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Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Closing Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Closing Statement

    UK Closing Statement for the 59th session of the HRC. Delivered at HRC59 in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    We would like to make closing remarks on three resolutions.

    In respect of L.20, the UK’s commitment to the safety of journalists and media freedom is unwavering. In accordance with international law, surveillance or interference with encryption technologies must be necessary, proportionate and subject to proper safeguards. Without such safeguards, journalists’ lawful activities should not be investigated or interfered with – either domestically or extraterritorially. In the UK, our investigatory powers legislation protects journalistic freedom by including specific safeguards for confidential journalistic material.

    In respect of resolution L.17 on climate change, the UK is concerned that the significance of the Paris Agreement is inadequately reflected. We emphasise that the Paris Agreement is a freestanding treaty and not an annex to the Framework Convention. The UK is fully committed to the Paris Agreement, which urges all parties to tackle climate change in light of different national circumstances.  

    Human rights must be respected and protected when taking action to address climate change. However, climate finance, debt relief, climate justice and technology transfer are not prerequisites to the realisation of international human rights obligations.  International human rights law does not recognise the concept of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which is specific only to certain international environmental treaties.

    Finally, with respect to L.8, the UK has long been a supporter of better and more affordable access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries. However, to maximise the prospects of successfully and sustainably achieving this, technology transfer needs to be on voluntary and mutually agreed terms. The UK has consistently raised its concerns about the phrase “unhindered access” in this and other fora. 

    The UK thanks the core groups for their constructive engagement on these resolutions.

    Thank you.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: IBCA Community Update, 09 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    IBCA Community Update, 09 July 2025

    Infected Blood Compensation Authority’s update that was circulated on 09 July 2025

    Documents

    IBCA Community Update, 09 July 2025

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    Details

    Infected Blood Compensation Authority’s update that was circulated on 09 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Toxic lead ammunition banned to protect Britain’s countryside

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Toxic lead ammunition banned to protect Britain’s countryside

    New ban on use of lead in ammunition to protect iconic wildlife and clean up the nation’s waterways

    Red kite perched in a tree

    Red kites and white-tailed eagles will receive greater protection thanks to new restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition, Environment Minister Emma Hardy announced today (Thursday 10 July 2025).

    To protect iconic British wildlife and clean up the nation’s waterways, new measures will ban shot containing more than 1% lead and bullets with a lead content of more than 3%. Beyond limited exemptions, these types of ammunition will no longer be sold to the public.

    The ban will prevent the release of an estimated 7,000 tonnes of the toxic metal into fields, forests and wetlands each year. Up to 100,000 wildfowl, including ducks, swans and waders, die from lead poisoning annually, with birds often confusing the scattered shot for grit and consuming it.

    Evidence from the Health and Safety Executive shows lead poses a risk to at least 1 million birds over the coming decades if usage continues at its current rate, while around 40,000 birds of prey such as red kites and white-tailed eagles are at risk from ingesting lead through carrion.

    Introducing restrictions will also stop lead from contaminating soil and leaching into rivers when guns are discharged and spread the harmful metal, ensuring ecosystems thrive for both wildlife and people alike.

    Environment Minister Emma Hardy said:

    Britain is a proud nation of nature lovers, but our rivers are heavily polluted, and majestic birds are declining at an alarming rate.

    This new ban on lead in ammunition for most uses will help reverse this – rejuvenating pride in our countryside by protecting precious birdlife and cleaning up rivers.

    Non-lead alternatives are readily available, and we’ll continue to work closely with the shooting sector throughout this transition.

    Following extensive public engagement, a three-year transition period will support the shooting and hunting sectors to shift to more environmentally friendly alternatives. There will also be a two-year period for outdoor shooting ranges where lead is used to implement measures that prevent pollution from entering the environment.

    Alternatives to lead shot have become more efficient and widely available in recent years, with steel and tungsten-based shot being two popular options. The government will continue to engage with the shooting industry to support the transition to alternative ammunition types.

    In December 2024, the Health and Safety Executive published their Final Opinion proposing restrictions on the supply and outdoor uses of lead in ammunition – and the government has now taken action to reduce toxic substances from entering the environment.

    As part of the restrictions, there will be exemptions in place for the military, police, elite athletes, outdoor target shooting ranges with risk management measures in place, museum collections and other minor uses. Small calibre bullets for live quarry shooting – the outdoor shooting of live animals – and airguns are not in scope of the restriction.

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    Published 10 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nista report and safety flyer published

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Nista report and safety flyer published

    Man overboard from the lone-operated creel fishing vessel Nista (LK121) north of Belnahua, north-west Scotland, with loss of 1 life.

    Today, we have published our accident investigation report into the fatal man overboard from the lone-operated creel fishing vessel Nista (LK121) north of Belnahua, north-west Scotland on 13 December 2023.

    The report, available via this link, contains details of what happened and subsequent actions taken.

    A safety flyer to the fishing industry has also been produced with this report.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and France partner on navigation systems to protect critical infrastructure from hostile threats

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    UK and France partner on navigation systems to protect critical infrastructure from hostile threats

    UK and French researchers join up to shield critical infrastructure, including power supplies and emergency services, with more resilient navigation and timing systems. 

    • UK and French researchers join up to shield critical infrastructure, including power supplies and emergency services, with more resilient navigation and timing systems. 
    • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing systems are critical to everything from banking to transport – and the Ukraine war has shown how these systems can be targeted by malign actors. 
    • Partnerships on AI supercomputing infrastructure, and AI research, to be agreed when French President and UK Science and Tech Secretary meet in London. 

    UK and French experts will work more closely to increase the resilience of both countries’ critical infrastructure to the signal-jamming seen in the war in Ukraine, as part of a suite of joint science and tech work being announced today (Thursday 10 July).  

    From our electricity infrastructure, to transport, to financial transactions, the tech we rely on for everyday life depends on reliable Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), often provided via satellites. The conflict in Ukraine has shown how new technologies – in some cases, just small hand-held devices – can be used to disrupt PNT services, potentially causing major disruption to the vast areas of life and the economy reliant on them. 

    As part of a raft of UK-France joint science and tech efforts being announced today, researchers from both countries will work together on technologies complementary to the likes of GPS, which are highly resistant to this sort of jamming.  

    An example is e-LORAN, a program driven by the UK government, working closely with the National Physical Laboratory and private sector companies. The system uses ground-based radio towers, which are much more challenging to block, for a reliable “backup” to GPS, so that UK infrastructure can keep running even when GPS fails.  

    The UK’s Science and Tech Secretary used a joint visit to Imperial College London, with President Macron, to set out how this sort of collaboration makes both the UK and France stronger and safer. Whilst speaking at Imperial, Peter Kyle also pointed out the tens of millions of pounds in investment being brought into the British tech sector through UK-French trade, as well as the new jobs and growth that this partnership creates.

    These are efforts that will bolster our economic and national security, which are foundational pillars of the Plan for Change. 

    UK Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said: 

    France and the UK both have huge ambitions for technology to boost economic growth and strengthen national security. It is vital we work with natural partners like our French neighbours in these endeavours, particularly as the threats from hostile state actors only grows.

    Today we build on the Entente Cordiale with an Entente Technologique, celebrating and renewing our longstanding and historic partnership so that together we can face down the challenges of tomorrow.

    Additionally, the UK and France are launching a partnership on supercomputing. The partnership will be led by the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing, the home of Isambard-AI, and the French computing centre GENCI, who lead France’s AI Factory.  

    Closer ties between both nations’ world-leading compute power, and sharing AI best practice, will turbocharge the breakthroughs in AI, transforming public services and improving lives. These efforts build on the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the UK government’s blueprint to fuel the use of AI across the economy. 

    This builds on the strong existing UK-France cooperation on AI. The UK’s AI Security Institute and France’s INESIA have committed to further technical workshops to deepen their collaboration on frontier AI research, in order to support our national security. 

    Some of the UK and France’s leading research institutions are also committing to closer work. Collaboration agreements were signed today when President Macron and Science and Tech Secretary Peter Kyle visited Imperial College London, where they witnessed first-hand some of the cutting-edge uses of AI being pioneered in the UK, from health to clean energy.

    The spotlight will shine on the vast opportunities for UK-France science and tech collaboration again on Friday, when the UK’s AI Minister Feryal Clark and her French counterpart Minister Clara Chappaz will tour Diamond Light Source in Oxford.

    Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world. Researchers here are harnessing light 10 billion times brighter than the sun to study new scientific samples, like previously unknown virus structures, to pioneer new medicines and treatments for diseases. 

    Notes to editors

    The 3 UK-France science and technology agreements being signed are between: 

    • Imperial and CNRS Ayrton Blériot Engineering Lab (ABEL)
    • University College London (UCL) and National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (Inria)
    • Oxford-Cambridge and HEC, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay

    UK-French export and investment announcements

    British tech unicorns are winning tens of millions of pounds in significant contracts with French corporates, driving jobs and growth at home. This includes Synthesia’s new partnership with Decathlon to create a pioneering AI avatar lab which the global sports retailer will use to communicate with customers and employees, building on Synthesia’s existing work with over half of France’s CAC40 (equivalent to FTSE 100). Other deals include ElevenLabs’ collaboration with M6 and TV5 Monde and Darktrace’s contract with GL Events, a French major events operator.

    BT’s operations in France totalled approximately £130 million last financial year, connecting more than 80 French-headquartered companies, from Alstom to Michelin. BT has supported French telecoms, communications, cyber security and banking operations for 55 years. BT has invested more than £24 billion domestically so far this decade, with plans to invest a further £20 billion by 2030. BT’s investment into digital infrastructure projects also boosts the UK’s attractiveness for French investment and act as an enabler of British exports to France.  

    Thales, in conjunction with partners, is planning £40 million of AI-focussed R&D investment as part of its CortAIx UK AI Accelerator – which will employ 200 people and serve as a focal point for Thales’ AI innovation in the UK. This initiative will further enhance AI cooperation between France and the UK, ss well as help both countries to stay ahead of evolving threats, unleashing the potential of AI to increase mission success for both countries.

    Comand AI are investing £35 million over the next 5 years to set up an office in the UK, in their first step to becoming a pan-European defence company. This investment will create around 40 highly skilled jobs in tech, bringing the best of software engineering to defence. These jobs would represent half of their global engineering team. They aim to build the future of defence technology between the UK and France, from capability assessment to mission planning and execution for our Allied nations.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Retrofit project that has made council homes warmer and has saved tenants money wins award

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Birmingham City Council tenants in more than 2,000 households are now living in greener, warmer council homes thanks to a scheme that won a Retrofit Project of the Year award.

