Just under three quarters of a million dollars has been allocated to 29 programmes supporting safer boating up and down New Zealand.
Tragically, on average 18 people a year lose their lives in recreational craft incidents. This winter has been a stark reminder of the dangers on the water, with eight people losing their lives in four separate incidents since mid-July.
Maritime NZ Director, Kirstie Hewlett says “getting out on the water is a key part of life in New Zealand, and the recreational craft sector want people to not only enjoy the water, but be well informed about the risks, understand what can go wrong, and to come home safe”.
Approximately 1.7 million people in Aotearoa undertake activities on the water each year. Through the grant funding Maritime NZ looks to work with partners who can reach these recreational craft users, particularly high risk users, and deliver initiatives that can have a real impact on reducing harm on the water. A key requirement of the funding this year was that applicants could demonstrate how their initiatives delivered the outcomes in the Recreational Craft Strategy, developed by theSafer Boating Forum.
“The recreational sector is broad, from stand up paddle boards to high powered motorboats. This funding goes to organisations right across the sector who have highly skilled and talented people that want to improve the knowledge of those who enjoy being out in the water,” she says.
Funding will go to a range of different regional councils as well as national bodies. Some of the larger grants have gone towards supporting Coastguard.
Among the initiatives that have secured funding are Coastguard’s Old4New lifejacket upgrade programme, as well as its bar crossing seminars; Waka Ama NZ, to build on the culture of water safety for waka ama; and Northland Regional Council’s Nobody’s Stronger Than Tangaroa campaign. Tasman District Council has received funding to appoint an Iwi Launch Warden in a remote region of Golden Bay, where there is an increased presence of recreational craft users in the holiday period.
From spring through to Easter, many people in New Zealand enjoy the good weather out on the water. The team at Maritime NZ and its partners hope they will check out the programmes and initiatives on offer to improve their knowledge and safety skills on the water.
Reefton Volunteer Fire Brigade will celebrate one-and-a-half centuries of serving its community with a special event at Labour Weekend.
Chief Fire Officer Emmet Fortune says, “While we, like many other brigades, have faced our fair share of change and challenges over the years, this is a chance to bring our community together in our special town and celebrate the last 150 years and all those who have made it possible – our volunteers, their families and their employers.”
Reefton is one of the older volunteer fire brigades at the heart of New Zealand communities for more than 150 years. Nowadays, around 12,000 people volunteer in nearly 600 fire brigades across New Zealand. They make up around 80 percent of Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s workforce across the motu.
They are ordinary New Zealanders from all walks of life who are totally committed to serving their communities and who frequently go above and beyond to keep their communities safe and supported.
Over the last 150 years the role of firefighting and emergency management has changed, but the critical importance of volunteers to fire and emergency management, to community resilience and to Fire and Emergency has not. The organisation couldn‘t operate without them.
Chief Fire Officer Emmet Fortune says, as well as firefighting, Reefton volunteers respond to medical emergencies, car crashes, severe weather events, and other requests for help.
“150 years ago, we had a much more stable brigade membership with people staying for a long time, but now the community is more transient with a less stable workforce, so the brigade has had to adapt. We always welcome new members,” he says.
“Anyone can be a volunteer. We welcome people who have administrative talents to help keep the brigade running smoothly, or who can help with traffic management during an incident, or providing lighting and refreshments.
“We invite people to come along and see for themselves.”
“We’re all a family here on the West Coast, and that’s what has made Reefton Volunteer Fire Brigade so special over the last 150 years. We have great camaraderie within the brigade and across other West Coast brigades, we’re very family focused with generations of members, and we have a real strong sense of community and belonging, to both the brigade and our community,” Emmett says.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts is holding a public hearing tomorrow for its inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry, focussing on insurance in the sector.
Since March 2024 the Committee has been investigating the current state-of-play within the Australian live music environment. The Committee has heard that the impact of escalating business costs in the sector—including, but not solely, increasing impediments and costs in obtaining business and event insurance cover—have posed significant challenges.
Tomorrow’s hearing will take further evidence from submitters and previous witnesses, the Insurance Council of Australia and the Australian Live Music Business Council who have each considered ways to assist the sector with respect to insurance coverage. The Committee will also meet with an Australian insurance broker, H2 Insurance Solutions, which specialises in offering insurance products to the Australian live music sector.
Additionally, the Committee is interested to learn more about the organisation model and activities undertaken by Statewide Mutual. The Mutual body was created in 1993 to help reduce the risk profiles of activities undertaken by member NSW local governments and to obtain best value insurance coverage.
The Chair, Mr Brian Mitchell MP, said ‘there has been a perfect storm of escalating costs and compliance for venues and events; higher chances of negative weather impacts; changing audience behaviour and alternative entertainment options. Additionally, digitisation of music and the streaming of it, whilst offering greater choice, has, through algorithms, narrowed audience music selection. This has affected artists’ secondary income streams and reduced the discoverability of new artists.’
‘The Committee is looking to find some practical ways of assisting the sector in a manner which helps it to be self-sustainable in a new music consumption paradigm.’ Mr Mitchell said.
Details of the public hearing are below, with the full program and terms of reference available on the inquiry webpage.
More information about the Committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s website.
Public hearing detail
Date: Friday, 11 October 2024 Time: 9:00 am— ~12 midday Location: Committee Room 1S4, Australian Parliament House, Canberra
Released by: The Premier, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy
Building communities where culture thrives after dark as much as during the day is at the heart of the second tranche of the Minns Labor Government’s Vibrancy Reforms set to be introduced to Parliament today.
The vibrancy package complements the NSW Government’s plan to build more homes and a better state to live in by ensuring local venues, events and community life flourishes.
The Vibrancy Reforms are cutting red tape that has tipped the balance against live music and community life and in favour of neighbour complaints designed to turn the dial down on culture and entertainment.
The second tranche of reforms are:
Tearing up baffling restrictions on licensed venues that include “no entertainment” clauses or dictate what genre of music or even how many musicians can play
Requiring property buyers to be notified that they are moving into an existing entertainment zone to protect the intent of Special Entertainment Precincts and reduce the friction between venues and their neighbours
Ending the antiquated rule that prevents people living within five kilometres of a registered club from signing in without first becoming a member
Binning the restriction on outdoor dining approvals that prevented patrons from standing while drinking outside a licenced premises
Amending the Major Events Act to make it easier to support foundational events like Sydney Festival and Vivid Sydney
Empowering the Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy to refer live music and performance venues with legitimate disputes to mediation.
At the heart of the second tranche of reforms is the expansion of Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs) which empower and support councils to balance competing needs in their communities.
A key part of the precinct model will be an acknowledgment by residential and business property buyers in official documents that they are moving into an established entertainment zone.
The proposed changes to the SEP framework build on the success of the Enmore Road SEP and will ensure residents and other property purchasers are notified on their planning certificates if they buy a property in an entertainment precinct. This is called an “eyes wide open” clause in paperwork that should reduce the friction between venues and their neighbours.
The reform package to Parliament will enable key cultural sites on state-owned land, including Walsh Bay and the reactivated White Bay Power station to become entertainment hotspots.
A $1 million grant program to kickstart more SEPs will help councils establish precincts, including support to engage staff or expert consultants to undertake strategic planning, sound standards, acoustic frameworks, consultation, communications and engagement.
