Connect with us

Published

on

A social enterprise that hopes to train young people to protect the ocean has expanded to the UK.

The Sea Rangers Service is now running from Port Talbot, after first launching in The Netherlands in 2016.

They hope to restore one million hectares of ocean biodiversity by 2040, while training 20,000 young people, mainly from coastal areas, into maritime careers.

Its founder, Wietse Van Der Werf, told Sky News that inspiration for the scheme “originated from the idea that, on the one hand, we need to better protect the oceans and the environment. And on the other hand, in many coastal areas, there’s high unemployment. And it would be amazing to create jobs in these regions.”

Scheme that pays youngsters to protect our oceans launched in South Wales

To that end, applicants must be aged between 18 and 29, and, before being selected, take part in a gruelling boot camp run by Royal Navy veterans, designed to test their teamwork and motivation.

Successful recruit Selena, said being paid to be a Sea Ranger was an amazing opportunity to protect the environment in her local area – which crucially didn’t rely on qualifications.

“I finished school, I did art in college and was really searching around for what I wanted to do.

More from UK

“Eventually I decided on something in marine conservation, but there wasn’t much… The closest thing you could get was whale watching in North Wales, and that’s miles away.

“But then I found this and – literally like 10 minutes later – I signed up.”

Read more from Sky News:
Two women in their 80s target Magna Carta
Northern Lights visible in England and Wales

Scheme that pays youngsters to protect our oceans launched in South Wales

For fellow Ranger Isaac, his family were “amazed” that “something like this was available to someone like me”.

He beams as he tells Sky News he’s “found a real passion”.

The work they’ll do, Van Der Werf explains, involves “anything from scrubbing the deck, cleaning the toilets, preparing food, but also preparing the navigation of the various journeys we take”.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

“But once we have an assignment that really involves all types of environmental monitoring, surveying, environmental research,” adds Mr Van Der Werf.

“And we work directly with government agencies to ensure that that work is also meaningful and impactful.”

After launching in Port Talbot, he hopes to expand the scheme to Portsmouth and Grimsby.

Continue Reading

UK

England v Serbia: Gareth Southgate tells fans he ‘expects everybody to enjoy the football’ when asked about match security risk

Published

on

By

England v Serbia: Gareth Southgate tells fans he 'expects everybody to enjoy the football' when asked about match security risk

Gareth Southgate has said he “expects everybody to enjoy the football” when asked about the heightened security risk of England’s opening Euros match against Serbia.

The England manager was responding to a question at a pre-match news conference on Saturday about the decision to ramp up security measures for today’s game in Gelsenkirchen.

Asked for his message to supporters, he said: “I expect everybody to enjoy the football.

“I’ve been fortunate to be involved in a lot of tournaments, and travel to tournaments I’ve not been directly involved in.

“They’re great carnivals of football – an opportunity to see a different part of the world and meet people from other parts of the world, have a brilliant time, so I’m sure everybody is coming to do that.”

He added: “I hope the whole of Europe can come together for the brilliant game that we’re involved in and support their team.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England-Serbia match ‘high risk’

Officials have designated England’s opening fixture as a “high-risk” event, with fans served lower-alcohol beer in the stadium and banned from drinking in the stands.

More than 300,000 British fans are travelling to Germany for Euro 2024, making it their highest attendance since Euro 2016 in France.

England fans in Gelsenkirchen. England take on Serbia tomorrow in their UEFA Euro 2024 Group C match at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Picture date: Saturday June 15, 2024.
Image:
England fans in Gelsenkirchen. Pic: PA

Policing the first game has been made more challenging by UEFA asking for the barriers to be removed inside the stadium, with both sides being seated closer together, and two-thirds of tickets going to mixed areas.

Southgate ‘relaxed’ that this is likely his final Euros


Rob Harris

Rob Harris

Sports correspondent

@RobHarris

Entering his fourth tournament as England manager, Gareth Southgate is looking to the future.

