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Category: Great Britain

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Historic peatlands at the heart of the Industrial Revolution to become New National Nature Reserve

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Historic peatlands at the heart of the Industrial Revolution to become New National Nature Reserve

    Network of 11 nature abundant lowland peat sites in between Liverpool and Manchester to become a King’s Series National Nature Reserve.

    Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss NNR

    • Site is home to vast peatland habitats, lizards, adder, and curlew
    • New reserve falls on the doorstep of urban communities in Warrington and Greater Manchester, giving 2.7 million people the opportunity to access nature within 10 miles of their homes  

    Ten thousand years in the making and launched today (Monday 14 July), the new Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve will provide a destination for the people of Warrington and Greater Manchester to access nature-rich landscapes.  
     
    The newest addition under the King’s Series, this network of 11 sites from lowland raised bogs and fen, through to lowland heath, wet woodland and drier woodland habitats will be restored to provide homes for rare species, such as lapwings, curlew, sundew and adders.  

    After being at the centre of the industrial revolution, this area is becoming a leading example of nature recovery, through the restoration of some of our most important and precious habitats.

    The peatlands in this area were created over a period of 10,000 years, since the last Ice Age, and now heavily degraded. Peatlands are a hugely important part of England’s natural environment. They act as the country’s lungs, storing more carbon than any other type of landscape, as well as holding huge amounts of water and preventing flooding around them. However, more than 80% of England’s peatlands are damaged, dried out or degraded with the majority of England’s lowland peat being intensively farmed.  

    These internationally important lowland peat habitats, which are over an area the size of 750 professional rugby pitches or 25 Trafford Centres, are being restored. This will help mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect the security and prosperity of communities in Warrington and Greater Manchester.  

    Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:   

    “This part of England led the world in industrial innovation and today it shows leadership in Nature recovery. Nature is vital for our health, wealth and security and this new reserve reveals the huge potential for meeting modern challenges through natural solutions. Spending time outdoors in natural settings is great for mental and physical wellbeing, the services provided by nature help prevent flooding, catch carbon and benefits the local economy.  

    “Supporting nature around urban areas creates better places to live and work, and this new reserve will allow the millions of people who live near it to experience nature at its best.”   

    Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:   

    “This beautiful landscape will now have the chance to recover and thrive, after centuries of damage, providing wonderful wild spaces for local people to enjoy.  

    “This Government is committed to turning the tide on nature’s decline after years of neglect as part of our plan for change. New National Nature Reserves deliver on our promise to improve access to nature and protect nature-rich habitats, such as peatlands.”  

    The deep lowland peat within this National Nature Reserve was degraded through drainage and peat cutting, damage which accelerated during the industrial revolution. The renowned engineer and ‘Father of Railways’ George Stephenson built a ‘floating’ railway line in 1830 through Chat Moss, between Liverpool and Manchester, the first intercity railway line in the world.

    This made the region a trailblazer in nineteenth century industrial innovation, with the world-famous Stephenson’s Rocket travelling on the line, but also saw much of the peatland being opened to drainage. Now, the North West is following up its role as a leader in industry by taking the lead on nature recovery in this iconic landscape.

    This is the 10th reserve to be launched as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, which will leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature with 25 new National Nature Reserves by 2027.  

    The new reserve, within the Great Manchester Wetlands, sits between the National Nature Reserves of Rostherne Mere to the south, the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh to the north, and links to the Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Project, creating a recovering network of wetland and woodland across the region.  

    The new reserve will be managed by Natural England, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Forestry England, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, Warrington Borough Council, Wigan Council and Woodland Trust.  

    This collaboration will enable the seven partners to join under one common purpose to enhance nature’s recovery, enhance climate resilience and Net Zero efforts providing vital wild greenspace, creating a network of bigger, better, joined-up wildlife-rich places.  

    NOTES TO EDITORS   

    • Further information about the new Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve can be found here: Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve – GOV.UK  
    • Images can be found here: Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss NNR images – Google Drive  
    • The launch of this latest reserve in the King’s Series comes as part of a wider effort to drive forward nature recovery in the region. Based across 11 sites, the reserve is in the heart of the Great Manchester Wetlands, a 480 km2 nature recovery partnership restoring the wetlands of Salford, Warrington and Wigan.   
    • Restoration work has been taking place at some of the sites since the 1980s, but this has accelerated since 2010 with the creation of the Great Manchester Wetlands Partnership. The programme has shown benefits for nature and people in the peatland landscape are possible over a short space in time.  
    • The sites demonstrate a full range of lowland peat restoration from recently acquired arable/horticultural fields (Natural England’s Moss Side Farm) to former industrial and hand-cut peat extraction sites. There are bog and fen habitats in the early stages of recovery through to internationally protected lowland raised bog. 
    • The new reserve will drive ongoing recovery of this landscape through a joined up approach to restoration, access and research. This will further support the net zero ambition of by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the three Local Authorities of Salford, Warrington and Wigan.  

    QUOTES PACK

    Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Hans Mundry, said:

    “It’s a great honour for Risley, Holcroft, and Chat Moss to receive this designation as a National Nature Reserve. It will strengthen our work, as partners, to protect the rich diversity of habitats and wildlife found here, including many rare species. At the same time, it will allow us to create more opportunities for people to discover and rediscover these beautiful, hidden landscapes and connect with nature and heritage.”

    ////

    Paul Mosley,  Regional Comms and Engagement Manager for the Woodland Trust said  

    “It’s a pleasure to be part of this new national nature reserve with our woodland sites at Gorse Covert Mounds, Pestfurlong Moss and New Moss Wood. Recent landscaping and habitat management works at these sites has really helped to improve their biodiversity for wildlife and for the benefit of people who come to enjoy these fantastic spaces. Being part of the NNR will help to protect them now and in the future which is a great collaborative achievement.”

    ////

    Lancashire Wildlife Trust CEO, Tom Burditt, said:

    “The peatlands are a hugely important for wildlife and for the environment – they were described as ‘the lungs of the UK’ by Tom Heap on Countryfile. So it’s only right that these mosses and the work that is being done to restore them receives this national recognition.”

    ////

    Charlotte Harris, CEO, Cheshire Wildlife Trust

    “The designation of the Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve marks a powerful moment for nature recovery in the North West. As a site owner at Holcroft Moss, we at Cheshire Wildlife Trust are proud to be part of this pioneering partnership — one that brings together landowners, communities, and conservation organisations under a shared vision for our landscape’s future.” 

    “This designation is more than a milestone — it’s a launchpad. It gives us a platform to secure long-term funding, engage more people, and embed nature recovery into local policy and planning. We thank Natural England and our partners for their leadership and look forward to delivering bold, landscape-scale impact in the years ahead.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reappointment of a non-lay member of the Legal Services Board

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Reappointment of a non-lay member of the Legal Services Board

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of Habib Motani as a non-lay member of the Legal Services Board.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of Habib Motani as a non-lay member of the Legal Services Board for four years from 18 April 2026.

    Mr Motani qualified as a solicitor in 1980. He is a Consultant to Clifford Chance LLP having spent over 30 years as a partner in the firm’s banking and finance practice. He is a Visiting Professor at the School of Law at the University of Edinburgh. and a Trustee at: The British Institute of International and Comparative Law, the Institute of Ismaili Studies and The Aga Khan University (International) in the United Kingdom. He is also a member of the Steering Group of the Canary Wharf Multi-faith Chaplaincy.

    The Legal Services Board (LSB) is the independent body overseeing the regulation of lawyers in England and Wales. Its goal is to reform and modernise the legal services marketplace by putting the interests of consumers at the heart of the system. It is independent of government and the legal profession and oversees the approved regulators, which themselves regulate lawyers.

    The LSB also oversees the Office for Legal Complaints and its administration of the Legal Ombudsman scheme that resolves complaints about lawyers.

    Appointments and reappointments are made, by the Lord Chancellor, under the Legal Services Act 2007 and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This reappointment has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Diplomacy in the digital age: Foreign Secretary’s speech, July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Diplomacy in the digital age: Foreign Secretary’s speech, July 2025

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivered a speech on diplomacy in the digital age whilst in Singapore.

    It’s great to be here today.  

    As you have heard, I recently marked 25 years as a member of Parliament and this week one year as Foreign Secretary. It’s a pleasure to visit your great country following your sixtieth birthday as a nation. 

    Whenever I’ve come to Singapore and the wider ASEAN region, I’m struck by the innovative spirit, the creativity and the optimism.  

    Sixty years ago, Prime Minister Harold Wilson talked of the “white heat of technology” transforming British society and industry. Today, the whole world is being radically reconfigured by technology, but nowhere faster, or more successfully, than here.  

    I’m particularly pleased to be here after my second ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Malaysia. In Laos last year, I promised to reconnect Britain to the Indo-Pacific and that is well underway.  

    In just over a year, I’ve made 5 visits spanning 10 countries to the region. I’ve no doubt this will rise during my time in this job.   

    The Indo-Pacific matters to the UK. ASEAN will be the world’s fastest-growing economic bloc over the next decade. Your investments into Britain like Malaysian firm SMD Semiconductor’s new R&D hub in Wales, your market of 700 million consumers are a huge part of our growth ambitions.  

    Over the past year, we have been delivering on our promise to bring our economies closer together. Our CPTPP membership now ratified, our free trade agreement with India now signed our Industrial and Trade Strategies now published all speak to a hugely ambitious future for Britain in the Indo-Pacific.  

    But we want to go much further.  We’re working with ASEAN on their Power Grid and economic resilience.  We support CPTPP widening, deepening, and starting dialogues with trading blocs like ASEAN and the EU.  

    We are exploring other agreements, too, like a deeper FTA with South Korea or accession to the Digital Economic Partnership Agreement which Singapore co-founded. Today’s ‘digital trade’ will tomorrow simply be ‘trade’, and Britain is committed to making it faster, cheaper and easier. 

    As you in Singapore know very well this region is the crucible for global security. Partner countries like Britain must stand up for an open, stable and rules-based international system because our region’s security and your region’s security are inextricably linked. 

    Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine drove market turbulence in Asia. Any major supply chain disruption in Asia could push prices up in Britain. If we have learnt one lesson over the past decade, it is that economic security does not respect borders.  

    That is why Britain’s new National Security Strategy recommitted to the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Our Carrier Strike Group recently sailed through your waters – a deployment involving 12 other nations.  

    We’re deepening our many regional security partnerships including AUKUS and the Five Power Defence Arrangements. 

    HMS Prince of Wales, as we’ve heard, is participating in Exercise Bersama Lima in September and the Malaysian chair kindly invited me to the ASEAN Regional Forum just yesterday, where I underlined British support for ASEAN centrality and our growing cooperation against transnational crime and illicit finance. 

    In Singapore, you have proven over generations that it is not size which determines success it is strategic clarity. This is true of technology more than any other area. Singapore has shown what’s possible when digital innovation is matched with long-term thinking and national purpose.  

    Back in 1981, when most of us were still working out what a computer was, your leaders set up a National Computerisation Committee. In 2014, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the whole-of-government Smart Nation initiative. Then in 2019, Teo Chee Hean unveiled a National AI Strategy.  

    Each time, your leaders were ahead of the game. Each time there was a broader lesson. Singapore didn’t get ahead by throwing money at the private sector and hoping for the best.

    Instead, you built serious public capability like SingPass, thanks to deep technical expertise inside government and investments in areas like compute and data infrastructure.  

    Starting in this job, I said that Britain needed to do more listening and less lecturing. A huge part of my trip this week has been to listen and, I hope, learn lessons on how we can pursue a similarly long-term strategy embracing technology. That vision must include specific focus on the intersection of AI and diplomacy.  

    This is not yet a staple of foreign ministry and foreign ministers’ discussions at least in my experience. But I believe that unless we lift our heads above the rat-race of crises and summits and examine the longer-term trends reshaping our world we will be boiled like the proverbial frog.   

    AI is not just the next rung in the technological ladder. It will deliver a paradigm shift in the distribution and exercise of power. It will redefine how nations project influence how threats emerge and how we defend ourselves. It will therefore transform how diplomacy is conducted. 

    As Prime Minister Wong said earlier this year: “The once-rising tide of global cooperation that defined the past decades is giving way to one of growing competition and distrust.  As a result, the world is becoming more fragmented and disorderly”.

    There is much evidence of emerging technology catalysing the deterioration of both domestic and international norms. AI is at the spearhead of hybrid threats like disinformation. It is not enough for responsible states to complain about others’ reckless behaviour.  

    If we do not invest in gaining technological edge then our influence will inevitably decline. So today I want to outline a more hopeful vision of a sovereign, AI-enabled foreign policy. 

    I am proud of the role British diplomacy played at the Bletchley AI Safety Summit, our creation of the AI Security Institute, our plans for a new counter-hybrid taskforce in the FCDO to ready us for this new age. 

    I’m pleased also to see our work with Singapore in areas such as Responsible AI in the Military Realm and with ASEAN on AI for development. 

    But there has been little discussion between Britain and partners in the Indo-Pacific and beyond on how to use AI and advanced technology to make our diplomacy more effective.   

    I am determined to address this gap as Foreign Secretary, bringing AI to the centre of the FCDO’s policy machine. Like most foreign ministries, too many Foreign Office practices have changed little over the past half century. But the old levers of government – briefings, memos, lengthy debates on drafting – are too slow and cumbersome for the pace of modern statecraft.  

    In an age of ever-accelerating speed and complexity we need the tools to match. Let me be clear: AI will obviously not solve foreign policy. It will not eliminate risk, nor remove the need for careful human judgement and the ability of people to build trusting relationships, as I have been doing with ASEAN partners this week.  

    Diplomacy in 2025 needs machine speed and a human touch. It can help us to make better decisions amidst rising uncertainty. It can improve our ability to detect early signals of crisis, to simulate the likely effects of policy choices and to respond with speed and confidence. 

    Imagine for a moment an AI-powered unit at the heart of a foreign ministry. That could catalyse patterns of military movement, energy flows, and online narratives, model how a diplomatic crisis in one part of the world will have ripple effects elsewhere, red-team our response to a crisis – attacking our own policies before others can. Or flag emerging risks that human analysts might miss, especially when they emerge in grey zones favoured by adversaries.

    These capabilities are not science fiction. They are already being employed. The United States’ DARPA and KAIROS projects already simulate complex political developments and anticipate conflict escalation. Estonia’s STRATCOM Centre uses AI-enabled systems to detect disinformation campaigns in real time.  

    Of course, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry uses predictive analytics to flag risks to critical supply chains. 

    The question before us is not whether AI will shape foreign policy. It is who will shape it, and how.  

    In the British Foreign Office, this government is investing £290 million in reforming our Department, helping to equip our teams with the capabilities and technologies that the modern era demands.

    But outside of the United States and China, no country has the scale to deliver all the capabilities we need independently.  

    My call today is therefore for more collaboration, more AI diplomacy within a perimeter of values. I want partners such as Britain and Singapore to align standards, share tools and develop models that reflect our shared principles.  

    Deep bilateral partnerships will be at the core of Britain’s approach. For us, our special relationship with the United States will remain foundational rooted in particular on our deep security links.  

    With the European Union, we can pursue AI cooperation through the prism of foreign policy and security, not just regulation, and I will be discussing this with Kaja Kallas as part of our recently agreed Security and Defence Partnership.  

    With India through the ‘Technology Security Initiative’ we agreed last year, we will focus collaboration more sharply in critical and emerging technologies.  

    And with other Indo-Pacific partners I hope that we can build on initiatives like the UK-ASEAN AI Innovation Summit later this year and extend cooperation to AI-enabled foreign policy.  

    I said that you in Singapore have shown the power of long-term thinking. The importance of a long-term vision, and I hope we can apply that same approach to breaking down the silos between foreign policy and technology.  

    We live in a volatile world. Technology is reshaping our societies, making power more diffuse. Nations like Britain and Singapore need to equip ourselves with the tools to navigate these shifts and that means fusing AI and diplomacy, focusing on a long view of change and doubling down on our shared interests.  

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Kudermetova and Mertens win Wimbledon women’s doubles title

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Eighth seeds Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens fought back from a set down to win their first Grand Slam as a pair, beating Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko 3-6 6-2 6-4 in the Wimbledon women’s doubles final on Sunday.

    It was the first major title for Russia’s Kudermetova, who was on the losing side in the 2021 final against Mertens and Hsieh. The second Wimbledon crown for Belgian Mertens took her to five Grand Slam doubles titles.

    “It’s been incredible,” a tearful Mertens said as she summed up a memorable Wimbledon campaign, having also reached the fourth round in the singles.

    In the first set, Kudermetova held to go 3-1 up but the fourth seeds then won five straight games. The 28-year-oldRussian led the charge in the second set, holding twice as the pair got three breaks in a row to force a third set.

    Hsieh, who has won seven majors in women’s doubles including four Wimbledon titles, won a prolonged exchange with Kudermetova from the baseline to get the first break of the third set, before Ostapenko held without losing a point to take 4-2 lead.

    But erroneous returns from Hsieh hit the net as the eighth seeds broke back, and Kudermetova held to go 5-4 up before Ostapenko went long to lose a 26-shot rally and bring up match point.

    Kudermetova’s backhand from close range cut across the court to secure the match, finally fulfilling her dream of lifting the trophy at the All England Club.

    “A few years ago I was playing in the final here against Elise… I lost that final and it was so painful. Today I said to myself, I really want this,” Kudermetova said.

    (Reuters)

  • England roar back to set up thrilling finale at Lord’s

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Fired-up England reduced India to 58-4 chasing 193 for victory in a highly-charged final session on day four on Sunday as a gripping third test at Lord’s headed for a tense finale.

    England fast bowler Jofra Archer dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for nought, Brydon Carse removed Karun Nair and Shubman Gill, and captain Ben Stokes bowled nightwatchman Akash Deep in the final over to set up a thrilling last day.

    Indian opener KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 33 and the touring side need another 135 runs to go 2-1 up in the series after they had dominated the morning session at the home of cricket to move into a strong position.

    “The last hour’s viewing, our guys running in really well, there was an edge out there and it shows how important test cricket is and creates a great spectacle for everyone to be involved in,” England batting coach Marcus Trescothick said.

    With the pitch offering more assistance to the bowlers and variable bounce, England tried to bat positively but Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook all fell cheaply.

    Duckett played an audacious ramp shot to the boundary but two balls later he attempted to pull Mohammed Siraj through the leg side and was easily caught by Jasprit Bumrah at mid-on to depart for 12.

    Siraj roared at Duckett as he walked back to the pavilion as the tension between the teams that flared up late on Saturday continued to simmer.

    Pope never looked comfortable and was trapped lbw by Siraj for four after India successfully reviewed the umpire’s initial decision of not out.

    Crawley, on 22, played a loose drive at Nitish Kumar Reddy and the ball flew straight to gully where Jaiswal took a simple catch to put England in trouble at 50-3.

    Brook ramped Deep for consecutive fours before driving him over long-off for six, but the fast bowler quickly exacted revenge when he bowled the right-hander for 23 as he attempted a rash sweep to a straight full-pitched delivery.

    PATIENT PARTNERSHIP

    Joe Root, who scored 104 in the first innings, batted calmly, picking up mainly ones and twos as he and Stokes shared a patient partnership of 67 to revive England hopes.

    But Root, on 40, was bowled behind his legs by Washington Sundar and the spinner bowled in-form Jamie Smith for eight to reduce the hosts to 175-6 at tea.

    India wrapped up the innings early in the final session.

    Stokes was bowled by Washington for 33 attempting a big hit, and Bumrah bowled Carse with a rapid yorker for one before clipping the top of Chris Woakes’s off stump to dismiss him for 10.

    Washington completed excellent figures of 4-22 when he took the final wicket of Shoaib Bashir to dismiss England for 192.

