Source: Reserve Bank of India
Shweta Sharma Press Release: 2024-2025/1149 |
Blog
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MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Overnight Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on September 23, 2024
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MIL-OSI Global: AfD: how Germany’s constitution was designed with the threat of extremism in mind
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Green, Professor of Politics, Aston University
German chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD has narrowly held off the rightwing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in regional elections in Brandenburg, nudging them into second place.
The close call follows two other recent elections in Germany’s eastern federal states (Länder). In Thuringia, the AfD won the highest share of the votes. In Saxony, the AfD narrowly came second to the centre-right CDU. Importantly, the regional AfD organisations in both Saxony and Thuringia, along with Saxony-Anhalt, have officially been designated as extreme right. This means that the party in these states is formally considered by Germany’s domestic security service to be a threat to the country’s democratic constitutional order.
Although the country’s proportional electoral system means that the AfD cannot form a government in any of the three states by itself, this is the first time since 1945 that an officially extremist party has won an election in Germany.
It’s not unreasonable for those outside Germany to questions whether these election results show that the country once more stands on the cusp of a slide into fascism, as it did in the 1930s. However, quite apart from the fact that 2024 is not the same as 1933, there is one important structural difference: Germany’s constitution (the Grundgesetz or Basic Law). This was explicitly designed to prevent a recurrence of a totalitarian regime such as national socialism.
The Basic Law dates back to 1949 – a time when the country was in the process of splitting into west and east. Coming into force during this period of transition, the document was only a provisional constitution. Yet the Basic Law has outlasted any of the previous three state forms since Germany was first unified in 1871. Today, it enjoys widespread popular support: a recent survey showed 81% of the population view it positively.
In its content, the Basic Law is a living testimony to Germany’s desire to prevent a return to National Socialism. In articles 1-19, it enshrines a comprehensive catalogue of fundamental rights, which cannot be removed from the constitution. These include the right to dignity, freedom, privacy, free assembly, freedom of the press and to political asylum.
The Basic Law also established one of the most powerful independent constitutional courts in the world. The court even has the right to ban political parties, or to limit the fundamental rights of individuals who are found to be undermining the constitutional order, as had been in the case in Weimar Germany. For this reason, Germany is considered to be a militant democracy. While the outright banning of parties is fraught with political difficulties (and hence rare historically), there is a live debate over whether the AfD’s policies and rhetoric are ultimately compatible with Germany’s constitution.
More subtly, Germany’s governance structures are designed to make it practically impossible for a hostile grouping to seize power democratically. The German chancellor has much less power than, say, the British prime minister. In particular, the structures of federalism and coalition government further constrain the room for manoeuvre of any individual politician or indeed any single political party.
The Grundrechte is inscribed on a wall in Berlin for all to see.
Jakob-Kaiser-Haus/Wikipedia, CC BY-SAMajor functions of policy implementation are delegated to powerful societal actors, such as professional bodies. These are geographically distributed around the country, along with the media, key corporate headquarters and the unions. The ability of Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank, to set monetary policy independent of political control, itself a response to the hyperinflation of the early 1920s, has made it a model for both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England today.
In short, and in the words of the German-American political scientist Peter Katzenstein, the German state is only “semisovereign”.
In consequence, the Basic Law is not just a document setting out the political “rules of the game”, but an expression of Germany’s values. Its longevity has benefited from the willingness of political elites down the years to adapt its provisions, where necessary, to changing circumstances. And in several respects, the past remains very much the present in German politics. For instance, the right to privacy, which was originally included to prevent the reoccurrence of Nazi Germany’s pervasive surveillance, is given new meaning in an age of global digital connectivity.
Pressures ahead
Certainly, Germany today faces multiple challenges. As society has evolved, Germany’s party system has fragmented, with more parties securing seats in the national parliament, the Bundestag. Of these, the AfD has been by far the most successful, and could potentially become the second largest party at the next parliamentary elections in 2025. This fragementation, which is not unique to Germany, has made the formation of coalition governments harder. Fortunately, this has so far not led to out-of-cycle national elections, of the kind which plagued the latter years of the Weimar Republic.
And there are concerns beyond politics. From the “economic miracle” in the 1950s, Germany’s growth has slowed significantly, averaging just 1.2% per year between 2012-2022; in the last two years, the economy has barely grown at all. Compared to other advanced economies, it remains disproportionately reliant on exporting high added value manufactured goods.
The reunification of Germany in 1990 also continues to cast a long shadow. In any number of economic and social indicators, including household incomes, religion and childcare patterns, eastern Germany remains structurally different to western Germany. Across the country, the population is ageing and, without substantial net migration over time, will decline over the next 30 years. Yet immigration also remains one of the biggest political issues of the day, and a key driver of the AfD’s electoral success.