The program is expected to open for applications later this year and will be accompanied by an online assistance portal available from November.
The first round of Vibrancy Reforms delivered improvements that:
Permanently relaxed rules for outdoor dining to allowing venues to make the most of their outdoor space
Ended single noise complaints from shutting down pubs and other licensed venues
Made it easier to activate streets for festivals and events (Open Streets program) and a regulatory model that allows streamlined approvals for repeat events (Permit, Plug, Play)
Expanded Special Entertainment Precincts that empower local councils to change the rules around noise and opening hours in a designated area to support live entertainment and nightlife
Increased incentives for live music and live performance, with two hours extended trading and an 80% reduction in liquor licence fees for licensed venues offering live music and performance
Created easier pathways for extended trading hours for major events like the Olympics and World Cups.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said:
“Building more homes is the top priority for the NSW Government, but we are also determined to build vibrant communities around these homes.
“From binning restrictions on outdoor dining to encouraging more local entertainment zones, our reforms back in live music and will help get Sydney’s night life going again.”
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:
“A guiding principle of the Vibrancy Reforms is building communities in which after work hours and weekends are not simply a time to retreat behind a closed front door at home, but a time that brings people together.
“It is about cutting the red tape that has strangled nightlife over time and made local live music and performance at venues in many cases the exception rather than the rule.
“We are rebuilding Sydney and regional centres across the state neighbourhood by neighbourhood and giving councils the tools to use the special entertainment precinct model.
“People moving into an established entertainment zone will now do so with their eyes wide open through property search documents and we expect this will reduce conflict between neighbours and venues over time.”
Minister for Liquor and Gaming David Harris said:
“Changes in liquor act and licensing – including extended trading, specifically in performance venues encouraging and stimulating live music and live performance culture.
“We will continue to work alongside industry, businesses, councils and communities across NSW to support the growth of SEPs, to bring even more vibrancy to precincts throughout the state.
“Safety is also a key focus for these reforms, and we will continue to work with the relevant agencies to ensure a safe and vibrant nightlife across NSW.”
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said:
“NSW has some the best venues and after dark offerings in the country, but there is still more that can be done to help precincts reach their full entertainment, economic and creative potential.
“These reforms will seek to remove some of the barriers for councils, venues and businesses across the state to provide even more great offerings for people across NSW.”
Enmore SEP representative and Little Lagos Owner-Chef Ade Adeniyi said:
“The Enmore Road SEP has provided us with more opportunities to trade later, host more events and host more live music with support from the local council and the NSW Government.
“We have created a space where people can visit and enjoy art and music in a comfortable environment with great food offerings as well.”
Details of the Council’s support package for those struggling with the cost-of-living this winter, including enhanced support for pensioners, have been announced.
The Council spends over £30million a year on helping those facing hardship and poverty, including the £6.5m awarded through the Government’s Household Support Fund to target support for those most in need of help to pay for energy and water, food or other essentials up to April 2025.
This will supplement the Council’s wider ongoing work to support residents at risk from the cost of living and address poverty. Residents struggling with costs and wanting to find out more about the range of support available are encouraged to contact the Cost of Living Advice Line on freephone 0800 0232692 between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
The new scheme is designed to provide help for those facing the greatest challenges, with payments being made from November.
Pensioners
Under the new scheme, pensioners who are not in receipt of pension credits – and therefore will not receive the winter fuel payment – but need support will be eligible for payments of £150, or £200 if they are aged 80 or over.
The Council does not have access to the names and addresses of pensioners in Manchester who will not get the winter fuel payment as this data is held nationally.
But using its own records it has identified almost 5,000 households where pensioners live who receive Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit but are not qualified for winter fuel payments. These households will automatically receive direct payments from the Council – £150 for an estimated 3,918 households and £200 for 858 households. People in this category do not need to do anything – payments will be made directly to their bank accounts where the Council has these details, or in Post Office Vouchers.
On top of this, the Council is expanding its existing welfare provision scheme with a hardship fund specifically for pensioners who are in-need and will not receive the winter fuel payment but have not been identified for the automatic payment. Again those aged 66-79 will be eligible for £150 payments and those 80 or over for £200.
Referrals will be made via the Cost of Living Advice Line.
At the same time, the Council is stepping up its campaign to encourage pensioners to check whether they are entitled to pension credits – and if so to claim them. It is estimated that more than 8,000 eligible older people in Manchester are not claiming the credits, perhaps because they feel there is a stigma attached to it. An estimated £24m a year in Pension Credit and associated benefits goes unclaimed in the city.
Pension Credit is an important benefit because it opens up eligibility for social tariffs, the Warm House Discount, cheaper broadband, free TV licenses, lower water bills and now the Winter Fuel Payment.
The Council is promoting uptake of pension credits through a wide range of channels, from social media, outdoor advertising and flyers to more innovative direct measures such as working with city pharmacists who have agreed to attach prescription-style flyers advertising Manchester’s Cost of Living Advice Line to medication bags for delivery. Opticians and supermarkets are also being asked to spread the word.
The campaign is designed to reach not just pensioners themselves but also their families who will be able to help them check their entitlement or make a claim.
This is part of a landmark package of support for people in need of all ages, and other targeted support includes:
People with disabilities
All low income Manchester households in receipt of Council Tax Support where at least one person gets disability benefits will get an automatic payment of £100. An estimated 21,437 households across the city are expected to benefit from this.
Care leavers
£10 per week will be paid to around 350 care leavers living in their own tenancies.
Families with children
Families with children who are eligible for free school meals during term time will receive payments for each eligible child of £15 for the autumn half-term, £30 for the Christmas holiday period and £15 for the spring 2025 half-term to prevent holiday hunger. This will support around 44,000 children, with payments distributed via Manchester schools.
A further £190,000 will also be allocated to the Council’s Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) to provide free activities for children during the autumn and spring 2025 half-terms. This is in addition to HAF funding already in place for the main school holidays.
Other support
£200,000 will be allocated to voluntary and community sector organisations working in the city to help ensure that harder to reach people are supported.
A further £20,000 will be added to funding for the Council’s existing welfare support scheme, which provides grants for those facing hardship.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
“We know as we approach winter that the cost-of-living crisis hasn’t gone away and as a Council we will be doing everything this winter to support those struggling or facing hardship. We will be targeting support at those who need it most, but also continuing with our cost of living advice line open to anyone.
“The message is clear, if you are struggling this winter, please contact us and we will support you.
“In addition to our work with children and families, people with disabilities and carers, we are expending our targeted support to older people who may face hardship this winter using money through the Government’s Household Support Fund.
“Targeted payments will make a real difference to tens of thousands of Manchester people who are struggling with cost of living pressures. This additional support scheme has been designed to reach those who need it most this winter, including pensioners and will sit alongside the council’s major campaign to make sure we increase the number of people receiving pension credits and extra support. We are writing to those we think should be eligible and I’m urging as many people to sign up – this is money you are entitled to after decades of hard work and paying into the system.
“Our Cost of Living Advice Line is open to anyone living in the City of Manchester and we can offer support and signpost you to the help available.
“Our council is committed to tackling poverty in the long term – it’s why we spend over £30m a year. As we look forward to working with the Government on this crucial task, there is shorter-term help available for Mancunians who need it now.”
