Officer & General Manager, Network Node Technical Development Division Core Technology Sector at KDDI.
“Through the monitoring of hardware resources by the AITRAS Orchestrator, we have successfully enabled the coexistence of vRAN and AI applications. This advancement facilitates the more efficient utilization of base station equipment,” said Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President & CTO, SoftBank Corp
“T-Mobile’s collaboration with Nokia on AI-RAN is driving the future of network innovation. By exploring AI-driven architectures and leveraging multi-purpose cloud infrastructure, we’re evaluating how accelerated compute for Layer 1 (L1) and the seamless integration of AI and RAN on shared platforms with our industry partners will enhance network performance and efficiency. Beyond technical advancements, we’re also exploring new monetization opportunities and the broader techno-economics of AI-RAN, paving the way for smarter, intent-based networks,” added John Saw, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, T-Mobile.
AI-RAN at Mobile World Congress 2025 Nokia will demonstrate its innovative AI-powered solutions at its stand in Hall 3 Stand #3B20 at this year’s Mobile World Congress 2025. Visitors will experience a range of demonstrations including how networks can manage RAN and AI workloads on the same infrastructure as well as how AI is built into Nokia’s AirScale base stations to optimize RAN performance by intelligently adapting to varying radio conditions. Nokia will also demonstrate MantaRay AutoPilot, an AI-powered solution for autonomous RAN operations and optimization including the results of a live customer deployment. Nokia will also showcase the breadth of its AI-based services portfolio, including the new extended reality visualization for the AI-powered Digital Network Twin, and other extensive AI capabilities.
About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.
With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.
Met officers have made an arrest following the death of a man in Lewisham.
We were called at 20:39hrs on Saturday, 1 March to reports of an assault in Lewisham High Street.
Officers responded with paramedics and found a 63-year-old man with life-threatening injuries.
He was taken to hospital where he later died. His family have been informed.
It’s believed the man was assaulted following a disturbance at The Watch House pub.
A 42-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody at a south London police station.
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This tragic incident happened in a busy part of south-east London. We would like to hear from anyone who was in Lewisham High Street or at The Watch House pub and has information about what happened.
“We have spent the night at the scene and there will be an increased police presence in the area today while we continue to gather evidence.
“I recognise the concern a crime of this nature causes. We have a suspect in custody, and based on the enquiries carried out so far, we do not believe there to be any risk to the wider community.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation team is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 6267/01Mar. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Britain, France and Ukraine will work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday.
Europe was in a “moment of real fragility,” Starmer told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
His remarks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s public clash with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this week. Zelensky was eventually asked to leave the White House early, leaving the planned minerals deal between the two sides unsigned.
“We have to find a way that we can all work together. Because, in the end, we’ve had three years of bloody conflict. Now we need to get to that lasting peace,” Starmer said.
Britain is hosting a defense summit on Sunday, with European leaders gathering in London to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine.
Starmer named three essential points to achieve “lasting peace” — a strong Ukraine, a European element with security guarantees, and a U.S. backstop, with the last one being the subject of “intense” discussion.
“That’s why I’ve been forward-leaning on this about what we would do — and a U.S. backstop,” he said. “That’s the package: all three parts need to be in place, and that’s what I’m working hard to bring together.”
SOFIA, Bulgaria, March 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GOSH, the core developer behind Acki Nacki, has announced today the successful completion of its pre-launch Node Sale, securing backing from validators including Kingsway Capital, Blockchain.com, Hack VC, K5 Global, and Original Capital. As a result of the network’s recently launched decentralized starter protocol, Gossip Ignite, the Acki Nacki mainnet will go live once a critical mass of node operators are active.
Acki Nacki is an asynchronous blockchain protocol that reaches probabilistic consensus in two communication steps. At the heart of GOSH’s vision in supporting Acki Nacki is solving blockchain’s most fundamental technical challenge: transaction speed, scalability, and time to finality.
“The network’s Node Owners all share the Acki Nacki vision from beginning to end,” said Mitja Goroshevsky, GOSH founder and Acki Nacki architect, leading the team who spent the 4 years prior building the technology stack for TON blockchain. “The values behind the tokenomics, how we see decentralization, as well as technology, adoption, and how we go to market, are supported thoroughly by all network participants. This level of collaboration defines the future of the decentralized world.”
