Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
Councils in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast are invited to apply for a share of $4 million in grants to build more parks, playgrounds, walking tracks and restore local bushlands.
The Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2024-25 is available to 34 councils for projects such as shared pedestrian and cycle pathways as well as open space strategies and master plans for future works.
Established in 1983 by the Wran Labor Government, the Metropolitan Greenspace Program is the longest running open space grants program in NSW.
Since 1990, more than $56 million has been provided for 680 projects.
This funding will support the Minn’s Government’s planning reforms as we unlock more homes and deliver supporting community infrastructure and green space.
Last year, the program awarded $3 million in funding supporting better access to open spaces for more than 31,000 homes within a 10-minute walk from residential areas.
A panel of experts will assess applications against selection criteria designed to ensure funding is awarded based on merit and impact.
Applications for the 2024-25 round of the Metropolitan Greenspace Program will open on 12 February and close on 31 March 2025.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more green spaces, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to relax and play in the communities they choose.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The NSW Government is fast-tracking the delivery of more homes, and these residential areas will need to be supported by more parks and green spaces.
“The Metropolitan Greenspace Program helps councils provide more of these facilities where people can relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
“The program has a strong track record of increasing and improving open space to create thriving places and connected communities.
“I encourage eligible councils to apply for the next round of funding so they can build more high-quality green spaces for their residents and visitors alike.”
CONCORD – A Northfield man was sentenced today in federal court for his attempt to receive two packages of methamphetamine in New Hampshire through the United States Postal Service (USPS), Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.
Joseph Crawford, of Northfield, age 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty to 72 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. On October 30, 2024, Crawford pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
“Joseph Crawford used the United States Postal Service in an attempt to smuggle dangerous drugs across state lines into the Granite State,” said Acting United States Attorney Jay McCormack. “Individuals using the mail as an avenue to traffic illegal narcotics to New Hampshire will be prosecuted and significantly punished.”
“Joseph Crawford has repeatedly demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and yesterday’s sentence puts him out of business and behind bars for receiving significant quantities of meth through the mail while on parole for two prior state drug convictions,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent illegal drugs from hitting the streets in order to make our cities safer.”
“As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise, DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of New Hampshire,” said Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division. “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Crawford accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those who attempt to bring this poison to the Granite State.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners will continue to dedicate the resources necessary to keep methamphetamine producers and traffickers out of our communities,” said Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Today’s sentencing is a result of a coordinated effort of our local and state law enforcement partners to keep methamphetamine and other drugs out of our communities.”
On July 5 and July 19, 2023, the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”) flagged suspicious packages addressed to Joseph Crawford at an address in Northfield, New Hampshire, sent from California. USPIS obtained search warrants for both packages, which contained over two pounds of methamphetamine in total.
The United States Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The New Hampshire State Police, Claremont Police Department, and the Lebanon Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Cherniske prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Passengers, businesses, and local leaders have their say on how to transform transport.
Local Transport Minister visits Manchester as 11 regional roadshows are launched to gather ideas from local leaders and passengers on how to improve transport
new ‘people-centred’ Integrated National Transport Strategy, to join up transport networks, empower local leaders and drive economic growth
roadshows across the country, including Newcastle, Cornwall and Brighton, will learn from successful integrated systems like the Bee Network and consider the best options for rural areas
Passengers, businesses and local leaders are having their say on how to transform transport, as Local Transport Minister visits Manchester to launch 11 regional roadshows today (12 February 2025).
Simon Lightwood will be speaking to local leaders, for their input on how transport can work for their specific area, realising there is no one-size-fits-all solution and each region has its own transport challenges.
Starting in Newcastle and ending in Milton Keynes, the roadshows, which involve a series of roundtables and discussions, will gather insights from councils, businesses and communities to shape a 10-year strategy for seamless, integrated journeys that empower local leaders to build the best transport system for their communities.
Integrated transport could look like better technology to manage traffic, coordinated bus and train timetables – so passengers do not have to wait for 20 minutes for the next transport mode to arrive, and parking options all in one app. It is a national vision of transport but delivered by local people, where the power belongs.
Linking up transport is an essential part of connecting communities and unlocking economic growth, part of the government’s Plan for Change, and particularly benefits people who live in areas that currently see poor transport links to jobs, housing and education.
The government is also encouraging the public to respond to the Integrated National Transport Strategy call for ideas, which closes on 20 February 2025 to hear suggestions directly from transport users across the country.
Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said:
We’ve all had the frustration of our train arriving 10 minutes too late for our connecting bus service. We want more people across England to benefit from more integrated transport that makes day-to-day journeys easier – from coordinated timetables and easy route planning to tap in, tap out payments.
We will empower local leaders to build a system that’s right for their needs, connecting cars and buses, trams and trains and cycling and walking, into one joined-up system.
To kick off this process, we’re listening to local leaders across the country to hear how we can best create a new national transport vision that connects all modes of transport, prioritises people at its core and helps deliver our Plan for Change to improve the economy.
The regional transport roadshows will stop at Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Ipswich, Bristol, Brighton, London, Cornwall and Milton Keynes in February and March 2025. Ideas gathered at the roadshows will shape the final strategy, which will be published this year.
The government will be listening to ideas on how the strategy can support better integrated public transport, and improve transport in rural areas. Recognising that driving is often a necessary choice, the department will also be listening to ideas on how to help drivers, which could include systems that help manage traffic flows or help drivers easily find and pay for parking spaces.
It will also consider how cycling and walking can become the best choice for shorter journeys, through prioritising pavement repairs, safe crossings and cycle infrastructure where they are needed most.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
We are making sure local authorities can provide high-quality and easily accessible active travel schemes across England.
300 miles of brand new footpaths and cycle tracks will help encourage 30 million more journeys by bike or foot every year
new guidance to help councils engage and ensure local communities are involved in new projects
funding will lead to 43,000 less sick days a year to ease pressure on the NHS and help deliver government mission of building an NHS fit for the future
Millions of people will benefit from 300 miles of new walkways and cycle lanes thanks to almost £300 million in funding to boost walking, wheeling and cycling in England.
The funding package announced today (12 February 2025) by the government and Active Travel England (ATE) will also allow the construction of improved crossings and junctions to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier, safer and better across the country. The investment will also help fund cycle training for hundreds of thousands of children.
The improvements will help people make 30 million more journeys by bike or foot every year, including more than 20 million new walk-to-school journeys by children and their parents.
Cycle lanes and walkways funded today will lead to 43,000 fewer sick days a year, due to the health benefits of increased active travel, easing pressure on the NHS and helping people live happier and healthier lives.
The new infrastructure will also add £9 million every year to the economy by supporting local businesses and making it easier to walk and cycle to work, as the government continues to deliver its Plan for Change.
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said:
Making it simple and safe to walk, wheel or cycle to schools, shops and workplaces is one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation’s health, economy and get to net zero, all in one.
Free exercise, zero emissions and no risk of getting stuck in traffic are benefits already being enjoyed as standard by our European neighbours and it’s time we had the same life-improving choices.
This funding will help make our towns, cities and villages happier, healthier and greener places to live.
Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood, said:
Walking and cycling is an affordable way to get around and is hugely beneficial for both mental and physical health. We’re making sure local authorities can deliver high-quality and easily accessible schemes for everyone.
Investing in our national cycling and walking infrastructure is a key part of our mission for growth and today’s investment will not only provide better connectivity but boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS, helping us deliver our Plan for Change.
In total, today’s £291 million funding package includes:
£222.5 million to local authorities for the development and delivery of local walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, alongside community engagement and training
£30 million to the Sustrans charity to deliver improvements to the National Cycle Network, a UK-wide network of signed active travel routes
£8.5 million for Cycling UK, Living Streets and Modeshift to deliver walking, wheeling and cycling initiatives in schools and communities
In addition to providing this funding, ATE is dedicated to ensuring that new schemes are built faster and to a high quality that works best for their communities. With ATE expert advice, local authorities have completed active travel projects at more than twice the rate of other small transport schemes.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
Helping more people to get the health benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling is at the heart of the Bee Network. Our plan to connect 95% of our residents to within 400 metres of high-quality active travel routes is arguably the boldest in the country.
We’re already seeing more people choose active travel over the car for short journeys. This latest funding will help us build on our success to date and demonstrates confidence – at the highest level – in the Bee Network.
Stockport is the blueprint for what we want to deliver across Greater Manchester, focusing new homes and regeneration around excellent public transport infrastructure in our town centres.
The more people we can persuade to leave the car at home, the more we will make the traffic flow and the roads better for everyone.
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, and Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, will mark the announcement of this funding with a visit to Greater Manchester, where active travel policies have been hugely successful.
A recent report by Transport for Greater Manchester found infrastructure upgrades are encouraging more residents to get about under their own steam, with the number of people walking short journeys now at 57%, up from 52% 5 years ago.
This is the second company charged in connection with the scheme; three individuals also pleaded guilty to misbranding N95 masks
BOSTON – A California company, and three individuals who owned and managed the company, pleaded guilty to charges relating to the shipment of facemasks that were misbranded as N95 respirators during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
Advoque Safeguard LLC (ASG) pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded devices into interstate commerce with intent to defraud or mislead, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Jason Azevedo, 33, of Cedar Creek, Texas; Paul Shrater, 52, of Simi Valley, Calif.; and Andrew Stack, 52, of Santa Cruz, Calif., also pleaded guilty to one count of introduction of misbranded devices into interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencings for June 11, 2025.
In October 2024, a second company, JDM Supply LLC (JDM), and two individuals, Daniel Motha and Jeffrey Motha, pleaded guilty in connection with this investigation. In addition, in August 2023, another individual, Jason Colantuoni, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit price gouging and is awaiting sentencing.
