Dr. Cato T. Laurencin is the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, recognized as the leading voice in the field, published by Springer Nature.
“We are proud to work with Professor Sir Cato Laurencin on the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. As the Founding Editor-in-Chief of this important journal, he has made great strides in the advancement of research on racial and ethnic health disparities. The journal’s 2024 CiteScore is 7.5, ranking 5 out of 524 journals in the Anthropology category,” said Katherine Lang, executive publisher, Journals – Springer Nature.
Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin is the University Professor at UConn and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the chief executiveoOfficer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named in his honor at UConn.
He completed his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering at Princeton. At the same time, he completed the Program in African-American Studies at Princeton. He received his M.D., Magna Cum Laude from the Harvard Medical School and his Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology from M.I.T. Under the auspices of King George III of England, Laurencin was bestowed Knighthood by the Governor-General of St. Lucia.
Laurencin is a professor of Africana Studies at the University of Connecticut and chaired the Inaugural World Congress on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, held in 2025 in St. Lucia. He received the Herbert V. Nickens Award from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) for his work in advancing social justice and fairness. The NAACP awarded him the Spingarn Medal, given for “the highest or noblest achievement by an African American.” Previously the award was given to Dr. Charles Drew, Martin Luther King Jr., and Maya Angelou, among others. The W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute and the National Medical Association created the Cato T. Laurencin Lifetime Research Achievement Award in his honor, bestowed at the opening ceremonies of the National Medical Association meeting.
Key Process Improvements Save Energy and Cut Costs for Recycling Polyester With Enzymes
NREL and collaborators made key improvements at each stage of an enzymatic recycling process—from the breakdown of plastics to the efficient recovery of building blocks for high-value materials—which resulted in an economically viable process for industry. Pictured from NREL (back row left to right): Manar Alherech, John E. McGeehan, Stephen H. Dempsey, Gregg T. Beckham; (front row left to right): Kelsey J. Ramirez, Natasha P. Murphy, Jason S. DesVeaux, Christine A. Singer, Hannah M. Alt, Elizabeth L. Bell. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL
A successful collaboration involving a trio of research institutions has yielded a road map toward an economically viable process for using enzymes to recycle plastics.
The researchers, from NREL, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the University of Portsmouth in England, previously partnered on the biological engineering of improved PETase enzymes that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET). With its low manufacturing cost and excellent material properties, PET is used extensively in single-use packaging, soda bottles, and textiles.
The new study combines the previous fundamental research with advanced chemical engineering, process development, and techno-economic analysis to lay the blueprints for enzyme-based PET recycling at industrial scale.
While current methods exist for recycling PET, they are often incompatible with typical low-quality plastic waste. A potential solution lies with enzymes, which can selectively break down PET, even from contaminated and colored plastic waste streams. The researchers’ new design focuses on improvements at each stage of the process, from plastic deconstruction with enzymes, to efficient recovery of the resulting building blocks, or monomers. These monomers can be used to make new plastic or upcycled to generate higher value materials, saving energy and resources.
The key to making such a process viable is to reduce the energy and cost requirements, which in turn yields a cheaper product. The team has achieved this by innovations that change the reaction conditions and separations technologies to reduce expensive acid and base additions by more than 99%, reduce annual running costs by 74%, and reduce energy use by 65%.
“Despite the advantages of enzymatic recycling for complex plastic waste streams, the field has encountered multiple challenges for realistic implementation,” said Gregg Beckham, a senior research fellow at NREL and colead of the study. “Here we have taken a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates multiple innovations to realize an economically viable and scalable process.”
The modeled cost of the resulting enzyme-recycled PET are now below those of U.S. domestic virgin PET ($1.51/kg vs. $1.87/kg), making this an attractive option for industry investment and scale-up.
According to a 2022 NREL study, 86% of plastics were landfilled in the United States in 2019—materials with enough embodied energy to supply 5% of the power needs of the U.S. transportation sector. With global plastic production anticipated to increase between two and four times current levels by 2050, recovering and valorizing more postconsumer plastics is an opportunity to recapture that energy for domestic materials manufacturing.
“We see a significant opportunity to design, test, and optimize new recycling technologies to efficiently valorize postconsumer plastics into feedstock for new materials,” said Natasha Murphy, a biochemist at NREL and co-first author of the new paper.
The paper, “Process innovations to enable viable enzymatic poly(ethylene terephthalate) recycling,” appears in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering. Other co-authors from NREL are Stephen Dempsey, Jason DesVeaux, Taylor Uekert, Swarnalatha Mailaram, Manar Alherech, Hannah Alt, Kelsey Ramirez, Brenna Norton-Baker, Elizabeth Bell, Christine Singer, and John McGeehan.
McGeehan, who recently joined NREL from the University of Portsmouth, said, “I am delighted to be part of a team that is dedicated to translate fundamental science toward real-world application and look forward to working closely between NREL and our industry partners to accelerate the design and construction of the first U.S. enzymatic plastic recycling plant.”
Research funds came from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office and Bioenergy Technologies Office. This work was performed as part of the Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLETM) consortium.
Explore NREL bioenergy and bioeconomy research, including recyclable-by-design materials research.
NOAA and its partners have released the latest Regional Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks, which recap spring conditions and provide insight into what might be expected this summer.
Spring Temperature Recap
During meteorological spring (March–May) 2025, the continental U.S. average temperature was 54.1°F, 3.2°F above average, making it the second-warmest spring in the 131-year record. North Carolina recorded its second-warmest spring (3.7°F above average), while Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and Virginia each matched or exceeded their third-warmest spring on record. For the spring season (March–May), Alaska’s average temperature was 27.7°F, 3.7°F above average, ranking in the warmest third of the historical record.
Spring Precipitation Recap
During spring, the continental U.S. received an average of 8.90 inches of precipitation, 0.97 inch above the long-term average, ranking in the wettest third of the 131-year record. Much-above-average precipitation fell across parts of the southern Plains, South, Ohio Valley and Northeast, as well as in portions of the northern Plains and upper Great Lakes. In contrast, below-average precipitation was observed in parts of the Mountain West, central Plains and across the Florida Peninsula.
Alaska tied its second-wettest spring on record, despite some parts of the West Coast and western Aleutians being drier than average.
Summer Temperature Outlook
The July–September Temperature Outlook favors above-normal temperatures throughout the lower 48 states with the highest forecast confidence across the Great Basin and New England. The outlook only slightly leans towards above-normal temperatures for much of the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley. Above-normal temperatures are also favored for eastern and southern Alaska.
Summer Precipitation Outlook
The July–September Precipitation Outlook depicts elevated above-normal precipitation probabilities for the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Upper Ohio Valley. Below-normal precipitation is more likely across the Northern to Central Great Plains, Northern Rockies, and Pacific Northwest. Above-normal precipitation is favored for central and western Alaska.
Impacts and Outlooks for Your Region
Get more details for your region in the June 2025 Regional Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks:
Creating Quarterly Summaries
NOAA’s Regional Climate Services lead the production of these quarterly temperature and precipitation impacts and outlooks for various regions of the United States as well as parts of Canada along the border. This effort, which began in 2012, includes 13 unique regional products that are produced collaboratively with partner organizations.
You can access all of the Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks summaries as well as additional reports and assessments through the U.S. Drought Portal Reports web page at Drought.gov.
Residents are being asked about what they see at their community safety priorities.
The ask is part of this week’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week 2025 and as the City Council prepares to launch three new community safety hubs.
These hubs will help promote partnership working to tackle ASB and bring together the council, Northumbria Police, community groups and others all under one roof.
Hubs are being prepared for:
Hendon in Sunderland East
Pennywell in Sunderland West
Concord and Sulgrave in Washington.
Similar and successful partnership hub projects in Southwick, Hetton and the city centre are already underway.
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Michael Mordey said: “This is all about continuing to listen to residents – we know that ASB and crime are concerns for residents, and we want to hear of their experiences in their communities. The views we receive help shape the bigger picture in the fight against ASB and crime, and to making residents feel safer when they are at home, at work, or during their leisure time.
“We have already seen successes in Southwick, Hetton and Easington Lane and in the city centre as projects and hubs have improved community safety and reduced ASB. Now, we’re preparing these next steps for the Hendon, Pennywell and Washington hubs.”
ASB includes verbal abuse and harassment, or threatening behaviour; and other public nuisances such as rowdy behaviour, public drunkenness, noisy neighbours, and environmental crimes such as littering and fly-tipping, graffiti and vandalism.
Over the last year, incidences of ASB have dropped by around a third in the city centre and Southwick areas, and by a fifth in the Hetton and Easington Lane hub area. Dozens of community protection notices, warnings and acceptable behaviour agreements have also been issued across the three areas
Cllr Mordey added: “Residents have seen real benefits from these projects as the issues that matter to them most are tackled. So we would like to hear more from the three newly identified areas on what and where the ASB concerns are.”
Each hub in the newly identified areas will have its own community safety officers, community safety specialists and community engagement lead as well as dedicated police and other partner support. Hubs will be open and running in coming months.
Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: “Information from residents is absolutely crucial in building up intelligence about crime fighting and how ASB is dealt with. Similar hubs and projects have been working well elsewhere and expanding this multi-agency partnership with three more hubs and information from the public is going to help us all tackle issues that are important for residents.
“No one should have to deal with criminality happening on their doorstep – this is why it’s crucial that we work with members of the public to understand the issues that we need to focus our efforts on.
“Our neighbourhood officers spend their days in the heart of the community, building intelligence around crime patterns and ASB hot-spot areas.
“Thank you to those of you that continue to work with us and provide us with information, we really do value your views and opinions.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Delivery firms to bolster rider security checks to stop illegal working
Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat commit to further strengthening security checks on delivery riders to prevent illegal working in the gig economy.
Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat will strengthen verification checks on delivery riders to clamp down on illegal working, following productive talks with the government.
The commitment comes after ministers convened the 3 firms for a roundtable at the Home Office today (30 June) to discuss what further urgent action can be taken to prevent immigration offending on their platforms.
Over the last year, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat have introduced voluntary ‘right to work’ checks on all account holders and registered substitutes. These measures have helped stop illegal workers abusing the platform, with action taken on thousands of accounts.
However, Border Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle and Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders raised concerns that, despite these welcome steps, there continues to be abuse in the sector where illicit account sharing leads to illegal working.
Ministers set out the government’s zero tolerance approach to immigration crime and stressed the importance of tightening checks to crack down on those who flout employment rules.
As result of productive discussions, the firms agreed to increase the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology to ensure only registered account holders can work off their platforms. This will help stop people with no right to work in the UK from using someone’s name to earn money illegally.
The strengthened industry standard – to be rolled out in the next 90 days – will see Deliveroo and Uber Eats increase the quantity and sophistication of verification checks they already do, with Just Eat upping the same checks from monthly to daily.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:
This government will not turn a blind eye to illegal working. It undercuts honest business, hits people’s wages and plays into the hands of the people smuggling gangs.
I welcome Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats’ pledge to increase facial verification checks following today’s roundtable. We will keep a close eye on their progress and continue discussions.
Under our Plan for Change, we are taking a zero tolerance approach to illegal working across the board. Arrests nationwide have increased by 51% and we are strengthening legislation via our Borders Bill to end the abuse of flexible working arrangements.
Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said:
Illegal working opens the door to mistreatment and exploitation, undercutting legal workers in the process by driving down wages and working conditions.
We’re already delivering the biggest upgrade to people’s rights at work in a generation as part of our Plan for Change, and we will continue to engage with these companies to ensure these rights are enforced, building a fairer labour market.
A Deliveroo spokesperson said:
We take a zero tolerance approach to anyone abusing our platform, and today’s meeting with industry partners and the Home Office represents progress in our collective efforts to combat illegal working.
The industry leading measures Deliveroo put in place over the last year have had a positive impact, but criminals continue to seek new ways to abuse the system. Today, we have committed to further strengthening our approach, increasing daily facial recognition checks, and we welcome the industry’s commitment to do the same.
An Uber Eats spokesperson said:
We are committed to tackling illegal working and welcome continued collaboration with industry and the Home Office, which is essential in raising standards and ensuring consistency.
We will continue to invest in industry-leading tools to detect illegal work and remove fraudulent accounts.
A Just Eat spokesperson said:
Just Eat fully supports the government’s efforts to tackle illegal working, and we are continuing to invest significant resources to protect the integrity of our network.
Today, alongside the government and wider industry, we’re committing to further action to strengthen our systems and safeguards in response to these complex and evolving challenges.
Today’s announcement comes just months after the government announced it will change the law to expand illegal working checks.
Under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, companies hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors like construction, food delivery and beauty salons will be legally required to carry out checks to confirm that anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK. The move will bring them in line with other employers to level the playing field for the majority of companies that do the right thing.
Ramping up illegal working enforcement activity forms a key part of the Home Office’s drive to restore order to the immigration system under the UK Government’s Plan for Change.
In many cases, individuals travelling to the UK illegally are sold a lie by smuggling gangs that they will be able to live and work freely in the UK, when in reality they often end up facing squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours, with the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught working illegally.
Since the election, a major surge in immigration enforcement activity across the UK has led to a 51% increase in the number of illegal working arrests. Since 5 July last year to 31 May, 9,000 visits have resulted in 6,410 arrests, marking a 48% and 51% rise respectively compared to the year before under the previous government (5 July 2023 to 31 May 2024).
The intensified activity also comes alongside the return of nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK.
People across Derbyshire are being asked to have their say on how local council services are delivered in the future, as part of the biggest change to local government in 50 years.
A proposal drawn up by Derbyshire’s eight district and borough councils, together with Derby City Council, would see the 10 councils that provide services across the county replaced with two councils – one covering the north of the county, and one covering the south.
Now, people and organisations across Derbyshire are being asked for their views about the ‘One Derbyshire, two councils’ proposal as part of a public consultation running until 10 August 2025.
The decision to launch a local government reorganisation process was taken by central government, which wants to simplify how councils are organised across the whole of England and make them more efficient – reducing costs while delivering services that are better, and more joined-up.
The government asked local councils to work together to draw up initial proposals for their area and it is now time for local people to have their say, before proposals for Derbyshire are finalised and submitted to government later this year.
In a joint statement, the Leaders of Derbyshire’s eight district and borough councils, and city council, said:
The current structure of local government in Derbyshire dates back to 1974 and the way people live their lives has changed beyond recognition since then.
Government has asked councils to work together to come up with plans which modernise and simplify council structures, so all services are run by single authorities and they’re easier for people, communities and businesses to deal with.
Our proposal recognises that Derbyshire is a large county with differing needs – and in considering the options, we’ve put local people and places first.
With one council covering southern Derbyshire and one covering northern Derbyshire, we believe we will have councils that are big enough to deliver efficient services, but close enough to listen and respond to the needs of our communities.
We know local identity – at both a county and area level – is really important to people. The proposal for two councils will maintain our county’s historic border, including the city of Derby, which is a key centre of economic growth. And although the council boundaries will no longer exist in the way they do now, our communities and places will remain – that sense of belonging is about the people who make up a community, not lines on a map.
We now want to hear from people and organisations across our communities. This is your chance to help shape how services will be delivered in your local area, and how your place fits into the wider plans for Derbyshire.
In places like Derbyshire, local services are currently delivered under what is known as a ‘two-tier’ council structure.
This means that some services are delivered by a borough or district council, and others are provided by Derbyshire County Council. Within Derbyshire, there is also Derby City Council which is a ‘unitary’ council providing all services to the communities it serves.
Between them, these councils are responsible for a vast range of local services. The county council provides services like social care for children and adults, education and transport, while district and borough councils are responsible for services such as bin collections, planning, and leisure centres. Derby City Council provides all of these council services to the communities it serves.
Under the proposal, two new councils would be created, each responsible for delivering all services in their local area – one in the north and one in the south.
There are three possible options for how the area currently covered by Amber Valley Borough Council could be included in the new structure: placed entirely in the northern council, entirely in the southern council, or with different parishes joining each of the two councils, depending on where they may best fit.
Early forecasts* suggest that this new structure of local government in Derbyshire could save between £56m and £93m over five years, through reduced duplication of services, fewer council buildings, fewer councillors and senior officers, and being able to achieve better economies of scale when buying and delivering services. However, at this stage the councils are rightfully cautious and careful in relation to financial projections, as there remains much to be assessed and understood as the local government reorganisation process progresses.
The Leaders added:
Our proposal also supports a strong Derbyshire for the future – creating councils which can develop more strategic approaches to economic development, regeneration and county-wide infrastructure, while working closely and more efficiently with the new East Midlands Mayor and East Midlands Combined County Authority, which guides large-scale investment across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
The views of people and organisations will feed into the development of final proposals, which must be considered by existing councils and submitted to Government by 28 November 2025.
Government will then review the proposals for Derbyshire, and for twenty other county areas across England, before making final decisions in the Summer of 2026. If the Government accepts the proposals for Derbyshire, elections for the new shadow authorities would take place in 2027 and new councils would start to operate by April 2028.
To find out more about local government reorganisation in Derbyshire and give your views in the consultation visit the consultation website. The online questionnaire will take around 10 minutes to complete.
* Note: These figures are estimated using figures of similar Local Government Reorganisations. They do not take account of Derbyshire’s particular circumstances and are indicative only.
The new breast screening unit at the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre is due to be officially opened on Wednesday 2 July.
As previously announced, Improvements to breast screening programme, enhancements have been made to the breast screening service as part of a project to ensure that by the end of 2027, all eligible women will be automatically called up for breast screening rather than having to inform Health and Care Jersey that they would like to be screened.
The project was only possible thanks to a new £255,000 mammography machine paid for by The John Clive Le Seelleur Trust, and funding from the charity Jersey Cancer Relief for additional members of staff.
Since it opened in November, about 3,000 people have been screened in the new unit. Feedback from those who have accessed the unit has been positive with 100% of the 103 people who responded to an online survey rating their overall experience as ‘very good’ (94) or ‘good’ (8). One respondent said: “The lady who did my screening was lovely as are all staff in the mammography department on past appointments”.
At 4.30pm on Wednesday 2 July, former Health Minister Anne Pryke, now Chair of Jersey Cancer Relief, and whose mother is Enid Quenault who was Connétable of St Brelade, will officially open the unit. The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Tom Binet, along with his Assistant Ministers; Deputies Rose Binet, Andy Howell and Barbara Ward will also attend the opening. They will be joined by HCJ Chief Officer Tom Walker, representatives from ABC Jersey and Macmillan Jersey as well as HCJ colleagues who were a part of the project.
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Tom Binet, said: “I’m delighted to hear that since it opened, this vital new unit has managed to see around 3,000 women. I would like to thank staff who are clearly providing an exceptional service as it was very heartening to hear the great feedback from those who have attended a screening.
“I would also like to thank the charities for their generous support in helping us to enhance our breast screening service. This new machine will play an important role in helping us to detect cancer early and so help save lives.”
Anne Pryke, Chair of Jersey Cancer Relief, said: “It is an honour to officially open the new breast screening unit at the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre. This state-of-the-art facility represents a significant step forward in the early detection of breast cancer, and we are proud to support such a vital service for women in Jersey.
“The dedication of the screening team is truly inspiring, and everyone at Jersey Cancer Relief is proud to be helping make a lasting impact through this project, but we wouldn’t be able to support important projects of this nature without the generosity of our donors.”