With a community of over 5 million users in testnet, Acki Nacki is primed to support use cases that include payments, gaming economies, IoT networks, and AI applications. The early ecosystem already includes Popits, an on-chain content-sharing platform, and Die Last, a Web3 real-time strategy game running entirely on-chain.
A diverse group of aligned validators and Acki Nacki’s approach ensures the network emerges organically — owned and secured by its decentralized community from the first block. There is no pre-mine, airdrop, token generation event, investor, or team allocation. Beyond its technical advancements, Acki Nacki introduces a radically decentralized economic model. Node Licenses allow owners to validate transactions and mine $NACKL tokens which guarantees decentralization regardless of network state. All $NACKL are distributed as block rewards through a 60-year mining schedule following a deflationary curve.
Validator Quotes Alexander Pack, Managing Partner at Hack VC, commented, “Acki Nacki with its innovative consensus aims to have sub-second finality for transactions. This allows new applications to move on-chain and open up the design space.”
Peter Smith, CEO and Cofounder of Blockchain.com, commented, “We were impressed to see that Acki Nacki has generated a loyal community of developers, followers, infrastructure providers and now investors. We’re excited to play a part in this journey.”
Ramnik Arora, partner at Original Capital, said, “One of the constraints to more things moving on-chain is the lack of general purpose block space with high throughput and low finality. We’re happy to back Mitja and the Acki Nacki team – early pioneers in asynchronous blockchain design space and aiming to be the fastest blockchain possible.”
“The network’s ‘Bitcoin for Proof of Stake’ design and a 60-years mining schedule means that we view Acki Nacki to be a permanent fixture in global coordination and property rights, similar to Bitcoin and Ethereum,” says Kingsway Capital.
About Acki Nacki Acki Nacki is one of the fastest blockchains. Based on a breakthrough consensus protocol, the Acki Nacki network reaches consensus in 2 communication steps, the lowest number possible in any interactive network, meaning that by design Acki Nacki finalizes transactions faster than any other blockchain that can be built.
Acki Nacki has a community of over 5 million users in its mini-app that allows anyone to verify blocks by playing a simple interactive game on their mobile phones. This means players contribute to network security and mine Acki Nacki network coins as block rewards. Acki Nacki is a decentralized blockchain. There is no token pre-mine, airdrop, token generation event, investor, or team allocation.
Media contact: M Group Strategic Communications (for GOSH) GOSH@mgroupsc.com
Tel-Aviv, Israel, March 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EllomayCapital Ltd.(NYSE American; TASE: ELLO) (“Ellomay” or the “Company”), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, Israel and the USA, today reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ellomay Holdings Luxembourg Sarl (“EllomayLuxembourg”), which owns a portfolio of 198 MW solar facilities in Italy, among other assets, that includes operating and “ready to build” projects (the “ItalianSolarPortfolio”), entered into a set of agreements governing the procurement of financing (the “Project Finance”) with a reputable European institutional investor (the “Lender”), intended to finance the construction and related expenses of the Italian Solar Portfolio. The Italian Solar Portfolio includes three solar facilities, in the aggregate capacity of approximately 38 MW, which are already constructed and connected to the grid, and additional projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 160 MW that have reached ready-to-build status.
The Project Finance in an amount of up to €110 million will be provided by way of senior secured notes to be issued in multiple tranches during the construction phase by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ellomay Luxembourg. All notes are due on December 31, 2047 and to be repaid in semi-annual installments. The notes bear interest from and including the issue date to and excluding the maturity date at the rate of 4.50% per annum, to be paid semi-annually in arrears.
The financial closing of the Project Finance is expected to occur in the coming weeks.
AboutEllomayCapital Ltd.
Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ELLO”. Since 2009, Ellomay Capital focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel.
To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:
Approximately 335.9 MW of operating solar power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW solar plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and approximately 38 MW of operating solar power plants in Italy;
9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;
83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;
Solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 285 MW that have reached “ready to build” status; and
Solar projects in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, USA with an aggregate capacity of 49 MW that are under construction.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including the non-fulfillment of any of the conditions to closing set forth in the Project Finance documentation, changes in electricity prices and demand, regulatory changes, increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company’s facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, the impact of the war and hostilities in Israel and Gaza, the impact of continued military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Amendments to Approved Document B (fire safety): Circular 01/2025
Circular replacing Approved Document B vols.1 and 2 (2019 ed. incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments with 2025, 2026 and 2029 amendments) to make corrections.
