NewzIntel.com

Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI China: Chelsea sign Ipswich striker Delap in £30m deal

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chelsea has signed striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town after triggering his release clause of 30 million pounds (about 40 million U.S. dollars).

    Chelsea fended off competition from Manchester United and Newcastle United to secure the former Manchester City youngster, who impressed in his debut Premier League campaign by scoring 12 goals in 37 appearances, despite Ipswich being relegated to the Championship.

    According to English media, Chelsea will pay two-thirds of the fee up front, with the remainder in installments. Ipswich will also receive a percentage of any future sale.

    “I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach (Enzo Maresca),” Delap told the Chelsea website.

    The England Under-21 international said Chelsea would be “an incredible place for me to develop,” and expressed his hope to “achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.”

    “When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that,” he said of the newly crowned Conference League winners.

    “The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective,” added Delap, who can operate as a central striker or second forward.

    The timing of the transfer means he is likely to be included in Chelsea’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, which the south London club begins on June 16.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Strengthening UK energy security with new gas sales agreement – Equinor

    Source: Equinor

    05 JUNE 2025 – Equinor and Centrica sign long-term gas sales agreement of 55 TWh of natural gas per year (around 5 billion cubic meters – bcm) for a period of 10 years starting 1 October 2025 at terms reflecting market prices. The total contract value would be around £20 billion assuming current prices.

    “I am very pleased to strengthen the energy partnership with the UK and our longstanding partner and customer Centrica. This agreement will continue to support the UK’s energy security with reliable gas supplies from the Norwegian continental shelf. The flexibility that natural gas offers will play a key role in enabling further development of renewable power and decarbonisation in the UK”, says Equinor’s president and CEO Anders Opedal.

    For nearly 50 years, Equinor and partners have developed the Norwegian Continental Shelf to be the largest and most reliable provider of energy to Europe. Britain currently imports nearly 2/3 of its gas requirements from Norway, with Equinor being the major supplier. The annual volumes under this agreement will cover nearly 10% [1] of total annual UK gas demand which makes the agreement among the largest in Equinor bilateral portfolio.

    “The UK and the North Sea is a core area in our long-term ambitions to remain a supplier of reliable energy and to help decarbonise societies and industries. The new gas sales agreement with Centrica will be a key element in this. Energy security and decarbonisation must go hand in hand, and I am proud that Equinor is actively delivering both”, says Equinor’s UK Country Manager Alex Grant.

    Beyond investments in the UK’s oil and gas production, Equinor already operates three offshore wind farms at Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon and Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm. Dogger Bank is under development and will be the world’s largest offshore windfarm once completed. Together with partners Equinor is also developing the UK’s first CO2 transport and storage project and a gas power plant with CO2 capture.

    Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, commented: “Equinor is a valued partner, and this landmark agreement underscores the vital role that natural gas plays as a transition fuel as we navigate towards a low carbon energy future. The enduring partnership between Centrica and Equinor exemplifies the strong and strategic relationship between the UK and Norway and I’m immensely proud that we’ve agreed this deal.

    “Over the last few years, we’ve seen first-hand how important energy security is. Today’s deal not only ensures the UK’s energy security has improved but also paves the way for a burgeoning hydrogen market. The deal represents a significant investment in the UK’s future, showing that Centrica will make bold investments that drive forward the energy transition while delivering value for our shareholders. We will continue to focus on further improving energy security by working with the UK Government to ensure the right levels of gas storage are in place to complement this landmark gas importation agreement.”

    [1] Total UK demand in 2024 at 55.8 bcm

    About Centrica

    Centrica is an international energy and services company, founded on a 200-year heritage of serving customers in homes and businesses. The company supply energy and services to over 10 million residential and business customers, mainly in the UK and Ireland, through brands such as British Gas, Bord Gáis Energy and Centrica Business Solutions. Centrica has a role at every step of the energy transition. When it comes to energy, Centrica make it, store it, move it, sell it and mend it. The company’s strategy is driven by the purpose of energising a greener, fairer future.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 2025 RAW Arts Awards celebrates young creatives

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Talented young creatives have been recognised at the City of Greater Bendigo’s 2025 RAW Arts Awards at a special presentation held at The Capital last night.

    The RAW Arts Awards showcase and foster the talents and artistic pursuits of young people in the region 25 years of age and under, with this year’s awards attracting 103 applicants.

    The winner and a highly commended entry are recognised in four categories: Visual Arts, Literature, Performing Arts and Short Film.

    Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the RAW Arts Awards evening and accompanying exhibition provided a wonderful opportunity for young talent in the region to showcase their work.

    “The RAW Arts Awards is such a special event in the calendar and a chance for young people to present their work to a wider audience, and gain the recognition they deserve,” Cr Metcalf said.

    “I am so pleased that the RAW Arts Awards program is a stepping stone for many flourishing creatives and helps to foster their talents and artistic pursuits.

    “We are so lucky to have these young aspiring creatives right here in Greater Bendigo, and I congratulate all of the winners and those who have contributed to RAW this year and shared their talent, imagination and stories.”

    Winners in each category received a $1,500 cash prize and a $500 cash prize was awarded to highly commended creatives.

    The announcement of winners was interspersed with a showcase of Performing Arts entrants and screening of films submitted in the Short Film category.

    The 2025 RAW Arts Awards winners and highly commended applicants are as follows:

    Visual arts

    Winner: Geordie Williamson

    Highly commended: Jorjiah Sjaardema

    Literature

    Winner: Kayla Barnfield

    Highly commended: Matilda Wilby

    Performing arts

    Winner: Emma Gleeson

    Highly commended: Matilda Wilby

    Short film

    Winner: Tilda Picken

    Highly commended: Yasmin Russell

    2025 RAW Arts exhibition

    The 2025 RAW Arts exhibition features this year’s visual arts entries at Dudley House, 60 View Street. Entry is free and open to the public. The opening times are as follows:

    • Friday June 6, 11am to 5pm
    • Saturday June 7 to Monday June 9, 11am to 3pm

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Vote for Bendigo and Heathcote in Top Tourism Town Awards

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Exciting news! Bendigo and Heathcote have been shortlisted as category finalists in the 2025 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards for the fifth year in a row.

    Bendigo has been shortlisted in the ‘top tourism town’ category, with Heathcote being shortlisted in the ‘small tourism town’ category, and now it’s time for the public to add their vote.

    In 2024, Bendigo scooped gold and Heathcote won bronze at the Victorian Awards. Bendigo went on to compete at national level and won silver in the Top Tourism Town category of the Australia Top Tourism Awards.

    City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy and Experience James Myatt said it was fantastic news for the Greater Bendigo region to be recognised again as finalists in these prestigious awards.

    “We are very excited that Bendigo and Heathcote are finalists for the fifth year in a row, recognising them as must-see visitor destinations that deliver amazing and memorable experiences,” Mr Myatt said.

    “We are hoping to bring home the gold again with the public vote now open until Friday June 27.

    “The final result is a combination of public voting, user reviews, a video promotion and suggested itineraries, so it means so much for Bendigo and Heathcote to be recognised in this way.

    “We have an incredibly passionate tourism industry, including attractions, accommodation, retail and hospitality providers who offer unique experiences for people of all ages and interests.

    “To be named the top tourism town or small tourism town, we need our community to vote.

    “It’s easy to do, visit the Victoria Tourism Industry Council website, click ‘vote now’ and select Bendigo and Heathcote. You can also enter your details to go into the draw to win a prize.

    “So, vote for Bendigo and Heathcote today!”

    To make your vote count, and be entered into the prize draw, you need to vote by 5pm Friday June 27.

    To submit your vote, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Your chance to try simpler train tickets in Yorkshire and the East Midlands this September

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Your chance to try simpler train tickets in Yorkshire and the East Midlands this September

    Up to 4,000 rail passengers can take part in each route of the pay-as-you-go ticketing trials.

    • digital ticketing trials will start from the end of the summer across Yorkshire and the East Midlands  
    • passengers can now sign up for one of the 4,000 places available  
    • demonstrates government action to overhaul ticketing and get more people onto our railways as part of our Plan for Change

    From today (6 June 2025), thousands of passengers across the north and East Midlands will have a chance to volunteer to take part in a new digital ticketing trial.  

    Backed by government funding, the trials will use GPS-based technology to track train journeys, ensuring passengers pay the best fare for the journey they take.  

    Digital ticketing builds on the government’s plans to overhaul the railways to make them simpler, more flexible and passenger-focused. Ahead of the creation of Great British Railways, the government continues to work to deliver positive changes like this for passengers – attracting more people back onto our trains, boosting the economy and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change. 

    The trials being operated by East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Northern Trains will run along these routes:

    • Leicester to Derby to Nottingham 
    • Harrogate to Leeds 
    • Sheffield to Doncaster 
    • Sheffield to Barnsley 

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: 

    Contactless ticketing is making journeys easier to navigate for millions of passengers and now our digital trials are actively recruiting volunteers to help expand this technology across Yorkshire and the East Midlands. 

     Simplifying ticketing is a major part of our plans to overhaul the railways. I encourage anyone who regularly gets the train along these routes to get involved and help us build a ticketing system that delivers a better experience for passengers and communities across the country.

    Unlike the previous rollout of pay-as-you-go, which uses contactless payment at barriers, these trials will use GPS-based technology to track people’s location throughout their train journey.

    Up to 1,000 passengers will be able to take part in each route of the trials, meaning 4,000 passengers in total. The first trial to get underway will be on EMR between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, kicking off at the beginning of September. The other routes, operated by Northern, will begin between September and November, with each running for 9 months from the start date. 

    Anyone interested in taking part should check EMR and Northern Trains’ websites, where a recruitment campaign has been launched.

    Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director, Northern Trains, said:

    These trials mark an important step forward in simplifying rail travel and making the experience as frictionless as possible for our customers. By trialling pay-as-you-go technology on some of our routes, we’re helping to shape a future where hopping on a train is as easy as checking in and out.

    We will now be reaching out to regular customers on those routes to see if they would be willing to participate in these trials later this year. We’re excited to see how they respond and look forward to playing our part in modernising how people travel by rail in the north.

    These trials are expected to build on the success of the rollout of contactless ticketing at 53 stations across the south east. Since its introduction, more than 2 million entries and exits have been made using contactless cards or mobile devices, averaging around 140,000 a week – showing how popular the system is with customers using those stations already. 

    The department is also working closely with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands to develop their proposals for rolling out contactless ticketing even further. 

    Jenna Cowie, Interim Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, said:

    We’re excited to be part of a project that aims to improve the way people travel and it is a great opportunity for our customers in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester to be among the very first in the country to experience a new, smarter way to buy train tickets.

    This trial is all about making train travel easier, faster and more intuitive. No more fare confusion – just check in and out with your phone and travel knowing you’ll automatically pay the best-value fare for your journey.

    This follows on from a watershed moment last month when South Western Railway (SWR) services became the first train operating company to transfer back into public control since the passing of the Public Ownership Bill, ending almost 30 years of fragmentation and waste under privatisation.   

    By bringing track and train together, Great British Railways will enable operations to run more seamlessly, bringing accountability and reliability back into the railways and, in turn, helping to reduce delays and cancellations.  

    Great British Railways will not just be the name of the new nationally owned railway, it symbolises a complete reset that will mark the high standard of service and delivery the public should expect to receive.    

    This week, the government also announced £15.6 billion – the biggest ever investment – in buses, trams and local train infrastructure for city regions, benefiting working people across the north, the Midlands and the south west. The funding – a more than double real-terms increase in capital spending on local transport in city regions by 2029 to 2030 compared with 2024 to 2025 – will empower local leaders to invest in transport projects that will make a difference to their local area.

    Rail media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than £32 million to resurface roads and build new cycle lanes in the north east and Yorkshire as region hosts UK’s largest women’s cycling race

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    More than £32 million to resurface roads and build new cycle lanes in the north east and Yorkshire as region hosts UK’s largest women’s cycling race

    Investing in safer roads will encourage more women to cycle, build healthier, stronger communities and help ease pressure on the NHS.

    • an extra £20 million boost will improve roads across the north east and Yorkshire – part of an additional £500 million to tackle potholes nationwide
    • future of Roads Minister visits the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women – the UK’s biggest women’s cycling race – to promote safer roads for female cyclists
    • this is on top of nearly £12.8 million to build new cycle lanes and pavements in the north east – making active travel easier and easing pressure off the NHS, all part of the government’s Plan for Change

    Cyclists in the North East and Yorkshire will get around safely and easily as the government invests an extra £32 million to tackle potholes and build new cycle lanes in the region.