Island residents are being invited to take part in a region-wide survey that will help shape the future of local government across the region.
The Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) survey — now live — gives everyone the chance to share their views on how councils could be restructured to better serve local communities.
The Isle of Wight Council is working in partnership with councils across Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton to explore changes to the current system.
While most of Hampshire operates under a two-tier structure — with services split between county and district or borough councils — the Isle of Wight already functions as a unitary authority, delivering all local services directly.
Under the proposals being considered, the Isle of Wight would remain a unitary authority. Meanwhile, the mainland councils are exploring the creation of four new unitary councils to replace the existing 15-council structure.
This joint survey marks the next phase of the LGR process, following the submission of an interim plan for change earlier this year.
It focuses on gathering feedback from across the area, with a particular emphasis on local community identity.
Island residents are being encouraged to take part and make their voices heard before 27 July 2025.
The community turned out in full force to our second Tak£500+ Market Stall and Decision Making event last weekend in Armagh. Local groups showcased their amazing project ideas to the crowds who then had a chance to vote for their favourites!
The next event takes place this Saturday 5 July, 2pm to 5pm in South Lake Leisure Centre. Come along and check out all the projects within the Craigavon area and vote for your favourite to receive up to £1000! See you there!
New public toilets are now open at Queensferry’s Hawes Pier for use by residents and visitors to the area.
Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the new public toilets are designed to provide modern, accessible amenities while respecting the historical significance of the iconic location.
The toilets incorporate energy-efficient and low-carbon technology, including sustainable materials, energy-saving features and a green roof. The surrounding area has been adapted to provide wheelchair accessibility and step-free entry.
These are the first of four new toilet units to be installed across the city this summer, with further toilets in the Meadows, Leith Links and Inverleith Park opening in the next month.
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said:
These new facilities are both convenient and inclusive, and were designed with community feedback in mind.
Thanks to UK Government funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund we’ve been able to meet a local need with this toilet unit, which has been built with accessibility at the heart of the project.
I am very pleased that both residents and visitors will be able to benefit from the state-of-the art facilities.
The facility has been designed to be accessible, inclusive, and easy to maintain, providing a long-needed amenity at one of the busiest entry points to the town and Forth Bridge visitors.
The toilets have:
One Changing Places toilet with restricted access for privacy and security
Three individual cubicles and one disabled toilet, including baby changing stations, handrails, and stoma shelves
Advanced technology, including monitoring systems and time-controlled doors
Integrated CCTV for enhanced safety
An external water bottle refill station
Some finishing touches such as the installation of benches, bike racks and external bins will be completed throughout July.
The Council has reinforced its commitment to its highly valued Holiday Hubs.
The Council has reinforced its commitment to its highly valued Holiday Hubs as it announces a new set of criteria for access to the school holiday provision for children and young people currently in P1 – S6 with Additional Support Needs.
For over two decades the Council has offered Holiday Hubs for families of children with additional support needs but in recent years this provision has expanded beyond the point at which it is sustainable with differing expectations of the provision and challenges around increasing need and potential inequalities.
Extensive consultation with families who use and rely on this school holiday support has taken place over the last 6-months as options for a new safe and sustainable model for Holiday Hubs have been discussed and explored.
Following agreement at Education, Children and Families Committee on 10 June, the City of Edinburgh Council has introduced new eligibility criteria for holiday hub support. The new criteria will ensure that holiday support is directed to children and young people in the City of Edinburgh with the most complex needs and vulnerability.
The new criteria will be applied to applications for academic session 2025/26 and will ensure that those with the most need will be allocated up to 4 weeks provision across the October break, February break, Easter and the Summer holidays. Details of the new criteria and how to apply can be found on the council website.
Applications for academic session August 2025 to August 2026 are now open. The closing date for applications is 10 August 2025.
Parents/carers of children who meet the criteria and wish to be considered for a place at a Holiday Hub, should apply online.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said:
I warmly welcome the clarity that this new criteria offers families of children with additional support needs who rely on our holiday hub provision. Our focus over the past 6 months has been to secure a safe, achievable and sustainable way forward for Holiday Hubs while also exploring how we can best meet the needs of some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable children, and their families. I want to thank all the parents and carers who have given up their time to share invaluable thoughts and views on holiday hub support. This is a positive step forward and my hope is that it offers reassurance to families as we look ahead to the new school year in August.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Press release
Security and trade at heart of Foreign Secretary visit to Ankara
UK visit to Turkey to bolster defence and security ties
David Lammy will visit Ankara to underscore close trade and security links between UK and Turkey during first bilateral visit to the country.
Foreign Secretary to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.
Visit comes as negotiations begin over new free trade agreement to supercharge UK-Turkey trade and deliver growth through the Plan for Change.
The UK’s deep security and trade links with Turkey are set to be further strengthened as the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, visits Ankara today [Monday 30 June].
In his first bilateral visit to the country, the Foreign Secretary will seek to advance UK-Turkish efforts on shared priorities, including joint work on regional security and the deepening of UK-Turkey trade and defence ties.
While in Ankara, the Foreign Secretary will meet Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss stability in the Middle East and efforts to secure a just, lasting peace in Ukraine following Russia’s illegal invasion. As close NATO allies, the UK and Turkey are working together to push for diplomatic solutions and an end to ongoing violence which threatens regional and global security.
As set out in the recent National Security Strategy, security and defence collaboration with Turkey is imperative to UK security interests. This includes joint work on the prospective export of Eurofighter Typhoons to Turkey, and the government is clear that welcoming Turkey as a Typhoon operator will build on the bonds of friendship developed over many decades between key NATO Allies.
Our cooperation with Turkey also delivers our security objectives of tackling global challenges such as terrorism, serious organised crime and irregular migration.
The strengthening of the UK-Turkey trading relationship will also be a key priority for the Foreign Secretary, with his visit coming as the UK and Turkey begin negotiations over a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) designed to unlock more opportunities for British and Turkish businesses.
UK-Turkey trade was worth almost £28 billion in 2024 and directly supports tens of thousands of UK jobs – furthering strengthening this relationship is a priority for the Foreign Secretary and will help to stimulate UK economic growth, a key part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:
In an increasingly volatile world, the UK and Turkey remain the closest of friends and partners as we work together to find peaceful solutions to conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Ours is a relationship which delivers directly for Turkish and British citizens at home – trade between our nations is responsible for thousands of jobs, while our security and defence links help keep our people safe.
During his visit, the Foreign Secretary will see a range of Turkish produced armoured vehicles built using UK-made safety equipment and engines at the Nurol Makina factory.
Later, at Ankara Airport, he will meet with Country President Simon Ward from aerospace company, Airbus, to mark a recent deal between Airbus and Turkish cargo airline MNG Airlines for commercial aircraft containing British-made Rolls Royce engines, worth hundreds of millions to the UK and Turkish economies.
New powers yield “real-world impact” in Companies House economic crime crackdown
A new report shows the agency’s progress in implementing changes brought in by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Economic crime costs the UK economy billions annually, and Companies House is leading a major transformation to combat this through new powers granted by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
A new progress report on the implementation of these powers demonstrates how Companies House is transforming from a passive register to an active gatekeeper and gives examples of how the agency is actively tackling economic crime and improving register data.
Key to Companies House progress is strengthened collaboration with The Insolvency Service and other law enforcement agencies to present a unified front against economic crime.
The report covers progress in the implementation of secondary legislation, Companies House and Limited Partnership reform, and updates on the Register of Overseas Entities and enforcement of the new powers.
The report includes detail on how Companies House has:
queried and removed false, misleading or incorrect information from the registers, with an impact on 100,400 companies – this often relates to the hijacking of innocent people’s identities or addresses, usually to enable criminality such as fraud or money laundering
rejected 10,200 suspicious applications including where evidence has suggested mass incorporations at certain addresses are taking place – this practice has a known link with money laundering
collaborated with The Insolvency Service and partners to identify approximately £50 million in UK property related to companies owned by organised criminals, which is now subject to ongoing asset recovery investigations
played an active role in the first Europol Asset Sprint, which saw 43 law enforcement agencies across 28 countries, along with private sector partners, participating in this unique initiative aimed at enhancing the number of criminal assets seized globally
The report represents another significant milestone in the transformation of Companies House as it looks to achieve its vision of a transparent corporate framework that both supports economic growth and fights economic crime.
Chief executive of Companies House Louise Smyth said:
These reforms represent a significant transformation of Companies House and I’m proud to see the real-world impact they’re already having.
Our latest report demonstrates how we’re strengthening the UK’s business environment by taking direct action against those misusing corporate structures, while improving the accuracy and reliability of our register for legitimate businesses.
Our new intelligence capabilities have now already facilitated approximately 850 intelligence reports to law enforcement partners, while our risk-based approach targets resources where they’ll have the greatest impact on economic crime.
As we prepare for the next phase of implementation, including mandatory identity verification by autumn 2025, we remain committed to creating a transparent company register that supports economic growth while making the UK a hostile environment for those looking to commit economic crime.
Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services at The Insolvency Service Dave Magrath said:
The Insolvency Service’s close collaboration with Companies House is delivering positive results in the fight against economic crime, with joint efforts already identifying thousands of suspicious companies and millions in criminal assets.
Our investigative and enforcement powers, combined with Companies House’s enhanced intelligence capabilities, allow us to take decisive action against those who exploit company structures for fraud and money laundering.
Together, we’re building a more robust and trusted business environment that benefits legitimate companies while making the UK much harder for fraudsters to operate in.
20-year partnership to boost fusion skills in East Midlands
UKAEA and East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) announce a new 20-year collaboration to advance fusion energy training and skills development.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, and Nick Walkden, UKAEA’s Head of Fusion Skills, signing the collaboration agreement at the Fusion Energy Cafe in Worksop, Notts. Copyright United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
The collaboration will focus on developing and delivering fusion related skills, including apprenticeships and wider vocational training programmes, to support the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project – the UK’s first prototype fusion energy power plant that will be built on the West Burton site in Nottinghamshire.