    “India will win, probably just after lunch,” Washington said.

    “The position we’re in we’d have definitely taken. The fast bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the day, it was amazing.”

    Jaiswal skied Archer to wicketkeeper Smith with a wild swipe to give England early hope before Woakes dropped a simple chance to catch Rahul, on five, off his own bowling, and the opener responded by crashing the next two deliveries to the boundary.

    Carse trapped Nair lbw for 14 with the batsman offering no stroke to a straight delivery, and Gill fell the same way for six after failing to get the umpire’s decision overturned.

    Deep survived two huge appeals before he was bowled by Stokes for one to the delight of the majority of the Lord’s crowd.

    “I think it will be a brilliant final day for both teams,” Trescothick said. “There’s been great support for both sides and it’s fantastic to have.”

    (Reuters)

  • England rout neighbours Wales to cruise into Euro 2025 quarter-finals

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Reigning champions England thrashed neighbours Wales 6-1 to reach the Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals on Sunday, securing second spot in Group D and cruising into the knockouts, where they will face Sweden, on a high note.

    Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones were all on target for England, who finished runners-up to France after their 5-2 victory over the Netherlands.

    Sarina Wiegman’s team will next face a Sweden side, who won all three of their games to top Group C, in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

    “It is going to be a difficult game. We watched (Sweden) the other night and they were really good. We need to be on our best game,” Toone said. “But we’re feeling confident, I think they should be scared.”

    The second-place finish, however, could be a bonus as provided they get past the Swedes, England would potentially avoid world champions Spain in the semi-finals.

    Stanway struck from the penalty spot in the 13th minute after a foul in the box, calmly sweeping her shot into the far-left corner past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Olivia Clark to open the floodgates.

    Toone found the back of the net with a scrappy goal eight minutes later. England capitalised on a sloppy clearance by Rhiannon Roberts, with the ball falling to Russo who nudged it into the path of Toone who fired home at the second attempt.

    Hemp nodded a third inside 30 minutes after a clever pass from Lauren James to Toone near the byline. Toone found Hemp at the far post with a deep cross for an easy header.

    Russo bagged her first goal of the tournament just before halftime when Toone made another dart to byline before cutting the ball back for Russo, who took one touch to control it before firing home and Mead cut inside a defender before slotting England’s fifth in the 72nd minute.

    Hannah Cain pulled one back to the delight of the Wales fans, who celebrated by singing their national anthem, in the 76th minute, but England’s Beever-Jones replied in the 89th with her first goal in a major tournament, heading home Mead’s cross.

    “We scored six goals and a big part of the game we dominated, a very good game,” Wiegman said. “Playing well is the most important, who scores is not that important.”

    Much was made about the rivalry between the two nations, with Wales wanting nothing better than to spoil England’s party. Thousands of loud Welsh fans cheered and sang throughout Sunday’s match, despite the scoreline.

    But Wiegman’s team, World Cup finalists in 2023, showed their vast experience against a Wales side making their major tournament debut.

    “We were really good. It is always hard to play against a team that sits in a low block,” Toone said. “It was nice we got an early goal in the first half and we enjoyed the game.”

    England have won 10 of the 11 meetings between the two teams, with Wales’ best result being a 0-0 draw in 2018.

    “This is the beginning of a journey for us,” Wales midfielder Jess Fishlock said. “We’ve played three of the best teams in the world at this tournament and we’ve found out how big that jump is.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

    5,000 steel jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel’s Port Talbot electric arc furnace project today.

    • Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens join Tata Group Chairman to break ground on construction of electric arc furnace that will secure thousands of jobs.
    • Latest good news shows how UK’s modern Industrial Strategy is backing Welsh industry, following landmark energy support package slashing energy costs for Tata Steel and other UK steel firms.
    • Industry Minister Sarah Jones to chair meeting of Steel Council together with industry leaders at 7Steel this morning to work towards finalising UK’s Steel Strategy.

    5,000 jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel’s electric arc furnace (EAF) at Port Talbot steelworks today (14 July).

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will join Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Wales Secretary Jo Stevens and other government and company representatives to break ground on the project and start construction later today.

    The construction milestone, made possible by a £500 million UK Government grant provided as part of the improved deal for Port Talbot’s transition which the Government agreed after only 10 weeks in office, is a major win for Welsh steelmaking in the run-up to the launch of government’s Steel Strategy this year.

    This morning, Industry Minister Sarah Jones will chair a meeting of the Steel Council at 7Steel in Cardiff to work towards finalising the upcoming Steel Strategy – backed by up to £2.5 billion of investment – and reflect on a series of recent wins for the industry with senior leaders from across the sector, including British Steel and UK Steel.

    This includes slashing energy costs for steel producers via new measures announced in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, strengthening the UK’s steel safeguard measures to protect the industry from spikes of foreign steel imports and bolstering the UK’s procurement rules to ensure UK-made steel is considered wherever possible for use on public construction projects.

    The Government is also backing the steel sector by working closely with the US to secure the removal of 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium, while the UK remains the only country in the world not to pay a 50 percent tariff rate.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is our Industrial Strategy in action and is great news for Welsh steelmaking backing this crucial Welsh industry, which will give certainty to local communities and thousands of local jobs for years to come.

    This government is committed to a bright future for our steel industry, which is why we provided £500 million of funding to make this project possible. Our modern Industrial Strategy has set out how we’ll back the sector even further, including by slashing energy costs for firms like Tata Steel to level the playing field, as part of our Plan for Change.

    The start of construction on Tata Steel’s EAF marks a significant step forward in Port Talbot’s transition to greener steel production, and is expected to reduce the site’s carbon emissions by around 90 percent.

    The success of the project – and Tata Group’s continued investment in British industry – is testament to the UK’s strong and valued relationship with India, following the trade deal the Government agreed with India in May which will add billions to the UK economy going forward.

    During the groundbreaking event to mark the start of construction, the Business Secretary will tour the site of the new EAF, meet with senior management at Tata Steel and take part in a demonstration with a virtual reality headset to see how the new EAF will look when operational.

    Tata Group Chairman Mr Chandrasekaran said:

    This is a proud day for Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK. Today’s groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of a new Electric Arc Furnace, but a new era for sustainable manufacturing in Britain. At Port Talbot, we are building the foundations of a cleaner, greener future, supporting jobs, driving innovation, and demonstrating our commitment to responsible industry leadership.

    This project is also part of Tata Group’s wider investment in the UK, across steel, automotive, and technology among others, which reflects our deep and enduring partnership with this country.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    The UK Government acted decisively to ensure that steelmaking in Port Talbot will continue for generations to come, backing Tata Steel with £500 million to secure its future in the town, along with £80 million to support workers and the wider community. Our Steel Strategy will also deliver up to £2.5 billion of investment to rebuild the UK industry, maintain jobs and drive growth.

    The construction of Tata’ s new furnace realises the promise we made to the community, while the development of floating offshore wind, plans for a Celtic Freeport and millions more for local regeneration all mean that Port Talbot has a bright future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How much salt is OK in drinking water? Without limits, Australia’s health gap widens in remote and regional areas

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Juliette Crowther, Researcher in Food Policy, George Institute for Global Health

    Andrew Merry/Getty

    Most Australians consume far too much sodium, mostly in the form of salt (sodium chloride) in the food they eat.

    The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium a day, roughly one teaspoon of salt.

    Yet the average Australian consumes nearly twice that.

    In some regional and remote communities, salty drinking water is quietly adding to this problem – yet sodium levels in tap water are often overlooked.

    Our new research reviewed 197 countries and shows when drinking water standards for sodium exist, they’re usually based on taste, not health.

    Most follow guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) which, in its global campaign to lower sodium intake, has focused on diet but largely ignored drinking water.

    Salty water is an overlooked health risk

    Excess sodium is a major risk factor for high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and stroke. These are leading causes of death and disability across the world.

    In 2013, these health risks led the WHO to set a global target to reduce sodium intake by 30% by 2025. The WHO has since extended this to 2030, due to slow progress.

    Public health efforts to reduce sodium (salt) have focused mainly on food, not drinking water. This is because most tap water contains low sodium levels (usually below 20mg per litre).

    But some natural water sources contain excessively high sodium. In Australia, this mainly affects remote and rural communities.

    Evidence suggests it’s a growing issue, compounded by climate change, rising sea levels, more frequent storms, prolonged droughts, and human activities, including over extraction of groundwater and agricultural runoff.

    What does the WHO say about water?

    The WHO’s recommended threshold for sodium in water – no more than 200mg/L – is based on how water tastes (palatability), not what is safe for health.

    Worryingly, the WHO recommendations about drinking water are based on an outdated 2003 report that found evidence linking sodium with high blood pressure was lacking.

    Convincing evidence has since confirmed that higher sodium intake is directly related to increased blood pressure.

    The WHO updated its dietary guidelines for sodium in 2012 to reflect these health risks. But water guidelines have not changed.

    What our new research shows

    Our new research, published in recent weeks, reviewed guidelines for sodium in drinking water in 197 countries.

    It found 20% of countries – home to 30% of the world’s population – have no sodium limit in drinking water.

    Among the 132 countries that do, most (92%) follow WHO guidelines.

    Our research found only 12 countries cited health reasons for setting sodium limits, and just two of these set stricter limits than WHO guidelines.

    This means across the world, most drinking standards for sodium continue to be guided by taste, not health.

    Palatability is highly subjective. Just as some people enjoy salty chips and others find them overpowering, sensitivity to sodium in water varies.

    In contrast, the health risks of too much salt are clear.

    What do Australia’s guidelines say?

    Australia’s drinking water guidelines include a non-mandatory sodium limit of 180mg/L, also based on taste.

    But this is still too high to protect health.

    Drinking two litres of water at this concentration in one day would mean having 360mg of sodium – almost one-fifth of the recommended maximum. This is equivalent to eating a large bag of sea-salt popcorn.

    While the guidelines do recommend that people with high blood pressure drink water with less than 20mg/L sodium, there is no clear plan for how this can be achieved equitably, especially when the alternative is expensive bottled water.