In in the spring of 2020, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, ASG and JDM conspired to ship facemasks that were misbranded as National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, N95 respirators. One hospital, identified as “HOSPITAL 1,” accepted and paid for hundreds of thousands of purported N95 masks that were manufactured by ASG and sold to a hospital by JDM. (the hospital did not use the masks, which were eventually returned to ASG.) ASG and JDM misled the hospital into believing that the ASG masks were NIOSH-approved N95s when, in fact, they were not. In August 2020, a NIOSH lab tested a sample of the ASG masks that had been shipped to the hospital, and they tested between 83.94% and 93.24% filtration efficiency, and thus fell under the 95% minimum level of filtration efficiency required for N95 respirators.
The charge of conspiracy to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device with intent to defraud or mislead provides for a fine of $500,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense, whichever is greater and up to five years of probation. The charge of introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison; up to one year of supervised release; and a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Brady and Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Eliseo Garcia-Gordillo, 43, an illegally present Honduran national, received a two-year prison sentence Feb. 7 at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria for illegally reentering the United States after deportation and for failing to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement previously arrested Garcia-Gordillo on three occasions and subsequently removed him from the U.S., and arrested him again in Prince William County on Oct. 8, 2024, after his most recent illegal re-entry.
“Not only did Eliseo Garcia-Gordillo display a blatant disregard for our immigration laws, but he also sexually abused a minor victim in Virginia,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. acting Field Office Director Patrick Divver. “Garcia-Gordillo has proven to be a significant threat to our Virginia neighborhoods. ICE Washington, D.C., will not tolerate such threats to the residents of our communities. We will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien threats to our neighbors.”
Garcia-Gordillo was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual battery of a victim under the age of 13 in Prince William County June 17, 2019. Garcia-Gordillo was required to register as a sex offender on a quarterly basis for the rest of his life and to keep his registration current, which he failed to do.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X: @ICEWashington.
The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future, investing almost $12 million to upgrade regional airports across New South Wales.
Airports are vital for regional communities, providing critical access to emergency healthcare, as well as commerce, industry, tourism and education.
This funding, which is provided under Round 4 of the Regional Airports Program, will deliver essential upgrades – such as runway resurfacing, fencing, lighting and drainage – that improve safety, enhance accessibility and boost capacity at our regions’ airports.
In Merimbula, Bega Valley Shire Council will receive almost $3.8 million to deliver stage two of Merimbula Airport’s runway extension. This will construct an 80-metre pavement extension at both ends of the runway, providing an 1,800-metre runway take-off length.
The extended length will enable larger narrow-bodied aircraft to land, supporting emergency services including larger firefighting and military aircraft, as well as additional capacity for passenger services, boosting the economy and tourism and protecting the region’s community.
Further north, in Moruya, Eurobodalla Shire Council will receive over $200,000 to reseal the runway, taxiways and apron pavement and replace the apron lighting at Moruya Airport.
This will ensure the continued safe operation of the airport, safeguarding its role as a lifeline for the community and a gateway for access to vital services and for visitors to the region. Works will support the continued use of the airport by emergency services, including the RFDS and aerial fire-fighting even for night and low visibility operations, as well as regular passenger services
Other works to be funded under Round 4 include:
$5 million for Albury City Council to deliver a full runway overlay to improve safety and strengthen the surface for larger aircraft to land at Albury Airport. This will support visitor levels and emergency services, particularly during bushfire season;
$1 million for Moree Plains Shire Council to upgrade the aeromedical apron, taxiway and parking bays at Moree Regional Airport, creating a 24-hour aeromedical facility;
Almost $500,000 for Griffith City Council to replace the ageing runway lights at Griffith Regional Airport, which is critical for safety and ongoing operations, especially for RFDS and NSW Air Ambulance;
$220,000 for Mid-Western Regional Council to upgrade stormwater drainage at Mudgee Regional Airport, which has experienced prolonged closure due to heavy rain affecting passenger and emergency medical flights;
Today’s announcement builds on the nearly $100 million that has already been delivered to support 194 projects under the first three rounds of the program.
For more information on the Regional Airports Program, including a full list of Round 4 projects in NSW, visitwww.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/regional-remote-aviation/regional-airports-program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“We’re backing regional communities by backing regional aviation, because we know our regions deserve access to critical services that only aviation can deliver.
“Upgrades like these aren’t just improvements, they’re the difference between regional residents getting medical help, firefighters getting access during an emergency and economies growing through tourism.
“We want our regions to remain connected to loved ones, healthcare and opportunity.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain:
“Merimbula Airport is a critical access point for our community and emergency services during disasters, which is why I’m proud to deliver over $3.7 million towards this runway extension.
“This upgrade will support larger aerial firefighting tanker aircraft to land when we need them most, make it easier for larger military transport to operate out of the airport, and also increase the safety for in-flight emergency recoveries.
“The extended runway will also ensure Merimbula Airport continues to attract aircraft that support our local businesses and visitor economy – while keeping people connected to work, health services and family.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips:
“I am absolutely delighted to see improvements at Moruya Airport which is a lifeline for our economy, cuts commuting times for local people, and helps get our local produce to national and international markets.
“Not only that, but many people rely on air services for healthcare, emergency services and to stay connected with family.
“This investment will create more jobs, help local farmers, and support our social and economic connections across Australia. It’s great news for our regions.”
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today gave remarks on the floor of the Senate regarding how Elon Musk and his fellow oligarchs are waging a war on the working class of America.
Sanders’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below and can be watched HERE:
M. President, we are living in an extremely dangerous time. Future generations will look back at this moment – what we do right now – and remember whether we had the courage to defend our democracy against the growing threats of oligarchy and authoritarianism. They will remember whether we stood with President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg who in 1863, looking out at a battlefield where thousands died in the struggle against slavery and stated that; “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that a government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Do we stand with Lincoln’s vision of America or do we allow this country to move to a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires and for the billionaires?
But it’s not just oligarchy that we should be concerned about, and the reality that the 3 richest people in America now own more wealth than the bottom half of our society – 170 million people. It’s not just that the gap between the very rich and everyone else is growing wider, and that we have more income and wealth inequality today than we’ve ever had.
It is also that we are looking at a rapid movement, under President Trump, toward authoritarianism. More and more power resting in fewer and fewer hands.
M. President, as we speak, right now, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is attempting to dismantle major agencies of the federal government which are designed to protect the needs of working families and the disadvantaged. These agencies were created by the U.S. Congress and it is Congress’ responsibility to maintain them, reform them or end them. It is not Mr. Musk’s responsibility. What Mr. Musk is doing is patently illegal and unconstitutional – and must be stopped.
M. President. Two weeks ago, President Trump attempted to suspend all federal grants and loans – an outrageous and clearly unconstitutional act. As I hope every 6th grader in America knows, under the Constitution and our form of government the president can recommend legislation, he can support legislation, he can veto legislation, but he does not have the power to unilaterally terminate funding passed by Congress. It is Congress, the House and the Senate, who control the purse strings.
But it’s not just Congress that’s under attack. It’s our judiciary.
This weekend, the Vice President, a graduate of Yale Law School, who clerked for a Supreme Court Justice, said that: “judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.” Really? I thought that one of the major functions of the federal courts is to interpret our Constitution and, when appropriate, serve as a check on unconstitutional executive power.
Mr. Musk, meanwhile, has proposed that “the worst 1% of appointed judges be fired every year,” and demanded the impeachment of judges that have blocked him from accessing sensitive Treasury Department files. No doubt, under Mr. Musk’s rule, it will be him and his billionaire friends who determine who the “worst” judges are. And no, Mr. Musk, you don’t impeach judges who rule against you. You may or may not know this, but under the U.S. Constitution, we have a separation of powers, brilliantly crafted by the founding fathers of this country in the 1770s.
So, we are seeing an organized attack on Congress and the courts.
But Trump and his friends aren’t just trying to undermine two of the three pillars of our constitutional government – Congress and the courts. They are also going after the media in a way that we have never seen in the modern history of this country.
Every member of Congress will tell you that people in the media, and media organizations, are not perfect. They, like everyone else, make mistakes every day. But I hope that every member of Congress understands that you cannot have a functioning democracy without an independent press – non-intimidated journalists who can write it and say it the way they see it. And in that regard, I want to remind my colleagues what this president has done in recent months.
President Trump has sued ABC and received a $15 million settlement. He has sued Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and received a $25 million settlement. He has sued CBS, and its parent company Paramount, is apparently in negotiations over a settlement. He has sued the Des Moines Register, and his FCC is now threatening to investigate PBS and NPR.
In other words, we have a President of the United States who is using his power to go after media in this country who are saying and doing things he doesn’t like. How are we going to have an independent media if journalists are looking over their shoulders, fearful that their reporting will trigger a lawsuit from the most powerful man in the world?
M. President. Now is the time to ask a very simple question. What do Mr. Musk, Mr. Trump and their fellow billionaires really want? What is their endgame?
And in my view, the answer is not complicated. It is not novel. It is not new. It is what ruling classes throughout history have always wanted and have always believed is theirs by right: more power, more control and more wealth. And they are determined to not allow democracy and the rule of law to get in their way.
For Mr. Musk and his fellow oligarchs, the needs, the concerns, the ideas, the dreams of ordinary people are simply an impediment to what they, the oligarchs, are entitled to. That is what they really believe.
This is not the first time we’ve seen this in our country’s history.
In pre-revolutionary America, before the 1770s, the ruling class of that time governed through a doctrine called the “divine right of kings,” the belief that the King of England was an agent of God, God appointed him, and he was not to be questioned by mere mortals.
