Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport
President Viola Amherd will chair the annual open debate on women, peace and security (WPS) in New York on Thursday, 24 October, as part of Switzerland’s presidency of the UN Security Council. The debate will be accompanied by events highlighting the role of women in peace processes and protection against sexual violence.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Diploma Project Commission summed up the results of the competition for the St. Petersburg Government Prize. For the implementation of diploma projects in the 2023/2024 academic year, 33 executive bodies of state power offered students 116 topics for work. 72 people won the competition, seven of whom are SPbPU students. All of them represent the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade.
1. Maria Gorshenina, graduate of the Master’s program at the Higher School of Industrial Management, Energy Management program, scientific supervisor: Associate Professor at the Higher School of Industrial Management Inga Skvortsova.
Project “Analysis and ranking of factors promoting and hindering the introduction of renewable energy sources in the engineering and energy complex of St. Petersburg”. The aim of the study was to improve the elaboration of the scientific base for assessing the feasibility of introducing renewable energy sources into a specific regional energy system by identifying and analyzing key factors that form the environment within which the operation of renewable energy sources is planned in the region.
To be honest, this work is a story of constant improvements and refinements, as I always wanted to improve my project. The result was worth it: victory in the St. Petersburg government diploma project competition, second place in the TGK-1 competition and, most importantly, my own satisfaction with the work done, Maria shared her impressions.
2. Leonid Alkhimovich, a graduate of the bachelor’s degree program of the Higher School of Industrial Management, international educational program “International Business”, scientific supervisor: associate professor of the Higher School of Industrial Management Ksenia Kikkas.
The topic of the thesis is “Corporate training – gamification as a basis for effective interaction in the work process”. The choice of the topic is associated with the rapid development of technologies in the field of corporate training, digital methods of professional development and increasing employee engagement. One of the most common tools in this area is gamification.
3. Evelina Polushkina, Bachelor of the Higher School of Administrative Management in the direction of “State and Municipal Administration”. The project “The Impact of Digitalization on the Process of State Support for Business” was developed under the supervision of HSAM Associate Professor Maxim Ivanov. During the final qualifying work, recommendations were developed for improving the provision of state support by changing the internal processes for ensuring the operation of digital services, as well as creating directions for their popularization among small and medium-sized businesses.
Participation in the competition was a very useful and necessary experience for me. I positively evaluate the experience of communication with the executive bodies of St. Petersburg in the person of civil servants, who promptly provided the necessary information and statistics on my topic. I believe that the topic of state support for business is relevant at the moment, so I am glad that the city authorities are actively involved in its implementation and are constantly developing this industry, including with the help of digital technologies, – Evelina noted.
4. Elizaveta Parkhomchuk, Master of the Higher School of Administrative Management in the direction of “State and Municipal Administration”. Under the supervision of HSAM Associate Professor Tamara Selentyeva, she completed the work “Development of projects for methodological assistance in supporting small and medium-sized businesses in the executive bodies of state power”, which is aimed at creating recommendations for executive bodies of state power to improve the process of providing assistance and support to small and medium-sized businesses. This work was done jointly with specialists from the Center for Development and Support of Entrepreneurship of St. Petersburg.
5. Mikhail Kiryushatov, a graduate of the bachelor’s degree program at the Higher School of Service and Trade, majoring in “Trade Business”, scientific supervisor: associate professor at the Higher School of Service and Trade Irina Kapustina. The project was called “Analysis of the possibilities of expanding economic cooperation between St. Petersburg and cities of ASEAN countries in modern conditions.”
The most memorable events were the off-site events in which the External Relations Committee took part. The first of these was the XXIII International Forum “Ecology of the Big City”, where a student of the Higher School of Social and Technical Studies accompanied a delegation from Myanmar headed by the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Min Tu, and also carried out communication at a meeting with Russian partners in the field of geology, Mikhail shared.
6. Ksenia Fisun, a graduate of the bachelor’s degree program at the Higher School of Service and Trade, majoring in “Trade Business”, scientific supervisor: Associate Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Vladimir Bakharev. Her project was called “Trends and Factors Influencing the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in St. Petersburg”.
Participation in the project was a very interesting experience for me! Thanks to it, I got acquainted with the activities of government agencies from the inside, and also learned more about the sphere of small and medium entrepreneurship in our city. I am grateful to the Polytechnic University and the government of St. Petersburg for the opportunity to participate in such a project! – shared Ksenia.
7. Karina Allahverdiyeva, graduate of the Master’s program of the Higher School of Service and Trade, the program “Quality Management at the Enterprise” under the supervision of Associate Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Boris Lyamin. The project work on the topic “Monitoring of food products based on the KPPIT as a promising form of quality control and product safety” consisted of identifying discrepancies in the food product monitoring process, assessing the quality control process of samples, developing recommendations for improving and optimizing the food product monitoring process in the testing laboratory of the IL “PETEKS”. It is worth noting that the results of the project work were agreed upon, approved and applied by the head of the testing laboratory.
The winners will be awarded in November during the St. Petersburg International Scientific and Educational Salon, the city’s largest event aimed at demonstrating educational, scientific research and innovation activities.
According to statistics, most of the winners of this competition are employed in city administrative structures. It is also worth noting that this year the prize amount has been increased from 16 thousand rubles to 30 thousand rubles for each winner.
I am proud of our students! IPMET regularly participates and annually remains among the leaders in the number of winners. And this year is a particularly significant event for the entire institute – seven winners from the Polytechnic University and all IPMET students! Your achievements are the result of hard work, creativity and commitment to high quality work. I wish you further success in your professional activities, may your victories continue to delight us with new achievements, – shared the director of IPMET Vladimir Shchepinin.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By David E Kiwuwa, Associate Professor of International Studies, University of Nottingham
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya is 91 years old. He is Africa’s oldest head of state and only one has served longer: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of neighbouring Equatorial Guinea, who is 82 years old.
Biya has been Cameroon’s president since 1982. Prior to that, he was prime minister from 1975.
In recent weeks there has been growing speculation about the nonagenarian’s health. Some rumours even suggested that he had died. This led the Cameroonian government to issue a statement banning all reports about his health.
These cycles of rumour have recurred whenever Biya has “gone missing” for extended periods of time. Before he arrived at Yaoundé’s international airport on 21 October, Biya was last seen in public on 8 September, when he attended a China-Africa forum in Beijing.
Cameroon has known only two presidents since independence. For 60% of the country’s youth population, Biya is the only president they have known.
Read more: Paul Biya has been Cameroon’s president for 40 years – and he might win office yet again
The country finds itself in a precarious situation, uncertain about what will happen after Biya, who has ruled with an iron fist.
Long term incumbencies don’t usually end well. Examples across the continent illustrate the high potential for political instability. The most vivid cases include Libya, Tunisia, Sudan, Gabon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For me as an associate professor of international studies and researcher of regime transformation in Africa, Cameroon holds specific interest because of its regime resilience over the decades, when many in the region haven’t fared as well.
My view is that Cameroon will, sooner rather than later, hit an inflection point post-Biya. Cameroon lacks strong constitutional guard rails, so succession is bound to be a very messy affair.
Second, due to years of nepotism and tribalism institutionalised by Biya, there will be heightened potential for regional and ethnic tensions or conflict – even a general breakdown of law and order.
Lastly, the military establishment could well make a move in the name of safeguarding the republic in times of uncertainty.
Cameroon is endowed with abundant resources, including oil, gas and timber. It is also strategically located at a crossroads between west and central Africa on the Atlantic coast, an entry point to landlocked inner regions.
Yet, according to the World Food Programme, over 55% of Cameroonians live in poverty and 37.7% are severely impoverished.
The country’s infrastructure is in poor shape. While the Douala port has been modernised and railway regional linkages such as the Douala-Yaoundé lines have been expanded, road and railway infrastructure are barely functional.
According to Transparency International, corruption is endemic in Cameroon. The country ranks 140th out of 180. This is despite official efforts to do something about it.
