PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
1.KEY INFORMATION
(a)Full name of discloser:
Rathbones Group Plc
(b)Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
Intelligent Ultrasound Group Plc
(d)If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
03/02/2025
(f)In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
No
2.POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
1p Ord
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
9,427,443
2.84%
(2)Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:
9,427,443
2.84%
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
1p Ordinary Shares
Sale
35,000
12.77p
(b)Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product description e.g. CFD
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
(d)Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
4.OTHER INFORMATION
(a)Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(b)Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(c)Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
No
Date of disclosure:
04/02/2025
Contact name:
Chinwe Enyi – Compliance Department
Telephone number:
0151 243 7053
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, announced today that its growing portfolio of virtual power plants (VPPs) successfully supported power grids across the country in 2024 with a combined instantaneous peak of nearly 80 megawatts—a capacity greater than many traditional fossil-fuel power plants. These innovative programs leveraged Sunrun’s fleet of residential solar and battery systems—the largest in America—empowering customers to generate, store, and share their own solar energy.
In 2024, more than 20,000 Sunrun customers participated in 16 virtual power plant programs across nine states and territories. From California and Texas to Puerto Rico and New England, the customers’ batteries supplied on-demand, stored solar energy to augment power resources during hundreds of critical energy events.
“Utilities are at a point where they can’t grow fast enough for the increased demand for electricity, which is why they are coming to Sunrun for help,” said Sunrun CEO Mary Powell. “Our power plant portfolio is at an inflection point because we have the resources and expertise to quickly develop, deploy, and scale programs to provide smart, controllable load. Combining solar with storage not only provides American families with energy independence and peace of mind, but also the ability to support the grid when it’s needed most.”
Extreme weather events and soaring electricity demand underscore the importance for these power plant programs. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation warns that over half the U.S. faces blackout risks in the next decade due to capacity shortfalls, as peak demand continues to climb with the rise of artificial intelligence, domestic manufacturing growth, and electrification of the economy. According to the Department of Energy, data center load growth has tripled over the past decade and is expected to more than double by 2028.
Sunrun’s 2024 virtual power plant initiatives have demonstrated the ability to enhance grid reliability, lower harmful emissions, and decrease costs for all electricity customers. Notable examples of performance include:
California: Over 16,000 Sunrun customers participating in California’s statewide CalReady program—the nation’s largest single-owner virtual power plant—delivering an average of 48 megawatts of stored solar energy to the grid during peak evening hours in the summer months. Output peaked at 54 megawatts, enough to power approximately 48,000 homes—equivalent to a city the size of Santa Monica.
Puerto Rico: Over 4,000 customers’ batteries participating in Sunrun’s PowerOn Puerto Rico program provided vital backup energy to the island’s grid during more than 70 energy shortfall events. Within just an hour’s notice, Sunrun dispatched its batteries as a single power plant to avoid rolling blackouts to help keep the lights on for communities across Puerto Rico.
Texas: Sunrun partnered with Tesla Electric, a retail electricity provider operated by Tesla Energy Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Tesla, Inc., and Vistra on two virtual power plants in the Lone Star State. Still growing, the Tesla Electric program leverages home batteries to provide reserves during peak consumption. Customers receive an annual payment, currently set at $400 per Powerwall, while Sunrun earns recurring revenue through the program. The Vistra partnership also offers customers financial incentives and credits.
New York: Sunrun activated the state’s largest residential virtual power plant in collaboration with Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc., a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. Over 300 solar-plus-storage systems provided stored solar energy during peak demand events in the summer. Participating customers received a free or heavily discounted home battery in exchange for their commitment to the 10-year program, while Sunrun received upfront payments from O&R.
Maryland: Sunrun launched the nation’s first bidirectional electric vehicle-to-home virtual power plant, partnering with Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, to utilize a small group of customer-owned Ford F-150 Lightnings. BGE was awarded grant funding from the Department of Energy to create the program, and Sunrun developed and operated this first-in-the-nation electric vehicle VPP. Participating customers earned several hundred dollars by sharing energy from their F-150 Lightning trucks.
“My wife and I earned nearly $1,700 just by sharing the energy from our Ford Lightning,” said Sunrun customer Brian Foreman. “It’s exciting to be an early adopter of this technology and making extra money with our electric truck is just an added bonus.”
“Sunrun is executing its virtual power plant strategy at a scale that is unmatched, and we’re excited to monetize more battery assets and secure additional, recurring revenue streams in 2025,” said Sunrun President and Chief Revenue Officer Paul Dickson. “With over half of new Sunrun customers installing storage, we are laying a strong foundation to create future programs where there is value for our customers, benefit to the grid, and revenue for Sunrun.”
Sunrun’s storage-first approach has positioned it to become one of the nation’s largest distributed power providers, serving as a vital resource for utilities and grid operators in protecting Americans from outages, pollution, and rising energy costs. Peak season customer enrollment in Sunrun’s power-sharing programs grew approximately 100% year-over-year in 2024.
“Sunrun is the industry leader, and we’re proving that every utility can and should have a virtual power plant program,” said Chris Rauscher, head of Grid Services at Sunrun. “Our largest and most successful programs are in Puerto Rico and California—places with vastly different power grids—but both equally benefiting from Sunrun customers’ solar-plus-storage systems being networked together to augment supply. I want to thank our amazing team which has turned the dream of VPPs into a reality.”
About Sunrun Sunrun Inc. (Nasdaq: RUN) revolutionized the solar industry in 2007 by removing financial barriers and democratizing access to locally-generated, renewable energy. Today, Sunrun is the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, offering residential solar and storage with no upfront costs. Sunrun’s innovative products and solutions can connect homes to the cleanest energy on earth, providing them with energy security, predictability, and peace of mind. Sunrun also manages energy services that benefit communities, utilities, and the electric grid while enhancing customer value. Discover more at www.sunrun.com.
Media Contact Wyatt Semanek Director, Corporate Communications press@sunrun.com
The investigation uncovered a highly structured organisation using sophisticated methods to transport and conceal drugs. The traffickers operated from a logistical base in southern Spain, where they stored and prepared drug shipments before smuggling them into France. Their modus operandi relied on convoys with lead and carrier vehicles equipped with hidden compartments to smuggle the drugs and evade detection. To…
Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Charging Robotics Inc. (OTC: CHEV), announced today that its affiliate, Revoltz Ltd. (of which Charging Robotics owns 19.9%), has received approval from the Israeli Standards Institute to sell its PORTO EV micro vehicle in Israel.
The Israeli Standards Institute approval (Standard 6230 Type Approval) is a critical milestone, as it enables PORTO EV riders as young as 16 to operate the vehicle without requiring any driver’s license. This significantly lowers barriers to adoption and makes last-mile delivery solutions more accessible to a broader audience, particularly in dense urban areas where efficient, compact transportation is in high demand.
The PORTO EV is designed specifically for the last-mile delivery market, offering a seamless blend of functionality, robust design, and agility. Capable of long-range deliveries and a full day’s work on a single charge, the PORTO EV provides a storage capacity comparable to the trunk of a small hatchback car. It features a robust tilting mechanism to ensure maximum stability, even under full load, and integrates high-volume loading spaces over the front and rear axles, distributing cargo weight evenly for a safe and confidence-inspiring ride.
Strong Market Potential in Israel for Micro-Mobility Solutions
Israel is known for its rapid adoption of innovative transportation technologies and its emphasis on efficient, sustainable urban mobility solutions. The growing demand for cost-effective, eco-friendly, last-mile delivery options makes Israel an ideal market for the introduction of the PORTO EV.
In 2023, Revoltz entered into an exclusive distribution agreement valued at $2.7 million with a premier distributor in Israel, aiming to introduce the advanced PORTO EVs into Israel and adjacent markets. As part of this agreement, the distributor initially purchased 50 PORTO EVs and committed to purchasing a total of 150 vehicles in the first year. The five-year agreement includes annual milestones and scaled-up sales targets, with the distributor providing service and maintenance for the PORTO EVs, focusing mainly on the local delivery market.
Amir Zaid, CEO and co-founder of Revoltz, stated, “We believe that achieving this production milestone and bringing to light our strategic agreement represents significant steps forward for Revoltz. We are aiming to revolutionize the last-mile delivery market with our PORTO EVs. Our collaboration with a leading distributor in Israel is a testament to our shared vision and commitment to excellence. We eagerly anticipate scaling our operations and reinforcing our position as a micro-mobility leader.”
The approval from the Israeli Standards Institute marks a significant milestone for Revoltz, enabling the company to commence sales and marketing activities for the PORTO EV micro vehicle in Israel. This development aligns with Charging Robotics’ commitment to advancing sustainable transportation solutions and expanding its presence in the EV market.
Zaid added: “Israel represents a highly promising market for the PORTO EV, known for its advanced and sophisticated consumer base. The Israeli market frequently adopts innovative technologies ahead of global trends, making it an ideal environment for the introduction of innovative products like the PORTO EV. This approval allows Revoltz to cater to a tech-savvy audience that values efficiency, sustainability, and cutting-edge design, further solidifying its presence in this forward-looking region”.
About Revoltz Ltd.
Revoltz Ltd., an affiliate of Charging Robotics Ltd., specializes in the design and manufacture of high-end, mini electric vehicles, bridging the gap between traditional automotive design and emerging micro-mobility solutions. Revoltz is committed to creating cutting-edge designs that revolutionize the micro-mobility sector.
About Charging Robotics
Charging Robotics is developing various automatic wireless charging solutions such as robotic and stationary charging systems for EVs. Robotic solutions are intended to offer the driver the ability to initiate charging by use of a simple smartphone app that instructs an autonomous robot, which navigates under the EV for access and charging capabilities. Our stationary systems offer various charging solutions, including in automatic car parks where the company’s system allowing EVs to charge in places where drivers can’t connect plugs to sockets. For further information, visit: https://www.chargingrobotics.com/
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbour” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on the current expectations of Charging Robotics, and its subsidiary Charging Robotics Ltd. (together, the “Company”), they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance or achievements of the Company could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. For example, the Company uses forward looking statements when it discusses how Revoltz is aiming to revolutionize the last-mile delivery market with our PORTO EVs and how Revoltz eagerly anticipates scaling its operations and reinforcing its position as a micro-mobility leader.
The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in any filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company is not responsible for the contents of any third-party websites.
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity for IoT solutions enabling AI Edge intelligence, will debut its new LM4 AI-powered Out-of-Band Management (OOBM) platform at Stand A10 during Cisco Live, February 10–14, 2025, at Amsterdam RAI. Lantronix’s LM4 is the industry’s first console server specifically designed, sized and priced for Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDFs) and compact environments such as ATMs, kiosks, and network aggregation points. Engineered for healthcare, finance, utilities, telecommunications, government, retail and manufacturing, the LM4 delivers enterprise-grade automation, compliance and cybersecurity capabilities, leveraging technology proven in military and financial networks.