In modern times we no longer have the “divine right of kings.” What we NOW have is an ideology being pushed by the oligarchs which says that as very, very wealthy people – often self-made, often the masters of revolutionary new technology and as “high-IQ individuals,” it is THEIR absolute right to rule. In other words, the oligarchs of today are our modern-day kings.
And it is not just power that they want. Despite the incredible wealth they have they want more, and more and more. Their greed has no end. Today, Mr. Musk is worth $402 billion, Mr. Zuckerberg is worth $252 billion and Mr. Bezos is worth $249 billion. With combined wealth of $903 billion, these 3 people own more wealth than the bottom half of American society — 170 million people.
Not surprisingly, since Trump was elected, their wealth has soared. Elon Musk has become $138 billion richer, Zuckerberg has become $49 billion richer and Bezos has become $28 billion richer – since Election Day.
Meanwhile, while the very rich become much richer, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, 85 million are uninsured or under-insured, 25% of seniors are trying to survive on $15,000 or less, 800,000 are homeless and we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on earth. And real, inflation adjusted wages for the average American worker have been stagnant for 50 years.
Do you think the oligarchs give a damn about these people? Trust me, they don’t. Musk’s decision to dismember U.S. AID means that tens of thousands of the poorest people around the world will go hungry or die of preventable diseases.
But it’s not just abroad. Here in the United States they’ll soon be going after the healthcare, nutrition, housing, and educational programs that protect the most vulnerable people in our country – all so that Congress can provide huge tax breaks for them and their fellow billionaires. As modern-day kings, who believe they have the absolute right to rule, they will sacrifice, without hesitation, the well-being of working people to protect their privilege.
Further, they will use the enormous media operations they own to deflect attention away from the impact of their policies while they “entertain us to death.” Mr. Musk owns twitter. Mr. Zuckerberg owns Meta – which includes Facebook and Instagram – and Mr. Bezos owns the Washington Post. Further, they and their fellow oligarchs, will continue to spend huge amounts of money to buy politicians in both major political parties.
Bottom line: The oligarchs, with their enormous resources, are waging a war on the working class of this country, and it is a war they are intent on winning.
Now, I am not going to kid you — the problems this country faces right now are serious and they are not easy to solve. The economy is rigged, our campaign finance system is corrupt and we are struggling to control climate change — among many other important issues.
But this is what I do know:
The worst fear that the ruling class in this country has is that Americans — Black, White, Latino, urban and rural, gay and straight, young and old — come together to demand a government that represents all of us, not just the wealthy few.
Their oligarch’s nightmare is that we will not allow ourselves to be divided up by race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin and will, together, have the courage to take them on.
Will this struggle be easy? Absolutely not.
And one of the reasons that it will not be easy is that the ruling class of this country will constantly remind you that THEY have all the power. They control the government, they own the media.
But our job right now, in these difficult times, is to not forget the great struggles and sacrifices that millions of people have waged over the several centuries to create a more democratic, just and humane society. Think about what people THEN were saying.
Overthrowing the King of England to create a new nation and self-rule. Impossible.
Establishing universal suffrage. Impossible.
Ending slavery and segregation. Impossible.
Granting workers the right to form unions and ending child labor. Impossible.
Giving women control over their own bodies. Impossible.
Passing legislation to establish Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, a minimum wage, clean air and water standards. Impossible.
In other words, as Nelson Mandela told us, everything is impossible until it is done.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Quentin Grafton, Australian Laureate Professor of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Water is now a contested resource around the world. Nowhere is this more evident than in the fight playing out over the Northern Territory’s Roper River – one of the last free-flowing rivers in Australia, nurtured by the enduring presence of First Nations custodians.
The territory government recently doubled water extraction allowances from the aquifer that feeds the Roper River, making billions of litres available to irrigators, for free. The change risks permanent damage not just to the river but to world-famous springs and sacred sites fundamentally important to Traditional Owners.
Australia has a very poor track record on maintaining healthy river systems, and on respecting First Nations rights to access and use water.
The Roper River represents a chance to change course on decades of water policy failure. It also shows we must transform how Australia’s water is valued, who uses it, and who decides how vital rivers should be managed.
What’s happening on the Roper River?
The Roper River runs east for 400 kilometres from the Katherine region to the Gulf of Carpentaria.
First Nations people comprise 73% of the population in the Roper River area. Amid socioeconomic challenges, Country sustains them as it has done for 65,000 years. It is integral to maintaining cultural knowledge, as well as ceremonial practices, environmental care and traditional food systems. Traditional Owners’ rights are recognised through Aboriginal freehold land and native title across the area.
Irrigated crops including melons, mangoes and cotton are grown over a small part of the river catchment.
In a string of recent decisions – mainly the designation of regional “water allocation plans” – the territory government has vastly increased potential extraction from underground aquifers. This could allow agriculture and other industries to expand.
The decision came despite staunch opposition from Traditional Owners. As Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan told SBS:
Both the previous and the current NT Government have ignored the voices of Traditional Owners, who have repeatedly said that the health and viability of the Roper River and the springs at Mataranka are at great risk.
Water is life. It is our most valuable resource and Traditional Owners have an obligation to take care of the land and areas of cultural significance.
The Baaka: a sad story of degradation
Sadly, this story is not new to Australia. We need only look to the Baaka (Lower Darling River) in New South Wales as a cautionary tale.
More than a century of water extraction has left the river and its wetlands degraded. This was demonstrated in 2023 when up to 30 million fish died due to low levels of dissolved oxygen, caused by, among other factors, too much water extracted upstream.
The ecological damage has harmed the health and wellbeing of river communities – especially Traditional Owners such as the Barkandji people, who have long relied on the river for sustenance.
The problem is getting worse. As research late last year showed, an investment of more than A$8 billion to date has failed to prevent a stark decline in the health of the Murray-Darling Basin river system.
Traditional knowledge indicates climate change – among other harms – is threatening the Martuwarra. Ecological and ground water systems are drying up, making traditional food and medicine harder to find.
This harms Indigenous custodians reliant on the Martuwarra for their lifeways and livelihoods.
But there is hope. The Indigenous-led Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council has united West Kimberley people, First Peoples and others, along with stakeholders. It seeks to foster joint decision-making on planning and management to take full account of the social, cultural, spiritual and environmental impacts of water allocation across the catchment.
This world-leading example shows what can be achieved when Traditional Owners and their partners unite to defend nature, water and Country as sources of life, not just resources to be exploited.
Community members, researchers, Elders, advocates and decision-makers gathered to share stories from Argentina, Australia, India, Kenya, Brazil and Mexico.
Each tale described people working together to push back against water injustice, whether it involved unequal access, theft, dispossession, pollution or post-truth claims about water.
Participants also watched the premiere screening of the short film EveryOne, EveryWhere, EveryWhen. It highlights what is at stake for Australia’s living rivers – Baaka, Roper and Martuwarra – and tells of the struggle to bring justice to these rivers and their people.
A trailer for the film EveryOne, EveryWhere, EveryWhen.
A fork in the river
Clearly, the time for water reform is now. So what does this mean in practice?
First, the precautionary principle must be deeply embedded in all government decisions. This means the potential for serious environmental damage must be properly considered, and actions taken to avoid it, even when science is not certain.
Second, permission from First Peoples should be obtained for any activity affecting their land or waters, following the principles of “free, prior and informed consent”.
And finally, both Indigenous knowledge and Western science must be brought together to plan, monitor and regulate all water extraction, to ensure our precious rivers are managed for both the present and the future.
Australians face a stark choice.
We can keep gifting valuable water resources to powerful commercial interests, while ignoring the warning signs our rivers are sending.
Or we can follow First Nations leaders and listen to what Country is telling us: to safeguard water for everyone, including non-human kin, to secure a liveable and thriving future for all.
In response to issues raised in this article, the NT’s Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, Joshua Burgoyne, said the Mataranka water allocation plan provides certainty to the environment and the community and supports regional economic development.
He said the plan was “precautionary, evidenced based, and developed with considered involvement from local community representatives” including Traditional Owners, and preserves more than 90% of dry season flows to the Roper River.
Quentin Grafton receives funding from the Australian Research Council and is the Convenor of the Water Justice Hub.
Anne Poelina is Chair, Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. She is Professor, Chair and Senior Research Fellow Indigenous Knowledges and affiliated with Nulungu Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Broome. She is Project Lead for an Australian Research Council Funded Project.
Sarah Milne has received funding from the Australian Research Council.
HARTFORD, Conn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegal Brazilian national convicted in Connecticut of sexual assault, unlawful restraint and two counts of violating a restraining order when officers arrested Emerson Eduardo Ferreira, 52, in Brooklyn, Connecticut, January 24 after his release from state custody.
“Emerson Eduardo Ferreira violated the terms of his lawful admission into the United States and brutally victimized a Connecticut resident,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He has shown a blatant disregard for the sanctity of our laws and the safety of our people. ICE Boston remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing egregious alien offenders”
Ferreira lawfully entered the United States April 27, 1999, and later violated the terms of his lawful admission.
The Connecticut Superior Court in Bridgeport convicted Ferreira Aug. 9, 2023, of sexual assault – spouse/cohabitant, unlawful restraint first degree and two counts of violation of a protective order. The court sentenced Ferreira to a total of 18 years in prison suspended after four years then followed by ten years of probation.
ICE issued an immigration detainer against Ferreira April 28, 2024, with the Connecticut Department of Corrections and served him with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge after arresting him. Ferreira remains in ICE custody.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X: @EROBoston.
Members of the Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee have discussed the finances of the Grantown on Spey Common Fund and welcomed the potential future good uses it will be used for to benefit the people of Grantown on Spey.
Chair of the Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee Cllr Russell Jones said: “The development of the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund is a long-term commitment that Badenoch and Strathspey Councillors are laying down the foundations now for future generations to come.
“Members have welcomed the potential future uses of the Common Good Fund including examples such as: giving financial support to local charities and supporting community projects and community events.