This new collaboration will not only provide crucial skills for STEP but also support a growing fusion industry across the region. An Economic and Wider Impact Assessment commissioned by relevant local authorities has calculated that by the time it is fully operational, the West Burton site is anticipated to accommodate 6,500 full-time jobs across STEP and the surrounding business park, equivalent to 12.5% of the current total workplace jobs in Bassetlaw. Around half of the forecast STEP Campus construction jobs are expected to require Level 3+ qualifications, and it is estimated that nearly three quarters of the on-site jobs on the STEP Campus are expected to require individuals with Level 4+ qualifications.
Fusion has the potential to provide abundant, clean power, and deliver energy security, and bolstered by the government’s record £2.5 billion investment, the sector promises to create thousands of jobs and empower the UK to export its world-leading technology to a global market, expected to be worth trillions of pounds in the future.
UKAEA is committed to facilitating the training of the next generation of British scientists and engineers. The East Midlands benefits from an outstanding base of training and skills providers, and universities. This EMCCA-led collaborative will bring together the best of this existing provision to empower people in the region to meet the skill needs of this globally significant clean energy programme.
Training provided through the new collaborative will be designed with flexibility to adapt as the STEP programme and the West Burton site evolves. Initial training will focus on the engineering and project skills needed to complete plant design, with construction and operational skills as focus areas for future stages of the programme.
The collaboration will deliver fusion-relevant courses through existing training sites across the EMCCA geography, South Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire. Colleges, training providers, and universities are already mobilising to offer more places for construction and clean energy qualifications, gearing up the region to deliver on its emerging inclusive growth strategy even before the West Burton facility is in place.
I am delighted to announce EMCCA as our partner in this exciting new training collaboration, which will be delivered out of our planned West Burton Training Facility,
said UKAEA’s Head of Fusion Skills and FOSTER (Fusion, Opportunities, Skills, Training, Education and Research) Programme Director, Nick Walkden.
People are the most important element of any programme or project. We have listened and learned from other major research, engineering, and infrastructure projects and believe that an early and focussed attention to local skills and workforce growth will be a critical enabler to success.
STEP is a programme with global impact and, as with the successive Governments who have recognised fusion’s potential to have a significant and positive impact on the nation’s economy, we are equally committed to leaving a lasting local legacy. The training provided will equip people across the East Midlands, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire with the skills needed for the prototype fusion powerplant at West Burton as well as long-term career opportunities in fusion and beyond.
The STEP programme, led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), provides an enormous opportunity for regional growth and regeneration, with the potential to create thousands of jobs during construction and a pipeline of long-term highly skilled careers over decades of operations. Permissions and consents will be sought for construction to begin in the early 2030s, with the prototype powerplant targeting first operations in 2040.
Paul Methven, CEO, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions and Senior Responsible Owner of STEP, said:
Delivering STEP, and commercial fusion beyond that, will require a strong skills pipeline, not only in STEM subjects, but in every aspect of running a complex business. It is fantastic to see that UKAEA are leading on putting this essential enabler in place now to ensure local people benefit directly from the programme, in addition to ensuring we have the skills needed to deliver STEP.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:
The East Midlands is planning for our energy future today, and fusion energy is an exciting part of that future. One day – thanks to the Nottinghamshire-based STEP programme – the whole region will benefit from clean, affordable fusion energy. Right now, my priority is ensuring that local people can get the jobs associated with developing this new industry and its supply chains. This is what inclusive growth in practice looks like – investing smartly to ensure that growth is created, sustained, and experienced by local people.
The Fusion Skills Collaboration embodies this goal, and our outstanding colleges, training providers, and universities will be front and centre in training people in the skills of the future.
New Permanent Secretary at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Emram Mian has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, replacing Sarah Munby
The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has today (Monday, 30 June) announced the appointment of Emran Mian as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Emran is currently Director General for Digital Technologies and Telecoms at DSIT, where he is responsible for programmes to make the UK one of the best places in the world to undertake AI research and to build an AI company, covering data use and access policy, cybersecurity policy and online safety.
He has previously held roles in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as a Director General for Regeneration, Housing and Planning, and Director General for Stronger Places, and at the Department for Education as Director General for Strategy and International.
Emran, replacing Sarah Munby, will lead the department at a critical time as the Government drives innovation and investment through the UK’s world-class science sector, and aims to harness new technologies to deliver growth and renewal for working people through the Plan for Change.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, said:
Emran will be an outstanding Permanent Secretary with exceptional experience and vision. I have had the pleasure of working with him closely since I became Secretary of State and he knows this department inside out.
Under his leadership, DSIT will go from strength to strength in harnessing the power of science and technology to improve people’s lives across the UK, playing a central role in delivering our Plan for Change.
I also want to place on record my thanks to and deep appreciation for Sarah Munby, not only for her personal support to me but for her service to the country at large during her years in the civil service. She has helped to navigate several of the most complex challenges facing the government of the day under five Prime Ministers and wherever she goes next will be extremely lucky to have her.
Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, said:
I congratulate Emran Mian on his appointment as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and I thank Sarah Munby for her leadership of the department since February 2023.
Emran brings significant experience into this role from his time as Director General for Digital Technologies and Telecoms, and previous roles at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Department for Education.
He is well placed to take on the opportunities of this exciting post, and lead the Government’s delivery of the blueprint for modern digital government as part of the Plan for Change.
Emran Mian said:
I applied for this role because I am hugely optimistic about how science, technology and AI can improve lives, government services and economic growth. At this moment there is no cap on how ambitious we should be for our country.
I am grateful to Sarah Munby for her leadership of DSIT since the department was created. It is a privilege to take the work forward with colleagues across the department and wider government, working closely with scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs, businesses and civil society.
The appointment follows an external recruitment competition overseen by the independent Civil Service Commission.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations are leading to mass casualties: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the Middle East Peace Process.
Let me start by underlining that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran offers a much-needed moment of hope for the region.
This hope must extend to Gaza. We need a ceasefire now.
This remains the most credible path to end the terrible suffering of hostages and their families, to end Hamas’ control of Gaza and to allow Palestinians to rebuild.
We also need a ceasefire because the suffering in Gaza is appalling and cannot continue.
Israel’s aid delivery measures are inhumane.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations which are supposed to be saving lives, are themselves leading to mass casualties.
Starving people who are desperate to feed their families are told food awaits them.
But over 500 have reportedly been killed trying to access it.
And meanwhile, UNICEF reports that more than 5000 children between the age of six months and five years old were admitted for acute malnutrition in May alone.
It is truly appalling.
We are also deeply concerned by reports that Hamas has targeted Gaza Humanitarian Foundation staff and by reports of widespread looting by criminal gangs, which are undermining security around aid distribution.
This is unacceptable.
The more desperate people become, the more disorder becomes inevitable. The UN can deliver aid at scale without endangering civilians.
Israel must let the UN save lives, open all access routes and allow fuel into Gaza.
In addition, humanitarian workers need to operate in safety.
Just last week, another ICRC staff member was killed, a tragic reminder of the risks they face.
We have repeatedly called for credible Israeli investigations into Israel’s killing of aid workers, including World Central Kitchen, the Palestinian Red Crescent, and the UNOPS strike.
Israel must provide accountability for these terrible actions and ensure they are not repeated, in line with its obligations under international law.
Finally, amidst the bloodshed in Gaza, the situation in the West Bank is also deteriorating.
Israel’s withholding of tax revenues appears a deliberate effort to leave the Palestinian Authority crippled and unable to pay salaries.
Military operations have displaced over 40,000 people.
Just last week, an attack by violent settlers on Kafr Malik led to the killing of three Palestinians.
We condemn settlement expansion and settler violence and we demand that the Israeli government puts an immediate end to these unlawful acts.
We cannot stand by while the foundations of a two-state solution are systematically dismantled.
Madam President, it is time to bring the war in Gaza to an end, and to get the hostages home.
And more than that, we must renew our collective efforts toward a just and lasting two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians can both live side by side in peace and security.
It is beyond time to come together behind a sustainable end to this conflict, which has blighted so many generations on both sides.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Deadline extended: Call for evidence: An inspection of asylum casework (2025)
The ICIBI invites anyone with knowledge and experience of asylum decision quality to submit evidence for the inspection .Deadline extended to close of play 9 July 2025.
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has begun an inspection of asylum casework with a particular focus on the quality of asylum decisions.
As Independent Chief Inspector, I am inviting anyone with knowledge or first-hand experience of Home Office asylum decision making to submit evidence to inform this inspection. I would be pleased to hear about both what is working well and what could be improved in the following areas:
the accessibility and clarity of Home Office guidance on the processing of asylum claims, including how decisions are made
correspondence and communication with claimants and their representatives throughout the asylum process, including decision letters
the conduct of substantive asylum interviews
what other factors influence or affect the quality of asylum decisions
views on the quality, consistency and accuracy of asylum decisions and whether these have changed since the beginning of 2024
how the Home Office engages with stakeholders and responds to feedback on the quality of asylum decisions
These areas of interest are not exhaustive, and I welcome submissions that touch on other points. Information received in response to this call for evidence will play an important part in defining the precise scope and focus of the inspection.
This call for evidence will remain open until 9 July 2025.
The information you submit may be quoted in the final inspection report, but it is the ICIBI’s practice not to name sources and to anonymise as much as possible any examples or case studies.
Please click here to email your submission to the Independent Chief Inspector.