    Birmingham City Council’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) programme won the Retrofit Project of the Year for the Midlands and Wales at the Unlock Net Zero Awards.

    The scheme – completed by sustainable regeneration specialist Equans, on behalf of the council – has helped tenants save £600-£1200 each year on energy bills, depending on the home and measures installed. Solar panels placed on buildings can save residents as much as £4 per day in electricity.

    The work will save 2,500 tonnes of carbon per year – the equivalent of driving over 1400 petrol cars for a year. You would need to plant over 41,000 trees and let them grow for ten years to offset 2,500 tonnes of carbon.

    Testing at the homes shows that retrofitted properties now have an Energy Performance Certificate of at least a C, with some reaching an A rating—the most energy-efficient rating available.

    Work to be done – Dreghorn Road, before works were undertaken as part of the scheme.

    The measures installed have included external wall insulation, new windows and doors, loft insulation, solar panels, high heat retention storage heaters and smart hot water tanks.

    To give residents greater control over their energy usage, the scheme installed smart energy monitoring devices into some homes, which also provides valuable data to the council highlighting how the retrofit measures perform, levels of dampness, and if tenants are experiencing fuel poverty.

    Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: 

    “Having greener, energy-efficient homes reduces our tenants’ energy bills, which is especially important during this cost-of-living crisis.

    “It is also great to see how the work has transformed the look and feel of neighbourhoods, building a greater sense of pride among residents.

    “These investments don’t just save tenants money, they also significantly contribute to the council’s net zero agenda. 

    “I am pleased to see that the award judges have said that our retrofit scheme has set a benchmark for excellence in retrofit delivery, one that has combined cutting-edge technology with resident-focused design.

    “I would also like to thank our delivery partner, Equans, who have been vital in identifying which properties were most in need of improvements and aligning this with our wider capital works programme. It has helped minimise disruption for our residents and maximised the benefits for them.”

    Rebecca Reynolds, Head of Sustainability at Equans, said:

    “This ambitious project shows the vast benefits of retrofitting homes on a large scale and the far reaching impact this has. It has drastically reduced the carbon emissions of council housing in Birmingham and improved thousands of lives by making homes more comfortable and affordable to live in.

    “It is vital that existing homes are modernised and made energy efficient for the next generation and we’re delighted that this scheme has won this much coveted award and the national recognition it deserves.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New backing for small businesses to protect their intellectual property from security threats

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New backing for small businesses to protect their intellectual property from security threats

    Up to 500 small or medium-sized companies could benefit from new reviews involving approved experts giving tailored advice to teams on risks they face.

    • Up to 500 small and medium sized UK firms backed by government funding to strengthen their security.
    • Security review scheme includes expert advice to protect ideas and innovations from powerful competitors including state actors.
    • Open to range of sectors from AI to life sciences to help businesses grow securely while boosting our economy and supporting our Plan for Change.

    Hundreds of UK tech start-ups and other innovative businesses can now apply for government support to protect their intellectual property from powerful competitors, including threats from other states and hostile actors, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has announced today (Thursday 10 July).

    Up to 500 small or medium-sized companies will potentially benefit from new Secure Innovation Security Reviews, which involve approved experts giving tailored advice to teams on risks they face, so they can build thriving businesses which create jobs and support the economy.

    This could include advice on strengthening checks on prospective employees to reduce insider threats and ensure their suitability for handling sensitive information, and key cyber security measures to guard against common cyber-attacks.

    A range of technology sectors operating throughout the UK will be able to apply, from artificial intelligence to life sciences, advanced materials like semiconductors to renewable energy systems and beyond – backing businesses at the forefront of boosting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

    Support can help combat the efforts of certain states to steal technological, economic, or military insight, to enhance their own capabilities rather than engaging in fair international competition.

    While threats of hostile actors recruiting an insider to exploit their physical access are not new, such threats are becoming more advanced, underlining the importance of integrating personnel, physical, and cyber security to protect start-ups.

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    The UK economy is built on the courage, ambition and hard work of small businesses which ultimately benefits us all, creating new technologies and jobs that grow our economy under our Plan for Change.

    By supporting firms to protect their innovations, this government-backed scheme will help those who put the hours in to reap the rewards while keeping key companies and sectors safe from malicious larger competitors, including state actors.

    Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

    Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and they need security to thrive. 

    With 98% of businesses reporting a lack of knowledge to identify security threats, it is crucial they are equipped with the tools necessary to protect themselves against increasingly volatile threats.

    This initiative, spearheaded by the National Protective Security Authority and the National Cyber Security Centre, supports businesses to build the skills and the confidence they need to grow.

    To take part in the scheme, companies will need to apply through Innovate UK and contribute £500, with £2,500 covered by the government.

    National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) figures show 39% of companies have only one protective security or cyber measure in place and 55% do not conduct pre-employment screening of new personnel. By helping businesses to integrate protective security into their wider business strategy, the work can also help to boost customer and investor confidence.

    The reviews involve a professional conducting a site visit of the company to carry out a security health check, against a framework developed by the UK’s national technical authorities, NPSA – part of MI5 – and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – part of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

    They will then provide the company with a bespoke report with recommendations for improvement. The professional will conduct a follow up with the company after 6 months to gauge improvements made since the site visit.

    It builds on a pilot scheme in 2023, where 98% fed back that they now have sufficient knowledge to identify the security threats to their business, with the same figure committing to further action strengthen their security.

    NCSC CEO Richard Horne said:

    Small and medium-sized businesses power the UK’s innovation engine – but where ideas thrive, threats are never far behind.

    States, state-backed competitors, and cyber criminals target cutting-edge ideas and valuable data, exploiting gaps in cyber and protective security defences to launch attacks that can cripple organisations and steal their most sensitive innovations.

    That’s why building resilience is no longer optional – it’s essential for business growth and survival. I encourage SMEs across the UK to take advantage of the NCSC and NPSA-backed Secure Innovation Security Reviews scheme.

    Executive Director of Strategy and Performance at Innovate UK Robert Shaw said:

    Innovate UK is proud to be a partner in delivering Security Reviews for spinouts and start-ups in such critical sectors.

    If these innovators can protect valuable intellectual property and their competitive edge and demonstrate their commitment to security to investors and customers, they will be better placed to realise their growth potential in the UK, and globally.

    Notes to editors

    The funding call is now live

    Eligible organisations must be small or medium sized enterprises which employ under 250 people.

    Organisations must be working in one of the 17 sensitive areas of the economy set out in the National Security and Investment Act (2021), or one of the selected sectors in Invest 2035: the UK’s modern industrial strategy.

    The scheme is delivered through and in partnership with Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ofsted announces sector engagement programme to ready education providers for November start to inspections

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Ofsted announces sector engagement programme to ready education providers for November start to inspections

    Ofsted has today announced a full programme of sector engagement to be launched in September when the final set of education inspection reforms are published.

    The programme of webinars and regional events will continue throughout the autumn term, offering providers a range of opportunities to familiarise themselves with the changes, ahead of inspections under the renewed framework beginning in November.

    Ofsted will hold live webinars for different provider types across each education remit, setting out the key changes to inspection. Recordings of each webinar will be available on Ofsted’s YouTube channel afterwards.

    • For the early years sector, there will be separate webinars for childminders; group-based provision; and out-of-school-clubs.

    • For schools, individual webinars will be hosted for maintained nurseries; primaries; secondaries; non-association independent schools; University Technical Colleges (UTCs); special schools; and alternative provision.

    • For further education and skills, there will be webinars for specific provision types, including 16 to 19 programmes; apprenticeship providers; adult learning providers; and high needs provision.

    • For initial teacher education (ITE), there will be a webinar for providers of any/all phases of ITE, and another for providers of ITE programmes for the further education and skills sector.

    Full details of the webinar programme and how to sign up are available at: Education inspection framework: engagement programme.

    The engagement programme will be bolstered by face-to-face and online regional events, hosted by local providers, local authorities and partners. These events will help providers build on their understanding of the renewed framework, supported by published materials. Ofsted will share further details about events in the coming weeks.

    Nominees

    For many years, Ofsted has successfully used a system of nominees to support inspections of further education and skills providers. Nominees help the inspection process run smoothly and collaboratively, through planning, communication and engagement with the inspection team. They provide contextual information about their setting and strengthen the professional dialogue between inspectors and leaders.

    From November, nominees will be introduced to inspections across other education remits, where relevant. In advance of the renewed framework, Ofsted will offer a short online training package tailored for nominees in specific remits. These sessions will provide an overview of the framework and more information on how nominees can work together with inspectors during a future inspection.

    More details about the nominee training package will be released following the consultation response in September.

    All education inspectors will complete comprehensive training to support the transition to the renewed framework. Full inspector training materials will be published online, via the Ofsted Academy, once inspectors have completed face-to-face training. In addition to this training package, Ofsted will undertake pilot visits to volunteer settings, giving inspectors vital experience of full, end-to-end inspections before November.

    His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, said:

    I want to reassure education providers that, through our national engagement programme and published materials, they will be able to familiarise themselves with the changes during the first part of the autumn term – while routine school and further education and skills inspections are on hold.

    Our Inspectors will all receive extensive training between now and November, and many will have had the experience of a full pilot inspection. I know there are some concerns about the timeline for these changes, that’s why we are planning such a comprehensive programme. I have every confidence that our approach will support a successful roll-out of new-look inspections in November.

    Notes to editors

    1. It will not be mandatory for every school or early years provider to appoint a nominee. 

    2. The nominee for early years should be the individual who knows the setting and children the best. This is a different role from the nominated individual and will be covered in the early years webinars.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Don’t let the heatwave affect your medicines: Three important tips from the MHRA

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Don’t let the heatwave affect your medicines: Three important tips from the MHRA

    Essential advice on protecting your medicines during extreme heat and staying safe this summer.

    Woman cooling down with water and a fan

    With the UK bracing for another heatwave this week, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reminding people that high temperatures can affect medicines and how well they work. Hot weather changes how your body responds to medications, which could impact people managing long-term conditions – but a few simple steps can help avoid problems.

    Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, said:

    “Let’s face it – when there’s a heatwave, most of us are focused on getting outside and enjoying it while it lasts. But it’s easy to forget that medicines left in the heat – in cars, bags, or on sunny windowsills – might not work properly when you need them.

    “Some medicines can also make you more likely to burn in the sun, feel dizzy, or get dehydrated, especially if you’re taking diuetics or have a condition like asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.

    “To stay safe in the heat:

    • Store medicines somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight – especially if you’re out and about
    • Know the signs of heat-related illness – stay hydrated and listen to your body
    • Take extra care in the sun if your medicine makes your skin more likely to burn

    “And remember, for all medicines it’s important to read the leaflet and speak to a healthcare professional if you have any questions.” 