“The creation of the Fund will however take time before it can use disbursed, and we hope that in future the income to the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund collected now and over the years will enable the creation of specific budgets for events and festivals and community projects to benefit the local community.
“These ambitions to support the people of Grantown on Spey will take time to build the income streams Common Good Fund for future generations.”
Cllr Bill Lobban added: “We want to see the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund grow in the future and benefit the local community. It’s important that people know that the Fund will be used exclusively for the benefit of the people of Grantown on Spey and not on Council projects.
Councillors noted a forecast 2024/25 year end position of the Common Good Fund revenue reserves of £910 and approved a proposed budget for 2025/26 with an anticipated income of £500 and year end revenue reserves of £1,410.
In time all future proposals that would benefit the Grantown on Spey area alone, would come to the Area Committee for local Members consideration.
Australia’s road tax system has a problem. Revenue from the fuel excise – the primary way we tax motoring – has been declining steadily as a proportion of government revenue over the past two decades.
Politicians, policy experts and business leaders have all long called for reform. Now, change could be on the horizon.
The Australian Financial Review reports that at a closed-door dinner with business leaders in Canberra last week, Treasurer Jim Chalmers hinted that addressing falling fuel excise revenue would be a tax reform priority if Labor is re-elected.
One option would be a road user charge on electric vehicles (EVs), which obviously don’t pay fuel excise. But singling them out would undermine the government’s own efforts in promoting EVs to help meet the nation’s emissions reduction targets.
There are also other inequities in the way the current fuel excise works. Our previous research has shown Australia is ready for a rational and transparent discussion about road-user charging on all vehicles, not just electric ones.
How we tax roads today
Currently, Australian motorists pay several government taxes and other fees on their vehicles.
One is the fuel excise. This tax, collected by the Commonwealth, is paid per litre of fuel purchased and is indexed every six months to account for inflation.
Then there are registration fees, typically paid every six or 12 months and collected by state and territory governments.
Vehicle owners also have to pay compulsory third-party insurance, which in some states is bundled with registration fees.
When buying or transferring ownership of a vehicle, other fees can apply. These include stamp duty as well as the luxury car tax on vehicles priced above a certain threshold.
The system isn’t working
As a proportion of Australian taxation revenue, revenue from the fuel excise has dwindled from 7.4% in 2000 to 3.9% in 2025.
It might be tempting to blame electric cars for this decline. But this share began declining steadily long before EVs were introduced in Australia, and is projected to fall further.
Falling fuel excise revenue can be attributed to a range of other factors. Improvements in engine fuel consumption have had a substantial impact on the number of litres used to travel the same distances.
In Australia, the average fuel consumption of passenger cars in 2005 was 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres. In 2024, this figure was around 6.9 litres.
Fuel consumption rates are expected to improve further and match those in other nations with the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which came into effect at the start of this year.
Public transport usage has also been trending upwards in many of Australia’s major cities since the turn of the millennium, reducing reliance on private cars.
The fuel excise, for example, does not properly account for traffic congestion or emissions. A driver who travels in regional Victoria or in an outer suburb of Sydney for local shopping or school drop-offs will pay the same excise as a driver who contributes to congestion by travelling into the city centre.
Similarly, car registration fees are not related to the number of kilometres travelled, congestion created, or emissions produced by driving.
One of the most widely known alternatives alternatives to a fuel excise tax is a pay-per-distance road user charge. Such charges work by charging vehicles a fee per kilometre travelled.
This would not be a new tax on top of existing taxes – it would replace current fuel excise and car registration fees.
Adjustments to this model can include exempting some groups from the charges (such as low-income families, taxis and emergency service vehicles), adjusting charges for different categories of vehicles, and applying congestion charges under certain conditions.
Failed attempts
Targeting electric vehicles with a road user charge has been an acute priority for many states, as they are currently completely exempt from paying the fuel excise.
In 2021, the Victorian government introduced a controversial distance-based charge for EVs. But this scheme was challenged in the High Court and ruled unconstitutional.
Victoria’s measure was found to be a form of excise, and only the Commonwealth can impose such a tax.
Following the ruling, the treasurer asked state and territory treasurers to look into the design of a national scheme in December 2023. But this process reportedly stalled.
Support for reform
Today, there are about 300,000 EVs on Australian roads (including around 248,000 battery electric cars and 53,500 plug-in hybrids).
That’s only a tiny fraction of the 21 million cars registered across the nation. Over coming decades, as EVs take a greater share of total vehicles on the road, the hit to already flagging fuel excise revenue will become acute.
In the meantime, our own previous research and public surveys show Australia is ready for a rational and transparent discussion about road-user charging on all vehicles, not only electric vehicles.
We found most respondents would support such charges if they were transparent, equitable and replace or reduce other road taxes.
There have already been several Australian studies around the shape and form of road user charges that can inform the discussions and public consultations.
We also found willingness to pay a road-user charge varies with the level of expected savings. Most respondents were willing to pay a road-user charge if it saved them on registration fees and fuel taxes.
If well planned and implemented, a national approach to road-user charges can raise enough revenue to replace the fuel excise tax. It will also ease congestion, promote sustainable transport and help achieve Australia’s targets for cutting transport emissions.
Hussein Dia receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Hadi Ghaderi receives funding from the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, IVECO Trucks Australia limited, Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Victoria Department of Education and Training, Australia Post, Bondi Laboratories, Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Sphere for Good, Australian Meat Processor Corporation, City of Casey, 460degrees and Passel.
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that HELEN ZERVAS, 57, of Farmington, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in Bridgeport to health care fraud and public corruption offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Zervas, an optometrist, owned and operated Family Eye Care, located in Bristol, and was a participating provider in Medicaid and Medicare. Between approximately October 2015 and January 2020, Zervas repeatedly submitted claims to Medicaid and Medicare falsely representing that she had provided, or determined it was medically necessary to provide, certain treatment. For example, between approximately September 2016 and January 2020, Zervas made more than 300 false claims to Medicaid and more than 30 false claims to Medicare for insertion of an amniotic membrane to the eye surface of a patient when that treatment was either not provided or was not medically necessary.
In 2020, while the State of Connecticut was auditing Zervas’s and Family Eye Care’s Medicaid billings, Zervas conspired with both a senior official in the State’s Office of Policy and Management and a Connecticut State Representative to interfere with the audit. In exchange for payments from Family Eye Care, Zervas, and the state representative, the senior official agreed to advise and pressure other state employees to take official action concerning the pending Medicaid audit of Zervas and Family Eye Care.
Zervas pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Zervas is released pending sentencing, which is not yet scheduled.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and David E. Novick.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
(Portsmouth, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) delivered remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s new Waterfront Production Facility. The facility will house training and production facilities at the shipyard and construction was funded through the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). This and other projects under SIOP will increase maintenance capacity at public shipyards. Shaheen secured full authorization for SIOP projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 NDAA. You can view photos from the event here.
“One of the real advantages we have over our adversaries is our attack submarines, and we want to make sure that those nuclear submarines are on the water as much as possible. This new facility makes our shipbuilding workforce more efficient, saving time and money, which is exactly what we need to strengthen our national security,” said Senator Shaheen. “It also reaffirms the key role that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard plays not only in our local economy, but also in our nation’s shipbuilding industry, bringing and keeping good-paying jobs for Granite Staters.”
“With the construction of the new Waterfront Production Facility, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard remains equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” said Senator Hassan. “The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is an indispensable pillar of our national security and today’s ribbon cutting marks the latest chapter in the history of Portsmouth helping keep America safe, secure, and free.”
“I was pleased to take part in the ribbon cutting of this state-of-the-art facility that will help the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard continue to achieve America’s national security goals well into the future while preserving this installation’s storied history. It is an honor to represent the Shipyard and the men and women who serve there in Congress, and I remain committed to ensuring that they always have the support and resources needed to do the job and complete the mission,” said Congressman Pappas.
Senator Shaheen has long advocated for New England’s shipbuilding industry and workforce, including through authorizing funding and workforce development for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Through the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, Shaheen secured full authorization for the Shipbuilding Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which will expand the Shipyard’s capacity to maintain America’s fast-attack submarine fleet. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committees, Senator Shaheen helped secure this funding beginning in the FY 2019 funding legislation, which she has continued in ensuing years. Additionally, in the FY 2025 government funding bills, Shaheen worked to include a $9.5 million Congressionally Directed Spending add for a new parking structure at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard—which will contribute to quality of life for Shipyard’s workforce.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
How is Government going to fix NHS dentistry?
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is examining the effectiveness of the Government’s plans to fix NHS dentistry.
The Committee will hear from senior officials at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE), including DHSC’s interim permanent secretary Sir Chris Whitty, and NHSE’s Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard.
Just under half of the population had seen an NHS dentist in the 24 months pre-pandemic. This had only recovered to 40% by March 2024. The previous Government published its Dental Recovery Plan in February 2024, aiming to expand access to NHS dentistry over the next year. Other challenges for NHS dental delivery include the current dental contract acting as a disincentive to provide NHS care, falling numbers of dentists providing such care, and falling real-terms spend on NHS dentistry.
The NAO found that as of November 2024, it was not clear that any additional courses of treatment had been delivered under the recovery plan; just one dentist appeared to have been appointed under its new ‘golden hello’ recruitment scheme; and fewer new patients appeared to have been seen following the introduction of the Government’s new patient premium. Ministers had also decided to leave the procurement of mobile dental vans to local commissioners.
Other likely topics to be explored at the session include:
• The current condition of NHS dentistry and the impact of the dental recovery plan, which has an ambition to deliver an additional 1.5m courses of treatment by the end of March 2025;
• Addressing regional inequalities in access to dentistry, and the barriers to securing access to NHS dentistry for more people in England; and
• Future plans to recover NHS dentistry.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Will airports expansion drive regional economic growth?