“We’re excited to introduce the LM4 Out-of-Band Management platform, which enables our customers to leverage rules-based AI for secure, reliable and automated network infrastructure recovery and mitigation,” said Mathi Gurusamy, chief strategy officer at Lantronix. “At Lantronix, we are committed to enabling network management automation with innovative solutions that enable our customers to be more efficient, secure and bottom-line focused.”
Serial console servers represented a $320 million worldwide market in 2024 and are growing at a steady 7 percent rate to a projected $391 million in 2026, according to the Dell’Oro Group.
Out-of-Band Management Everywhere
An advanced out-of-band management platform, the small yet powerful LM4 provides access, continuous monitoring and automated remediation of issues as well as control of network infrastructure devices. Operational whether the network is up or down, the expert system uses rules-based AI to recover and mitigate network infrastructure automatically, including reliable and secure access to remote gear during an outage. With up to four ports of serial console connections for directly managing gear plus support for up to 48 virtual ports, the LM4’s compact size and affordable price enables network managers to utilize out-of-band everywhere, including many locations previously considered too small and numerous for advanced out-of-band management.
Running the powerful LMOS software, the LM4 brings the power of NOC-based software to the network’s edge to create a separate management plane in the rack with network infrastructure. With continuous monitoring and automated runbook responses, the LM4 can detect and solve issues before traditional NOC-based tools even know there is an issue. LMOS features a granular authorization model that integrates with existing access controls as well as automated change management functions, including the ability to store multiple config and OS files with local backups to enable automated rollback of failed config changes.
Standardize on Lantronix LM-Series Solutions for Enterprise-Grade OOB Management
The LM4 runs the same LMOS software as the LM83X and LM80 console servers, expanding the LM-Series console access options anywhere from 2–104 ports. The LM-Series is centrally managed by the Lantronix Control Center, which is available to run on-premises as a VM or hosted in the cloud. Lantronix’s LM-Series products allow customers to standardize their out-of-band management and deploy enterprise-grade functionality and AI-driven automation at all points in the network. The result is a more resilient network that’s easier to manage with fewer issues, reduced support truck rolls and stronger security and compliance.
Lantronix is the go-to source for innovative out-of-band solutions, providing a suite of reliable, secure and easy-to-deploy platforms, all supported by its exceptional service team.
Also being shown at Cisco Live are:
Out-of-Band Management Solutions
LM83X, delivering AI-driven out-of-band management of 8–104 devices over serial console connections in a scalable and robust console server with dual power inputs.
LM80, providing a fixed 8-port serial AI-driven out-of-band management solution that can automate a majority of routine IT maintenance and recovery tasks quickly and error-free.
Lantronix Control Center, a single pane of glass for managing all LM-series devices for secure remote access as well as for automating management of each of the connected network infrastructure devices. It is a single source for Authorization-Authentication-Accounting (AAA) controls, creating monitoring and action rules without scripting, centrally archiving both monitored device operating system and configuration files and compliance reporting.
Reliable Gateways and Console Servers With Trusted Performance
EMG 8500, Lantronix’s Edge Management Gateway that provides secure remote access for branch offices, remote locations, retail stores or anywhere an offsite network device gateway is needed and where space is limited.
G520 Series, Lantronix’s next-generation IoT cellular LTE CAT 4G and 5G gateway designed for industrial applications, including pre-enabled Percepxion™ Edge Solution Platform to increase operational efficiency and prevent cyber-attacks.
X300 Series, a Cellular Compact IoT Gateway Solution that includes Lantronix’s IoT gateway hardware and centralized device management, cellular data, enhanced security and expert technical support in an all-in-one package.
Expert Technical Support
LEVEL Technical Services, providing dedicated technical support experts to assist with implementing out-of-band deployments and limited lifetime equipment warranties.
About Lantronix
Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth markets, including Smart Cities, Enterprise and Transportation. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that enable AI Edge Intelligence. Lantronix’s advanced solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing.
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements related to Lantronix leadership. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, future business, financial condition, or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this news release. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the effects of negative or worsening regional and worldwide economic conditions or market instability on our business, including effects on purchasing decisions by our customers; our ability to mitigate any disruption in our and our suppliers’ and vendors’ supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other outbreaks, wars and recent tensions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, or other factors; future responses to and effects of public health crises; cybersecurity risks; changes in applicable U.S. and foreign government laws, regulations, and tariffs; our ability to successfully implement our acquisitions strategy or integrate acquired companies; difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights; the level of our indebtedness, our ability to service our indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements; and any additional factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Sept. 9, 2024, including in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of that report, as well as in our other public filings with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in our future filings. In addition, actual results may differ as a result of additional risks and uncertainties of which we are currently unaware or which we do not currently view as material to our business. For these reasons, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements we make speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our opinions or expectations, except as required by applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. If we do update or correct any forward-looking statements, investors should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections.
RESTON, Va., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leveraging its decades-long expertise in identity verification, Regula has made its advanced document verification software fully compatible with a wide range of third-party ID scanners and passport readers available on the market. Now, border control checkpoints, hotels, banks, medical organizations, and other institutions can take advantage of the most robust, forensic-level automated document verification and authentication regardless of the devices they are currently using.
Image: Regula’s document verification software is fully compatible with a wide range of third-party ID scanners and passport readers on the market.
Regula’s ID verification software is an on-premises solution, which means it works offline and keeps sensitive ID data secure. It seamlessly integrates with leading passport readers and can be fully customized depending on the device model and its functional capabilities. This not only ensures quick migration to a robust identity verification (IDV) core solution, but also allows businesses and government agencies to maximize the potential of their existing hardware investments.
Forensic-level document verification
Regula’s ID verification software for document readers offers the most comprehensive set of ID authenticity checks. It automatically reads, analyzes, and cross-compares data from multiple sources, including RFID chips, machine-readable zones (MRZs), barcodes, and visual zones, to ensure they are consistent and not tampered with.
Regula’s software also supports authenticity checks in various illumination modes, such as white, ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), and coaxial lighting. Plus, the solution allows checking holograms and other optically variable devices and inks.
Global ID support
The software comes with the market’s most comprehensive identity document template database, which Regula owns and maintains. It currently contains over 14,800 ID templates from 251 countries and territories, and keeps growing. Also, the database enables the recognition of 138 languages and a great variety of scripts.
Optionally, the software can be integrated with the Regula Information Reference System, a unique digital collection of detailed images and descriptions of identity and vehicle documents, as well as banknotes and coins. Covering every country and territory in the world, the Regula Information Reference System contains over 337,000 high-resolution images of documents and their security features captured in different light sources. Thus, the system provides an indispensable and reliable reference to compare against, even for the rarest documents.
Effortless installation and flexible licensing
Designed with user convenience in mind, Regula’s ID verification software is a turnkey solution that can be installed in three clicks and requires no development time or tech-heavy resources. With extensive documentation and native support for all major frameworks and programming languages, the software integrates seamlessly into existing systems and workflows. The flexible licensing options fit almost any use case and cover various verification scenarios.
Streamlined document processing
Regula’s ID verification software takes document processing to the next level with its powerful and highly accurate Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. The software offers advanced capabilities such as support for parsing names, surnames, addresses, countries, and other key fields. It automatically divides text into separate fields—for instance, segmenting an address into postal code, state, and country—making the extracted data more organized and actionable. Additionally, the OCR module handles complex date formats and characters from different character sets within a single line, ensuring seamless data interpretation across diverse document types.
Future-ready solution
As identity verification standards and document formats continue to evolve, Regula stays at the cutting edge of this transformation. Not only is Regula’s IDV software constantly updated, but it proactively supports new identity document types, security features, and verification methods. For example, with its latest update, Regula ID verification software ensures full support of Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs), a new digital way of presenting and processing travel documents. With this approach, any passport reader will remain comprehensively equipped to perform the most innovative IDV checks.
“By ensuring compatibility with most passport readers on the market, we’re empowering organizations to leverage advanced ID verification software without the need for new hardware investments and drastic changes. Regula’s software offers forensic-level precision, customization and flexibility, as well as compliance with the highest security standards, setting a new benchmark for document authentication,” says Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula.
To learn more about the features and capabilities of Regula’s ID verification software for passport readers, please visit the official website.
About Regula
Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
(b)Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
N/A
(c)Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP PLC
(d)If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
N/A
(e)Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
03 FEBRUARY 2025
(f)In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
N/A
2.POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
0.375p ORDINARY
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
9,653,126
1.2181
(2)Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:
9,653,126
1.2181
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
0.375p ORDINARY
SALE
6,000
92.5418p
0.375p ORDINARY
SALE
9,770
93.2421p
(b)Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product description e.g. CFD
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
(d)Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
NONE
4.OTHER INFORMATION
(a)Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(b)Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(c)Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure:
04 FEBRUARY 2025
Contact name:
MARK ELLIOTT
Telephone number:
01253 376539
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
(b)Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
N/A
(c)Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
LOUNGERS PLC
(d)If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
N/A
(e)Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
03 FEBRUARY 2025
(f)In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
N/A
2.POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
1p ORDINARY
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
1,288,957
1.2399
(2)Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:
1,288,957
1.2399
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
1p ORDINARY
SALE
3,520
323.1p
(b)Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product description e.g. CFD
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
(d)Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
NONE
4.OTHER INFORMATION
(a)Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(b)Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(c)Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure:
04 FEBRUARY 2025
Contact name:
MARK ELLIOTT
Telephone number:
01253 376539
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Environment Agency has opened a consultation on a permit variation application from the operator of Jameson Road Landfill in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
Transwaste Recycling & Aggregates has applied to the Environment Agency for permission to operate a dedicated tipping bay for waste brought on to the site.
The tipped waste would be transferred to dump trucks that would take the waste to final disposal in the landfill.
To be able to do this, the company needs to apply for a change to its existing environmental permit for the site.
The Environment Agency is seeking views from the local community and interested groups on the application.
The consultation runs from Monday 3 February until Monday 17 March, 2025.
John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
We understand the ongoing public interest and concerns around this landfill site.
I’d like to reassure people that we will carry out a detailed and rigorous assessment of Transwaste’s permit variation application
Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment.
We welcome comments from the public and interested groups on local environmental factors related to this permit consultation.
In its application, the company proposes that the tipping bay would have sealed drainage and containment. It also proposes the bay would be surrounded by nets to minimise the potential for litter escaping.
The application includes screening, which would act as a wind shield and visual screen for the tipping operation.
The Environment Agency assesses applications for environmental permits, or to vary existing environmental permits, under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).
Its role is to assess the application and decide if it meets all requirements under relevant environmental legislation and provides a high level of protection to the environment and human health.