October 14 2024 – Gold prices are on track to reach historic levels in the first quarter of 2025, predicts the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organizations.
The bullish prediction from deVere Group’s Nigel Green is driven by a confluence of factors reshaping global markets.
He says: “As central banks continue aggressive buying, the US Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, and geopolitical tensions persist, the precious metal is primed for a bullish surge that could shatter previous records.”
Central banks around the world are accelerating their gold purchases at a pace not seen in decades. This trend, which initially gained momentum following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, has broadened, with many countries shifting away from US dollar-denominated assets.
“Gold buying has now surged to nearly three times the level it was before 2022, and the outlook suggests continued strong demand into 2025,” notes the deVere CEO.
“This wave of buying is not just about portfolio diversification—it’s a strategic move to mitigate risks. Countries, especially those wary of US financial sanctions, are increasingly turning to gold to shield their reserves from political and economic pressures.
“China, for instance, has been a key player in this trend. In 2023, China’s central bank added to its gold holdings for 10 consecutive months, underscoring the nation’s intention to reduce its reliance on the dollar amidst growing geopolitical tensions with the West.
“This buying intensity continued well into 2024, with net purchases of 290 tonnes recorded in the first quarter of 2024 – the fourth strongest quarter of purchases since the buying streak began in 2022.”
Similarly, Turkey, Singapore, Brazil and India have also ramped up their gold reserves, driven by their need to safeguard against currency volatility and potential sanctions.
The US Federal Reserve’s shift from its aggressive interest rate hiking cycle toward rate cuts is another pivotal factor that will likely fuel a rally in gold.
“Higher interest rates make gold less attractive as it doesn’t generate yield. However, with rates poised to fall, the tables are turning. Lower rates can often reduce the appeal of yield-bearing assets, drawing some investors – both retail and institutional – back into the gold market.”
In today’s fragile global landscape, gold’s role as a portfolio hedge remains as vital as ever.
The potential for geopolitical shocks—including escalating trade wars, sanctions, and heightened global tensions—continues to loom large.
“Gold offers unparalleled protection in such scenarios, especially as concerns grow around issues such as Fed independence, global debt sustainability, and financial sanctions,” affirms Nigel Green.
“One scenario that could send gold prices soaring is an escalation in financial sanctions comparable to the surge seen since 2021. Another potential trigger could be worsening debt fears in the US.”
He concludes, “Against this backdrop, and should the current momentum be maintained, we could see new all-time price highs for gold in the first quarter of 2025.”
deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients. It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $12bn under advisement.
Council tenants are being encouraged to take part in a consultation to have their say on proposed rent increases.
The 2024 Rent Consultation proposes to increase rent by up to 10% for 2025/26, which will be reviewed again in 2025 with a potentially longer-term policy in future years.
Councillor Miranda Radley, Convener of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, said: “We are aware of the difficulties faced by our tenants and understand the impacts that any increase in rent may have.
“It is important that all our tenants take part in this consultation and share their views on the impact that these changes may have on them.”
Tenants will be asked to share their views on three proposals:
Changes to the rent structure that will increase the rent for properties that have two bedrooms or more;
Increasing the rent of new build homes by 15% from 1 April 2025, and;
Increasing rent by up to 10%.
The consultation will also ask about the impact extending the life of kitchens from 20 to 25 years and bathrooms from 30 to 35 years will have.
Rent is held in an account known as the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), which is reserved for repairs and upgrades.
Four drop-in sessions will be held where assistance in completing the consultation will be available.
The consultation will be open until 3 November 2024. For more information and to take part, visit our website.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Increased discussion of suspected adverse events in social media following use of Arthramid Vet in horses.
We have identified an increase in social media discussion around suspected adverse event reports following use of Arthramid Vet in horses.
Arthramid Vet is an intra-articular polyacrylamide gel used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, synovitis and capsulitis. It is used via the veterinary medicines cascade. A Special Import Certificate is required for use – Apply to import a medicine.
These reports often include worsening of lameness and injection site reactions.
We are closely monitoring adverse event reports received by the VMD.
Reporting of adverse events
We strongly encourage anyone who is aware of an adverse event to report to the Marketing Authorisation Holder or directly to us via our online reporting form. Provide all relevant information, including the batch number.
The reporting of adverse events is critical to our ongoing monitoring activities in order to protect animal health, public health, and the environment. Find out more about pharmacovigilance at VMD Connect – Adverse Events and Pharmacovigilance.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
1.
KEY INFORMATION
(a)
Full name of discloser:
Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.
(b)
Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)
Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
StoneX Group Inc
(d)
If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)
Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
11 October 2024
(f)
In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
Yes CAB Payments Holdings plc
2.
POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)
Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
Common (US8618961085)
Interests
Short Positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)
Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
1,375,767
4.32 %
(2)
Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)
Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
Total
1,375,767 *
4.32 %
* Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 49,920 shares that are included in the total above.
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)
Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.
DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)
Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
Common (US8618961085)
Purchase
8
87.8874 USD
Common (US8618961085)
Purchase
2
87.7700 USD
(b)
Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product descriptione.g. CFD
Nature of dealinge.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealinge.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
4.
OTHER INFORMATION
(a)
Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(b)
Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(c)
Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure
14 October 2024
Contact name
Thomas Hone
Telephone number
+44 20 3033 3419
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
Advanced Integrated 8 x 16 LED Matrix Driver and 16 Capacitive Touch Key Controller
Enabling HMI in Industrial and Automotive Applications
MILPITAS, Calif., Oct. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lumissil Microsystems expanded its automotive and industrial 32-bit MCU portfolio with the introduction of the IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 family of intelligent programmable LED SoC with touch key controller. The LED driver enables the IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 to create LED matrix light tailored to system requirements. They feature integrated non-volatile memory to store LED parameters essential for dynamic lighting effects such as color transition, pulsing, fading and animated patterns.
Dynamic lighting effects are created by an 8 x 12 LED matrix driver using 8 PMOS switches and 12 built-in current sinks, operating without an external microcontroller, thus reducing PCB size and cost. To address potential EMI from high-frequency LED operation, these drivers feature spread spectrum frequency modulation, distributing energy across a wide range to help meet EMI compliance standards. LED ghosting or residual light is tackled with a de-ghosting circuit in the IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310. For precise brightness control and uniform illumination, the drivers use 12-bit 80mA PWM-controlled current sinks, allowing each LED to be adjusted across 4096 brightness levels or the entire matrix across 256 levels.
To streamline the process of replacing traditional mechanical buttons, the IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 are equipped with a touch controller consisting of 16 capacitive touch key sensors. These touch key sensors offer water and dust resistance, ensuring reliable operation in environments prone to moisture or splashes. This makes the IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 suitable for applications where durability and resistance to environmental factors are critical.
In addition to touch key capabilities, the touch keys can be customized from self-capacitance to mutual capacitance, allowing the touch keys to serve as a touch sense matrix. Specifically, by reconfiguring the touch keys, it allows the keys to function as an 8-channel proximity sensor to detect gestures.
The IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 include a 32-bit RISC-V processor as a flexible option to x86 and ARM processors. It can be configured for low power or high performance, leveraging a reduced instruction set architecture to efficiently decode and execute instructions, reducing power demand. The processor’s pipeline depth and execution types (integer, floating-point, branch prediction) are configurable. For power constraints, fewer pipeline stages can save power; more stages boost performance. It also features dynamic voltage and frequency scaling to optimize energy use. Being open source, RISC reduces risk and accelerates time to market with access to shared tools and resources.
