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Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Prestatyn Running Club members celebrated at annual awards
A record 13 members were nominated for the main award for member of the year, all having contributed in different ways. The winner, and recipient of the Pat Evans Memorial Plate, was Jo Lewis, who has not only helped to recruit new members by setting up groups for beginners and those wishing to return to running, but has also been largely responsible for the new kit. The other nominees were Jo's daughter Meg, Ben Thomas, Clare Manley, Nem James, Debbie Jones, Julie Evans, Liz Martin, Lee Bailey, Jonah Armstrong, Nicki Triggs and Duncan Longley. Despite missing out on the main, award Nem James had a double success, picking up the trophies for most improved male and volunteer of the year. Another double winner was Marc Jones, voted the male road runner and winner of the Grand Prix. Other recipients were: Ally Reid (Female Road Runner), Gordon Jones (Male Cross-country Runner for the third consecutive year); Sue Hughes (Female Cross-Country Runner), Lee Bailey (Male Fellrunner), Ann Claire Jones (Female Fellrunner), Meg Lewis (Most Improved Female), Jonah Armstrong (Best Newcomer), Ben Thomas (Men's Captains' Award), and Nicki Triggs and Clare Manley (joint winners of the Captains' Awards). During the evening, held at the Scala, club captain Lee Bailey summarised the club's many achievements during the year, Ben Thomas outlined the structure of the club's training sessions and members enjoyed a sports quiz. The annual Deganwy Dash five-mile race, held on Friday (May 30), provided rich pickings for the club as members claimed 10 podium places. Among the age-group winners was Darrell Jones, who claimed his first victory since joining the club last year. The results were: 4 Jonah Armstrong 28.33 (1st SM), 16 Tom Carter 29.40 (2nd M40), 17 Oliver Birch-Jones 31.10 (1st U24), 21 George Williams 31.19, 25 Dave Ellis , 31 Lewis Pierce 32.59, 47 Darrell Jones 34.37 (1st M60), 58 Eve Manifold 35.55 (1st U24), 77 Lisa Lines 37.28 (3rd SL), 84 Simon Bonfield 37.57, 96 Meg Lewis 39.02 (2nd U24), 110 Keiley Roberts 39.55, 112 Steve Weedman 40.11, 119 Newm James 40.27, 165 Sue Hughes 44.01 (2nd L65), 172 Andy Scott 44.31, 223 Debbie Jones 48.42, 256 Mike Davis 51.13 (1st M75), 263 Debbie Weedman 51.39, 300 Clare Manley 54.44, 342 Julie Evans 68.21. The following day, 16 members supporting the Feel, Find, Mind breast cancer awareness campaign, travelled to Hope for the Park in the Past parkrun, North Wales' newest parkrun, though some took it easy after their efforts the previous evening. The placings were: 11 Dave Ellis 20.40, 49 Ben Thomas 23.47, 121 Steve Weedman27.12, 123 Ally Reid 27.20, 179 Andrew Carter 29.51, 205 Sophie Johnson 31.18, 215 Cara Jones 31.44, 247 Mandy Cartwright 32.45, 269 Debbie Jones 33.20, 293 Debbie Weedman 34.37, 302 Emma Birchall 33.02, 325 Clare Manley 36.32, 405 Suzanne Evans 52.39, 406 Julie Evans 52.40, 407 Nicki Triggs 52.41, 409 Liz Martin 52.42. On a "high" after his Deganwy run, Darrell Jones had another good run in the Nova parkrun in which supervet Roger Harrison-Jones made a cautious comeback after a lengthy lay-off through injury. Placings: 21 Darrell Jones 21.26, 30 Jamie Betts 22.48, 55 Philip Howarth 25.05, 58 Neil Davidson 25.33, 123 Grahame Shone 29.49, 274 Roger Harrison-Jones 53.47. Other parkruns: Greenfield Valley: 7 David Hudd 20.56 (pb), 40 Cath Wood 28.23 (pb). Marple: 72 Martin Cortvriend 25.21. Pont y Bala: 2 Dan Williams 18.17. Llangollen: 75 Glenda Roberts 28.58. Next weekend, the club will be one of four from North Wales taking part in the annual Welsh Castles Relay, a two-day, 200-mile event from Caernarfon to Cardiff. The Prestatyn squad has received a welcome boost in sponsorship by the Denbigh firm of Choice Handles, owned by the brother of club member Marc Jones, a significant contribution from Prestatyn Town Council and support from Mold Car and Van Hire.