Nonetheless, given Germany’s difficult journey to statehood in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Basic Law remains a strong guarantor of Germany’s democratic credentials. For this reason, former federal president Joachim Gauck was surely right to declare earlier this year that the Germany created by the Basic Law is “the best that ever existed”.
Simon Green does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. AfD: how Germany’s constitution was designed with the threat of extremism in mind – https://theconversation.com/afd-how-germanys-constitution-was-designed-with-the-threat-of-extremism-in-mind-230594
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MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Cárdenas Reintroduce Legislation to Help Return Money to Defrauded Consumers
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce, and U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) reintroduced the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act, to restore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) 13(b) consumer protection powers to return money to defrauded consumers.
“We owe it to our consumers to help those who have fallen victim to frauds, scams, and other illegal activities. For over 40 years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) relied on section 13(b) to give billions of dollars in relief to defrauded consumers, but that longstanding authority was overturned in 2021 by the Supreme Court,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Every one of the FTC Commissioners has expressed support for section 13(b). The Consumer Protection and Recovery Act, which I am proud to reintroduce with Rep. Cárdenas, passed the House with bipartisan support last Congress and will reinstate section 13(b) and the FTC’s authority to repay consumers. This legislation will help stop bad actors in their tracks and put money back into the pockets of individuals.”
“Three years ago, Donald Trump’s radical Supreme Court took away the Federal Trade Commission’s authority to fight on behalf of everyday Americans – many seniors, veterans, and parents – who were defrauded by bad actors,” said Congressman Tony Cárdenas. “Once again, Congresswoman Schakowsky and I are reintroducing The Consumer Protection and Recovery Act in order to restore the FTC’s power to give hard working Americans the advocacy they rightfully deserve.”
The Consumer Protection and Recovery Act restores 13(b) as the FTC’s primary consumer protection tool through amendments and clarifications of existing law.
- The legislation explicitly provides the FTC the ability to obtain both injunctive and monetary relief for all violations of the laws it enforces, including monetary redress for consumers in court for all violations of the laws it enforces.
- The bill also makes explicit that the FTC may pursue many kinds of equitable relief, including restitution for losses, contract reformation and rescission, monetary refunds and the refund of property, as well as forcing bad actors to return their ill-gotten gains.
Last Congress, the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support following the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate the FTC’s authority to recover money for harmed consumers.
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MIL-OSI Video: Shaping local pathways for a more equitable, sustainable, & secure future for all – UN Deputy Chief
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Remarks by Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, at Shaping local pathways for a more equitable, sustainable, and secure future for all – “Localizing the Pact for the Future” (Side Event, Action Day 2, Summit of the Future).
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MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Carson, Jayapal Introduce UNRWA Funding Bill
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)
WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), André Carson (IN-07), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced H.R. 9649, the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024.This bill will end the congressionally and administratively mandated pause on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA).
The United States has historically been one of the largest financial supporters of UNRWA, which serves nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. In March of this year, the U.S. paused UNRWA funding after the Israeli government alleged that 12 agency employees had direct involvement in Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack.
Following the UN’s investigation and proactive commitments made by UNRWA toward complete accountability and reform, all countries except the U.S. have resumed their UNRWA funding, including the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, and Sweden. Approximately 1.9 million people – 9 in 10 Gazans – have been displaced at least once, and an estimated 43,580 are pregnant women. UNRWA has served as the primary humanitarian aid organization operating in Gaza, and without funding, hundreds of thousands of Gaza civilians are left vulnerable. It is estimated that over 1 million Gazans will not have enough food this month, and availability of basic hygiene items has dropped to 15%. In addition to a polio outbreak, Gazans are suffering from malnutrition and treatable diseases due to “systematic dismantling of healthcare”from bombardments on civilians.
“For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been a lifeline for Palestinians, providing food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, education, and livelihoods. Today, UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza as it endures ongoing war and a dire humanitarian crisis. UNRWA and the United Nations have taken swift and decisive actions to address the concerns raised by the U.S. government when it paused funding in January and our allies have all resumed funding for UNRWA. The U.S. must follow suit and resume funding for this critical humanitarian agency,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I am proud to co-lead the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act to restore funding to UNRWA and help Gazans get the humanitarian assistance they need at a time of unprecedented crisis.”
“The scale of this devastating, man-made crisis in Gaza cannot be overstated,” said Congressman André Carson. “Providing humanitarian aid to a starving nation – with funding Congress has appropriated year after year – should not be controversial. I urge my colleagues who care about basic human rights, the rights of pregnant women, and the wellbeing of innocent children to join our bill. UNRWA has taken appropriate and proactive steps towards accountability and transparency, conducting multiple independent reviews that continue to prove the organization is both in compliance and imperative to provide the region with lifesaving assistance. It’s past time we restore funding and save lives.”