Whether expanding airports in the south east of England can benefit the rest of the UK economy will be the focus of a Transport Committee evidence session.
MPs will question Aviation Minister Mike Kane MP and a senior Department for Transport official, following a panel with economists and industry experts.
It comes after the Government recently announced support for a third runway at Heathrow and proposed expansions at Gatwick, Luton and other airports.
Witnesses may be asked to consider economic factors linked to airport expansion such as: the tourism industry, tax revenues generated, the UK’s large aircraft manufacturing sector, increased capacity for air freight, and catalytic effects on other businesses.
The New Economics Foundation, which is represented among witnesses in this session, has said it has been “some time” since the Government has assessed the “marginal economic impact” that airports expansion may have. The think tank has also pointed to varying methods of calculating the net economic impact that increased air travel has on the UK economy. For example, whether greater outbound travel by Brits could see a larger proportion of consumer spending happen abroad rather than at home, and to what extent that is offset by money spent in the UK from international tourists.
Heathrow has itself previously said that expansion would mean growing its workforce of 28,600 people to over 100,000. The cross-party Committee will question a representative of Frontier Economics, a think tank commissioned by Heathrow Airport to look into the potential economic benefits of building a third runway.
There will also be questions about the capacity of airports around the UK, whether they are surpassing or failing to meet demand, forecasts on future demand, and the role that larger ‘hub’ airports could play with smaller regional ones – a ‘hub and spoke’ model.
The Minister and DfT will be asked to explain how airport expansion will fit into a wider national strategy for the aviation sector, and how air travel strategically links with other transport networks such as roads and railways.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sven Batke, Associate Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange – Reader in Plant Science, Edge Hill University
A tomato greenhouse in north-west England. Sven Batke, CC BY-NC-ND
When was the last time you walked into a supermarket and marvelled at the abundance of exotic fruits and vegetables, even in the dead of winter? This luxury, now an expectation, only became common in the mid-20th century, reaching the UK some decades later.
Not long ago, winter produce in UK supermarkets was limited; root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and parsnips, alongside hardy greens such as kale and cabbage. Fruits were even scarcer, mostly apples and pears. Today’s variety owes much to advances in global trade and smarter greenhouses, which help extend growing seasons and bring once seasonal produce to shelves all year round.
Fast forward just one generation, and now supermarket shelves are stocked with dragon fruit, bananas, coconuts, avocados, and a variety of exotic nuts and vegetables. These items not only hail from the farthest reaches of the globe, but have also been bred to offer consumers unique sensory experiences or health benefits, such as higher concentrations of antioxidants. It’s no surprise that most of these exotic foods are often not grown locally or even within Europe.
According to the latest government figures from 2023, 53% of the vegetables consumed in the UK are imported, and only 17% of fruits are grown locally. The contrast is stark when you look at exports, which remain relatively small (about 100,000 tonnes in 2023).
UK food security could be improved by growing more produce inside smart greenhouses. Sven Batke, CC BY-NC-ND
How often do you eat a UK-grown strawberry or tomato outside summer? Many such vegetables come from the Netherlands, Morocco and Spain, while most fruit comes from Colombia, Costa Rica and Brazil. No surprise, given their warmer climates. The UK averages 9-12°C annually, compared to Morocco’s 18-20°C.
Increasing demand for exotic foods available year-round has made the UK’s food system vulnerable to external market fluctuations. Disruptions, such as trade barriers following Brexit or global hikes in energy prices due to the Ukraine war have placed supply chains under strain.
Empty supermarket shelves could become more common if we see disruptions in supply chains, putting further pressure on the undervalued domestic growing sector. But could the UK grow more of its own food and reduce reliance on volatile global markets?
Hi-tech solutions
Protected horticulture (specifically in the food sector, as opposed to ornamental plants) involves growing fruits and vegetables year-round in controlled environments, such as polytunnels, greenhouses and indoor vertical farms.
These facilities regulate temperature, humidity and light, and in some cases, even atmospheric gases like CO₂. Water and nutrient inputs are also tightly controlled, reducing waste by up to 95% compared to traditional field-grown methods. This allows year-around protection from the elements. They are often overlooked despite holding the key to solving some of the current food security challenges.
As part of the Greenhouse Innovation Consortium, my team of biologists, geographers and I recently mapped over 12,000 greenhouses in Britain. Estimates suggest that around 70% of these structures are more than 40 years old.
So why haven’t we seen more UK-grown fruits and vegetables on supermarket shelves if we have the technology to produce them? One major reason is the high energy demand of indoor growing, especially in cold and cloudy weather – something we are all too familiar with in the UK. For example, 2024 has seen one of the worse years in total recorded sun hours.
The UK’s horticulture sector has also received very little government support over the years. There are few incentives for growers to adopt new technology or upgrade infrastructure. Many UK growers still have not adopted technologies like automatic harvest robots or AI-controlled systems, and even simple upgrades like LED growing lights could boost yield by over 50%. However, resource management in this sector requires experience and making these changes is a fine balancing act.
Most British greenhouses are more than 40 years old so investment is needed to upgrade them. Sven Batke, CC BY-NC-ND
But the future can be bright – if we choose to make it so. To grow more produce all year round without compromising on flavour, the sector needs more investment in local expertise and cutting-edge facilities.
From precision horticulture to advanced AI-controlled greenhouses, with the right drive and investment, the UK could move towards a more sustainable food production system. Sweden for example is currently investing over £700 million into horticulture.
While achieving 100% self-sufficiency may not be feasible due to other demands on land, such as housing, conservation, and industry, creating a more resilient and less dependent food sector would benefit everyone (not to mention reducing food miles).
The UK’s food future doesn’t have to rely on global markets. With investment and innovation, the country can build a resilient, sustainable food system. Year-round demand for exotic produce has exposed supply chain fragility, but fostering domestic growth and technology can change the narrative.
It’s not about turning back the clock, but about making the most of what the UK has while driving forward the solutions that make sense for the country’s future. The answer is not just more local food. It’s smarter, more resilient food systems that can weather whatever challenges lie ahead.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Sven Batke works together with industry growers and manufactures in the horticulture industry. The work we are doing is part of the Greenhouse Innovation Consortium, which aims to support local growers in the UK.
The Ugandan government and the World Health Organization recently confirmed an outbreak of Sudan virus disease. The index (first-known) case of this outbreak is thought to be a 32-year-old male nurse from a hospital in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
The WHO reported two main clusters, related to the patient’s family and a hospital cluster. At the time of writing, the index case is the sole recorded death. The second case was the patient’s wife, and as of February 11, there were nine confirmed cases.
Outbreaks of this virus are relatively rare. This new outbreak is the ninth to have been recorded since 1976 when the virus was first identified and – as was practice at the time – named after the location where this first outbreak took place, southern Sudan.
A 2022 Sudan virus outbreak also in Uganda resulted in 164 cases and 77 deaths (a fatality rate of 47%). There are no treatments or vaccines against the Sudan virus.
Sudan virus disease is essentially a disease very similar to Ebola. The Ebola virus has caused several high-profile outbreaks. The west Africa 2014-16 outbreak was the largest with 28,600 cases and 11,325 deaths.
The Sudan and Ebola viruses both come from the orthoebolavirus family, but they have different proteins and genetic components, so the immune response to each virus is different. As such, it’s thought that the Ebola vaccines will not be effective against the Sudan virus.
For the current Sudan virus outbreak, there are efforts to deploy vaccine candidates and also monoclonal antibody medicines. These medicines create antibodies that aim to stop the virus from replicating.
In 2022, the WHO recommended two monoclonal antibodies for use against Ebola. There is enthusiasm for similar research related to treatments for the Sudan virus.
A phase 1 vaccine trial, the earliest phase of testing in humans, is underway.
The similarities in structure between these two types of orthoebolavirus mean that the symptoms in patients are similar. The illness for both viruses may typically begin with fever, aches and fatigue with potential progression onto diarrhoea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding.
Laboratory testing is needed to differentiate between the diseases, though the urgent need for isolation remains.
Early supportive treatment has been shown to reduce mortality rates of Sudan and Ebola virus disease, giving the patient time for their body to recover. This usually involves replacing fluids and treating pain, fever and other possible infections, such as malaria.
The reporting of the 2022 Sudan virus disease outbreak described how patients would first visit care facilities that were outside of the mainstream health service. There were many new infections across late August 2022 from within private health facilities that drove transmission early on in the outbreak. This suggested a low level of infection prevention and control, and quite possibly a lack of equipment and good practice to contain serious infections.
When cases were confirmed, most known contacts who developed symptoms were referred to specialist units for testing and hospital care. These referrals typically happened in October, and the outbreak was declared over by the end of November 2022. Although we lack vital tools such as effective vaccines and drugs, contact tracing and appropriate infection control can contain serious outbreaks such as these.
Climate change driving distribution
Climate change will have an effect on the geographical distribution of new and emerging infections, such as Ebola and Sudan virus disease and the Crimean-Congo virus. Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, will find new habitats while dengue and West Nile virus are already becoming more common in Europe and North America.
International cooperation for addressing global health threats is vital. However, these efforts will be hindered by the volatility and lack of coherence from key stakeholders such as the US government. The world faces uncertain times, and these are ideal circumstances for the Sudan virus and other infectious diseases to thrive.
Michael Head has previously received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Research England and the UK Department for International Development, and currently receives funding from the UK Medical Research Foundation.
Across England, schools are running food banks to help the children and their families. Research suggests that 21% of schools in England now offer some form of food charity.