It will only vary the environmental permit for the site to allow the tipping bay if it is satisfied this would be the case.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The second stage of the major repairs of the Krasnopresnensky overpass has begun. About 100 workers and specialists are employed at the site. Excavators, loaders, manipulators, rollers, asphalt pavers, a beam dismantling unit, compressors and generators are involved in the work.
There are currently four lanes for cars: two each in the direction of Begovaya Street and 1905 Street. A temporary dividing barrier with red signal lights has been installed between the oncoming directions. Fences, information boards and temporary road signs have also been erected in the work area. Pedestrians can use the sidewalk located outside the work boundaries. The speed limit on the overpass is 40 kilometers per hour.
“The dismantling of the bridge deck has now been completed. Specialists have begun dismantling the beams of the superstructure. A total of 90 beams will be dismantled. Each weighs over 50 tons, and is 24.3 to 33.7 meters long. The work is being carried out at night and during the day, depending on the process windows, in agreement with the railway workers. At present, 14 beams have already been dismantled, located on the side of 1905 Goda Street and above the railway tracks,” said the deputy head of the capital’s Department of Capital Repairs.
To determine which technology to use for the safe dismantling of each beam, specialists conduct laboratory testing of its condition. For this purpose, special openings are made to provide access. If the defects are significant, the beam will be sawn into pieces and dismantled. In this case, supporting underbridge elements can also be used. If the beam is strong, it can be dismantled entirely.
To dismantle the beams of the superstructure, an assembly unit is used. This is a specially designed lifting crane that moves along the rails laid on the overpass. After the beams are disconnected using a diamond cutting machine, the unit lifts them with special grips and takes them to the storage site. The dismantled beams are crushed and disposed of at special landfills.
Anton Akulov added that 60 beams out of 90 will be dismantled using an assembly unit. Then the rails will be dismantled, and the remaining beams will be dismantled using truck cranes. After the repair of the bridge structure supports is completed, they will begin installing new beams that meet modern requirements for strength and load resistance. They will be protected from corrosion using special means. Then they will install expansion joints and begin forming the bridge deck. The beams will be covered with monolithic slabs, leveling layers will be applied, and then waterproofing and asphalt will be performed.
At the final stage, the builders will install a curb and equip sidewalks, along which they will install lighting poles and put the railings in order. In addition, it is planned to repair the staircases and the granite cladding of the overpass. Specialists will also reconstruct the exit onto Bryansky Post Street.
Krasnopresnensky overpass runs over the railway tracks of the Smolensk direction of the Moscow Railway and connects 1905 Goda and Begovaya streets with Khoroshevskoye Highway. It is part of an important city road. It was decided to carry out major repairs in stages, without closing the bridge completely. The first stage was completed in January of this year.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
138 countries and regions join forces to target fauna and flora trafficking worldwide
LYON, France – Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
Operation Thunder 2024 (11 November – 6 December) brought together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017.
Authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Such species are illegally trafficked to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items or as pets and competition animals.
Globally, more than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were identified.
The operation led to the rescue of 18 big cats, including these tiger cubs in the Czech Republic.
The seized animals were sent to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation.
Organized crime networks profit from the demand for rare plants and animals, like this bird seized in Mexico.
More than 5,877 live turtles were seized during Operation Thunder, including these ones in Tanzania.
Morocco conducted intelligence-led investigations and seized over 50 snakes of various species.
12 live pangolins were seized during the action weeks, such as this one in Mozambique.
These Oryx were seized in Iraq. The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions.
1,731 other reptiles were seized live, like these blue-tongued lizards in Australia.
Overall, nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, were rescued.
33 protected primates were seized during the operation, this one was discovered in Chile.
An example of a deer seized in North Macedonia during the operation that was jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
This primate was rescued in Indonesia during Operation Thunder.
The live animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide.
Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation, in line with national frameworks and relevant protocols.
The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions, as it helps confirm the type of species and its origin or distribution, shedding light on new trafficking routes and emerging trends.
Large-scale trafficking of animal parts, plants and endangered species
In addition to the live animals, participating countries seized hundreds of thousands of protected animal parts and derivatives, trees, plants, marine life and arthropods.
Timber cases represent the most significant seizures, primarily occurring in sea cargo container shipments, while most other seizures took place at airports and mail processing hubs.
Authorities also investigated online activities and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach.
More than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were also identified.
Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General said:
“Organized crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature to fuel human greed. This has far-reaching consequences: it drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change and even fuels conflict and instability.
“Environmental crimes are uniquely destructive, and INTERPOL, in cooperation with its partners, is committed to protecting our planet for future generations.”
Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, said:
“Operation Thunder continues to shed light on a crime that is often not a priority for enforcement actors. Through our joint efforts we have established cooperation mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, and we have refined our enforcement strategies.
“The illegal wildlife trade is still rapidly growing, highly lucrative and has devastating effects. The WCO remains committed to supporting its members and partners to effectively combat this serious crime.”
This leopard hide was seized in Namibia, during the largest-ever global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking.
As well as this leopard skin coat discovered in Poland, Polish authorities also seized 300 seahorse tablets.
This Mariposa butterfly found in Peru was one of 5,991 pieces and 233kg of arthropods seized globally.
This wood in Brazil was among 49,572 pieces, 214.9 tonnes and 1340 m3 of timber seized worldwide.
These sea cucumbers and shark fins were seized in Mozambique.
Nearly 4.5 tonnes of pangolin scales were seized in Nigeria.
Mongolia reported the seizure of 40 m3 of timber.
This skull, discovered by Mexican authorities, was among 53 pieces of big cats seized around the world, including claws, furs, and skulls.
Python skin products, like this one seized in Italy, are perceived as high-end or luxurious items.
This coral, found in Italy, was one of 493 pieces and 21.41kg of coral seized globally.
Indonesia reported two instances of trafficking of African ivory.
Significant seizures include:
Indonesia: 134 tonnes of timber headed to Asia via ocean freight.
Kenya: 41 tonnes of exotic timber headed to Asia via ocean freight.
Nigeria: 4,472 kg of pangolins scales
Türkiye: 6,500 live songbirds discovered during a vehicle inspection at the Syrian border.
India: 5,193 live red-eared ornamental slider turtles concealed in passenger suitcases arriving from Malaysia at Chennai Airport.
Peru: 3,700 protected plants intercepted en route from Ecuador.
Qatar: Eight rhino horns found in a suspect’s luggage while transiting from Mozambique to Thailand.
United States: One tonne of sea cucumbers, considered a seafood delicacy, smuggled from Nicaragua.
Hong Kong, China: 973 kg of dried shark fins originating from Morocco seized at the airport.
Czech Republic: Eight tigers, aged between two months and two years, discovered in a suspected illegal breeding facility.
Indonesia: 846 pieces of reticulated python skin, from the world’s longest snake species, concealed on board a ship.
More than 300 firearms, vehicles and poaching equipment.
Building a global intelligence picture of wildlife and timber trafficking
Regular operations such as Thunder enable investigators to build a comprehensive global intelligence picture and detailed offender profiles, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and resolution of cross-border cases.
Cooperation between various stakeholders is essential for effectively combating transnational criminal networks, from seizure to arrest and prosecution, as the data collected enable customs administrations to refine their risk management and compliance strategies, and stay one step ahead of criminals, ensuring that their contribution to the fight against wildlife crime is dynamic and responsive.
Ahead of the operation, countries exchanged actionable intelligence on ongoing cases and high-value targets, updating critical information on 21 INTERPOL Red Notices for suspected traffickers wanted internationally. This exchange continued throughout the operation, with officers using the secure channels provided by both INTERPOL and the WCO to communicate in real time.
The Operation Thunder series is backed by the CITES Secretariat and carried out under the partnership framework of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). The 2024 edition was co-funded by the European Union, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Residents can avoid multiple trips to the tip this year by subscribing online to Lancaster City Council’s fortnightly garden waste collection service for 2025/26.
The opt-in service runs from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
To help cover rising operational costs and ensure the service continues to run efficiently, this year’s subscription fee has increased by £1 to £46.
Current subscribers will receive reminder letters and emails in the coming weeks with instructions on how to renew their subscriptions online. However, residents can subscribe online at any time by visiting www.lancaster.gov.uk/garden-waste, where they will also find the terms and conditions of the service and a set of helpful FAQs.
Councillor Paul Hart, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Raising fees and charges is never a decision we take lightly. However, our garden waste collection service is a subsidised service and to maintain the high standard of it, a modest fee increase is necessary this year to address the rising costs of fuel, vehicle maintenance, staffing and demand.”
Current customers who do not wish to renew their subscriptions don’t need to take any action. Collections will automatically stop after March 31, 2025.
Residents can request the removal of surplus garden waste bins by completing an online form at www.lancaster.gov.uk/contact-us.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing flagship scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” with investment of ₹20,050 crore in fisheries sector for a period of 5 years with effect from the FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all the States/UTs. PMMSY inter-alia, envisages to address critical gaps in fish production, productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernization and strengthening of value chain, reduction of post-harvest losses, traceability etc including marketing infrastructure. For creation and strengthening of marketing infrastructure, PMMSY has supported 27189 units of fish transportation facilities (refrigerated vehicles, insulated vehicles, two wheelers/ three wheelers), 21 state of the art wholesale fish markets, 202 fish retail markets, 6694 fish kiosks and 5 E-platform for e-trading and e-marketing of fish and fisheries products with total outlay of Rs. 1654.51 crore in all the States/UTs across the country. To provide real-time and accurate price information to fishers and fish farmers and to help them for negotiating better price and profitability, the Department through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has launched the ‘Fish Market Price Information System’ (FMPIS) during 2018-19 to capture and disseminate fish market prices of commercially important marine and inland fishes from 111 wholesale and retail fish markets in 29 States/UTs.
Further, the Department of Fisheries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) with an objective to provide a digital platform and empower all stakeholders including traditional fishermen, fish farmers producer organization, entrepreneurs from fisheries sector to buy and sell their products through e-market place. Further, PMMSY has supported 2195 fisheries cooperatives as Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) with project outlay of Rs. 544.85 crore through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) as implementing agencies.
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme implemented for overall development of fisheries and aquaculture sector in the country, inter-alia envisages to enhance fisheries exports to Rs 1.0 lakh crores by 2024-25.In order to enhance India’s export competitiveness and higher price realization, the PMMSY supports a basket of interventions/activities along the fisheries value chain including quality fish production, expansion, diversification and intensification of brackish water aquaculture, promotion of export-oriented species, infusion of technology, robust disease management and traceability, training and capacity building, creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure with seamless cold chain, development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centres, etc. The seafood exports of India have more than doubled since FY 2013-14. While the seafood exports stood at Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14, the same has increased to Rs. 60,523.89 crore during FY 2023-24.Further, the MPEDA has informed that they have prepared a Vision Document -2030 for the India’s marine products export sector with recommendation to achieve an export turnover of USS$ 18.00 billion by 2030.The details of fish products in the country, State and year-wise during the last five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) is annexed.