In addition to the RISC architecture, the IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 feature 256KB of integrated non-volatile memory to store not only custom LED patterns but also custom firmware for HMI white goods home appliances, automotive dashboard applications, and Industrial control panel use cases. The on-board memory simplifies design and minimizes BOM cost by eliminating the need for external memory and hardware. It also supports more advanced features such as melody generator, OTA (over the air) update capability and debugging port/tool support. “Lumissil is ready to tackle the next challenge integrating LED Drivers and touch sensing microcontrollers, addressing smart homes, appliances, automotive dashboards, industrial automation, and medical equipment with the new IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 32-bit MCU SoC,” said Ven Shen, Lumissil’s VP of Marketing. “The IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 will aid the development of advanced applications requiring integrated lighting and HMI sensing.”
Availability and Pricing
The IS31CS9310 and IS32CS9310 are available in mass production quantities. The industrial/commercial IS31CS9310 is offered in an eLQFP-64 package, priced at $1.79 in 1k quantities. The automotive IS32CS9310 is AEC-Q100 qualified and comes in an eLQFP-64 package, priced at $1.99 in 1k quantities.
About Lumissil Microsystems
Lumissil Microsystems specializing in analog/mixed-signal products for automotive, communications, industrial, and consumer markets. Lumissil’s primary products are LED drivers for low to mid-power RGB color mixing and high-power lighting applications. Other products include audio, sensors, high-speed wire communications, optical networking, and application specific microcontrollers. Lumissil Microsystems has worldwide offices in the US, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, mainland China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, and Korea. Website: https://www.lumissil.com
SINGAPORE, Oct. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UXLINK, the world’s largest Web3 social platform and infrastructure provider, has unveiled its strategic roadmap to expand its user base to 1 billion through a series of high-impact initiatives. This ambitious plan includes integrating its Social Growth Layer infrastructure with major communication platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Line, KakaoTalk, and WeChat, making Web3 socialization more accessible and inclusive.
“Our goal is to create a unified social experience across all major platforms while leveraging the benefits of blockchain technology,” said Sean, Founder at UXLINK. “By bridging the gap between traditional social networks and the decentralized world, UXLINK is poised to become the first choice for Web3 socialization and user engagement.”
Key Milestones in the Roadmap
Phase One: Integrate with core social platforms to establish a seamless Web3 social graph.
Phase Two: Deploy applications on Line and KakaoTalk to achieve high-quality user growth and expand the platform’s footprint in Asia.
Phase Three: Implement modular Web3 socialization upgrades, enabling a one-stop account system and social service ecosystem.
UXLINK’s roadmap is focused on creating a scalable, secure, and user-centric social platform that will support a diverse range of applications and services.
UXLINK is the world’s largest Web3 social platform and infrastructure provider, connecting a wide array of ecosystem partners and users through a seamless and interactive digital experience. By leveraging blockchain technology, UXLINK aims to redefine social networking, ensuring a secure, transparent, and rewarding environment for its global community.
Disclaimer: This content is provided by “UXLINK”. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
1.
KEY INFORMATION
(a)
Full name of discloser:
Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.
(b)
Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)
Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
Anglogold Ashanti Plc
(d)
If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)
Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
11 October 2024
(f)
In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
YES Centamin PLC
2.
POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)
Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
USD 1 ordinary (GB00BRXH2664)
Interests
Short Positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)
Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
1,425,840
0.34 %
(2)
Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)
Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
Total
1,425,840 *
0.34 %
* Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 1,051 shares that are included in the total above.
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)
Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.
DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)
Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
USD 1 ordinary (GB00BRXH2664)
Sale
18,478
27.1468 USD
Please note, there were net transfers Out of 32,955
(b)
Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product descriptione.g. CFD
Nature of dealinge.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealinge.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
4.
OTHER INFORMATION
(a)
Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(b)
Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(c)
Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure
14 October 2024
Contact name
Thomas Hone
Telephone number
+44 20 3033 3419
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
When Tony Blair came to power in 1997 as the first Labour prime minister in a generation, his government became associated with the phrase “we’re all middle class now”.
In the second part of Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics, a podcast series from The Conversation Documentaries, we look back at a century of class in British politics to understand why Blair’s decision to move Labour away from the working class was such a watershed moment.
The British Labour party was created in 1900 by trade unionists who wanted to give a voice to working class people. At the time, the class structure was rigid and only property-owning men over the age of 21 could vote.
But the rupture of the first world war ushered in universal adult suffrage, and with it, says Mark Garnett, senior lecturer in politics at Lancaster University, a feeling among opponents of the Labour party that it would eventually become the main electoral force. He says:
When we get to the middle part of the 20th century, being a supporter of the Labour party was something that one inherited almost … it would certainly be very peculiar if you were a very conscious member of the working class who didn’t also see yourself as a Labour party supporter.
After the second world war and the election of Clement Attlee as Labour prime minister, class still looked firmly cemented into British political allegiances, as Martin Farr, senior lecturer in contemporary British history at Newcastle University explains.
The most dramatic illustration of class I can give you is in the 1951 general election: 98% of voters voted Conservative or Labour. No other parties mattered.
Thatcher’s greatest achievement
For Farr, the political and economic turmoil of the 1970s, ending in the winter of discontent under the Labour government of James Callaghan, marked the beginning of the end of this political arrangement, paving the way for the election of Margaret Thatcher as Conservative prime minister.
Margaret Thatcher said that her greatest achievement was Tony Blair. The Thatcher years created a different sort of Labour Party … which necessarily wasn’t the party of trade unions to the same extent because there were weaker trade unions and fewer trade unionists.
After 17 years of Conservative rule, Blair’s election in 1997 brought Labour back into power. But its attitude toward its working class base had changed.
Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, says Blair’s advisers realised that the working class in Britain was shrinking and that, unlike the past, Labour couldn’t put together a winning electoral coalition based purely on working-class voters. But he also says they wanted to build a cross-class coalition.
They spent more time rhetorically appealing to the middle-class votes and thought the working-class vote will look after itself as long as they got the economy and public services right. And perhaps they should have done more … to appeal to both sides of that electoral coalition, that cross-class coalition that they hoped to build.
For more analysis, listen to the full episode of Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics on The Conversation Documentaries, which also includes interviews with the former Labour MPs Reg Race and David Hanson, who is now a member of the House of Lords and minister of state for the Home Office.
A transcript is available on Apple Podcasts.
Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics is produced and mixed by Anouk Millet for The Conversation. It’s supported by the National Centre for Social Research.
Listen to The Conversation Documentaries via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.
Tim Bale has previously received funding for research on the Conservative Party and party members from the Leverhulme Trust and from the Economic and Social Research Council. Martin Farr and and Mark Garnett do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics is supported by the National Centre for Social Research.
Tito Mboweni, former South African Reserve Bank Governor, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Labour was arguably one of the country’s most consequential economic policymakers and drove several significant economic
reforms.
He began his career in government as Minister of Labour in President Nelson Mandela’s 1994 administration. As the first Minister of Labour in the new democratic South Africa, he took several steps to improve the relationship between business and labour.