The circular and circular letter record the withdrawal and replacement of Approved Document B (Fire Safety) Volumes 1 and 2: 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments collated with 2025, 2026 and 2029 amendments. It details where changes have been made to correct typographical errors. The policy intent, implementation schedule and transitional provisions are unchanged.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled Galaxy A56 5G1, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G, the latest Galaxy A series smartphones. For the first time, the Galaxy A series is integrating Awesome Intelligence — including some of Galaxy’s fan-favorite, AI-powered features to reimagine creativity — while bringing enhanced durability and longevity, as well as robust security and privacy protections to provide a safe and long-lasting mobile experience.
“The new Galaxy A series marks an important step in our mission of AI for all, by opening Galaxy’s incredible mobile AI experiences to even more people around the world,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “With these awesome new features and capabilities, we are excited to unlock limitless creativity on the Galaxy A series while ensuring a safe, reliable and fun mobile experience.”
Awesome Intelligence for Advanced Search and Creativity
Awesome Intelligence is the first comprehensive mobile AI experience available on Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A35 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G and brings users powerful, fun, and easy-to-use AI tools. Powered by One UI 7, the new Awesome Intelligence features offer amazing search and visual experiences to Galaxy A series users.
A fan-favorite on Galaxy A series devices last year, Google’s enhanced Circle to Search2 makes it easier than ever to search and discover from the phone’s screen. With the latest upgrades, users can now get even more done on their phone. Circle to Search will quickly recognize phone numbers, email addresses and URLs on the screen so users can take action with minimal actions.
With the recent enhancements to Circle to Search, users can also instantly search their favorite songs they hear without switching apps. Whether it’s a song playing on social media from their phone or music that’s playing from speakers near them, just long press the navigation bar to activate Circle to Search, then tap the music button to effortlessly identify the song name and artist.
The Galaxy A series also takes the camera experience to a new level with creator-focused tools, starting with a powerful triple-camera system featuring a 50MP main lens on all devices and 10-bit HDR front lens recording on Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G for bright and crisp selfies. Galaxy A56 5G features a new 12MP ultra-wide lens, while the entire Galaxy A series empowers creativity in new and exciting ways through intelligent visual editing.
Exclusively available on Galaxy A56 5G, Best Face3 makes it easier than ever to capture the perfect group shot by selecting and combining the best expressions or features for up to five people from a motion photo. Whether someone blinked or looked away, Best Face ensures everyone looks their best in a single, seamless shot. Galaxy A56 5G also brings enhancements to Nightography, with Low Noise Mode making its way to the 12MP selfie camera and additional wide camera support to capture stunning content in low-light settings.
Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G all bring refined Object Eraser4, allowing users to remove unwanted distractions from photos. Users can manually or automatically select objects to erase, achieving a cleaner, more polished final image with just a few taps. Moreover, Filters5enables custom filter creation by extracting colors and styles from existing photos for users to apply for a unique and personalized effect depending on mood and taste. With these intelligent tools, users can refine and enhance their photos effortlessly, bringing a new level of creativity to every shot.
Built To Last with Upgraded Displays and Software Longevity
Now with up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades and six years of security updates, the Galaxy A series reinforces its software longevity even more. These updates add additional support toward optimizing the device’s lifecycle, ensuring users can enjoy a smooth and reliable experience for years to come.
Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G also come with larger displays designed for a high-quality, immersive viewing experience. Both devices feature a 6.7-inch6 FHD+ Super AMOLED display with brightness levels reaching up to 1200 nits7, allowing for a more vibrant and immersive entertainment experience. Frontline workers can also take advantage of the bright screens when working outside — allowing them to easily work from anywhere. New stereo speakers further enhance the experience with rich, balanced sound.