    1. Keep medicines out of hot cars and direct sunlight

    Most medicines need to be stored at temperatures below 25°C. But cars, trains and buses can heat up quickly during the summer, and rooms with direct sunlight can get much hotter than you’d think. Even bags and pockets can get warm enough to cause problems, especially if you’re out all day or at a festival, sports event, or the beach.

    Heat can break down the active ingredients in medicines, meaning they might not work when you need them. That includes tablets, inhalers, hormone patches, insulin, and EpiPens. Some packaging will give clear storage instructions, but not all medicines come with a visible warning.

    Medicines that need to be kept in the fridge – such as insulin or certain liquid antibiotics – are especially vulnerable to heat. If they’re left out too long or stored incorrectly, they may not work properly when you take them.

    If your medicine has changed colour, developed an unusual smell, changed texture, or looks different in any way, this could signal heat damage. Ask your pharmacist for advice.

    If you’re at home, check the patient information leaflet for storage instructions and keep medicines in the coolest part of the house, away from direct sunlight. If you’re travelling, avoid leaving them in parked vehicles or warm bags. A cool bag can help if you’re going to be out all day.

    Heat damage can also affect how much medicine your body absorbs, potentially making your usual dose too strong or too weak. If you notice any changes in how you feel or how well your medicines seem to be working during hot weather, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

    Don’t forget medical devices:

    It’s not just medicines – some medical devices can also be affected by heat or humidity. For example, blood glucose monitors may give people managing diabetes less reliable readings if used or stored in hot conditions.

    Keep devices and any test strips somewhere cool and dry, and check the instructions that came with them for any temperature guidance. If your device isn’t behaving as expected, try running a control check or speak to your pharmacist for advice.

    For more information about medicine safety, visit the MHRA website or report any concerns through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

    2. Drink more water and stay cool if you’re taking water tablets or blood pressure medication

    During hot weather, your body loses more water through sweating – but some medicines can make this worse, or make it harder for your body to cope with heat.

    People taking diuretics, or ‘water tablets’, such as furosemide, are already losing more fluid through urination. This can cause dehydration and mineral imbalances. Blood pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers can also make it harder for your body to regulate temperature, especially during sudden hot spells. ACE inhibitors can even suppress your natural thirst response.

    Some diabetes medicines, including insulin and metformin, also increase the risk of dehydration or make early symptoms harder to spot. Antipsychotic medications, such as olanzapine or quetiapine, or stimulant medications for attention disorders can increase your body temperature, making you overheat more easily.

    Dehydration can cause dizziness, headaches, tiredness, confusion, and dark urine. This is particularly dangerous for older adults, young children, and people with heart or kidney conditions. If you start to feel unwell in the heat, move somewhere cooler, sip water slowly, and seek medical advice if you don’t feel better quickly.

    3. Check if your medicine increases your risk of sunburn

    Some common medicines can make your skin much more likely to burn, even in mild sunshine. This includes some antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants, or skin treatments for acne or eczema. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also known to sometimes cause mild sun sensitivity, but this is less common and usually only a concern with frequent or long-term use.

    One medicine that requires particular care is methotrexate, used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and cancer. It can cause extreme skin sensitivity to the sun – even at low doses. This can lead to painful rashes, blistering, or swelling that looks like severe sunburn. In rare cases, these reactions have led to serious infections.

    The risk goes up during sunny weather, especially if you’re outside more – whether you’re walking the dog, gardening, or heading off on holiday. Even a short walk at lunchtime or a train ride in the sun can be enough to trigger a reaction for some people.

    If you take any medicines, always read the patient information leaflet or check with your pharmacist to see if sun sensitivity is a side effect.

    Notes to editors 

    1. Report any concerns through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, which can be accessed at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
    2. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 
    3. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 
    4. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government to align with European specifications on high risk in vitro diagnostic devices to reduce regulatory burden 

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Government to align with European specifications on high risk in vitro diagnostic devices to reduce regulatory burden 

    The specifications will establish standards for high-risk diagnostic tests while creating consistency with European regulations

    The Government has announced its intention to amend the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 for Great Britain to incorporate EU Common Specifications for high-risk in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices and to repeal regulations on Coronavirus Test Device Approvals (CTDA).  

    Respondents overwhelmingly supported a proposal to repeal the current CTDA process for COVID-19 devices and to replace current requirements with Common Specifications. In the interim, an accelerated CTDA process will be introduced for COVID-19 devices that have CE marking under the European IVD regulations (EU IVDR) and meet Common Specification requirements. 

    The Common Specifications will also enhance performance standards for IVD devices related to infectious diseases including Hepatitis B, C and D, HIV and Syphilis, as well as devices for blood grouping and tissue typing. These diagnostic tools are critical for effective patient care and public health management. 

    The move aims to ensure these vital IVD devices, which test samples from the human body to monitor health or manage disease, meet high standards of performance backed by robust clinical evidence. 

    Rob Reid, Deputy Director of Innovative Devices at the MHRA, said:

    By aligning with standards already in place across Europe, we’re not only enhancing patient safety but also making it easier for manufacturers to navigate regulatory requirements across different markets.” 

    These new specifications will be introduced in regulations expected to be published later this year as part of the Government’s broader programme of medical devices regulatory reform, which supports the NHS transformation. 

    The changes reinforce the Government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burden and balance robust patient safety measures with support for innovation in the medical technology sector. 

    ENDS 

    Notes  to editors

    • Common Specifications refers to a set of standardised technical and performance requirements developed at the European level for certain high-risk in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices. 

    • In vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices are medical tests used to examine samples like blood, urine, or tissue taken from the human body to help detect, diagnose, or monitor diseases and health conditions. 

    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based 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 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government action to speed up recognition for LGBT veterans

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Government action to speed up recognition for LGBT veterans

    LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment due to their sexuality while serving between 1967 and 2000 will receive financial support faster following improvements to the Government’s financial recognition scheme.

    • Increase in dedicated staff will accelerate applications and process payments faster  

    • New automated payment system is being built to eliminate processing delays and administrative bottlenecks  

    • Financial recognition scheme will provide support for LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment while serving between 1967 – 2000. 

    LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment due to their sexuality while serving between 1967 and 2000 will receive financial support faster following improvements to the Government’s financial recognition scheme. 

    The UK Government has increased dedicated staff by adding a further five workers, almost doubling the size of the existing team, to accelerate application reviews and process payments more quickly. The expanded team will focus on expediting the creation of applicant case files and processing of applications.  

    To address processing concerns, the Government is also introducing two other key measures as part of its efforts to ensure veterans receive timely recognition for past injustices:  

    • An automated payments system is being built to streamline the process, significantly reducing administrative bottlenecks and minimising errors. This system will ensure payments are made accurately and promptly once approved.  

    • Independent Panel sittings will double to two per week to accelerate the review of cases requiring assessment, particularly for those seeking recognition payments of up to £20,000 for pain and suffering which was directly related to the Ban, such as harassment, invasive investigations and imprisonment.

    The Government remains driven to ensure every recommendation of Lord Etherton’s review is fully implemented. As of July 2025, Defence has completed 42 of the 49 recommendations and two other remaining recommendations will be completed by the end of the year.  

    This action demonstrates the Government’s Plan for Change in practice – delivering on the commitment to strengthen national security by ensuring we maintain the trust and confidence of all those who serve our country.

    Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns MP, said

    We deeply regret the treatment of LGBT serving personnel between 1967 and 2000 which was wholly unacceptable.  

    We have been prioritising payments to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible.

    We’re taking decisive action to ensure LGBT veterans receive the recognition they deserve by increasing staff resources, implementing an automated payment system, and doubling panel reviews.   

    This scheme acknowledges the sacrifices of those who faced discrimination while serving. I urge all affected veterans to apply through the GOV.UK portal as we remain fully committed to implementing Lord Etherton’s recommendations, and righting these historic wrongs, as part of our Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who have served.

    The further support for LGBT Veterans comes off the back of the government’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who have served. 

    The scheme, launched by the Government in December, goes beyond financial recognition – it also acknowledges the sacrifices and injustices faced by LGBT veterans and ensures their experiences are recognised and valued. This can include, but not limited to, having a restoration of rank, letters of apologies, among other forms of recognition.   

    All veterans affected by the ban while serving between 1967 and 2000 are urged to read the guidance and apply via the Veterans of the LGBT Ban: Financial Recognition Scheme page on GOV.UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man arrested in northern suburbs over breach of bail matters

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police have been conducting enquiries throughout the day in relation to the whereabouts of a 29-year-old man from Salisbury regarding breach of bail matters.

    Elizabeth CIB members have arrested the man this evening just after 5pm when he presented to the Elizabeth Police Station.

    He will be refused bail and appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court tomorrow.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Revised designs submitted for Castle and Eye of York area

    Source: City of York

    A new flythrough has revealed what the Castle Car Park and the Eye of York could look like.

    Amendments to the existing Castle car park and Eye of York planning application have now been submitted.

    The key changes include:

    • a new green park
    • introducing a dedicated space for children to play
    • replacing the paved event space with 30 Blue Badge parking spaces to replace existing parking – two of which will have electric vehicle charging points
    • reducing the costs of the overall scheme to ensure it is deliverable.

    This follows public engagement on the revised concept designs which took place during summer 2024. Design consultancy, BDP, reflected priorities including accessibility, heritage and maintenance in the updated design.

    Councillor Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion at City of York Council, said:

    “This is an important step forwards for the project which aims to transform one of the most historic parts of the city centre.

    “These plans seek to create a versatile public space where people of all ages want to spend time, making it greener and more accessible, as well as more affordable and deliverable, when compared to previous plans. We are sensitive to the area and its history and that is reflected in the plans which honour some of the more difficult aspects of our past.

    “We also want this to be a space for all and as well as a number of accessible features, these plans include retaining 30 blue badge parking spaces, following public feedback.

    “We will continue to listen as this project moves through the planning process.”

    Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economy and Culture said:

    “We are working to transform this area from a car park to a people park.

    “These plans have been shaped by comments from local people, disabled groups, businesses and other stakeholders.

    “Our proposals include new play areas for families – something people have been asking for more of in the city centre, and green open space for people to relax and take some time out.

    “Our aspiration is for this historic site to be a free, welcoming place for residents and visitors to enjoy, away from the bustle of the city.”

    Matthew Costa, Landscape Architect Director at BDP, said:

    “We’ve listened carefully to what people want from this space and continue to shape the design around the community vision.