Among these were major legislative reforms, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, Mines Health Safety Act and the NEDLAC Act, designed to improve cooperation between different “constituencies” – labour, business, and government.
He was appointed as the Eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank in
1999. In this role he introduced inflation targeting and presided over the first monetary policy committee meetings. This substantially modernised the Bank’s approach. For instance, Mboweni introduced a monetary policy statement outlining the reasons for the Bank’s decisions. These were televised, bringing new transparency to the conduct of monetary policy. Before this, the bank’s targeted monetary policy aggregates, and its communications, were made through printed documents.
Monetary Policy Forums took monetary policy to many parts of the country, bringing a new openness and engagement between the Bank and ordinary South Africans.
He held the position of Governor until 2009. But his legacy endures. The South African Reserve Bank is highly regarded across the world, with an inflation rate that is firmly within the target range and well-anchored inflation expectations.
As finance minister
Shortly after Cyril Ramaphosa was inaugurated as President of the Republic of South Africa in 2018, the then Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene resigned. The President appointed Mboweni as Minister of Finance in October 2018.
Mboweni made three consequential decisions in South Africa’s economic policy
trajectory.
The first was the decision, in 2019, to freeze government wages from 2020. He was alarmed by the rapid and unsustainable increase in government wages. Together with slowing economic growth, this led to a fiscal position that was deteriorating at an alarming pace. The wage freeze ultimately started the slow return to the fiscal rectitude that had been the hallmark of the period of government before Jacob Zuma became president in 2009.
The second, also in 2019, was the publication of a paper on economic growth. It was known officially as “Economic transformation, inclusive growth, and competitiveness: Towards an Economic Strategy for South Africa”.
Other recommendations of the paper are being followed, including those for rail, telecommunications and ports.
The third was the introduction of a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included a significant expansion of the grants system, with a Social Relief of Distress grant pegged at R350 per person per month. Research by the NIDS-CRAM initiative, led by Dr Nic Spaull of Stellenbosch University, has highlighted how the grant positively affected millions of people’s lives.
Enduring legacy
It is difficult to think of any other economic policymaker who has left such an enduring legacy.
Stellenbosch University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2010 and appointed him Professor Extraordinary of Economics from 2002 to 2005 . He was a frequent participant at Bureau for Economic Research conferences. There, his engaging speaking style made him a popular drawcard.
His love of red wine and engaging conversation made him a popular visitor at the university. In 2010, he spent time at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies as part of a research group working on the global financial crisis and its consequences for democracy.
This is an edited version of a tribute published by the Bureau for Economic Research, Stellenbosch University.
Roy Havemann is a senior economist at the Bureau for Economic Research where he leads the Impumelelo Economic Growth Lab. He was previously at the National Treasury where, amongst other things, he was Tito Mboweni’s speechwriter.
It is sad to write about Tito Mboweni in the past tense.
Tito Titus Mboweni, who was born on 16 March 1959 in Tzaneen, a town in South Africa in what was then the Transvaal, passed away after a short illness in Johannesburg on 12 October 2024.
After the announcement of his death, tributes poured in for this South African leader. Many have been touched by his legacy in politics, business, governance and the economy of South Africa.
While not without some shortcomings, his career from being a freedom fighter to becoming a trusted and popular public figure serves as an enduring example to others in leadership.
Political and public service was a second part of his career.
After the democratic elections of 1994, Mboweni served as minister of labour in the first cabinet of Nelson Mandela. In a surprise announcement in 1998, Mboweni was appointed as an advisor to the then governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Chris Stals. This was to prepare Mboweni for appointment as governor after the retirement of Stals.
Mboweni could not move directly into the position as governor, as section 4(2)(a) of the South African Reserve Bank Act states that the “governor shall be a person of tested banking experience”.
By serving as an advisor to Stals for a little over a year, Mboweni met this legal requirement. He was appointed as the eighth governor of the central bank on 8 August 1999.
At the time there were concerns about his commitment to the continuation of a policy of controlling inflation, ushered in successfully by Stals in the preceding decade. But Mboweni soon showed his commitment to the continued control of inflation.
He replaced the previous structure used for monetary policy decisions by Stals by establishing the Monetary Policy Committee in October 1999. This was in preparation for the adoption of inflation targeting as a policy objective for the bank.
After his retirement from the Reserve Bank, Mboweni commenced with the next stages of his career: a successful stint in business, which was interrupted by his return to politics. He served as minister of finance from 9 October 2018 to 5 August 2021. In this role he made it very clear that South Africa had to adopt a more prudent fiscal policy to avoid a too rapid growth in government debt. But this viewpoint made him unpopular with many cabinet and ANC colleagues, trade unions and others.
Once he left politics, Mboweni resumed his career in business. He also served the South African community in different ways. He held a number of appointments as honorary professor and was also a patron of the arts. He was also well-known for his enthusiasm for cooking, which he often posted about on social media.
Challenges
Mboweni had to withstand political pressure on the issue of the role of the Reserve Bank. He was exemplary in his protection of the autonomy and independence of bank, which is set out in sections 223 to 225 of the South African Constitution.
Politicians favour lower interest rates, particularly during election periods. But Mboweni was not afraid of being unpopular. He was steadfast in protecting the autonomy and independence of the South African Reserve Bank. Mboweni also led the central bank during the global financial crisis of 2008 . South Africa was one of the countries that did not suffer a banking crisis or collapse during that period.
Achievements
Mboweni’s single biggest achievement was his successful transition from an ANC freedom fighter in exile to his roles as senior politician, central bank governor and businessman.
His successful adoption of a policy of inflation targeting despite opposition was also a major achievement. Under Mboweni’s leadership the South African Reserve Bank showed critics that South Africa can make a continuous commitment to a low rate of inflation.
Other than establishing the Monetary Policy Committee, Mboweni also played a major role in bringing monetary policy closer to the people. Under his leadership, the bank was one of the first central banks in the world to announce monetary policy decisions about interest rates at a media conference. He also introduced the central bank’s Monetary Policy Forums, where the public can engage the senior leadership of the central bank on monetary policy.
Shortcomings
Mboweni had many successes in business, central banking and politics. He also a few shortcomings. One was that he did not insist on the readoption of the lower inflation target (3%-5%) announced in 2001, that was later abandoned. A lower inflation target some 20 years ago would have anchored South Africa’s inflation rate and inflation expectations on a lower trajectory.
It is difficult to judge whether Mboweni’s somewhat untimely (though not necessarily unexpected) resignation as finance minister can also be regarded as a failure. However, a finance minister can only function optimally with the support of the head of state. Such support was clearly lacking.
Legacy
Mboweni leaves a legacy of a successful transformation from a freedom fighter to a businessman, central banker and politician. If more former freedom fighters made this successful transition, South Africa’s prospects would look considerably better.
Another legacy is honesty and integrity. Mboweni was never embroiled in scandals or questionable business dealings. If other ANC cadres could follow this example, South Africa would also offer a better future for all its citizens.
As an NRF-rated researcher, Jannie Rossouw received research funding from the NRF. He serves as independent non-executive Board member of Finbond Mutual Bank, Noordelike Helpmekaar Study Fund and Satsanga Fintech Holdings.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
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.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Headline: Verizon Foundation donates $2 Million towards Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton relief efforts
NEW YORK – The Verizon Foundation is stepping up to support communities devastated by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton with a total of $2 million in donations to aid relief and recovery efforts. The contributions will provide essential support and rebuilding efforts to those who have been devastated by the storms.