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Garda-NCA crackdown on ‘Northern Ireland people-smuggler' crime gang leads to 33 arrests
Twenty-five of the arrests were made in Northern Ireland, four across Manchester and Birmingham and four in the Republic of Ireland Four people have been arrested in the Republic as part of a joint Garda-National Crime Agency crackdown on a "Northern Ireland people-smuggler' crime gang. A total of 33 'illegal entrants and suspected people smugglers' were arrested as part of the Home Office operation tackling abuse of the Common Travel Area. In the sixth such operation of its kind, Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams swooped on ports and airports in Northern Ireland, north-west England and Wales during a three-day operation. Twenty-five of the arrests were made in Northern Ireland, four across Manchester and Birmingham and four in the Republic of Ireland. The operation is part of a renewed crackdown on immigration crime as the UK government restores order to borders through their 'Plan for Change'. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - May 24th 2025 It involved the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), An Garda Síochána, the National Crime Agency (NCA), other UK police forces, Border Force and international partners who worked to 'gather intelligence, trace offenders and take action against UK border breaches'. Some £17,000 in suspected criminal assets and a heavy goods vehicle worth £144,000 have also been seized while officers issued civil penalties to the value of more than £10,000. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle said the government was using every tool at its disposal 'to take down the criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people in order to make quick cash' 'We are breaking down the criminal networks at their root with enforcement visits and arrests up by 38 per cent,' the minister said. 'The government's Plan for Change will ensure that criminal networks who abuse our borders face the full force of the law, which is exactly why we have introduced the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill giving law enforcement new counter-terror style powers to smash the people-smuggling gangs.' Home Office Immigration Enforcement Deputy Director Ben Thomas said law enforcement agencies are dedicated 'to breaking down the business model of criminal gangs who put lives at risk every day, the strength of our partnership and success of this operation serves as evidence'. 'Criminal networks seek to bypass robust border checks through fraudulent means and trap vulnerable people into further illegal activities,' Mr Thomas said. 'The success of this operation marks a significant step up in enforcement activity leading to the arrest of 33 criminals who attempted to abuse the Common Travel Area and undermine the UK's border security.' According to the Home Office, the operation builds on the success of previous enforcement activity in Northern Ireland conducted by the Criminal and Financial Investigations team, part of Home Office Immigration Enforcement. 'Since July 2024 over 60 arrests have been made and over £405,000 of criminal cash seized in the crackdown on abuse of the CTA, protecting migrants at risk of exploitation and disrupting criminality that threatens the public's safety,' the Home Office stated. 'This latest success comes alongside the announcement that nearly 30,000 people with no right to be here have been returned under this government, including a 23% increase in enforced returns and a 14% increase in foreign criminals deported since the election.' It also follows a series of measures introduced by the UK government to tackle organised immigration crime under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. This is to enable 'smarter, faster and more effective interventions to protect UK border security' and make it easier to detect, disrupt and deter those seeking to engage in and benefit from organised immigration crime.
Belfast Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
33 arrested in Home Office crackdown on people exploiting NI to enter UK
A crackdown on people using Northern Ireland as a back door to enter the UK has seen 33 illegal entrants and suspected people-smugglers arrested. It follows a Home Office operation targeted against those exploiting the Common Travel Area (CTA). Officials seized £17,000 in suspected criminal assets and issued civil penalties worth more than £10,000. Home Office immigration enforcement teams executed a three-day operation tackling abuse of the CTA – comprised of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, descending on ports and airports in Northern Ireland, North West England and Wales. The operation, the sixth of its kind, saw collaborative working between the PSNI, An Garda Síochána, the National Crime Agency (NCA), other UK police forces, Border Force and international partners to gather intelligence, trace offenders and take action against UK border breaches. News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May Home Office immigration enforcement deputy director Ben Thomas said: 'Our team alongside law enforcement agencies are dedicated to breaking down the business model of criminal gangs who put lives at risk every day, the strength of our partnership and success of this operation serves as evidence. 'Criminal networks seek to bypass robust border checks through fraudulent means and trap vulnerable people into further illegal activities. 'The success of this operation marks a significant step up in enforcement activity leading to the arrest of 33 criminals who attempted to abuse the Common Travel Area and undermine the UK's border security. 'I would like to thank my team and partners across the country for their around the clock dedication to root out the criminal gangs and bring them to justice, protecting those they exploit and the citizens of the UK.' Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said the government was "using every tool at its disposal to take down the criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people in order to make quick cash". "We are breaking down the criminal networks at their root with enforcement visits and arrests up by 38%," she said. 'The government's Plan for Change will ensure that criminal networks who abuse our borders face the full force of the law, which is exactly why we have introduced the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill giving law enforcement new counter-terror style powers to smash the people smuggling gangs. 'Alongside robust legislation at the heart of this mission, the Border Security Command is coordinating our efforts to reduce irregular migration by working alongside our international partners to restore order to our borders.' Since July 2024 over 60 arrests have been made and over £405,000 of criminal cash seized in the crackdown on abuse of the CTA.