    “The updated plans aim to make the area greener, easier to get around, and more enjoyable for everyone – whether you’re coming to relax, play, or meet others. It’s about turning the Castle Gateway into a place that feels like an inclusive, cultural and nature-rich part of the city again.”

    The revised designs can be viewed in the updated flythrough video.

    The planning application can be found using this reference 22/00209/FULM via the Online Planning Register and comments can be made via the statutory planning process before at the Planning Portal. People can also email comments to planning.comments@york.gov.uk or post to Development Management, City of York Council, West Offices, York YO1 6GA.

    A report will be taken to the council’s Executive later this year, seeking a decision to close Castle car park, approval to procure a contractor to deliver the scheme, setting the delivery budget and timeframe, plus provide updates on other Castle Gateway schemes.

    Read the latest My Castle Gateway blog and find out more about the scheme.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Central African Republic

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Central African Republic

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Oral Update of the Independent Expert on Central African Republic (CAR). This statement was delivered on 4 July 2025 during the 59th session of the HRC in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr Vice President,

    We thank the Independent Expert for his update and welcome the Central African Republic’s continued cooperation with his mandate.

    As the Central African Republic continues to strengthen its human rights framework, we welcome the appointment of 11 new commissioners of the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission. And we  encourage a timely resumption of the Commission’s activities.

    However, we remain alarmed that reports of human rights violations and abuses continue to increase across the country. We reiterate our call for the Central African Republic to initiate court proceedings to hold to account members of armed groups accused of human rights violations and abuses.

    Mr Vice President, holding credible and secure local elections is a crucial step to strengthen local governance ahead of presidential and legislative elections next year. The UK strongly encourages CAR to protect civil and political human rights throughout the electoral period. This is an important opportunity for CAR to demonstrate their commitment to democracy.

    Mr Agbetse, following the recent postponement of local elections, how can this council support the timely and inclusive delivery of elections for the people of CAR?

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £500m Government investment to boost growth and opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £500m Government investment to boost growth and opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs

    Underrepresented investors and fund managers will benefit from £500m of Government backing to help high potential new entrants build the track record they need.

    • £400 million package to back investment fund managers from underrepresented backgrounds and drive growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
    • Additional £50 million for female-led venture capital funds, doubling the British Business Bank’s commitment to £100 million and supporting the Invest in Women Taskforce.
    • New report reveals that angel investors are backing more all-female founding teams than all-male teams in the UK for the first time.

    Diverse or underrepresented investors and fund managers will benefit from £500m of Government backing to help high potential new entrants develop the track record they need to become the investors of the future.

    Targeted at women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and those from deprived backgrounds, there will be a new £400m package from the British Business Bank starting in 2026, which will operate across three pillars:

    • Back more diverse fund managers directly through the Bank’s Enterprise Capital Funds programme, the Bank’s scheme to support early-stage businesses with high growth potential.
    • Invest more in supporting micro-funds, funds with around £10-15m and the first step on the venture capital ladder for new investors
    • Back partners, such as venture capital funds, to invest smaller amounts in talented individuals to build a track record and to provide training, giving those without personal wealth or connections the opportunity to become investors.

    Research shows just 2p of every £1 invested in venture capital funding in the UK goes to female-founded businesses and only 13% of senior individuals on UK venture capital investment teams are women.

    The initiative announced today aims to reduce the significant gap in venture capital investment for underrepresented founders and investors. It will target at least 50% of investment going to female fund managers.

    By backing diverse and emerging fund managers, the initiative not only strengthens the UK’s venture capital ecosystem but also ensures that entrepreneurial ambition is no longer limited by background, gender, or geography. This targeted support will help build a more dynamic, inclusive economy that works for everyone.

    Unlocking the potential of underrepresented entrepreneurs and breaking down barriers to opportunity will help drive growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, said:

    This is exactly what our Plan for Change is about: breaking down barriers to opportunity and kickstarting the growth that creates jobs and puts money into people’s pockets across the UK.

    This £500 million investment will back diverse and emerging fund managers, making our economy stronger and more dynamic.

    Louis Taylor CBE, Chief Executive Officer, British Business Bank, said:

    To deliver the government’s growth mission it is critical that our most promising entrepreneurs can access the finance they need to grow their businesses, no matter who they are or what their background is. The UK equity market currently experiences a significant funding gap for diverse founders, negatively impacting their ability to start a business.

    This new £400m Investor Pathways Capital initiative will support diverse and emerging fund managers across the UK, in turn supporting talented entrepreneurs currently underserved by the UK equity market. It has the potential to unlock the UK’s full commercial potential and boost the UK economy.

    The initiative comes alongside an additional £50m investment into female-led funds to support the aims of the Invest in Women Taskforce, further expanding access to funding for female investors and entrepreneurs, taking the Bank’s total commitment to £100m.

    The news comes alongside the latest Investing in Women Code report out today, which tracks and promotes investment into women-led businesses. It finds that investing in female and ethnic minority-led businesses could add 13% to the value of the UK equity market, underscoring the importance of backing diverse founders. The Code was launched in 2019 in response to the Rose Review’s findings that a lack of funding was one of the most significant barriers to women seeking to effectively scale a business.

    There has also been promising progress for angel investment from Code signatories – those investing from their personal wealth – with all female investor teams and mixed-gender teams surpassing all male teams for the first time for investment received. Similarly, across all signatories, more female-only teams received funding than mixed-gender and all male teams.

    However, more progress is still needed for investment in women businesses to meet its potential, with the total value of investments going into female led teams much less than that of all-male (15% vs 37%), with the remainder going to mixed teams.

    Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson CBE said:

    Women entrepreneurs have so much to contribute to economic growth, so it is encouraging to see progress in this year’s Code, with more female-led teams receiving investment than male for the first time.

    Our Plan for Change is about boosting growth further and that’s why we’re taking action today to support high-potential female-led funds with an extra £50m of funding.

    The report will be launched in a parliamentary reception attended by the Chancellor this afternoon.

    Stakeholder quotes:

    Hannah Bernard OBE, Head of Barclays Business Bank and Co-Chair of the Invest in Women Taskforce, said:

    It’s heartening to see that once again IWC signatories are recognising the value of backing women-led businesses in the UK and are outperforming the broader market – proving that more diverse decision-making teams deliver better outcomes. We’re seeing real momentum in the number of women now shaping investment decisions, and the data shows this is directly linked to greater backing for female entrepreneurs.

    That’s why programmes like the BBB’s new Investor Pathway Capital programme are so important and will help even more women break into Venture Capital. This is a core principle of the Invest in Women Taskforce – when you change who holds the capital, you change who gets funded. 

    The Investing in Women Code plays a vital role in helping us track progress and drive meaningful change across the wider industry and we urge more LPs to sign up and recognise the proven value of backing women. The Invest in Women Taskforce looks forward to deepening its partnership with the IWC to accelerate momentum and unlock the full potential of female entrepreneurs across the UK.

    Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder, Small Business Britain, said:

    Our country’s 5.45 million small businesses represent huge opportunity to power the UK’s economy forward, but the truth is that it is not always a level-playing field out there for entrepreneurs for many intersectional reasons.

    So it is fantastic to see this new dedicated support package announced to help greater support flow towards under-represented entrepreneurial groups – like women, Disabled founders and those from ethnic minority backgrounds. We really applaud this effort and are keen to see the UK backing the rich diversity of British entrepreneurs as much as possible. It will undoubtedly bridge a big gap and has the potential to unlock tremendous growth and opportunity for us all.

    Jenny Tooth OBE, Executive Chair, UK Business Angels Association, said:

    We welcome today’s announcements from the British Business Bank. Backing underrepresented fund managers and doubling support for female-led VC funds are vital steps toward a more inclusive investment ecosystem.

    This year, we saw that angel groups made more investment deals in all-female teams (42%) than in either mixed-gender or all-male teams – a powerful sign of change. These new initiatives will help build on that momentum, and work alongside more angel-backed innovation across the UK.

    Check Warner MBE, Co-founder & Chair, Diversity VC, Co-Founding Partner, Ada Ventures, said:

    To ensure the British economy is truly firing on all cylinders, we must find and back entrepreneurial talent from the widest possible pool. But if we don’t have representation at the investor level, the true potential of exceptional founders who don’t fit traditional moulds will continue to go untapped.

    Building a more diverse cohort of emerging managers is a vital step en route to finding the best talent and driving outsized performance across a stronger tech ecosystem. At Ada Ventures, we’ve learnt from experience that a diverse investing team spots alpha founders that others miss.

    It’s therefore encouraging to see a really meaningful and thoughtful package of interventions being announced by the Government and the British Business Bank today. This will be a key catalyst as Britain strives to become the best place in the world to start, scale and exit a business. I fervently believe that this ambition can go hand-in-hand with an equitable, diverse funding landscape that backs talent from all demographics and walks of life.

    Shayan Chowdhury, Interim Managing Director at Newton Venture Program, said:

    The most effective and enduring way to broaden access to capital for entrepreneurs of every kind is to cultivate an investor talent pool that reflects the diverse nature of society. That means opening up networks to a wider range of people and giving them the opportunity to participate, and thrive, in the venture capital ecosystem.

    This £500m package is a huge step toward that. Allyship matters, but representation is what truly shifts outcomes, and building a more inclusive investor base is the most sustainable route to more equitable entrepreneurship.

    Background

    • The Fifth Investing in Women Code Annual Report can be found online here: Investing in Women Code reports – GOV.UK
    • The Code commits signatories to:
      • Adopt best practices to improve female entrepreneurs’ access to finance needed to start and grow successful businesses
      • Nominate a member of the senior leadership team responsible for supporting equality in all interactions with entrepreneurs
      • Provide annual funding data disaggregated by gender to DBT, based on agreed guidelines. Providing data and analysis helps to promote greater transparency across the industry, highlighting where measures are working and where further measures may be needed.
    • To become a signatory, further information and an online sign up form are available here: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/investing-in-women-code/

    About the British Business Bank

    The British Business Bank is the UK Government’s economic development bank. Established in November 2014, its mission is to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK and to enable the transition to a net zero economy, by improving access to finance for smaller businesses. Its remit is to design, deliver and efficiently manage UK-wide smaller business access to finance programmes for the UK Government.

    The British Business Bank’s core programmes support over £17.4bn of finance to almost 64,000 smaller businesses.

    As well as increasing the supply and diversity of finance for UK smaller businesses through its programmes, the Bank works to raise awareness of finance options available to smaller businesses. The British Business Bank Finance Hub provides independent and impartial information to businesses about finance options, featuring short films, expert guides, checklists and articles from finance providers to help make their application a success.