Annexure
Information regarding Fish Production:
Item-Wise Export Of Marine Products From India
Q: Quantity in M T, V: Value in Rs. Crore
Item
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
Frozen Shrimp
Q:
652253
590275
728123
711099
716004
V:
34152.03
32520.29
42706.04
43135.58
40013.54
Frozen Fish
Q:
223318
188130
226586
368549
381588
V:
3610.01
2941.65
3471.91
5503.18
5509.69
Fr Cuttle Fish
Q:
70906
59292
58992
54919
54316
V:
2009.79
1626.34
2062.63
2353.34
2252.63
Fr Squid
Q:
87631
61176
75750
83846
93509
V:
2196.59
1998.90
2806.09
3593.75
3061.46
Dried Item
Q:
84417
85661
73679
252918
300966
V:
981.50
1148.38
1472.98
3080.92
4070.60
Live Items
Q:
7287
4379
7032
7824
7585
V:
324.26
239.69
353.36
440.06
397.84
Chilled Items
Q:
21202
17622
21689
24428
35925
V:
631.84
477.99
733.47
616.29
687.19
Others
Q:
142638
142975
177414
231703
191709
V:
2756.84
2767.74
3979.99
5246.03
4530.92
Total
Q:
12,89,651
11,49,510
13,69,264
17,35,286
17,81,602
V:
46,662.85
43,720.98
57,586.48
63,969.14
60,523.89
State-Wise Export of Marine Products From India
Q: Quantity in Tons, V: Value in Rs. Crore
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
Gujarat
Q
252712
203917
200099
248863
284088
V
5001.43
4188.52
4421.10
5466.94
5511.36
Maharashtra
Q
151425
110822
193999
214167
222453
V
4829.17
3684.94
7303.92
7466.47
6923.34
Goa
Q
21498
16549
36057
63333
55167
V
520.65
435.25
730.64
1007.60
934.20
Karnataka
Q
111465
121348
120427
312347
301183
V
1520.10
1689.14
1962.19
4737.23
4785.05
Kerala
Q
163563
157698
182430
218629
196807
V
5672.27
5623.12
6971.56
8285.03
7231.84
Tamil Nadu
Q
130377
110023
114810
123157
134317
V
6465.71
5565.48
6559.64
6957.67
6854.22
Andhra Predesh
Q
293314
279992
324904
328160
347927
V
15498.64
15831.74
20035.49
19846.95
19420.38
Telangana
Q
0
0
3102
6676
11758
V
0.00
0.00
156.91
358.39
565.10
Odisha
Q
66671
60718
86765
85308
84231
V
3243.93
3107.68
4627.91
4546.47
3954.60
West Bengal
Q
98626
88443
103398
125025
132318
V
3910.95
3595.12
4742.47
5121.33
4145.51
Delhi
Q
0
0
766
1083
1294
V
0.00
0.00
39.00
63.61
79.84
Others
Q
0
0
2507
8536
10058
V
0.00
0.00
35.64
111.47
118.46
Total
Q
12,89,651
11,49,510
13,69,264
17,35,286
17,81,602
V
46,662.85
43,720.98
57,586.48
63,969.14
60,523.89
This information was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
1.
KEY INFORMATION
(a)
Full name of discloser:
Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.
(b)
Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)
Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
Renewi PLC
(d)
If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)
Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
03 February 2025
(f)
In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
N/A
2.
POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)
Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
100p ordinary (GB00BNR4T868)
Interests
Short Positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)
Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
2,287,078
2.84 %
(2)
Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)
Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
Total
2,287,078 *
2.84 %
* Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 7,989 shares that are included in the total above.
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)
Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.
DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)
Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
100p ordinary (GB00BNR4T868)
Purchase
25,067
8.0113 GBP
Please note, there were net transfers in of 5,886
(b)
Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product descriptione.g. CFD
Nature of dealinge.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealinge.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
4.
OTHER INFORMATION
(a)
Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(b)
Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(c)
Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure
04 February 2025
Contact name
Thomas Hone
Telephone number
+44 20 3033 3419
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website atwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
The second stage of consultation has launched today to improve two key roads linking Leeds to Wakefield and Pontefract.
Run in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the consultation aims to make it safer and more accessible to walk, wheel and cycle, as well as improving bus reliability.
The consultation follows on from a previous public engagement where residents were asked about initial proposals for the schemes. Results from the first round include:
When asked about the zone in which there were proposed improvements to A61 Jumbles Lane and Carlton Lane junctions, 53% of respondents felt positive towards the proposals, while 28% felt negative.
When asked about the zones in which there were proposed improvements to B6481 Pontefract Road, 52% of respondents felt positive towards the proposals, while 33% felt negative.
For the A61 in Lofthouse, the proposals focus on two key junctions which have known safety concerns, lack of safe crossing points for school students and pedestrians, and cars travelling at speed – the A61 Jumbles Lane junction and the A61 Carlton Lane junction.
Improvements to B6481 Pontefract Road, from Thwaite Gate to M1 junction 44, focus on creating a segregated cycle track along the route, linking to existing cycling provision on the A639 Thwaite Gate, allowing residents a safer and more direct route to Leeds City Centre and the ability to access businesses along the industrial estate, which often operates night-time shifts which are not suited to public transport use.
If the proposals were to go ahead, a £9.14million funding pot from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, ringfenced to transport schemes, would be invested to carry out the works – £2m for the A61 and £7.14m for Pontefract Road.
Proposals for the A61 include:
Wider pavements and footpaths, including doubling pavement width on Long Thorpe Lane, on the approach to Rodillian Academy, to help students and people feel safer when walking in the area
Shared-use footways to help cyclists travel easily and safely
New traffic signals at the Jumbles Lane junction to help improve traffic flow and offer safe crossings for people walking and cycling in the area.
Traffic signals to be fitted with new technology which will give buses priority and improve bus journey times and reliability
On-carriageway cycle lanes and advanced stop lines at the Jumbles Lane junction
Existing traffic island crossing, near Nisa Local, upgraded to a signalised pedestrian crossing to make it easier for people walking to cross
A road closure for motor vehicles at the Carlton Lane/A61 junction. This is a hotspot for collisions, and vehicles travel at speed along the road. Motor vehicles will access Carlton Road via Jumbles Lane.
New landscaping and greenery
Proposals for B6481 Pontefract Road include:
Wider pavements and footpaths to allow safer access to bus stops and local businesses
New and improved crossing facilities for people on foot and wheeling at various key locations
New, separate cycle crossing facilities for people cycling, at various key locations
Creation of a one-way, segregated cycle path either side of Pontefract Road, linking to existing provision on A639 Thwaite Gate. Some areas of shared use footways.
Signalising of the rail bridge tunnel – shuttle working traffic lights will be installed to control the flow of vehicles, allowing one direction of traffic to pass at a time, improving safety and bus reliability
New landscaping and greenery
Following feedback, the council is proposing to deliver these improvements first to meet the funding deadline, subject to the second round of consultation. The remaining proposals which are not currently being taken forward may be revisited in future should funding become available.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:
“This scheme will create a safer and more accessible experience for all types of road user on these roads. The proposals help people access Leeds City Centre, local amenities and employment by creating alternative, sustainable ways to travel to essential destinations.
By offering safe and easy alternatives to the car, we can help to meet our Leeds Transport Strategy targets and create a prosperous, less congested Leeds, with healthier residents”.
Councillor Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:
“These proposals will make it easier and safer for everyone to walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport on two busy routes. I’d encourage people to have their say so that we can continue building a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire for all.”
Have your say
You can have your say before the consultation closes on 11.59pm on 10 March 2025.
China will impose additional tariffs on certain U.S. products starting from Feb. 10, said the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on Tuesday.
An additional 15-percent tariff will be imposed on imported coal and liquefied natural gas originating from the United States, according to a statement from the commission.
Crude oil, agricultural machinery, automobiles with large displacement, and pickup trucks will be subject to an additional tariff of 10 percent, said the statement.
Despite a unanimous October ruling in their favor, five anti-mining activists from the community of Santa Marta will be back on trial on February 3. The retrial sets a dangerous precedent, allowing the Attorney General to move a case to a different jurisdiction through an appeal in search of a guilty verdict. It also comes amidst growing resistance to a December law opening the country to metals mining which reverses a historic national ban on mining passed in 2017.
At a January 8 press conference, supporters of the Santa Marta 5, as well as leaders of the anti-mining struggle throughout the country, denounced increased harassment and suspicious activity related to mining in the districts of Santa Marta and nearby San Isidro. Since the January 2023 arrests, the organizations have maintained that the trial against the Santa Marta 5 is related to the reactivation of mining. “We have been saying that this case is intended to weaken or eliminate opposition to mining in Cabañas, which has proven to be true with the approval of the new law,” said the University of Central America’s Andrés McKinley.
“The mask is off,” said Vidalina Morales, president of the Santa Marta Social and Economic Development Association (ADES), who have been warning about the government’s intent to overturn the mining ban for years.
Morales warned that unknown vehicles have begun entering the community, which is close to a former mining operation. “Our peace of mind as residents of Santa Marta is constantly being threatened by the presence of people from outside our community interrupting our privacy.
At night there is a lot of activity in our community and we want to denounce this publicly because we [also] experienced this situation prior to the capture of our comrades.”
The increased activity in the community, according to Morales, has stoked fears that there could be additional criminalization of activists, which could take the shape of additional members of the community being added to the February trial. Other Santa Marta residents report that the Attorney General’s office is building a case against up to 40 additional Santa Marta community members, including Vidalina Morales.
According to ADES spokesperson Alfredo Leiva, members of the San Isidro community have reported an increased military presence in the areas previously identified by mining interests. “They are sending us the message that it is no longer the companies that are going to protect these areas, but the state, through the army… So the message to the communities is that there may be more repression– not only through judicial processes but also through direct [violent] acts.”
The new mining law requires the Salvadoran state to operate any new mines (likely through public-private partnerships, which are permitted under the law), opening the door to further direct confrontation between communities defending their lands and a law enforcement apparatus that has seen its budget and personnel balloon under Nayib Bukele’s government. A State of Exception that eliminates civil liberties and further empowers the police and military has also been in place since March 2022. The State of Exception has been repeatedly used to militarize organized communities, including Santa Marta, and led to the detention of Morales’s son in 2023.
Speaking at a January 15 press conference, ADES member Peter Nataren denounced the role of the United States in supplying equipment to the Salvadoran Armed Forces. “We, as a community, have privately asked U.S. authorities on multiple occasions to please stop equipping the Salvadoran military, for example, with helicopters and drones. At this point, our only option is to make that public because we know this has now become an issue of communities defending their land on one side and the military on the other.”