In 1982 Biya capitalised on the anti-corruption sentiment that had been directed at the Amadou Ahidjo regime. Biya promised an anti-corruption “new deal”. Despite initial progress, by the early 1990s Cameroon was topping the world’s corruption tables.
Critics suggest that Biya has also used his anti-corruption drive to keep his potential competitors in check.
Nepotism and tribalism continue as Biya has established a patron-client state system. For example, the Beti people, who are the president’s ethnic kin, are reported to take up a disproportionate slice of senior positions in government and the military. Yet they account for a small percentage of the population.
This has bred a kleptocratic system matched only by widespread communal resentment.
Read more: Cameroon: how language plunged a country into deadly conflict with no end in sight
There are other deep fissures in Cameroonian society. Socially, the country became a federated entity at independence in 1960. Two language groups – French and English speaking – came together for a United Republic of Cameroon.
For a while this unity held. But increasing disenchantment with Biya’s regime, especially the marginalisation of the Anglophone south-west, developed into a rebellion in 2016. Thousands of people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced. It has also resulted in an increased crackdown by the central authority.
Today, Cameroon is a fractured society with the south-west calling for increased autonomy and language justice and even self-determination. The creation of the Commission of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism and designating special status to the rebellious regions has done little to quell the crisis.
Regionally, Cameroon has been a key partner for the US and France through tackling Boko Haram in the region. The country has been directly affected by the attacks of this Islamist group, which originated in Nigeria and has extended its reign of terror across the region.
The anti-terror campaign has seen a close US-France-Cameroon relationship with military and intelligence strategic cooperation.
Equally Biya can be lauded for having peacefully settled the Bakassi peninsula crisis with Nigeria, a territorial border dispute, thereby averting regional instability.
There are not yet obvious signs that, after Biya, the Franco-Cameroon relationship would come under strain similar to other scenarios in the region.
France has built a steady political and economic relationship with Cameroon, investing heavily in the region, providing political cover to the regime and entering into a defence pact.
This relationship has also benefited many a political and military elite. Barring any monumental development, it is bound to be sustained in the post-Biya era.
Biya’s longevity at the helm of Cameroon politics is testament to his ability to mobilise all state resources, power and constitutional levers for his lifetime presidency. He has outmanoeuvred all political competitors.
This has enabled him to avoid the fate of neighbouring countries such as Central African Republic, Niger, Chad and Gabon, where governments have been overthrown by military coups.
In 1992 Biya agreed to a multiparty dispensation. But since then, he has engineered removal of term limits and he is on his seventh term of office.
But in the evening of his years, and in the absence of a designated successor or an elite pact, there is a real possibility that various factions of the Biya regime such as that of Frank Biya, Ngoh Ngoh, Laurent Esso or even the military will jostle and fight for power.
Without a political culture of constitutional constraint, instability seems inevitable. And the south-west rebellion might escalate its military and political pressure for better leverage with whoever comes to power post-Biya.
Whether the next political leadership will be able to set a transformative agenda for socio-political reconciliation and national renewal will be dictated by their ability to strike a grand compromise.
– Cameroon after Paul Biya: poverty, uncertainty and a precarious succession battle
– https://theconversation.com/cameroon-after-paul-biya-poverty-uncertainty-and-a-precarious-succession-battle-241312
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By David E Kiwuwa, Associate Professor of International Studies, University of Nottingham
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya is 91 years old. He is Africa’s oldest head of state and only one has served longer: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of neighbouring Equatorial Guinea, who is 82 years old.
Biya has been Cameroon’s president since 1982. Prior to that, he was prime minister from 1975.
In recent weeks there has been growing speculation about the nonagenarian’s health. Some rumours even suggested that he had died. This led the Cameroonian government to issue a statement banning all reports about his health.
These cycles of rumour have recurred whenever Biya has “gone missing” for extended periods of time. Before he arrived at Yaoundé’s international airport on 21 October, Biya was last seen in public on 8 September, when he attended a China-Africa forum in Beijing.
Cameroon has known only two presidents since independence. For 60% of the country’s youth population, Biya is the only president they have known.
Read more:
Paul Biya has been Cameroon’s president for 40 years – and he might win office yet again
The country finds itself in a precarious situation, uncertain about what will happen after Biya, who has ruled with an iron fist.
Long term incumbencies don’t usually end well. Examples across the continent illustrate the high potential for political instability. The most vivid cases include Libya, Tunisia, Sudan, Gabon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For me as an associate professor of international studies and researcher of regime transformation in Africa, Cameroon holds specific interest because of its regime resilience over the decades, when many in the region haven’t fared as well.
My view is that Cameroon will, sooner rather than later, hit an inflection point post-Biya. Cameroon lacks strong constitutional guard rails, so succession is bound to be a very messy affair.
Second, due to years of nepotism and tribalism institutionalised by Biya, there will be heightened potential for regional and ethnic tensions or conflict – even a general breakdown of law and order.
Lastly, the military establishment could well make a move in the name of safeguarding the republic in times of uncertainty.
Cameroon is endowed with abundant resources, including oil, gas and timber. It is also strategically located at a crossroads between west and central Africa on the Atlantic coast, an entry point to landlocked inner regions.
Yet, according to the World Food Programme, over 55% of Cameroonians live in poverty and 37.7% are severely impoverished.
The country’s infrastructure is in poor shape. While the Douala port has been modernised and railway regional linkages such as the Douala-Yaoundé lines have been expanded, road and railway infrastructure are barely functional.
According to Transparency International, corruption is endemic in Cameroon. The country ranks 140th out of 180. This is despite official efforts to do something about it.
In 1982 Biya capitalised on the anti-corruption sentiment that had been directed at the Amadou Ahidjo regime. Biya promised an anti-corruption “new deal”. Despite initial progress, by the early 1990s Cameroon was topping the world’s corruption tables.
Critics suggest that Biya has also used his anti-corruption drive to keep his potential competitors in check.
Nepotism and tribalism continue as Biya has established a patron-client state system. For example, the Beti people, who are the president’s ethnic kin, are reported to take up a disproportionate slice of senior positions in government and the military. Yet they account for a small percentage of the population.
This has bred a kleptocratic system matched only by widespread communal resentment.
Read more:
Cameroon: how language plunged a country into deadly conflict with no end in sight
There are other deep fissures in Cameroonian society. Socially, the country became a federated entity at independence in 1960. Two language groups – French and English speaking – came together for a United Republic of Cameroon.
For a while this unity held. But increasing disenchantment with Biya’s regime, especially the marginalisation of the Anglophone south-west, developed into a rebellion in 2016. Thousands of people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced. It has also resulted in an increased crackdown by the central authority.
Today, Cameroon is a fractured society with the south-west calling for increased autonomy and language justice and even self-determination. The creation of the Commission of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism and designating special status to the rebellious regions has done little to quell the crisis.
Regionally, Cameroon has been a key partner for the US and France through tackling Boko Haram in the region. The country has been directly affected by the attacks of this Islamist group, which originated in Nigeria and has extended its reign of terror across the region.
The anti-terror campaign has seen a close US-France-Cameroon relationship with military and intelligence strategic cooperation.
Equally Biya can be lauded for having peacefully settled the Bakassi peninsula crisis with Nigeria, a territorial border dispute, thereby averting regional instability.
There are not yet obvious signs that, after Biya, the Franco-Cameroon relationship would come under strain similar to other scenarios in the region.
France has built a steady political and economic relationship with Cameroon, investing heavily in the region, providing political cover to the regime and entering into a defence pact.
This relationship has also benefited many a political and military elite. Barring any monumental development, it is bound to be sustained in the post-Biya era.
Biya’s longevity at the helm of Cameroon politics is testament to his ability to mobilise all state resources, power and constitutional levers for his lifetime presidency. He has outmanoeuvred all political competitors.
This has enabled him to avoid the fate of neighbouring countries such as Central African Republic, Niger, Chad and Gabon, where governments have been overthrown by military coups.
In 1992 Biya agreed to a multiparty dispensation. But since then, he has engineered removal of term limits and he is on his seventh term of office.