“UNRWA has played a unique and integral role in supporting the welfare of Palestinian refugees for decades. Their on-the-ground understanding is invaluable to ensure that humanitarian aid makes it to the people who need it most — in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and critically in this moment in Gaza,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “There is no question in my mind that revoking funding for UNRWA will lead to more devastation and loss of life in Gaza. We must ensure that those acting in good faith to save civilian lives are not undermined by a lack of US funding.”
“J Street is proud to be supporting the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 introduced by Representatives Carson, Jayapal, and Schakowsky. We should restore funding, as all our major allies have, and stop playing politics with Palestinian welfare and Israel’s security,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “As UNRWA’s largest donor and Israel’s key security guarantor, the United States has a special obligation to address this crisis.”
“Gaza isn’t starving. It’s being starved,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. “Over two million Palestinian civilians are enduring a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, with famine and disease spreading due to blocked aid access. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and Congress continue to withhold all U.S. funding for the largest aid operation in Gaza—the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA is the backbone of aid delivery in Gaza, ensuring that millions receive desperately needed assistance. Blocking U.S. funding for UNRWA’s critical work is a cruel and unjustified decision that only deepens Gaza’s humanitarian suffering. Congress and the Administration must act swiftly to correct this wrong by supporting the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act and restoring this urgently needed aid.”
“Restoring funding to UNRWA is a humanitarian imperative,” said Sharif Aly, President of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). “For over six decades, the United States has been one of the strongest supporters of UNRWA, which provides lifesaving aid and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Those services are desperately needed in Gaza right now, and UNRWA is the only organization with the capacity and expertise necessary to provide them at scale. The United States must uphold its commitment to the human rights of the Palestinian people and pass this legislation to reinstate funding to the humanitarian agency immediately. Failing to do so would lead to further human suffering.”
“In restoring funding for food, water, shelter, and medical care for Palestine refugees, the UNRWA Restoration Act honors this most basic and inalienable truth — that the people of Palestine are human beings, just like all of us, and all lives are sacred, not just some,” said Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director UNRWA USA.
“UNRWA is indispensable to providing Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria with the education, healthcare, and other critical services that are key to successful, productive livelihoods and citizenry, and a future of peace and prosperity, which should be in everyone’s interests. We support full restoration of funding to UNRWA,” said Sean Carroll, President and CEO of Anera.
“We express our gratitude to Representatives André Carson, Pramila Jayapal, and Jan Schakowsky for introducing the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act of 2024,” said James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute. “This lifesaving legislation aims to restore critical U.S. financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) by repealing previous funding restrictions and encouraging the Secretary of State to lift the temporary pause on federal funding. UNRWA plays a vital role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The ongoing genocide in Gaza has resulted in increased displacement, starvation, and death. It is both inhumane and unconscionable to continue withholding financial support from UNRWA. We recognize that the majority of Americans are horrified by the death and destruction they witness daily in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA’s humanitarian aid and services often mean the difference between life and death for these vulnerable populations. Restoring U.S. funding to UNRWA is urgent, just, and the only morally responsible option. We urge lawmakers to prioritize the passage of this crucial legislation and ensure that UNRWA can continue to provide life-saving assistance to Palestinian refugees in the region.”
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MIL-OSI Video: Where is the next UNGA meeting & when is it? – #UNGA Explained | United Nations
Source: United Nations (Video News)
From today, UN Video presents a series of videos addressing the most frequently asked questions by the public, aimed at demystifying and explaining the General Assembly. These eight short clips are available, please share! We appreciate your warm reception of these materials! We would like to thank Julia Foxen and Heyi Zou for their contributions to these explainers.
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MIL-OSI Europe: Statement by Palazzo Chigi on the incident in Saviano
Source: Government of Italy (English)
Vai al Contenuto Raggiungi il piè di pagina
22 Settembre 2024
The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, has had a number of telephone conversations from the United States with the Mayor of Saviano, Vincenzo Simonelli, the Metropolitan Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, the Minister for Civil Protection and Marine Policies, Nello Musumeci, and the Head of the Civil Protection Department, Fabio Ciciliano.
Following this morning’s tragic incident, President Meloni expressed her and the Government’s condolences to Mayor Simonelli and, through him, to the victims’ relatives and the other families involved. She also provided assurance of national institutions’ support for the local authorities and thanked the rescue workers.
