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NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 28 December 1923

28 DECEMBER 1923

An attempt was made in Tokyo on the life of the Prince Regent, who escaped uninjured.

It was reported that the Japanese Government had resigned.

The situation in Greece remained calm after the peaceful overthrow of the Monarchy.

12/01/2024
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 27 December 1923

27 DECEMBER 1923

It was announced that Sir Robert Kindersley would replace Montague in the British representation on the Experts’ Committees on German reparation.

Dixmude, a Zeppelin airship built by the Germans and which was given to the French as part of war reparations, crashed in Sicily killing all 52 people on board.

PJ Ford, who was defeated in North Edinburgh at the recent General Election, has addressed a communication to his former constituents complaining of deliberate misstatements on the part of those who opposed him.

12/01/2024
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 26 December 1923

26 DECEMBER 1923

The German Government details in a Note to the Allied Governments the subjects, exclusively concerned with the Occupied Areas, upon which it wishes to enter into discussions.

Eleftherios Venizelos, the country’s former Prime Minister, was reportedly returning to Greece on 2 January 1924.

Clyde shipbuilding returns are the lowest for nearly forty years, partly as a result of the lock-out of the boilermakers.

12/01/2024
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 24 December 1923

24 DECEMBER 1923

Speaking in Elgin, Ramsay MacDonald said he had got his suspicion that between 5 and 8 January there was going to be a serious attempt to wangle the constitution so that the democracy of this country might not have fair play. All he could say was that those people who imagined they could wangle the constitution of Parliamentary government when it suited them or disuited them were very much mistaken.

Raymond Poincaré, the Prime Minister of France, speaking in Courneuve, said the country would never leave the Ruhr until she was paid.

Ballot papers were drawn up by the National Executive of the Associated Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. It is understood that members will vote on the direct issue of acceptance or rejection of the National Wages Board’s award.

12/01/2024
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 23 December 1923

23 DECEMBER 1923

The threat of a rail strike reduced after a split between the unions on whether or not to accept the proposed offer from the train operators.

Figures released by the Government showed a fall in unemployment of 43,195 over the previous week.

The US State Department said that a complete agreement on the Anglo-American Liquor Treaty would soon be announced.

12/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on DPRK-Russia ballistic missile transfers [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 January 2024.

Joint statement issued by Foreign Ministers on the DPRK’s export and Russia’s procurement of ballistic missiles, which have been used against Ukraine.

The following is a statement from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the High Representative of the European Union, and the Secretary of State of the United States of America.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) export and Russia’s procurement of DPRK ballistic missiles, as well as Russia’s use of these missiles against Ukraine on December 30, 2023, and January 2, 2024. The transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia’s war of aggression, and undermines the global non-proliferation regime. Russia’s use of DPRK ballistic missiles in Ukraine also provides valuable technical and military insights to the DPRK. We are deeply concerned about the security implications that this cooperation has in Europe, on the Korean Peninsula, across the Indo-Pacific region, and around the world.

Our governments stand together in resolute opposition to arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia. The transfer of ballistic missiles, along with any other arms and related materiel, from the DPRK to Russia flagrantly violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) – namely, resolution 1718 (2006), resolution 1874 (2009), and resolution 2270 (2016) – that Russia itself supported. We are closely monitoring what Russia provides to the DPRK in return for these weapons exports. We call on the DPRK and Russia to abide by relevant UNSCRs and to immediately cease all activities that violate them.

We urge all UN Member States, including all members of the United Nations Security Council, to join us in condemning Russia and the DPRK’s flagrant UNSCR violations. As Russia launches waves of missiles and drones against the Ukrainian people, we will continue to stand together in support of Ukraine. We further call on the DPRK to respond to the numerous and genuine offers to return to diplomacy, the only path to an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.

12/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Experts and sector leaders invited to shape new UK National Maths Academy as call for evidence launched [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 12 January 2024.

The call for evidence into a new UK National Academy of Mathematical Sciences is now open.
- New National Academy of Mathematical Sciences to drive up skills
- voices from business, academia and beyond encouraged to shape new Academy
- maths underpins our economy from air travel to financial markets and will drive future tech like artificial intelligence and quantum
Maths experts are invited to help shape a new National Academy of Mathematical Sciences that will skill-up the country and grow our economy, after a call for evidence was launched by Science, Research and Innovation Minister, Andrew Griffith, today (Friday 12 January).

From keeping aircraft in the skies, to enabling global financial markets and even baking cakes, maths already touches every corner of our lives. It will play a pivotal role in keeping the UK at the forefront of future, transformative tech like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, making it even more important to seize the opportunity to make our country a maths superpower.