    Water inequity in Walgett

    The consequences of this policy gap are stark in places such as Walgett, a remote town in north-western New South Wales with a high Aboriginal population (almost 50%).

    In 2018, when the local river ran dry, the town switched to bore water. Residents immediately noticed the water was slimy and undrinkable.

    Local Aboriginal community controlled organisations asked researchers from the University of New South Wales to test the water. This revealed sodium levels over 300mg/L.

    In 2020, the New South Wales government eventually installed a desalination plant, but due to issues managing waste, it was decommissioned a few months later.

    Today, Walgett still lacks a long-term solution to provide drinking water with low levels of sodium.

    Water inequality is health inequality

    Walgett isn’t an isolated case. Many inland and remote towns, often with high Aboriginal populations, rely on rivers and bore water increasingly affected by drought and agricultural overuse.

    This inequity in access to safe drinking water worsens the health gap.

    Indigenous Australians already face higher rates of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease – all worsened by excess sodium.

    In places such as Walgett, where some people report spending as much as A$50 a week on bottled water, families are forced to choose between safe hydration and essentials such as food or medicine.

    Without mandatory health-based limits, these communities have no way to compel authorities to make their water safe.

    Safe drinking water is a human right

    In 2023, the European Union mandated legally binding drinking water standards in all member states.

    Although still based on the outdated 200mg/L taste threshold, this legal framework gives communities a basis to advocate for safer water – something Australia currently lacks.

    A sodium limit closer to the United States Environmental Protection Agency guideline of 30–60mg/L would better align with health advice.

    Without enforceable, health-based limits, Australia risks falling behind on its commitments to the sodium reduction targets and sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.

    No one should have to fight for safe drinking water. If we want to protect our most vulnerable communities, water policy must catch up with science and public health priorities.

    We would like to thank all of the authors of the paper, and the Yuwaya Ngarra-li, a community-led partnership between the Dharriwaa Elders Groups in Walgett and the University of New South Wales.

    This research was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The George Institute’s Food Policy Group is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Population Salt Reduction. Juliette Crowther has no other conflicts of interest to declare.

    Jacqui Webster receives salary funding from a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grant (#2018015) and DFAT. Jacqui Webster is Chief Investigator on the NHMRC Ideas grant (#2003862) that this research is funded through.

    – ref. How much salt is OK in drinking water? Without limits, Australia’s health gap widens in remote and regional areas – https://theconversation.com/how-much-salt-is-ok-in-drinking-water-without-limits-australias-health-gap-widens-in-remote-and-regional-areas-260496

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Tanunda break-ins

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are investigating a series of break-ins at Tanunda over the weekend.

    Between 8pm Saturday 12 July and 6am Sunday 13 July an unknown person broke into several businesses on Murray Street and Basedow Road.

    The suspect has been captured on CCTV and police are seeking help from the public to identify them.

    Anyone who recognises the person in the footage, or who may have CCTV footage to assist in the investigation is asked to contact police.

    You can anonymously provide information to Crime Stoppers online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000. Please quote reference 25-95M.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information on jewellery store burglary

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Call for information on jewellery store burglary

    Monday, 14 July 2025 – 11:20 am.

    Investigations are under way into a burglary at a jewellery business on Murray Street, Hobart, in the early hours of Sunday.Police were called to the business on Murray Street about 2am on July 13 after it was broken into and a quantity of jewellery, including rings and watches, was stolen.Entry was gained by smashing a security door and a glass front door.Detectives are calling for any members of the public who observed the break-in or suspicious activity in Murray Street or Collins Street – where a stolen vehicle was set on fire – to contact police or Crime Stoppers.The following link https://taspol.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/police_investigating_hobart_jewellery_business_burglary is provided to upload any CCTV or dash cam footage that members of the public may have.Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.
    Please quote offence report number 779855 .

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Three men charged with drug and firearms offences in northern Tasmania

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Three men charged with drug and firearms offences in northern Tasmania

    Monday, 14 July 2025 – 11:17 am.

    Three men have been charged with drug and firearms offences following a recent police operation in northern Tasmania.
    Detective Inspector Nathan Johnston said the operation, led by the Northern Drugs and Firearms Unit, had been running since May.
    “The operation, which involved a range of specialist police resources, was brought to a planned resolution on 10 July, when two men were taken into custody at a property in Newnham,” he said.
    “Police located $24,000 in cash at the property, as well as a quantity of methylamphetamine and a luxury vehicle believed to have been stolen from Victoria in March.”
    “Several other searches were conducted in the Launceston area, with a further $140,000 in cash located alongside more methylamphetamine in a storage container linked to one of the men.”
    “A suspected stolen motorcycle was also seized.”
    “Police also located two firearms in another container linked to a third man, who was then taken into custody at the scene.”
    Charges:

    A 32-year-old man was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime, motor vehicle stealing and other offences. He was remanded in custody to reappear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at 2.15pm today.
    A 30-year-old man was charged with firearms offences.
    A 45-year-old man was charged with minor drug offences.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: North-South Motorway clear after truck rollover at Dry Creek

    Source: New South Wales – News

    The North-South Motorway has reopened after a semi-trailer rolled at Dry Creek on Sunday evening.

    About 5.15pm on Sunday 13 July, police and emergency services were called to the interchange of the Port River expressway and North-South motorway following reports that a truck carrying flour had rolled.

    The driver, a 26-year-old man from Victoria, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  He has been issued with a 12-month instant loss of licence for dangerous driving.

    The ramp for Port River Expressway eastbound traffic to head southbound on the North-South Motorway was closed until about 10am this morning while the truck was towed and the roadway cleaned.

    The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

    Anyone who was a witness or has dashcam of the crash can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Nominations now open for Greater Bendigo Youth Awards

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Awards to celebrate and recognise the everyday contributions, skills, accomplishments and achievements of young people aged between 12 and 25 years of age who work, live and study in Greater Bendigo.

    The awards aim to recognize and honour the skills and accomplishments of young individuals across various areas, as reflected in the six award categories which are:

    • Creativity and innovation
    • Contribution to the community
    • Excellence in leadership
    • Teamwork and collaboration
    • Sustainability and environment
    • Inclusion and equity

    City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the awards program recognises the everyday contributions of young people in our community that often go unrecognised.  

    “By nominating a young person for the Youth Awards, you will help shine a light on their efforts and inspire others. Recognizing these young individuals not only honours their hard work and dedication but also encourages them to continue making positive impacts,” Cr Metcalf said.

    “We have exceptional young people in Greater Bendigo who make small and large contributions to the community that have a lasting and positive impact on our lives every day.  Often this goes unrecognised, but they keep quietly working and using their skills and talents to make Greater Bendigo a better place.

    “It’s often said that young people are the leaders of tomorrow, but we know that young people are already leaders today. They are kind, creative, innovative, and generous with their time and contribute to improving the lives and experiences of those around them through their actions both big and small.

    “If you know a young person who you think should be acknowledged, I encourage you to nominate them for the City’s youth awards.”

    Greater Bendigo Youth Mayor Levity Camilleri said the Youth Awards are an incredible way to celebrate and acknowledge the creativity, leadership, and excellence of local young people.

    “It’s truly amazing and inspiring to see the diverse skills, contributions, and stories of young people in our community,” Levity Camilleri said.

    “It’s important to appreciate young people’s work across the municipality, it helps strengthen our culture, social cohesion, and quality of life. I encourage anyone who knows an exceptional young person who contributes to our community to nominate them for the Youth Awards and to celebrate their contribution.”

    Nominations for the Greater Bendigo Youth Awards can be made online until 5pm Tuesday September 30, 2025. 

    Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony which will take place on Friday November 21, 2025.

    Nominations to the Greater Bendigo Youth Awards may also be considered for the 2026 City of Greater Bendigo Young Citizen Year of the Year award.

    The Greater Bendigo Youth Awards were developed with significant input from the City’s Youth Council and are a key action of the Greater Bendigo Youth Action Plan 2023-2024.

    To nominate someone, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Stolen BMW recovered at Elizabeth East

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are still looking for a driver who stole a car during a break-in at Norwood overnight.

    Police were called to a report of a break-in and car theft from a home on Kensington Road, Norwood about 1.45am on Monday 14 July.

    An intruder broke into the house and stole a handbag, wallet and car keys to the red BMW hatchback parked in the driveway.

    The stolen car’s onboard tracking showed it outside several addresses in Royston Park before it led police across the northern suburbs to Adare Court, Elizabeth East where the car was located, abandoned at 2.45am.

    Police searched the area with the assistance of PolAir and Police Dog Enzo, but the suspect was not located.

    Police found another set of car keys to a Subaru inside the stolen BMW and ask any residents in the Norwood, Royston Park area to check to see if they have also had keys stolen overnight.

    Anyone with information or CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged following alleged evade in Hobart’s northern suburbs

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Man charged following alleged evade in Hobart’s northern suburbs

    Monday, 14 July 2025 – 6:47 am.

    A 27 year old man from Hobart’s northern suburbs has been charged following an alleged evade incident in Hobart’s northern suburbs yesterday.

    The man, who was wanted by police in relation to alleged family violence matters, was safely taken into custody at a Glenorchy petrol station about 2.50pm while he was attempting to refuel.

    Police allege the man, who was riding a motorcycle, had earlier evaded police in Bridgewater and Berriedale.

    No one was injured during the incident.

    The man has been charged with:

    Evade Police (Aggravated Circumstances) x 3
    Drive whilst not the holder of a drivers licence x 3
    Dangerous Driving x 1
    Assault x 1
    Tamper with Monitoring device x 2,
    Breach of Interim Family Violence Order x 7,
    Breach of Court bail x 20
    Contravene Conditions of a notice (Breach of Police Bail) x 13

    The man has been detained to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court this morning.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Sinner dethrones Alcaraz to capture maiden Wimbledon crown

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 in a high-octane final to claim his maiden Wimbledon trophy and fourth Grand Slam crown on Sunday, avenging his loss to the Spaniard in last month’s epic French Open final.