“People are not going to let their land be taken away or their water polluted. So that is going to lead to violence and the current U.S. ambassador has been equipping the Salvadoran army, which he has been doing since he arrived,” Nataren continued.
Nataren explained that U.S. mining companies Titan Resources Limited and Thorium Energy Alliance signed an agreement with the Salvadoran government. He called on U.S. organizations to pursue the details of the agreement under U.S. law, as it has been classified as confidential for five years in El Salvador.
Resistance to the Mining Law Grows
Following the initial wave of protests against the mining law in December, Salvadorans have taken to the streets in greater numbers to show their opposition to the measure. A January 12 march, convened by the Popular Rebellion and Resistance Bloc (BRP) in commemoration of the 1992 Peace Accords, highlighted the member-organizations’ opposition to the mining law. The march drew thousands of participants and ended with an impromptu rally at the steps of the National Library.
On January 19, thousands more attended a rally, also held at the National Library, convened by a new group of young Salvadorans called the Voice of the Future Movement. While the crowd was largely made up of young people, including students from the University of El Salvador, a January 22 survey by the Francisco Gavidia University revealed that only 23.5% of all Salvadorans support the new mining law.
Rally organizers, along with the Catholic Church and student organizations have been circulating a petition of Salvadorans who oppose the mining law, which has already gathered tens of thousands of signatures. The Catholic Church, as well as leaders in the Episcopal, Lutheran, and Baptist Churches, have been outspoken against mining, with San Salvador Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas calling it “a life or death situation.”
According to Alfredo Leiva, in the absence of a law prohibiting metals mining, the only option left is for communities to band together. “In such a small, densely populated, and deforested country, mining is akin to suicide. Therefore, if we want to continue living in this country, we need to organize ourselves creatively because the legal instrument that we had to prohibit mining no longer exists.”
Original article: https://cispes.org/article/resistance-mining-grows-environmentalists%E2%80%99-trial-approaches
Dassault Systèmes and Volkswagen Group Implement the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform to Optimize Vehicle Development
Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud becomes a foundational technology solution at Volkswagen Group to advance vehicle development
Virtual twin experiences reduce engineering and manufacturing cycles of complex automotive systems, streamline workflows, optimize resources and accelerate time-to-market
VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France — February 4, 2025 — Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) and Volkswagen Group today announced a long-term partnership to advance Volkswagen Group’s digital infrastructure for state-of-the-art vehicle development by implementing Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Volkswagen Group has chosen the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud as a main engineering and manufacturing platform. Engineers, designers and other professionals across the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche brands will use virtual twins to streamline the development of vehicles. This will enable teams to simulate, test and refine every aspect of vehicle development in a collaborative virtual environment before physical production begins, while ensuring compliance with global regulations and sustainability standards.
“We are advancing the development of our next-generation IT system landscape, and the decision to partner with Dassault Systèmes marks an important milestone,” said Hauke Stars, Board Member at Volkswagen Group for IT. “With consistent data streams and AI solutions built on them, we are creating a true technological leap for our teams in development and factory planning. At the same time, we are sustainably reducing IT costs and accelerating processes by streamlining our system complexity and utilizing virtual twins.”
“Industry evolutions in the context of the Generative Economy are compelling automotive companies to make transformative decisions that will propel the vehicle experience to new heights,” said Pascal Daloz, CEO, Dassault Systèmes. “After four decades of partnership rooted in innovation and trust, we’re now embarking on the next chapter with Volkswagen Group with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform at its core. Our AI-powered virtual twins and the strength and resilience of the cloud will unify Volkswagen Group’s hardware and software innovation and unleash the knowledge and know-how to accelerate its software-driven transformation.”
Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com
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About Dassault Systèmes Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens. With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 350,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact. For more information, visit: www.3ds.com
About Volkswagen Group The Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s leading car makers, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. It operates globally, with 114 production facilities in 17 European countries and 10 countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. With around 684,000 employees worldwide. The Group’s vehicles are sold in over 150 countries. With an unrivalled portfolio of strong global brands, leading technologies at scale, innovative ideas to tap into future profit pools and an entrepreneurial leadership team, the Volkswagen Group is committed to shaping the future of mobility through investments in electric and autonomous driving vehicles, digitalization and sustainability. In 2023, the total number of vehicles delivered to customers by the Group globally was 9.2 million (2022: 8.3 million). Group sales revenue in 2023 totaled EUR 322.3 billion (2022: EUR 279.1 billion). The operating result before special items in 2023 amounted to EUR 22.6 billion (2022: EUR 22.5 billion).
Press Release VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France — February 4, 2025
Dassault Systèmes Reveals “3D UNIV+RSES” and Related AI-Based Services
“3D UNIV+RSES” embed multiple generative AI technologies at the core of global IP Lifecycle Management, “POWER’by” the 3DEXPERIENCE platform
Next generation Dassault Systèmes technology offers environment for combining virtual twins, training AI engines and protecting customer IP
Customers in all sectors can take advantage of the AI era to improve the daily lives of consumers, patients and citizens
Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today opened up its new horizon as part of the Generative Economy by introducing “3D UNIV+RSES” that embed multiple generative AI technologies at the core of global IP Lifecycle Management (IPLM) for the benefit of its clients.
This evolving architecture will permit its large client base to fully exploit their rich, high-quality patrimony of 3D design, virtual twins and PLM data in a new space of representation, the premier digital environment to train new categories of Experience as a Service (XaaS) ─ namely: Generative Experiences (GenXp), Virtual Companions, as well as intelligent Virtual Twin Experience as a Service (VTaaS). Dassault Systèmes’ “POWER’byAI” approach and its multi-AI, industry-aware platforms ─ 3DEXPERIENCE (manufacturing), MEDIDATA (life sciences and health care) and CENTRIC (consumer goods and food) ─ provide customers with world-class secured environments to reveal and generate their own knowledge and know-how with rapid deployment.
Tomorrow’s game-changers will be those with the best-developed knowledge and know-how assets, who take inspiration from the living world to generate rather than consume, giving back to the planet as much as they take from it. This is what Dassault Systèmes calls the Generative Economy. It results from the convergence of the Experience Economy and the Circular Economy; it’s an economy of virtual assets in which intellectual property (IP), the critical factor for differentiation, will serve as a currency.
It will be catalyzed and enabled by “3D UNIV+RSES” and accelerated by the learning possibilities offered by AI. “3D UNIV+RSES” represent a new class of representation of the world: virtual-plus-real representations that holistically combine modeling, simulation, real-world evidence and AI-generated content. They offer a unique and secured industry environment for combining and cross-simulating virtual twins and for training multi-AI engines while protecting customers’ IP.
“All our longtime loyal clients are expecting us to protect their ‘gold mine’ of virtual assets and reveal the invisible. In order to generate and protect the most valuable intellectual property, it is of critical importance to create Virtual Twin Experiences of everything for everyone that harmonize product, nature and life. Dassault Systèmes is committed to becoming the most trusted partner to provide ‘3D UNIV+RSES,’ as the ultimate source of knowledge and know-how, for our mutual benefit and human progress,” said Bernard Charlès, Executive Chairman, Dassault Systèmes.
“3D UNIV+RSES” are the seventh generation of representation of the world introduced by Dassault Systèmes over the past 44 years. These generations have ushered in new ways of imagining, creating and producing.
Today, in the Manufacturing Industries and Infrastructure and Cities sectors, the most advanced companies that create airplanes, vehicles, machines, robots, or high-tech and med-tech equipment use Dassault Systèmes’ sophisticated virtual twins to ensure the quality, performance and safety of their products and services, and to comply with regulations and standards. Dassault Systèmes has developed the same approach for innovators in the Life Sciences and Healthcare sector and pioneered virtual twins of the living world, from cells to organs to patients.
“The extensive work done by Bernard Charlès and our Strategy and Research and Development teams over the past three years to define and create game-changer solutions based on the deep and wide adoption of generative AI is impressive. This will enable our clients in all sectors to take advantage of the AI era at every stage of the cycle of life of the products and services they invent and create to make them more sustainable. This will ultimately improve the daily lives of consumers, patients and citizens,” said Pascal Daloz, CEO, Dassault Systèmes.
“3D UNIV+RSES” make it possible for customers to create the virtual twin of everything for everyone and virtualize their entire ecosystem. Experience will be at the core of them since “3D UNIV+RSES” are environments for experimentation integrating motion, transformation and time. Embedded AI technology serves as an accelerator to invent game-changing generative experiences, empower everyone with their virtual companion, and upskill the workforce of the future.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com
ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTÈMES
Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens. With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 350,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact. For more information, visit: www.3ds.com
Months out from a federal election, the industry lobby is gearing up in opposition to the Albanese government’s renewable energy targets. In a salvo on Monday, food distributors urged the government to increase fossil fuel production, as a way to purportedly tackle high energy prices.
It was followed by comments on Tuesday by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which also called for fast-tracking of gas expansion to avoid price spikes and blackouts.
Unfortunately, however, these approaches miss the point. They are a short-sighted response to what is, in large part, a climate-induced problem.
In fact, evidence suggests burning more coal and gas will only make things worse for many industries, including the food sector.
More fossil fuels = more industry disruption
The industry group Independent Food Distributors Australia claims Labor’s energy policies are driving up costs for businesses and, in turn, consumers.
In comments published in The Australian, the group’s chief executive Richard Forbes said the phase-out of coal-fired energy was too fast and the government’s renewable energy target was too ambitious. The newspaper claimed business owners instead want Labor to support new gas plants and support upgrades to existing coal plants.
The group represents food manufacturers, suppliers and distributors supporting the food service industry. Its members largely comprise food distribution warehouses operating large refrigerators and freezers.
First, it’s important to ask whether a focus on renewable energy can be blamed for Australia’s high energy prices. The answer is largely no.
That aside, would expanding fossil fuel production ultimately be a boon to food distributors? Evidence suggests it would not.
A study published in 2022, led by my colleagues at the University of Sydney, found that almost one-fifth of total emissions from global food systems were produced by transport and supporting services, such as distribution warehouses. This was equivalent to about 6% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Of course, greenhouse gas emissions are warming the climate and leading to worse and more frequent natural disasters. And, as another University of Sydney study showed, these disasters have extensive repercussions for the food industry.
It found the disruptions would be hardest felt by the fruit, vegetable and livestock sectors, however effects flowed to other sectors such as transport services. Overall, people in rural areas and those from a low-socioeconomic background were most vulnerable, both to food and nutrition impacts, as well as losses in employment and income.
What’s more, research I led into the economic impact of Australia’s 2019–20 bushfires also reveals the vulnerability of the food ecosystem. The 2024 study, which focused on tourism, found employment and income losses were greatest in the hospitality and transport sectors respectively. Restaurants, cafes and accommodation providers were disproportionately hit by job losses resulting from reduced consumption, including less food being consumed out of home.
So what does all this mean? Clearly, expanding polluting energy generation to reduce food distribution costs in the short term will not, ultimately, secure the sector’s future.