The donations include $1 million to the American Red Cross to assist with emergency relief and recovery efforts for both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
The remaining $1 million is directed to various regional organizations providing crucial services on the ground in the hardest-hit areas, including $400,000 allocated to organizations in Florida for Hurricane Milton relief and $600,000 to support communities in Georgia and North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene:
$400,000 to Volunteer Florida: Supporting Hurricane relief efforts, these funds will assist organizations providing food, shelter, and recovery resources to those affected by the storm.
$600,000 to Georgia and North Carolina: Focused on aiding communities devastated by Hurricane Helene, these contributions will help address immediate needs like food and shelter while also supporting longer-term recovery and rebuilding initiatives. Specifically, these contributions include: ○ $300,000 to NC Hurricane Helene Fund–United Way of North Carolina ○ $50,000 to Second Harvest of South Georgia, Inc., Valdosta, Georgia ○ $50,000 to United Way of Greater Valdosta, Georgia ○ $100,000 to Community Foundation for the CSRA, Augusta, Georgia ○ $100,000 to Weathered But Strong Fund–Georgia Foundation for Agriculture
“We are committed to supporting communities when they need it most, and we are working closely with local organizations to ensure resources reach those who need them urgently,” said Donna Epps, Verizon’s Chief Responsible Business Officer. “In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, the Verizon Foundation is here to support the American Red Cross and other trusted partners as they provide relief for communities to recover and rebuild.”
“The American Red Cross is working around the clock to provide help and hope to people across the country impacted by disasters big and small, including storms and countless other crises,” said Cliff Holtz, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “We cannot thank Verizon Foundation enough for their generosity as we work together to offer relief and comfort to those in need.”
“On behalf of Volunteer Florida, we are deeply grateful for the Verizon Foundation’s generous $400,000 donation in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This contribution will have an immediate and lasting impact on our communities as they recover and rebuild,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “The generosity of our donors allows us to provide essential resources and support to those in need during these challenging times.”
“We want to express our gratitude to Verizon for the additional contribution of $300,000 to the NC Disaster Relief Fund. Your commitment to supporting our community in times of need makes a profound difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Helene,” said President and CEO of United Way of North Carolina, Brittany Pruitt Fletcher. “This generous donation will help provide essential resources and aid to individuals and families working to rebuild their lives. Your dedication to making a positive impact showcases the true spirit of corporate responsibility and compassion. Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time. Together, we are stronger, and your support brings hope and healing to our community.”
“The Greater Valdosta United Way is honored to receive these funds so recovery and healing can happen. It will take communication and connections which Verizon understands for communities to recover. Thank you for stepping up and supporting South Georgia,” said CEO of Greater Valdosta United Way, Michael Smith.
“Second Harvest of South Georgia is grateful for this gift from Verizon. It will help the impacted families of South Georgia following the devastating destruction caused by hurricane Helene,” said President and CEO of Second Harvest of South Georgia Franklin J. Richards II. Gifts like this truly make a difference in these difficult times and help Second Harvest of South Georgia provide much needed food and resources to all the citizens that were affected by the storm.”
“I’m incredibly thankful to the team at Verizon, not only for their generous donation of $100,000 to the Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund but also for all their work to get Georgians back online in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Commissioner of Georgia Department of Agriculture, Tyler Harper. “When disaster hits our state, we need all hands on deck to help our fellow Georgians recover, and this donation will go a long way to help Georgia farm families bounce back stronger than before.”
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
10/14/2024 10:23
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 14.10.2024, 10-23 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 102.09) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1120.66 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 8.13%) of the security RU000A0JV0U1 (AlphaBO-15) were changed
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.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
I am delighted to be here with you today, at this wonderful location, visiting this wonderful country – one of the cradles of world civilisation and culture.
The Reserve Bank of India is currently celebrating its foundation 90 years ago. My heartfelt congratulations to all members of staff on this anniversary! Last year, Indian real-time payment systems processed about 129 billion digital transactions.[1] This means that 84% of electronic payment transactions took place in real time. During the same period, only about 19% of electronic payments worldwide were real-time transactions. In my view, this is impressive evidence of the excellent work the RBI has accomplished over the last few years.
Payment systems and their cross-border interaction are also an important topic at this conference. This is because cross-border payments are an integral part of our globalised world. Historically, from the Renaissance to modern times, correspondent banks have acted as the bedrock for cross-border payment transactions.[2] However, even today, transferring funds by means of correspondent banking is often slow, involves many steps and may result in high and non-transparent fees.
Moreover, in the last two decades, correspondent banking has been subject to a downward trend, mainly due to increasingly strict compliance requirements. Between 2011 and 2022, the number of active correspondents decreased by roughly one third, while the value of cross-border payments increased by almost 40%.[3] Obviously, this is an alarming trend in terms of market competition.
To some extent, technical progress might be able to compensate for a tighter correspondent banking market. In particular, in the last decade, a number of FinTech companies have provided new opportunities to streamline cross-border payments using innovative methods like blockchain and digital wallets.The FinTech revolution focused on private money. However, it now appears there may be another revolution on the horizon – this time involving payments in central bank money: the introduction of central bank digital currencies (CBDC).
In my talk, I would like to address CBDC developments with a particular focus on cross-border payments. First, I will outline some general points about the potential impact and benefits of the introduction of CBDC for processing cross-border transactions. Second, I will aim to highlight this topic in the context of the Eurosystem’s work on a digital euro – the envisaged European retail CBDC.
2 CBDCs and cross-border payments
Given that there are correspondent banks and FinTechs working on digital innovations as well, let me begin with a question. What would be the additional benefits of CBDCs in the area of digital payments? The introduction of CBDCs would facilitate a setup of new infrastructures for digital payments. On the one hand, this makes high initial investment necessary. On the other hand, once a CBDC is established with its new infrastructure, it could catalyse broad improvements in payment systems, including cross-border transactions – by introducing new message standards and shorter process chains, for example.[4]
Starting on a green field may be one major advantage of CBDCs. Experience shows that, in particular, implementing common standards is not an easy task. Take ISO 20022, for example.[5] The International Organisation for Standardisation proposed this common standard for financial messages in cross-border payments in 2004. It will be probably more widely used in payment systems on a global level next year – 21 years after the initial proposal. This period feels even longer when you think of all the innovations that have taken place in the meantime – the first iPhone was presented in 2007, the concept of a decentralised blockchain in 2008.
However, to be able to reap the benefits for cross-border payment, interoperability between CBDCs must be ensured early on. To this end, central banks should already begin to consider the best ways for interaction in the planning phase. In my view, we have a historic opportunity to vastly improve cross-border transactions by making different CBDCs interoperable from the very beginning.
Indeed, a number of projects are already researching the best ways of making CBDCs interoperable. For instance, the Bank for International Settlement (BIS) Innovation Hub in Singapore and a number of national central banks in the Indo-Pacific region set up Project Dunbar to explore how a common platform for CBDCs could enable cheaper, faster and safer cross-border payments.[6]
I am strongly in favour of a multilateral approach in this area, because this best serves the interests of all participants. If central banks proceed in a largely unilateral way instead, we not only risk inefficiencies, but also undesirable interferences. Consider a scenario in which a CBDC is made available for holders abroad in a unilateral way. In such a case, we could see currency substitution or appreciation pressure for the domestic currency. Also, the balance sheet of the CBDC emitting central bank could strongly expand. A knock-on effect may be that domestic monetary policy in countries that suffer from increased currency substitution becomes less effective. By contrast, a multilateral approach including reasonable holding limits could mitigate these risks.