But in the evening of his years, and in the absence of a designated successor or an elite pact, there is a real possibility that various factions of the Biya regime such as that of Frank Biya, Ngoh Ngoh, Laurent Esso or even the military will jostle and fight for power.
Without a political culture of constitutional constraint, instability seems inevitable. And the south-west rebellion might escalate its military and political pressure for better leverage with whoever comes to power post-Biya.
Whether the next political leadership will be able to set a transformative agenda for socio-political reconciliation and national renewal will be dictated by their ability to strike a grand compromise.
David E Kiwuwa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Cameroon after Paul Biya: poverty, uncertainty and a precarious succession battle – https://theconversation.com/cameroon-after-paul-biya-poverty-uncertainty-and-a-precarious-succession-battle-241312
Geneva, Switzerland. Tuesday 22 October 2024 – The IPU has released a new guide to help parliaments and parliamentarians enhance their oversight of national climate commitments, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
This guide is essential for ensuring that countries meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
With the 2025 deadline for NDC submission fast approaching, the guide highlights a critical window of opportunity for parliaments to shape their countries’ climate futures.
The guide provides detailed background information about NDCs and outlines 10 practical actions that parliaments can take to strengthen their oversight practices.
These actions include ensuring a consultative and inclusive approach to developing the commitments, aligning NDCs with national policies, monitoring alignment with international commitments, strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, securing sufficient funding, and tracking and reporting on progress.
The new guide is a sister product to the IPU’s 10 actions for greener parliaments (and those who work in them) published last year and designed to encourage parliaments to reduce their carbon footprint.
Both guides are part of the IPU’s climate campaign Parliaments for the Planet which aims to mobilize parliaments to accelerate action on the climate emergency.
Quotes
IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong said: “With last year shattering heat records and 2024 poised to be even hotter, it’s critical that parliaments push their governments to ramp up their climate ambitions. Parliaments are pivotal in transforming these pledges into robust policies backed by solid budgets and ensuring governments are held accountable for their promises.”
The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded more than 130 years ago as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes democracy and helps parliaments develop into stronger, younger, greener, more gender-balanced and more innovative institutions. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.
Since its start two decades ago, the logistics company has invested more than 20 million euros in the development of its network and services in Serbia / New logistics warehouse at the headquarters near Belgrade / Pioneer in the dual training of logistics
Belgrade / Lauterach, October 22, 2024. Twenty years after entering the Serbian market, the international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss take positive stock. “Serbia has undergone a remarkable economic development in recent years. Our decision to establish a central logistics hub for the Western Balkans here has proven to be the right one,” explained Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss, to media representatives in Belgrade on October 18.
Serbia has developed into an attractive procurement market for automotive parts, food, textiles, and furniture, with around 70 percent of exports going to the EU. In addition, the Balkan country is the main supplier of agricultural products to many of its neighboring countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Today, Gebrüder Weiss offers its customers in Serbia land, air and sea freight transport, customs clearance and logistics solutions. Groupage freight shipments go to neighboring countries and the EU single market several times a week. The logistics provider has a total of 20,000 square meters of logistics space in the country. In 2023, the company generated net revenue of 53 million euros.
In addition to its headquarters in Dobanovci near Belgrade, Gebrüder Weiss has three other locations in Serbia: in Novi Sad in the north and in Niš and Strojkovce near Leskovac in the south. A new logistics warehouse in Dobanovci recently commenced operations. The company has already invested over 20 million euros in its logistics facilities. “By the end of the year, we will have invested an additional million euros in our home delivery services and additional warehouse space,” says Thomas Schauer, Regional Manager for Central and Southeastern Europe at Gebrüder Weiss.
Another area of focus is sustainability. For example, the Dobanovci location obtains all of its electricity from a solar power plant, reducing CO2 emissions by 90 tons per year. Eight natural gas trucks (CNG) operate on four routes for the consumer goods industry. In addition, detergents and cleaning agents are transported sustainably by rail to Germany. “Every year, 1,500 containers roll by rail from Budapest to the Ruhr area. This saves us more than a thousand tons of CO2 compared to conventional truck transport,” explains Roland Raith, Country Manager Serbia at Gebrüder Weiss. Next year, zero-emission e-transporters will also be used for deliveries to end customers in Serbia.
Starting with a small office in Belgrade in 2004, Gebrüder Weiss now employs 300 people in Serbia. Gebrüder Weiss was one of the first logistics companies to implement the principle of dual training for young professionals there. Since 2018, young professionals have been receiving both on-the-job and academic training in cooperation with the Transport and Technical School in Belgrade. “We offer young professionals long-term career prospects in a range of logistics occupations,” says Roland Raith.
Gebrüder Weiss Serbia at a glance:
Founded: 2004
2023 annual revenue: 53 million euros
Employees: 300
Logistics area: 20,000 square meters
Investment volume since market entry: over 20 million euros
Latest expansion: 3,600 square meters of new warehouse space at the Dobanovci headquarters
Overland shipments handled in 2023: 290,000
Home deliveries in 2023: 62,000
20 Years GW Serbia
About Gebrüder Weiss
Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach, Austria, is a globally operative full-service logistics provider with about 8,600 employees at 180 company-owned locations. The company generated revenues of 2.46 billion euros in 2023. Its portfolio encompasses transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The twin strengths of digital and physical competence enable Gebrüder Weiss to respond swiftly and flexibly to customers’ needs. The family-run organization – with a history going back more than half a millennium – has implemented a wide variety of environmental, economic, and social initiatives. Today, it is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices. http://www.gw-world.com
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –
“My daughter is only 14, but with all the difficulties we’ve faced, she’s reacting like an adult to the bombings,” says Ezdihar, a displaced mother in Lebanon. “She’s had to grow up quickly.”
On the night of 28 September, Ezdihar and her family were having dinner at home in the southern suburbs of Beirut when they received an alert about an imminent strike by Israeli forces. While her husband went to care for his mother, Ezdihar took her children and, with neighbours, sought refuge in central Beirut.
After spending a night on the streets, they moved into the Azarieh shelter, a repurposed commercial building now housing around 3,500 displaced people. Today, they are among 1.2 million people displaced by the war between Hezbollah and Israel, according to Lebanese authorities.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is attending to the medical and mental health needs of people living in collective shelters like Azarieh, including children like Ezdihar’s daughter. She is one of a generation navigating a landscape of fear and uncertainty, in which children are hit the hardest.
In less than a month since the escalation of war, more than 2,300 people have been killed in Lebanon, with the majority of deaths occurring in the last 3 weeks. More than 11,100 have been injured, according to health authorities.
The violence and destruction people are witnessing can have lasting impacts on psychological and emotional well-being, especially for children. Like Ezdihar’s daughter, countless children across Lebanon have had to grow up quickly under the harsh realities of war, including being uprooted from their homes, having their schooling disrupted, being separated from their friends, and losing access to basic necessities like food and shelter.
Ezdihar, a displaced mother in Lebanon “My daughter is only 14, but with all the difficulties we’ve faced, she’s reacting like an adult to the bombings.”
“Many parents are observing behavioural issues in their children—anger, aggression, and other troubling behaviors—which heightens concern for their well-being,” said Amani Al Mashaqba, MSF’s mental health activity manager in the Bekaa governorate.
Children are not the only ones in need of mental health support, however. Many of MSF’s patients report feeling overwhelmed and traumatised by the constant threat of violence, expressing deep concerns about their future in an unstable environment.
Grief over lost family members and the pain of separation due to displacement further compound their distress. Others worry about managing chronic health conditions or the possibility of missing a year of school. These experiences have had a significant impact on people’s mental health.
“People are expressing a strong need for mental health services, particularly for trauma,” Al Mashaqba added. “It’s affecting their daily lives, from sleep disturbances to appetite loss.”
MSF teams are responding by providing general and mental healthcare to displaced people, including psychological first aid and psychoeducation through our mobile medical units across the country. However, getting people to acknowledge their struggles and express vulnerability isn’t always easy.
Many feel they should remain resilient in the face of hardship, as our mental health teams have observed. Convincing them that it is okay to experience emotions has been a challenge at times, particularly for young boys who are commonly taught to suppress their feelings.