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
VSE Corporation Acquires Turbine Weld Industries
MIRAMAR, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2025-- VSE Corporation ('VSE' or the 'Company') (NASDAQ: VSEC), a leading provider of aviation aftermarket distribution and repair services, today announced it has acquired Turbine Weld Industries, LLC ('Turbine Weld'), a specialized Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul ('MRO') service provider focused on complex engine components for business and general aviation ('BG&A') platforms. Founded in 1986, Turbine Weld is a premier provider of high-value engine component repairs, specializing in hot section components for Pratt & Whitney Canada engines—including the PW100, PT6, and JT15D series with approximately 25,000 engines in service. Operating from its MRO center of excellence in Venice, Florida with a team of approximately 60, Turbine Weld has repaired more than 80,000 components and is recognized for its exceptional service and technical excellence. STRATEGIC RATIONALE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 'This acquisition marks another important step in the strategic expansion of our aviation services business,' said John Cuomo, President and CEO of VSE Corporation. 'Turbine Weld brings industry-leading expertise in complex engine component repair, further positioning VSE as a comprehensive solutions provider to our OEM and aftermarket partners. We are thrilled to welcome the Turbine Weld team and look forward to growing together.' 'Turbine Weld's proven track record, technical depth, and dedication to quality make them an outstanding addition to VSE Aviation,' said Ben Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of VSE Corporation. 'Expansion of Turbine Weld's highly technical repair capabilities is critical to supporting the tens of thousands of PT6 and PW100 operators in the global fleet. This partnership allows us to significantly increase Turbine Weld's capacity, broaden our capabilities, and deliver even greater value to our customers.' 'We're excited to join forces with VSE Aviation,' said Dave Bush, President of Turbine Weld Industries. 'Their reputation, customer focus, strong culture, and commitment to technical excellence make this a natural fit for our employees and strengthens our overall service level to our customers.' TERMS VSE acquired Turbine Weld for approximately $50 million in cash, subject to working capital adjustments. The cash purchase price was funded using the Company's existing credit facility. ADVISOR Jones Day served as legal counsel to VSE Corporation. ABOUT VSE CORPORATION VSE is a leading provider of aviation distribution and repair services for the commercial and business and general aviation (BG&A) aftermarkets. Headquartered in Miramar, Florida, VSE is focused on significantly enhancing the productivity and longevity of its customers' high-value, business-critical assets. VSE's aftermarket parts distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services support engine component and engine and airframe accessory part distribution and repair services for commercial and BG&A operators. For more detailed information, please visit VSE's website at FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause VSE's actual results to vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such statements. Many factors could cause actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance, including, among others, the risk factors described in our reports filed or expected to be filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement or statement of belief speaks only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results. View source version on CONTACT: INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: Michael Perlman Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasury Phone: (954) 547-0480 Email:[email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING AEROSPACE TRUCKING MANUFACTURING DEFENSE MARITIME AIR TRANSPORT AUTOMOTIVE OTHER DEFENSE CONTRACTS LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS/INVESTOR RELATIONS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY COMMUNICATIONS GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING SOURCE: VSE Corporation Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/01/2025 08:09 AM/DISC: 05/01/2025 08:09 AM
Irish Post
01-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Belfast biotech firm secures $1.75m to develop AI-driven drug discovery platform
A BELFAST biotech firm has secured $1.75m in seed funding to support the development of its AI-driven drug discovery platform. AMPLY Discovery have developed a drug discovery engine which uses AI to find cures for diseases caused by people's different genetic variations. The platform analyses biological molecules, identifies potential treatment targets, and bio-prints real molecules that can be quickly tested and improved in a laboratory. Spun-out from of Queen's University Belfast, the platform was developed in the Creevey Lab and based on over 10 years of scientific research. AMPLY was founded by leading computational biology scientist Dr Ben Thomas, Dermot Tierney and Prof Chris Creevey to commercial the technology in order to develop it further. Pictured at Queen's University, Belfast (l-r) Amply Discovery's Dermot Tierney and Ben Thomas 'Ten years ago, I began combining financial modelling expertise with computational biology to create a drug discovery platform,' Dr Thomas, AMPLY CEO and Chief Architect, said. 'Evolution has spent billions of years perfecting natural defence mechanisms, and now we're using AI to unlock this wisdom,' he added. 'This isn't just professional for me; my father died from a drug-resistant infection our healthcare system couldn't treat. 'At Queen's, I built AMPLY to tackle deadly diseases differently, creating technology that will save lives when current treatments fail.' Currently the platform is being used to develop drugs to fight aggressive cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer, and drug-resistant pathogens, which threaten to make existing antibiotics ineffective against infections Today they announced their successful funding round, which was led by London-based Twin Path Ventures, a specialist AI investor, with participation from US-based Venture Science, Co-fund NI, the British Business Bank, and QUBIS Limited. 'Whether it's aggressive cancers or Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the fundamental problem is the same: existing treatments are failing too many patients because a one-size fits all approach does not take into account genetic diversity,' an AMPLY spokesperson said. 'This means aggressive cancers like triple-negative breast cancer continue to have poor survival rates despite advances in treatment,' they added. "Each year, bacteria's resistance to antimicrobial drugs directly causes more than 1.27 million globally and contributes to nearly five million more. 'AMPLY's approach tackles each challenge using the same core innovation, which is designed to find effective treatments where current options are inadequate.' Mr Tierney, who is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at AMPLY, said their successful funding round is a 'vote of confidence' in their work. 'We're deploying our platform against complex cancers and multidrug resistant pathogens that threaten our current antibiotic arsenal,' he said. 'This investment is a vote of confidence in AMPLY, especially given the challenging fundraising environment for seed-stage biotechs. 'It enables us to execute our plan and target therapeutic areas with significant unmet needs.'