Making food distribution more sustainable
Having said all this, Australia’s high energy prices are undoubtedly a stress point for many Australian businesses. So how can the food sector tackle the problem?
Energy requirements (and therefore costs and emissions) differ according to the type of food. Fruits and vegetables, for example, are likely to require a temperature-controlled environment. This generates about double the emissions produced by growing the crops themselves.
Growing and distributing crops that can be transported at ambient temperatures would reduce energy use. This is particularly important given refrigeration needs are likely to increase as the planet warms.
The weight of food freight has also been correlated with energy use. Cereals – along with fruit and vegetables, flour and sugar beet/cane – are among the food types transported at high tonnages.
As my colleagues have noted, there are huge energy savings to be gained if the global population ate more locally produced food, and if food businesses used cleaner production and distribution methods, such as natural refrigerants.
Global food systems are crucial to human wellbeing. It’s in everyone’s interests to keep them functioning well and protected from climate-fuelled hazards.
The choices now facing the food-distribution sector represent one of many tradeoffs Australia must make during its transition to a low-carbon future.
Will we continue the polluting, business-as-usual approach or will we embrace Australia’s natural advantages in renewable energy, and protect the planet that supports us?
When it comes to food distribution, will Australia expand gas and coal production as a purported answer to lower energy costs in the short term – or will we move swiftly to decarbonise the sector and buy more local, sustainable food?
Vivienne Reiner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
Trump’s tariffs will increase prices, cost families as much as $1,200 per year
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement on President Trump’s announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on China:
“Donald Trump’s tariffs are a tax on New Mexico’s working families. Trump’s tariffs will raise costs, kill jobs, and weaken our economy, costing New Mexicans up to $1,200 per household. With Mexico as New Mexico’s largest trading partner, Trump’s trade war and tariffs tax will directly hurt New Mexico’s farmers, businesses, and consumers.
“We need to be putting the interests of working people first, not last. And that starts by lowering costs, not raising them.”
While the effective dates of the tariffs are shifting, their catastrophic impacts are indisputable.
Background on How New Mexico’s Economy Relies on Trade with Mexico
New Mexico’s solid economic growth after pandemic-era disruptions was spurred in large part by cross-border commerce. An unnecessary trade war with Mexico drummed up by President Trump threatens to drive up prices for groceries, gas, cars, and other consumer goods, erasing wage increases and straining New Mexicans’ wallets.
Benefits to New Mexico from Trade with Mexico
In 2023, $28 billion worth of goods came through the Santa Teresa Port of Entry (STPOE), which Heinrich has pushed to expand by introducing legislation, securing federal appropriations, and urging leaders in Congress and the Executive Branch to prioritize this project.
The STPOE supported over 7,000 jobs and contributed $2 billion to New Mexico’s economy in 2023.
Since 2020, an additional 2,000 jobs in New Mexico have been added by the increased economic activity around STPOE.
New Mexico exported $3.4 billion to Mexico in 2023.
In 2021, exports supported 15,000 jobs in New Mexico.
Mexico is New Mexico’s largest trade partner, amounting to 70% of the state’s total goods exported in 2023.
As stakeholder expectations on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) issues continue to evolve, we are seeing a movement build from voluntary standards to domestic regulation. Concurrently, the opposition to ESG-related action is adding to uncertainty and complexity when it comes to legal compliance and alignment with global high watermarks.
In this Insight, we take stock of the ESG journey and reflect on the trends to look out for in 2025 and beyond.
Key takeaways
Growing uncertainty around upcoming ESG legislation is expected to raise complexity and costs for companies in achieving regulatory compliance. The shift from a more global consensus on climate and environmental commitments, ESG due diligence and reporting requirements may result in deeper fragmentation of laws across jurisdictions, presenting new challenges for companies navigating competing pro- and anti-ESG regulatory trends.
Companies that are revisiting their sustainability and ESG-related claims and commitments amid heightened reputational and legal exposures over ‘greenwashing’ risk will need to continue to balance accuracy and appropriateness of public commitments with the risk of being perceived as laggards by their stakeholders, including scrutiny of perceived ‘greenhushing’ or ‘greywashing’.
Litigation risk remains a key challenge for businesses navigating ESG obligations and evolving stakeholder expectations. Potential claims are expanding to include directors’ duties and emerging intersectional ESG issues, including nature and biodiversity, human rights and plastics. Non-judicial forums such as complaints to OECD National Contact Points are likely to remain attractive for stakeholders seeking behavioural change.
Regardless of whether companies and their directors elect to recalibrate their ESG policies, companies should ensure they are satisfied that their chosen course of action is in the best interests of the company, and retain evidence to support that view and regarding the reasonable grounds for key decisions.
Who in your organisation needs to know about this?
Boards; general counsel and legal; sustainability; regulatory and compliance; cultural heritage and communities teams; external affairs.
A recap of 2024
New ESG legislation, an uptick in regulatory enforcement and the rising expectations of investors and other stakeholders are elevating ESG issues to the top of boardroom agendas.
In 2024, we saw the multi-jurisdictional trend of new ESG due diligence and reporting laws continue in places like the EU and California, adding to recent regulatory developments in Australia, the US, the UK, Canada and elsewhere. Australian companies have been responding, even if not directly in scope, as these new legal requirements flow through from customers and clients.
Combating alleged ‘greenwashing’ and ‘bluewashing’—being claims that environmental and social disclosures are false, misleading or have no reasonable basis—has become an enforcement priority for Australia’s corporate regulators. In November 2024, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) confirmed greenwashing and misleading conduct involving ESG claims would remain an enforcement priority in 2025.
Activists and strategic litigants have deployed strategies in and out of the courtroom seeking to influence corporate behaviour. While the majority of cases have commenced in the US, Australia consistently comes a close second, with cases increasingly focusing on the intersection between the environment and human rights, including the rights of First Nations peoples.
Alongside these developments, the backlash against ESG action increased in 2024 and was a key issue during elections in the US and across the EU. In the US, laws have been passed restricting ESG-related investment decisions, which have impacted investment flows, while legal challenges have delayed the implementation of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s climate-related financial disclosure rules. Some financial institutions and asset managers are moving away from membership of voluntary ESG commitments, such as the Net Zero Asset Managers and Net Zero Banking Alliance initiatives.1
Looking ahead to 2025
Deregulation may increase uncertainty and complexity for companies
The conversation around deregulation is already becoming more pronounced in 2025, in light of recent political developments and as ESG regulatory changes take effect.
Upon commencing his second term in office on 20 January 2025, President Trump’s executive orders have so far included:
withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement (for a second time); and
revoking the country’s financial commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the US International Climate Finance Plan.
His nominations to environmental protection and corporate regulatory agencies may foreshadow a further rollback of measures on:
anti-pollution;
emissions reduction; and
climate-related financial disclosures.
The wave of new executive orders has already sought to wind back the Biden Administration’s ESG policies (including those encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles).
In the EU, the outcome of a new omnibus proposal aiming to streamline various Green Deal sustainability regulations is due to be released by 26 February 2025. It is possible the proposal will include delays in implementation, while a recently leaked European Commission strategy paper for streamlining the Commission’s regulatory processes suggests there may be a greater focus on reducing the regulatory burden for small and medium-sized companies.
This uncertainty around upcoming ESG legislation is likely to mean increased complexity and costs for companies associated with achieving regulatory compliance. A move away from a more global consensus on ESG due diligence and reporting requirements may result in deeper fragmentation of laws across jurisdictions. Companies will continue to face challenges in navigating these pro- and anti-ESG regulations across different jurisdictions.
At the same time, disasters such as the Los Angeles fires will keep ESG issues in the public consciousness, and deregulation is unlikely to be aligned with the evolving high watermark to which stakeholders are holding companies to account. We anticipate an increase in ESG litigation as activists continue to pursue behavioural change by governments and companies in the courts.
ESG as a ‘dirty word’: greenhushing and greywashing
While many companies continue to take voluntary action on ESG issues, some are revisiting their ESG commitments in light of the increasingly contested and politicised environment, as well as the heightened reputational and legal exposures associated with sustainability and ESG-related public claims and commitments.
The paring back of existing commitments will continue to be scrutinised by regulators and civil society, and we anticipate that allegations of ‘greenhushing’ or ‘greywashing’ may develop.
‘Greenhushing’ refers to deliberately withholding information about sustainability goals and achievements.
‘Greywashing’ refers to setting strategies and policies that are too watered down, unambitious, qualified or ambiguous to result in meaningful change.
ASIC Chair Joe Longo has described greenhushing as ‘just another form of greenwashing’, which ‘risks misleading by omission’, referring to the annual Net Zero Report issued by South Pole which highlighted a substantial decrease in climate communications across a number of sectors.
Companies will need to continue to balance accuracy and appropriateness of commitments while maintaining flexibility in the changing political environment, with the risk of being perceived as laggards by their stakeholders.
The ESG litigation field expands
Despite the mixed successes of recent ESG claims, we expect activists will continue to pursue strategic litigation to extract concessions from governments and companies and effect behavioural change.
ESG claims have expanded beyond the traditional higher-emitting sectors. Stakeholders are looking more widely at targets and potential claims with the objective of disrupting capital flows, including scrutinising companies’ exposure through their financing activities and broader value chains. We expect that financial institutions will remain a target of stakeholder scrutiny, and that claims and complaints will continue to explore the intersection between climate change and issues such as nature and biodiversity, human rights and plastics. The use of new technologies such as AI and carbon capture and storage (or CCS) is also attracting activist scrutiny.
In 2025, decisions from the International Court of Justice and Australian courts may clarify legal obligations related to climate change, particularly in tort law, potentially impacting future corporate liability for alleged climate change impacts.
Non-curial avenues such as the OECD National Contact Points and UN Special Procedures are already a well-tested forum on ESG issues. Complainants are likely to be interested in exploring the recent updates to the OECD Guidelines on matters such as climate change and biodiversity. The Australian National Contact point may also be utilised by stakeholders in response to the three-year modified liability regime under the new mandatory climate-related financial reporting regime introduced from 1 January 2025, which prevents private litigation in respect of certain ‘protected statements’ for a period of time.
International discussions will continue to influence private actors
Despite failures by state parties to reach agreement at 2024’s UN biodiversity and plastic forums, discourse surrounding the negotiations appears to be sharpening corporate and civil society focus, including through an uptick in plastics-related litigation and campaigns. The next UN biodiversity COP taking place in Rome in February this year, and international negotiations will continue on a treaty to address the full lifecycle of plastic—from production to design and disposal.