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MIL-OSI Translation: Switzerland participates in G20 discussions on research and innovation
MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French
State Secretariat for Training, Research and Innovation
Bern, 23.09.2024 – On 19 September 2024, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama attended the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Research and Innovation in Manaus, Brazil. Switzerland had previously been invited by Brazil, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, to join the new working group set up this year.
The ministerial meeting was held under the slogan “Open Innovation for a Just and Sustainable Development”. International cooperation in science and innovation, with a particular focus on open innovation, was the main theme. In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, discussions focused on the contribution of science and innovation to the decarbonization of the economy, research dedicated to the Amazon, and diversity, equity, inclusion and access to research. The ministers attending the meeting adopted the Manaus Declaration, which reflects the political consensus of the G20 countries on these issues.
During the event, Secretary of State Martina Hirayama engaged with heads of delegation from Brazil, the G20 presidency, as well as other countries and organizations.
Address for sending questions
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SEFRICommunicationmedien@sbfi.admin.ch 41 58 462 96 90
Author
State Secretariat for Training, Research and Innovationhttp://www.sbfi.admin.ch
Social sharing
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
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MIL-OSI Translation: Intergenerational housing: for whom?
MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Republic of France in FrenchThe French Republic has issued the following statement:
Intergenerational housing projects are most often initiated by public structures such as social landlords and municipalities, in partnership with associations or private investors. These collective housing projects are aimed at everyone, whether you are alone, a family, a student or retired.
Intergenerational housing aims to improve the quality of life of residents:
by developing solidarity between neighbours, through the mixing of generations; by fighting against the isolation of people living alone (students, elderly people, etc.).
How is intergenerational housing composed?
By definition, intergenerational housing is aimed at all ages.
The accommodations are designed to meet the specific needs of different generations and family structures (adapted facilities for the elderly, several bedrooms for families, outdoor spaces for children, etc.).
In their design, they can be intended for one third to students, one third to families and one third to seniors. Or only bi-generational, intended for students and seniors. It can also be inclusive intergenerational housing.
These structures also have the specific feature of offering common meeting and exchange spaces that can be used by all and offer services (laundry, concierge, room for events, etc.).
Are you looking for an intergenerational building near you? You can find out more with the local information point dedicated to the elderly.
Please note
Housing for the elderly is not medicalized. The organization of care is the responsibility of the occupant.
Cost of intergenerational housing and possible assistance
Intergenerational housing projects designed by social landlords have a social vocation. They offer moderate rents adapted for people on “low incomes”.
People living in intergenerational housing can benefit from different types of assistance depending on their situation:
housing assistance: personalized housing assistance (APL), social housing allowance (ALS), pension fund assistance, tax assistance); personalized autonomy allowance (APA and APA at home).
Namely
We should not confuse intergenerational housing with intergenerational cohabitation; the latter refers to shared solidarity housing.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
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MIL-OSI Translation: Interparliamentary meeting in Neuchâtel: artificial intelligence at the heart of the debates
MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Canton of Neuchatel Switzerland
09/23/2024
On the occasion of the 61st annual meeting of the offices of the parliaments of French-speaking Switzerland, Bern and Ticino, delegations bringing together around seventy people were received in Neuchâtel on 20 and 21 September 2024 for a reception, visits and a working seminar. The discussions focused in particular on the theme of artificial intelligence and its impact on parliamentary activity.
As a reminder, the offices constitute the executive committees of the parliaments. Bringing together representatives of the different political groups as well as the functions of presidency and vice-presidency, these bodies ensure the administrative management of the Grand Councils as well as various missions set by law such as the allocation of objects to the committees, the setting of the agenda of the sessions, or the representations.
Every year, the offices of the Latin cantons meet for two days. This year, it was the turn of the Neuchâtel parliament to host the event. On Friday, September 20, the delegations were received at a friendly reception in the city of Neuchâtel during which Neuchâtel’s heritage and local products were honored. On this occasion, Mr. Jonathan Gretillat, municipal councilor, sent a message on behalf of the municipal authorities. On Saturday, September 21, the participants were received at the Château de Neuchâtel by the President of the Grand Council, Ms. Mary-Claude Fallet, and by the President of the Council of State, Ms. Florence Nater. With the contribution of experts in the field, the parliamentarians discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on parliamentary activity.
The President of the Grand Council of Neuchâtel noted in her introduction to what extent “parliaments, pillars of democracy, are faced with immense challenges in the face of rapid technological developments”, while exploring existing solutions to assert “their role as regulatory bodies, capable of protecting citizens while promoting positive and democratic innovation”. The way in which AI could facilitate parliamentary work by automating certain administrative tasks, synthesizing information or allowing better promotion of parliamentary debates among citizens was also discussed.