In our recently published book, we carried out research at 12 schools and nurseries with food banks across England, interviewing 30 teachers, headteachers and school staff who ran the food banks. We wanted to explore why there has been such considerable growth in the education sector offering food to families, and the impact it has on children, parents and school staff.
Many of the schools and nurseries that we visited as part of our research initially set up the food bank in response to the COVID pandemic. This is in keeping with findings from previous research, although the cost-of-living crisis was the stimulus for others.
Learning better
Staff in the schools we visited told us that children could not learn if they were hungry. “You know what it’s like when you have nothing to eat and you’ve got nothing in your belly, you can’t concentrate,” one teacher said.
Through addressing children’s hunger, the school staff we spoke to believed, schools can improve children’s concentration and motivation to learn.
This echoed the views of almost 18,000 teachers in a 2023 National Education Union survey: 87% of school staff in the survey said that pupils they taught were unable to concentrate as a result of poverty, and over half said that they or their school were providing extra food for children during the school day.
One headteacher in our study talked about the impact of the food bank on one of the children in their school:
So he came in all full of beans. ‘I’ve got all gold. Look at my work. Can I have a sticker? ’ And I was like, ‘Someone’s had their Weetabix,’ and they’re like, ‘Yeah, I did. I had that special Weetabix’, … And then it turned out the dad had been into the food bank … that’s why, that’s why I’m doing this.
The teachers believed that having a food bank at school also led to an improvement in learning and wellbeing through other means, such as reduced family stress. “If you meet the need of the parent, they’re then available to meet the need of the child,” one school staff member said.
The food banks also helped build closer relationships between families and the school. Teachers told us that families appreciated the support and became more willing to approach the school for help with other issues.
The caring role of schools
Beyond the need to improve learning outcomes, however, the main justification for running a food bank was the moral imperative to support families who needed it and could not access help anywhere else. In the words of one teacher: “We’re humans and our natural instinct is to care. That’s why I came into this profession. It’s a caring profession.”
The teachers felt a moral imperative to care for their pupils and their families. Irina Gutyryak/Shutterstock
The school staff told us about the work that went into running the foodbanks. They sourced food from local food redistribution charities, companies and other families at the school. Often, food was delivered, but sometimes it required collection. In some cases, parent volunteers helped pick up donations. A headteacher told us about how she collected food from a distribution centre:
I would have literally had to go and root around and find what I needed … At least I am not teaching all day every day. So actually, I can take an hour and a half out – even though it’s only in term – to go and drive there, park up, open my boot, get the two pallets. And it was all heavy stuff – tins – [to] get here.
We asked the people in our research whether schools should run food banks. Most replied positively, restating the impact that the food bank had upon the learning and wellbeing of children. Others were pragmatic, accepting that right now, there is no alternative support. However, some were critical, suggesting that the government should find alternative solutions to the issue of child poverty.
While the provision of food for children and families in education settings may be having a beneficial effect, it is not sustainable.
The burden of child poverty does not fall evenly on schools. Those that provide food banks are disproportionately located in areas with more pupils from deprived backgrounds, and schools with more pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to receive poor Ofsted grades. Operating a food bank requires significant time, energy and funding, none of which are recognised in education policy, or by Ofsted, the schools inspectorate.
The work that education staff are doing to support children in this way should be celebrated and rewarded, although it is not currently recognised in measures of a school’s effectiveness. But this also risks normalising the presence of food banks in schools. One teacher argued: “Our job is to look after them and educate them and care for them while they’re at school, not to feed them at the weekends or holidays, but we can’t help but be concerned about that.”
The government should recognise the work that schools and early years settings are doing in this area and ensure that they have the resources needed. Government action to abolish the two-child benefit cap would also support families, lifting 300,000 children out of poverty.
The government is currently developing a child poverty strategy. These measures would be welcome inclusions.
Sharon Vince received funding from the British Education Research Association and the Monday Charitable Trust for the projects on food banks.
Alice Bradbury receives funding from the Helen Hamlyn Trust which funds the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy at UCL. She has also received research funding from the British Education Research Association and the Monday Charitable Trust for the projects on food banks. She is a member of the Labour Party and the Universities and College Union.
(L-R) Tracy Rice (Southern Regional College & ABC LMP Chairperson); Councillor Sarah Duffy (Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon) and Alderman Paul Greenfield (Economic Development and Regeneration Committee Chair) at the launch of the Employability and Skills Conference.
The annual Employability and Skills Conference returns to Armagh City Hotel on Thursday 13 March! The event will focus on helping businesses to ‘get future ready’ by recruiting, retaining and reskilling a resilient and talented workforce to help secure the future growth of the local economy.
The ‘Get Future Ready: Employability and Skills’ series is part of the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Labour Market Partnership. Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.
Hosted by Mark Simpson, this event is open to all local employers, residents and community representatives as well as education and training providers and employment support agencies.
A host of keynote speakers will share their experience and insights, including Dr Eoin Magennis from Ulster University (‘The Future is Now – Setting the Scene’); Ann Watt from Pivotal (‘Tackling Economic Inactivity with Innovative Workforce Strategies’) and Kathleen O’Hare from Northern Ireland Skills Council (‘Crafting Tomorrow’s Talent: How NI is Shaping the Skills of the Future’). Elaine Leonard from The Appleby Trust will discuss the subject of Embracing Neurodiversity and Unlocking unique strengths for a Thriving Workforce.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Sarah Duffy commented:
“The Employability and Skills Conference is a key event for local employers and job seekers to explore the economic developments and challenges and to address the skills and abilities that will be needed in the workplace going forward.
“I look forward to welcoming our keynote speakers and business representatives who will be encouraging businesses toadapt and evolve to remain competitive, be open to new ideas, take calculated risks, experiment with different approaches and capitalise on the business support available.
“Council is committed to working together with stakeholders to create a talented and motivated workforce to meet future challenges and to ensure everyone can benefit from a growing and vibranteconomy.”
The conference will also feature an insightful panel discussion on the evolving landscape of recruitment and training. Leading employers will share their perspectives on rethinking traditional hiring practices and upskilling strategies, highlighting innovative approaches that foster diversity, efficiency, and future-ready talent in the workplace.
Attendees will have the chance to connect with a diverse range of exhibitors, fostering opportunities to advance recruitment, retention and reskilling options for their business.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Home of Royal Navy Type 31 frigates production supports 2,500 Scottish jobs.
Scottish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contributed to the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy today as the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, visited the home of Royal Navy Type 31 frigate production.
Local Scottish SMEs took part in a roundtable discussion at manufacturer Babcock’s site at Rosyth about the upcoming Strategy, emphasising the government’s commitment to fostering growth in the defence sector.
The event, hosted by Minister Eagle, provided a platform for SMEs to explore challenges and opportunities within the shipbuilding industry, reinforcing the Strategy’s goal of ensuring defence investment supports UK-wide prosperity.
With the consultation running until the end of February, the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy seeks to grow a faster, more integrated, more resilient supply chain. Babcock has invested around £200 million in its Rosyth facilities over the last decade, including the development of a state-of-the-art assembly hall that enables the simultaneous construction of two Type 31 frigates.
The Type 31 programme, managed by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), demonstrates the breadth of the UK’s shipbuilding skills, innovation and capability.
Ongoing contracts like Type 31 are a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, safeguarding national security whilst raising living standards across the UK with good, skilled, productive jobs.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:
It was great to visit Rosyth and witness first-hand their world-class shipbuilding programme which will strengthen our national security into the future, whilst boosting jobs and small and medium-sized businesses across Scotland.
This Government is working swiftly to develop a new Defence Industrial Strategy, in partnership with industry, innovators and workers, to drive jobs and growth in every nation and region of the UK, supporting our Plan for Change.
Awarded to Babcock in November 2019, the contract for five Type 31 frigates has secured a legacy of shipbuilding activity at Rosyth, one of the UK’s largest waterside manufacturing and repair facilities. The programme continues to sustain and create 2,500 skilled jobs, reinforcing Scotland’s vital contribution to national defence capabilities.
The T31 class is based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, the parent design for the Type 31 frigate, which is adaptable to meet the needs of export customers, demonstrated in successes with Poland and Indonesia. International interest in further exports of the AH140 remains strong.
Babcock officially commenced construction on HMS Formidable at the end of last year, marking the third of five Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates being built for the Royal Navy. Flexible and adaptable by design, the Type 31 is a general-purpose frigate that will undertake missions such as interception, disruption, intelligence gathering, defence engagement and providing humanitarian support.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Masoud Kianpour, Senior Research Fellow, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration program, Toronto Metropolitan University
I teach a course on the relationship between social media and society at Durham College. As part of their assessments, I ask my students to reflect on their social media use.
A recurring theme is that they cannot be separated from their smartphones. Many admit to spending significant time daily on social media watching short videos without a clear purpose and as a way to procrastinate on more productive activities.
There is a term for this kind of behaviour and its impact on mental health, one that was recently named Oxford Word of the Year 2024: “brain rot” — the deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially as the result of over-consuming trivial or unchallenging online content.
For many adults, a diffuse addiction to the internet, or what clinical psychologists call digital drugs (like online shopping, gaming, gambling, pornography), has become a widespread problem, especially since the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While they do enable these possibilities, they also pose significant challenges to our relationship with truth and trust — two pillars of a functioning democracy. By spreading misinformation and creating echo chambers that polarize communities, social media platforms have become a ground for the rise of “hate and extremism.”
In a culture of constant connectivity, many young people are navigating a digital world of idealized images and unrealistic comparisons. (Shutterstock)
In a culture of constant connectivity, many young people are navigating a digital world of idealized images, from beauty influencers who subject them to unrealistic comparisons that often lead to feelings of inadequacy and diminished self-worth to an online bro culture that purveys a toxic form of masculinity as a path to success.