To further extend this support, MSF has also launched a helpline through which people can receive remote assistance from clinical psychologists who help manage trauma-related symptoms such as anxiety and grief.
The MSF helpline allows us to reach people who are unable to access our services in person, particularly in the south of Lebanon, where heavy bombardments and mobility restrictions make travel difficult. This accessibility is crucial during such a volatile period, as many individuals are on the move and face barriers to accessing care including the high cost of transportation and cultural stigma surrounding mental health.
Many of the helpline callers are parents facing difficulty trying to help their children cope during the war, often while noticing changes in their children’s behavior.
Parents are struggling to explain the frightening sounds of bombs and gunfire to their kids, at times resorting to misleading explanations in an effort to reassure them. Gunfire, for example, may be described as “happy shooting,” such as shots fired in celebration during weddings. Our helpline psychologists equip parents with strategies to communicate honestly and create safe spaces for their children to express their feelings.
“While we must be realistic about the situation, we also need to normalise their feelings,” explained Al Mashaqba. “It’s important for parents to listen to their children and understand how the sounds affect them. They can encourage kids to share their feelings through drawing or talking.”
Facing increasing demand, the helpline has seen a dramatic rise in calls, from five calls a day in the beginning to as many as 80 in a single afternoon. Overall, the helpline has received nearly 300 mental health calls, the majority coming in the last two weeks alone.
In addition, our mobile teams have facilitated psychological first aid group sessions for nearly 5,000 individuals as of 21 October, and more than 450 people have benefitted from individual mental health sessions.
Our teams also provide psychological first aid, which includes active listening and techniques for stress relief, allowing patients to express their feelings and concerns. Along with critical medical and mental healthcare, our teams are also distributing essential items such as mattresses and hygiene kits to displaced people.
This current war comes on the heels of a prolonged economic crisis that left over 80 per cent of the Lebanese population living below the poverty line and in urgent need of assistance. The healthcare sector has faced severe challenges, with public services deteriorating and private healthcare becoming increasingly unaffordable.
“One of my psychologists shared that when a woman learned our services are free, she began to cry,” Al Mashaqba noted. “People are often unaccustomed to having access to these kinds of resources without the financial burden.”
Moreover, Lebanon is home to a significant number of refugees, including 1.5 million Syrians and over 200,000 Palestinians, many of whom have faced repeated displacements. For these individuals, the fear of deportation and the struggle to find safety can be overwhelming.
“Some have told me they would rather die than experience the trauma of being a refugee again,” Al Mashaqba said.
MSF is conducting ongoing needs assessments for internally displaced people, and as the situation evolves, our teams are working closely with partners and hospital networks to provide comprehensive support wherever possible.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CAIRO, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mr. George Matharu, President of Elite Capital & Co. Limited “ECC” (Financial Lead Arranger of Soukhna Refinery), and His Excellency Eng. Sameh Fahmy, Chairman of Egyptian Petroleum Investments Corporation “EPI Corp.” (Founding Director and Lead Consultant of Soukhna Refinery), announced today that the Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company “SUMED” has signed a Term Sheet for handling, storing, and transferring crude oil feedstock and petroleum products with the Soukhna Refinery and Petrochemical Company “SRPC”.
“SUMED signing the Term Sheet with Soukhna Refinery – SRPC will reduce the refinery construction cost by USD 700 Million, making the project’s capital USD 4.7 Billion, which will positively reflect on the appetite of targeted investors to enter as partners into the project, while reducing any future financing burdens and contributing to the expected financing process,” Mr. George Matharu said.
The SUMED Pipeline (also known as the Suez-Mediterranean Pipeline) is an oil pipeline in Egypt, running from the Ain Sokhna terminal in the Gulf of Suez, the northernmost terminus of the Red Sea, to offshore Sidi Kerir port, Alexandria in the Mediterranean Sea. It provides an alternative to the Suez Canal for transporting oil from the Arabian Gulf region to the Mediterranean.
The pipeline is owned by the Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company “SUMED”, a joint venture of Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation “EGPC” (50%, Egypt), Saudi Aramco (15%, Saudi Arabia), Mubadala Investment Company “Formerly IPIC” (15%, the United Arab Emirates), Kuwait Investment Authority “KIA” (15%, Kuwait), and QatarEnergy (5%, Qatar).
His Excellency Eng. Sameh Fahmy, Chairman of EPI Corp (former Minister of Petroleum), added, “Soukhna Refinery and Petrochemical Company – SRPC is a promising project and will be one of the most important petroleum and petrochemical projects globally, especially since it is located in the heart of the world to serve four important markets – Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Therefore, the project’s success is inevitable, as all companies involved in this project are currently cooperating with Elite Capital & Co. Limited to provide the necessary financing to build it.”
SRPC’s Project is a petroleum complex consisting of an oil refinery, petrochemical technology, mini hospital, and petroleum studies institute. This project is located at the heart of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, specifically in Ain Sokhna, and it is surrounded by the continents of Asia from the east, Europe from the north, and Africa from the west.
The refining capacity of the oil refinery is 208 thousand barrels per day, which will be relied upon in selling oil derivatives and fed by petrochemical technology, and therefore the project will be one of the world scale state of the art strategic refinery project in the world in selling oil derivatives and petrochemical products.
“Implementation of the project will support the economy of Egypt, which witnessed remarkable development in all sectors during the era of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and which are expected to flourish in the coming period,” Eng. Sameh Fahmy said.
Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a Financial Management company that provides project-related services including Management, Consultancy, and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and mega commercial projects.
Elite Capital & Co. Limited offers a wealth of experience in Banking and Financial transactions and has a range of specialized advisory services for private clients, medium and large corporations as well as governments. It is also the exclusive manager of the Government Future Financing 2030 Program®.
Mr. George Matharu concluded his statement by saying: “We are currently working on preliminary negotiations with international sovereign entities to enter the project as major partners representing the main source of crude oil supply to the refinery. After that, we will move to the potential financing process according to the data that will be available at the time.”
Elite Capital & Co. – Contact Details –
Elite Capital & Co. Limited
33 St. James Square
London, SW1Y4JS
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060
SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21
LEI Code: 254900NNN237BBHG7S26
Website: ec.uk.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ccd23ff-3956-40af-9c99-7fa85dfd3325
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
22/10/2024
Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
ACCORINVEST GROUP S.A.
Pre-stabilisation Period Announcement
BNP Paribas (contact: Stanford Hartman telephone: 0207 595 8222 hereby gives notice, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation EU/2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014).
| The securities:1 | |
| Issuer: | ACCORINVEST GROUP S.A. |
| Guarantor (if any): | |
| Aggregate nominal amount: | EUR 500M |
| Description: | FXD RATE NOTE DUE 5TH NOV 2031 |
| Offer price: | TBC |
| Other offer terms: | |
| Stabilisation: | |
| Stabilisation Manager(s) | BNP PARIBAS, BOFA, CACIB, NATIXIS, SG, COMMERZBANK, MUFG |
| Stabilisation period expected to start on: | 22/10/2024 |
| Stabilisation period expected to end no later than: | 05/12/2024 |
| Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over‑allotment facility: | The Stabilisation Manager(s) may over‑allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. |
| Stabilisation trading venue: | OTC |
In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilisation Manager(s) may over‑allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time. Any stabilisation action or over‑allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.
This announcement and the offer of the securities to which it relates are only addressed to and directed at persons outside the United Kingdom and persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters related to investments or who are high net worth persons within Article 12(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in the United Kingdom.
In addition, if and to the extent that this announcement is communicated in, or the offer of the securities to which it relates is made in, the UK or any EEA Member State before the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in the UK or that Member State in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”) (or which has been approved by a competent authority in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in the UK or that Member State in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation), this announcement and the offer are only addressed to and directed at persons in the UK or that Member State who are qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (or who are other persons to whom the offer may lawfully be addressed) and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in the UK or that Member State.
This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States.