As in previous editions, this visit allowed for rich and useful exchanges on the practices and realities of cantonal parliaments, in a fine spirit of intercantonal understanding.
BodyRight
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
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MIL-OSI Translation: The 5 secrets of the Reims campus
MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Universities – Science Po in French
Students in front of the entrance to 1, Saint-Thomas (credits: Pierre Morel)
Bachelor open house on November 30, 2024
Come and meet our teams and our students on our regional campuses.
Open house for masters on October 19, 2024
Discover our 30 masters and interact with the teams and students of our 7 professional schools.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
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MIL-OSI: Evasant Announces Renewed Focus on Sustainability
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Evasant is proud to announce the enhancement of its sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, furthering its commitment to responsible business practices. These strengthened policies reaffirm Evasant’s dedication to driving positive environmental impact and fostering a more inclusive corporate culture.
Strengthening Our Sustainability Commitment
As part of its updated strategy, Evasant is increasing efforts to prioritize investments in renewable energy, environmental preservation, and socially responsible projects. This sustainability initiative aims to balance strong financial performance with contributing to long-term environmental health and social well-being.
Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Recognizing the role of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation, Evasant has upgraded its internal DEI framework, with its Diversity and Inclusion Board overseeing new initiatives to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion more into its operations. This updated approach positions Evasant as a leader in creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Community Engagement and Continuous Learning
As part of these enhanced policies, Evasant will expand its involvement in community initiatives, focusing on issues such as climate change, education, and poverty reduction, as well as launching new training and development programs to equip employees with the skills to advance sustainability and DEI efforts.
“By enhancing our sustainability and DEI policies, we are taking a proactive stance toward building a future that benefits our clients, communities, and the environment,” said Nicholas Richardson, Chief Executive Officer. “These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to making a meaningful impact.”
About Evasant:
Evasant is an independent wealth and investment management firm offering extensive investment, wealth, planning, and corporate advisory services to affluent individuals, their families, and their privately owned businesses.
For more information, please contact:
Abigail Harper, Chief Marketing Officer
For more information about Evasant’s sustainability initiatives and DEI framework, please visit https://www.evasant.com/sustainability or contact info@evasant.com.
Disclaimer: This content is provided by the sponsor. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information shared in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment, financial, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you conduct thorough research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5a9d04f3-904c-4a57-b949-a40a1cac5e86
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MIL-OSI: Danske Bank share buy-back programme: Transactions in week 38
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Company announcement no. 42 2024 Group Communications
Bernstorffsgade 40
DK-1577 København V
Tel. +45 45 14 00 0023 September 2024
Danske Bank share buy-back programme: Transactions in week 38
On 2 February 2024, Danske Bank A/S announced a share buy-back programme for a total of DKK 5.5 billion, with a maximum of 70 million shares, in the period from 5 February 2024 to 31 January 2025, at the latest, as described in company announcement no. 2 2024.
The programme is being carried out under Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 and the Commission’s delegated regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016, also referred to as the Safe Harbour Rules.
The following transactions were made under the share buy-back programme in week 38:
Number
of sharesVWAP
DKKGross value
DKKAccumulated, last announcement 17,127,163 202.3235 3,465,227,502 16/09/2024 126,890 205.4623 26,071,111 17/09/2024 124,609 205.8027 25,644,869 18/09/2024 143,500 204.5183 29,348,376 19/09/2024 120,974 205.3406 24,840,874 20/09/2024 116,893 206.1951 24,102,764 Total accumulated over week 38 632,866 205.4274 130,007,994 Total accumulated during the share buyback programme 17,760,029 202.4341 3,595,235,496 With the transactions stated above the total accumulated number of own shares under the share buy-back programme corresponds to 2.06% of Danske Bank A/S’ share capital.
We enclose share buy-back transaction data in detailed form of each transaction in accordance with the Commission’s delegated regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016.
Danske Bank
Contact: Stefan Singh Kailay, Group Press Officer, tel. +45 45 14 14 00
Attachments
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MIL-OSI: Eviden develops cloud-based cellar management solution for Selartag® to enable data efficiencies in wine inventory
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Press Release
Eviden develops cloud-based cellar management solution for Selartag® to enable data efficiencies in wine inventory
Innovative concept featuring app and portal hosted on AWS Cloud provides real-time data on stock quality and levels
Paris, France – September 23, 2024 – Eviden, the Atos Group business leading in digital, cloud, big data and security, today announces it has developed and implemented a cellar management application designed by Selartag® based on a unique and innovative concept for identifying and tracking wine bottles. Hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) hybrid architecture, the solution provides reliable, real-time data for users such as winery owners, winemakers, sommeliers and restaurants, helping them to optimize their sales through simplified, more efficient inventory management. Eviden is an AWS Premier Partner.