A 5,000mAh battery included with every device in the lineup enables the new Galaxy A series’ design to keep up with users’ daily routines. Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G support 45W charging power8 and Super Fast Charge 2.0 technology, delivering even faster charging. Both models also deliver enhanced performance, as Galaxy A56 5G is powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset and Galaxy A36 5G features the Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform. A larger vapor chamber in both devices helps sustain performance, ensuring smooth gameplay, video playback, and effortless multitasking. For B2B customers, Super Fast charging optimizes battery life to allow workers to stay connected to their device during their shift.
Beyond performance, the new Galaxy A series is built to withstand life’s unpredictable moments. For the first time, Galaxy A26 5G features an IP67 dust and water resistance rating for strong protection against the elements such as dust and water, matching the IP67 rating on Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A56 5G.9 Additionally, an advanced Corning® Glass cover material adds a layer of durability against scratches and cracks.10
Expanded Protections for Enhanced Security and Privacy
Thanks to the integration of One UI 7.0 on the Galaxy A series for the first time, Samsung is further supporting robust security and privacy. With Samsung Knox Vault, the Galaxy A series provides an extra, fortified layer of device safety, transparency, and user choice. Equipped with the latest One UI 7 security and privacy features, Galaxy A series users benefit from holistic protection — including enhancements in Theft Detection, More Security Settings and other features.
To maintain freedom of choice, accessibility, and transparency, Galaxy A series users can easily select their desired security features through the Knox Matrix dashboard, and can also be deployed and managed in the enterprise through the Knox suite of cloud solutions.
Pricing and Availability
Galaxy A26 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A56 5G join A16 5G as the newest devices in the A series portfolio. Galaxy A36 5G starts at $399.99, available in Awesome Black and Awesome Lavender, with Awesome Lime exclusively available at Best Buy beginning March 26. Galaxy A26 5G starts at $299.99, available in Black beginning March 28. Galaxy A56 5G will be available later this year starting at $499.99.
Upon release, Digital Key will be available on Galaxy A56 5G11 and Galaxy A36 5G devices12 in select markets including Asia, Europe, and North America with more to follow.
To find out more about Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, Galaxy A26 5G, Galaxy A16 5G, and other Galaxy smartphones, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsung Mobile Press, Samsung.com, and Samsung.com/business.
Galaxy A56 5GGalaxy A36 5GGalaxy A26 5G
Display6.7-inch FHD+
Super AMOLED Display
120Hz refresh rate
Vision Booster
*Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.7-inch in the full rectangle and 6.5-inch with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
Dimensions & Weight162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4mm, 198g162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4mm, 195g164.0 x 77.5 x 7.7mm, 200g
*Device weight may vary by market.
Camera12MP Ultra-Wide Camera
• F2.2
50MP Main Camera
• F1.8, AF, OIS
5MP Macro Camera
• F2.4
12MP Front Camera
• F2.28MP Ultra-Wide Camera
• F2.2
50MP Main Camera
• F1.8, AF, OIS
5MP Macro Camera
• F2.4
12MP Front Camera
• F2.28MP Ultra-Wide Camera
• F2.2
50MP Main Camera
• F1.8, AF, OIS
2MP Macro Camera
• F2.4
13MP Front Camera
• F2.2
Memory & Storage8GB + 128GB6GB + 128GB6GB + 128GB
*Storage options and availability may vary by carrier, market or region. Actual storage availability may vary depending on pre-installed software.
Battery5,000mAh (typical)
*Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,905mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
OSAndroid 15
One UI 7.0
SecuritySamsung Knox, Samsung Knox Suite Management, six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades, six years of security updates
Water & Dust ResistanceIP67
1 5G speeds vary and require optimal network and connection (factors include frequency, bandwidth, congestion); see carrier for availability.
2 Works with compatible apps. Requires internet connection; results may vary by uniqueness, clarity and framing of circled image and related factors. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Google is a trademark of Google LLC.
3 Best Face feature is available exclusively on the Galaxy A56 5G device from the Galaxy A series.
Best Face is only available for photos taken with Motion Photo turned on. The feature does not generate new facial expressions but selects from frames within the Motion Photo video clip. Resulting image up to 12MP.
4 Results may vary based on the images and the object you’re trying to remove.
5 Filter availability may vary based on resolution and aspect ratio settings.
6 Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.5″ accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and the camera hole.
7 1,200 nits at HBM (High Brightness Mode).