    Today (6 June 2025), the Minister for the Future of Roads will be in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, to speak to local schools, cycling clubs and female cycling champions during Stage 2 of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women – the UK’s biggest women’s road cycling race.

    The minister will show how the government is taking action to resurface roads and emphasise the need to make them safer and more accessible for all road users, including female cyclists. Her visit follows the £15.6 billion boost announced earlier this week to empower local leaders to invest in local transport projects that will make a real difference across England’s city regions – including South Yorkshire, the north east and Tees Valley.

    Pothole-ridden roads put everyone off cycling, with this impact felt the most by women. According to research from Cycling UK, more than half of women (58%) said their cycle journeys were limited by safety concerns and a lack of suitable infrastructure, with 36% of women pointing to poor roads as a main factor.

    The government is investing an extra £20 million to resurface roads across the north east and Yorkshire so that cyclists and all road users can get around more safely, more easily and with confidence.

    On top of this uplift, local cyclists are also benefiting from an almost £13 million boost to build new cycle lanes and pavements in the north east.

    Better roads and new cycle lanes will make it easier and safer for people to cycle. This will lead to 43,000 fewer sick days a year across the country and add £1.4 billion to the UK economy, putting money in the pockets of hardworking families to help deliver the government’s Plan for Change.

    Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

    Safer roads mean safer spaces to cycle. The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women is a fantastic way to show women and girls the power of cycling and the difference it can make to their lives.

    By investing in better roads, we’re delivering our Plan for Change – encouraging more women and girls to hop on a bike, easing pressure on the NHS and building healthier, stronger communities.

    Across the country, the government is investing a total of £1.6 billion to resurface roads – enough to fill 7 million extra potholes – which includes an extra £500 million boost to go above and beyond the government’s manifesto commitment.

    Lizzie Deignan MBE, Olympic silver medallist and world champion, said:

    I am incredibly passionate about getting more women and girls on bikes, whatever their background or ability. The benefits of cycling are vast, from improving your health, meeting new people and developing new skills and confidence.

    Having better cycling infrastructure across the UK will definitely break down barriers, which currently prevent women and girls from participating in cycling.

    Programmes like British Cycling’s Breeze and Go-Ride clubs are reaching out to local communities and creating opportunities to make it easier for women and girls to access cycling, so we can enable safe and fun environments to make sure that everyone can enjoy the freedom of riding a bike.

    With more investment in our roads and cycle lanes, programmes like this can go further as we bring the joy of cycling to more people across the country.

    The £13 million for new cycle lanes and pavements in the north east comes from a £291 million package to build new active travel infrastructure across the whole country and encourage more people to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle.

    The improvements will help people across the country 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.

    Caroline Julian, Director of Brand and Engagement at British Cycling, said:

    Significant barriers still exist that prevent many people from accessing the health, economic and social benefits that cycling brings. We know from our research that road safety is the biggest reason that holds people back from getting on a bike. This is, unfortunately, particularly the case for women.

    We are encouraged to see the significant government investment in road and cycle lane infrastructure in the north-east and Yorkshire regions. Investing in infrastructure and places to ride, alongside strengthened promotion and enforcement of the Highway Code, is of critical importance to make cycling accessible to all.

    RAC Senior Policy Officer, Rod Dennis, said:

    Whether on two wheels or four, the quality of the nation’s roads must be improved to make journeys smoother and safer. It’s crucial now that councils use this cash as effectively as possible.

    While dangerous potholes must be filled quickly, councils need to do more surface dressing work to ensure decent roads stay in a better state for longer and resurface those that are beyond repair.

    IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards, Nicholas Lyes, said:

    Poorly maintained roads are not just a nuisance, they are a road safety hazard, particularly for those on two wheels. We welcome this additional funding that focuses not just on smoother surfaces but safer infrastructure, which will improve journey choice for people.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New ambulances and faster emergency care for patients next winter

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New ambulances and faster emergency care for patients next winter

    Patients will receive better, faster and more appropriate emergency care as the government sets out reforms to shorten waiting times in A&E.

    • Nearly £450 million investment to expand urgent and emergency care facilities to provide faster care for patients

    • 800,000 fewer patients each year to wait more than four hours at A&E, and more will receive urgent treatment in their community

    • Part of government’s Plan for Change to modernise NHS services and improve emergencv care.

    Patients will receive better, faster and more appropriate emergency care as the government sets out reforms to shorten waiting times and tackle persistently failing trusts.

    The new package of investment and reforms will improve patients’ experiences this year, including by caring for more patients in the community, rather than in hospital which is often worse for patients and more expensive for taxpayers.

    Backed with a total of nearly £450 million, the plan will deliver:

    • Around 40 new Same Day Emergency Care and Urgent Treatment Centres – which treat and discharge patients in the same day, avoiding unnecessary admissions to hospital.
    • Up to 15 mental health crisis assessment centres to provide care in the right place for patients and avoid them waiting in A&E for hours for care, which is not the most appropriate setting for people who are experiencing a crisis. These centres will offer people timely access to specialist support and are directed to the right care.
    • Almost 500 new ambulances will also be rolled out across the country by March 2026.

    The plan’s emphasis will be on shifting more patient care into more appropriate care settings as part of the move from hospital to community under the government’s Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS, while tackling ambulance handover delays and corridor care.

    Health Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    No patient should ever be left waiting for hours in hospital corridors or for an ambulance which ought to arrive in minutes.

    We can’t fix more than a decade of underinvestment and neglect overnight. But through the measures we’re setting out today, we will deliver faster and more convenient care for patients in emergencies

    Far too many patients are ending up in A&E who don’t need or want to be there, because there isn’t anywhere else available. Because patients can’t get a GP appointment, which costs the NHS £40, they end up in A&E, which costs around £400- worse for patients and more expensive for the taxpayer.

    The package of investment and reforms we are announcing today will help the NHS treat more patients in the community, so they don’t end up stuck on trolleys in A&E. Hundreds of new ambulances will help cut the unacceptably long waiting times we’ve seen in recent years. And new centres for patients going through a mental health crisis will provide better care and keep them out of A&E, which are not well equipped to care for them.

    By shifting staff and resources out of hospitals and into communities, and modernising NHS technology and equipment, our Plan for Change will make sure the NHS can be there for you when you need it, once again.

    NHS Chief Executive Sir Jim Mackey said:

    Urgent and emergency care services provide a life-saving first line of defence for patients – but for too long now, despite the incredible hard work of staff, the speed and quality of NHS care has often not been good enough.

    Our patients and staff deserve better, so that is why we need a radical change in approach and to ensure we get the basics right.

    This major plan sets out how we will work together to resuscitate NHS urgent and emergency care, with a focus on getting patients out of corridors, keeping more ambulances on the road, and enable those ready to leave hospital can do so as soon as possible.

    NHS National Director for Urgent and Emergency Care Sarah-Jane Marsh said:

    It is vital that patients can access our urgent and emergency care services in the right place at the right time, and that the care provided is to a standard we would want for ourselves and our own families.

    While the 10 Year Health Plan will set out a longer-term vision to transform urgent and emergency services for the 21st century, there is so much more we could all be doing now.

    This plan sets out not only what we know is working across the country, but how systems must work together to improve access and quality for the benefit of our patients.

    In order to support this shift in delivery focus, NHS England will be asking providers and systems to be accountable to their own local Boards and populations, creating robust winter plans which will be tested during winter exercises throughout September”.

    Every day, more than 140,000 people access urgent and emergency care services across England. Since 2010/11, demand has almost doubled with ambulance service usage rising by 61%.

    A&E waiting time standards have not been met for over a decade, while the 18-minute target for category 2 ambulance calls has never been hit outside the pandemic.

    But at least one in five people who attend A&E don’t need urgent or emergency care, while an even larger number could be better cared for in the community.

    The plan focuses on making winter 2025/26 significantly better than recent winters by setting ambitious but achievable targets and increasing transparency about progress.

    It marks a fundamental shift in our approach to urgent and emergency care – moving from fragmented efforts to genuine collaboration across the whole system and mean better coordination between NHS trusts and primary care to identify patients most vulnerable during winter.

    And it aims to make the most difference to patients by focusing on specific improvements across the healthcare system, aligning resources to areas that need them most.

    The plan will also see more patients receive care in the community, rather than being unnecessarily admitted into hospital, through measures including:

    • More paramedic-led care in the community – which means patients will receive more effective treatment at the scene of an accident or in their own homes from ambulance crews
    • Increasing numbers of patients seen by urgent community response teams – which provide urgent care to people in their homes, helping to avoid hospital admissions and enable people to live independently for longer. Local areas will be told to lay out how they will expand access to these teams, which includes understanding level of needs;
    • Better use of virtual wards – which use modern technology to provide patients with hospital-level care at home safely and in familiar surroundings, speeding up their recovery while freeing up hospital beds for patients that need them most
    • And publishing league tables on performance to drive improved transparency and public accountability and as well as encouraging less effective systems to work more closely with high performing systems to accelerate improvement.

    Thanks to the investment and reforms announced today, 800,000 fewer people should be forced to wait more than 4 hours for care in emergency departments this year.

    Chief Executive of NHS Providers Daniel Elkeles said:

    There is a lot to like about this plan. It’s helpful that we’re seeing it in early summer, with time to ensure meaningful measures are in place ahead of the added pressures of winter.

    It’s also good to see that so many parts of the system, including primary, community and mental health care, in addition to ambulance and hospital services, have been factored in.

    The extra capital investment for same day emergency care and mental health crisis assessment centres and ambulance services is particularly welcome, as is the emphasis on vaccination – and on this we’d urge NHS staff and the public to play their part by getting that protection.

    This plan should result in meaningful progress compared to last winter. As the plan acknowledges the public and our staff want to know the NHS can respond quickly, safely and effectively in an emergency. NHS Providers would like to work with NHSE and the government to develop long term UEC plans that are bold and ambitious.

    Association of Ambulances Chief Executives Managing Director Anna Parry said:

    The new urgent and emergency care plan reaffirms AACE’s vision for the future of NHS ambulance services. By extending and formalising a wider ambulance sector remit in urgent and emergency care, we will be better placed to help resolve some of the key system pressures, reduce the risks for patients and transform patient care while offering a more positive working environment for our people.

    By underscoring the importance of a system-wide focus to achieve improvements in urgent and emergency care, this new plan acts as a genuine challenge to all health and social care leaders, encouraging them to plan and act with purpose to achieve the transformation that is needed. Ambulance service leaders continue to proactively seek increased opportunities for greater collaboration with system partners while identifying new strategies and initiatives within their own ambulance trusts to achieve the transformation targets outlined in the plan.

    We are particularly heartened to see the plan’s emphasis on the reduction and improved management of hospital handover delays. Handover delays have the greatest detrimental impact on ambulance resources and create unnecessary delays and additional harm for thousands of patients each year. The elimination of corridor care and the focus on reducing 12-hour waits at emergency departments is also welcomed.

    Finally, we wholeheartedly endorse and support the plan’s underlined recognition of the impact of the delivery of sub-optimal care on NHS staff, alongside the pivotal role both leadership and a strong system-level approach must play in the transformation of urgent and emergency care.

    NHS Confederation Chief Executive Matthew Taylor said:

    Health leaders across systems, providers and primary care will welcome this plan to provide better, faster and more appropriate emergency care, an area which is facing high demand and rising public concern over performance.

    As the plan shows, there is a lot of good practice across the health service to build upon, including expanding the number of same day emergency treatment and mental health crisis assessment centres and rolling out more ambulances.

    Making sure the NHS does not continue to fall into crisis each winter will be essential for improving public confidence in the health service. Strong collaboration between health partners and with local government to improve discharges out of hospitals will also be key to progress.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: We applaud Syria’s determination to ensure Assad’s chemical weapons programme is destroyed: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    We applaud Syria’s determination to ensure Assad’s chemical weapons programme is destroyed: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

    Let me start by welcoming the strong commitment of the Syrian government to turn the page of history. We applaud Syria’s determination to ensure once and for all that the Assad era chemical weapons programme is destroyed.

    The UK is greatly encouraged by Syria’s operational and logistical support to the deployments carried out by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, including access to sites and people, and by Syria’s commitment to engage with the international community.

    We also welcome the OPCW Technical Secretariat’s deployments to Syria in March and April. The persistence and professionalism shown by OPCW staff in Syria has been exceptional. As has the consistently high quality of the Technical Secretariat’s work on this important file in a very challenging technical environment.