Another emerging focus area for companies is Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), particularly in the life sciences and mining sectors. A new treaty on genetic resources and traditional knowledge was concluded at the international level in 2024 under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which will require inventors to disclose the source of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications. After many years of diplomatic efforts by countries including Australia, this is the first multilateral treaty specifically relating to traditional knowledge, and efforts continue to protect traditional cultural expressions at the international level. It remains to be seen how this significant step at the international level will affect the discourse concerning the need for sui generis ICIP legislation in Australia.
Subject matter trends
Implications of US exit from international climate change commitments and shift in domestic energy policy
The United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement introduces a new element of uncertainty for global efforts to address climate change. It remains to be seen whether the Trump Administration’s decision will leave the US as an outlier in international climate and energy policy, or if it may have a broader chilling effect on global cooperation on climate change and other emerging environmental issues.
President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, has already reaffirmed that ‘Europe will stay the course’ and reaffirmed the EU’s commitments to the Paris Agreement. A net zero-focused bipartisan alliance of 24 State Governors has also vowed to sustain and advance climate action in the US.
The new US administration has also embarked on a significant gear change in US domestic energy policy.
Executive orders have been effected to declare a ‘national energy emergency’.
This expedites the permitting of oil and gas projects (specifically in Alaska) and temporarily suspends new federal offshore wind leasing pending an environmental and economic review.
The US Federal Reserve has also withdrawn from the Network for Greening the Financial System—an international group of central banks, including the Reserve Bank of Australia, that analyses the economic fallout from climate change.
The Office of Management and Budget also ordered a temporary pause on grant funding by federal agencies for activities implicated by the new executive orders, including renewable energy and climate and atmospheric research programs. The order was subsequently rescinded after an urgent legal challenge by non-profits successfully sought an injunction.
These changes are likely to lead to legal challenges, further adding to the uncertainties faced by businesses navigating the new energy policy environment. As the Trump Administration seeks to encourage investment in the oil and gas sectors, we also expect stakeholders to intensify their scrutiny of companies’ exposure to higher-emitting projects.
Methane emissions
International initiatives to reduce methane emissions have been gaining industry and national support:
the World Bank’s Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership is now active in over a dozen countries and has been endorsed by 57 companies.
the Global Methane Pledge launched at COP26 in 2021 by the EU and US has received 159 country endorsements as of 2024, including Australia’s.
Several countries have moved to impose stricter regulations on methane emissions. In May 2024, the EU introduced its Methane Regulation requiring increased monitoring, detection and reduction of methane emissions. Additional import restrictions will extend to gas imported into the Eurozone from 2027. In November 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced new regulations on the emission of methane from crude-oil and natural gas facilities.
New and expanded gas projects (and related infrastructure and supply chains) remain a focus of campaigning and shareholder activism on fugitive methane emissions by organisations such as Market Forces.
Biodiversity and nature
Countries are moving to implement their national commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Australia’s Nature Repair Market is set to open for business in 2025, operating in a similar fashion to the existing carbon market, to incentivise projects to protect and restore the environment through biodiversity credits.
The EU’s Regulation on Nature Restoration entered into force in August 2024, and the Canadian Government has moved to legislate a Nature Accountability Bill as part of its 2030 Nature Strategy released in June 2024.
However, the future of the Canadian bill is now uncertain due to the suspension of all parliamentary business after Parliament was prorogued on 6 January 2025 following the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While Canada’s next general election is scheduled for 20 October 2025, opposition parties have foreshadowed a no-confidence motion when the next parliamentary session resumes on 24 March which, if successful, may trigger an early vote.
Several jurisdictions are also moving to address deforestation in supply chains, with measures including import restrictions and due diligence requirements.
The EU’s Regulation on Deforestation-free Products will enter into effect from 30 December 2025 and require certain commodities and derived products to be ‘deforestation-free’ if placed, made available on or exported through the EU common market.
The UK is also developing its own Forest Risk Commodity Regulation,2 which would also impose commodity-based restrictions and due diligence requirements.
Plastics pollution and the circular economy
A growing number of jurisdictions are introducing restrictions on plastic products, including single-use and microplastics.
The EU’s Single Use Plastic Directive came into force in 2024, and the European Commission has proposed additional measures to prevent the unintentional release of plastic pellets.
In the US, the State of California has commenced proceedings against Exxon Mobil and PepsiCo Inc in relation to allegedly misleading the public regarding plastics pollution.
In Australia, the ACCC commenced enforcement proceedings against Clorox Australia Pty Ltd in April 2024 for alleged greenwashing over claims relating to its ‘GLAD’ plastic bag products.
The right to water
From the Murray-Darling Basin to the Great Barrier Reef and beyond, we expect to see preservation of, and access to, water resources increase in priority for stakeholders as an issue that crosses geographical and jurisdictional boundaries.
Access to water and sanitation is recognised as a fundamental human right by the UN General Assembly, and stakeholders are raising issues around water security, water quality, contamination by microplastics and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) chemicals, access to water resources for agriculture, and ensuring First Nations peoples’ interests and connection to water are taken into account.
Modern slavery reporting reforms
In December 2024, the federal Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) published the Government’s response to the 2023 statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (MSA). The response follows the appointment of Australia’s first national Anti-Slavery Commissioner, who is expected to lead in the implementation of modern slavery reporting reforms.
The Government has agreed (in full, in part, or in principle) to 25 of the 30 recommendations from the review, including the need to strengthen the compliance and enforcement framework under the MSA. The Government agreed in principle to the introduction of a penalty regime—details are not yet available, but the Government is expected to consult with stakeholders in 2025.
One issue that remains unresolved is the status of proposals for mandatory human rights due diligence (HRDD) by reporting entities under the MSA. The Government has ‘noted’ the recommendation to introduce HRDD; however, it has indicated that the AGD will engage with stakeholders on HRDD as part of the next stage of implementation.
The introduction of mandatory HRDD would align Australia with a number of jurisdictions that have introduced supply chain due diligence requirements, most notably the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive adopted by the European Parliament in 2024. The Canadian Government has proposed new supply chain due diligence legislation, while a parliamentary review of the UK’s modern slavery legislation has recommended the introduction of due diligence obligations.
The timeline for legislative amendments to the MSA may be complicated by the federal election, which is due to occur before 17 May 2025.
Navigating AI in the employment context
As AI technologies advance, companies will need to navigate the social issues raised due to the use of AI in the workplace.
Already, we are seeing increasing use of AI in hiring practices such as the screening of job applications. Based on how the algorithm was trained, AI can perpetuate biases, potentially leading to harmful or discriminatory outputs for individuals, groups or communities and arguably resulting in adverse human rights impacts.
In the US, we are seeing court cases alleging unlawful discrimination where AI tools have been used for hiring, insurance claims and rental applications.3 We anticipate Australian businesses may face similar claims if AI is used without accounting for the risk of inherent bias.
The rate of change brought by advancements in AI technology is not only front of mind for employers, but also for employees concerned about its implications. In October 2024, it was reported that Cbus and its employees had agreed to a first-of-its-kind enterprise agreement dealing with protections for employees if or when the super fund introduces AI technologies. The agreement contains an agreed definition of AI, and provides that Cbus must consult with staff on any changes that impact them in relation to AI.
Rights of First Nations peoples
In 2025, the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is set to continue its inquiry into the Truth and Justice Commission Bill 2024. The Bill seeks to establish a Commission to make recommendations to Parliament on historic and ongoing injustices against First Nations Australians. The Australian Law Reform Commission is also taking submissions as part of its review of the ‘future acts’ regime in the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), with a final report to be delivered by December 2025. For more, see our Insight.
There are increasing demands on industry to consult First Nations stakeholders in their decision-making and operations, and to engage in benefit-sharing with Traditional Owners, with an emerging focus on the clean energy sector. The First Nations Clean Energy Network has published Best Practices Principles to help First Nations communities in Australia to share in the benefits of renewable energy projects, including calling for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) standards to apply throughout the lifecycle of projects.
We expect that international, ‘soft law’ standards will continue to evolve. For example, the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) recently updated its Indigenous Peoples and Mining Position Statement to emphasise the responsibility of mining companies to achieve FPIC through meaningful engagement and good faith negotiation with Traditional Owners. Although the new standard goes beyond the current position in the Native Title Act and many cultural heritage laws in Australia, it is possible it will become a benchmark for mining companies in Australia—see our Insight.
Addressing misconduct impacting First Nations peoples also remains an enforcement priority for ASIC.
Diversity and inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion policies and initiatives have also become the subject of backlash in the United States through three executive orders signed by President Trump, with one executive order foreshadowing regulatory action to ‘encourage’ private sector employers to dismantle diversity programs that have been based on federal anti-discrimination law.
This backlash has already placed diversity on the political agenda in Australia, and the discussion around diversity policies and initiatives is likely to increase in the lead-up to the federal election this year.
Company culture and governance issues in the spotlight
Corporate culture is an ongoing boardroom issue and recent examples underscore the importance of accountability, transparency and strong and ethical corporate governance.
Cultural concerns: in the wake of federal Respect@Work reforms, a number of prominent Australian brands have been in the spotlight regarding whistleblower complaints on cultural issues. Widespread media reporting has led some companies to launch internal investigations to respond to shareholder concern and address reputational damage in the community.
Regulatory scrutiny: in addition to reputational damage, there is also now a real prospect of scrutiny from regulators in relation to corporate cultural issues. In its updated enforcement priorities announced on 14 November 2024, ASIC reaffirmed its commitment to addressing governance and directors’ duties failures as an enduring enforcement priority for 2025. As an example, ASIC commenced proceedings against Regional Express Holdings Limited and several of its directors for engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct and for contraventions of continuous disclosure obligations in relation to ASX announcements about the company’s financial position prior to entering into voluntary administration in July 2024.
Navigating complexities in AI and ESG reporting
As ESG reporting obligations expand in Australia and overseas, AI will become an increasingly attractive tool for companies seeking to reduce the time needed for data gathering and drafting.
However, the use of AI may also present legal, regulatory and reputational risk:
Environmental impacts associated with the training and use of AI models. This includes increased demand for electricity consumption; the water footprint associated with training and maintaining AI models; and electronic waste generation.
Susceptibility to bias, which may result in errors that could lead to misleading statements or discriminatory outputs.
Privacy concerns from the use of sensitive or personal information without consent. Privacy law reforms introduced in late 2024 require companies to disclose when they will be using AI automated decision-making (see our Insight).
Human rights implications such as discrimination or potential harm to vulnerable groups such as children or workers in the AI supply chain.
Regulatory scrutiny on the use of AI, as indicated by the increased regulatory guidance available to companies, including Australia’s new Voluntary AI Safety Standard, the European Parliament’s AI regulations, and ASIC’s report on ‘Governance arrangements in the face of AI innovation’.
Actions you can take now
Regardless of whether ESG policies are recalibrated in light of growing uncertainty around legislative frameworks and the anti-ESG backlash, companies and directors should ensure they are satisfied that their chosen course of action is in the best interests of the company, and gather evidence to support that view.