    The British Business Bank is also responsible for administering the Government’s three Coronavirus loan schemes and its Future Fund, together responsible for delivering £80.4bn in finance to 1.67m businesses. These schemes are now closed to new applications.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Japan sign investment partnership to drive economic growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK and Japan sign investment partnership to drive economic growth

    New partnership paves way for increased UK investment into Japan, supporting Prime Minister Ishiba’s ambitious foreign investment targets.

    UK-Japan Investment MoC July 2025

    ODT, 14.4 KB

    This file is in an OpenDocument format

    The UK and Japan yesterday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aimed at enabling increased UK investment into Japan, further strengthening the economic ties between the two nations.

    The agreement was signed at the British Embassy in Tokyo by Baroness Poppy Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE, UK Minister for Investment, and Mr. Seto Takakazu, State Minister of the Cabinet Office of Japan, who played an important role in compiling the ‘Program for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Japan 2025’ last month.

    This strategic partnership establishes a formal framework for collaboration to accelerate UK investment into Japan, supporting Prime Minister Ishiba’s ambitious target of more than doubling Japan’s foreign direct investment stocks to JPY120 trillion (approximately £600 billion) in 2030.

     Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson CBE said:

    The UK and Japan share a deep and enduring partnership that is committed to mutual prosperity and growth. That’s why I’m delighted to sign this new partnership with Japan – capitalising on the major opportunities for UK businesses to bring their innovative offers to Japan and grow in the Japanese economy.

    Key growth sectors with strong potential for increased UK investment include clean energy, digital transformation, biotechnology and healthcare, alongside enabling sectors such as legal, professional and financial services.

    This aligns with the UK’s new Industrial Strategy, which sets out plans to transform the UK’s clean energy, digital and technologies, and life sciences sectors over the next decade – providing businesses with the stability and certainty to make long-term investment decisions in the UK.

    The MoC builds upon the foundation of the enhanced global strategic partnership outlined in the Hiroshima Accord of May 2023 and complements existing frameworks such as the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and both nations’ membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

    To mark the occasion, the British Embassy in Tokyo has launched “Expand in Japan” – an initiative to champion and support UK investors seeking opportunities in the Japanese market. Companies can register their interest here.

    The signing comes as the Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson is in Tokyo to meet with key Japanese investors and government partners.

    It also follows the UK’s recent National Day celebration at Expo 2025 Osaka, where the UK Pavilion, themed “Come Build the Future,” has been showcasing Britain as a global hub of innovation.

    Nearly 1,000 Japanese companies have already established operations in the UK, with £87 billion in investment stock. This new agreement aims to strengthen reciprocal investment flows, supporting both nations’ economic growth and security objectives.

    Richard Lyle, President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan, said:

    We welcome this close partnership which enables UK companies to invest, innovate, and drive growth in Japan – this is a strong signal of Japan’s openness to high-quality investment. UK companies in Japan already create high-quality jobs across the country, develop deep partnerships, and offer world-leading products, services and solutions to multiple sectors in the market.

    We will continue to work with the UK and Japanese governments to enable further UK investment into Japan. As a membership organisation supporting British companies in the Japanese market, we look forward to seeing more companies doing business here.

    Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, said:

    This new partnership with the Japanese Government is about turning ambition into action – unlocking opportunities for UK businesses in key sectors aligned with our Industrial Strategy – and building mutual prosperity with Japan. I look forward to the collaboration, innovation, and growth that will emerge following today’s signing.

    Notes to Editors:

    • The UK-Japan relationship has been strengthened through multiple agreements including the 2023 Hiroshima Accord, a bilateral free trade agreement in 2020, UK’s accession to CPTPP in 2024, and the launch of the Economic 2+2 in 2025.
    • This agreement supports both the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Japan’s Program for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment.
    • For further information, please contact: British Embassy Tokyo at media.tokyo@fcdo.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Italy on the cusp of first T20 World Cup appearance

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Cricket minnows Italy are on the cusp of sealing their first appearance at the Twenty20 World Cup after stunning Scotland in the European qualifying tournament on Wednesday.

    Their 12-run victory in Voorburg, the Netherlands, kept Italy top of the Europe Regional Final standings and in pole position for the 20-overs showpiece to be held in India and Sri Lanka next year.

    A win over the Dutch, who are second in the standings, in their final match on Friday would seal their place but Italy’s superior net run rate means even a narrow loss could send them through if other results go their way.

    “I am really proud of the boys for this moment,” said captain Joe Burns, who played 23 tests for Australia before switching allegiance to Italy last year.

    “Hopefully this is the stepping stone for a lot to come. It’s a very emotional group at the moment. Being on the verge of a World Cup? It’s very surreal.”

    With the top two in the standings to advance, Scotland can still qualify but need a big win against Jersey on Friday and an Italy victory against the Dutch.

    “A lot of the credit has to go to Italy, who outskilled us with the ball in those conditions,” Scotland captain Richie Berrington said.

    “Obviously today’s a tough one, but it’s important we learn what we can from this game. We will be looking to come back strong.

    “We have to focus on coming back on Friday and looking to win that game then the rest takes care of itself.”

    (Reuters)

  • Lauren James double helps England bounce back at Euros with 4-0 win over Dutch

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    England’s Lauren James scored twice, while Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone also found the net to put the defending women’s European champions back on track at Euro 2025 with an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

    Four days after a lacklustre 2-1 loss to France, aruthless England came out firing on all cylinders in front of a festive crowd that included Britain’s Prince William.

    England and the Netherlands both have three points from their opening two games in Group D, level with France who can go three points clear at the summit if they beat Wales later on Wednesday.

    England play tournament debutants Wales in their final group game on Sunday, when the Netherlands play France.

    James put England on the scoresheet in the 22nd minute when goalkeeper Hannah Hampton picked out Alessia Russo with a stunning long ball. Russo, who had a hat-trick of assists to win the player of the match award, slipped it to James on the edge of the box who worked the ball onto her left foot before unleashing a screamer into the top corner.

    Stanway doubled England’s lead seconds before halftime when the Dutch struggled to clear the ball and the midfielder was there to fizz a first-time shot past wrong-footed goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.

    An unmarked James, who recently returned after missing almost three months with a hamstring injury, completed her double in the 60th with an easy shot from inside the box.

    James received a standing ovation — and a kiss blown from her proud dad — when coach Sarina Wiegman replaced her with Chloe Kelly midway through the second half.

    “I enjoyed it a lot. The goals say it all,” said James.

    “We bounced back from our previous game and today we showed we’re more than capable of showing the world what we can do.”

    MORE MISERY

    Toone, who had replaced Beth Mead in the starting 11, added more misery for the Dutch in the 67th minute. Russo held up the ball in the penalty area before sending it to a running Toone, who calmly slotted home.

    Wiegman, who coached the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title, was delighted with her team’s response after the defeat to France, as they thoroughly smothered the Dutch, taking 17 shots to the Netherlands’ four.

    “How we came together, how we played down the pitch and of course I’m very happy with the score because that’s a massive help because goal difference can make the difference,” Wiegman said.

    “Also the days into this game, how we looked at each other’s eyes and said, ‘OK what do we do?’, and execution of the game plan. I think that really helped.”

    The Lionesses also kept Vivianne Miedema, who scored her 100th international goal in the Netherlands’ 3-0 win over Wales in their tournament opener, under wraps.

    “It’s tough, we need to accept it because we don’t deserve anything else today,” Miedema said. “England came out the way we thought they would and we weren’t intense anywhere on the pitch.

    “We need to look at ourselves — we wanted to press high which didn’t work because we couldn’t cover the distances. We know how good England are but I don’t think today really reflected how we are and how good we can be.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government sets out reforms to create a fair, secure, affordable and efficient electricity system

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Government sets out reforms to create a fair, secure, affordable and efficient electricity system

    Government confirms reforms to the national pricing electricity market that will create a fairer, cheaper, more secure, and more efficient energy system.

    • Government puts fairness and affordability at the centre of electricity market reform to deliver system that puts working people first
    • Government takes decision to reform the existing national pricing system rather than split the country into different zones.
    • Reforms will protect consumers and secure investment as government drives to deliver clean power mission, protecting families through Plan for Change

    Working people, families and businesses will benefit from a fairer, cheaper, more secure, and more efficient energy system thanks to ambitious new reforms of the energy market to protect consumers and secure investment into clean energy.  

    Working people have suffered uncertainties and worry in recent years from high energy bills spurred on by the country’s dependence on fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators. That is why the government has doubled down on its clean energy mission, which will give families control with clean homegrown power that Britain controls – all part of the mission to bring down bills for good. 

    In delivering this clean power system, the government inherited a decision on whether to retain the current national system in which all areas in Britain pay the same wholesale price for energy – or undertake an overhaul to split the country into different pricing zones depending on their proximity to where energy is generated.   

    Following this process, and an extensive consultation which started in 2022, the Government has concluded that reforming the system while retaining a single national wholesale price is the right way to deliver a fair, affordable, secure, and efficient electricity system.    

    The proposals set out today (10 July) will ensure the benefits of clean power are felt by consumers in every part of the country, while giving businesses the stability and certainty they need to continue investing to upgrade our infrastructure – boosting national energy security, creating tens of thousands of jobs, and growing the economy.   

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    Building clean power at pace and scale is the only way to get Britain off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets and protect families and businesses for good.

    As we embark on this new era of clean electricity, a reformed system of national pricing is the best way to deliver an electricity system that is fairer, more affordable, and more secure, at less risk to vital investment in clean energy than other alternatives. 

    Our package of reforms will protect consumers and secure investment as we drive to deliver our clean power mission through our Plan for Change.

    This decision comes as the government takes a step closer to the clean power by 2030 target, delivering the most significant investment in clean, homegrown power in British history over the last year. This includes approving projects that could power the equivalent of 2 million homes, as well as the biggest expansion of new nuclear power in half a century, providing £14.2 billion for Sizewell C, over the Spending Review.   

    The government is taking a fundamentally different approach to building the energy system and infrastructure that this country needs. After years of delay from previous governments that has seen consumer costs and constraint payments rise, the government is rapidly building the network, reforming the planning system, and transforming the grid connections queue to get the projects needed for clean power and economic growth. It is only by driving the build out of new transmission infrastructure, which the government is doing through our planning measures after years of delay, that the clean power system the country needs can be built.    

    The further changes announced today will see the government taking on more responsibility for planning the system and determining where clean energy infrastructure is located, based on what is needed for the long-term. These changes will ultimately help to bring down energy bills, by making the current system more efficient, ensuring low-cost investment into cheap clean energy projects, and reducing the cost of running the electricity network.   