    Important progress has been made towards setting up OPCW offices in Syria and the collection and analysis of samples.

    These are vital steps towards Syria’s full implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and UN Security Council resolution 2118, which the Assad regime so flagrantly violated.

    There is, however, President, much more work to do in a difficult operational environment. 

    Due to the secrecy and complexity of Assad’s illegal chemical weapons programme, the precise extent of the challenge ahead is still unknown.

    Allow me to make three brief points. 

    Firstly, both the Syrian government and the OPCW will need to be operationally agile to address any proliferation or health risks found in inspecting sites of concern.

    The OPCW’s role is vital. As mandated by the Chemical Weapons Convention and by resolution 2118, the OPCW must verify the Syrian-led declaration and destruction of any remaining elements of Assad’s chemical weapons programme.

    Secondly, to achieve this, the OPCW will need technical, financial and logistical assistance from the international community.

    The OPCW has provided States Parties with its estimated costs for its work in Syria. 

    The UK has already provided more than $1 million to the OPCW Syria Missions to support their immediate work and will look to provide further assistance. 

    We join High Representative Nakamitsu in encouraging others to also provide the necessary resources. In particular, President, we welcome Qatar’s role in representing Syria at the OPCW in The Hague.

    Finally, military action by neighbouring states risks delaying OPCW deployments as well as the preservation of evidence at chemical weapons sites. We therefore urge Israel to de-escalate their actions in Syria.

    President, we have a historic opportunity to rid Syria of Assad’s chemical weapons. 

    Let us do our part to support Syria and the OPCW, to enable the new Syrian government to finally close the file on the scourge of chemical weapons use, and on this dark chapter in Syria’s history.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chagos Deal Sparks Parliamentary Backlash

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV MP Jim Allister:

    “The hand over the Chagos Islands is a shameful and exorbitantly expensive sell out of sovereignty.

    “The UK historically owns the Chagos Islands. Hence its large and strategically important military base there. Yet, under this deal the government is surrendering sovereignty to Mauritius and then leasing back for 99 years its own base! The amount of money is eye-watering, running to well over £20B.

    “There is much unease in Parliament about this deal. Yet, the only way there can even be a debate before the deal is implemented is by way of a ‘prayer of opposition’. This is what I have been involved in securing this week. I drafted such a motion and then secured joint submission of the ‘prayer’ under the lead signatures of Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage and myself.

    “Several dozen other MPs have now signed the motion with a view to trying to force the government to concede a debate. This is the work now in progress.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Data confirms Protocol damage to GB to NI Trade

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Commenting on the latest data from the Office for National Statistics TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP said:

    “The statistics published by the Office for National Statistics today are damning. They confirm that the Protocol, rebranded as the Windsor Framework, is driving down trade from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.

    “The figures speak for themselves. In 2020, before the imposition of the Protocol, 20.1% of GB manufacturing firms sold to Northern Ireland. Now that figure has collapsed to just 12.9%. In the retail and wholesale sector, the drop is just as stark—from 17.5% down to 12.4%. And across all business sizes and sectors, the share of GB firms trading with NI has fallen by around a third.

    “Behind those numbers are real consequences: fewer choices for consumers in Northern Ireland, higher costs for local businesses, and Northern Ireland’s economy being nudged ever closer to the orbit of the Republic of Ireland. That is not accidental — it is the direct consequence of the framework.

    “The figures also reveal something else: businesses are not just ceasing trade with Northern Ireland; even those who continue are scaling back. For example, in the retail sector, 14.2% of GB firms report declining sales to Northern Ireland, with only a tiny 1.5% seeing an increase. And 11.4% have stopped trading with Northern Ireland altogether.

    “Small and medium-sized enterprises — the backbone of the UK economy — are being disproportionately hit. The extra bureaucracy, costs, and delays caused by the Irish Sea border are discouraging trade.

    “When asked directly, GB and NI firms identified the Protocol/Windsor Framework as a major challenge to intra-UK trade. In manufacturing, 24.1% of businesses reported it as a problem. Across all sectors, almost one in every nine businesses pointed to the Framework as a barrier to doing business within their own country.

    “So much for the promise of unfettered access.

    “This new data from the UK’s own official statistics body corroborates previous findings from NISRA, which showed that while NI imports from GB rose 24% between 2020 and 2023, imports from the Republic of Ireland soared by 51%. That speaks to nothing less than a fundamental reorientation of Northern Ireland’s trade, away from our most important market and towards Dublin.“

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bringing together Gaelic and Irish stakeholders to empower communities Leading voices in Gaelic from Ireland and Scotland will come together in Aberdeen to examine key challenges and opportunities facing Gaelic and Irish-speaking communities today.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Leading voices in Gaelic from Ireland and Scotland will come together in Aberdeen to examine key challenges and opportunities facing Gaelic and Irish-speaking communities today.
    The landmark symposium ‘Ceangal / Connect’ jointly hosted by the Consulate General of Ireland, the Research Institute for Irish and Scottish Studies (University of Aberdeen), and Údarás na Gaeltachta, will gather policymakers, academics, cultural leaders, and civil society organisations to consider lessons that can be learned in language revival.
    The event, to be held at the University of Aberdeen from June 9-10, will explore Scotland and Ireland’s experiences with Gaelic and Irish and look at how shared strategies and solidarity can strengthen the languages.
    The cultural and economic importance of the languages will be in the spotlight with representatives from state and economic agencies in Scotland and Ireland and speakers from businesses and social enterprises in Scotland taking to the podium.
    Jerry O’Donovan, the Consul General of Ireland, will attend the event to support cross-country collaboration. He said that “Gaelic and Irish speaking communities across the island of Ireland and Scotland share many similar geographical, economic, social and cultural challenges. Identifying common opportunities and examples of best practice can provide common solutions to the benefit of all and we are delighted to see such a broad range of stakeholders gathering in one location from both sides of the Irish Sea. The University of Aberdeen, which has a long tradition of both supporting the Gaelic language and bringing together a diverse range of perspectives, is an ideal host for this important event.”
    The symposium will explore a number of key themes including the synergies around social and economic development and rural language communities; how national language strategies impact community use; how culture and broadcasting initiatives support language revitalisation and the importance of dispersed and city-based speaker communities.
    Professor Michael Brown, Director of the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies, said: “Gaelic connects generations in both Scotland and Ireland in a way that continues to teach us the value of community, identity, and mutual understanding.
    ‘This symposium will provide a platform to share knowledge and understanding, helping us to protect and promote Gaelic and Irish across our countries’.
    It reflects growing cooperation between Irish and Scottish institutions to strengthen and sustain Gaelic and Irish.”
    Professor Michelle MacLeod, Chair in Gaelic and Head of School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture, added: “We know that language is much more than the spoken word, it is about shared heritage, a sense of belonging, community and a driver for future opportunity. Learning from each other makes a valuable contribution to the resilience and revival of our languages and we are delighted to be able to bring together so many leading voices from both Ireland and Scotland.”
    The symposium will be followed by a reception hosted by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen to provide a further opportunity for networking and discussion.
    A’ toirt còmhla luchd-ùidh Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge gus coimhearsnachdan a neartachadh
    Thig prìomh ghuthan ann an Gàidhlig à Èirinn agus Alba còmhla ann an Obar Dheathain gus prìomh dhùbhlain agus cothroman a tha mu choinneimh coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge an-diugh a sgrùdadh.
    Cruinnichidh a’ cho-labhairt chudromach ‘Ceangal / Connect’ air a chumail le Consalachd Coitcheann na h-Èireann, Institiùd Rannsachaidh airson Èolas Èireannach agus Albannach (Oilthigh Obar Dheathain), agus Údarás na Gaeltachta, luchd-poileasaidh, acadaimigich, stiùirichean cultarail, agus buidhnean comann catharra gus beachdachadh air leasanan a ghabhas ionnsachadh ann an ath-bheothachadh cànain.
    Bheir an tachartas, a thèid a chumail aig Oilthigh Obar Dheathain bho 9-10 Ògmhios, sùil air suidheachaidhean Gàidhlig na h-Alba agus na h-Èireann agus mar a dh’fhaodas ro-innleachdan co-roinnte agus dlùth-phàirteachas na cànanan a neartachadh.
    Bidh cudromachd chultarail agus eaconamach nan cànanan ann an aire le riochdairean bho bhuidhnean stàite agus eaconamach ann an Alba agus Èirinn agus luchd-labhairt bho ghnìomhachasan agus iomairtean sòisealta ann an Alba a’ bruidhinn aig a’ cho-labhairt.
    Bidh Jerry O’Donovan, Consal Coitcheann na h-Èireann, an làthair aig an tachartas gus taic a thoirt do cho-obrachadh thar-dùthcha. Thuirt e gu bheil “coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge air feadh eilean na h-Èireann agus Alba a’ coinneachadh mòran dhùbhlain cruinn-eòlasach, eaconamach, sòisealta agus cultarail coltach. Faodaidh comharrachadh chothroman cumanta agus eisimpleirean de dheagh chleachdadh fuasglaidhean cumanta a thoirt seachad a tha buannachdail do na h-uile agus tha sinn air leth toilichte a bhith a’ faicinn raon cho farsaing de luchd-ùidh a’ tighinn còmhla ann an aon àite bho gach taobh de Shruth na Maoile. Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain, aig a bheil traidisean fada de bhith a’ toirt taic don Ghàidhlig agus a’ toirt còmhla raon farsaing de sheallaidhean, na àite air leth freagarrach airson an tachartais chudromaich seo.”
    Bidh a’ cho-labhairt a’ sgrùdadh grunn chuspairean cudromach a’ gabhail a-steach sinergidhean timcheall air leasachadh sòisealta agus eaconamach agus coimhearsnachdan cànain dùthchail; mar a tha ro-innleachdan cànain nàiseanta a’ toirt buaidh air cleachdadh coimhearsnachd; mar a tha iomairtean cultarail agus craolaidh a’ toirt taic do ath-bheothachadh cànain agus cudromachd coimhearsnachdan luchd-labhairt sgapte gus stèidhichte sa Bhaile-mhòr.
    Thuirt an t-Àrd Ollamh Mìcheal Brown, Stiùiriche Institiùd Rannsachaidh airson Eòlas Èireannach agus Albannach: “Tha Gàidhlig a’ ceangal ghinealaichean ann an Alba agus Èirinn ann an dòigh a tha a’ leantainn oirnn a’ teagasg dhuinn luach coimhearsnachd, dearbh-aithne, agus tuigse dha chèile.
    “Bheir a’ cho-labhairt seo àrd-ùrlar airson eòlas agus tuigse a cho-roinn, a’ cuideachadh le bhith a’ dìon agus a’ brosnachadh Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge air feadh ar dùthchannan.”
    Tha e a’ nochdadh co-obrachadh a tha a’ sìor fhàs eadar institiudan Gaeilge agus Albannach gus Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge a neartachadh agus a chumail suas.”
    Thuirt an t-Àrd-Ollamh Michelle NicLeòid, Ceannard Sgoil nan Cànan, Litreachas, Ceòl agus Cultar Lèirsinneach: “Tha fios againn gu bheil cànan mòran a bharrachd na facal labhairteach, tha e mu dheidhinn dualchas co-roinnte, faireachdainn de bhuinteanas, coimhearsnachd agus dràibhear airson cothrom san àm ri teachd. Tha ionnsachadh bho chèile a’ cuir rud luachmhor ri seasmhachd agus ath-bheothachadh ar cànanan agus tha sinn air leth toilichte a bhith comasach air uimhir de phrìomh ghuthan a thoirt còmhla à Èirinn agus Alba.”
    Bidh cuirm ann às dèidh na co-labhairt air a chumail le Àrd-Phrobhaist Obar Dheathain gus cothrom a bharrachd a thoirt airson lìonrachadh agus deasbad.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Dippy the dinosaur remains beloved, 120 years after arriving at the Natural History Museum

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michael J. Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology, University of Bristol

    Shutterstock/I Wei Huang

    Dippy – a complete cast of a diplodocus skeleton – is Britain’s most famous dinosaur. It has resided at the Natural History Museum in London since 1905 and is now on show in Coventry where it is “dinosaur-in-residence” at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.

    Dippy, the star attraction in the huge entrance hall of the Natural History Museum from 1979 to 2018, is now on tour around the UK, with Coventry as its latest stop. It had previously been shown in Dorchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff, Rochdale, Norwich and London.