The influence of new legislation is being felt on companies even where not directly in scope. Consider adopting a higher water mark approach appropriate to the company’s risk profile and appetite to future proof against evolving stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements.
Understand the scope of the company’s voluntary commitments and what these entail, including in international law.
When refreshing policies and procedures, look at these through the lens of emerging areas of focus. Consider if your policies fit for purpose and reflect emerging risk areas.
Consider the role of legal—privilege can be a useful tool where appropriate, given the regulatory and risk environment.
Independent Allegra Spender spearheaded a condemnation of antisemitism by federal parliament – but the debate was mired in partisanship.
The opposition tried to prevent the government bringing on the Spender motion in the House of Representatives, because it said it wanted something stronger and would not be able to amend the motion.
Coalition speakers repeatedly used the debate to attack the government for not, in its view, doing enough to combat antisemitism, particularly after the pro-Palestine demonstration at the Opera House in the wake of the Hamas atrocities of October 7 2023.
Eventually the Spender motion was passed without dissent. It said the House:
deplores the appalling and unacceptable rise in antisemitism across Australia – including violent attacks on synagogues, schools, homes, and childcare centres
unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms and
resolves that all parliamentarians will work constructively together to combat the scourge of antisemitism in Australia.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Spender had agreed to delete words in an earlier version that would have condemned “all similar hatred directed to any groups in our community”.
“The member agreed to that form of words being struck out because we don’t think that was necessary. And we also think it is inexplicable to try and mount the argument that this sort of hatred and this sort of racism and this sort of antisemitism is being conveyed against any other pocket of the Australian community.”
Dutton said the opposition had voted against the government bringing on the motion “because it stopped us from moving amendments […] which would have strengthened the motion and provided stronger support to the community.”
Spender said combating antisemitism was not just a matter of laws but also of culture.
“We must lead by example. The message from our parliament today must be unambiguous. We will not stand for hate. We will not stand for abuse.
“We will not abide intimidation. We will not tolerate the terrorising of any part of our community. We are united against antisemitism. Words must be backed by action, but words matter, particularly those of the parliament.”
Spender will seek to strengthen the anti-hate bill currently being considered by the parliament.
The motion was seconded by Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns, who said: “the last six months have been like no other I’ve experienced in this country. And my grandparents came to this country looking for a safe haven for the Jewish people. And over the last six months, we’ve seen cars set alight. We’ve seen synagogues burnt down. We’ve seen Jewish homes and businesses marked. And we have seen childcare centres being burnt down.”
Anthony Albanese said: “We know that antisemitism has given dark shadows across generations. I say to Jewish Australians, live proudly, stand tall, you belong here and Australia stands with you.”
Former Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, accused a previous Coalition speaker, Andrew Wallace, who criticised the government, of being “corrosive” on “an issue where we should be coming together”.
In the Senate, crossbencher Jacqui Lambie moved the same motion as Spender. The opposition unsuccessfully tried to amend it to embrace mandatory sentencing. A member from independent Lidia Thorpe was also defeated and the motion was passed on the voices.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Police have made arrests and seized vehicles after reports of dangerous driving through parts of south Auckland today.
Just before 11.30am, the public began reporting dirt bikes blocking a Manurewa intersection at Great South and Weymouth roads.
Police have established the movements were part of a funeral procession moving from Manurewa to Pukekohe.
“A group of vehicles were observed heading south on State Highway 1 driving in an unsafe manner,” District Shift Commander, Senior Sergeant Nick Ewen says.
“The Police Eagle helicopter deployed and monitored the driving behaviour from overhead.”
Police staff on the ground intercepted the vehicles in the Pukekohe area.
Senior Sergeant Ewen says three people were arrested on the roadside, with four vehicles also being impounded.
“Those arrested will be facing driving-related offences in court,” he says.
“Counties Manukau staff have also impounded a further two dirt bikes at an address.
“This is a great outcome, and it sends a message that Police and the wider community will not accept dangerous or unsociable behaviour on our roads.”
Senior Sergeant Ewen says Police would like to hear from any members of the public as enquiries continue.
“If you witnessed the driving behaviour or have dashcam footage, we need to hear from you,” he says.
If you have footage or information to assist Police, please call 105 using the reference number P061507502.
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake rocked off Indonesia’s North Maluku province early Tuesday without prompting large waves, the country’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said.
The agency had first issued the quake’s magnitude at 6.2 before revising it.
The earthquake struck at 04:35 a.m. Jakarta time Tuesday (2135 GMT Monday), with its epicenter situated 86 km northeast of Doi Island in North Halmahera regency at a depth of 105 km under the seabed.
No tsunami alert was issued as the tremors were not expected to trigger giant waves.
Having situated on a vulnerable hit zone called the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia, an archipelagic nation, has frequently been stricken by earthquakes.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had “very friendly conversation” with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and the two sides agreed to “immediately pause” the anticipated tariffs for one month and continue negotiations.
“I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country,” Trump said in a post on social media platform Truth Social.
“We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico,” Trump continued.
“I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two Countries,” said the U.S. president.
Trump signed executive orders on Saturday to impose a 25-percent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10-percent tariff hike on imports from China, which has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.
“The tariffs could increase how much U.S. consumers and businesses pay for goods coming from Canada, Mexico and China — including electronics, toys, shoes, fresh produce, lumber and cars. Tariffs are paid by companies importing goods into the U.S., similar to a tax,” according to a report by NBC News.
The new tariffs mean that U.S. companies would have to either reduce profits or implement cuts to protect their margins, the report said, adding that the implications could be “wide-reaching” across the U.S. economy.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Sheinbaum on Saturday instructed the Secretariat of Economy to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico’s interests in response to the levies imposed by the Trump administration.
“We categorically reject the White House’s slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory,” the Mexican president said on the social platform X.
Police have put a halt on an alleged crime spree in east Auckland, valued in the thousands.
On Monday afternoon, Police caught up with the offender in the Botany area and have so far laid 15 charges.
Senior Sergeant Simon Cornish, Counties Manukau East Intelligence Manager, says it is estimated more than $10,000 in property had been stolen.
“We have been aware of a vehicle of interest that had allegedly committed petrol drive-offs late last year and into January,” he says.
“There have been reports in recent weeks of work vehicles being targeted in the East Tamaki area.”
Senior Sergeant Cornish says handbags, wallets, tools, and camera gear had allegedly been stolen from vehicles.
At this stage Police believe seven people have fallen victim to the man, with at least four petrol-drive offs allegedly committed.
“Yesterday afternoon, a victim quickly contacted 111 and provided us information about a vehicle an offender was leaving the East Tamaki area in,” Senior Sergeant Cornish says.
“A number of units deployed to the Botany area, including the Police Eagle helicopter, and the vehicle was stopped on Te Irirangi Drive.”
A 34-year-old man was arrested and faces numerous charges in the Manukau District Court.
Those charges include theft ex-car, theft and fraud offences relating to stolen credit cards.
He was appearing the Manukau District Court today.
Senior Sergeant Cornish says further charges cannot be ruled out as enquiries continue.
“This is a great outcome, and it sends a message to those who are continuing to commit offending – it’s only a matter of time before we are catching up with you.”
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises road users to plan ahead for upcoming chipsealing work on State Highway 10 between Mangonui and Taipa, starting Thursday 13 February.
Work will be carried out at night over 7 nights, with stop/go traffic management in place, to minimise disruption for road users. Temporary speed limits and traffic management will remain in place the following day to guide traffic over the new seal and help to embed it successfully.
It’s important to slow down through newly sealed sections of road because small chips can be flicked up from the road surface and damage vehicles – especially windscreens. That’s why we often keep temporary speed limits in place even after it looks like the work has been completed. As well as safety, the temporary speed limit also helps ensure the quality of the reseal. Travelling at the posted temporary speed limit allows for the chips to be embedded into the road surface and for them to remain in place as the seal cures.
Travel delays during these works are expected to be 5-10 minutes.
Chipsealing helps ensure a smooth, skid-resistant surface, free of potholes and slippery sections to reduce the risk of crashes and help keep everyone traveling on our roads safe.
Details of specific work sites for the week ahead can be found on the Northland state highway maintenance programme website.
Work is weather dependent and there may be changes to the planned works in the case of unsuitable weather. Please visit the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information, including any changes due to weather.
This work is part of Northland’s significant summer maintenance programme, which will see approximately 203 lane kilometres of state highway renewed across the region by the end of May.
NZTA thanks everyone for their understanding and support while we carry out this essential maintenance.
Tacoma – A member of the Puyallup Tribe was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 13 years in prison for the fatal shooting of someone he considered a friend, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Dennis Jacobsen, 32, was arrested shortly after the shooting on October 21, 2021. Jacobsen was originally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm because of convictions for robbery and unlawful firearms possession in Pierce County Superior Court. In June 2024, Jacobsen pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “This is a tragic story of illicit drug use and a firearm. The lives of the loved ones of the victim will carry this loss for years.”
According to records filed in the case, both Jacobsen and the victim had been drinking and using drugs the morning of the shooting. The two were seen together outside the victim’s home within the confines of the Puyallup reservation. The two men walked behind the home and witnesses heard three gunshots. The victim was shot once in the arm and twice in the head, at least once at close range. Witnesses then saw Jacobsen run from behind the house, get in a vehicle and drive away.
When police went to Jacobsen’s residence, they found the handgun with one bullet still in the chamber. The ammunition matched the type of ammunition used in the shooting.
In asking for the 15-year sentence, Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg wrote to the court, “The impact of (the victim’s) killing has been felt deeply in the community. His girlfriend was pregnant with his son at the time of the killing. She can now only show her son the photographs of his father. (The victim’s) parents are now without a son and the greater Puyallup community has lost another tribal member to a violent tragedy.”
Jacobsen will be on five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
The case was investigated by the Puyallup Tribal Police and the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
Police are responding to a serious assault in Birkenhead this afternoon.
Just after 2pm, a man was located with injuries on Birkenhead Avenue by a member of the public.
Waitematā Field Crime Manager, acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison says an investigation is now underway to determine what has occurred.
“At this early stage we believe the man has sustained stab wounds and he has been taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition,” he says.
Police would like to hear from the public who may have seen an incident unfold this afternoon.
“Anyone who may have witnessed something taking place at an address or on the street should contact us,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.
“We would also like to hear from anyone with information about a vehicle seen fleeing the scene a short time afterward.”
Police have closed part of Birkenhead Avenue, near the intersection with Onewa Road.
A scene examination will take place this afternoon as part of the investigation, acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.
“Our investigation is still in the early stages in determing exactly what has taken place in Birkenhead this afternoon.
“The public will see an increased presence of our staff in the area, and we appreciate the public’s understanding while our staff carry out their work at the scene.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 using the reference number P061509544.