    The hard-fought win over the two-times defending champion on the famous lawns of London ensured that Sinner became the first Italian to secure a Wimbledon singles title.

    “I would like to start with Carlos. An amazing tournament, but mostly thank you for the player you are,” Sinner said.

    “It’s so difficult to play against you, but we have an amazing relationship off the court and on the court … keep going, keep pushing.”

    The 23-year-old Sinner drew first blood in the first Wimbledon men’s final contested by a pair born in the 2000s, breaking for a 3-2 lead, but Alcaraz clawed back before hitting a spectacular return at full stretch to wrap up the opening set and he celebrated by cupping his ear and soaking up the cheers.

    Sinner was gained a break in the opening game of next set and he let out a rare yell of “Let’s go” after winning a point en route to holding in a tight game before surging ahead 3-1 after a brief interruption when a champagne cork flew from the stands and landed on Centre Court.

    The top seed shrugged off the distraction and hit a running crosscourt winner to take the second set, before tightening his grip on the contest by unleashing a superb volley at the net to break for 5-4 and then holding in the next game to seal the third set with minimum fuss.

    With shadows drifting across the main showcourt that had basked in bright sunshine, Sinner wheeled away to a 3-1 lead in the fourth set as Alcaraz began to display the smallest signs of dejection, and the monk-like world number one held firm from there to complete a famous victory.

    “It’s amazing to be in this position,” added Sinner.

    “We were talking actually before the match; we would never have thought to be in this position. Back in the days when I was young, this was only a dream, because it was so far away from where I’m from. So I’m just living my dream, it’s amazing.

    “I’d like to thank my team and everyone who came here for this special day. It means so much. You give me so much emotion on and off the court and we try to keep pushing and trying to become a better tennis player, but mostly a better person.”

    There was to be no Roland Garros-like resurrection for Alcaraz, who fought back from three match-points down in the Paris finale just 35 days ago, as the Spaniard’s bid to claim three successive All England Club titles was extinguished.

    “I’m just really happy and really proud about everything I’m doing,” the 22-year-old Alcaraz said.

    “At the beginning of the season, I struggled a little bit on the court, but then suddenly I started to bring joy on the court again and that excitement I have every time I step on the court.

    “It’s a great journey so far, which I’m really proud of.”

    (Reuters)

  • Women’s Euro 2025: Sweden storm to group victory with 4-1 win over Germany

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Sweden made the most of Germany defender Carlotta Wamser’s expulsion to sweep to a 4-1 win and secure top spot in their Group C clash on Saturday, with their opponents also going through to the quarter-finals as runners-up.

    The Swedes finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from three games and will take on the runners-up in Group D, which features France, England, Netherlands and Wales.

    The Germans will face the winners of Group D.

    Friday’s encounter was the first time the Germans conceded four goals at a Women’s Euros and the Swedes were good value for their win, punishing virtually every mistake the Germans made.

    Germany got off to a flying start, slicing Sweden open through the middle as Wamser slid the ball into the path of Jule Brand, who managed to slip it past Jennifer Falk despite the Swedish keeper getting a touch.

    The Swedes struck back within five minutes, striker Stina Blackstenius expertly timing her run behind the defence and latching on to Kosovare Asllani’s ball before flashing a shot past Ann-Katrin Berger to level.

    Though the Germans looked dangerous every time they crossed the halfway line, it was the Swedes who took the lead through Smilla Holmberg in the 25th minute, the fullback marauding into the box before losing control and then steering an attempted clearance into the net from a tight angle.

    RED CARD

    Germany’s challenge fell apart in the 32nd minute when Wamser was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball to block a goal, and Fridolina Rolfo scored from the spot to make it 3-1 in her 100th international.

    “The red card was decisive,” Germany coach Christian Wueck said. “We couldn’t fight back into the game with one less player on the pitch.”

    Though the Germans made the odd dangerous foray in the second half, the Swedes exploited their numerical advantage and substitute Lina Hurtig put the game beyond reach with a close-range finish in the 80th minute.

    “It’s very important to build on a good feeling and gain confidence, now we can look forward,” goalscorer Blackstenius said.

    The Germans were disappointed with how the game turned out after such a good start.

    “We started the game very well. We were fully in it and the better team,” Klara Buhl said.

    “We then give the game away in 10 minutes, that’s incredibly bitter. We have to put that behind us as quickly as possible.”

    The Swedes play their quarter-final in Zurich next Thursday, while the Germans will have two extra days of rest before playing their game in Basel on Saturday.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Backing British Industry: Government launches £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme to power UK auto investment and jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Backing British Industry: Government launches £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme to power UK auto investment and jobs

    UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.

    • UK auto sector boosted by £2.5 billion under DRIVE35, as government launches new and improved funding competitions, supporting projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing.
    • Package forms part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which takes bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035.
    • Government also announces over £300 million of investment for specific auto projects, supporting the UK’s thousands of high-value manufacturing jobs and delivering on the Plan for Change.

    UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.

    Government is today announcing the launch of DRIVE35, comprising new and improved funding competitions that will support UK businesses. The programme will fund a wide spectrum of projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing – targeting established high-volume manufacturing and multi-billion-pound gigafactories, all the way to start-ups, prototypes and cutting-edge automotive innovation.  

    The new programme was announced in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy. It will commit £2 billion in funding to 2030 alongside an additional £500m for research and development to 2035, signalling a ten-year commitment to UK automotive innovation.

    The cash will provide certainty to the sector, give innovators the confidence to invest in the UK and will support the latest in research and development, unlocking capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and their supply chains. 

    The automotive sector contributed £21.4 billion in GVA to the economy in 2024 and currently employs 132,000 people across all parts of the UK – including many highly-skilled, highly-paid roles, and apprenticeships. The transition to zero emissions is the biggest opportunity of the 21st century to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.

    The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with one added every half an hour – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We’re helping British carmakers get to the front of the pack by working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK as we deliver our Plan for Change.

    We’re taking action to back the industry for the future with the biggest set of announcements for the sector in the last decade. This includes securing a landmark trade deal with the US to bring down tariffs for British car manufacturers, measures in our modern Industrial Strategy to lower electricity prices and updating the ZEV mandate, supporting UK manufacturers to safeguard jobs, and secure the future of the sector.

    Economic growth is our number one priority, and by funding our world leading auto sector we are creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK.

    The funding announced today forms part of government’s bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035, giving British firms an edge in the frontier industries of the future and driving growth across the UK.  

    DRIVE35 will build on previous successes with the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) R&D competitions, which between them leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector, creating thousands of jobs across the UK economy.

    The Department for Business and Trade today also announces over £300 million for specific UK automotive manufacturing firms and projects. This includes over £100 million of capital investment for UK automotive manufacturing via the ATF, approximately £140 million in combined Government and industry R&D investment, and £18 million from the new £150m Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme.

    With Government support, Bolton is set to benefit from over £100 million in investment from Astemo Ltd., which will be vital to the production of electric vehicle (EV) components in the UK. This investment will produce new generations of electric inverters, supporting over 220 direct high-value jobs in the region and hundreds more in the wider UK supply chain.

    The West Midlands will also welcome a recent £15 million investment from Dana to produce parts that are crucial for EV manufacturing. Dana’s investment will ensure skilled jobs in the region, supporting over 100 direct jobs over the long term.    

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    The creation of this dedicated automotive programme is further evidence of the sector’s importance to economic growth. Delivered as part of the Industrial Strategy, DRIVE35 has the potential to unlock investment and innovation in the UK, supporting jobs and creating wealth across the country. The importance of a long term, cross-government strategy with specific measures for automotive cannot be understated given the challenges facing the sector amid geopolitical uncertainty and fierce global competition. DRIVE35, and the wider measures identified in the Industrial Strategy, must now be implemented at pace to ensure the UK is amongst the leaders in next generation automotive technologies.

    Ian Constance, CEO, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Zenzic said:

    This new investment underlines the commitment from Government to secure advanced manufacturing in the UK. I am pleased that the APC, Zenzic, and its delivery partners are here to facilitate a new wave of funding in the automotive industry, supporting innovation, driving scale-up, and enabling transformation.

    Today, we have announced projects receiving four types of grants that boost the UK’s leadership in automotive manufacturing. They will enable the rapid development of demonstrators featuring cutting-edge technology, accelerate ambitious SMEs, and support vital collaborative R&D innovation. This will encourage further investment in the UK’s growing zero-emission supply chain, safeguarding skilled jobs, building on the country’s reputation as a world-leader for technology.

    Thanks to the wide range of eligible technologies under the new competitions, DRIVE35 funding will benefit UK auto businesses of all sizes and maturities, from small-scale innovators to large-scale established global companies. Through targeted investment for successful project applicants, the programme will create tens of thousands of new jobs, stimulate billions in economic growth and investment, and cut millions of tonnes CO2 emissions.

    The programme will provide a more impactful offering for investors across three streamlined pillars: Transformation, Scale Up and Innovation. Tomorrow the government will open the following competitions across the DRIVE35 programme:

    • Automotive Transformation Fund: A new and improved capital funding offer under DRIVE35’s keystone Transformation pillar, supporting large-scale capital investments in the UK, and now with a widened technology scope.
    • Scale Up Feasibility Studies: R&D funding to support businesses with strategic thinking on opportunities to scale, creating a pipeline of exciting decision-ready auto projects for UK investment.
    • Innovation competitions: Through DRIVE35’s Collaborate and Demonstrate streams, we will build on over a decade of success to support both early-stage and late-stage R&D projects involving innovative technologies and processes.

    DRIVE35 will continue the successes of the UK’s world-leading achievements in R&D. As an example, this government has recently committed a combined £70 million of R&D grant funding for over 50 innovative automotive projects. The programme will be delivered by DBT in partnership with APC UK and Innovate UK.

    Combined with industry funding, this totals £140 million in new investment for UK R&D. These projects will support technologies including batteries, energy storage, lightweighting and power electronics. Successful applicants include Mercedes and JLR.  