    So what is it that makes Dippy so popular? I got a sense of the dino’s appeal in August 2021 when I gave a lecture under the Dippy skeleton in Norwich Cathedral.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    The lecture was about dinosaur feathers and colours. It highlighted new research that identified traces of pigment in the fossilised feathers of birds and dinosaurs. I wanted to highlight the enormous advances in the ways we can study dinosaurs that had taken place in just a century.

    Before arriving, I thought that Dippy would fill the cathedral – after all the skeleton is 26 metres long and it had filled the length of the gallery at the Natural History Museum. However, Dippy was dwarfed by the gothic cathedral’s scale. In fact, the building is so large that five Dippys could line up, nose to tail, from the great west door to the high altar at the east end.

    This sense of awe is one of the key reasons to study palaeontology – to understand how such extraordinary animals ever existed.

    I asked the Norwich cathedral canon why they had agreed to host the dinosaur, and he gave three answers. First, the dinosaur would attract lots of visitors. Second, Dippy is from the Jurassic period, as are the rocks used to construct the cathedral. Finally, for visitors it shared with the cathedral a sense of awe because of its huge size. Far from being diminished by its temporary home, visitors still walked around and under Dippy sensing its grandeur.

    Dippy at the unveiling ceremony at the Reptile Gallery of the Natural History Museum in 1905.
    WikiMedia

    Dippy arrived in London in 1905 as part of a campaign for public education by the Scottish-American millionaire Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919). At the time, there was a debate in academic circles about the function of museums and how far professionals should go in seeking to educate the public.

    There was considerable reticence about going too far. Many professors felt that showing dinosaurs to the public would be unprofessional in instances where they moved from description of facts into the realm of speculation. They also did not want to risk ridicule by conveying unsupported information about the appearance and lifestyle of the great beasts. Finally, many professors simply did not see such populism as any part of their jobs.

    Henry Fairfield Osborn in 1916.
    Wiki Commons

    But, at that time, the American Museum of Natural History was well established in New York and its new president, Henry Fairfield Osborn (1857-1935) was distinctly a populist. He sponsored the palaeo artist Charles Knight (1874-1953), whose vivid colour paintings of dinosaurs were the glory of the museum and influential worldwide. Osborn was as hated by palaeontology professors as he was feted by the public.

    Carnegie pumped his steel dollars into many philanthropic works in his native Scotland and all over America, including the Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. When he heard that a new and complete skeleton of a diplodocus had been dug up in Wyoming, he bought it and brought it to his new museum. It was named as a new species, Diplodocus carnegiei.

    On a visit to Carnegie’s Scottish residence, Skibo Castle, King Edward VII saw a sketch of the bones and Carnegie agreed to donate a complete cast of the skeleton to Britain’s Natural History Museum.

    The skeleton was copied by first making rubber moulds of each bone in several parts, then filling the moulds with plaster to make casts and colouring the bones to make them look real. The 292 pieces were shipped to London in 36 crates and opened to the public in May 1905. Carnegie’s original Dippy skeleton only went on show in Pittsburgh in 1907, after the new museum building had been constructed.

    Illustration of the Brontosaurus by Charles Knight (1897).
    Wiki Commons

    Carnegie had got the royal bug and donated further complete Dippy casts to the great natural history museums in Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Bologna, St Petersburg, Madrid, Munich, Mexico City and La Plata in Argentina. Each of these nations, except France, had a king or tsar at the time. The skeletons went on show in all these locations, except Munich, and Dippy has been seen by many millions of people in the past 120 years.

    Dippy’s appeal

    Dippy’s appeal is manifold. It’s huge – we like our dinosaurs big. It has been seen up close by more people around the world than any other dinosaur. It also opens the world of science to many people. Evolution, deep time, climate change, origins, extinction and biodiversity are all big themes that link biology, geology, physics, chemistry and mathematics.

    Also, since 1905, palaeontology has moved from being a largely speculative subject to the realms of testable science. Calculations of jaw functions and limb movements of dinosaurs can be tested and challenged. Hypotheses about physiology, reproduction, growth and colour can be based on evidence from microscopic study of bones and exceptionally preserved tissues, and these analyses can be repeated and refuted.

    Dippy has witnessed over a century of rapid change and its appeal is sure to continue for the next.

    Dippy is on display at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry until February 21 2026.

    Michael J. Benton does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why Dippy the dinosaur remains beloved, 120 years after arriving at the Natural History Museum – https://theconversation.com/why-dippy-the-dinosaur-remains-beloved-120-years-after-arriving-at-the-natural-history-museum-209945

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nick Langworthy Introduces Energy Choice Act to End Blue-State Wars on American Energy

    Source: US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) and Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral H.R. 3699, the Energy Choice Acttoprohibit states or local governments from banning an energy service’s connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion based on the type or source of energy to be delivered. Congressman Langworthy, who serves as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and as a member of the Energy and Environment subcommittees, has made protecting Americans’ energy choices a top priority.

    “Governor Hochul and Democrats in Albany have waged an extremist crusade against natural gas that’s sent home energy costs through the roof, crippled our energy supply, and left New York teetering on the edge of an energy crisis—all to satisfy the radical fantasies of the far-left climate cult. New York has been ground zero for the Green New Deal, where common sense goes to die and working families get stuck with the bill,”said Congressman Langworthy.“That’s why I’ve introduced the Energy Choice Act—to slam the brakes on these reckless, ideological mandates and restore sanity to America’s energy policy. People deserve the freedom to choose energy that is affordable, reliable, and proven—not be forced into rolling blackouts to please eco-activists who don’t live in the real world. I thank Senator Justice for introducing this bill in the Senate and urge its swift action.”

     

    “I am an energy guy from an energy-rich state. I know how important freedom of energy production is – which is why I’m proud to introduce Energy Choice Act of 2025. President Trump has stated the need to unleash American energy, and this bill helps facilitate just that. We have too great an energy crisis in this country, and we don’t have the luxury of picking the winners and losers when it comes to energy production. Americans ought to have the right to choose what is best for their energy needs,” said Senator Jim Justice.

     

    The full text of the bill can be found here. Original cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Mike Bost (R-IL), Robert Bresnahan Jr. (R-MI), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Jeff Crank (R-CO), Chuck Edwards (R-NC), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Addison McDowell (R-NC), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Dan Meuser (R-PA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Tim Moore (R-NC), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), August Pfluger (R-TX), John Rose (R-TX), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), GT Thompson (R-PA), David Valadao (R-CA), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Tony Wied (R-WI), Roger Williams (R-TX), Ryan Zinke (R-MT).

     

    Original cosponsors in the Senate include Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).  

     

    “Democratic-controlled states like New York are waging an all-out attack on domestic energy production, undermining Americans’ right to choose their preferred energy source. The Energy Choice Act combats these authoritarian regulations by preventing state and local governments from banning specific energy sources. To achieve true energy independence, we must ensure Americans have access to a full range of options, including natural gas,”said Congresswoman Tenney.

     

    “Montanans know the value of reliable, affordable energy, especially during winters when access to natural gas, coal, and other traditional fuels isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity,” said Congressman Zinke. “Heavy handed policies from places like Albany and Sacramento don’t reflect the realities of rural America, where energy diversity is vital. The Energy Choice Act is common sense legislation that defends our right to choose the energy sources that work best for our homes and businesses, and I am happy to co-sponsor it again.”

     

    “In order to achieve American energy dominance, we must utilize an all-of-the-above energy strategy that prioritizes affordability and reliability. By prohibiting states and local governments from banning a service based on the source of the energy, we can ensure that families and small businesses are not being forced to utilize more costly energy sources. I thank Rep. Langworthy for his leadership as we work to make energy more affordable and reliable for our constituents,” said Congressman Newhouse.

     

    “Energy freedom is essential to both our economy and national security,” said Congressman Mike Rulli. “Efforts by state governments to ban natural gas and other traditional energy sources not only hurt working families through higher costs but also jeopardize grid reliability – especially in regions with harsh winters like ours. I’m proud to support the Energy Choice Act and thank Congressman Langworthy for putting consumers first and ensuring that no American is forced into an energy system that doesn’t work for them or their community.”

     

    “Strengthening America’s energy independence requires an all-of-the-above energy strategy that ensures consumer demand and industry experts, not bureaucrats and extreme environmentalists, lead the expansion and delivery of energy services. Banning certain types of energy, like California and New York have tried to do, only raises prices for Americans,” said Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11). “The Energy Choice Act will safeguard the diversification of energy sources in our nation and make sure that Americans have access to reliable and affordable energy.”

     

    The Energy Choice Act has received wide support from federal organizations, including American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), American Gas Association (AGA), American Public Gas Association (APGA), Americans for Prosperity (AFP), Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), Energy Marketers of America (EMA) , GPA Midstream Association, GPSA Midstream Suppliers, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals (OESP), National Energy and Fuels Institute (NEFI), National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC), Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), LIBRE Initiative, Concerned Veterans for America (CVA).

    This legislation has also received support from state organizations, including Alabama Propane Gas Association, Arizona Propane Gas Association, Arkansas Propane Gas Association, Colorado Propane Gas Association, Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, Florida Propane Gas Association, Illinois Propane Gas Association, Indiana Food and Fuel Association, Iowa Propane Gas Association, Propane Gas Marketers of Kansas, Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association, Kentucky Propane Gas Association, Louisiana Propane Gas Association, Maine Energy Marketers Association, Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, Michigan Petroleum Association, Michigan Propane Gas Association, Mid-Atlantic Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Distributors Association, Mid-Atlantic Propane Gas Association, MidStates Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Midwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Mississippi Propane Gas Association, Missouri Propane Gas Association, Nebraska Propane Gas Association, Energy and Convenience Marketers of Nevada, Nevada Propane Gas Association, New Mexico Propane Gas Association, North Central Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Northeast Heart, Patio & Barbecue Association, Northwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Energy Marketers Association of New Hampshire, Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, New Jersey Propane Gas Association, Association of Contracting Plumbers of the City of New York Inc., New York Propane Gas Association, Empire State Energy Association (ESEA), Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York (IOGANY), New York State Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors, New York State Energy Coalition (NYSEC), New York State Oil Producers Association (NYSOPA), North Carolina Petroleum and Convenience Marketers, North Dakota Propane Gas Association, Ohio Energy and Convenience Association, Ohio Oil and Gas Association, Ohio Propane Gas Association, Oklahoma Propane Gas Association, Oregon Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Pacific Propane Gas Association, Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association Pacific, Eastern Pennsylvania Energy Association, North Eastern Pennsylvania Energy Marketers Association, Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, Pennsylvania Petroleum Association, Southeast Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, South Central Pennsylvania Energy Association, South Central Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Propane Gas Association of New England, Energy Marketers Association of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Business Leaders Alliance, Rocky Mountain Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Rocky Mountain Propane Association, South Carolina Convenience & Petroleum Marketers Association, South Dakota Petroleum and Propane Marketers Association, Southeast Propane Alliance, Tennessee Propane Gas Association, Texas Propane Gas Association, Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, Virginia Petroleum & Convenience Marketers Association, Virginia Propane Gas Association, West Virginia Propane Gas Association, Western Propane Gas Association, Washington Independent Energy Distributors, Wisconsin Fuel and Retail Association, Wisconsin Propane Gas Association, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC).

    “NEFI proudly supports the Energy Choice Act, which represents a critical step toward protecting American consumers and small businesses from government overreach in the home energy market,”said Jim Collura, President & CEO of the National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI), which represents wholesale and retail distributors of liquid heating fuels, primarily in the Northeast.“This bipartisan legislation ensures that decisions about home heating and cooling remain where they belong – in the hands of American families, not government bureaucrats. At a time when families are recovering from record high inflation, the last thing we need are misguided state and local policies that eliminate affordable heating options. The Energy Choice Act protects market competition, preserves consumer choice, and promotes energy affordability and reliability. We urge Congress to pass this common-sense legislation without delay.”

     

    “NAHB commends Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) for championing the Energy Choice Act, legislation that prohibits state and local governments from banning or limiting access to natural gas, electricity, and other energy sources. A gas ban would exacerbate the housing affordability crisis by increasing costs on new homes and placing added stress on the nation’s electrical grid. With more than 40 million U.S. households relying on natural gas for heating, cooking, and hot water, preserving access to this affordable and reliable energy source is vital for American families,”said Buddy Hughes, Chairman, National Association of Home Builders.