Meanwhile, the RBI has made valuable contributions to the topic of retail CBDC. The digital rupee based on blockchain technology was launched on 1 December 2022. It is issued by the central bank and distributed by commercial banks. As I understand it, the RBI intends to tap the potential for using CBDCs in cross-border payments as well.
3 A digital euro: The cross-border dimension
In the Eurosystem, we expect a digital euro to be launched in just a few years’ time. The primary goal of a digital euro is meet the domestic needs of the euro area. To some extent, however, this goal already includes a significant cross-border dimension. Let me explain what I mean by that. A quarter century on from the introduction of the euro, there is still no single pan-European solution for digital payments when people go shopping in stores or online. This means there is a risk that traditional cashless payment solutions offered by private European payment service providers will not match customer needs.
To be fair, some euro area Member States have successfully implemented innovative digital solutions in the area of payments – I am thinking, for example, of the online payment system iDEAL in the Netherlands or Bizum Wallet in Spain. However, such payment solutions by themselves usually only function within national borders. Promising initiatives have been underway in recent years to widen the scope of these solutions. For example, iDEAL was successfully acquired by the European Payments Initiative, a company founded by several European banks and financial services companies. This initiative seeks to create a truly pan-European payment solution in the near to medium term.
This shows that the European payments sector has made meaningful progress; however, there are challenges further ahead. International payment providers, particularly those offering credit card schemes, still heavily dominate the European market for payment services – and even more when it comes to payments abroad.
A digital euro would be a major step forward in this context. It would provide a standardised digital means of payment for day-to-day transactions throughout the euro area. Despite the need for a more integrated payment system, we are determined to prevent the Eurosystem’s footprint in the European financial system from becoming too large. We are therefore planning to issue a digital euro, but not to distribute it. This means that banks and other payment providers should assume the role of the CBDC interface between the Eurosystem and the customers.
The euro area currently consists of 20 Member States, each of which has its own banking system with its own unique features. Against this background, I am sure you can imagine the overall complexity of our task. Therefore, our current focus is on making the digital euro accessible for all users within the euro area. We are investing great effort in our work on this, and we are constantly explaining what we do and why we do it, not least because a number of people are sceptical of CBDCs.
Once we have accomplished a digital euro for all users within the euro area, it will, in my view, be worth considering making it accessible to users outside the euro area as well. Rules for geographical access to a digital euro will be set down in legislation. If European legislation allows, access to a digital euro can also be granted to consumers and firms in the Member States of the European Economic Area outside the euro area. Selected non-EU countries can be included as well.[7]
Ideally, the D€ would be interoperable with other CBDCs from the very start, for example, for person-to-person payments or commercial payments from or to firms outside the euro area. However, this is currently a vision for the future, since, as already mentioned, we first have to overcome numerous challenges to establish a retail digital euro that works within the euro area.
4 Concluding remarks
Let me conclude. So far, CBDCs are newcomers to the world of payment systems. We can only estimate how large a role they will end up playing in payment transactions. This is all the more true when it comes to cross-border payments.
The scepticism about CBDCs in many quarters is not uncommon for many technological innovations. For example, in the early 1980s, “computerphobia” was a widespread phenomenon.[8] This took a wide range of forms, even fear of physically touching a computer or feeling threatened by those who worked with them. Today, this may seem very strange to us. Computers have since become an essential day-to-day tool for us.
And so we will continue our efforts to implement CBDCs. I am confident that this will ultimately make our payment systems better, faster and more efficient.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
Launch of PLT and PLD trading
Trading in platinum (PLT/RUB) and palladium (PLD/RUB) will begin on the Foreign Exchange Market and the Precious Metals Market.
Trading platinum and palladium provides a wide range of investors with the opportunity to diversify their portfolio and hedge risks.
Trading parameters: Trading will be carried out with TOD and TOM settlements, and SWAP transactions will also be available.
Trading time schedule in System mode: 10:00 – 19:00.
To access trading, you must open Trading and Banking Accounts in platinum and palladium using the application form located on the website of NPO NCC (JSC) (Application for opening a trading bank account in precious metal): https://www.nationalslaringcenter.ru/catalog/02100101
For all questions, you can contact your personal manager.
Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232PR@moex.com
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.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
10/14/2024 10:41
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 14.10.2024, 10-41 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 105.6) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1133.05 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 9.38%) of the security RU000A105666 (Sber Sb40R) were changed
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.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated October 1, 2024, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹28.30 lakh (Rupee Twenty Eight Lakh Thirty Thousand only) on SG Finserve limited (formerly known as M/s Moongipa Securities Limited) (the company) for non-compliance with specific conditions under which the company was issued the Certificate of Registration (CoR) by RBI under section 45IA(5) of Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (RBI Act). This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of Section 58G read with sub-section (6) of Section 58 B of the RBI Act.
The financial statements of the company for FY 2022-23 revealed inter alia, non-compliance with the specific conditions of the CoR. Based on the same, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said conditions of the CoR.
After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the company was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:
The company had accepted public funds and extended loans in violation of the specific conditions of the CoR issued to it.
This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the company.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
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.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
10/14/2024 11:02
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of PJSC Moscow Exchange by NCO NCC (JSC), on 14.10.2024, 11-02 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 110.45) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1208.48 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 21.25%) of the security RU000A107936 (RZhD 1P-29R) were changed.
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.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
10/14/2024 11:49
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 14.10.2024, 11-49 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 101.29) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1101.22 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A101590 (DOM 1P-7R) were changed.
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.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
10/14/2024 12:05
In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 14.10.2024, 12-05 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 95.0) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 976.48 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A0JVD25 (RusHydro09) were changed
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.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi hails 3 years of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan PM GatiShakti National Master Plan has emerged as a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing India’s infrastructure: Prime Minister
Thanks to GatiShakti, India is adding speed to fulfil our vision of a Viksit Bharat: Prime Minister
Posted On: 13 OCT 2024 10:32AM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the completion of 3 years of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
Sharing on X, a post by Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal and a thread post by MyGov, the Prime Minister wrote:
“PM GatiShakti National Master Plan has emerged as a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing India’s infrastructure. It has significantly enhanced multimodal connectivity, driving faster and more efficient development across sectors.
The seamless integration of various stakeholders has led to boosting logistics, reducing delays and creating new opportunities for several people.”
“Thanks to GatiShakti, India is adding speed to fulfil our vision of a Viksit Bharat. It will encourage progress, entrepreneurship and innovation.”
PM #GatiShakti National Master Plan has emerged as a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing India’s infrastructure. It has significantly enhanced multimodal connectivity, driving faster and more efficient development across sectors.
PM #GatiShakti National Master Plan has emerged as a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing India’s infrastructure. It has significantly enhanced multimodal connectivity, driving faster and more efficient development across sectors.