    The key parts of the reformed national package being announced today include:   

    Strategic Spatial Energy Plan:

    • The government has confirmed that the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, to be published next year by NESO following consultation, will be at the heart of the reforms to improve the efficiency of the electricity system, under the national pricing model.    

    • Commissioned by UK, Scottish and Welsh governments last year, for the first time the plan will set out how to best spread new energy projects across land and sea in Great Britain up to 2050. This will speed up development, cut grid connection waiting times and help to reduce costs, giving investors confidence on where to build and when.    

    Transmission Charges:

    • Under the current system, the more that energy generators rely on the transmission network to move power to where it’s needed, the more they will need to pay – in what are known as Transmission Network Use of System charges. The government will work with Ofgem to drive forward a review of these charges to provide stronger incentives for investors to build generation where it is needed, supporting a cheaper system for all. Crucially this will include changes to make existing charges more predictable for investors – as currently the charges vary year by year, which causes uncertainty during long-term projects and can drive up prices as developers price in the risk of volatility.   

    Improving the efficiency of the power system:

    • The government is already working at pace with the industry to rewire Britain and upgrade the country’s outdated infrastructure to get more renewable electricity onto the grid and minimise constraint payments after over a decade of delay. Independent advice from NESO confirmed that up to £4 billion in constraint payments, caused by historic failure to build the grid infrastructure the country needs, could be avoided by 2030, if critical network upgrades are accelerated to complete by 2030. Many of these projects are already well into development, such as the Norwich to Tilbury transmission line, and the Sea Link offshore cable between Kent and Suffolk.   

    • The government is also working with NESO to launch a consultation later this year on further reforms that will help to reduce the need for constraint payments. One potential measure could give NESO better access to smaller assets – such as battery storage sites – that can offer greater flexibility when balancing the grid.   

    • NESO are also currently working with the wider industry to explore further options to help reduce the need for constraint payments – as part of their Constraints Collaboration Project.   

    Today’s announcement also builds on wider schemes announced by the government that aim to ensure households can directly benefit from hosting clean energy projects. Earlier this year, the government introduced measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that will see eligible households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure receive electricity bill discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years. The Energy Secretary also recently set out plans for coastal and rural communities hosting clean energy infrastructure to receive a cash boost for new community facilities, better transport links and investment in apprenticeships.   

    Notes to editors

    • This follows the second consultation on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, under the previous government. Since taking office, this government has carried out ongoing engagement with the industry, consumer groups and wider stakeholders – and will continue to work closely with all parties as the proposed changes are developed.    

    • Later this year, the government will also publish a Reformed National Pricing Delivery Plan, which will set out the next steps for government to work together with Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator and industry to delivery these reforms.   

    • The government is publishing this decision now to provide certainty for investors ahead of the AR7 auction round.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Queensland’s horrific lion attack shows wild animals should not be kept for our amusement

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Georgette Leah Burns, Associate Professor, Griffith School of Environment and Science, Griffith University

    Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Last weekend, a woman was mauled by a lioness at Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland, and lost her arm. The zoo, which keeps nine lions, has been operating for 20 years and had never experienced an incident such as this.

    The victim was a relative of the zoo owner, Steve Robinson, who told the media the lions were not aggressive and the lioness was thought to be “just playing”.

    Although attacks like this are extremely rare, they are obviously of great concern. The incident should prompt a rethink of our approach to wild animals in captivity, and whether it’s morally acceptable – or safe – to keep them there at all.

    Why do zoos exist?

    Zoos, aquariums and other settings where wild animals are kept captive exist for two main reasons: human entertainment and profit-making.

    Surveys show zoo visitors have a preference for large mammals such as elephants, primates and big cats.

    Some animals are more tolerant of captivity conditions and exposure to humans than others. Fish, for example, seem to respond more neutrally to human presence than most other species.

    But a recent study found captive animals generally demonstrate abnormal behaviour more often than non-captive ones.

    For most wild animals, captivity deprives them of the ability to engage in natural behaviour, which harms their welfare. For example, free-living dolphins and whales have long-range migration patterns which require vast ocean spaces. They are also highly social and display complex communication behaviour.

    Some countries have banned keeping dolphins and whales in captivity for entertainment because it causes the animals to suffer sensory deprivation and stress, among other harms.

    Captive dolphins were once common in aquariums and marine parks across Australia. But now only one facility, Sea World in Queensland, still breeds dolphins for entertainment.

    And earlier this year, the last elephants at Perth Zoo were moved to a 12-hectare habitat in South Australia to improve their welfare.

    Another important welfare question is whether the captive animal has “agency” – that is, whether it can make choices as it would in the wild.

    Can it choose, for example, which other animals it has relationships with? Or whether it has privacy? Having control over such decisions enhances the quality of life for the captive animal.

    It’s important to note that some zoos can deliver positive outcomes for animals. Many play an important conservation role, such as running captive breeding programs for endangered species.

    An example is a long-running program across several Australian zoos and other organisations to recover populations of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. The program has released more than 400 zoo-bred birds into the wild.

    However, such conservation programs do not necessarily need to involve zoos to succeed.

    Weighing up the risks

    No matter how domesticated they might seem, some wild animals in captivity will always pose a risk to humans. Their behaviour can be unpredictable and, as the recent Queensland example shows, even a “playing” lioness can cause enormous physical harm to people.

    Wild animals are called wild for a reason. To be kept in captivity, most animals require training so they can be safely handled. The Darling Downs Zoo incident shows despite this precaution, things can still go wrong.

    But humans will, understandably, always be fascinated by other animals, and want to see them up close. So what are the alternatives to zoos?

    Open range-zoos, such as the one to which the Perth elephants were moved, can offer a better option for some animals.

    Another option is to recreate the zoo experience using technology. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality can be used to create images of animals that look and seem real.

    In Australia, examples include Brisbane’s Hologram Zoo and a high-tech puppetry experience touring Australia which replicates a real shark dive.

    Overseas, animatronic displays have been created to replace dolphin shows.

    Questions about animals kept in captivity require us to consider how much risk to human safety we accept, and the extent to which we prioritise human amusement over animal welfare. In searching for answers, we can start by asking whether we need zoos at all.

    Georgette Leah Burns 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. Queensland’s horrific lion attack shows wild animals should not be kept for our amusement – https://theconversation.com/queenslands-horrific-lion-attack-shows-wild-animals-should-not-be-kept-for-our-amusement-260805

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jul 10, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    SPC AC 100553

    Day 1 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1253 AM CDT Thu Jul 10 2025

    Valid 101200Z – 111200Z

    …THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS
    AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT ACROSS PARTS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL
    KANSAS…CENTRAL AND EASTERN NEBRASKA…WESTERN IOWA AND PARTS OF
    SOUTHEASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA…

    …SUMMARY…
    Strong thunderstorms posing a risk for severe hail, damaging wind
    gusts and perhaps a couple of tornadoes are possible late this
    afternoon into tonight across parts of the central Great Plains into
    mid Missouri Valley.

    …Discussion…
    Stronger westerlies will remain confined to the higher latitudes
    through this period, with one significant short wave perturbation
    forecast to accelerate from eastern portions of the Canadian
    Northwest Territories through areas northeast of Hudson Bay,
    accompanied by a deepening surface cyclone. It appears that the
    leading edge of cooler, drier air in the wake of this cyclone will
    advance south of the international border into the northern Rockies
    and through adjacent portions of the northern U.S. Great Plains,
    trailed by another notable mid-level short wave impulse, which
    models indicate will dig near/east of the Canadian through northern
    U.S. Rockies. As this occurs, mid-level troughing within weaker
    flow in lower latitudes is forecast to slowly dig from the northern
    Great Basin toward the central Great Plains, suppressing stronger
    ridging in the subtropical to southern mid-latitudes, initially
    centered over the Southwest.

    This will be preceded by a couple of convectively generated or
    augmented perturbations migrating across the mid Missouri Valley and
    Upper Midwest, a modest mid-level trough slowly turning
    east-northeast of the lower Great Lakes vicinity, and several weak
    perturbations progressing through broad, weak cyclonic flow across
    the Southeast through southern Atlantic Seaboard.

    …Great Plains into Midwest…
    Uncertainties remain concerning potential convective evolution
    through this period. Models suggest that surface boundaries may
    remain relatively diffuse, but residual seasonably moist
    boundary-layer air may become characterized by sizable CAPE with
    daytime heating, beneath steep lower/mid-tropospheric lapse rates,
    including warm elevated mixed layer air.

    There does appear at least a somewhat consistent signal within
    various convection allowing guidance that an MCV associated with
    ongoing convection across parts of the middle Missouri Valley could
    provide a focus for strong thunderstorm development later today
    across parts of the Upper Midwest. Otherwise, in advance of the
    digging upstream troughing, models indicate that a modest belt of
    southwesterly low-level flow (including 20-30+ kt in the 850-700 mb
    layer) will generally persist through the day east of the lee
    surface trough, from the Texas Panhandle/South Plains into the
    middle Missouri Valley. It appears that this will coincide with a
    corridor of stronger heating/deeper boundary-layer mixing across the
    higher plains, where thunderstorm activity initiating during the
    late afternoon may pose a risk for damaging wind gusts.

    Within the more moist low-level environment across eastern Nebraska
    into western Iowa, the wind fields, aided by veering with height,
    might become at least marginally conducive to a couple of
    supercells, in the presence of sizable CAPE, before forcing for
    ascent associated with the approaching mid-level trough tends to
    support upscale growing clusters this evening.

    …Upper Ohio Valley into portions of New England…
    Near the southern periphery of the mid-level troughing shifting east
    or east-northeast of the lower Great Lakes region, models indicate
    that scattered thunderstorm development is probable during peak
    afternoon heating, in the presence of moderate CAPE (1000-2000+
    J/kg) and shear enhanced at least somewhat by a belt of 20-30 kt
    westerly mid-level flow. This environment may become conducive to
    small hail and potentially damaging wind gusts, before activity
    weakens this evening.

    …Southeast/Southern Atlantic Seaboard…
    Aided by forcing for ascent associated with the mid-level
    perturbations, in the presence of weak mid-level inhibition, one or
    two upscale growing clusters of storms may overspread the southern
    Atlantic Piedmont and coastal plain late this afternoon and evening.
    Forecast soundings indicate that a seasonably moist environment may
    become characterized by moderate CAPE, with perhaps a sufficient
    degree of sub-saturation to allow for evaporative cooling in
    downdrafts to contribute to modest surface cold pool development.
    In the presence of weak deep-layer southwesterly mean flow on the
    order of 10-15 kt, the potential for development of sufficiently
    strong rear inflow to support surface gusts in excess of 50 kt
    appears low, but even with peak gusts generally on the order of
    35-50 kt, sporadic damage will still be possible.