     

    “On behalf of millions of AFP’s grassroots activists across the country, we applaud Rep. Nick Langworthy for introducing the Energy Choice Act to ensure energy freedom throughout the United States. Regardless of where Americans live, they shouldn’t be forced to endure energy poverty. The Energy Choice Act will provide certainty, security, and assurance for much-needed permitting reform and energy infrastructure development. Rep. Langworthy’s legislation will ensure American dominance in energy and lower costs for consumers while embracing an “all-of-the-above” approach on the federal level,” said Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer, Americans for Prosperity.

     

    “The Energy Choice Act represents a critical step in protecting consumer access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy sources like propane,”said Stephen Kaminski, President and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association. “NPGA commends Rep. Langworthy and Sen. Justice for their leadership in introducing this legislation to defend energy diversity and empowering Americans to choose the energy solutions that best meet their needs. This bill safeguards consumers from rising energy costs driven by overreaching government mandates.”

    “The American Public Gas Association (APGA) strongly supports Representative Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act. This important legislation will safeguard American consumers’ right to choose the energy that best meets their household and budget needs. Access to affordable, reliable, and efficient natural gas is essential to the success of American families, businesses, and communities. APGA applauds the bill’s sponsors for their leadership in protecting consumer choice and promoting energy affordability,” said Dave Schryver, President & CEO, APGA.

     

    “The refusal of certain state and local governments to consider policies that provide a more sustainable transition to a less carbon-intensive future, coupled with the economic burdens placed on the American people through restrictions or bans on fossil fuel heating sources, necessitates federal preemption to ensure homeowners can continue to afford living in their homes while having robust options for maintaining home comfort. The Energy Choice Act provides that recourse and PHCC supports its immediate passage,” said Dan Callies, President, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, National Association.

     

    “Passage of this important legislation is a no brainer. We encourage House lawmakers to pass the bill immediately to restore consumer choice and support small business energy marketers across the country,”said Rob Underwood, Energy Marketers of America President.

     

    “At a time when no New Yorker is immune to statewide affordability challenges, having the freedom to choose energy solutions that work best for their homes, businesses, and communities is critical to keeping costs manageable for everyday people. The Energy Choice Act ensures we are taking an all-of-the-above approach to meeting energy needs — opening opportunities to tap into existing solutions like biofuels that advance clean energy goals, while also fostering continued innovation to build a more secure, affordable energy future. We support this commonsense legislation, thank Congressman Langworthy for his leadership, and urge House lawmakers to pass the Energy Choice Act to deliver real energy solutions for all Americans and support the small business energy marketers who help power our communities,”said Kris DeLair, Executive Director of the Empire State Energy Association.

     

    “GPA Midstream appreciates Representative Langworthy taking action to introduce legislation to protect consumer choice. New Yorkers and all Americans deserve the right to choose the energy source, such as natural gas or propane, that is reliable and best fits their budget needs,”said Stuart Saulters, VP of Federal Affairs, GPA Midstream Association.

     

    “Americans deserve reliable, affordable energy without bureaucratic roadblocks or special interests getting in the way. This bill protects consumer choice and energy innovation by ensuring that no state or local government can block access to energy sources based on political agendas or bad politics. This bipartisan bill is a common-sense step toward securing our energy future, protecting American energy jobs, and most importantly protecting the pockets of working class Americans who should not have to pay more for energy. The LIBRE Initiative is grateful for Rep. Langworthy’s leadership on this important issue,” said Helder Toste, Government Affairs Liaison, The LIBRE Initiative

     

    “Concerned Veterans for America wholeheartedly endorses Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act on behalf of the members of our country’s largest veteran-led grassroots advocacy organization.  This bill will ensure energy freedom in every state and protect hardworking citizens from high energy costs created by special interests at the state level. Veterans served so that Americans are free to benefit from our nation’s ingenuity and natural abundance, and are free to live their unique American Dreams.
    The Energy Choice Act limits states’ permitting requirements and promotes a more resilient energy infrastructure. Rep. Langworthy’s legislation will ensure continued American domestic energy availability and lower costs for consumers while embracing a free market approach to energy development across the country,” said John Vick, Executive Director, Concerned Veterans for America.

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Outstanding individuals and organisations receive Honorary Freedom of City

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 5th June 2025

    Ten outstanding individuals and organisations have received one of Stoke-on-Trent’s highest civic honours in recognition of their exceptional service to the city.

    The Honorary Freeman of the City titles were awarded as the city council held a special Civic Council meeting to mark 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status.

    The award is a prestigious honour, often considered the highest civic accolade, is presented only to those who have made an extraordinary impact.

    They celebrate the contributions made by going above and beyond to support local communities, represent the city on a national or international stage, or deliver lasting positive change.

    Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “It is an absolute privilege to bestow the Freedom of the City on these individuals and organisations whose efforts have made a real and lasting difference.

    “Each one of them represents the very best of Stoke-on-Trent – in spirit, dedication and achievement. As we mark our Centenary year, this honour is a fitting way to celebrate those who have helped shape our story.”

    The recipients – leading business people Denise and Peter Coates, Mo Iqbal and John Goodwin, along with The Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Sir Ian Dudson, local historian Fred Hughes, music promoter Mike Lloyd, Port Vale Football Club and club chair Carol Shanahan and former Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley – reflect the strength and resilience of Stoke-on-Trent.

    Carol Shanahan OBE, businesswoman and chair of Port Vale Football Club, said: “I’m genuinely touched and a little bit overwhelmed to be receiving this honour, both for myself and on behalf of everyone at the football club.

    “Stoke-on-Trent means the world to me; it’s a city full of heart, potential and – most importantly – remarkable people. It’s where I’ve built my life and found a community that I care deeply about.

    “Everything we do at Port Vale is rooted in our commitment to this community; I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together so far and even more excited for what’s still to come.”

    Joan Walley, former Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent North, said: “It’s a great honour for me to be awarded this special status in the city’s centenary year. Thank you! This is a city like no other where people genuinely care about each other.  When we all work together we can achieve so much.  I’m looking forward to helping, where I can, to shape the next 100 years.”

    The Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Sir Ian Dudson, said: “I am delighted and extremely honoured to be conferred with the Honorary Freedom of the City of Stoke-on-Trent. It is extra special that this comes on the Centenary of this City, which has been both my home and place of work for my whole life.

    I am very grateful and proud to be recognised by the city in this way.”

    For more on the Centenary and what’s happening across the city, visit sot100.org.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stoke 20mph zone to be introduced next week

    Source: City of Plymouth

    A reduced speed limit of 20mph will be introduced in parts of Stoke on Thursday 12 June.

    The 20mph speed limit is part of a scheme to make it safer for children travelling to school, which will also include a new parallel (pedestrian and cycle) crossing on Mill Bridge, linking Stonehouse Creek to Victoria Park.

    The scheme, which was developed following feedback from local ward councillors about residents’ safety concerns and approved in January following public consultation, is being implemented in two phases.

    The first will cover residential streets around Stoke, Millbridge and Eldad Hill, including Stuart Road Primary Academy in Palmerston Street. The second, which will be implemented within two years, will extend the existing 20mph zone around High Street Primary Academy further to cover streets in the Stonehouse area.

    Enforcement cameras for the first zone have been installed and we are in the process of putting up new 20mph signage and painting road markings, ready for the change. Advanced warning signs will be in place before the new speed limit becomes enforceable to let drivers know.

    Construction of the new crossing is nearing completion and it is expected to open within the next couple of weeks.

    Larger ‘terminal’ signs at the entry points to the new 20mph zone will include artwork featuring safety messages, designed by pupils at Stuart Road Primary. The school recently introduced the city’s first permanent Safer School Streets scheme following a successful 18-month pilot.

    Two designs were chosen from nearly 60 created by the young artists to alert drivers to the importance of road safety, speed limits and people walking, cycling or wheeling in the area. The winning pupils will receive a gift card, a goodie bag and a certificate.

    Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “The zebra crossing and 20mph zone are being introduced in response to feedback from ward members and residents concerned about speeding, accidents and near misses in their neighbourhood.

    “Many of these concerns are for pupils and families travelling to and from school and vulnerable road users will always be our number one priority. There are several primary and secondary schools within the two phases of the scheme and this will significantly improve safety on their daily journeys.

    “Our road safety team works closely with Stuart Road Primary, including supporting the introduction of its Safer School Streets scheme, which has been a huge success. We are really pleased to be using signs designed by pupils as part of this first phase.

    “We hope the reduced speed limit – and the new crossing, when it opens – will help people feel safer when they travel through this busy area.”

    Britta Nicholls, headteacher at Stuart Road Primary, said: “We are delighted with the new speed restrictions that will make sure that parents and children can safely travel to and from school. We have had too many near misses in the past and welcome the reduced speed enforcement in roads around Stuart Road. This supports our mission to increase the number of families who walk, cycle or scooter to school for a healthier lifestyle, cleaner air and is environmentally friendly.”

    Full details of the 20mph zone and maps showing the streets it covers can be viewed on our Stoke 20mph zone page. The new speed limit will be enforced by Devon and Cornwall Police.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: UK brands are celebrating Eid – here’s what makes an effective and inclusive campaign

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Afshan Jalil, PhD Candidate in Consumer Behaviour and Muslim Fashion, University of the West of Scotland

    In the run-up to Eid al-Adha – a major Muslim festival that celebrates the prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and coincides with the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca – UK retailers are joining the celebrations.

    Big brands like Next have launched festive collections of clothing, accessories and gifts, sharing social media messages aimed at Muslim consumers. But while this growing recognition of Eid’s commercial importance reflects a welcome shift, some campaigns still fall flat.

    As a researcher of Muslim fashion and identity in the UK, I study how Muslim consumers express themselves through clothing and how brands respond to their values. Despite a rise in Eid-related marketing, much of it feels superficial or disconnected from the community it targets.

    So, what makes for effective marketing to Muslim consumers during Eid and where do brands go wrong?

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Muslims account for around 6.5% of the UK population, and their economic impact continues to grow. In 2019, they contributed an estimated £31 billion to the UK economy, a figure that is rising steadily. Eid, like other major holidays such as Christmas or Diwali, drives increased spending on clothes, food, gifts and travel.

    More brands are recognising this potential. From supermarkets offering special Eid meal deals, to fashion retailers launching modest clothing lines, corporate participation is becoming more visible. This is a step forward, signalling acknowledgement of British Muslims as both part of society and valuable customers.

    Why performative marketing fails

    However, visibility alone is not enough. Eid campaigns often lean on cliches, crescent moons, calligraphy or generic Eid Mubarak messages. These may show representation, but do not necessarily demonstrate genuine cultural understanding.

    Consumer culture theory helps explain why. It shows that consumption is not just about buying products, it’s about identity, belonging and self-expression. My ongoing PhD research into Muslim fashion consumption reveals that clothing during Eid is closely tied to how people see themselves: as British, Muslim, and as individuals navigating both identities.

    This is especially true for younger Muslims. Eid is more than a religious event, it’s a chance to express identity through fashion, celebration and community. The choices they make in what to wear and where to shop reflect their values and heritage.

    When brands treat Eid as an afterthought, Muslim consumers notice. Campaigns that feel rushed, last minute, out of touch or simply performative can come across as exploitative rather than inclusive.

    Customers are frequently motivated to express their dissatisfaction with fashion businesses on social media. A brand could face public criticism if it releases new collections without involving Muslim designers, for example. In 2023, fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing also came under fire for an Eid range of clothing deemed inappropriate by many Muslims for modest dressing for women (the company said it didn’t intend to cause offence and celebrated multiple holidays as part of its attempt “to build a community of everybody”).

    Authentic engagement begins with listening

    Successful campaigns are created locally by the community rather than being run by outsiders. Brands that collaborate with Muslim content creators, seek community input and consider Eid’s traditions and significance typically deliver messages that are well received.

    Timing and action matter. Companies which prepare for Eid in advance are more likely to develop effective marketing or successful partnerships. For example, Tesco’s “Everyone’s Welcome” campaign in the UK is well known for its inclusive approach. In 2023 it launched its special Iftar range that could be bought in store and cooked for the special evening meal that marks the end of a day’s fasting during Ramadan.

    Beyond celebrations and festivals, brands that think carefully about what Muslims need, for example in sport, will more likely succeed with their messaging, because they demonstrate an understanding of cultural and identity issues. The Nike campaign featuring a Muslim athlete is frequently praised for presenting an open narrative.

    Brands like Aab and Inaya have a lot of devoted clients since they were created by designers who follow modest fashion. Their success depends more on their trust and cultural awareness than just their products alone.