    Notes to editors:

    The winners of the R&D competitions are as follows:  

    Mobilise: An SME accelerator programme for zero-emission vehicle-related technology, as well as innovations in connected and automated mobility (CAM), and automotive software.

    • Allye Energy – London
    • Antobot – South East, Chelmsford
    • Cellmine – Scotland, Livingstone
    • Drisq – West Midlands, Malvern
    • Electrify Everything Now – West Midlands, Worcester
    • Evie Autonomous – West Midlands, Stoke-On-Trent
    • High Temperature Material Systems (HTMS) – South West, Bristol
    • Infiniti Recycling – South East, Cambridge
    • Kuasasemi – Wales, Cardiff
    • Lightning Tree Advanced Materials – London
    • Minimalx – London
    • Muon Tech – West Midlands, Leamington Spa
    • Otaski Energy Solutions – North East, Gateshead
    • Saif Autonomy – South East, Cambridgeshire
    • Senergy Innovations – Northern Ireland, Carryduff
    • Super6 – London
    • Talos Consulting Services – South East, Banbury

    Collaborate: Grants fund projects where companies, and academic institutions, form a consortium to take a product or process to commercial readiness. Please note, these are the lead partners only – there are several partners in each consortium.

    • Ionic Technologies International – Northern Ireland, Belfast
    • Mint Biomining – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains – East Midlands, Northamptonshire
    • Jaguar Land Rover – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Phinia Delphi UK – South West, Gloucestershire

    Demonstrate: Grants are for companies that are earlier in their product or process development or need a short, sharp sprint to get where they want to be. Please note that these are the lead partners.

    • Cummins UK – Yorkshire And The Humber, Huddersfield
    • Oxlid – East Midlands, Nottingham
    • Thermulon – London
    • Expert Tooling & Automation – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Cool Van Ltd – North West – Barnoldswick
    • Jaguar Land Rover – West Midlands, Warwick
    • Batri – Wales, Bridgend
    • Magnetic Systems Technology – Yorkshire and the Humber, Rotherham
    • Leyland Trucks – North East, Leyland
    • Project Four Design – West Midlands, Warwick
    • Fluorok – South East, Oxford
    • Hydrostar UK – South West, Exeter
    • Lorillion – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Talos Consulting Services – South East, Banbury
    • Ford Motor Company – South East, Essex
    • Advanced Electric Machines – North East, Washington
    • Maeving – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Fering Technologies – London
    • Green Lithium Refining – North East, Teesside
    • Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains – East Midlands, Northamptonshire
    • Watt Electric Vehicle Company – South West, Worcester
    • Electrified Automation – South West, Bridgwater
    • Ulemco – North West, Liverpool
    • Clean Air Power Gt – East Midlands, Melton Mowbray
    • Donut Lab Development UK – South West, Chippenham
    • Electric Aviation Group – South West, Bristol
    • Project Four Design – West Midlands, Warwick
    • Altilium Metals – South West, Plymouth
    • Inetic – Southampton
    • Morris Commercial – West Midlands, Evesham
    • Ilika Technologies – South East, Hampshire
    • Mcmurtry Automotive – South West, Wotton-Under-Edge
    • Yasa – South East, Oxford
    • Phoenix Carbon – East Of England, Stowmarket

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man in custody following alleged evade in Hobart’s northern suburbs

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Man in custody following alleged evade in Hobart’s northern suburbs

    Sunday, 13 July 2025 – 3:20 pm.

    A 27 year old man from Hobart’s northern suburbs is in custody following an alleged evade incident in Hobart’s northern suburbs today.
    The man, who was wanted by police in relation to alleged family violence matters, was safely taken into custody at a Glenorchy petrol station about 2.50pm while he was attempting to refuel.
    Police allege the man, who was riding a motorcycle, had earlier evaded police in Bridgewater and Berriedale.
    Police resources including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were used to safely take the man into custody.
    Inspector Ian Mathewson said that no one was injured during the incident, however investigations are ongoing.
    “The motorcycle was a blue Suzuki registration A688X, with the rider wearing black clothing with a black and white helmet. Police are urging anyone with information or dash cam footage relating to the blue Suzuki to contact Bridgewater Police on 131444,” Inspector Mathewson said.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Unforgiving Swiatek crushes Anisimova 6-0 6-0 to win maiden Wimbledon crown

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iga Swiatek took another stride towards tennis greatness by ruthlessly tearing apart American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova 6-0 6-0 and lifting her first Wimbledon trophy on Saturday.

    The big occasion turned into a nightmare for Anisimova who became the first woman to lose a Wimbledon final by that painful scoreline since 1911 and the first to do so at any major since Steffi Graf routed Natasha Zvereva at the 1988 French Open.

    Already a U.S. Open champion and a four-times French Open winner, Swiatek’s demolition job at the All England Club meant that she became the youngest woman since a 20-year-old Serena Williams in 2002 to lift major titles on all three surfaces.

    Her superb display on the sun-drenched lawns of London also ensured that she emerged as the first player since Monica Seles in 1992 to win her first six major finals.

    “It’s something that is just surreal. I feel like tennis keeps surprising me, and I keep surprising myself,” Swiatek told reporters after hoisting the gilded Venus Rosewater Dish.

    “I’m really happy with the whole process, how it looked like from the first day we stepped on a grasscourt. Yeah, I feel like we did everything for it to go in that direction without expecting it, just working really hard.

    “It means a lot, and it gives me a lot of experience. Yeah, I don’t even know. I’m just happy.”

    Swiatek’s triumph ended a barren 13-month run for the Polish 24-year-old, who served a short suspension late last year after an inadvertent doping violation linked to contaminated sleep medication melatonin.

    “I want to thank my coach (Wim Fissette). With the ups and downs now, we showed everybody it’s working,” Swiatek added.

    SCORCHING START

    On another warm afternoon on Centre Court, Swiatek got off to a scorching start by breaking a nervous Anisimova three times en route to dishing out the first bagel, prompting some spectators to get behind the shell-shocked American.

    A frustrated Anisimova shrieked and desperately looked to her team in the stands for any kind of guidance after conceding yet another break point early in the second set and it was not long before her machine-like opponent pulled away further.

    Anisimova continued to disappointingly crack under pressure, before Swiatek completed the brutal mauling in 57 minutes with a backhand winner on her second match point to become the first Wimbledon champion from Poland.

    Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk celebrated with a picture of himself watching a post-match interview while holding a bowl of pasta and strawberries, Swiatek’s cheat meal at Wimbledon, while President Andrzej Duda was effusive in his praise.

    “Iga! Today, on the grasscourts of Wimbledon, you wrote history – not only for Polish sport, but also for Polish pride. On behalf of the Republic of Poland – thank you,” Duda wrote.

    Victory took Swiatek to 100 wins from 120 matches at the majors, making her the quickest to get to there since Williams in 2004, and denied Anisimova the chance to become the first American to win the title since her compatriot in 2016.

    Swiatek jumped for joy on court before running towards her team in the stands to celebrate her triumph. The Friends fan was equally delighted to receive a congratulatory hug from American actress Courteney Cox, who was among the spectators.

    All this while, Anisimova was left to wonder what could have been as she sat in her seat, before the tears began to flow during her on-court interview.

    Few would have envisioned the American to hit the heights she did in the last fortnight after she fell outside the top 400 following her mental health break two years ago.

    “I didn’t have enough today,” said Anisimova, who began the tournament with a 6-0 6-0 win over Yulia Putintseva but admitted to running out of gas in the final.

    “I’m going to keep putting in the work, and I always believe in myself. I hope to be back again one day.”

    It was bitter disappointment for U.S. fans hoping for an “American Slam” this year after Madison Keys won the Australian Open at the start of the year and Coco Gauff triumphed at the French Open last month.

    (Reuters)

  • Britain’s Cash and Glasspool win Wimbledon men’s doubles title

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Fifth seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool capped their dream summer with the Wimbledon crown and first Grand Slam title as a pair when the British team downed Rinky Hijikata and David Pel 6-2 7-6(3) in the men’s doubles final on Saturday.

    Queen’s Club and Eastbourne champions Cash and Glasspool became the first all-British pairing to win the All England Club trophy since 1936, when Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey defeated their compatriots Charles Hare and Frank Wilde in the final.

    “When you say it, it sounds incredible,” said Glasspool.

    “We’ve had a Brit win it last year (Henry Patten), the year before that (Neal Skupski) so I didn’t think too much of it, but now we needed to give you two so we did our best.”

    The local favourites shot out of the blocks after an early break thanks to a poor service game from Pel and raced through the opening set with minimum fuss, leaving fans buzzing on a sun-drenched Centre Court.

    The Australian-Dutch duo of Hijikata and Pel saved a break point at the start of the second set and applied pressure in the fourth game but their opponents were equal to the task and took a step towards the title when they went 4-2 up.

    Hijikata and Pel, who entered the tournament as alternates and survived match points in their first two rounds, drew level after eight games before Cash and Glasspool moved up a gear in the tiebreak to prevail and spark huge celebrations.

    “We’ve played a crazy amount of tennis on the grass, every match we possibly could,” said Cash.

    “So a lot of people were talking, coming into this event. There was a lot of pressure on our shoulders. And the fact we’ve been able to do what everyone was talking about is surreal.”

    The runners-up cut cheerful figures despite the defeat.

    “We didn’t even meet before the tournament,” the 34-year-old Pel said. “I mean, it was our first time speaking on the day the tournament started.”

    Hijikata, who won the 2023 Australian Open title with Jason Kubler, called his All England Club adventure a “crazy ride”.

    “It’s been so much fun playing with David,” Hijikata said.

    “He’s brought such a great energy on the court. He’s made it very easy for me out there. It’s a dream come true to be playing on Centre Court. A bit shattered, but it was a lot of fun.”

    (Reuters)

  • India equal England’s first-innings score of 387 with Test in balance

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Opener KL Rahul scored a century while Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant pitched in with crucial fifties as India posted 387 on day three, equalling England’s first innings, with their third test hanging in the balance at Lord’s on Saturday.