For cultural theorist Byung-Chul Han, this is a sign of the decline in storytelling. Modern readers have lost the ability to engage deeply with narratives. The “long, slow, lingering gaze” that allows for daydreaming and true distraction has been replaced by a hyper-focused engagement with constant streams of information. As a result, narration is in crisis.
Students couldn’t follow the entire video and felt it was too long. As a result, the team had to edit it into a series of much shorter clips — some as brief as 16 seconds — so they could capture the attention of their audience. Should this come as a surprise?
Modern media and technology constantly remind us to preserve our memory and protect our history. However, memory is paradoxical in that it involves forgetting and absence with every act of remembrance.
Online platforms, with their ephemeral content, risk contributing to a cultural memory loss since so much of what’s shared on these platforms is transitory and geared toward superficial engagement rather than meaningful cultural expression.
Online platforms risk contributing to a cultural memory loss as so much of what is shared on these platforms is geared toward superficial engagement rather than meaningful cultural expression. (Shutterstock)
When brains rot, truth fades
In his memoir, American writer and naturalist Henry David Thoreau lamented society’s declining capacity for deep thought and intellectual effort, favouring instead simple and superficial thinking.
“While England endeavors to cure the potato-rot, will not any endeavor to cure the brain-rot, which prevails so much more widely and fatally?”
Thoreau may have seen a future where the U.S. would be led by a president who not only lacks the capacity for deep thought and self-reflection but also disregards historical facts and moral values.
Despite his reputation as a pathological liar, Donald Trump exemplifies what philosopher Harry Frankfurt defined as a bullshitter — a person who does not mislead in the way a liar does, by deliberately making false claims about reality, but rather by speaking without any regard for truth at all.
Bullshitters shift the rules of conversation by making questions of truth and falsehood irrelevant. Lies and the truth simply become tools that can be used to tell their story — regardless of the facts.
Georg Simmel was one of the first social scientists who expressed concern about the impact of modern life on mental health. In 1903, writing about Berlin, he described blasé attitude as a psychological condition that arises when the brain is subjected to an overwhelming number of stimuli. To cope, it develops a defense mechanism: becoming indifferent to its surroundings.
One century later, when our online feeds are flooded with endless digital content, it is uncanny to revisit Simmel’s observation. We must move beyond traditional diagnostic digital literacy and competency frameworks. The problem lies not only in the technology itself, but in the broader socio-economic system in which it operates — a consumer-capitalist-digital complex that is eroding our brains and cultures.
Humans have always been fascinated by stories. We need them to understand ourselves. However, social media’s profit-driven algorithms homogenize experiences and ultimately undermine cultural diversity. We have become storysellers instead of storytellers.
Masoud Kianpour has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
City of London Policy Chairman visits to strengthen business links
11 February 2025
The City of London Corporation’s Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, was in Derry this week to attend the launch of the MATRIX NI report and a number of engagements to build on the North West’s strong connections with the City of London.
Matrix, Northern Ireland’s Science and Industry Advisory Panel, supported by the Department for the Economy, launched a new report exploring opportunities for the application of regulatory technologies (RegTech).
The report finds that Northern Ireland, with its skilled workforce and strong academic institutions, is strongly positioned to help businesses navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment. This can be achieved by the development of innovative solutions to streamline compliance processes, enhancing transparency, while mitigating any risks in the financial services sector
Mr Hayward and his delegation were welcomed to the city by the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, who took the opportunity to discuss shared interests in business, innovation and culture. The significant work being done by the Council and its delivery partners to bring forward an ambitious suite of innovative City Deal projects that will create jobs, attract investment and growth to the region was also discussed.
Mr Kelpie said it was a great honour to welcome Mr Hayward to the region to talk about the opportunities to promote the RegTech proposition, harnessing the city region’s unique cross-jurisdictional location and collaborative partnerships and to build on existing relationships between the two cities and regions.
He said: “We have extremely strong links with the City of London and it’s hugely encouraging to see Mr Hayward and his delegation taking time out of their schedule to visit our city and meet with industry leaders to hear about the excellent work that is being done here in terms of attracting global investment and helping home-grown success stories compete internationally. The City of London Corporation is a global financial and professional services capital that drives the UK’s economy and the sector is of huge importance to this region.”
During his visit, Mr Hayward met with RegTech Supercluster representatives to hear at first-hand about the collaborative work being done on the ground to develop the region’s RegTech offering.
It was also an opportunity to provide the delegation with an update on the ‘Innovation Challenge’ programme that was launched late last year with the City of London Corporation as a strategic partner, to encourage innovators to develop creative technology solutions to tackle cross border regulatory and compliance challenges.
A key element of the visit was to discuss with key stakeholders the key findings of the Matrix NI report and how to bring forward its recommendations.
The launch provided the opportunity for the RegTech Supercluster to discuss how it can support the Department to shape the RegTech proposition and working with key stakeholders generate economic growth and competitive advantage across the region.
The delegation met with senior officials at the Ulster University to discuss their expansion plans and to receive an update on the work being carried out by the Task Force and key research and development projects.
Mr Heyward also met with representatives from the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce before taking a tour of the local Seagate plant at Springtown and meeting with Chief Operating Officer with EY, Jonathan Williamson, to discuss their future plans for development at Ebrington Plaza and their wider growth across the region.
Investment designed to drive forward economic development in Dundee is set to be discussed by councillors.
Funding from external sources would be used to support ongoing initiatives like employment programmes, while it could also assist commercial companies spinning out from biomedical research.
A report to be considered on Monday (Feb 17) shows that £2.44 million of funding has been awarded to Dundee City Council from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for 2025-26.
Councillors will hear that over the last three years, the council has used UKSPF to support the delivery of key economic development interventions.
These include Discover Work, the Dundee Partnership’s employability programme, and local business support through Business Gateway.
To ensure that these services can continue to deliver to clients without interruption, and that staff are retained, it is necessary to confirm the ongoing funding for these projects at the earliest opportunity.
Delivery models including Challenge Funds, partnership approaches, procured services and regionally focused initiatives would remain the same as previous years.
Meanwhile, a separate report recommends the use of legacy funding from the Business Loans Scotland scheme to bolster the city’s life sciences sector.
Opening of the Dundee Life Sciences Innovation Hub in 2025 creates an imperative to maximise the pipeline of spinout companies and to remove barriers to translating innovative research into commercial opportunity and job creation.
Councillors are being asked to give the go-ahead to the reinvestment of the £137,000 legacy funding into a Proof of Concept (POC) Fund Programme in partnership with University of Dundee, with the aim of catalysing life science and healthcare sector spinout companies.
They will hear that the pilot phase of the POC scheme has been funded in 2024/2025 by £100,000 from Dundee’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation matched in kind by Dundee University.
Both reports will be considered by the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Commitee at its next meeting.
Committee convener Councillor Steven Rome said: “We are determined to improve the economy of Dundee through a range of measures with our partners and these two reports show the efforts we are making.
“UKSPF has enabled us to deliver key employability programmes, and city partners are focusing on key issues such as increasing the number of our young people in positive destinations.
“This is a crucial initiative for the future of our city.
“We also want to see academic innovation translated into commercial success, and the Proof of Concept programme will help fledgling companies to find their way.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Community testing in 2023, including nightclubs and festivals, rose by 7% compared to 2022.
A new report published by the UK Health Security Agency shows HIV testing in community settings continues to be a vital tool to diagnose HIV in those who might not visit traditional testing outlets such as sexual health clinics.
In 2023, testing in community settings such as nightclubs, festivals and voluntary sector premises, increased by 7% compared to 2022.
The HIV testing in community settings in England report also found nearly a quarter of all tests were reported among individuals being tested for HIV for the first time. It also highlights the impact of National HIV Testing Week, noting that there was a 22% increase in the number of tests carried out in this time compared to 2022.
Dr Tamara Duretić, Head of HIV Section at the UK Health Security Agency, said:
HIV can affect anyone, no matter your gender or sexual orientation. It’s good to see HIV Testing Week once again highlighting the hugely important role regular testing plays in helping to prevent new infections, alongside condom use.
Testing allows people to have access to free prevention interventions such as PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) and, should you test positive, ensures timely access to treatment that saves lives and prevents the virus being passed on.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
We are delivering 13,000 police officers, special constables and PCSOs across the country, including a named, contactable officer in your area.
Our mission to keep your streets safe
We’re putting police officers back on the beat to prevent crime and help communities.
Our milestone for safer streets is to deliver 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles.
This means a named, contactable officer in every community to respond to local issues. You can also have your say on the police’s priorities for your area.
Visible policing is one of the best ways to prevent crime and make your streets safer.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police
Your housing provider – council or housing association tenants
If you or your neighbours are having problems in your building, report it to your council or housing association.
Your housing provider should have told you how to report anti-social behaviour. If not, call them and ask to speak to their anti-social behaviour team.
Your housing provider – private tenants
If the anti-social behaviour is caused by someone with whom you are sharing a house in a private tenancy, report this to your landlord.
Four fourth-year UConn medical school students have matched early into their residency training programs in ophthalmology.
“This is our largest ophthalmology match yet,” shared Dr. Marilyn Katz, assistant dean for Student Affairs, as UConn School of Medicine had three students in 2019 and three in 2020 choose to enter the ophthalmology field.
Christopher Edwards, 30, of Glastonbury has excitedly early matched to his ophthalmology residency training program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
“It’s a great relief to know where I’m heading for the next four years. I’m incredibly happy to have matched at Dartmouth,” says Edwards who was inspired to pursue ophthalmology after seeing the profound impact of vision loss on patients’ lives.
“I was particularly moved by how therapeutic treatments and surgical procedures could restore sight and significantly improve quality of life,” Edwards shares. “I’m looking forward to working alongside the amazing faculty and residents at Dartmouth and continuing to care for the people of New England as an ophthalmologist.”