    Eid al-Adha is a powerful symbol of faith, identity and community that goes beyond just a commercial opportunity. While occasion messages or seasonal messages may seem like respectful gestures, when done without real understanding, they can come across as hollow or insincere marketing. Ultimately, this can harm a brand’s reputation as people may feel disappointed.

    Around Eid al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, businesses and brands must go beyond token gestures. Building trust with Muslim communities requires ongoing respect and cultural knowledge, with meaningful engagement throughout the year. Authenticity, not aesthetics, is the key to forming lasting relationships with Muslim customers.

    Afshan Jalil currently serves as the Volunteer Marketing Manager for Hamilton Women Club, a community initiative for Muslim women, associated with Hamilton Mosque, South Lanarkshire UK.

    – ref. UK brands are celebrating Eid – here’s what makes an effective and inclusive campaign – https://theconversation.com/uk-brands-are-celebrating-eid-heres-what-makes-an-effective-and-inclusive-campaign-258107

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: United Strength is Stronger: Council backs motion to honour the city for its Centenary

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 5th June 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council has today (Thursday 5 June) called on everyone to unite in their support to honour the city as it celebrates its Centenary.

    The council convened in a special Centenary session to commemorate 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status.

    The motion called on all in the city to join together in the spirit of ‘United Strength’ and to celebrate ‘our history and heritage, honour our people and achievements, and pledge itself to a future built on unity, strength and hope’.

    The meeting, taking place on the very first Stoke-on-Trent Day forms part of a much wider programme of events celebrating 100 years of city status, which have captured the imagination of people in Stoke-on-Trent as well as much further afield.

    The debate took place following the procession of the city’s regalia into the King’s Hall – bringing together civic regalia for each of the towns for the first time in history, with the chains of office not being used in a meeting for over 100 years.

    The regalia includes the newly created Fenton Mace – designed by students from the University of Stafford to complete the city’s regalia.

    Local historian Fred Hughes led invited guests through the events of 5 June, 1925 and Centenary Poet Laureate, Nick Degg, performed a brand-new poem he penned for Stoke-on-Trent Day.

    The city council Staff Choir performed Angels by Stoke-on-Trent pop legend Robbie Williams and Six Towns One City – an original song written by for the Centenary by a member of the staff choir.

    Afterwards, the Stoke-on-Trent Youth Council looked forward to the future ambitions of the city and how they may pan out over the next 100 years.

    Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “It’s an honour to be Lord Mayor of this great city as we celebrate the very first Stoke-on-Trent Day. It’s a chance for everyone who loves this city – from our diverse local communities to those who have moved away – to come together and celebrate our shared heritage and future.

    “Today we’re calling on everyone in our city – residents, businesses, and institutions – to join together, in the spirit of “United Strength,” to make sure that Stoke-on-Trent’s next century is one of renewal and shared success.”

    For more on the Centenary and what’s happening across the city, visit sot100.org.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £76M Funding Set To Boost Birmingham’s Status As ‘City Of Choice’ For Investors And Residents

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Birmingham City Council is set to invest £76m into a range of projects aimed at boosting the city’s economy

    This will enhance prospects for residents and businesses and underpinning Birmingham’s status as a city of choice for investors, after plans were unveiled in a meeting of the Cabinet.

    The funding comes from the integrated settlement, negotiated through the trailblazer devolution deal agreed with the Government and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).  It covers five areas: local growth and place, adult skills and employment, retrofit, housing and regeneration, and transport, and helps to deliver the Council’s Economy and Place Strategy (EPS), which was also agreed at the Cabinet.

    Specific investment includes funding to assist local businesses and social enterprises to grow, boosting the skills and opportunities of residents, and supporting the diverse, creative, art and cultural scene including film, music and tourism. It funds sports and participation, helping community anchor organisations to support their local area and bring underutilised spaces back into use. The funding package also includes upgrading of homes through retrofit works and enabling active travel schemes. 

    The EPS will help drive investment in specific places to support the expansion of key economic sectors for jobs growth, the local business environment, transport improvements and employment opportunities for residents. 

    In particular, the EPS outlines a set of major opportunities of the East Birmingham North Solihull growth area, which will receive an additional boost following this week’s announcement that a share of £2.4billion of transport funding from the Government will be used to extend services from Birmingham city centre to the new sports quarter. The extensive opportunities in the EPS in the East include:

    • The East Birmingham Growth Zone sites of Bordesley Park, (the location of Birmingham City Football Club’s proposed ‘Sports Quarter’ development), Tyseley Green Innovation Quarter, and the new HS2 control centre with accompanying commercial land.
    • The Birmingham Knowledge Quarter (BKQ) which is a site within the West Midlands Investment Zone 
    • Most of the Enterprise Zone in the heart of the city centre, with key sites of Smithfield, Digbeth and Curzon.

    The EPS also highlights significant housing sites including Langley, Ladywood and Druids Heath for large scale housing delivery alongside priorities for housing retrofit. 

    The strategy aims to grow the local economy in an inclusive way so people and places across the city benefit, and to promote sustainable, bottom-up opportunities for economic, social and cultural projects across Birmingham, including social enterprises and partnerships with organisations that offer knowledge of local needs and opportunities to develop local solutions.

    Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, welcomed the agreement of the funding and strategy, saying: “The new funding can help us move forward in growing the success of our city and expanding benefits beyond the City Centre, securing more jobs and investment and providing support for businesses and residents, such as skills training to move into the jobs.

    “This additional funding helps underpin Birmingham’s status as a great place to live, work and invest. Key to our Economy and Place Strategy is developing stronger local capacity to enhance local centres and high streets, anchored in co-delivery with communities.” 

    For media enquiries, please email press.office@birmingham.gov.uk

    You can find out more about the proposed EPS funding by downloading the report that was presented to Cabinet on June 3rd 2024.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Chair for Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Board

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    New Chair for Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Board

    Three-year appointment of Julian Blazeby to board role announced.

    Julian Blazeby has been appointed as the non-executive Chair of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) Board under the new Executive Agency Framework introduced in 2024-25. His appointment is for three years. Mr Blazeby will also serve as a non-executive member of the CICA Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.

    Mr Blazeby is on the board of the Disclosure and Barring Service. He is Chair of its People Committee and is a member of its Quality, Finance and Performance Committee.

    Mr Blazeby has previously held senior civil service roles with the Ministry of Defence, the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Government of Jersey.

    The CICA Board provides strategic leadership for CICA. It advises on strategy, monitors performance, and assesses significant risks. The Chair gives strategic oversight and leadership of the CICA Board; ensuring its continued effectiveness and giving advice and challenge on the organisation’s delivery and performance.

    Lynne Henderson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for CICA, said:

    “This appointment will provide vital scrutiny and challenge to the CICA Board, guiding our work and helping us deliver on our priorities. Julian Blazeby will bring a wealth of experience and I look forward to working with him in our support to victims of violent crime.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Your chance to see the brand new Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy in Sunderland

    Source: City of Sunderland

    There’s still time to have your photo taken with the brand new Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy when it puts in a special appearance in Sunderland’s Keel Square this Friday 6 June.

    The trophy the world’s top women’s rugby teams will be competing for this summer will be in Keel Square between 10 am and 4pm on the first day of the three-day Sunderland Food and Drink Festival. 

    World Rugby unveiled the new trophy last month to tie in with the start of the 100-day countdown to the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Sunderland on Friday 22 August. This will see England’s Red Roses take on the USA at the Stadium of Light.

    The trophy’s visit marks the culmination of a nationwide tour of all eight host cities and towns as excitement continues to build for the record-breaking tournament.

    Ahead of its visit to Keel Square on Friday, youngsters from local schools got their chance to put their rugby skills to the test and have their photos taken with rugby’s newest icon when it stopped off at Hylton Castle on Wednesday.

    Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to have the trophy visiting Sunderland as we count down to hosting the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup on 22 August.

    “Having the opening game here is a brilliant opportunity to showcase our city on the international stage.

    “We’re really looking forward to welcoming England’s Red Roses and the USA teams to Sunderland, as well as rugby fans from this country and across the world when the tournament kicks off in Sunderland in August.

    “It was also great to see our own young players, who could well be the next generation of top rugby stars, demonstrating their own rugby skills during the trophy’s stop off at Hylton Castle on Wednesday.”

    The 2025 tournament is the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup in history after selling more than 300,000 tickets – more than twice the total attendance at the last tournament in New Zealand in 2021.

    People visiting Keel Square on Friday will be able to see the new Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy and the bespoke RWC 2025 Defender Trophy Tour Vehicle and have the opportunity to have their photo taken with them both.

    Councillor Beth Jones is Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism: “With excitement continuing to build now that we’re less than 100 days away from the tournament kicking off in Sunderland, this is a brilliant opportunity to have your photo taken with the trophy that the top women’s rugby teams in the world are going to be competing for this summer,” she said.

    “It’s also a great chance to find out more about the sport so I’d encourage everyone to come down, have your photo taken with the trophy and enjoy a fantastic time at the Food and Drink Festival while you’re here.”

    Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: “Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be a landmark tournament for the sport and the trophy tour to our host locations provides a brilliant opportunity to ignite excitement across England.

    “We look forward to celebrating with fans and encouraging even more people to be a part of this unforgettable tournament.”

    Sunderland Food & Drink Festival is set to take place across Keel Square, High Street West and Market Square from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June.

    Featuring food from across the world including street food and artisan produce, visitors will also be able to enjoy the live stage programme in Keel Square from 11am to 7pm every day.

    For more information on the food and drink festival visit https://sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk/live-entertainment/

    To find out more about the Women’s Rugby World Cup, how to get tickets and how to get involved in free rugby activities in Sunderland visit:Rugby World Cup 2025 – MySunderland

    To find out more about free rugby activities provided by Newcastle Rugby Foundation as community engagement programme partner for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and how to get involved visit: WRWC Countdown – Newcastle Rugby Foundation

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: OSCE Secretary General’s presentation of the 2026 Programme Outline: UK statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    OSCE Secretary General’s presentation of the 2026 Programme Outline: UK statement

    Ambassador Holland thanks Secretary General Sinirlioğlu for his presentation of the 2026 Programme Outline and reiterates the UK’s strong support for agreement of a 2025 and 2026 Unified Budget.

    Thank you, Secretary General, for your presentation this afternoon. Let me also thank the Fund Managers and teams responsible for developing the 2026 Programme Outline, which clearly sets out both the challenges facing the OSCE and the continued importance of this organisation’s work.

    The United Kingdom is fully aware that the wider context for the OSCE’s work in 2026 will remain extremely challenging. A foremost priority of the organisation must be to continue to support Ukraine and to address the impacts of Russia’s war of aggression, which has violated the fundamental principles of both the OSCE and the United Nations.  When Russia finally agrees to stop the fighting, we must be ready to pivot and contribute to Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and across the region.

    In this context the UK appreciates that agreeing a Unified Budget for 2026 will not be an easy task. We deeply regret that participating States have been unable to agree a budget for this organisation since 2021, and we recognise that an extended period without a Unified Budget or Post Table has impacted the organisation’s ability to respond flexibly to emerging requirements. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of all OSCE staff and structures in delivering against their mandates under the most difficult of circumstances. It is vital that we – as participating States – engage constructively to find solutions to ensure the OSCE is adequately resourced and able to function effectively.

    Secretary General, we will provide further comments on the detail of the Programme Outline during the PrepComm sessions and through future discussions on the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal. But I would like to reiterate the UK’s fundamental position that we support all parts of this organisation being adequately funded, and we are ready to engage constructively with proposals which would put the OSCE on a more sustainable financial footing which takes account of global financial realities. As set out in the Programme Outline summary, it is important that the organisation’s core activity can be delivered through the Unified Budget to ensure sustainability and predictability.

    Mr Chair, I would like to reiterate that the UK will remain strongly committed to supporting a positive outcome on OSCE finances. I encourage all colleagues to see the bigger picture at a difficult time for the organisation. I wish Switzerland well in developing the incoming Chair’s perception paper, and thank Finland for guiding participating States through the process this year. We strongly encourage all participating States to work constructively towards the agreement of both a 2025 and 2026 Unified Budget.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Conditions Imposed on Operator Following Noise Complaints

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New Conditions Imposed on Operator Following Noise Complaints

    Following a public inquiry, the Traffic Commissioner Miles Dorrington has imposed new conditions on the restricted operator’s license of Peter Youings & Partners in response to persistent noise complaints from residents.

    The inquiry, held on March 26, 2025, at the Law Courts in Barnstaple, addressed concerns regarding disruptive noise levels emanating from the operator’s Barbican Close operating centre, particularly during early morning hours.