8 Charger and compatible 45W cable sold separately.
9 IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. Water resistance based on laboratory test conditions for submersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Dust resistance based on laboratory test conditions for airflow of up to 8 hours.
10 Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+ is applied to the front and rear of Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G. Frame does not include volume and side keys or SIM tray.
11Digital Key rollout for Galaxy A56 5G begins in Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. Features may vary depending on each country or region.
12Digital Key rollout for Galaxy A36 5G begins in Korea, UAE, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the United States. Features may vary depending on each country or region.
The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a telephone conversation this evening with the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, also in view of her meeting in London tomorrow with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Prime Minister Keir Starmer to host leaders summit on Ukraine
The Prime Minister will intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine by convening international leaders at a summit in London today [2 March 2025].
The Prime Minister will intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine by convening international leaders at a summit in London today.
The Prime Minister has this weekend reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine and is determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security.
The summit rounds off a week of intense diplomacy for the Prime Minister, which has seen him raise UK defence spending and travel to Washington D.C. for productive talks with President Trump in support of UK and European security. The Prime Minister spoke again with both President Trump and President Zelenskyy on Friday evening following the events of yesterday at the Presidents’ meeting in Washington D.C.
The Prime Minister will welcome Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Downing Street this morning, before being joined at the summit in central London by the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania. The Turkish Foreign Minister, NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council will also attend.
The Prime Minister has been clear that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine, a determination he reiterated when he warmly welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street on Saturday evening ahead of the summit.
Discussions at the summit will focus on:
Strengthening Ukraine’s position now – including ongoing military support and increased economic pressure on Russia.
The need for a strong lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine and ensures that Ukraine is able to deter and defend against future Russian attack.
Next steps on planning for strong security guarantees.
Following the announcement earlier this week that the UK will spend 2.5% of its GDP on defence by 2027, the Prime Minister will be clear on the need for Europe to play its part on defence and step up for the good of collective security.
The UK has already been clear it is willing to support Ukraine’s future security with troops on the ground.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point. Today I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and double down on my commitment to provide capacity, training and aid to Ukraine, putting it in the strongest possible position.
In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees, alongside continued discussions with the United States.
We have an opportunity to come together to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that secures their sovereignty and security.
Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future.
UK reinforces support for Ukraine with £2.26 billion loan to bolster Ukrainian defence capabilities
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko will today (Saturday 1 March) sign the UK-Ukraine Bilateral agreement.
The £2.26 billion loan will bolster Ukrainian military capability, and will be paid back using profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko will sign the formal loan agreement today (Saturday 1 March), with the first tranche of funding expected to reach Ukraine later next week.
The loan demonstrates the UK’s commitment to Ukrainian defence. A strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security – the first duty of any government and central to the Plan for Change.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko will today (Saturday 1 March) sign the UK-Ukraine Bilateral agreement.
This agreement will deliver £2.26 billion in funding to Ukraine, which will be paid back using the extraordinary profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets held in the EU.
This is the UK’s contribution to the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans to Ukraine scheme, through which G7 countries will collectively provide $50 billion to support Ukraine.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
A safe and secure Ukraine is a safe and secure United Kingdom. This funding will bolster Ukraine’s armed forces and will put Ukraine in the strongest possible position at a critical juncture in the war.
It comes as we have increased our defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, which will deliver the stability required to keep us safe and underpin economic growth.
The loan will be fully earmarked for military procurement to bolster Ukraine’s defences, with the first tranche of funding expected to be disbursed to Ukraine next week.
Russia’s obligation under international law to pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine is clear and this G7 agreement, backed by the profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets, is an important step to ensuring this happens.
The funding will be delivered in three equal annual payments of £752m.
The announcement of the loan agreement is on top of the £3 billion a year commitment by the UK to provide military aid for Ukraine. The Prime Minister has been clear that a strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security.
This loan follows the announcement by the Prime Minister committing the Government to increase UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament as economic and fiscal conditions allow.
This represents the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, safeguarding our collective security and funding the capabilities, technology and industrial capacity needed to keep the UK and our allies safe for generations to come.
As set out in the Plan for Change, national security is the first duty of the government, and investment in defence will protect UK citizens from threats at home while also creating a secure and stable environment for economic growth.