    ..Kerr/Weinman.. 07/10/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1300Z

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Does Australia really take too long to approve medicines, as the US says?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University

    Australia’s drug approval system is under fire, with critics in the United States claiming it is too slow to approve life-saving medicines.

    Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration balances speed with a rigorous assessment of safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

    So does Australia really lag behind the US Food and Drug Administration? And do we need to change how we approve medicines?

    The drug development pipeline

    Drug development usually begins when something new is discovered about a disease. This usually involves identifying either a change in an important protein or finding a new protein involved in the disease.

    When scientists know the shape of the protein, they can design a drug that can block or activate it.

    Scientists will then undertake laboratory, petri dish-type, experiments to see if the drug works on the protein in the way they designed. If it passes those tests, they will then move onto animal testing and formulation.

    Formulation is the step where scientists decide what form the medicine will take, such as a tablet, injection or patch. There are more than 150 different pharmaceutical dosage forms to choose from.

    The final steps are human testing. This requires the completion of three types of clinical trials. Each seeks to answer different specific questions about the drug:

    • Phase I trials: is the drug safe? What are its side effects?
    • Phase II trials: does the drug work?
    • Phase III trials: is the drug better than currently available medicines?

    At the end of the trials, a company can apply to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for approval to market and sell the drug.

    Getting a drug to market is time-consuming and costly. It takes around 15 years from the initial concept and design to government approval and costs more than A$3.5 billion.

    But the failure rate is high: more than 90% of drugs that undergo development never gain government approval.

    How are drugs approved in Australia?

    The decision to approve new medicines for sale in Australia is made based on safety and efficacy evidence provided by the sponsoring company.

    Once approved, the drug is added to the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

    Listing a medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a separate process from approval, and is based on financial considerations and a cost-benefit analysis, rather than safety and efficacy.

    The TGA typically takes 240 to 260 working days (around a full calendar year) from receiving a new medicine application to an approval decision. This is longer than it takes the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – 180 to 300 days.

    Where there is a pressing need, the approval process can be faster. The first COVID treatment was approved in Australia just two weeks after it was submitted for consideration.

    Then why do Americans often get medicines first?

    There can be several reasons why a drug approval can be delayed in Australia when it has already been approved overseas.

    First, with a population of 27 million out of 8 billion world-wide, Australia is a relatively small market. So it is not always a high priority for companies to apply for approval here. Regions with large populations such as China, India and Europe are a bigger focus for companies. This can therefore delay when they submit to Australia.

    Other reasons for delays can be that the TGA requires additional safety or efficacy evidence other regions did not request, or because new information about the drug has come to light since the drug was approved overseas.

    What about delays getting drugs onto the PBS?

    When a drug is listed on the PBS, Australians can access the medicine for $31.60 (or $7.70 concession) instead of the cost of a private prescription which might be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

    The time it takes for medicines to be approved on the PBS has also been a focus of criticism.

    The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), which makes PBS listing recommendations to the Federal Minister of Health, only sits three to six times per year.

    US Chamber of Commerce vice president John Murphy claims the PBAC takes, on average, 32 months to make a recommendation about listing a drug after an application has been submitted.

    Once a recommendation is made, the minister usually takes a minimum of five months to make a final decision.



    Read more:
    Australia’s PBS means consumers pay less for expensive medicines. Here’s how this system works

    To speed up the process, the TGA does allow parallel applications for drug approval and PBS listing.

    The time taken to make a PBS listing decision is reasonable, given the scheme’s overall cost. In 2023–24, the total cost of the PBS to the government was $17.7 billion. So a decision to list can’t be made lightly.

    So should Australia change how it approves medicines?

    Criticising the time it takes to get regulatory approvals appears to be part of a wider plan of attack by the US government. It is putting pressure on Australia to open its market to higher prices for medicines made by US pharmaceutical companies.

    Australia has a world-class regulatory agency in the TGA which ensures medicines that are approved are both safe and effective. And the PBS scheme is a key part of our public health care system and the envy of the world.

    The Australian government should resist any changes to the regulatory approval processes that come from the US.

    Nial Wheate in the past has received funding from the ACT Cancer Council, Tenovus Scotland, Medical Research Scotland, Scottish Crucible, and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Nial is the chief scientific officer of Vaihea Skincare LLC, a director of SetDose Pty Ltd (a medical device company) and was previously a Standards Australia panel member for sunscreen agents. He is a member of the Haleon Australia Pty Ltd Pain Advisory Board. Nial regularly consults to industry on issues to do with medicine risk assessments, manufacturing, design and testing.

    – ref. Does Australia really take too long to approve medicines, as the US says? – https://theconversation.com/does-australia-really-take-too-long-to-approve-medicines-as-the-us-says-260910

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Pant flays ‘irritating’ Dukes ball in England test series

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India vice captain Rishabh Pant said the Dukes balls being used in the current test series against England are losing their shape very quickly and cannot be good for the game.

    India captain Shubman Gill was the first to criticise the balls after his team levelled the five-match series with a comprehensive victory in the second test at Edgbaston.

    “I feel it’s a big problem because the ball is getting out of shape,” Pant told reporters on the eve of the third test at Lord’s beginning on Thursday.

    “When you see the ball, you can see it’s de-shaped but the rules are such … it’s not up to the players.”

    India, despite having rested pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, took 20 wickets at Edgbaston where they racked up 587 in the first innings and declared their second on 427-6.

    Pant could not recall another series where the ball lost its shape so quickly.

    “It’s definitely irritating for the players because every ball plays differently,” said the 27-year-old.

    “When it becomes softer it’s not doing much but as soon as they change the ball it starts to do enough.

    “As a batsman, you keep adjusting to it but at the same time, I feel it’s not good for cricket eventually.”

    India will take a late decision on whether to play left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav at Lord’s but Bumrah’s return is a major boost for the tourists.

    Asked for his view on what made Bumrah, arguably the best all-format bowler of his generation, so special, Pant said, “I think everything – how accurate he is and the way his mind works. He’s just amazing.”

    While batting against Bumrah is a tricky task, keeping to him is not a cakewalk either, Pant said.

    “I think it’s more difficult for the wicketkeeper behind the wicket than for a batsman, especially in England,” Pant said referring to the late movement that Bumrah regularly generates.

    (Reuters)

  • Djokovic sets up Sinner showdown, Swiatek reaches first Wimbledon semi-final

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of yet more career milestones continued unabated as he reached a record 14th Wimbledon semi-final and a showdown with world number one Jannik Sinner on Wednesday.

    The 38-year-old Serb recovered from a set down to beat Flavio Cobolli 6-7(6) 6-2 7-5 6-4 and is now only two victories away from an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.

    Blocking his path next is a rather more formidable Italian in the form of Sinner who eased any worries about an elbow injury to beat American powerhouse Ben Shelton 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4.

    In the women’s quarter-finals, Poland’s claycourt specialist Iga Swiatek broke new ground by reaching her first Wimbledon semi-final, beating Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5.

    The eighth seed will face Switzerland’s unseeded Belinda Bencic who edged out Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva 7-6(3) 7-6(2) to also reach her first semi-final at the grasscourt slam.

    By reaching a record-extending 52nd Grand Slam semi, Djokovic also kept alive his hopes of equalling Roger Federer’s men’s record eight Wimbledon singles titles.

    It remains a tall order even for a player widely regarded as the greatest of all time, especially with top seed Sinner and Spain’s holder Carlos Alcaraz, the two new powers in men’s tennis, most people’s bet to contest the final on July 13.

    But no one should be writing off Djokovic who has won 44 of his last 46 matches at the All England Club and seems to know every single blade of grass on the historic Centre Court.

    “It means the world to me that at 38 I am able to play in the final stages of Wimbledon,” Djokovic, who suffered a nasty slip on match point but appeared unscathed, said.

    “Competing with youngsters makes me feel young, like Cobolli today. I enjoy running and sliding around the court. Speaking of the young guys, I will have Sinner in the next round so I look forward to that. That is going to be a great match-up.”

    SINNER INJURY

    Sinner may well have been back home in Italy had Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov not damaged his right pectoral muscle and retired with a two-set lead in the fourth round on Monday.

    The three-times Grand Slam champion also sustained an elbow injury early on in that match and there was some doubt about his physical state ahead of his clash with 10th seed Shelton.

    But he produced a clinical performance, reeling off seven successive points to win the first-set tiebreak and then pouncing in the 10th game of the next two sets to match his run to the semi-final two years ago when he lost to Djokovic.

    Sinner, bidding to become the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles title, wore a protective sleeve on his right arm but was rock solid against the big-serving Shelton.

    “I had quite good feelings in the warm-up today,” Sinner, who dropped only six points on his first serve, said.

    “I put into my mind that I’m going to play today. So the concerns were not that big if I would play or not.

    “It was just a matter of what my percentage is. Today was very high, so I’m happy.”

    Swiatek appears to have finally overcome her grass court demons and the four-times French Open champion could not hide her delight at reaching the semi-final at the sixth attempt.

    “Honestly, it feels great. I have goosebumps after this win. I am super happy and super proud of myself and I will keep going. I worked really hard to progress here on this surface.”

    Former Olympic champion Bencic became the first Swiss woman to reach the semis since Martina Hingis in 1998 after stunning 18-year-old seventh seed Andreeva on Centre Court.

    “It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true,” the 28-year-old mother said. “I’m just speechless.”

    Bencic will face Swiatek on Thursday after top seed Aryna Sabalenka takes on 13th-seeded American Amanda Anisimova.

    The first silverware of this year’s tournament will also be decided on Thursday when Dutchman Sem Verbeek and Czech Katerina Siniakova face Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani in the mixed doubles final on Centre Court.

    (Reuters)

  • Dominant France thrash Wales 4-1 at Euro 2025 to go top of group

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    France produced a dominant display to thrash Wales 4-1 and go top of Group D at Euro 2025 on Wednesday, outclassing their opponents who scored their first goal at a major championship.

    After England beat the Netherlands 4-0 earlier in the day, France went top of the group on six points, followed by the English and the Dutch on three points each.

    Wales, who face England in their final group game on Sunday, have yet to register a point but still have a mathematical chance of going through to the knockouts. France face the Netherlands in their last group game.

    Clara Mateo was at the centre of much of France’s attacking play and lashed them into an early lead, controlling a flick-on from a corner on her chest and firing a volley into the net in the eighth minute.