There is 20-year-old Jude Bellingham being appointed to the leadership group.

A squad with only half its players retained from the 2022 World Cup.

And the manager himself is looking at a time when the Three Lions dugout is filled by someone else.

“I hate to put pressure on all the coaches,” the 53-year-old said. “But it could be the last tournament for all of them.”
Read more from Rob here

German police Chief Inspector Christof Burghardt told Sky News previously: “I think it’s a very high-risk game because of the history, because of the hooligans both sides have.

“Serbia has many hooligans. The English guys, with alcohol, they are sometimes very aggressive. So it’s a great job to do this, to prepare, so that hopefully nothing will happen.”

Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane. Pic: Reuters

Footballing deaths a ‘great shock’

At the joint news conference with captain Harry Kane on Saturday, Southgate was also asked about the deaths announced today of two footballing figures – former Arsenal and Everton star Kevin Campell and Millwall and Montenegro goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.

Southgate said “both pieces of news were received with shock and great sadness”, acknowledging that the England players who have played with Sarkic are “feeling that even more”.

Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic after the final whistle of the Sky Bet Championship match at Ashton Gate 
Pic: PA
Image:
Matija Sarkic. Pic: PA

He recalled playing with Campbell, who died aged 54, at Arsenal, describing him as a “hugely popular man”.

“Kevin was the same age as me… his son has been in our junior pathway as well. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this time,” he said.

Ex Everton and Arsenal player Kevin Campbell during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.
Pic: PA
Image:
Kevin Campbell. Pic: PA

Both men said they are expecting Sunday’s game to be a challenge.

Kane told reporters: “We’re expecting a really tough game.”

Southgate added: “There are a lot of good teams in this tournament and we have to be exceptional to progress, firstly through the group, and then to have the opportunity to go further.”

Continue Reading

UK

Gareth Southgate ‘relaxed’ that this is likely his final Euros

Published

on

By

Gareth Southgate 'relaxed' that this is likely his final Euros

Entering his fourth tournament as England manager, Gareth Southgate is looking to the future.

There is 20-year-old Jude Bellingham being appointed to the leadership group.

A squad with only half its players retained from the 2022 World Cup.

And the manager himself is looking at a time when the Three Lions dugout is filled by someone else.

“I hate to put pressure on all the coaches,” the 53 year old said. “But it could be the last tournament for all of them.

“So this is the world we’re in. I’m probably more relaxed about it because I’ve been to three. I know exactly what it involves, I know the events you have to deal with.”

Events that begin on Sunday night in Gelsenkirchen with their Euro 2024 group opener against Serbia.

It is three years since they went all the way in the competition – reaching the final at Wembley only to lose in the shootout to Italy.

Since then there has been Qatar, where England couldn’t make it to the last-four as they did at the 2018 World Cup – losing the quarter-final to France.

It could be France posing the greatest threat again, although hosts Germany were formidable in the 5-1 humbling of Scotland in the Euros curtain-raiser on Friday night.

Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate (right) at a pre-match news conference in Gelsenkirchen. Pic: PA
Image:
Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate (right) at a pre-match news conference in Gelsenkirchen. Pic: PA

Read more
Southgate addresses fans over security concerns
England v Serbia deemed ‘high-risk’ game
England stars spotted wearing same device as celebs

What chance is there of a first trophy for England’s men since 1966?

“We’ve earned the right to be, I guess, classed as one of the favourites,” captain Harry Kane said.

“Ultimately, we’re here to win it. And there will be nothing better for us and the nation itself if we do that.”

It would be a first career trophy for Kane whose move to Germany in the last year, to play for Bayern Munich, has unexpectedly not produced silverware for the former Tottenham striker.

“I think winning a major tournament with England would be one of the pinnacles of anyone’s career so that is the aim,” he said.