Source: European Banking Authority
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today a Decision setting out the procedural aspects related to the significance assessment of asset-referenced tokens (ARTs) and e-money tokens (EMTs) and the transfer of supervisory responsibilities, including the establishment of supervisory colleges for significant ARTs (s-ARTs) and significant EMTs (s-EMTs).
The Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR) sets out a new supervisory regime for ART and EMT issuers, which includes significance assessments and reassessments of ARTs and EMTs by the EBA, transfer of supervisory responsibilities from national competent authorities to the EBA and the establishment of supervisory colleges for s-ARTs and s-EMTs.
In its Decision, the EBA details the following procedural aspects:
The EBA Decision EBA/DC/558 was adopted on the basis of Articles 35 and 44 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 (EBA Regulation), and Articles 43, 44, 56, 57, 117, 119 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCAR).
The EBA is responsible for carrying out assessments of ARTs and EMTs in order to identify if they meet the criteria for significance as set out in MiCAR. When classifying an ART or EMT as ‘significant’, the EBA is responsible for carrying out relevant supervisory tasks under MiCAR, including establishing, managing and chairing supervisory colleges.
The EBA is responsible for conducting direct supervision of issuers of s-ARTs, while s-EMTs (where issued by electronic money institutions) are subject to ‘dual supervision’ by the EBA and the respective home NCA. The EBA will exercise its supervisory powers in close cooperation with any other competent authorities responsible for supervising the respective issuers (in cases where the issuer also carries out other financial services activities). As part of its supervisory activities, the EBA may request information from issuers, conduct investigations, carry out on-site inspections, take supervisory measures and impose fines.
The EBA is continuously and actively engaging with national competent authorities to ensure it can carry out effectively its supervision mandate under MiCAR.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Since their first meeting in February this year, the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee have been meeting a variety of experts and sector leaders from across the UK, to help shape their recommendations.
These meetings, which have included roundtables and visits to locations in all four nations, have focused on various aspects of the memorialisation programme, covering both the design of the permanent memorial and broader themes for the legacy programme. Participants have included historians and academics, such as Dame Mary Beard; environmental experts such as Tony Juniper (Chair of Natural England); figures from the world of arts like Andrew Ellis (Chief Executive of Art UK); digital artists such as Doddz; and experts in heritage and the built environment such as Professor Elizabeth McKellar and Sir Charles Saumarez Smith. Dame Mary Beard shared, “It is tremendously important to create a memorial to the Queen that is appropriate, relevant and in some way makes a difference. It was fascinating and fun to be part of generating ideas, hearing what others had to say, from the feasible to the blue sky’’.
These sessions have generated valuable insights and lively debate, and have been invaluable in helping the Committee in creating memorial projects that will resonate with people both locally and globally. Digital Artist, Doddz commented, “It was an honour to participate in such an important discussion about how digital elements can enhance Queen Elizabeth II’s memorial. The roundtable highlighted the power of digital tools to connect past, present, and future generations, creating emotional and meaningful experiences for all.”
The Committee has also been committed to engaging closely with young people of various ages and backgrounds to ensure they have the opportunity to help shape the Committee’s recommendations. Representatives from #IWill and the National Citizen Service were invited to engagement sessions where they provided valuable input on how future generations might interact with Queen Elizabeth’s legacy.
Young Ambassadors from the National Citizen Service, commented, “I was honoured to participate in this significant decision-making process, and look forward to seeing its long-term impact on helping the next generation understand the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II” and that “involving young people in these conversations can help bridge the generational gap and develop something meaningful for all age groups.”
Lord Janvrin and the Committee will continue to meet with various groups in the coming months as they refine their ideas for commemorating Queen Elizabeth II. If you have an idea you would like to share with them, please contact the committee at queenelizabethmemorial@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The new legislation will introduce clearer and risk-proportionate requirements that improve the safety of medical devices across Great Britain and provide certainty for manufacturers ahead of introducing the wider future regulatory regime.
The Post-market Surveillance (PMS) Statutory instrument (SI) laid in Parliament yesterday evening is the first major update to the framework of medical device regulations in Great Britain, led by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
In 2021, the MHRA consulted on the ‘Future Regulation of Medical Devices in the UK’ in response to recommendations set out in the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety (IMMDS) review, published in 2020.
Responses to the consultation were strongly supportive of introducing clearer and more robust PMS requirements to improve patient and public safety and called for closer alignment with international approaches.
Since January 2021 all medical devices have been required to be registered with the MHRA before they can be placed on the market in Great Britain a step-change in the Agency’s oversight of medical devices, allowing us to take more rapid action where safety concerns are identified.
By introducing clear, risk-proportionate requirements, the new legislation laid yesterday evening will build on measures already introduced to improve patient safety, facilitating greater traceability of incidents and reporting trends.
Laura Squire, MedTech Regulatory Reform Lead and Chief Officer at the MHRA, said:
“Patient safety is our priority, and these new measures are expected to further reduce adverse incidents by ensuring manufacturers identify and address issues earlier and reduce the time for corrective actions to be taken.
“While the new legislation is focused on patient safety, it also benefits innovation and growth of the sector, with the collection of real-world data helping manufacturers to further improve existing products.
“This legislation reflects the Government’s wider priority of improving patient safety and is the first part of the new regulatory framework coming in for medical devices.’’
The explosion of innovation in health technology in recent years has the potential to bring transformative approaches to healthcare. These regulations will provide the necessary oversight to ensure that this progress is made as safely as possible.
This regulation also ensures that we have a strong foundation for patient safety in place before we bring forward future measures such as international reliance which will allow patients to benefit more quickly from some types of medical devices that have already been approved for use in other countries. We are committed to delivering a framework of regulatory reform that encourages innovation and growth in life sciences and which, in turn, brings huge benefits to patients.
Comprehensive guidance to support manufacturers with implementation and compliance will be published once the Parliamentary process has been concluded.
The SI proposes a six-month implementation period once Parliamentary processes have been concluded. This regulation could, therefore, become law in Summer 2025.
Ends
Notes to Editors
For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.
Source: Northern Ireland Direct
Date published:
Put safety first at Halloween. Fireworks, candles and sparklers can be dangerous, so make sure they are used safely. Follow the Firework Code to keep safe.
Fireworks are dangerous and can set fire to buildings and clothing. They can also cause serious injury, particularly to your hands and face.
You must have a licence to buy or use fireworks.
Fireworks can cause fear and distress, especially for older people and more vulnerable members of the community.
Fireworks can also traumatise pets and farm animals.
Low noise fireworks may be available to buy from your local registered retailer.
There’s more information at the following link:
Fireworks should only be lit in a safe and controlled environment by a responsible adult.
You should:
Sparklers may seem harmless but they burn at very high temperatures.
To a young child, the heat from a sparkler is similar to the heat from a welding torch.
You should:
Fancy dress costumes can be highly flammable.
If you’re making your own don’t use flammable materials such as black plastic bags.
Look out for costumes that are labelled ‘Low Flammability’ ‘BS5722’ or have the European code ‘BS EN 14878’.
If a child is wearing a fancy dress costume this Halloween:
Fireworks must be bought from a licensed dealer, who is required to keep record of sales.
Fireworks bought from other sources could be of a sub-standard quality, presenting an even bigger risk of injury.
It is also essential that you have a licence when buying any fireworks.
You can find a list of licensed dealers on the fireworks page.
For any enquiries on the use of fireworks, phone the fireworks helpline.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd. relating to fraudulent websites and phishing instant messages, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or instant messages concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Overall consumer prices rose 2.2% year-on-year in September, a smaller rate of increase than the 2.5% seen in August, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.
Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, underlying inflation was 0.9%, also smaller than that recorded in August.
Compared with September last year, price increases were seen in the following categories: alcoholic drinks and tobacco; electricity, gas and water; housing; miscellaneous services; meals out and takeaway food; miscellaneous goods; and transport.
Meanwhile, year-on-year decreases were recorded for clothing and footwear; basic food; and durable goods.
The Government said overall inflation should stay mild in the near term and the continued growth of the Hong Kong economy could pose some moderate upward pressures on domestic costs.