Today marks the start of the process to deliver a prestigious, independent Academy with specific objectives that offers leadership within the sector and helps make the UK a maths powerhouse – upskilling our workforce and growing the economy.

It is the latest development in government backing for maths, which includes a commitment to establishing 11 maths schools for 16-19 years olds that will prepare the most mathematically able pupils to succeed in maths-related disciplines in further education and future careers. It also comes amid a consultation into the Advanced British Standard, a baccalaureate style qualification framework to provide every child with a world-class education and ensure all young people have the skills they need, including a core focus in maths.

The call for evidence is open until Sunday 25 February 2024 and stakeholders from academia, education, industry, the public sector and beyond are encouraged to express their views on its remit through the online form and/or applying to attend a series of roundtables organised by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Work will then begin on identifying delivery partners to build the Academy, who could in turn receive up to £6 million of government funding over the next three years, alongside charitable donations, and potential private sector funding.

Over time, the new Academy will mark mathematics as a major priority in skills development and seek to emulate respected institutions in other fields such as the Royal Society, which offers authoritative scientific advice to decision makers and issues fellowship grants in excess of £80 million per year, or the Royal Academy of Engineering which offers extensive support to many of the UKs most innovative new businesses.

As a subject which continues to be central to scientific progress and discovery, mathematics is at the root of understanding the world we live in and key to the spectacular progress we have seen in physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science over centuries. A new institution will help to reflect the prominence and focus that a discipline vital to driving such progress and understanding the universe deserves.

Initial objectives of the Academy, subject to feedback, include:
- Helping the sector to speak with one voice on enhancing mathematical sciences
- Promoting maths’ role in growing the economy
- Coordinating, views and evidence from across the mathematics community to provide high-quality advice to government and industry
- Developing strategies to boost maths skills and qualifications in people of all ages and backgrounds across the UK.
Science, Research and Innovation Minister, Andrew Griffith, said:

From everyday arithmetic to expert application in financial markets and engineering, mathematics is at the root of so much of our lives and our understanding of the universe.

Establishing a National Academy is an exciting opportunity for the brightest minds in the UK to come together and shape the future of their sector, and in turn helping to skill-up our country in a vital subject and growing our economy.

I would encourage voices from academia, business, education, charities and beyond to get involved and offer their views.

The new Academy builds on a recommendation of Professor Philip Bond’s independent ‘The Era of Mathematics Review’ and the recently published ‘Independent Review of the UK’s Research, Development, and Innovation Organisational Landscape’, led by Sir Paul Nurse.

Feedback from the call for evidence will be used to develop a final set of objectives and functions that a new National Academy would be expected to deliver. This information will be published on the Gov UK website within four weeks of its closure, with stakeholders interested in delivering the organisation then asked to express their interest to DSIT.

Professor of Creativity and Innovation at University of Manchester, Professor Philip Bond, said:

The mathematical sciences, as the beating heart of modern innovation, underpin numerous scientific, technical and social advances that improve health and raise living standards. Recent advances in medical imagery, genetics, AI and quantum technologies, for example, all rely heavily on mathematical sciences such as harmonic analysis, optimisation, statistics and group theory.

The recent announcement by government that a National Academy for the Mathematical Sciences is to be created is therefore very welcome news. The existing national academies provide essential support for the academic communities that they serve and form key bridges to industry and government.

Their provision of expert advice and evidence-based policy recommendations provides enormous positive impact contributing to the well-being of the nation. I expect the new Academy to make a further significant contribution by enabling our mathematical scientists to foster communities more effectively, ensuring that the mathematical sciences flourish in the UK and by supporting academia, industry and government in working together to create a vibrant future for all.

Chief Executive Officer of Smith Institute, Dr Ruth Voisey, said:

I wholeheartedly welcome the establishment of a mathematical academy. It aligns with Smith Institute’s vision to bring the boundless potential of mathematical ingenuity to the everyday world, creating a positive impact across society, the economy and the environment.

Possessing a single, authoritative voice supporting mathematical sciences will help the UK to make this vision a reality. I firmly believe that mathematics forms the bedrock of innovation, of harnessing the potential of new technologies and of shaping our response to crucial challenges that lie ahead.
12/01/2024
NEWS STORY : BBC Make Serious Allegations about the Conduct of Mark Davies and Post Office PR Team

STORY

The BBC have made serious allegations about the conduct of Mark Davies, who led the PR campaign to stop the BBC reporting about the ongoing Post Office scandal of the Horizon project. The BBC allege that Davies sought to threaten them not to broadcast a Panorama investigation into the Post Office and claimed he wrote in documentation:

“While we are able to withstand this current level of interest, it is resource intensive. We have made representations to the director of BBC News and Current Affairs”.