Drawing on its expertise in digital solutions, consulting and cloud management, Eviden worked closely with Selartag to develop their cellar management solution. The solution consists of smart labels, a smartphone application, a web portal and an inventory tracking and management system – hosted on AWS hybrid architecture.
Each wine bottle is equipped with an intelligent, forgery-proof label automatically identified with RFID technology, either by using a hand-held mobile reader or via the physical checkpoint at the cellar entrance. The data on the label is communicated to the Selartag application (mobile app and online via PC), aiding customers in their inventory management and business decisions and outcomes.
With this new application, Selartag can provide its customers with real-time, reliable data on their stock quality and levels, and the ability to complete inventories in less than an hour, compared to several days previously. Selartag customers include renowned sommeliers, as well as the owners of large cellars in Michelin-starred restaurants and gourmet bistros.
Julien Giraud, Head of Cloud & Data at Eviden, Atos Group said, “The combination of Eviden’s expertise in digital solutions and cloud management coupled with Selartag’s unique concept helps accomplish next-level data efficiencies for Selartag’s customers, whose reputation is well established in some of the most elite wine and restaurant communities. What we’ve accomplished here is a key example of a turnkey, cloud-based solution that from manufacturing to consumption, generates better performance across the value chain, to the benefit of the business. The data obtained through improved product visibility and security will bring Selartag’s customers greater reliability and increased margins, unlocking possibilities for further growth and innovation.”
Hervé Lemaire, Founder and President, Selartag said, “Working with Eviden, we have been able to create and implement an innovative, reliable application for our customers to locate, track and record wine stocks, as well as limit errors and authenticate the quality of their bottles of wine. This solution extends the excellence of customers’ table-side, white-glove service to the full value chain landscape that supports their business. Eviden’s end-to-end expertise in AWS services and product offerings and project management is what creates a differentiated solution for our customers to receive real-time data and efficiencies, enabling for them an advantage against competitors.”
This project with Selartag is testament to over 12 years of business and technological collaboration between Eviden (Atos Group) and AWS, which was reinforced last year through a new Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) to deliver a multi-faceted program of solutions, consultancy and innovation support to help customers quickly access critical expertise for cloud and AI transformation projects and increase their time to value.
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About Eviden1
Eviden is a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 47,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c. € 5 billion.
About Atos
Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 92,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), and listed on Euronext Paris.
The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.
Press contact
Laura Fau | laura.fau@eviden.com | +33 (0) 6 73 64 04 18
1 Eviden business is operated through the following brands: AppCentrica, ATHEA, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, Edifixio, Energy4U, Engage ESM, Evidian, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Profit4SF, SEC Consult, Visual BI, Worldgrid, X-Perion. Eviden is a registered trademark.
Eviden is a registered trademark. © Eviden SAS, 2024.Attachment
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MIL-OSI: Virgin Atlantic Turns to FLYR for Ancillary Revenue Management
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FLYR, the technology company that unlocks freedom to innovate for the airline industry, today announced that Virgin Atlantic, Britain’s only Five Star Global Airline, is using FLYR Ancillary Revenue Management to automate and optimize revenue for seating. Virgin Atlantic has been leveraging FLYR for the last 18 months, establishing a dynamic pricing model that responds to a range of variables including route, seat zone, and traveler demand – increasing conversion rates and customer satisfaction.
A leading airline with customer experience at its core, Virgin Atlantic has been an innovator since its founding in 1984. Back then, Virgin Atlantic was a tiny airline with big aspirations to shake things up – and they have done just that every step of the way. Holding the imagination of the traveling public, Virgin Atlantic is always seeking new ways to elevate and optimize the travel experience for its fleet that serves 30-plus destinations across 4 continents, and more than 5 million annual passengers.
Realizing that the opportunities to innovate start long before check-in, Virgin Atlantic began searching for a solution to optimize ancillary revenue for seating. With limited data on variably-priced ancillary purchases and a range of aircraft and cabin configurations, Virgin Atlantic needed a flexible, data-driven solution that could optimize seat pricing and availability, while ensuring a seamless and personalized experience for every passenger.
Virgin Atlantic turned to FLYR to automate and optimize ancillary revenue for seating using deep learning, an advanced form of artificial intelligence. Virgin Atlantic has experienced more than 10 percent uplift in seating revenue with FLYR’s dynamic, AI-based optimization for seats.
“Providing the best experience possible for our passengers is core to everything we do at Virgin Atlantic,” said Juha Jarvinen, CCO, Virgin Atlantic. “We are ecstatic with the revenue uplift we have seen using FLYR already, in addition to the optimized offerings and experience we continue to provide for our passengers.”