Central Consumer Protection Authority directs Ola to develop mechanism providing choice to consumers regarding refund mode Consumers may choose refund via Bank Account or Coupon in Grievance Redressal Process
Central Consumer Protection Authority’s intervention leads to crucial consumer-centric changes in the Ola app
Posted On: 13 OCT 2024 4:05PM by PIB Delhi
In a landmark decision, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has directed Ola, a leading online ride-hailing platform, to implement a mechanism allowing consumers to choose their preferred method of refund—either directly to their bank account or via coupon—during the grievance redressal process. Additionally, Ola has been instructed to provide consumers with a bill or receipt or invoice for all Auto rides booked through its platform, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in its services. The Authority is headed by Chief Commissioner Smt. Nidhi Khare.
CCPA observed that the whenever consumer raised any grievance on the Ola app, as part of its no-question-asked refund policy, Ola only provided a coupon code which could be used for the next ride without providing an clear choice to the consumer to opt between a bank account refund or a coupon. It was observed that this violates consumer rights and the no-question-asked refund policy cannot mean that the company incentivises people to simply use this facility for taking another ride.
Further, CCPA observed that if a consumer attempts to access invoice for Auto rides booked on Ola, the app shows the message ‘Customer invoice for Auto rides will not be provided due to changes in Ola’s auto service T&Cs.’ It was observed that not issuing bill or invoice or receipt for the goods sold or services rendered constitutes an ‘unfair trade practice’ under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
2. Definitions.
(47) “unfair trade practice”means a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or unfair or deceptive practice including any of the following practices, namely:—
(vii) not issuing bill or cash memo or receipt for the goods sold or services rendered in such manner as may be prescribed.
In addition to the above, CCPA’s intervention has led to the following consumer-centric changes in the Ola app –
Previously, no details of Grievance officer and nodal officer were prominently visible on the website. Now, Name, Phone number and e-mail of Grievance officer and nodal officer are mentioned, in Support section of website.
Permitted time of cancellation as per cancellation policy, now prominently displayed at the time of booking ride.
The amount of cancellation fee amount is now clearly mentioned on the ride booking page, so that the consumer is clearly aware of the amount which could be charged on cancelling the ride before she/he proceeds to cancel.
New acceptance screen added for drivers where address of both pickup and drop location is shown to drivers.
In order to avoid inconvenience and confusion, more reasons added against which consumer wishes to cancel ride.
List of components that constitute the total fare added now publically available such as base fare, per km fare, pre-wait charges etc.
Communications issued to drivers to encourage taking digital payments and switch on AC.
Revised payment cycles for drivers so that they get payment swiftly.
As per information on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), a total of 2,061 complaints have been registered against Ola from 01.01.2024 to 09.10.2024. The top categories of complaints include –
Higher fare charged from consumer than what was shown at the time of booking the ride
Non-refund of amount to the consumer
Driver asking for extra cash
Driver did not reach the correct location or dropped at incorrect location
Through its regulatory intervention, the CCPA has been steadfast in ensuring that Ola adheres to the legal framework established to secure the rights of consumers. These measures aim to empower consumers, enhance trust, and improve service provider accountability, reflecting the CCPA’s commitment to ensuring a fair and secure experience for all consumers on e-commerce platforms.
Making another stride towards making India global leader in economy and frontline player in ensuring greener, cleaner planet, Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in Pune The Facility exemplifies how technological advancements in bioplastics can lead to economic growth: Dr Jitendra Singh
India’s Bioeconomy grew more than $150 billion in 2023; expected to achieve $300 billion by 2030: the Minister
Posted On: 13 OCT 2024 6:20PM by PIB Delhi
Making yet another stride towards making India a global leader in economy and a frontline player in ensuring greener and cleaner planet, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (I/C) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh today inaugurated India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in at Jejuri in Pune from New Delhi today. The facility has been built by Praj Industries.
Addressing the audience, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “This ‘First-of-its-kind Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in India’ is a pioneering effort in developing indigenously integrated technology for the production of Polylactic Acid (PLA) bioplastic. This marks a pivotal development for India’s commitment to sustainable solutions. This demonstrates India’s resolve to transition from fossil-based plastics to eco-friendly alternatives, crucial for addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.”
Speaking about India’s advancement in the field of science and technology, he said, “India has emerged as a highly alluring destination on a global scale, propelled by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visionary endeavour to establish the country as “Atmanirbhar”. Our Bioeconomy has grown more than $150 billion in 2023, and is expected to achieve $300 billion by 2030.”
The emphasis on Green Growth in the Union Budget (2023-2024); Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)’ launched by the PM in October 2022. This will also enable dual goals of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make-in India’ with a foundational focus on biosafety, ethics and inclusive growth. He emphasised that the Union has approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy of DBT. The BioE3 Policy is an important step forward towards sustainable growth in the backdrop of climate change, depleting non-renewable resources and unsustainable waste generation.
Dr Jitendra Singh further said, “India now ranks 12th in the world in biotech and 3rd in Asia-pacific. We are the largest vaccine manufacturer and the 3rd largest Startup ecosystem,” adding, the Biotech ecosystem in the country is emerging at a rapid pace with the setting up of 95 bio incubators and increasing numbers of Biotech Startups. The Biotech Startups have experienced remarkable growth, increasing from just about 50 in 2014 to over 8,500 in 2023. The rise of Biotech Startups is pivotal for our future economy. These efforts place India at the forefront of the global bioplastics movement, showing the world how biotechnology can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Speaking about the partnerships between industry, academia, and government, he said, it is crucial for translating innovative ideas into real-world solutions and fostering innovation through research and development. This facility symbolises a new chapter for India’s bioeconomy. It showcases our ability to lead in technological innovation and offers a sustainable pathway to reducing Environmental impact. He concluded by saying, “It is time for broader synergy among all professions to achieve the “Amrit Kaal” goals over the next 25 years for advancements in the biotechnology sector which underscores India’s potential as a global player in the field.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh interacts with students from J&K on Bharat Darshan tour; He advises them to imbibe new technologies and learn about new StartUp avenues for better future
Posted On: 13 OCT 2024 6:25PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (I/C) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh today hosted a luncheon interaction with students from Jammu & Kashmir. These children are in Delhi under Bharat Darshan programme of Government of India, which is being conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Dr Jitendra Singh was impressed with their inquisitiveness, observation skills, IQ level and advised them to imbibe new technologies, learn about new StartUp avenues and get acquainted with new developments in different segments of society, especially science and technology, biochemistry, artificial intelligence and space technology. He urged students to use their smartphones to attain information and knowledge.
He spoke about different schemes of the Government of India, including Pradhanmantri Vishwakarma Yojana, which would help them in acquiring and enhancing the skill of their forefathers.
The Minister informed them about women-run self help groups in J&K who are working on doubling apple yield and increasing the shelf life of these. He also informed about the Purple Revolution benefitting the youth of J&K who not only grow lavender but also distil perfume and oil out of it thereby earning handsomely.
Dr Jitendra Singh asked children to request their teachers to reach them with new perspectives and incorporate new ideas in their teachings. He also requested J&K Police officers, part of the troupe, to organise such workshops for the teachers that would be beneficial for the students.
There were around 70 students along with seven officials of the J&K Police. Around half of them are from the families of those who were killed in action. These students first went to Bengaluru where they visited among others Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru. The tour began on October 09, 2024. They are travelling by air and will fly back tomorrow.