Meanwhile, external price pressures should ease further, though uncertainties in the external environment remain, it added.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The 22nd Mendeleev Congress on General and Applied Chemistry was held in the federal territory of Sirius. The rector of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Chairman of the St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy took part in the work of the congress.
This year, the forum was dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the 190th anniversary of the birth of Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleyev. The event is also part of the main program of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia.
Four thousand delegates from 40 countries, including over 1,420 young scientists and students, discussed various aspects of chemical science and education over three days. The congress program included nine plenary sessions, 75 sectional sessions within nine sections, 12 symposia, two round tables and three poster sessions, thematically covering all the main areas of fundamental and applied chemistry, the chemical industry, and the history of chemistry. The congress featured an exhibition of devices, scientific, technical and innovative developments of enterprises and organizations from various regions of Russia, as well as an exhibition of scientific literature.
Among the special features of this year is a separate program for schoolchildren, “Mendeleev Congress for Children,” organized in Sirius together with the International Festival SCIENCE 0, PhyschemQuest, a symposium on the popularization of chemistry, and much more.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Denis Sekirinsky read out a greeting from the head of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science Valery Falkov. On the first day of the congress, lectures were given by the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Krasnikov, the President of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute” Mikhail Kovalchuk, the 2011 Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry Dan Shechtman (Israel), a professor of physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico Ana Maria Cetto Kramis, and a professor at the University of Southern California Valery Fokin.
At the plenary session on the third day of the congress, the rector of SPbPU, chairman of the SPbB RAS Andrey Rudskoy gave a report on the current state and prospects for the development of thermomechanical processing of steel.
One of the most relevant areas of development of metallurgy and mechanical engineering is the creation and implementation of new resource-saving technologies based on modern scientific achievements, ensuring an increase in the range of technological and operational characteristics of products while simultaneously reducing their material and energy intensity, – noted the rector of the Polytechnic University. – These include progressive technologies of plastic forming, which allow a sharp increase in the level of mechanical, technological and operational properties and, first of all, thermomechanical processing (TMO), which, due to the constant improvement of schemes and the creation of new ones, as well as more precise process control, allows achieving an increasingly higher range of mechanical and service properties.
Andrey Rudskoy emphasized that TMT is the most important energy- and resource-saving technology that allows for the production of modern products with increased structural strength and improved service characteristics from steel and alloys for various industries. It is currently used in the manufacture of products in space, aviation technology, shipbuilding, transport, medicine and many other areas. The Rector of St. Petersburg State University gave examples of products that were created using thermomechanical processing. These are shafts and axles for special tracked vehicles, profile rings, steel for ships, icebreakers and platforms, etc. Developing the topic, the RAS academician also spoke about metal pressure processing methods and materials used in TMT technologies.
The development of new TMO schemes in combination with rational alloying allows us to sharply reduce the costs of producing high-quality products for critical purposes and contribute to solving the problems of import substitution, concluded Andrey Rudskoy.
In conclusion, the Chairman of the SPbB RAS recalled that St. Petersburg materials science played an outstanding role in the history of world and domestic science and technology. Currently, the largest universities, research organizations and industrial enterprises work in the Northern capital in the field of creating new materials and technologies. Among them are: SPbPU, SPbSU, St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute” – Central Research Institute of KM “Prometheus”, A.F. Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute and others.
The work of the congress once again confirmed that chemistry occupies a key place in the successful transition to sustainable development of the economy of the Russian Federation, and allows us to solve a wide range of problems of scientific and technological progress – from studying the molecular foundations of life, methods of rational use of natural resources and ensuring the safety of the natural environment to the creation of new materials and energy sources and the engineering of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly chemical technologies.
Reference
Mendeleev Congresses are scientific forums with international participation in the field of fundamental and applied chemistry. They are held at intervals of 4–5 years and cover the main areas of development of chemical science, technology and industry. The first congress was held in 1907 in St. Petersburg and was dedicated to the memory of Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev.
The XXI Mendeleev Congress was held in 2019 in St. Petersburg and became the main event of the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements.
Photo: http://vk.com/mendeleevcongress
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The department occupies an important place in the development of our university. Over 90 years, it has established itself as the center of sports life at SPbPU. On August 23, 1934, a department for military training was created at the Leningrad Industrial Institute, which included the departments of military disciplines and physical education. The latter included 16 teachers, andshe became the progenitor today’s Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The anniversary was attended by Vladimir Glukhov, Advisor to the Rectorate, Dmitry Tikhonov, Vice-Rector for Additional and Pre-University Education, Natalya Antyukh, multiple world champion and Honored Master of Sports of Russia in track and field, Leonid Shiyanov, Chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Society of Trade Unions of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region “Russia”, and many other representatives of physical culture and sports of the city.
The guests were greeted by the Director of the Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Tourism of SPbPU Valery Sushchenko: On behalf of our institute, I would like to sincerely congratulate all of us on the successful celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Department of Physical Education and Sports! This anniversary has become not only a significant milestone in the history of the department, but also a wonderful opportunity to remember all the achievements and people who have contributed to its development over all these years. I would like to thank everyone who came to share this important moment with us. It is not interesting to live in the present, forgetting the past and not dreaming about the future. Therefore, we treat our veterans with respect and warmth, honor traditions and perpetuate the memory of the worthy. Special thanks to all the teachers, staff and students who have actively worked and continue to work to improve the status of our department over the years.
After this, a presentation of the department’s activities and an award ceremony took place. Awards “For Merit”, gratitude from the physical education and sports society of trade unions for contribution to the development of the department were presented to employees and teachers.
Today, the department employs 49 highly qualified specialists. Among them, 14 teachers have an academic degree and 11 have an academic title. Currently, classes are held in specializations, where students can study based on their sports interests. There are ten specializations in total: fitness, martial arts, general physical training, strength sports, swimming, health technologies, sports games, orienteering and sports tourism, chess, phygital sports.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The student teams of the Polytechnic University held a grand event – a traditional fair, where they showed all the features of each of the SSO areas, and also opened the door to their bright and amazing world!
The Main Building hosted all sorts of competitions, raffles and even concerts. The second floor was occupied by delightful and unique stands, which attracted the attention of our university students. For example, the guys from the SPO “Sozvezdie” prepared a mini-bouquet for everyone, and the fighters of the SSO “Django” baked cookies with chocolate.
We made the stand over several days and the result justified itself 100%! It turned out very beautifully. The students are keenly interested in everything. It is also great that the fair is held in the fall, because the first-year students are not yet tired of studying and are ready to study everything with sparkling eyes! All the fighters are incredible fellows, they actively campaigned and supported, – said the commander of the SSO “Django” Dorzhi Zandakov.
Today, the Polytechnic University has 25 student teams in six areas: construction, pedagogical, archaeological, agricultural, service, and guiding.
The Student Squad Fair at the Polytechnic University is a significant event that attracts students who want to learn more about summer work opportunities and exciting leisure activities. Every year the event becomes larger and larger, not only because the number of squads and their participants increases, but also due to the high level of training. The fighters come up with original interactive activities, draws, gifts and surprise with their creative stands. The fair allows everyone to see that squads are a chance to make their summer truly unforgettable, full of unique impressions and valuable skills, – shared the commissioner of the SPbPU headquarters Ekaterina Neydorf.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
An update on the policy training courses OIT offers academics
The Open Innovation Team (OIT) is now welcoming enquiries from UK universities for its highly regarded Policy Masterclass programme.
OIT has delivered bespoke policy training to academics since 2016, helping them better understand the policymaking process and how they can influence it.
The Policy Masterclass is:
We are offering the Masterclass for group bookings from people within the same institution and can also accommodate individual participants in mixed-group courses.
Please note that as a cost-recovery team, OIT charges a fee for this training, which varies based on the course’s duration, complexity and customisation.
For more information about our training options, pricing, and to book, please email us at enquiries@openinnovation.gov.uk
Follow our LinkedIn page for the latest OIT news.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Our new season of Outside:In is here!
Outside:In, the online speaker series for civil servants organised by HM Government’s Open Innovation Team, has returned for 2024-25.