Insights from FLYR have allowed Virgin Atlantic to better understand the customer seat needs for each route, as well as the interdependencies between seats, ticket prices, and other ancillaries. With FLYR’s comprehensive Ancillary Revenue Management, Virgin Atlantic now has the flexible solution needed to optimize the passenger experience.
“At the heart of our partnership with FLYR is a shared commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. We’ve appreciated their forward-thinking, data-driven approach to ancillary revenue management and total offer optimization over the last 18 months. Going from a static pricing system to a dynamic, near-automatic one that is powered by machine learning feels like a leap into the future, and we’re excited to explore what else is possible with FLYR,” said Dominic Kennedy, SVP, Revenue Management, Distribution and Holidays, Virgin Atlantic.
“Our collaboration with Virgin Atlantic has been immensely rewarding and is a testament to the value that FLYR can unlock,” said Alex Mans, Founder and CEO, FLYR. “Virgin Atlantic has always been intent on innovation, and we’re excited to have helped them gain another competitive edge by offering a dynamic, AI-based pricing strategy for ancillary products and services. We’re thrilled with the results Virgin Atlantic is already experiencing with Ancillary Revenue Management and look forward to continuing to innovate together.”
About FLYR
FLYR is a technology company that unlocks freedom to innovate for the travel industry – eliminating legacy constraints to enable real-time decision making and create the experiences travelers seek. Cloud native, FLYR leverages technologies including deep learning, an advanced form of AI. FLYR is helping airlines and hospitality businesses around the globe improve revenue performance, reduce cost, and modernize their e-commerce experience. Learn more at flyr.com.About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2023, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the seventh year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 8,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 30 destinations across four continents throughout the year.Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In March 2024, Virgin Atlantic welcomed Wendy Darling, the 11th delivery of 12 A350s, and Ruby Rebel, the 5th of 16 A330-900neos to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028. In November 2023, the airline led a consortium to deliver the world’s first flight across the Atlantic on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030. For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.
Media contact:
Christie Engelbrecht
media@flyr.com -
MIL-OSI: Sydbank share buyback programme: transactions in week 38
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Company Announcement No 44/2024
Peberlyk 4
6200 Aabenraa
DenmarkTel +45 74 37 37 37
Fax +45 74 37 35 36Sydbank A/S
CVR No DK 12626509, Aabenraa
sydbank.dk23 September 2024 Dear Sirs
Sydbank share buyback programme: transactions in week 38
On 28 February 2024 Sydbank announced a share buyback programme of DKK 1,200m. The share buyback programme commenced on 4 March 2024 and will be completed by 31 January 2025.The purpose of the share buyback programme is to reduce the share capital of Sydbank and the programme is executed in compliance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016, collectively referred to as the Safe Harbour rules.
The following transactions have been made under the share buyback programme:
Number of shares VWAP Gross value (DKK) Accumulated, most recent
announcement2,080,000
744,958,700.00
16 September 2024
17 September 2024
18 September 2024
19 September 2024
20 September 202417,000
17,000
17,000
16,000
16,000332.08
335.43
337.90
342.21
340.175,645,360.00
5,702,310.00
5,744,300.00
5,475,360.00
5,442,720.00Total over week 38 83,000 28,010,050.00 Total accumulated during the
share buyback programme2,163,000
772,968,750.00
All transactions were made under ISIN DK 0010311471 and effected by Danske Bank A/S on behalf of Sydbank A/S.
Further information about the transactions, cf Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on market abuse and Commission delegated regulation, is available in the attachment.
Following the above transactions, Sydbank holds a total of 2,239,691 own shares, equal to til 4.10% of the Bank’s share capital.
Yours sincerely
Mark Luscombe Jørn Adam Møller
CEO Deputy Group Chief ExecutiveAttachment
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MIL-OSI Video: Gaza, Lebanon, Summit of the Future & other topics – Daily Briefing (20 Sep 2024) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Summit of the Future Action Days
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Syria
– Venezuela
– Ukraine
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Somalia
– Viet Nam
– Haiti
– International Day of Peace
– World Cleanup DaySummit of the Future Action Days
This afternoon, at 1pm, the Summit of the Future Action days will kick off with a youth-led event.
Felipe Paullier, the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, will lead the opening ceremony under the theme #Youthlead the future.
At 2pm, the Secretary-General will take part in a dialogue with youth advocates. This will also take place in the General Assembly Hall and you will be able to watch the conversation live on UN Webtv.
The action days, which are convened by the Secretary-General, will continue tomorrow. The Secretary-General will address Saturday’s opening session at 9 a.m, tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s programme will focus on three priority themes – digital and technology, peace and security, and sustainable development and financing.