    Commissioner Dorrington had asked the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to undertake an analysis of the data contained in the vehicle units from the operator’s regulated vehicles to reveal the times that those vehicles first moved each day. This review determined that vehicle movements, frequently occurring before 5:30 am, created unacceptable environmental conditions for nearby residents. It was discovered that 65.2% of the time (419 instances out of 642) vehicles started being driven before 5.30am, including 105 before 4.30am.

    Mr Dorrington said “Is it acceptable to regularly wake someone from their sleep before 5.30am? No. Could it be reasonably expected for Mr Pickard or Mr Harvey to change their sleeping patterns so that to get enough continuous sleep at night they would have to fall asleep earlier than 9.30pm? No. Could it be reasonably expected for Mr Pickard or Mr Harvey to install soundproofing to the land that they own or occupy to sufficiently mitigate the noise that I have found is waking them up on a regular basis? Again no.”

    Mr Dorrington decided that vehicles were being started and then first moved so early because “the operator wanted its cake and to eat it too. Over time the operator has taken on more and more work that is further and further away from its operating centre. For example, customers as far away as Merthyr Tydfil and Bournemouth. That has resulted in the operator’s vehicles having to leave earlier and earlier to make the return trip that same day.

    “However, there comes a time when the business wants of the operator reach a point where they pose an unreasonable environmental interference upon the owners or occupiers of land in the vicinity of its operating centre.”

    To mitigate the disturbance and ensure the well-being of the community, a new condition has been added to the operator’s license. This condition strictly regulates the hours of vehicle activity at the operating centre:

    • Monday to Friday: No vehicle activity before 0530 hours and after 2200 hours.
    • Saturdays: No vehicle activity before 0800 hours and after 1800 hours.
    • Sundays: No operation allowed, except in documented emergencies.

    The renewal of Peter Youings & Partners’ operator’s license is now contingent upon strict adherence to these newly imposed conditions.

    The full written decision can be found here.

    For any further details or enquiries, please contact: pressoffice@otc.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency revokes Yorkshire waste site permit

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Environment Agency revokes Yorkshire waste site permit

    The Environment Agency has served a notice to revoke the environmental permit for a waste site in West Yorkshire.

    This means that, once the revocation takes effect, Mineral Processing Ltd in South Elmsall must cease all activities allowed by the permit.

    Once in effect it must also take the steps set out in the notice to remove waste from the site. If it does not comply with the notice, it will be committing an offence.

    Mineral Processing Ltd has 20 working days to appeal the decision through the Planning Inspectorate. If an appeal is made against the revocation, the permit will remain in place until the outcome of the appeal.

    The permit revocation forms part of the Environment Agency’s enforcement efforts to reduce the impact the site is having on the local community.

    Planning Inspectorate dismisses suspension notice appeal

    It follows a decision announced by the Planning Inspectorate on Tuesday (3 June) to dismiss the appeal made by Mineral Processing Ltd against the Environment Agency’s decision to issue a suspension notice at the site. This means the suspension notice remains in place.

    The Inspectorate agreed that the waste on site exceeded the permitted amount ‘by some considerable margin’.

    The decision also established that waste was being misdescribed – in that waste was being brought on to site that is not allowed by the permit. This includes evidence from Environment Agency testing in 2022 that found hazardous substances, which is not permitted.

    It also agreed there is a risk of pollution from the site as set out in the Environment Agency’s suspension notice – leachate entering ground waters and surface waters; waste escaping from the site as dust and litter; odour from deposited waste; and a risk to human health or the quality of the environment from increased methane levels.

    ‘Total disregard’ for regulatory efforts

    Carly Chambers, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire said:

    Mineral Processing Ltd has shown a total disregard for the regulatory efforts of the Environment Agency and the impact on local residents and the environment.

    Following the decision by the Planning Inspectorate we have therefore taken immediate action to revoke the environmental permit for this site.

    We know the impact this site is having on the local community and we continue to take robust action against the operator.

    We are also investigating suspected offences committed since the suspension notice was issued.

    The Environment Agency issued a suspension notice to Mineral Processing Ltd in June 2024, which it appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. The suspension notice remained in force during the appeal period.

    The suspension notice means the environmental permit does not authorise waste being brought on to the site. It also requires the staged removal of waste that has been brought on to the site by Mineral Processing Ltd in breach of its permit.

    The breaches of the environmental permit result in an increased risk of pollution, including the potential for odour, which has been impacting on the local community over recent months. Not abiding by a suspension notice is an offence.

    Agency is investigating suspected offences

    As well as revoking the permit, the Environment Agency is investigating suspected offences committed since the suspension notice was issued. It is assessing all its enforcement options, which may include serving further enforcement notices and prosecution.

    Current work at the site includes:

    • Carrying out odour monitoring in the area to collect evidence to determine the impact on the environment and community. There is a Mobile Monitoring Facility (MMF) installed in the area, and handheld gas analysers are also used.
    • Requiring the operator to submit an Odour Management Plan to address the ongoing odour pollution.
    • Continuing to inspect the site and recording permit breaches, as well as acting on intelligence to carry out proactive operations around vehicle movements.
    • We are working closely with partners including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Wakefield Council.

    Odour issues should be reported to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour Incident Hotline on 0800 807060. To protect the safety and wellbeing of the public and ensure timely capture of information, any other information relating to the site should be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Study shows how obesity can affect care provision

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    A new study has found that older adults living with obesity can feel judged or dismissed by care providers due to their weight, leading to a reluctance to seek help.

    Conducted by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of West London, the qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 33 older adults and has been published in the journal PLOS One.

    The participants shared their experiences and needs related to formal and informal social care, and the report highlighted the hidden care gaps caused by obesity.

    As well as not asking for help because of concerns over how others might view them, some participants talked about physical barriers, with standard care equipment and facilities often failing to accommodate individuals with higher body weights, resulting in inadequate support.

    The combination of physical limitations and societal stigma also contributed to feelings of isolation and decreased self-worth among participants. Financial hardship was also cited as an unmet need, with one interviewee having lost his full-time job due to pain caused by his obesity.

    Participants with higher obesity levels reported unmet needs primarily linked to emotional distress, including stress, frustration, social discrimination, isolation, feeling like a burden, lack of housing adaptations and safety, boredom, inability to continue hobbies, and limited access to support.

    The study also sets out a new framework designed to understand unmet care needs of older adults with obesity. By identifying these care gaps, it could help care providers plan better health and social care and find where inexpensive, preventive measures could be most effective.

    According to the latest Health Survey for England, published in September, 36% of adults aged 55 to 64, and 35% of adults aged 64 to 74, were living with obesity in 2022.

    The study underscores the necessity for a more inclusive approach to social care, one that recognises and addresses the specific barriers faced by older adults with obesity.

    “Older adults with obesity face unique challenges in accessing and receiving appropriate social care. Despite growing concerns over obesity’s impact on health, its influence on social care needs among this demographic remains underexplored.

    “The hidden challenges faced by these individuals often go unrecognised, leading to unmet need and increased vulnerability. As the population ages and obesity rates continue to rise, it is imperative that our social care systems adapt to meet these evolving needs.

    “Our research makes clear the need for increased awareness among healthcare professionals to better support older adults with obesity, with policy reforms, training programmes that address weight bias and the development of care plans that address the specific barriers faced by this group.”

    Lead author Dr Gargi Ghosh, Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    The full, open-access study can be read here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320253

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Activity week encourages people to get together

    Source: City of Leicester

    CITY residents are invited to celebrate the power of social connections and community spirit by joining in free activities as part of Leicester’s Let’s Get Together Week.

    Supported by local organisations and council services, the city council’s public health team is coordinating the activities which run from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 June.

    The sessions aim to put a spotlight on ways people can reduce loneliness and isolation, and raise awareness of activities and services that bring people together and are available in the city all year-round.

    Rob Howard, Leicester’s Director of Public Health said: “Experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness is common, particularly when facing challenges related to physical or mental health. Simple things like sharing a conversation over a cup of tea or taking part in group events can really improve public health by giving people a sense of belonging and support.”

    Kate Huszar, public health programme manager at the city council said “Building social connections is essential for our health and happiness. They help to reduce stress, boost our mood, and foster a sense of belonging.

    “Over the week we will be highlighting the many free activities available through our year-round Let’s Get Together programme, so whether you’re looking to try something new, meet new people, or just have fun, we invite you to join us and experience the joy of community.”

    Most of the free activities will be taking place in the Haymarket Shopping Centre. Led by the council’s adult education service and running from 11am to 3pm, they include the chance to create pop art portraits and pebble art on Tuesday 10 June; textiles crafting and tapestry on Thursday 12 June; and digital skills on Friday 13 June.

    The shopping centre will also host a ‘Togetherness Wall’, where people will be encouraged to post messages of positivity to connect with their fellow residents.

    The council’s public health team will be in the centre for each activity day, joined by local organisations including Jamilla’s Legacy and Wesley Hall Community Centre to provide information about services and opportunities to help tackle loneliness.

    Activities will also take place at St Barnabas Library on Wednesday 11 June.

    Running from 11.30am to 2.30pm, they will include a seed-planting session led by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust; an introduction to the national Big Butterfly count; and stalls offering resources and information on supporting wildlife in Leicestershire.

    The city council’s children’s Bookbus will be out and about throughout the week, highlighting the week’s activities and taking books to different parts of the city.

    Details of all activities and the Bookbus locations and dates are on the council’s website.

                                                                                      

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Award-winning Hammersley Restaurant hosts Centenary lunch to mark Stoke-on-Trent Day

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 5th June 2025

    Stoke on Trent College’s award-winning Hammersley restaurant has hosted a special Centenary lunch to mark the first-ever Stoke-on-Trent Day (5 June).

    Stoke on Trent College’s award-winning Hammersley restaurant has hosted a special Centenary lunch to mark the first-ever Stoke-on-Trent Day (5 June).

    Civic dignitaries were invited to the restaurant, based at the college’s Cauldon campus to enjoy a three-course meal. The mouthwatering menu had previously been selected by a number of guests following a tasting evening that took place in April.

    The Civic Lunch is another opportunity for the college’s Hospitality and Catering students to experience a real-world restaurant scenario, preparing and serving food and drinks for external guests.

    The lunch was opened by Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Watkins, who welcomed all the guests and thanked college dignitaries for hosting this milestone event, before Reverend Geoff Eze led a brief prayer.

    Tara Walters, who is studying Level 3 Hospitality and Catering was one of the students preparing the meals on the day said: “We’ve been practicing the menu in the lead-up to the event. I’m proud to be supporting the Centenary and Stoke-on-Trent Day.”

    Level 3 Hospitality and Catering learner Mason Dawson, is also part of the team, and said,

    “I will be prepping some of the food on-the-day and serving for the guests. I also work in the Hammersley on the Thursday evenings and sometimes on the Wednesday lunchtime slots.

    “I want to work in a hotel, so all of these events help us to gain vital experience before we start working. The whole team is happy to support the 100-year celebration.”

    Hassan Rizvi, Principal & CEO at Stoke on Trent College said: “As a proud civic partner, Stoke on Trent College was honoured to be asked to host the Centenary Lunch to mark 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent.

    “The reputation of the Hammersley Restaurant continues grow within in the wider community of Staffordshire, with partners regularly booking external lunches and events here.

    “All of the guests were blown away by the quality of the food and service from our talented Hospitality and Catering learners.”

    Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “It was a great honour to be invited here to officially open this very special Centenary lunch and to enjoy some fantastic food prepared and served up by a very talented group of students. It was a very fitting event to help celebrate our Centenary – taking place a hundred years to the day when Stoke-on-Trent first received city status.”   

    Throughout 2025, Stoke-on-Trent is celebrating its Centenary with a series of events aimed at engaging with all members of the community.

    To find out more about the Centenary year of Stoke-on-Trent, please visit sot100.org.uk.

    To enquire about booking The Hammersley restaurant for your next event please email hospitality@stokecoll.ac.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA launches new digital hub in Leeds to drive innovation and regional growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    MHRA launches new digital hub in Leeds to drive innovation and regional growth

    The new hub will strengthen the MHRA’s work with regional partners and boost the UK’s digital health and life sciences sector.

    Wes Streeting at today’s launch of the MHRA’s new Leeds hub

    A new digital hub in Leeds is being launched by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), marking a significant step in the agency’s long-term commitment to advancing innovation and strengthening its presence across the UK. 