    An injury to Shoaib Bashir blunted England’s pace-spin attack strategy when India looked vulnerable with five wickets down after losing Pant and Rahul in quick succession, before Jadeja steadied their innings with his third fifty-plus knock in a row.

    England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett played a single over before stumps, remaining unbeaten at 2-0 as the five-match series remains tied with both sides looking to go 2-1 up with a win.

    “Pretty even. You toil away for three days and you sit here with a two-run lead. Looking forward to a two-day shoot-out,” England bowling coach Tim Southee told the BBC.

    India started well from an overnight score of 145-3 with Rahul accompanied by left-handed batter Pant, who scored twin centuries in the first test, battled through an injured finger on his left hand as he hooked England captain Stokes for six to bring up his fifty.

    The two added 141 runs for the fourth wicket before Pant was run out for 74 on the last ball before lunch as he played Bashir towards cover point, where Stokes made a quick turn to hit the stumps on the non-striker’s end with a swift, direct throw.

    Rahul was the next to fall, edging Bashir’s flighted ball to Harry Brook in the slip on his very next ball after reaching 100, leaving India on shaky ground at 254-5 under a warm London sun.

    But Bashir had to leave the ground when he injured a finger on his non-bowling left hand while attempting a low catch from his own delivery as Jadeja shot down the wicket. Commentators later said the 21-year-old might need extra treatment in the evening.

    JADEJA STEERS THE SHIP

    Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, new to the crease, looked unsteady as England’s bowlers piled on the pressure. Mix-ups between the batters put Reddy at risk of getting run out on two occasions but Ollie Pope’s direct throws missed the target both times.

    However, as England returned to using two pacers soon after Bashir’s injury, the pair put together a 72-run partnership before Stokes claimed his second wicket of the match, getting Reddy to nick it to keeper Jamie Smith for 30.

    But Jadeja kept the runs flowing, scoring his third fifty-plus knock in a row, while Washington Sundar adopted a slow, cautious approach on the other end.

    Their 50-run partnership for the eighth wicket got India within 11 runs of England’s total, before Chris Woakes dismissed Jadeja for 72 as the batter’s attempt to send the ball down fine leg only took a thin edge and landed in Smith’s gloves.

    Akash Deep, in at number nine, was given out leg before wicket twice by umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat during the same over but Hawk-Eye showed the ball was missing the stumps when the batter reviewed them, overturning both decisions.

    But Deep fell soon after to Brydon Carse for seven, with Brook trapping him at third slip with a low dive.

    Sundar brought the scores level before falling to Jofra Archer for 23, bringing an end to India’s innings.

    Crawley and Duckett, batting shortly before stumps, got into arguments with Indian fielders over delays. India captain Shubman Gill clapped for Crawley when he called for the physio to check his injury after the ball hit his glove.

    Duckett shared some words with Gill as the batters saw out the over from Jasprit Bumrah, leaving the feisty contest finely poised going into the final two days.

    “He’ll be assessed overnight. Hopefully he’ll be good to go tomorrow,” Southee told reporters about Crawley’s finger injury. “Shubman Gill was lying down having a massage yesterday.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Crash on West Terrace, Adelaide

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Emergency services are at the scene of a crash on West Terrace, Adelaide.

    The collision occurred about 12.30pm on Sunday 13 July near the intersection of West Terrace and Franklin Street, Adelaide.

    West Terrace is currently closed for northbound traffic from Franklin Street.

    Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 13 year old boy injured in motorbike crash

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    13 year old boy injured in motorbike crash

    Sunday, 13 July 2025 – 11:20 am.

    Police are investigating after a 13 year old boy was injured in a motorbike crash on an East Coast fire trail yesterday.
    Police were notified by Ambulance Tasmania about 11.30am in relation to a boy being injured in a motorbike crash and needing to be airlifted to Hobart.
    The boy is believed to have been riding on fire trails with family members when he came off the bike.
    After the crash, the boy was able to ride back to the Chain of Lagoons, and from there was airlifted to Hobart with serious but non life threatening injuries.
    Members of the public are reminded that fire trails and forest roads are public streets and drivers must be licensed and using registered vehicles. The road rules apply on these roads as they do on any other.
    Anyone with information about the incident should contact St Helens Police on 131444.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New £63 million boost for Britain’s electric vehicle revolution

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New £63 million boost for Britain’s electric vehicle revolution

    Funding will help to build a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport.

    • major boost to charging investment to break down barriers to electric vehicle ownership and boost charging infrastructure across the UK, cutting costs for families, businesses and the public sector

    • £63 million package to support at-home charging for households without driveways, transition NHS fleets to save millions for the health service in England, create thousands of chargepoints at business depots across the UK

    • builds on £400 million invested in charging infrastructure and recent Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate updates to kickstart economic growth, create thousands of green jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change

    Drivers across England are set to benefit as the government today (13 July 2025) announces a £63 million investment package to supercharge Britain’s electric vehicle infrastructure, driving down charging costs and putting money back in the pockets of working people as part of the Plan for Change.

    A pioneering £25 million scheme for local authorities will expand access to cheaper at-home charging. This will provide access to cheaper household rates, allowing consumers to save up to £1,500 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car, transforming how thousands of households without driveways power up their electric cars.

    The innovative cross-pavement technology will allow cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles, enabling more families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2 pence per mile even if they don’t have a driveway.

    The fund is the latest move to bolster the UK’s growing charging network which has reached a record 82,000 public chargepoints, with a further 100,000 expected to be installed as a result of the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6 billion of private investment committed to 2030.

    To ensure the savings the EV transition can bring are felt in the public sector too, the NHS in England is also receiving a major sustainability upgrade with an £8 million fund to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across over 200 NHS sites, saving millions in costs which can be invested into patient care.

    See a list of NHS trusts that are receiving funding to install electric vehicle chargepoints.

    Standing firmly on the side of British drivers, this latest investment is part of our major plan to support motorists, including a record £1.6 billion invested to tackle potholes and bring down and frozen fuel duty at 5p until Spring 2026, saving the average motorist £50 to £60 over the year.

    This investment underpins the government’s Plan for Change mission to kickstart economic growth and make life easier for working people, ensuring the transition to net zero delivers for working families whilst creating good jobs and driving economic growth across all regions of the UK.

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:  

    We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric.

    Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy. I’m proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs.

    This is what our Plan for Change mission to kickstart Britain’s economy looks like in practice. We’re not just boosting charging infrastructure, we’re building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country.

    In a pioneering move to help EV drivers plug into the rapidly expanding charging network, government is also modernising EV charging signage on major roads. EV charging hubs have more than doubled since the beginning of 2023 and immediate changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads for the first time. Government is committed to boosting charging for long journeys, with £400 million announced in the Spending Review to support charging infrastructure, including on the strategic road network.

    Alongside the boosts for electric car drivers, the government is also launching a major new grant scheme to help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting the nation’s heavy goods vehicles, vans and coach drivers in the transition to zero emissions.

    The action follows recent updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate to make it easier for the sector to switch to electric as part of government’s ongoing work to back British manufacturing. With over 1.2 million people employed in the freight and logistics sector in the UK alone, today’s announcement is the latest move to keep industry at the forefront of international competition in the face of global economic headwinds.

    Over 1,200 new charging sockets will deliver a more efficient, modern health system whilst generating millions in cost savings over the next two decades for the taxpayer on maintenance and fuel costs – valuable savings that can be prioritised for patient care and help rebuild the NHS.

    Owning and buying an EV is becoming increasingly cheaper, with 2 in 5 of used electric cars sold at under £20,000 and 34 brand new electric cars are available from under £30,000.

    The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with one added every 30 minutes – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.

    Health Minister Karin Smyth said: 

    This is a win-win: cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities.

    As part of our Plan for Change, we’re investing in green energy to build an NHS fit for the future — cutting pollution and saving millions in fuel costs.

    Edmund King, AA president, said:

    There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition as it will create confidence for drivers both now and in the future. 

    It is great to see more support for those without off-street parking so that they can also benefit from the EV revolution.

    Delvin Lane, CEO, InstaVolt said:

    We are pleased that the government has taken the crucial step of delivering official EV charging signage on the strategic road network – a move we believe will improve consumer confidence and bolster EV adoption. This marks a major milestone for the EV industry and drivers across the UK. 

    At InstaVolt, we have been relentless in our campaigning and have built a strong, collaborative relationship with the government to push this initiative forward. Our opinion research suggests that the rollout of clear, official signage will make a significant difference—helping EV drivers easily locate public charging points while on the move, and reassuring those considering making the switch to electric vehicles. 

    For years, we have emphasized that the UK’s public EV infrastructure, so critical to mass adoption, is already largely in place, and now this signage will finally showcase it to drivers in a visible, accessible way.” 

    As the UK’s largest ultra-rapid public charging network with over 2,000 chargers nationwide, InstaVolt is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation and excited to see how these signs will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

    Ian Johnston, CEO, Osprey:

    Signage impacts all the UK’s drivers because consumers need to see it to believe it. Osprey have tirelessly highlighted the benefit that clear EV road signage would bring to drivers looking to make the switch and to the charging businesses installing the critical infrastructure underpinning transport decarbonisation.

    This is a welcome first step and we look forward to continuing to work closely with ministers and officials to achieve clear signage for the hundreds of high-quality EV charging hubs being opened across the nation.

    NHS Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Gormley said: 

    The NHS has already implemented hundreds of projects that reduce emissions and drive significant cost savings, all while improving patient care.

    This new £8 million investment, across 62 NHS Trusts and around 224 sites, supports the renewed commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to deliver a more sustainable NHS while also helping hospitals to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs and reducing air pollution. These savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities.

    Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said:

    With 82,000 public charge points already installed across the UK, this positive action on strategic road signage will help more drivers see the extensive charging network that’s rapidly being built across the country. This has been a priority for our industry and will boost consumer confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles.