The BBC said that their senior management were approached by Davies, noting:

“PR boss Mark Davies fired off complaints to ever more senior managers at the BBC, and expensive external lawyers were hired with public money to send letters threatening to sue Panorama.”

The BBC said that a spokesperson for Davies said:

“Our client was doing his job”.

In an interview transcribed on the Post Office Trial web-site, Davies attacked Conservative MP James Arbuthnot for wanting a deeper investigation, saying:

“It’s an extremely serious charge John and, clearly, we reject it outright and it’s very regrettable some of the things that Mr Arbuthnot has said this morning.”

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

BBC News Story

Post Office Trial Web-Site and Mark Davies

12/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Air strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 January 2024.

On 11 January, Royal Air Force aircraft joined coalition forces in striking a number of facilities used by the Houthi rebel faction in Yemen to attack shipping in the southern Red Sea.

The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond has already been active alongside US and French warships in defending vital international shipping lanes against Houthi drones and missiles. Given the persistence of the Houthis in threatening merchant ships, several of which have already suffered damage, and the deliberate targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on 9 January, coalition forces identified key facilities involved in these attacks, and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis’ capability to violate international law in this manner.

Four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker therefore used Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct precision strikes on two of these Houthi facilities. One was a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones. A number of buildings involved in drone operations were targeted by our aircraft.

The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft.

In planning the strikes, particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians, and any such risks were mitigated further by the decision to conduct the strikes during the night. The detailed results of the strikes are being assessed, but early indications are that the Houthis’ ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow, and our commitment to protecting the sea-lanes, through which some 15% of the world’s shipping passes and which is vital to the global economy, has been amply demonstrated.

12/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Famous Downing Street corridor showcases collection of Newcastle artworks [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 12 January 2024.

Artworks from the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle chosen to adorn the corridors of Number 10 Downing Street.
- The initiative is part of the Government Art Collection’s ‘Number 10 Museum in Residence’ project.
- Nine paintings will hang in the heart of Government for 12 months, on display to world leaders and high-profile guests.
Nine artworks from the Laing Art Gallery collection in Newcastle have gone on display in 10 Downing Street’s corridor leading from the famous black door through to the Cabinet Room.

The display will showcase the talent of artists from the North East to world leaders and industry bosses as well as high-profile guests, philanthropists, front-line workers, and charitable and civic leaders attending events in the building.

The artworks will remain in the corridor for a year, as part of the Government Art Collection’s ‘Number 10 Museum in Residence’ project.

For the past twenty years, the Government Art Collection has instigated an annual partnership with a museum or gallery across the UK to display artworks from their collection. Previous galleries include the Glynn Vivian in Swansea, The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester and The New Art Gallery in Walsall.

The nine chosen works from the Laing Art Gallery, situated in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, are representative of the city and the wider North East of England. Five of the paintings showcase Newcastle’s cityscape, while the others point to the diverse art scene of the North East. All of the works are by influential artists from the area, who taught at its art schools, or who have been inspired by its landmarks and landscapes.

Paintings in the display include a large oil painting by Edward Dickey, depicting the iconic Tyne Bridge mid-construction, and Caravans, Figures and Helter Skelter, a work from 1930 by Byron Dawson that shows a scene from the long-running travelling fair The Hoppings, which sets up on the Town Moor annually. There are also several mid-20th-century works by figures associated with the region’s progressive art schools such as graduates of King’s College (now Newcastle University).

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

The Museum in Residence scheme helps to ensure that visitors to 10 Downing Street get a glimpse of the brilliant range of artistic talent the UK has to offer.

I’m delighted that visitors over the next year will get to learn more about the proud culture and rich heritage of Tyneside thanks to this partnership with the Laing Art Gallery. The first thing they’ll see after walking through that famous front door is a huge portrait of the Tyne Bridge, which fills my Geordie heart with pride.

Julie Milne, Chief Curator of Art Galleries at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said:

We have enjoyed working with the Government Art Collection team in selecting paintings from the Laing Art Gallery. It has enabled us to see the works from a fresh perspective – to hone and highlight narratives about the North East. We are delighted that our wonderful pictures will be seen by a range of people, from the UK and around the world, as they pass through the doors of Number 10.

Works are selected on the basis that they are not part of the lending gallery’s programme over the period of the display, giving them an opportunity to be seen by new people.
12/01/2024