Please note: The ICIBI’s statutory remit does not extend to investigating or making decisions about individual cases or applications for asylum. This remains a Home Office responsibility. However, the Independent Chief Inspector can take an interest in individual cases to the extent that they illustrate or point to systemic problems.
Data Protection
Information on how we process personal data submitted in response to a call for evidence can be found in the ICIBI privacy information notice available on the ICIBI website
David Bolt
Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
The official opening of the refurbished BMX track at Preston Pirates was held on Saturday 28 June, the day before a British Cycling Regional event which saw more than 300 riders and 2,000 spectators in attendance at the London Road track.
The upgrade has improved two of the ‘berms’ (sweeping corners), reprofiling them to improve the rider experience, track safety and drainage. There have also been improvements to some other areas of the track.
Since previous investment in 2014, the club has gone from strength to strength and hosted British Cycling regional events along with its own annual club series event.
The refurbishment was made possible with a partnership between Preston Pirates’ contribution of £30,000 along with £18,000 from Preston City Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) allocation for 2024/25 (£9,000 from Parks grant and £9,000 from Leisure Development grant).
Deputy Mayor of Preston, Councillor Nweeda Khan, who officially opened the refurbished track, said:
“Preston Pirates is a very well-established sports club within the city, which we’re incredibly proud to support.
“The funding from the Council’s shared prosperity allocation is used with the goal of delivering wide-reaching and impactful activities that build pride of place in Preston and increase life chances for all our residents.
“This refurbishment will enable more young people to take part in a growing sport and aid the budding sports stars of the future.”
Ian Brookes from Preston Pirates, added:
“Our newly refurbished track gave us an upgrade to our corners (berms), which secures the facility’s condition for the long term and means the club can continue to produce top class BMX athletes. We’re very grateful for this funding and to everyone involved for their continued support.
“We run sessions five times a week that caters for riders of all abilities and ages. We have been National and British Club Series Champions multiple times, and this year we currently sit in first place in this National Club standings with a good chance of winning it with just two rounds to go.
“It’s a great sport for young people to try and we’re always welcoming of those who want to give it a go.”
About Preston Pirates
Preston Pirates BMX Club was founded in 2005 and provides expert race coaching to riders of all levels and ages.
Today, the club has in excess of 100 members and is well represented at BMX racing events regionally, nationally and globally.
Plans going forward to increase engagement within the local community will have four key themes:
Youth engagement
Diverse communities
Family sessions
School engagement
With a team of nine fully qualified coaches and five youth mentor coaches that work together to deliver coaching sessions to riders of all abilities from novice level through to expert riders, the club is going from strength to strength.
Preston Pirates currently has riders on the British Cycling performance pathway with local Preston lad, Ross Cullen aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and both James Criddle and Fin Hough both on the Junior Performance Pathway, as well as a number on the regional development structure. Ross Cullen was in attendance at the official opening.
Coming into or leaving the city centre by bus next week? Don’t forget to check the new, temporary location of your bus stop.
From next Monday 7 July all bus stops on the eastbound side of Royal Parade – the shop side – will be moved to temporary locations as preparations for the bus improvement scheme gets underway.
Passengers are being urged check where their stops are being moved to as this busy road sees hundreds of services go along this route every day.
All services that use bus stops A10, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A18, A19, A20 or A21 stop will be diverted to nearby temporary stops either in Union Street, Derry’s Cross roundabout or Mayflower Street.
The big stop move is only a temporary arrangement while work on the seven-month improvement scheme is underway. The scheme focuses on the eastbound side of Royal Parade between Derry’s Cross and St. Andrew’s Cross and involves:
redesigning the road with a shallow sawtooth layout, increasing the number of bus stops from 12 to 15, to prevent double stacking, unnecessary idling and improve air quality. This will improve bus manoeuvrability and safety by reducing the need for buses to reverse out and ensure passengers can get on and off from the pavement.
clearer information about where and what bus to get in the new shelters and upgraded Real Time Passenger Information displays
bigger shelters to make it easier for people with pushchairs or wheelchairs to use them. They will have living roofs to support biodiversity
an upgraded toucan crossing at Armada Way for pedestrians and cyclists
average speed camera system to replace existing static cameras, supporting a safe environment.
Councillor John Stephens, the new Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport said: “There are over 100 buses every hour – making it the city’s busiest bus interchange – with over nine million passenger journeys from or to Royal Parade every year – either arriving to work in the city centre, to shop, stay or visit, or to head onto to destinations across the city.
“When finished, the scheme will reduce delays at this key point by cutting queues and double stacking of buses, making services more reliable and helping to make going by bus a more attractive option than the private car.”
Information with maps showing where to catch what services are available on buses, at the Plymouth Citybus shop on Royal Parade here: www.plymouth.gov.uk/royalparade
The Plymotion and the project team will be at Royal Parade every weekday until 11 July to make sure passengers know where to catch their bus. There will also be a community liaison officer throughout the construction of the scheme.
Portsmouth City Council recently asked for comments about Local Government Reorganisation from a purely Portsmouth perspective. Now people’s input is wanted as part of a county-wide survey, as this affects local authorities across the whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The government wants to replace the current 15 councils in the region with fewer, single councils, covering bigger areas of around 500,000 people.
Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:
“Our priority is to get the best possible outcome for people and communities in Portsmouth.
“We’ve said from the beginning that Portsmouth should be left out of Local Government Reorganisation plans, because we already have one council which is financially stable. However, we are being forced to present to government plans to reorganise, so we are working with 11 other councils in our region to develop the best options for how new councils, including ours, could be organised in the future.
“It’s really important we hear what Portsmouth people think so their views can be included as much as possible in any future plans.”
Three draft options are available for people to comment on. All options propose that four unitary councils, plus the Isle of Wight remaining a single unitary council, deliver all council services to residents living in those areas.
As part of these options, people are also asked to comment on potential boundary changes for some towns and villages.
The options are intended to strike a balance between councils that are big enough to deliver services, but local enough to understand their communities. Key to the survey is understanding how residents, businesses and community groups feel about the changes and what area they think their future council should cover.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight-wide survey follows a Portsmouth-wide survey, with results from that to follow.
Helping the MOD and the defence industry navigate the single source regulatory framework for key supply-chain contracts
The SSRO has published new guidance that will help all stakeholders identify and apply the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts to qualifying sub-contracts.
Following consultation with stakeholders, the SSRO has published new guidance on how the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts applies to qualifying sub-contracts (QSCs). QSCs account for around one in six of all qualifying contracts under the regulatory framework and have a combined value of more than £8.2 billion.
The new guidance summarises the relevant parts of the regulatory framework and provides signposting to existing SSRO guidance, for example, on pricing and reporting.
The SSRO’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Jo Watts, said:
“This new guidance follows a request from industry for a consolidated summary of the complex regulations related to QSCs. The guidance has been informed by the questions we are commonly asked about QSCs and takes account of the feedback received from stakeholders during our consultation. Based on the positive feedback we had from stakeholders, we are confident the new guidance will help the MOD, contractors and sub-contractors better understand their respective rights and obligations in relation to QSCs.”
The SSRO has also published a summary of the feedback it received during its consultation and how it has responded to this in preparing the new guidance.
Senior Design Demonstration Day is a pivotal day for graduating UConn Engineering students. It is where students can show the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their time at UConn through practical, real-world engineering applications.
ME04 Senior Design Team (from left to right) Noah Hyman, Ian Pichs, Aldin Sabovic, Christopher Capozzi, and James Arnold. (UConn Photo)
One specific team was tasked with designing, building, and testing an unmanned electric hydroplane, with the end goal being to compete in ASNE’s 2025 Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP) Competition. The objective of the competition included completing a 2-mile-long course at a minimum speed of 10 MPH, along with optimizing the boat for a payload of at least 30 pounds.
The joint team consisted of students from the mechanical engineering department and the electrical and computer engineering department and was sponsored by the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), aided by ASNE advisor Michael Briscoe.
ECE 13 senior design team (from left to right) Xingyu Qiu, Joshua Colon, and Thomas Clark. (UConn Photo)
ME04 was comprised of students, Noah Hyman, Ian Pichs, Aldin Sabovic, Christopher Capozzi, and James Arnold and was advised by faculty Chang Liu. ECE13 included students Xingyu Qiu, Joshua Colon, and Thomas Clark and was advised by faculty Ashwin Dani.
“This senior design project gave me hands-on experience solving real-world engineering challenges through teamwork and collaboration,” said Arnold. “I was also able to forge valuable connections with industry professionals.”
Arnold was able to strengthen these connections, and recently received a post-grad offer of employment from General Dynamics Electric Boat. He’ll work as a systems engineer in the overhaul and repair engineering department.
The team said they were excited to take on this challenge. After reviewing where the 2023-2024 year’s team experienced difficulties, the team evaluated new propulsion systems and hull designs. They also researched batteries, motors, and cooling systems to mitigate various points of failure.
“A major part of this project included working with underclassmen,” said Pichs. “We were able to pass down our knowledge about electric propulsion systems, hull design, and nautical operational systems to them.”
When it came time to design their boat, the team opted for a J-class racing hydroplane, focusing on robustness to help ensure they completed the course. They chose a battery with increased capacity to account for added weight and suboptimal surface conditions, along with a higher performing motor. The cooling system they designed was minimal, helping to reduce points of failure or leakage.
As the team was gearing up for the April competition, they ran into some issues, mainly the weather. With inclement weather taking over New England, the team was only able to complete two full-system tests prior to leaving for the competition down in Virginia Beach.
During one of their tests, water intruded into the hull, shorting one of the most critical electrical components in the boat, the electronic speed controller (ESC). With limited time, the team needed to act fast and source a replacement.
Just one day before leaving, they secured a less powerful, air-cooled ESC.
The team unloading their unmanned electric hydroplane for the ASNE Promoting Electric Propulsion Competition. (Contributed photo.)