Fellow future ophthalmologist Michael Li, 26, of West Hartford is excited and relived to learn of his residency match to Brown University early.
“I loved my time at UConn and will always be a Husky at heart but I’m excited for my next chapter!” says Li. “It’s definitely a big relief to know early, and I’m excited to see where all of my classmates will be in a month!”
The rest of the Class of 2025 will learn their residency program destinies together on National Match Day on Friday, March 21 when they rip open their white envelopes for the big reveal in the Academic Rotunda at UConn Health.
Soon-to-be UConn made doctors and future ophthalmologists: Christopher Edwards, Sarishka Desai, Michael Li, and Margaret Boudreau (February 10 2025/Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo).
“I always knew that I wanted to pursue a surgical field, but what I love about ophthalmology is being able to follow patients long-term and form relationships as well as having the ability to intervene with precise action when necessary,” Li says who is also excited about taking some well-deserved time off to travel before the start of his residency.
“Both of my grandmas have been in China waiting to see me for the past 9 years and a reunion is long overdue,” he heartwarmingly concludes.
Sarishka Desai, 25, of Darien is thrilled to have matched to Tufts/New England Eye Center.
“I’m incredibly excited to have matched into a fantastic program!” says Desai who was drawn to ophthalmology because of the unique balance between clinical care and surgery, as well as the opportunity to build long-term relationships with her patients.
“Vision is such an important sense and I’m honored to enter this field. I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the best mentors, who have not only guided me but also pushed me to become the best medical student and future resident I could be,” says Desai.
She concludes, “Now, I can’t wait to celebrate with my classmates and cheer them on as they find out where they’re headed next.”
Maggie Boudreau, 27, of Wilton matched to the University of Virginia, and is also looking forward to celebrating with her classmates as they find out their match results in March on Match Day.
She’s been inspired to enter ophthalmology thanks to her Clinical Longitudinal Immersion in the Community (CLIC) program experience. This cornerstone of the curriculum gives UConn medical students the unique opportunity to work side by side with physician preceptors across the state in the clinic for three years.
“I was inspired by my CLIC preceptor. He knew I enjoyed doing procedures and had watched me grow in the clinic, and recommended ophthalmology to me,” says Boudreau. “I am looking forward to meeting my first patients.”
Boudreau concludes, “I have really enjoyed the past four years. The faculty’s dedication to our learning and success stands out to me every day.”
Edwards also couldn’t agree more.
“My experience at UConn School of Medicine has been incredibly educational, thanks to the exceptional faculty members throughout the preclinical and clinical years. I’m very grateful for their guidance and mentorship, which has been invaluable in preparing me for my future medical career,” Edwards said.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens chaired the eleventh Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board in February 2025.
The Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board met on 6 February 2025.
The Secretary of State for Wales and Chair of the Transition Board, Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, sought endorsement from the Board to announce £8.2 million for the South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub (SWITCH). This project will support more than 100 jobs and generate more than £87 million for the South Wales economy, supporting the Government’s Plan for Change and economic growth mission.
This is the first project to receive funding as part of the growth and regeneration projects in Port Talbot. A collaboration between Swansea University, Cardiff University and the University of South Wales, with industry and public sector partners. The Transition Board funding is in addition to the £20 million from the Swansea Bay City Deal. SWITCH will deliver research to support and join up the decarbonisation transition. The announcement of further growth and regeneration projects are due to follow.
Today’s release of money is the fourth announcement from the UK Government’s £80m Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board fund which, since last July, has announced £51 million to support individual steelworkers and businesses in Tata Steel’s supply chain to protect jobs and grow the local economy.
The Board also discussed mental health support, and further information on the interventions being developed to support mental health in the community will be announced at the next Transition Board meeting on 27th of March, following a mental health pilot at the Neath Port Talbot Council Support Hub in Aberafan Shopping Centre.
The Board also received updates on:
Tata Steel UK’s decarbonisation programme;
The Department of Business and Trade’s plans for a steel strategy;
The Community Union Support Hub for affected workers; and
The Transition Board funds that have already been announced, including applications received for the Supply Chain fund, and support being provided from the Employment and Skills fund.
Those in attendance included: Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, Secretary of State for Wales; Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning in the Welsh Government; Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department; Cllr Steve K Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council; Frances O’Brien, CEO of Neath Port Talbot Council; Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK; Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberafan Maesteg; David Rees, MS for Aberavon; Tom Giffard, MS for the region of South Wales West; Luke Fletcher MS for the region of South Wales West; Sarah Williams-Gardener; Anne Jessopp CBE; Katherine Bennett CBE independent members of the Board; Alun Davies, National Officer for Steel & Metals, Community Union and Jason Bartlett, Regional Officer for Unite the Union.
Acting on a complaint, the council’s environmental health officers visited The Millions Kitchen, in Showell Road, and discovered the infestation.
Food preparation surfaces, equipment and food packaging were all found to be contaminated by contact with cockroaches when officers made their inspection during August 2023.
Chris Onohwano Igomuaye and Sikiru Owolewa, directors of The Millions Kitchen, each pleaded guilty to a breach of The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 during a hearing at Dudley Magistrates Court on Friday 7 February.
The same charge was brought against the business, and a guilty plea was also entered.
The business was fined £4,000, ordered to pay costs of £5,554 and a victim surcharge of £1,600. Igomuaye and Owolewa were each fined £270, ordered to pay costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £108.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Cockroach infestations indicate a dreadful level of food hygiene which can cause significant illness.
“The business and directors were knowingly putting their customers at risk and I’m pleased that the court recognised the severity of the offences committed.
“The council works very hard to protect city residents and visitors from the sort of risks that were found in The Millions Kitchen and I hope other businesses take note of the fact that we take food hygiene very seriously in Wolverhampton.”
– Armagh is the only city in the world with two cathedrals named in his honour –
Armagh City – the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and the only city in the world with two cathedrals dedicated to St Patrick – is gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors for its Home of St Patrick Festival.
The week-long celebration, taking place from Sunday 09 March to Monday 17 March, will honour the life and legacy of the island’s patron saint with an exciting line-up of music, art, theatre, and cultural experiences that promise to captivate and inspire.
Steeped in history, Armagh is uniquely connected to St Patrick, who established his first stone church in the city in 445AD. The iconic city provides the perfect backdrop to understand why he brings such meaning to people here, and the profound influence he left on the culture and heritage of this island.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Sarah Duffy, said,
“The Home of St Patrick Festival is one of the island’s premier cultural and historical events, and we’re delighted to welcome visitors to Armagh once again. St Patrick began his mission here, and with two cathedrals named in his honour, our city offers an unparalleled connection to him. For local and international visitors looking to connect with Ireland’s heritage, there’s no better place to explore and celebrate the legacy of our patron saint.
“This year’s festival features an exciting mix of music, art, theatre, film, dance, and local food and drink, all celebrating St Patrick’s profound impact on Ireland and the world. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, interested in local culture, or seeking a family-friendly day out, the festival promises an authentic and immersive experience in the place St Patrick once called his ‘sweet little hill.”
One of the most significant events in the festival’s programme is the Vigil Walk. The torch-led walk takes place on Sunday 16 March at 7.30pm and connects Armagh’s two breathtaking Cathedrals – St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral and St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral – in a symbolic reflection of St Patrick’s own journey to unite people through Christianity.
Guided walking tours of the Cathedrals and surrounding areas will also take place throughout the festival and offer insights into why St Patrick chose Armagh to build his first stone church, along with stories, myths, and legends from his time here.
On St Patrick’s morning, Monday 17 March, Navan Centre and Fort will explore what drew the saint to the area to build his first church as it hosts its Dawn Light event. Through drama and live music, the event will bring to life the ancient story of St Patrick’s arrival, and how he asked the local chieftain, Daire, for the Hill of the Sallows to build a church.
Organised by the local community, the festivities will culminate with Armagh’s iconic parade on the Monday 17 March. Starting early afternoon, the parade will begin at the Christian Brothers’ School, joyously weaving its way through the city, pleasing onlookers with music, entertainment, and colourful displays.
The Pilgrim’s Walk, a 132km (82-mile) trail that stretches from Navan Fort in Armagh to Down Cathedral in Downpatrick is a once-in-a-lifetime experience inspired by St Patrick’s time in the area. While this sacred walk is a special feature of the festival, it can also be enjoyed throughout the year, offering visitors the unique opportunity to retrace St Patrick’s steps and connect with the spiritual journey he once made.
Whilst the festival is very much an ode to and reflection of St Patrick, it is also a celebration of the vibrant and unique cultural spirit of the region.
Why not make a weekend of it? From Friday 14 March to Sunday 16 March, Armagh’s live Irish music trail will fill the city’s welcoming pubs with vibrant performances by artists like Gary Owen and Eoin Ogs Kelly. The lively atmosphere continues on Friday 14 March with St. Patrick’s Shindig in Market Square, featuring electrifying performances from popular Irish bands The High Stool Prophets, Pure Blarney, and The Reillys. A stunning concert by Malachy Cush at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral will kick-off the festival on Sunday 09 March. Other events include an enchanting performance by the vocal ensemble SYSTIR at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral on Saturday 15 March and the contemporary Irish dance show JigJazz on Sunday 16 March, which promises to leave audiences spellbound.
Sara McGeary, Tourism Manager at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said:
“St Patrick is known around the world, but Armagh is where his story truly began. It was here that St Patrick began his mission and with two cathedrals bearing his name, our city offers an authentic connection to his story. For centuries, Armagh has been a place of pilgrimage and celebration, and our festival proudly continues that tradition. This year’s diverse programme—featuring everything from live music trails to sunrise storytelling at Navan—ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy, all while honouring St Patrick’s enduring influence.”