    Leeds was selected due to its expertise in digital health and strong academic base. The MHRA’s expansion will build on this momentum – driving regional partnerships, attracting skilled talent and local investment. 

    The digital hub forms part of the MHRA’s broader strategy to enhance regulatory agility, strengthen digital capabilities, and deliver better outcomes for patients, the public and industry. It will also enable closer collaboration with digital health networks, NHS organisations, and leading academic institutions nationwide. 

    The move supports the HM Government’s Places for Growth strategy, which aims to expand the regional footprint of public bodies and ensure that opportunities and expertise are more evenly distributed across the UK. 

    Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary of State, said:   

    “There is a global tech revolution in healthcare unfolding, and Yorkshire will help our country lead it. This isn’t just about creating new jobs across the region – it’s also about bolstering a city that’s already leading the way in digital health.  

    “Driving forward digital transformations like these through our Plan for Chance will mean scientists get data for research quicker, inspectors can develop tech to spot problems quicker, and patients get better results.  

    “As a healthcare innovation powerhouse, Leeds is the perfect place to bring together the MHRA’s regulatory expertise with a thriving tech community, world-class universities, and strong NHS presence.”  

    Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said: 

    “We want regulation of health technologies to move at the pace of innovation. As part of our continued commitment to being a truly national regulator, we are opening a new base amongst one of the UK’s thriving tech hubs in Leeds. 

    “By establishing an MHRA hub in Leeds, we’re strengthening our ability to collaborate with partners across the North of England – bringing regulatory expertise closer to the people, organisations and innovations we serve. 

    “This hub will play a vital role in shaping the future of regulation, including how we harness technology to deliver regulation that meets the needs of patients, supports the health system, and drives life sciences innovation across the UK.” 

    The new hub will be located in Wellington Place in Leeds city centre. The MHRA will initially recruit around 30 permanent, highly-skilled roles, focused on digital delivery, software development and data science, with the ambition for further expansion in future phases. 

    These new roles will sit within the Digital and Technology Group (DTG), focused on delivering an optimised infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the public.  

    The Leeds area is home to over 44,000 working-age tech professionals and 11,000 students studying tech-related subjects. It also serves as a base for DHSC and the digital operations of NHS England, with increasing investment from major tech companies. 

    Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, said: 

    “The new MHRA digital hub is fantastic news for Leeds and for Yorkshire as a whole. Our region has world class digital and medical technology capabilities, which will be accelerated even further by bringing government infrastructure closer to the innovator community. We’re hugely looking forward to working closely with our MHRA colleagues to drive valuable collaborations and partnerships that will ultimately benefit patient care and deliver local economic growth.” 

    Councillor Fiona Venner, executive member for equality, health and wellbeing at Leeds City Council, said: 

    “We welcome the MHRA’s announcement of the launch of a new digital hub. Leeds is already a centre for digital health and innovation and this rapidly growing market contributes significantly to the economy. The hub will support the creation of jobs and provide career opportunities for local graduates and professionals. 

    “The announcement adds to the momentum we’re already seeing in Leeds with major organisations choosing to locate roles here, reinforcing the city’s growing national importance as a centre for public service and economic opportunity.” 

    The expansion supports the Government’s Plan for Change, which will make sure that Government jobs support economic growth throughout the country and make it much easier for talented people everywhere to help us rebuild Britain. 

    Notes to editors   

    • The MHRA enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.  

    • The agency continues to strengthen its regional engagement across all four nations of the UK. In May 2025, the agency held its first ever Board meeting in Scotland, reaffirming its commitment to supporting public health and life sciences innovation across the whole of the UK. 

    • Headquartered at 10 South Colonnade in Canary Wharf, the agency will continue major scientific and regulatory work at its South Mimms Science Campus. The new Leeds hub forms part of a broader strategy for national expansion. 

    • The MHRA’s Digital and Technology Group (DTG) plays a central role in delivering digital services, managing data securely, and improving business processes across core regulatory functions – including clinical trial applications, safety monitoring and inspections. The DTG has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Digital Award. 

    • The MHRA is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 

    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A two-state solution is gaining momentum again for Israel and the Palestinians. Does it have a chance of success?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Andrew Thomas, Lecturer in Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    As Israel’s devastating war in Gaza has ground on, the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was thought to be “dead”. Now, it is showing signs of life again.

    French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly pressing other European nations to jointly recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in mid-June, focused on achieving a two-state solution. Macron called such recognition a “political necessity”.

    Countries outside Europe are feeling the pressure, too. Australia has reaffirmed its view that recognition of Palestine should be a “way of building momentum towards a two-state solution”.

    During Macron’s visit to Indonesia in late May, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made a surprising pledge to recognise Israel if it allowed for a Palestinian state.

    Indonesia is one of about 28 nations that don’t currently recognise Israel. France, Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea are among the approximately 46 nations that don’t recognise a Palestinian state.

    The UN conference on June 17–20, co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, wants to go “beyond reaffirming principles” and “achieve concrete results” towards a two-state solution.

    Most countries, including the US, have supported the two-state solution in principle for decades. However, the political will from all parties has faded in recent years.

    So, why is the policy gaining traction again now? And does it have a greater chance of success?

    What is the two-state solution?

    Put simply, the two-state solution is a proposed peace plan that would create a sovereign Palestinian state alongside the Israeli state. There have been several failed attempts to enact the policy over recent decades, the most famous of which was the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s.

    In recent years, the two-state solution was looking less likely by the day.

    The Trump administration’s decision in 2017 to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there signalled the US was moving away from its role as mediator. Then, several Arab states agreed to normalise relations with Israel in the the Abraham Accords, without Israeli promises to move towards a two-state solution.

    The Hamas attacks on Israel – and subsequent Israeli war on Gaza – have had a somewhat contradictory effect on the overarching debate.

    On the one hand, the brutality of Hamas’ actions substantially set back the legitimacy of the Palestinian self-determination movement in some quarters on the world stage.

    On the other, it’s also become clear the status quo – the continued Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank following the end of a brutal war – is not tenable for either Israeli security or Palestinian human rights.

    And the breakdown of the most recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the return of heavy Israeli ground operations in May and reports of mass Palestinian starvation have only served to further isolate the Israeli government in the eyes of its peers.

    Once-steadfast supporters of Israel’s actions have become increasingly frustrated by a lack of clear strategic goals in Gaza. And many now seem prepared to ignore Israeli wishes and pursue Palestinian recognition.

    For these governments, the hope is recognition of a Palestinian state would rebuild political will – both globally and in the Middle East – towards a two-state solution.

    Huge obstacles remain

    But how likely is this in reality? There is certainly more political will than there was before, but also several important roadblocks.

    First and foremost is the war in Gaza. It’s obvious this will need to end, with both sides agreeing to an enduring ceasefire.

    Beyond that, the political authority in both Gaza and Israel remains an issue.

    The countries now considering Palestinian recognition, such France and Australia, have expressly said Hamas cannot play any role in governing a future Palestinian state.

    Though anti-Hamas sentiment is becoming more vocal among residents in Gaza, Hamas has been violently cracking down on this dissent and is attempting to consolidate its power.

    However, polling shows the popularity of Fatah – the party leading the Palestinian National Authority – is even lower than Hamas at an average of 21%. Less than half of Gazans support the enclave returning to Palestinian Authority control. This means a future Palestinian state would likely require new leadership.

    There is almost no political will in Israel for a two-state solution, either. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not been shy about his opposition to a Palestinian state. His cabinet members have mostly been on the same page.

    This has also been reflected in policy action. In early May, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan for Israel to indefinitely occupy parts of Gaza. The government also just approved its largest expansion of settlements in the West Bank in decades.

    These settlements remain a major problem for a two-state solution. The total population of Israeli settlers is more than 700,000 in both East Jerusalem and the West Bank. And it’s been increasing at a faster rate since the election of the right-wing, pro-settler Netanyahu government in 2022.

    Settlement is enshrined in Israeli Basic Law, with the state defining it as “national value” and actively encouraging its “establishment and consolidation”.

    The more settlement that occurs, the more complicated the boundaries of a future Palestinian state become.

    Then there’s the problem of public support. Recent polling shows neither Israelis nor Palestinians view the two-state solution favourably. Just 40% of Palestinians support it, while only 26% of Israelis believe a Palestinian state can “coexist peacefully” alongside Israel.

    However, none of these challenges makes the policy impossible. The unpopularity of the two-state solution locally is more a reflection of previous failures than it is of future negotiations.

    A power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland was similarly unpopular in the 1990s, but peace was achieved through bold political leadership involving the US and European Union.

    In other words, we won’t know what’s possible until negotiations begin. Red lines will need to be drawn and compromises made.

    It’s not clear what effect growing external pressure will have, but the international community does appear to be reaching a political tipping point on the two-state solution. Momentum could start building again.

    Andrew Thomas does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. A two-state solution is gaining momentum again for Israel and the Palestinians. Does it have a chance of success? – https://theconversation.com/a-two-state-solution-is-gaining-momentum-again-for-israel-and-the-palestinians-does-it-have-a-chance-of-success-257890

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Crawfish consultation 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Crawfish consultation 2025

    Fishers with an interest in the crawfish fishery in English waters of ICES area 7 are being urged to respond to a new consultation on a potential closure in 2025/2026. The consultation closes at midnight on 20 July 2025

    Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is seeking the views of stakeholders on a seasonal fishing ban prohibiting the retaining and landing of crawfish (Palinurus app) for all UK and EU vessels with all gear types.

    The purpose of the seasonal closure would be to:

    • offer protection for breeding and spawning opportunities   

    • reduce the risk of high mortality rates from catching fish that are in poor condition and from the potential of long net soak times or net loss in poor weather, and  

    • support future growth in the population by allowing settlement of juvenile stock

    There are 2 options being consulted on for the potential seasonal closure in 2025/2026. These options are:

    • option 1: no closure.
    • option 2: closure from 19 December 2025 to 31 May 2026 (inclusive).

    Further information 

    For more information and to access the consultation read here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government announces preferred candidate for Chair of Equality and Human Rights Commission

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government announces preferred candidate for Chair of Equality and Human Rights Commission

    Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson is the government’s preferred candidate for Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

    • Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson announced as the government’s preferred candidate for the next Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
    • Preferred candidate to appear in front of 2 Parliamentary committees – Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC) and the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JHCR) – ahead of appointment confirmation.
    • Current chair Baroness Falkner’s term is due to end on 30 November 2025.

    The government’s preferred candidate for the new chair of the independent Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has been identified as Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson. This follows a full and open competition to recruit a new chair, in line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments.

    The current chair Baroness Kishwer Falkner’s term is due to end on 30 November 2025, after being extended an additional year to provide stability while a full recruitment campaign was undertaken.

    Dr Stephenson will appear before WESC and JCHR as part of pre-appointment hearings. The committees will provide advice to ministers before she is formally appointed. 

    The appointment of Dr Stephenson will not impact the timelines or process for the updated statutory code of practice for services currently being developed by the EHRC.

    Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson said:

    This government is clear that equality and opportunity are at the heart of our programme of national renewal.

    With the depth of her expertise in human rights and equality, Dr Stephenson is exceptionally suited to leading the EHRC and ensuring it continues to uphold the equalities framework in this country.

    I want to thank Baroness Falkner for her continued work throughout this time.

    Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said:

    I am honoured to be named the Government’s preferred candidate to be the new chair for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

    The EHRC plays an integral role in protecting and advancing equalities and I am deeply committed to furthering this work as chair. With over 30 years working on equalities and human rights, I am confident that I will bring a breadth of experience and insight to the role. 

    I look forward to working with the team in the EHRC as well as stakeholders and the government to ensure equalities are upheld and all people are treated with respect and dignity.

    The government is committed to ensuring that people of all backgrounds can thrive. The EHRC plays a vital role in upholding and promoting equality and human rights across England and Wales.

    The EHRC is independent of the government and makes its own enforcement decisions, including about any inquiries and investigations it decides to conduct.

    The EHRC has launched a consultation on its updated draft statutory code of practice for services, public functions and associations. This opened on 20 May and will close on 30 June. The final draft code will be sent to ministers for approval before laying in Parliament. 

    Notes to editors

    Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson has 30 years of experience working on equality and human rights issues within the UK and internationally, over 20 of these at Board and CEO level. She also holds a PhD in equality law.

    Positions she has held include:

    • Director of the Women’s Budget Group
    • Director of the Fawcett Society
    • Chair of Early Education and Childcare Coalition
    • Board member of Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC)  
    • Board member of Coventry Police and Crime Board

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –