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NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 13 January 1925

13 JANUARY 1925

Details are given of the settlement effected at Paris by the delegates of the major Allied Powers and recommended for final endorsement by the full session of the Conference today. Satisfaction was expressed at Washington’s acceptance of the agreement between Colonel Logan and Mr. Winston Churchill for the collection of war claims.

There is much speculation in Washington as to the cause of Mr Hughes’s resignation. It is suggested that Mr Coolidge and Mr Hughes have differed on some major issue in foreign policy—possibly the recognition of the Soviet.

Dr Luther’s efforts to form a Cabinet have failed through the reluctance of the Centre party to alter their standpoint.

Proposals for the expansion of the Royal Air Force are announced.

Statistics issued by the Commissioners of Prisons show decreased admissions in 1924. On the question of the habitual petty offender, especially elderly women, it is suggested that some kind of detention home would be the most appropriate treatment.

Lord Weir, in a broadcast talk from Glasgow, referred to the question of steel houses, and replied to recent criticism.

Railwaymen at a meeting at Chester resolved that 24 hours’ notice be given to the Railway Companies demanding the withdrawal of the Army Order relating to the Supplementary Reserve so far as it affects railwaymen.

A Bill forbidding Government officials to belong to secret societies has been introduced in the Italian Chamber.

February 19, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 12 January 1925

12 JANUARY 1925

On all the main questions before the Inter-Allied Conference in Paris agreement has been reached by the delegates of the Great Powers. Confidence is felt that this result will be confirmed by the full Conference tomorrow.

Following the failure of Dr Marx to form a Government, the President of the Reich has asked Dr Luther to assume the task.

Mr Hughes, the United States Secretary of State, has resigned.

Mr Stephen Walsh, the Secretary for War who signed the Army Order constituting the technical reserve, has declared that the Order is explicit, and that members of the Reserve will not be called out in aid of the civil power.

Evidence as to the activities of M. N. Roy, an agent of the Third International, is contained in the judgment of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad in the revolutionary conspiracy case.

Mr A. J. Cook, secretary of the Miners’ Federation [ad], stated that if the Government passed an Eight Hour Day Act the men would refuse to operate it.

The return published by the Mines Department for the quarter ending last September shows a further reduction in the output per person per shift. A debit balance of £78,452 is shown in the quarter’s working of Scottish mines.

The death is announced of Lord Pentland of Blyth, a former Secretary for Scotland and Governor of Madras.

February 19, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 11 January 1925

11 JANUARY 1925

US and British leaders argued at the Inter-Allied Financial Conference in Paris about money relating to war loans from the First World War. Belgium also said that it feared that their war reparations were being whittled down and Romania rejected allegations that it had done too well out of the conflict.

A telegram from Moscow stated that revolver shots were fired at Zinovieff, the leader of the Third International and President of the Leningrad Soviet. It was thought that none of the shots had hit their target.

February 19, 2025
NEWS STORY : Joe Haines, the Former Press Secretary to Harold Wilson, Dies at the Age of 97

STORY

Joe Haines, the former Press Secretary to Prime Minister Harold Wilson, has died at the age of 97 his family have confirmed. Born in Rotherhithe in January 1928, Haines got a job on the Glasgow Bulletin and built a career in journalism and politics, becoming the press secretary to Harold Wilson in 1969. A spokesperson for the Labour Party said in a statement:

“He was pre-deceased by his wife, Rene, and they had no children. Though Joe had been struggling with physical illness for some time, requiring three trips to hospital for dialysis every week, and had also lost his sight, he remained mentally alert to the end. He spent Christmas and new year on a cruise of the Iberian peninsula and recently held a 97th birthday party – he was born 29 January 1928 – and insisted on dying at home, where he was looked after by carers.”

Joe Haines wrote the Politics of Power about his time in Downing Street.

February 19, 2025
NEWS STORY : Ukrainian Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy Claims Donald Trump is Living in a “Disinformation Space”

STORY

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the leader of Ukraine, has said that he fears that Donald Trump, the US President, is living in a “disinformation space” where he believes false Russian propaganda. Trump falsely alleged that Zelenskyy had just 4% support, despite former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stating that the Ukrainian leader was popular and had similar levels of support to Trump. The Ukrainian leader is polling at around 58% support in the opinion polls, with the White House unable to give a source for the President’s false figures.

February 19, 2025
NEWS STORY : Boris Johnson Attacks Donald Trump’s Lies on Ukraine

STORY

Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister, has launched an extraordinary attack on Donald Trump, the US President, saying that he has lied about the situation in Ukraine and knows that it is historically inaccurate. Johnson said on X:

“When are we Europeans going to stop being scandalised about Donald Trump and start helping him to end this war?

Of course Ukraine didn’t start the war. You might as well say that America attacked Japan at Pearl Harbor.

Of course a country undergoing a violent invasion should not be staging elections. There was no general election in the UK from 1935 to 1945.

