LONDON, Feb. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Today, we have published our accident investigation report into the collision between the bulk carrier Polesie and the general cargo ship Verity resulting in the sinking of Verity with five fatalities in the German Bight traffic separation scheme on 24 October 2023. Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said: The tragic loss of Verity and five crew was wholly avoidable. Neither vessel applied th...
LONDON, Feb. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Gary will succeed Sir Peter Lauener, who has led the organisation since April 2020 and has completed the maximum of two terms. Peter will step down on 31 March 2026 with Gary assuming the role on 1 April 2026. Gary has been a member of SLC's Board since October 2020 and Chair of SLC's Remuneration Committee since December 2023. He has worked in the banking industry for more than 20 years, predominantly with ABN ...
LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Now under investigation, 2 men have been arrested in relation to waste dumped in a field near Romford. Essex Police responded to a 999 call about waste left on private land close to the M25's junction with the M11, in the village of Stapleford Tawney. Police swoop Officers swooped on the field on 6 February, arresting a 55-year-old from Horley in Surrey, and a 25-year-old from Mullaghbawn in County Armagh. The...
LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The new programme is a UK-wide initiative designed to give students their launchpad into the space sector through structured internships with the space industry. The initiative comes as the sector faces significant recruitment challenges. According to the most recent Space Skills Survey, 80% of space organisations faced recruitment difficulties - up from 61% in 2020. More than half of organisations reported skil...
LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister has appointed Jeremy Bailey as Navy Trustee and Sir William Worsley as Estates Trustee for a term of four years from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030. The Secretary of State has appointed Samantha Washington as Media Trustee for a term of four years from 16 March 2026 to 15 March 2030. Rear Admiral Jeremy Bailey Jeremy was born in Portsmouth, educated at The Portsmouth Grammar School and j...
LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Secretary of State has reappointed Dr Nigel Fletcher, Sir David Natzler and Jonathan Scherbel-Ball to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives (ACNRA) for a term of 4 years, commencing on 17 January 2026 until 16 January 2030. The Secretary of State has appointed Eleni Bide and Johanna Higgins for terms of 4 years, commencing on 22 January 2026 until 21 January 2030. Dr Nigel Fletcher Dr Nigel...
LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: HM Treasury hosted representatives from U.S. Treasury and regulatory agencies in London on 26 January 2026, to conduct joint senior-level industry engagement for the Transatlantic Taskforce for Markets of the Future established last September.The discussions explored opportunities to improve links between our capital markets and to collaborate on digital assets. This engagement is part of the Taskforce's efforts...
LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Floods Minister Emma Hardyhas today (Tuesday 10 February)visited Langport in Somerset to see the impact of flooding on the local community,following one of the wettest starts to the year on record. The Somerset Levels has been one of the areas most affected in recent weeks, with the Environment Agency installingvasthigh-volumepumpsin Northmoor andSaltmoor, protectinghomes by moving vast amounts of water away fro...
LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The schemecomprisesan offshore wind farm andassociatedoffshore and onshore infrastructure including offshore and onshore high voltage electricity cables, onshore and offshore electricity substation(s), connection(s) to the National Grid and ancillary and temporary works. The application wassubmittedto the Planning Inspectorate for consideration byGT R4 Limited (trading as Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind)on19March202...
LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: In autumn 2024 around 100 of the endangered native species were found dead in the River Wansbeck catchment - a nationally significant population. The subsequent investigation determined crayfish with similar symptoms - unusual orange patches on their shell displaying as ulcers or lesions - were widespread across the Wansbeck catchment as well as areas of the neighbouring rivers Tyne and Blyth catchments. A seri...