“For me personally, the trophies haven’t quite happened yet but it just makes me more determined and hungry to go out there and do that.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Kane and Southgate talk ahead of first match

And no player scored more goals in Europe last season than Kane – netting 44 times in all competitions.There was an impressive debut season with an England teammate – Bellingham scoring 23 goals for Real Madrid when not even a centre forward and only just out of his teens.

Now the prolific duo are linking up again for their country.

Kane said: “I think we complement each other really well. Whether one of us is dropping deep, the other one running in behind and vice versa.

“So an amazing player to play with. He likes to get in the box, he likes to affect games and score goals, which is always important for an attacking midfielder.

“So I think the more we train with each other, the more we play with each other, hopefully that relationship can get even stronger. But it’s so strong already.”

Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane. Pic: Reuters
Image:
At England’s training session this week. Pic: Reuters

Southgate has also brought Bellingham into the leadership group with Kane, midfielder Declan Rice and defender Kyle Walker.

“There’s a different dynamic to this group,” Southgate said. “There’s a lot of younger players, and I want to make sure that the voices of the younger players, that I’m really in touch with that as well.

“So I don’t want to leave here with any stone unturned. I don’t want to have missed anything.

“And, it’s always important to know what the players are thinking. They have good views. They have good experiences.

“And also, there will be some decisions that I will take without talking to any of them.”

Continue Reading

UK

Home secretary calls for ‘urgent explanation’ as police car is filmed running over a cow

Published

on

By

Home secretary calls for 'urgent explanation' as police car is filmed running over a cow

The home secretary has called for a “full, urgent explanation” after a police car was filmed deliberately being driven into a cow twice.

A video of the incident began circulating on social media this morning and shows a loose cow falling and skidding metres down a road after being hit by the vehicle.

As the animal seems to be trying to get back on its feet, the car approaches for a second time.

The cow’s head and part of its torso then appears to be stuck underneath the front of the vehicle as two officers get out. A second police car can be seen on an adjoining street.

James Cleverly said in a post on X: “I can think of no reasonable need for this action.

“I’ve asked for a full, urgent explanation for this. It appears to be unnecessarily heavy handed.”

Surrey Police has issued a statement on the matter, saying it responded to reports of a cow running loose in Staines-upon-Thames at around 8.55pm on Friday evening.

More on Police

It had received “numerous calls from the public reporting a car being damaged” and the animal running at people, it said.

More from Sky News:
Princess of Wales makes royal return
Millwall player dies aged 26

grab from UGC video
Image:
The cow can be seen on the path before it moves into the road where it is hit by the police car

“Officers… over a period of a number of hours tried a number of options to safely capture the cow,” the police statement read.

“Unfortunately, these were unsuccessful, and the decision was made to stop it using a police car.”

Sky News has spoken to the farmer and has been told it is expected to make a full recovery.

The animal was moved to a nearby farm with help from members of the public in the early hours of this morning.

Sky News understands it is a calf that doesn’t yet have a name.

Its owner does not know how the cow escaped and was only made aware it had done so this morning.

The cow suffered a cut but no broken bones and is back at its farm recovering, where the main priority is calming the young animal down.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Animal rights charity speaks out

The RSPCA has released a statement on the “upsetting and distressing footage” and said it “urgently contacted” police as soon as it was made aware of the incident.

“All animals should be treated with respect,” the charity added. “Together we can create a better world for all animals.”

TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham posted on X: “I don’t know where to start with this.

“But it’s surely illegal and must be investigated and prosecuted. What sort of monster rams a calf? Twice?”

The matter has been referred to the police’s professional standards department and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been notified. A voluntary referral will be made in due course.

Chief Inspector Sam Adcock said: “I know that this has caused distress and I’d like to thank the community for their concern.

“The decision to use the police car is one that was only taken after other methods to stop the cow had failed.

“There will be an investigation into the actions that led to this, but our focus at all times is on ensuring the safety of the public.”

Police have asked for videos of the “distressing” incident to be sent to them to help with the investigation.

Continue Reading

Trending