During the qualifying lap for the competition, the team faced even more problems. They struggled to see the motor’s steering direction and the replacement ESC overheated due to increased load on the boat.
While the team qualified for the race, they had some serious issues to address prior to race day.
The team regrouped and put their heads together to come up with fast, innovative solutions.
To address their lack of visibility when steering the boat, the team opted to tape color-coded cardboard fins to either side of the motor. This allowed the team to easily see the steering direction.
The overheating of the new ESC posed a larger, more complex issue. Realizing that traditional air- or water-cooling could lead to further water damage inside the electronics bay, the team came up with an innovative solution… dry ice. The team realized they could pack the dry box with dry ice for cooling and silica powder to control moisture buildup.
The students split up into two teams; the first team addressed the steering issue, installing the color-coded fins to the motor; the second team sourced the dry ice they needed to pack the dry box with.
“Working on this project opened my eyes to how important it is to not give up when something goes wrong,” said Hyman, who is also now employed by General Dynamics Electric Boat. “There are always different ways to solve a problem.”
With both teams completing their tasks, the team was able to launch their boat at the start of the competition. Albeit, anxiously waiting to see if the quick fixes would hold up for the duration of the 2-mile course.
The team’s innovative and quick-thinking solutions paid off. They completed the course in 34 minutes, maintaining over 80% of the boat’s battery capacity, despite having a 60-lb payload.
“As Vice President of the Electric Boat Club, it was incredibly rewarding to see our team push through setbacks with creative solutions,” said Capozzi. “Whether it was sourcing parts last minute or coming up with dry ice cooling the night before the race, we proved what hands-on engineering and teamwork looks like at UConn.”
While they weren’t the fastest in the competition, the team left proud of their accomplishment and honored to represent UConn Engineering.
The ECE team placed first among the department’s teams in the Senior Design Demonstration Day student competition.
Post-Graduation Plans
The Senior Design program fosters and rewards student development. The process starts by working with a potential employer. Students are exposed to products, engineering practices, and the company sponsor’s culture, allowing them to assess their potential fit in the workplace. By having real-world engineer responsibilities for two semesters, students improve their marketability in the workforce. They demonstrate their success on Senior Design Day, graduate, and then leave UConn ready to serve as fully-qualified engineers.
Hyman and Arnold are now working at General Dynamic Electric Boat. Colon now works at Siemens as a building automation controls system specialist. Capozzi said he is exploring job opportunities in design and manufacturing in the naval and aerospace industries. Pichs, Sabovic, Qiu, and Clark were unavailable for a comment about their post-graduation plans.
The Microsoft AI team shares research that demonstrates how AI can sequentially investigate and solve medicine’s most complex diagnostic challenges—cases that expert physicians struggle to answer.
Benchmarked against real-world case records published each week in the New England Journal of Medicine, we show that the Microsoft AI Diagnostic Orchestrator (MAI-DxO) correctly diagnoses up to 85% of NEJM case proceedings, a rate more than four times higher than a group of experienced physicians. MAI-DxO also gets to the correct diagnosis more cost-effectively than physicians.
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As demand for healthcare continues to grow, costs are rising at an unsustainable pace, and billions of people face multiple barriers to better health – including inaccurate and delayed diagnoses. Increasingly, people are turning to digital tools for medical advice and support. Across Microsoft’s AI consumer products like Bing and Copilot, we see over 50 million health-related sessions every day. From a first-time knee-pain query to a late-night search for an urgent-care clinic, search engines and AI companions are quickly becoming the new front line in healthcare.
We want to do more to help -and believe generative AI can be transformational. That’s why, at the end of 2024, we launched a dedicated consumer health effort at Microsoft AI, led by clinicians, designers, engineers, and AI scientists. This effort complements Microsoft’s broader health initiatives and builds on our longstanding commitment to partnership and innovation. Existing solutions include RAD-DINO which helps accelerate and improve radiology workflows and Microsoft Dragon Copilot, our pioneering voice-first AI assistant for clinicians.
For AI to make a difference, clinicians and patients alike must be able to trust its performance. That’s where our new benchmarks and AI orchestrator come in.
Medical Case Challenges and Benchmarks
To practice medicine in the United States, physicians need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a rigorous and standardized assessment of clinical knowledge and decision making. USMLE questions were among the earliest benchmarks used to evaluate AI systems in medicine, offering a structured way to compare model performance – both against each other and against human clinicians.
In just three years, generative AI has advanced to the point of scoring near-perfect scores on the USMLE and similar exams. But these tests primarily rely on multiple-choice questions, which favor memorization over deep understanding. By reducing medicine to one-shot answers on multiple-choice questions, such benchmarks overstate the apparent competence of AI systems and obscure their limitations.
At Microsoft AI, we’re working to advance and evaluate clinical reasoning capabilities. To move beyond the limitations of multiple-choice questions, we’ve focused on sequential diagnosis, a cornerstone of real-world medical decision making. In this process, a clinician begins with an initial patient presentation and then iteratively selects questions and diagnostic tests to arrive at a final diagnosis. For example, a patient presenting with cough and fever may lead the clinician to order and review blood tests and a chest X-ray before they feel confident about diagnosing pneumonia.
Each week, the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) – one of the world’s leading medical journals – publishes a Case Record of the Massachusetts General Hospital, presenting a patient’s care journey in a detailed, narrative format. These cases are among the most diagnostically complex and intellectually demanding in clinical medicine, often requiring multiple specialists and diagnostic tests to reach a definitive diagnosis.
How does AI perform? To answer this, we created interactive case challenges drawn from the NEJM case series – what we call the Sequential Diagnosis Benchmark (SD Bench). This benchmark transforms 304 recent NEJM cases into stepwise diagnostic encounters where models – or human physicians – can iteratively ask questions and order tests. As new information becomes available, the model or clinician updates their reasoning, gradually narrowing toward a final diagnosis. This diagnosis can then be compared to the gold-standard outcome published in the NEJM.
Each requested investigation also incurs a (virtual) cost, reflecting real-world healthcare expenditures. This allows us to evaluate performance across two key dimensions: diagnostic accuracy and resource expenditure. You can watch how an AI system progresses through one of these challenges in this short video.
The Microsoft AI team shares research that demonstrates how AI can sequentially investigate and solve medicine’s most complex diagnostic challenges—cases that expert physicians struggle to answer.
Benchmarked against real-world case records published each week in the New England Journal of Medicine, we show that the Microsoft AI Diagnostic Orchestrator (MAI-DxO) correctly diagnoses up to 85% of NEJM case proceedings, a rate more than four times higher than a group of experienced physicians. MAI-DxO also gets to the correct diagnosis more cost-effectively than physicians.
—
As demand for healthcare continues to grow, costs are rising at an unsustainable pace, and billions of people face multiple barriers to better health – including inaccurate and delayed diagnoses. Increasingly, people are turning to digital tools for medical advice and support. Across Microsoft’s AI consumer products like Bing and Copilot, we see over 50 million health-related sessions every day. From a first-time knee-pain query to a late-night search for an urgent-care clinic, search engines and AI companions are quickly becoming the new front line in healthcare.
We want to do more to help -and believe generative AI can be transformational. That’s why, at the end of 2024, we launched a dedicated consumer health effort at Microsoft AI, led by clinicians, designers, engineers, and AI scientists. This effort complements Microsoft’s broader health initiatives and builds on our longstanding commitment to partnership and innovation. Existing solutions include RAD-DINO which helps accelerate and improve radiology workflows and Microsoft Dragon Copilot, our pioneering voice-first AI assistant for clinicians.
For AI to make a difference, clinicians and patients alike must be able to trust its performance. That’s where our new benchmarks and AI orchestrator come in.
Medical Case Challenges and Benchmarks
To practice medicine in the United States, physicians need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a rigorous and standardized assessment of clinical knowledge and decision making. USMLE questions were among the earliest benchmarks used to evaluate AI systems in medicine, offering a structured way to compare model performance – both against each other and against human clinicians.
In just three years, generative AI has advanced to the point of scoring near-perfect scores on the USMLE and similar exams. But these tests primarily rely on multiple-choice questions, which favor memorization over deep understanding. By reducing medicine to one-shot answers on multiple-choice questions, such benchmarks overstate the apparent competence of AI systems and obscure their limitations.
At Microsoft AI, we’re working to advance and evaluate clinical reasoning capabilities. To move beyond the limitations of multiple-choice questions, we’ve focused on sequential diagnosis, a cornerstone of real-world medical decision making. In this process, a clinician begins with an initial patient presentation and then iteratively selects questions and diagnostic tests to arrive at a final diagnosis. For example, a patient presenting with cough and fever may lead the clinician to order and review blood tests and a chest X-ray before they feel confident about diagnosing pneumonia.
Each week, the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) – one of the world’s leading medical journals – publishes a Case Record of the Massachusetts General Hospital, presenting a patient’s care journey in a detailed, narrative format. These cases are among the most diagnostically complex and intellectually demanding in clinical medicine, often requiring multiple specialists and diagnostic tests to reach a definitive diagnosis.
How does AI perform? To answer this, we created interactive case challenges drawn from the NEJM case series – what we call the Sequential Diagnosis Benchmark (SD Bench). This benchmark transforms 304 recent NEJM cases into stepwise diagnostic encounters where models – or human physicians – can iteratively ask questions and order tests. As new information becomes available, the model or clinician updates their reasoning, gradually narrowing toward a final diagnosis. This diagnosis can then be compared to the gold-standard outcome published in the NEJM.
Each requested investigation also incurs a (virtual) cost, reflecting real-world healthcare expenditures. This allows us to evaluate performance across two key dimensions: diagnostic accuracy and resource expenditure. You can watch how an AI system progresses through one of these challenges in this short video.