Of course Zelenskyy’s ratings are not 4%. They are actually about the same as Trump’s.

Trump’s statements are not intended to be historically accurate but to shock Europeans into action.

In particular the US can see $300bn of frozen Russian assets – mainly in Belgium. That is cash that could and should be used to pay Ukraine and compensate the US for its support.

Why is Europe preventing the unfreezing of Putin’s cash?

The US believes Belgium, France and other countries are blocking. It’s absurd. We need to get serious and fast.”

Trump had earlier said that Zelenskyy’s support in the opinion polls were sitting at around 4%, with Johnson pointing out that the actual figure was the same as Trump’s own popularity.

BBC Verify also backed Johnson’s statements that Trump had lied and gave evidence to show that Trump had made a series of false comments about the situation in Ukraine.

February 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Spades in the ground on £295 million West Midlands Metro extension [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 6 February 2025.

Trams will run from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, providing faster and more reliable transport connections to centre of Birmingham and wider West Midlands.
- Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander in the West Midlands to begin work on the £295 million project
- the extension will better connect the Black Country with the centre of Birmingham, improving access to jobs and opportunities
- government investment to transform infrastructure and grow the economy as it delivers the Plan for Change
The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander is in the West Midlands today (6 February 2025) to put spades in the ground on the extension of the West Midlands Metro tram network in the Black Country.

Funded through the government’s £1.05 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for the West Midlands, the project will see drastically improved connections for currently underserved communities.

For the first time, this investment will mean trams will run from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, providing faster and more reliable transport connections between Dudley and Brierley Hill to the city centre and wider West Midlands and so to jobs and opportunities.

Providing first time light rail connection for many local residents, passengers will benefit from journey time savings of up to 30% compared to taking the bus and with greater reliability at peak times.

The first phase of the extension, running from Wednesbury to Dudley town centre, is already well underway and due to open to passengers in autumn of this year.

Poor local transport stifles local productivity, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where so many rely on local buses, trains and trams. That’s why boosting local transport infrastructure is central to the government’s Growth Mission, as is empowering local leaders to deliver better transport for their communities through the Devolution White Paper. This is helping support jobs, boost local business and deliver growth in all 4 corners of the UK as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

Residents in and around the Black Country have been chronically underserved by public transport, limiting access to jobs and opportunities and stunting economic growth.

We’re turning the tide on poor transport connections in the West Midlands and delivering a transport system that people can rely on, raising living standards across the region.

The extension of the West Midlands Metro will be transformational and I am delighted to officially mark the start of work today as this government gets on with supporting local jobs and business while empowering local leaders to deliver our Plan for Change.

Once complete, the extension will provide a major boost to local businesses as the extension is set to pass through Cinder Bank, Pedmore Road and the Waterfront business park.

The Transport Secretary is meeting with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and being given a tour of Parkhead Viaduct in Dudley – an iconic 19 century Brunel structure which will come back into use as part of the Metro route.

Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

Good transport links are essential – helping people get to school, work, local shops and to enjoy a day out. Extending the metro further into the Black Country opens up routes for job opportunities, skills and growth, ensuring fast, reliable journeys for everyone across the West Midlands.

Now that I have secured the funding from government and we’ve got the approvals needed, the work can start to make this long-awaited project a reality. The restoration of this viaduct shows how we can protect our region’s industrial heritage while developing modern infrastructure.

With the first phase nearly complete, the Metro is already creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and attracting investment to the area, and soon it will take those same opportunities into Dudley and Merry Hill.
February 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New Chair of The Royal Mint announced [February 2025]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 6 February 2025.

The Treasury has today announced the appointment of Chris Walton as Non-Executive Chair of The Royal Mint.

Chris Walton will be in position for an initial three-year term, succeeding Graham Love, who served as Chair since December 2018. Chris will oversee the Mint as it continues to diversify its portfolio into new business areas, and to produce UK circulating coins in line with demand.

Commenting on the appointment, Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, Emma Reynolds said:

I’m delighted to welcome Chris Walton to The Royal Mint as the new Chair. Chris brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role, and I look forward to working with him as he shapes the strategic vision of The Royal Mint in the years ahead.

I want to thank Graham Love for his leadership over the last six years. Graham has overseen a number of successes in his time as Chair and has set the foundations for The Royal Mint of the future.

Chris Walton added:

It is a privilege to join The Royal Mint during this fascinating period of transformation. With sustainability at its core, the Mint is evolving for the future, and I am eager to support its growth and build on a remarkable legacy.

The Royal Mint is one of the oldest companies in the world – supplying coins to the UK for over 1,100 years. It also produces commemorative coins, to mark events of national, historical and cultural significance, offers investment in precious metals, a jewellery collection and recycling precious metals from e-waste.

The Chair of The Royal Mint is responsible for providing strategic direction and works closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Team.