    Our members are investing £6 billion to ensure the deployment of charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. Today’s announcement shows government recognising the vital role charging plays in the transition, and we look forward to working together to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s leading EV market.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Car into tree at Wasleys

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A driver was injured in a serious crash at Wasleys this morning.

    The single vehicle collision occurred about 5.20am on College Road, Wasleys.

    A car left the road and hit a tree.

    The driver was extricated from the wreckage by emergency services and taken to hospital with serious injuries.

    Westbound traffic on College Road will remain closed while police examine the scene and investigate the circumstances around the crash.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Teenage driver arrested after pursuit in Athol Park

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A teenage boy has been arrested following a brief pursuit with a stolen car in the western suburbs overnight.

    Just before 9pm Saturday 12 July, Western District patrols spotted a Ford sedan driving on Athol Street at Athol Park. Checks on the registration revealed it had been stolen from a home at Elizabeth Downs earlier that morning.

    Police tried to stop the car however the driver refused and the Ford was pursued along Glenroy Street and Park Avenue. The sedan turned onto Alicia Street where the driver jumped out of the moving car and fled on foot.

    Police gave chase and quickly arrested the teen nearby.

    The car rolled into a small tree, causing minor damage to the front of the car and number plate.

    The 15-year-old boy was charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, driving unlicensed and dangerous driving to escape police pursuit.  He has not applied for bail and will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court tomorrow, Monday 14 July.

    The Ford was towed from the scene for forensic examination and will be returned to the owner.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Health chief attends Nanjing forum

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau attended the 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation in Nanjing today to share with liver transplant experts from around the world Hong Kong’s latest developments in organ transplantation, and the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in co-operation with the Mainland on organ donation and transplantation.
     
    In his address at the opening ceremony, Prof Lo said: “Hong Kong and the Mainland have a long-standing collaboration in hepatobiliary surgery. I have personally witnessed experts from both places jointly performing a number of complex liver transplant surgeries, achieving in-depth integration of technology and resources, which is an exemplary model of medical co-operation under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework.

    “In recent years, Hong Kong and the Mainland have also made breakthroughs in organ donation and transplantation. In December 2022 and February this year, two cases of cross-boundary heart donation successfully saved the lives of two infants, exemplifying to the fullest the inseparable ties between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as our shared principle and mission in protecting and saving lives.”
     
    Apart from stressing that with the accumulation of experience, the channels and procedures for handling urgent cross-boundary organ transplant requests have now been streamlined and standardised, Prof Lo made it clear that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to explore arrangements for regularising this mechanism.
     
    He also shared the latest developments in the prevention and control of liver disease in Hong Kong.
     
    “Since 1988, Hong Kong has provided universal hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns, significantly reducing infection rates among younger generations.
     
    “As outlined in last year’s Policy Address, the Chief Executive also proposed to implement hepatitis B screening to prevent liver cancer. If patients can be identified at an early stage, it will facilitate early identification and early treatment, thereby effectively reducing risks of developing complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
     
    Prof Lo then visited the Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), where he exchanged views and shared experiences on enhancing hospital management and services with the hospital’s President Prof Liu Yun.
     
    He highlighted that the Hospital Authority is adopting China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) developed by the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Centre to resume the hospital accreditation programme at its public hospitals.
     
    Moreover, the authority seeks to optimise the diagnosis process of the relevant specialties and improve the treatment outcomes through the establishment of the first stroke centre at Tuen Mun Hospital, as well as chest pain centres at both Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital.
     
    Prof Lo added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to promote the accreditation programme under the standards as well as the establishment of chest pain centres and stroke centres.
     
    “These initiatives will not only improve healthcare integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and support Hong Kong’s integration into national development, but also leverage Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, so as to demonstrate the excellence of the national hospital accreditation standards to the international community.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Johnson Leads Letter Questioning USPTO’s Decision Not To Open ATL Southeast

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Questions Wisdom of Bypassing Opportunity To Open US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) Southeast Regional Outreach Office (SEROO) in Atlanta

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee that oversees the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, this week led a letter to Coke Morgan Stewart, acting director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, to inquire as to why her office no longer plans to launch the Southeast Regional Outreach Office (SEROO) in Atlanta, Georgia, and will instead open it at the USPTO’s Alexandria, Virginia, headquarters.

    The letter was cosigned by Georgia U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and Congressman David Scott (GA-13), Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06), and Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07).

    The members request answers to their questions about the change by July 9.

    The letter states that at the time when Atlanta was chosen — after a lengthy and protracted process — to be the Southeast office that “the USPTO’s press release announcing the Atlanta office, the city’s “growing and diverse economy,” coupled with the resources available to its large number of startups and innovators “made it a top location for the Southeast Regional Office.” Atlanta, according to the USPTO, “has an active and highly ranked research development community with five Tier 1 research universities, one of the top-tier Veterans Administration research hospitals in the nation, and the Centers for Disease Control.”

    As far as Congressman Johnson is concerned none of that has changed.

    “The entire point of the Unleashing American Innovators Act was to increase participation in the patent system by women, people of color, military veterans, individual inventors, and other groups that are underrepresented in the system,” said Ranking Member Johnson. “Atlanta was rightfully chosen to be that hub because of our vibrancy, innovation and top-notch research institutions. Patents and trademarks are critical elements in creating job growth and jobs and careers of the future. I sincerely hope that the USPTO reconsiders this terrible mistake.”

    To read the letter, click HERE.

    Full letter below

    June 24, 2025
    Coke Morgan Stewart
    Acting Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
    P.O. Box 1450
    Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

    Dear Acting Director Stewart,

    On Friday, June 6th, 2025, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that it no longer plans to launch the Southeast Regional Outreach Office (SEROO) in Atlanta, Georgia, and will instead open it at the USPTO’s Alexandria, Virginia headquarters. We find this decision highly concerning, and we write to request additional information regarding the decision-making process that resulted in this mistake.

    After the success of the four regional offices created in the America Invents Act of 2011, Congress sought to add offices around the country to improve Americans’ access to USPTO services. Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass the Unleashing American Innovators Act (UAIA), which President Biden signed into law on December 29, 2022.

    The legislation required the USPTO establish a Southeast Regional Office within 
    three years of enactment as well as a community outreach office in the northern New England region within five years of enactment, among other provisions designed to bolster USPTO outreach to small and medium-sized businesses across the country.

    Atlanta, Georgia was chosen as the SEROO location after a lengthy process designed to meet the requirements stipulated under the UAIA, namely considering the proposed sites’ 1) number of patent-intensive industries, 2) number of research-intensive institutions, and 3) number of existing government, legal, and business frameworks that support intellectual property-intensive industries.

    As part of this process, the USPTO issued a request for comments seeking public input on potential regional office locations and received more than 200 comments from the general public, USPTO employees, city and state officials and the business community.

    According to the USPTO’s press release announcing the Atlanta office, the city’s “growing and diverse economy,” coupled with the resources available to its large number of startups and innovators “made it a top location for the Southeast Regional Office.”

    Atlanta, according to the USPTO, “has an active and highly ranked research development community with five Tier 1 research universities, one of the top-tier Veterans Administration research hospitals in the nation, and the Center for Disease Control.”

    While Alexandria, Virginia is in the southeast region of the country, Americans living there are already served by the USPTO headquarters. Regional patent offices allow the USPTO to reach Americans where they live and work. This is not disputed. In fact, the USPTO has an established history of supporting regional offices. In its 2024 report the USPTO wrote, “With the establishment of the regional offices, the USPTO has been able to reach a more diverse set of stakeholders at a more local scale.”

    Regional offices, the USPTO continued, allow it to customize in-person educational programming, “including seminars or workshops that educate customers about the patent application process or how to employ IP strategies for entrepreneurs.”

    The USPTO has also acknowledged that regional offices are good for the health of our patent ecosystem. Opening regional offices, it wrote in 2024, “has had a positive impact on employee recruitment, and has led to the onboarding of over 400 patent examiners” since 2012.

    Regional offices created unique detail opportunities that “create benefits for the employee, the agency, and the public.”

    Atlanta was chosen after an intensive process that invited public input. In contrast, the USPTO’s decision to ignore stakeholders and open the SEROO in Alexandria instead was made with no public explanation whatsoever. We therefore request that the USPTO respond to the following questions by July 9, 2025.

    1. Did the USPTO consider the required factors under the UAIA for the establishment of an SEROO? If yes, please describe the process in detail.

    2. What was the involvement of non-USPTO personnel in the decision to open the SEROO at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia?

    3. How does the USTPO plan to engage with the southeast region from Alexandria, Virginia? Please describe the in-person programming planned particularized to the southeast region.

    4. Does the USPTO plan to allow the public to comment on the decision not to open the regional office in Atlanta, as decided in 2023?

    Sincerely,

    Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. 
    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet | Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives

    Jon Ossoff, United States Senator

    Raphael Warnock, United States Senator

    David Scott
    Member of Congress

    Lucy McBath
    Member of Congress

    Rich McCormick, MD, MBA
    Member of Congress

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Pedestrians struck by car at Aberfoyle Park

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A learner driver will be fined after colliding with two pedestrians in a shopping centre car park at Aberfoyle Park today.

    Police and emergency services were called to the Hub Shopping Centre, Hub Drive, Aberfoyle Park just after midday on Saturday 12 July by reports of a crash.

    A vehicle lurched forward while parking and collided with two pedestrians.

    The pedestrians were knocked to the ground and both sustained minor injuries and grazes.  One of the pedestrians, a man aged in 70s, was taken to hospital as a precaution.

    The Holden Commodore sedan also sideswiped a car parked alongside it and struck the chicken shop.

    The driver, a 20-year-old man from Old Noarlunga, only holds a learner’s permit and did not have a qualified supervising driver present.

    Neither he, nor his young passengers, were injured in the crash.

    The driver is expected to receive an expiation notice for failing to maintain proper control of his vehicle and breaches of his learner’s permit conditions.

    The Holden was towed from the scene.

    MIL OSI News –