A novel laser detection system developed by Sentinel Photonics has evolved from a promising concept to commercial technology through DASA and Dstl support.
Sentinel Photonics was founded in 2019 by former Dstl scientists who developed innovative laser detection technology. The scientists spun out their own company in 2020, licencing the technology from Dstl.
Another DASA-funded innovation which protects users’ eyesight from lasers has been adopted on the Army’s KS1 rifles.
Sentinel Photonics also secured a DASA Defence Innovation Loan to help grow the size of their team and further develop the technology.
The company has grown at a remarkable pace, from one full-time employee to a team of 20, with products being deployed across NATO nations.
The Innovation Journey
For military personnel operating in hostile environments, detecting adversaries’ lasers is a vital capability. From artillery targeting systems to drones, sniper range finders and precision strike guided munitions, lasers pose an increasing threat on the modern battlefield.
This challenge inspired Sean Tipper and Chris Burgess, while working as scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), to develop a new approach to laser detection. Their innovation showed great promise during development at Dstl, where the core technology was conceived and initially tested.
“We worked on the core technology at Dstl for a number of years, developing the fundamental concepts,” explains Sean Tipper, now Chief Technology Officer at Sentinel Photonics. “We saw the potential for this technology to help protect our forces and founded Sentinel Photonics to take it to the next level of development and productisation.”
In 2019 the scientists and Ploughshare Innovations founded Sentinel Photonics to commercialise their invention, licencing the IP from Dstl and the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The company formally began operations in late 2020 with the critical support of early Dstl funding through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).
A new way of detecting lasers
Traditional laser warning systems rely on photodiodes that convert light to voltage, looking for rapid temporal changes. They look for quick, sharp changes, similar to how you can notice someone flicking a torch on and off in a dark room.
While effective for detecting laser pulses, they struggle with continuous wave lasers and can generate false alarms.
Sentinel’s breakthrough product, LASERD MAX (Laser Signal and Event Recording Device), uses a unique camera-based method that detects the spectral and spatial features of lasers. What sets LASERD MAX apart from conventional systems is its portability and comprehensive coverage. It doesn’t just monitor a narrow field of view but provides complete awareness.
Sentinel Photonics’ LASERD MAX system in action
“It’s more of an all-encompassing system,” explains Tipper. “It’s easy to detect one laser in one direction, but what makes our system unique is the ability to detect many different types of lasers simultaneously in a clustered background, even in challenging daylight conditions.”
The system can detect everything from drone LIDAR systems and artillery rangefinders to anti-tank guided missiles. It can also spot battlefield scanning systems that use invisible lasers to find hidden optics like sniper scopes.
“Our system can detect a broad range of laser threats,” says Tipper. “It’s novel because it’s portable and standalone, targeted for dismounted use and also at forward operating bases.”
The DASA and Dstl Impact
DASA and Dstl support proved instrumental at multiple points in Sentinel Photonics’ development journey. Their first DASA projects in late 2020 provided critical funding that allowed Tipper to work full-time on developing the technology.
“Those early DASA projects were really critical because that’s where I experimented with different sensors and camera systems and picked the exact sensors and optics we’re still using today,” says Tipper.
As Sentinel Photonics progressed with their innovation journey, they reached a critical point where they needed to grow their team to meet increasing demand and develop their technology further.
In 2022, DASA’s Defence Innovation Loans provided the perfect opportunity to take this next step.
The loan helped transform the organisation from a founder-led startup into a growing enterprise with the capabilities to deliver advanced defence technology.
“Without the Defence Innovation Loan, we wouldn’t have been able to deliver for Dstl, and we wouldn’t have had the resources to increase the size of our team,” Tipper notes.
Commercial Success
Sentinel Photonics’ progress has been remarkable. From just one person working part-time in 2020, the company has grown to 20 people by 2025. Their product line has expanded to include not just the LASERD MAX detection system but also products such as FROST (Filters for Reduction of Optical Signature Thresholds).
The FROST system, also developed with DASA funding and Dstl technical support, protects eyes from laser damage and prevents detection by scanning systems. This technology has achieved significant commercial success and has been integrated into the KS1 rifles that have entered service with UK Armed Forces through a partnership with Edgar Brothers, Sentinels UK partner, as part of the Hunter programme.
Sentinel Photonics’ FROST system installed on a KS1 scope
The company has also expanded its reach beyond the UK. “We’re expanding across Europe and NATO nations in general, finding partners to bring our products into those markets,” says Tipper. “There’s a direct link from DASA-funded work to us making sales and getting partners into markets.”
The SME has now established strategic collaborations with Glomex in Poland, TBM in the Netherlands, StarC4SIS in Romania and Precision Technic Defence Group in Denmark to add to its already established partnerships with Danger Solutions in Australia and Outervision in France.
The Collaborative Ecosystem
Sentinel’s story highlights the powerful collaboration between Dstl, DASA, and innovative small businesses. Dstl provided the foundation for the core technology and continues to work with Sentinel Photonics by providing technical support. DASA helped bridge the critical gap between concept and the commercially viable product.
For Sentinel, DASA’s involvement has offered more than just funding. “DASA has been a very useful mechanism to test ideas and feasibility within defence,” explains Tipper. “It gives us a way to understand how important what we’re developing is to potential users and get early sight of that as well.”
Looking ahead, Sentinel aims to shift from an R&D focused in its early years to a balanced commercial approach to increase their foothold in defence.
As threats continue to evolve on the modern battlefield, innovations like Sentinel’s laser detection systems and FROST system can play an increasingly vital role in protecting UK and coalition forces. Their journey from laboratory concept to battlefield protection demonstrates the importance of supporting promising defence technologies through the challenging path of commercialisation.
A third stage has been announced for next week’s Godiva Festival that will see young local musicians given the chance to perform in their home city.
The Cov ConneX Kingston Stage – first introduced at last year’s festival – will return, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with a grant worth almost £30,000.
It will shine a light on musical inspiration while celebrating Coventry’s twin city of Kingston in Jamaica, with around 40 city-based artists taking to the stage over the Saturday and Sunday in styles ranging from rap, grime, afrobeat and reggae to DJs and MCs.
It will join the Main Stage and The Cov Stage in hosting a massive array of musical talent and giving festivalgoers a packed weekend of entertainment.
The Festival runs from 4-6 July at the city’s War Memorial Park, and tickets are still available at great prices.
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council and Cabinet Member for Events, said: “Godiva was already going to be an amazing festival, but the announcement of a third stage dedicated to young local musicians has added something extra special and I know it will be a big attraction for all music lovers.
“Thank you to Arts Council England for helping us to give artists from Coventry the incredible chance of performing on stage at a top festival in their home city – and to celebrate the incredible musical culture of our twin city of Kingston.
“With prices frozen from last year, the Godiva Festival is a great value-for-money event for everyone in Coventry, and I can’t wait to enjoy the atmosphere when it all starts in just over a week’s time.”
Cllr Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities added: “Coventry is a great musical city that has produced some famous names, and what better place than Godiva to give our stars of the future a helping hand as they start their careers in the creative sector.
“We are delighted to welcome back the Cov Connex Kingston Stage and to be working with city organisations such as Fyah Camp, ODE and Positive Youth Foundation to give performance opportunities to some of our talented young people.
“Godiva is loved by so many, and with the music stages supported by a host of other attractions for families and visitors of all ages, it’s going to be another memorable weekend for the city.”
This year’s line-up will see Marc Almond, best known as the vocalist for Soft Cell, headlining the Main Stage on Friday. He will be joined by synth-pop band, Heaven 17, plus soul singer and lead vocalist of the band M People, Heather Small.
Multi award winning band, Clean Bandit, will be headlining the Main Stage on Saturday, supported by acts including DJ, Nathan Dawe, hip hop duo, Young T & Bugsey, and the Panjabi Hit Squad who will be bringing hip hop, Bollywood and bhangra anthems.
Coventry musical legend and one of the founders of The Specials, Neville Staple, will also be taking to the Main Stage on Saturday 5 July.
Completing the headline acts is Ocean Colour Scene who will bring the festival to a close on Sunday (6 July) evening, along with Rick Parfitt Jr & The RPJ Band and YolanDa Brown: Bob Marley Songbook, and dance group Diversity.
The Cov Stage will serve as the secondary stage in the music field at this year’s event, hosting local talent and other acts, and the Family Field will be filled with live entertainment and interactive activities designed to offer a memorable experience for families.
Standard day tickets are available from just £15 and standard weekend tickets from £49.50. Get yours now!To buy tickets or find out more, head to the Godiva Festival website.
Godiva Festival is proudly delivered by Coventry City Council. BBC CWR is the official media partner. Music Smart sponsors the Godiva Calling competition, and Coventry College sponsors the Family Field. The Cov ConneX Kingston Stage is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Gloucester, England, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin surges to a historic $108,000 during Europe’s unprecedented heatwave, the demand for sustainable, eco-friendly cryptocurrency mining has reached a critical peak. RI Mining proudly introduces its AI-powered green cloud mining platform, designed to meet the growing need for environmentally conscious crypto mining solutions.
Climate Urgency Meets Next-Gen Crypto Mining
Europe’s record-breaking heatwave has intensified the global call for greener energy solutions across industries. Cryptocurrency mining, often criticized for its environmental impact, is rapidly evolving. RI Mining platform combines advanced artificial intelligence with 100% renewable energy sources, delivering a cloud mining experience that maximizes efficiency while minimizing environmental footprint.
Robert Chen, RI Mining’s Strategic Vice President, said: “The future of wealth is rooted in sustainability. By harnessing green energy and intelligent technology, we empower everyone to participate in a cleaner, smarter form of crypto mining.”
Why RI Mining Stands Out in Cloud Mining
RIMining seamlessly integrates innovation and environmental stewardship by offering:
AI-Optimized Mining Operations: Dynamic resource allocation enhances efficiency and profitability.