February 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : £8 million for Port Talbot growth and regeneration project [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Wales Office on 6 February 2025.

A new project will support more than 100 jobs and eventually generate more than £87 million for the South Wales economy.
- The first of the growth and regeneration projects in Port Talbot will receive £8.2 million from the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board.
- Plans will support more than 100 jobs and eventually generate more than £87 million for the South Wales economy.
- Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board has now allocated £51 million into the local community.
More than 100 jobs are expected to be created and supported with the UK Government announcement of £8.2 million funding for the first regeneration project in Port Talbot with other projects set to follow.

Chairing the latest meeting of the Tata Steel Port Talbot Transition Board today (6 February) Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens will announce £8.2 million for the South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub (SWITCH) supporting more than 100 jobs.

The South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub project will redevelop a four-acre site at Harbourside, Port Talbot which will include the construction of additional shared space, undertake flood mitigation and the provision of specialist equipment. This investment will help establish an Innovation District in Port Talbot.

This will allow the development of a new facility targeted at supporting the steel and metal industry and supply chain to reduce carbon emissions in production. The facility is expected to create and support more than 100 jobs and eventually benefit the South Wales economy by £87 million.

The latest funding comes from the UK Government’s £80m Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board fund which, since last July, has announced £51 million to support individual steelworkers and businesses in Tata Steel’s supply chain to protect jobs and grow the local economy. The latest announcement is the first project to support growth and regeneration of the region. In the coming months, there will be up to £30 million (as part of the overall £80 million) put into growth and regeneration projects.

This funding supports the UK Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth and will help deliver the ambition to raise living standards in every part of the United Kingdom as set out its Plan for Change.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said:

We said we would back the community of Port Talbot through Tata Steel’s transition and we continue to do exactly that.

In just six months there has now been over £50 million announced by the Transition Board to support individual steelworkers and their families, businesses in the supply chain and now on a major regeneration project for the town.

Millions more will follow and while this remains a very difficult time for Tata workers, their families and the community, we are determined to support our steel communities whatever happens.

The Secretary of State will also ensure that work is progressing at pace to develop a range of wellbeing and mental health interventions. This work will prioritise the provision of mental health support, help build community cohesion, support the delivery of wellbeing initiatives and peer support within the local community including that currently delivered via local community and other support groups. Funding to support this work will be announced at the next transition board meeting.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said:

This announcement builds on the investment that will be unlocked through the recent Celtic Freeport and other investments and innovation we are supporting in and around Port Talbot.

Working alongside our Transition Bard partners, we will continue to do everything we can to provide opportunities for growth wherever they arise as well as making sure that the right assistance and support is in place for those impacted by the Tata changes.

The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt, said:

We welcome this extra tranche of funding as the SWITCH project will attract jobs and investment to Neath Port Talbot as it progresses over the next few years. It also means this area can build on its long history in the steel and metals industries to address the challenges of our time.”

Professor Helen Griffiths, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Swansea University, said:

SWITCH will leverage Swansea University’s history of uniting academia, industry, local authorities, and government. This significant investment will make Welsh research and innovation expertise even more accessible to business and industry, and help stimulate economic growth, provide long-term employment and foster a thriving community.

The South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub (SWITCH) delivers research to support industrial decarbonisation transition. This announcement of Transition Board funding for the SWITCH Harboursideproject will create a new base for SWITCH. This will add to the facility’s £20 million funding from the Swansea Bay City Deal, which is also part-funded by the UK Government.
February 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New UK High Commissioner to Solomon Islands presents credentials [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 February 2025.

Paul Turner was appointed British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru in July 2024.

His Majesty’s new High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and non-resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency Paul Robert Turner presented his credentials this week to the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Jeremiah Manele.

Paul Turner was appointed British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru in July 2024. Paul’s experience covers the UK Government and international organisations, including the World Bank, African Development Bank and the European Union.

With the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Paul oversaw economic and trade portfolios in East and Southern Africa as well as in China. More recently, he worked for the World Bank in Uganda.

Paul has also led development teams in a range of fragile states including Afghanistan and the Western Balkans. Earlier in his career, he was private secretary to Ministers in DFID and the Home Office.

Acknowledging the bilateral relations between the two countries, Prime Minister Manele said UK is one of the first countries to forge ties with Solomon Islands since 1978. He also provided an overview of his government’s priorities including education, health, climate change and trade.

In response, High Commissioner Paul Turner said that his mission was to expand bilateral relations between the two countries and be a key partner of the Government of Solomon Islands in addressing the impact of climate change.

The High Commissioner said he was keen to explore opportunities in a number of economic sectors, especially the local cocoa industry and affirmed that one of his personal goals is to produce tangible outcomes in the sector during his time in office.

The High Commissioner is the UK Government’s representative in a Commonwealth nation. They are responsible for the direction and work of the High Commission and its Deputy High Commissions and/or Consulates, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.

February 17, 2025