    The moment thousands of Wales fans had been waiting for came five minutes later when Ceri Holland broke down the left and though her first attempt to find Jess Fishlock was blocked, she managed to steer the ball to the 38-year-old, who poked home Wales’ maiden goal at the women’s European Championship finals.

    That was as good as it got for Wales, who looked set to go into the break level only for Holland to chop down Mateo in the box and Kadidiatou Diani’s spot kick crept over the line after striking the foot of keeper Safia Middleton-Patel.

    Middleton-Patel was at fault just after the break as she lost control of the ball in the box, allowing Mateo to tee up Amel Majri, who thumped it into the net.

    After that the Welsh wilted as the French dominated, with Grace Geyoro scoring their fourth in the 63rd minute, steering home a ball from the right following an extended period of possession to crown a convincing win.

    “We’ve got six points after two matches and that’s what we need to remember. It won’t be an easy (next) game because the Netherlands will have no choice but to attack and score goals,” France coach Laurent Bonadei said.

    Mateo was impressed with how her side bounced back from Fishlock’s equalising goal and how they went on to dominate.

    “We had a bit of a scare at the start of the game but we had confidence in ourselves. It was a great evening, there are different strikers and that’s important for everyone’s confidence,” she said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Death at O’Sullivan Beach

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are investigating after a body was located at O’Sullivan Beach this morning.

    Just before 10.30am on Thursday 10 July, police and paramedics were called to the O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp after a person was seen floating in the water.

    The 29-year-old Christie Downs man was brought to shore but sadly could not be revived.

    The death is not being treated as suspicious, and police are preparing a report for the Coroner.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Skorts revolutionised how women and girls play sport. But in 2025, are they regressive?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer E. Cheng, Researcher and Lecturer in Sociology, Western Sydney University

    If you watched any of the 2025 Wimbledon womens’ matches, you’ll have noticed many players donning a skort: a garment in which shorts are concealed under a skirt, or a front panel resembling a skirt.

    You may even remember skorts from your schooling days, as they’re commonly offered in girls’ uniforms throughout Australia.

    The skort (a portmanteau of skirt and shorts) has played a truly unique role in the history of women’s clothing. They were once a progressive item of clothing, as they afforded women the opportunity to partake in activities that would have been difficult in a skirt or dress.

    Their role in contemporary society, however, is a bit more complicated.

    Rebellious beginnings

    The first garments resembling skorts were developed in the 1890s so women could ride bicycles without their skirt getting caught in the chains. While the puffy “bloomers” had already been invented a few decades earlier, women who wore them often faced ridicule.

    Skorts were considered revolutionary at a time when men both figuratively and literally wore the pants.

    Back then, they were usually a pair of loose pants under a front panel resembling a skirt. The aim was to retain the wearer’s femininity, and not offend those who thought pants were a purely masculine article of clothing.

    A drawing from an 1896 patent of a ‘cycling skirt’.

    The skort as we know it today, and as is seen across the sporting world, was popularised in the 1960s by American fashion designer Leon Levin.

    This skirt was said to offer “the freedom of shorts and soft lines of a skirt”. The underlying message: even as women participate in traditionally “masculine” activities, they should be careful not to look too masculine.

    Sport management academic M. Katie Flanagan argues women may be convinced that exercising in a skort achieves an acceptable gender performance. In other words, they are socialised to think they have to “perform” their gender by wearing the “correct” clothing.

    Skorts in sport and school

    In the sporting world, skorts are deliberately designed to be trendy and attractive, rather than purely functional.

    One study on women golfers found they were more satisfied with their uniforms if they were happy with both the comfort and attractiveness, indicating women’s sportswear isn’t just about fit and practicality.

    Skorts have historically also had class associations. As recently as ten years ago, sport skorts were an expensive item reserved for those from the middle and upper classes. Women from lower economic classes also tended to not have the time and/or resources to engage in the activities skorts were designed for, namely tennis and golf.

    More recently, however, discount stores have made skorts accessible to those on a budget.

    School skorts, a topic of my ongoing research, are particularly affordable at discount stores. A generic discount store skort may cost about A$10, compared to A$20–40 for one purchased directly from a school.

    Some schools offer skorts to girls as the equivalent of sports shorts or as part of the everyday uniform. Other schools seem to prefer culottes as an alternative to a dress or skirt – shorts that are loose enough to resemble a skirt.

    Many schools still don’t offer shorts to girls as part of the everyday uniform. Whether or not girls are allowed to wear the “boys’” shorts comes down to the individual school.

    From rebellion to restriction

    One 2019 review of school uniform policies in South Australia found 98.6% of public schools included shorts as a uniform option for girls, compared to just 26.4% of private schools.

    Researchers Sarah Cohen-Woods and Rachel Laattoe found girls in private schools were often restricted in their choices, having to choose between skorts and culottes as an alternative to a skirt or dress.

    Across Australia, all state and territory education policies – most of which came into effect between 2017 and 2019 – mandate public schools must offer girls the option of wearing shorts and pants.

    However, the wordings of these policies differ widely. While New South Wales, Victoria and Norther Territory specifically mention shorts and pants must be offered to girls, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania specify schools must offer unisex or gender neutral items to all students.

    South Australia’s and Australian Capital Territory’s policies further state uniform items should be categorised by type of clothing, or in non-gender specific terms.

    However, in some states, including New South Wales, schools are free to interpret the policy as they wish, which is why some only offer culottes or skorts to girls. There is generally no oversight or enforcement of policies to force schools to offer actual shorts to girls.

    A similar debate is happening in women’s sports. Ireland’s Camogie Association only ended the compulsory skorts policy in May, after years of complaints by players. Dublin captain Aisling Maher said she was “sick of being forced to wear a skort that is uncomfortable and unfit for purpose”.

    “In no other facet of my life does someone dictate that I have to wear something resembling a skirt because I am a girl. Why is it happening in my sport?” Maher said.

    A camogie team pictured in Waterford, Ireland, 1915. The Irish stick-and-ball team sport is played by women.
    Wikimedia

    A garment for the male gaze

    In recent years, many stores have advertised skorts for fashion. Target, for instance, currently sells a tailored skort described as a “must have for any trendsetter looking to stand out in a crowd”.

    There are conflicting arguments about whether skorts are progressive or regressive. On one hand, they allow women and girls to move freely during physical activities, without having to worry about their underwear being visible.

    On the other, they set a precedent in regards to how women and girls ought to perform their gender, by avoiding looking too “masculine” – which makes them somewhat misogynistic.

    The skort is an object of dual meanings: at once a skirt and a pair of shorts – at once progressive and regressive.

    Jennifer E. Cheng 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. Skorts revolutionised how women and girls play sport. But in 2025, are they regressive? – https://theconversation.com/skorts-revolutionised-how-women-and-girls-play-sport-but-in-2025-are-they-regressive-260420

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australian clean energy innovators showcase solutions in India

    Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

    The latest of the Albanese Labor Government’s new trade and investment missions took place in India this week building on the government’s commitment to create jobs and drive growth through stronger international partnerships.

    This mission, one of five announced by the Prime Minister in April, will be attended by 30 delegates from across 22 innovative Australian companies, showcasing Australia’s cutting-edge clean energy solutions.

    Led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) in partnership with the New South Wales and Victorian Governments, and supported by Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, the mission will deepen our energy cooperation with one of our most important trade and investment partners.

    Australia is a world leader in clean energy innovation, and businesses are well placed to partner with India as it transitions to a low-emissions future. India has set a commendable target to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, and Australian companies can play a key role in supporting that growth while opening up significant export opportunities.

    Trade missions such as these are a critical part of the Government’s strategy to diversify and strengthen Australia’s trade and investment relationships. They showcase the best of Australian innovation to the world and deliver concrete commercial outcomes for our exporters.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Payback time as Pedro goals cover part of transfer fee

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

    Very few new signings have made an instant sporting and economic impact in the same way that striker Joao Pedro did for Chelsea, as his goals took his new side to the FIFA Club World Cup final in a 2-0 victory over Fluminense on Tuesday.

    Joao Pedro of Chelsea reacts after scoring his first goal during the semifinal match between Fluminense FC (Brazil) and Chelsea FC (England) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, the United States, July 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

    Pedro only signed from Brighton & Hove Albion a week ago, flying straight to the United States from Brazil to join up with his new side, as he was allowed to play in the Club World Cup – unlike Jamie Gittens, who has also joined Chelsea but is unable to play in the tournament as he has already represented Borussia Dortmund.

    It took Pedro just 18 minutes to open the scoring with a stunning curling shot into the corner of the Fluminense net.

    He sealed the win 11 minutes into the second half after latching onto Enzo Fernandez’s through ball and scoring with a shot that bounced off the crossbar and into the net.

    The fact Pedro scored goals after so little time adapting to his new teammates could be a sign that Chelsea’s long search for a center-forward is finally over.

    In just one game, Pedro has already paid back a big chunk of his transfer fee. Chelsea paid Brighton 55 million pounds (75 million U.S. dollars) for his services, and by taking Chelsea to the final against either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid, he has already earned the club a further 21 million pounds in prize money – over a third of his fee.

    If Chelsea wins the final and Pedro scores again, he will have already paid for himself.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: City calls for groups to be part of 2025 Seniors Festival

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City of Greater Bendigo wants to hear from local community groups and organisations interested in holding a free or low-cost event or activity as part of this year’s Greater Bendigo Seniors Festival set to take place from October 5 to October 12, 2025.

    This year’s festival will celebrate with the theme Connect Create Celebrate!

    City of Greater Bendigo Acting Director Healthy Communities and Environments Andie West said the City is calling on local community groups and organisations to hold an event or activity during this year’s festival, to showcase their group, provide entertainment, activities and a chance for older adults to connect with others.

    “We are looking for groups to hold activities and events that older people will enjoy such as, craft and gardening activities, tours, morning teas, entertainment, information sessions, learning opportunities, come and try days or exercise programs and events that promote positive ageing,” Ms West said.

    “The annual Seniors Festival recognises and celebrates the valuable contribution of older adults to our community and encourages them to discover new activities and interests in our community.

    “It’s a great way for groups and organisations to connect with older adults who make up a large part of our population.

    “If you think your group or organisation can host a great event for older adults in the spirit of the festival then we want to hear from you.

    “We have limited space in the printed program but would love to include as many events as possible that meet the broad needs of the community.

    “Community events and activities registered by Wednesday August 6, 2025, where possible, will be listed and promoted in the printed and online festival program.

    “Groups and organisations are also encouraged to promote events through their own networks and on the Connect Greater Bendigo events calendar.”

    MIL OSI News –