100% Renewable Energy Usage: Mining operations powered exclusively by solar, wind, geothermal, and green hydrogen energy.
Multi-currency support: the platform supports more than 10 cryptocurrency settlements: including DOGE, BTC, ETH, SOL, BCH, XRP, USDC, LTC, USDT-TRC20 and USDT-ERC20, etc.
Transparent, Flexible Contracts: Clear terms, predictable ROI, and zero hidden fees.
User-Friendly Platform: Designed for both novices and experts, featuring real-time monitoring and dedicated support.
Green Energy Strategy: RI Mining Core Commitment
From its inception, RI Mining has prioritized 100% renewable energy as the foundation of its operations. Each mining facility operates independently, backed by green power purchase agreements with regional energy providers. The platform utilizes a diversified mix of solar, wind, geothermal, and green hydrogen power.
Advanced energy storage systems ensure stable and continuous mining, overcoming renewable energy intermittency and maximizing environmental benefits. This strategic approach exemplifies RI Mining’s commitment to leading the crypto mining industry towards carbon neutrality and sustainable innovation.
Flexible Bitcoin Mining Packages
RIMining offers flexible contracts with competitive cloud mining ROI:
Package
Investment
Total Profit
[Newbie Plan] BTC
$100
$100 + $8
[Basic Hashrate Contract]BTC
$600
$600 + $47.16
[Basic Hashrate Contract]DOGE
$2,800
$2,800 + $592.2
[Intermediate Hashrate Contract]BTC
$4,800
$4,800 + $1471.68
[Advanced Hashrate Contract]BTC
$53,000
$53,000 + $42214.5
*Estimated returns based on current network conditions and green energy efficiencies; actual returns may vary.
Choose a Contract: Select a mining package that fits your budget and goals.
Select your XRP or other crypto asset
Start Mining: Access the dashboard to track your earnings daily, supported by 24/7 customer service.
Conclusion: Green Crypto Revolution
Bitcoin’s historic climb amid Europe’s intense heatwave underscores the urgent need for environmentally conscious innovation. RI Mining sincerely invites investors to join hands in embracing a new era of crypto mining that balances sustainability and technological advancement, collectively driving the flourishing green crypto industry, popularizing green mining principles, democratizing crypto mining, and enabling more people to participate in this environmental revolution.
Disclaimer:This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency mining involves risks including potential capital loss. Investors should conduct thorough due diligence and consult financial advisors before engaging.
Gloucester, England, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin surges to a historic $108,000 during Europe’s unprecedented heatwave, the demand for sustainable, eco-friendly cryptocurrency mining has reached a critical peak. RI Mining proudly introduces its AI-powered green cloud mining platform, designed to meet the growing need for environmentally conscious crypto mining solutions.
Climate Urgency Meets Next-Gen Crypto Mining
Europe’s record-breaking heatwave has intensified the global call for greener energy solutions across industries. Cryptocurrency mining, often criticized for its environmental impact, is rapidly evolving. RI Mining platform combines advanced artificial intelligence with 100% renewable energy sources, delivering a cloud mining experience that maximizes efficiency while minimizing environmental footprint.
Robert Chen, RI Mining’s Strategic Vice President, said: “The future of wealth is rooted in sustainability. By harnessing green energy and intelligent technology, we empower everyone to participate in a cleaner, smarter form of crypto mining.”
Why RI Mining Stands Out in Cloud Mining
RIMining seamlessly integrates innovation and environmental stewardship by offering:
AI-Optimized Mining Operations: Dynamic resource allocation enhances efficiency and profitability.
100% Renewable Energy Usage: Mining operations powered exclusively by solar, wind, geothermal, and green hydrogen energy.
Multi-currency support: the platform supports more than 10 cryptocurrency settlements: including DOGE, BTC, ETH, SOL, BCH, XRP, USDC, LTC, USDT-TRC20 and USDT-ERC20, etc.
Transparent, Flexible Contracts: Clear terms, predictable ROI, and zero hidden fees.
User-Friendly Platform: Designed for both novices and experts, featuring real-time monitoring and dedicated support.
Green Energy Strategy: RI Mining Core Commitment
From its inception, RI Mining has prioritized 100% renewable energy as the foundation of its operations. Each mining facility operates independently, backed by green power purchase agreements with regional energy providers. The platform utilizes a diversified mix of solar, wind, geothermal, and green hydrogen power.
Advanced energy storage systems ensure stable and continuous mining, overcoming renewable energy intermittency and maximizing environmental benefits. This strategic approach exemplifies RI Mining’s commitment to leading the crypto mining industry towards carbon neutrality and sustainable innovation.
Flexible Bitcoin Mining Packages
RIMining offers flexible contracts with competitive cloud mining ROI:
Package
Investment
Total Profit
[Newbie Plan] BTC
$100
$100 + $8
[Basic Hashrate Contract]BTC
$600
$600 + $47.16
[Basic Hashrate Contract]DOGE
$2,800
$2,800 + $592.2
[Intermediate Hashrate Contract]BTC
$4,800
$4,800 + $1471.68
[Advanced Hashrate Contract]BTC
$53,000
$53,000 + $42214.5
*Estimated returns based on current network conditions and green energy efficiencies; actual returns may vary.
Choose a Contract: Select a mining package that fits your budget and goals.
Select your XRP or other crypto asset
Start Mining: Access the dashboard to track your earnings daily, supported by 24/7 customer service.
Conclusion: Green Crypto Revolution
Bitcoin’s historic climb amid Europe’s intense heatwave underscores the urgent need for environmentally conscious innovation. RI Mining sincerely invites investors to join hands in embracing a new era of crypto mining that balances sustainability and technological advancement, collectively driving the flourishing green crypto industry, popularizing green mining principles, democratizing crypto mining, and enabling more people to participate in this environmental revolution.
Disclaimer:This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency mining involves risks including potential capital loss. Investors should conduct thorough due diligence and consult financial advisors before engaging.
Local science fair in Whitehaven, West Cumbria goes from strength to strength.
We were pleased to support Whitehaven Town Council in hosting the 5th Annual Whitehaven Science Fair, working in partnership with Nuclear Waste Services to plan and deliver a two-day programme focused on innovation, scientific curiosity and community engagement.
The first day welcomed primary school pupils to experience an engaging theatre-style science demonstration, followed by interactive exhibits located in the robotics and technology marquees.
Local employers, including ourselves and Nuclear Waste Services, presented a range of technologies and provided hands-on activities. These included opportunities to operate robots, participate in educational games, test coordination skills, and meet Spot-the-dog.
By offering such experiences, the event helps inspire an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among young people and encourages them to consider future careers in these areas.
Members of the public also attended throughout the day to learn more about current developments on the Sellafield site and the work of organisations contributing to innovation in the local area.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria, Gerard Richardson, said:
I couldn’t be more delighted with the turnout, not just from schools and pupils but also from curious members of the public who really enjoyed the experience.
What a great event this has developed into, and we are so proud of the partnership that has grown with Sellafield Ltd, Nuclear Waste Services, 3d360, Atkins and a host of other companies.
The second day focused on career development, with Year 9 pupils from local secondary schools attending a careers fair. A range of local businesses were present to share information on early career pathways and work experience opportunities.
Carol Parkinson, education outreach manager at Sellafield Ltd, said:
It was a fantastic chance to engage directly with young people and highlight the career options available to them within the local area.
We offer a wide variety of early careers programmes, and it is important that students are made aware of these at an early stage. It was also encouraging to see the breadth of opportunities presented by other local employers.
A group of 12 of the 15 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including Winchester City Council, is working together to develop proposals for new councils that will provide all services to their residents in future.
The government wants to change the current ‘two-tier’ council structure in most of the county, where residents have services delivered by both Hampshire County Council and district or borough councils. Three other areas, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, already have single councils, known as unitary councils, that provide all local services.
Instead, the government has asked councils to propose how they could join their areas together to form new councils that would each be responsible for most local services in that area.
In response, Winchester City Council and the other 11 councils have been collaborating on developing options that would work best for their residents, businesses and wider community. The other councils are Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, New Forest District Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Test Valley Borough Council
Together, the councils are working on options that would replace the current 15 councils with four new unitary councils on the mainland, keeping the Isle of Wight as its own unitary council as it currently is.
This is based on the evidence they have gathered that this number of councils, delivering all services in the areas they cover, would give the best balance of local decision-making and sustainable size for the total population of over two million people.
It would avoid options for fewer unitary councils that would mean some of them serving well over one million residents.
The councils believe this proposal means the best of both worlds: councils that are big enough to deliver strategic services, but local enough to understand communities so they can tailor services more closely to their needs.
A key part of this work on the options will be understanding how residents, businesses and community groups feel about the changes and what area they think their future council should cover.
Engagement, through a feedback survey, has been launched today (30 June) across the council areas to gather views to help understand what matters most to people and shape how local councils work in future—so they reflect real places, local identity and culture, priorities, and people.
Additionally, Winchester City Council will be holding drop in events across the district:
Monday 7 July – Meadowside Leisure Centre, Whiteley 4pm – 7pm
Thursday 10 July – Alresford Market, SO24 9AG 9-1pm
Monday 14 July – Wickham Square (next to the Village Bakery) 3-6pm
Tuesday 15 July – South Wonston Sports and Recreation Pavilion 3-6PM
Monday 21 July – Colden Common Community Centre next to the Co-op 3-6pm
Wednesday 23 July – All Saint’s Church Hall, Denmead 4-7pm
Thursday 24 July – Winchester High Street, nr St Maurice’s Covert 9am-2pm
Each council must decide what they will submit as their preferred option to the government in September. The survey can be completed using on Commonplace: https://ourplaceourfuture.commonplace.is