Featuring high-profile speakers from across academia and industry, Outside:In aims to provide thought-provoking discussion relevant to policymakers and government.
Previous speakers have included the Nobel-prize-winning economist and MIT professor Daron Acemoglu, historian Adam Tooze, Harvard professor and social scientist Shoshana Zuboff, foreign policy expert and presidential advisor Fiona Hill, governance scholar and digital innovation expert Beth Simone Noveck, and astronaut Tim Peake.
The events are for civil servants only, and you’ll need a gov.uk (or equivalent) email address to register.
Sign up to our mailing list
Follow our LinkedIn page for the latest OIT news
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE Mission to Montenegro continues to support development of police e-learning platform
Participants of the one of the workshops the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized for the Ministry of Interior officials to create, maintain and manage the police e-learning platform, Podgorica, October 2024. (OSCE/Miloš Uljarević) Photo details
As part of the continuous support to the Ministry of Interior to improve its learning opportunities for police officials, in May and October 2024 the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized three training cycles for 29 Ministry officials to create, maintain and manage the e-learning platform, developed with the Mission’s support.
The Ministry’s e-learning platform provides online and hybrid learning opportunities on a variety of topics relevant for policing, including non-discrimination, human rights, as well as lectures on combatting stereotypes.
In May, through the first training session, the Mission supported the Ministry’s officials who managed the e-learning platform in adapting and uploading the courses on “Safety and health at work and first aid assistance”, “Basic training course in the field of fire protection” and “English language course for police officers”. In October, two training sessions were organized for the platform’s content creators, which equipped them with skills to create and upload training content, as well as to use advanced options for video content to be inserted in the created course.
These training courses will be followed by a six-week mentorship process with the Mission’s experts, during which each of the participants will develop a course within their own field of expertise, to be posted on the platform or further developed by the Ministry’s Directorate for police training and development.
In 2022, the OSCE Mission provided to the Ministry of Interior the technical equipment to host the e-learning platform, while in 2023 it trained 15 officials on the platform’s use, thus reducing the government’s training and education expenses.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the South African Auto Week Opening Ceremony 1
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
Thuli Madonsela interview at the Social Justice Summit at Cape Town
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Emma O’Donnell, Research Assistant, Environmental Change Institute and PhD Candidate, Nature-based Solutions Initiative, University of Oxford
More than half of the world’s total GDP is at least moderately dependent on nature. Yet arguably, there is no economy (or life) without nature. A quarter of animal and planet species are now threatened, and 14 out of 18 key ecosystem services – including fertile soils to grow food, flood and disease control and regulation of air and water pollution – are in decline.
These ecosystem services are essential and have no easy substitutes. Despite this, almost US$7 trillion (£5.4 trillion) per year is spent by governments and the private sector on subsidies and economic activities that have a negative impact on nature – including intensive agriculture and fossil-fuel subsidies. This compares to only US$200 billion that is spent on nature-based solutions (just a third of what is estimated to be needed).
Although the biodiversity crisis has often been overshadowed by climate change on the global stage, the tide is turning. In 2022, the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework was adopted with its overarching goal to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
At the end of October 2024, the signatories of the framework will again come together at the UN’s Cop16 biodiversity conference in Cali, Colombia, to negotiate the implementation of their targets. To make progress towards these goals, Cop16 aims to align finance with the framework; effectively ensuring finance is part of the solution rather than the problem.
To do this, the flow of finance will need to be redirected. A central lever in this is the pricing of risk. Financial institutions face significant risk, both from the degradation of ecosystem services (physical risks) and the social responses to degradation, including regulation and changing consumer demand (transition risks). Yet these risks are not fully priced into financial decisions.
On top of this, corporations do not disclose their nature-related risks, dependencies and impacts, making it difficult for financial institutions to understand the implications of their investments. Together, this means that finance continues to flow unhindered into riskier activities.
Central banks are now starting to highlight risks from nature to financial institutions and to explore the areas where these risks manifest in the financial system.
Earlier this year, we published the first study of the seriousness of nature-related financial risks.
We found that, for the UK, nature-related shocks could cause a 6% decline in GDP by 2030 under scenarios such as soil health decline or water scarcity putting pressure on global supply chains. And there could be a drop in GDP of more than 12% in the scenario of an antimicrobial resistance or pandemic shock, driven by increased human-wildlife interaction due to habitat loss and deforestation.
These results are equal to or even greater than the UK’s 6% decrease in GDP after the 2008 financial crisis and 9.7% during the 2020 COVID lockdowns.
We also found that nature-related financial risks were of a similar scale to climate-related risks. Nature loss and climate change occur in parallel, amplify and compound each other. As such, it is essential that solutions look to solve both challenges simultaneously. After all, what is the point of having a cooler planet that is no longer livable?
Of its 23 targets for 2030, the GBF includes two goals that specifically address finance. Target 18 aims to reduce incentives for financial flows that damage nature by at least US$500 billion per year and scale up incentives for nature-positive financial flows. And target 19 aims to mobilise US$200 billion per year for restoring and protecting nature, including at least US$30 billion from international finance flowing from developed to developing countries. A further target, target 15, calls for the disclosure of nature-related risks, dependencies and impacts by firms.
So, what do we need from Cop16 to pull the financial risk lever?
First, there must be international recognition that the long-term, widespread and often irreversible risks of the biodiversity crisis are not being priced by the financial system, despite progress on the integration of climate risks. This can cause a buildup of systemic risks and lead to financial instability; as such, there must be a global consensus that central banks play a key role in taking proactive measures to manage this.
Second, at the individual, corporate and financial institution level, firms must manage and disclose their nature-related financial risks, alongside their climate risks.
Third, similar to transition finance for net zero, financial institutions must begin to engage actively with clients to explore opportunities to support their transition towards more nature-positive activities and reflect this within their transition plans.
Securing financial resilience and nature and climate goals are synonymous; and all are essential for securing economic growth and sustainable development globally.
Emma O’Donnell receives funding from the UK Natural Science Research Council.
Jimena Alvarez receives funding from UK Natural Environment Research Council.
Nicola Ranger receives funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council, Climate Arc and EU Horizon
– ref. How finance can be part of the solution to the world’s biodiversity crisis – https://theconversation.com/how-finance-can-be-part-of-the-solution-to-the-worlds-biodiversity-crisis-241829
Source: The Holy See
Today, Tuesday 22 October 2024, at 13.30, a briefing will be held in the Holy See Press Office, Via della Conciliazione 54, to provide an update on the work of the Second Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The speakers will be:
– His Eminence Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap., president of the “Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar” (S.E.C.A.M.);
– Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda, Cameroon, member of the Ordinary Council, member of the Commission for Information of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops;
– Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen, military ordinary for the Federal Republic of Germany;
– The Reverend Clarence Sandanaraj Davedassan, witness of the synodal process, Asia;
– Dr. Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and chair of the Commission for Information of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops;
– Dr. Sheila Leocádia Pires, communications officer of the “Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference” (S.A.C.B.C.), secretary of the Commission for Information of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The briefing will be livestreamed on the Vatican News YouTube channel, at https://www.youtube.com/c/VaticanNews.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ra Mason, Lecturer in International Relations and Japanese Foreign Policy, University of East Anglia
It is still unclear how many North Korean soldiers will find their way onto the killing fields of eastern Ukraine. What is clear is that the drive to recruit fighting forces from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is at least in part politically motivated. But is it also a tactical masterstroke that will boost the Russian war machine’s chances of a definitive victory?
The political aspect appears straightforward. The use of foreign forces from an enemy of the United States demonstrates a clear show of opposition towards the Washington-led global order. It also deals a further blow to the myth that the Russian Federation is isolated, as an international pariah, in a world led by western powers.
But despite boosting troop numbers, there are multiple problems with these would-be mercenaries from the far east joining Putin’s forces on the front line in Europe. North Korea is impoverished and authoritarian. This means its personnel are mostly poorly equipped, unmotivated and undernourished. Where and how they are deployed will, therefore, likely be critical.
If sent into new theatres of war against state-of-the-art Nato-supplied weaponry, it could effectively mean waves of ill-prepared cannon fodder being thrown into the meat grinder of Donbas’ trenches. Most would surely be killed by FPV (first-person view) drones or western tank fire.
Defections could well pose an additional risk. If commanded outside the immediate control of Korean officers in the field, some will doubtless view this as a chance to escape oppression and poverty in their homeland. Desertions en masse to the Ukrainian side might become a possibility. Even more so if identified and directed how to surrender by Ukrainian, or other, special forces on the ground.
Considering these seemingly obvious flaws, it would be easy to assume the deliberate showcasing of training camps in eastern Russia for North Korean soldiers is little more than a political gimmick. One that is designed to strike fear into an already struggling Ukrainian army and poke its western backers in the eye. At the same time, there may be cause to think there is more to this move than pure politics.
The difference between supplying artillery shells for Russian guns and putting bodies on the line is stark.
But this fundamental difference does not necessarily mean that there is no tactical value to the deployment of Korean forces on the battlefield. The key likely lies in where and how they are deployed.
There is the immediate question of international law. Or, perhaps more importantly, how Nato countries might respond to further breaches of the established rules of engagement by Russian directed foreign forces. For sure, use of Korean mercenaries to fight in the Donbas region, which is recognised by western allies as Ukrainian territory, would constitute a gross violation.
The response from Nato could be rapid and definitive, as it would effectively justify proportionate use of force, including foreign personnel, to counter any subsequent Russian advances. This would likely result in an own goal for Putin. Any initial advantage gained would quickly be lost as friends of Ukraine justifiably enter the fray to push back an illegal Moscow-Pyongyang alliance of aggression. Escalation thereafter would also be a serious and grave concern.
Conversely, if deployed in a combination of technical and logistical roles, or primarily to defend Russian territory, the utility of additional manpower becomes more credible. Not least, it would seem legitimate from an international legal perspective for Russia to seek assistance from alliance partners in repelling Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region of southwestern Russia.
This could deal a double blow to Kyiv. On the one hand it would likely supply sufficient personnel to rapidly finish off the already threadbare Ukrainian forces holding on to captured sovereign Russian territory. At the same time, Moscow’s own military machine would be able to focus its entire attention on the already growing advances being made along the Donbas front.
North Korea’s influence on the international stage has grown since the start of the war in Ukraine as its massive stockpiles of ammunition proved significant in Russia’s attritional tactics. In that respect, the addition of foreign fighters may add a further factor in Moscow’s favour if skilfully deployed and directed.
Ultimately, however, the limited dispatch of inexperienced Korean troops to a war zone in which they have no legal or moral basis to be sent is unlikely to prove decisive. As it stands, with or without the help of forces supplied by North Korea’s despotic leader, Kim Jong-Un, Russia’s brutal military advance looks set to grind on.
In these regards, the arrival of North Koreans to Europe’s worst war for a generation is probably little more than another bizarre episode in this cruel conflict. The real concern is how authoritarian states such as Russia and North Korea can be transformed into something resembling civilised societies that might pursue more positive foreign policy pathways.
Ra Mason does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Kim Jong-un sends North Korean troops to fight in Ukraine – here’s what this means for the war – https://theconversation.com/kim-jong-un-sends-north-korean-troops-to-fight-in-ukraine-heres-what-this-means-for-the-war-241876
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University
Sir Chris Hoy, an inspiration to so many of us, has just revealed he has terminal prostate cancer aged just 48 years old.
It’s easy to assume that prostate cancer is a disease that only affects older men. But it can strike at any age, including younger and middle-aged men.
Although the average age of diagnosis is 68, about one in ten new cases are in men under 55. In fact, doctors have noticed more cases in younger men in recent years. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, it’s worth knowing about the risks and signs of prostate cancer.
When prostate cancer does occur in younger men, it tends to be more aggressive. If you’re diagnosed at a younger age, there’s a higher chance the cancer might be at a more advanced stage. This means it could be more dangerous than prostate cancer in older men. That’s why it’s crucial to catch it early if you can.
There are several signs that could point to prostate cancer. People affected might notice that they’re going to the bathroom more often, especially at night. Some people can have trouble starting or stopping when they pee, or their urine flow might be weak or stop and start.
Some men see blood in their urine or semen. Problems with erections, pain when you pee, or discomfort in your pelvic area are other possible signs.
If you notice any of these, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Remember, these symptoms can be caused by lots of other conditions too, including being part of normal ageing, but it’s always best to get them checked.
Even if you don’t have symptoms, if you’re over 50, or over 45 with prostate cancer in your family, it’s worth having a chat with your doctor about prostate cancer screening. In this case, you might have heard of the PSA test. It’s a blood test that can help diagnose prostate problems, including cancer. But it’s not offered as a routine screening test for everyone.
Like a lot of diagnostic tests, the PSA test isn’t perfect. It can miss some cancers, and sometimes it says there might be cancer when there isn’t. This can lead to unnecessary worry and more tests. Also, it can’t tell the difference between slow-growing cancers that might never cause problems and more aggressive ones that need treatment. That’s why doctors suggest discussing it before deciding to have the test.
Sometimes there’s a genetic element to prostate cancers in younger people. There are genes that increase the risk of prostate cancer, and the same or similar genes increase the risk of other cancers like breast cancer.
If there are lots of men in your family affected by prostate cancer, or male relatives with breast cancer or younger people affected, it is worth having genetic tests to understand your own risk.
Sometimes people are even considered for a prostatectomy, which means a removal of one’s prostate, to decrease the risk of cancer occurring later on. In the future, these genetic tests will happen more and more, which is good news.
One of the tricky things about prostate cancer screening is something called overdiagnosis. Many prostate cancers grow so slowly that they might never cause any problems. But once they’re found, men often want to treat them.
This can lead to side-effects that affect quality of life, even though the cancer itself might never have been harmful. That’s why doctors are careful about how they approach screening and diagnosis.
Some research suggests that just keeping an eye on things is better for elderly people, but this really isn’t the case for younger people.
You might be wondering about other tests for prostate cancer. The digital rectal exam, where a doctor checks your prostate with a gloved finger, used to be a common part of screening. These days, it’s not always considered necessary, especially if other tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are available.
MRI scans where you typically go in a narrow tube are being used more and more to look for prostate cancer. They can help find suspicious areas and guide biopsies if needed.
The first inkling Hoy had that something was wrong was when he developed shoulder pain, meaning the cancer had already spread. We do see this as oncologists, but in most cases, it’s localised to the prostate gland in the pelvis.
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are an increasing number of treatment options available. These might include keeping a close eye on slow-growing cancers without immediate treatment, surgery to remove the prostate, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy for advanced cases.
We also have targeted drugs taken as tablets now too. The best choice depends on things like your age, how advanced the cancer is, and your overall health.
You might have heard that more men die with prostate cancer than from it. While this is true, it doesn’t mean you should ignore any concerns you have. Early detection and treatment can be crucial, especially for more aggressive cancers.
If you’re worried about any symptoms or about your risk of prostate cancer, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. Being proactive about your health is important. Remember, many men diagnosed with prostate cancer go on to live long, full lives, especially when it’s caught early.
Justin Stebbing does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Chris Hoy reveals that he has terminal cancer – here’s how to spot early signs of prostate cancer – https://theconversation.com/chris-hoy-reveals-that-he-has-terminal-cancer-heres-how-to-spot-early-signs-of-prostate-cancer-241851
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Letter from Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, in response to the Commissioners’ fifth report (April 2024) and their update letter (September 2024).
A copy of the letter from Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, in response to the Commissioners’ fifth report (April 2024) and their update letter (September 2024). The letter sets out the proposal to issue new Directions under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999 to extend the intervention until 30 November 2026.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Letter to Slough Borough Council’s interim Chief Executive on the proposed extension to the intervention at Slough Borough Council and inviting representations.
A copy of the letter from Max Soule, Deputy Director, Local Government Stewardship and Interventions to Will Tuckley, interim Chief Executive at Slough Borough Council, seeking representations on the proposal to issue new Directions under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999 to extend the intervention until 30 November 2026.