There will also be a dedicated focus throughout the day on future generations.
The action days bring together representatives from Member States, civil society, the private sector, academia, youth, and more. The full list of events and side events is available on the webpage of the Summit of the Future.Lebanon
We are very concerned at the heightened escalation across the Blue Line, including the deadly strike we saw on Beirut today. We urge all parties to de-escalate immediately. All must exercise maximum restraint.
We also urge the parties to immediately return to the cessation of hostilities and to fully implement Security Council resolution 1701.
The region is on the brink of a catastrophe. All efforts should focus on finding a diplomatic solution.
Our Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeannine Hennis-Plasschaert, has been insistently conveying these messages to her interlocutors in Lebanon and Israel.
And this afternoon, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and our High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, will brief the Security Council in an open meeting on developments in Lebanon. They will convey similar messages. Those remarks will be shared with you.
Meanwhile, on the peacekeeping front, our blue helmets at UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to implement their mandate in, obviously, extremely challenging conditions, working to help avert further escalation and return to a cessation of hostilities.
The head of the UN peacekeeping mission there, Force Commander General Aroldo Lázaro, has been in constant communication with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces to help avoid any miscalculations along the Blue Line and to support humanitarian access in southern Lebanon.Occupied Palestinian Territory
Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that Palestinians already displaced in the Strip are at risk of having to move again as the rainy season approaches, which is expected to bring flooding and high tides.
OCHA says that many of those displaced by hostilities in Gaza are sheltering along the Mediterranean coast, where Israeli-issued evacuation orders have instructed them to go. Several municipalities in Gaza have also warned of the risks, with some advising people sheltering in low-lying areas to leave and seek out safer places due to the danger of flooding. Displaced people in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah have been warned to move to higher ground and stay away from the shore, as high tides could cause their tents to drift, among other risks.
UNRWA, for its part, warns that people in Gaza are sheltering in open spaces with no sewage network or rainwater drainage systems. The agency says that as reptiles, rodents and insects spread, its teams are spraying pesticides and removing waste to protect families from diseases.
Meanwhile, OCHA also reports that water, sanitation and hygiene operations in northern Gaza have been forced to drastically reduce their operating hours to prevent shutdowns.
Our partners working on the response say it continues to be extremely difficult to get fuel to the north, with deliveries often delayed or rejected at checkpoints.
In addition to fuel shortages and the ongoing electricity outages that stall pumps, the current water crisis in Gaza has been worsened by damage to water infrastructure, the absence of safety to make repairs, and a lack of spare parts and chlorine.
To address the critical lack of clean water in Gaza, UNICEF says it is providing 15 litres of water per person per day for nearly 900,000 people, ensuring that part of their water needs are met for a duration of three months.Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=20%20September%202024
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MIL-OSI Video: Public Forum 2024:Women in the global economy
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
“Gender equality is not a luxury. It is an imperative”, said Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during the WTO Public Forum. In this video, policy makers and experts lay out the case for including women in the global economy.
Watch also the launch of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund’s implementation, as well as the award of the International Prize for Gender Equality.
More about the WEIDE Fund:
https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news24_e/weide_11sep24_e.htmSpeakers in this video:
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
World Trade OrganizationBonnie Chiu
The Social Investment Consultancy (TSIC)Pamela Coke-Hamilton
International Trade CentreHéctor José Marroquín Mora
GuatemalaAngela Ellard
World Trade OrganizationGaiane Arutiunian
World Trade OrganizationAbdelsalam Al-Ali
United Arab Emirates -
MIL-OSI Europe: The 5 Secrets of the Reims Campus
Source: Universities – Science Po in English
Students in front of the entrance at 1 St-Thomas (credits: Pierre Morel) Virtual Undergraduate Open House day on 30 November 2024
Come meet our teams and students at our campuses.
Virtual Graduate Open House day on 19 october 2024
Meet faculty members, students and representatives and learn more about our 30 Master’s programmes.
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MIL-OSI Translation: Immigration, meetings between Government and trade unions, employers’ organizations and international bodies
MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –
Source: Government of Italy
Skip to content Reach the footer
September 23, 2024
Meetings are being held today at Palazzo Chigi between the Government and the trade unions (10:00), employers’ organizations (12:30) and international organizations (16:30) on the new immigration regulations being prepared. The Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council, Alfredo Mantovano, is present for the government.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
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MIL-OSI: Statement regarding intention to fundraise
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
23 SEPTEMBER 2024
NORTHERN 3 VCT PLC
STATEMENT REGARDING INTENTION TO FUNDRAISE
Northern 3 VCT PLC (“the Company”) is pleased to announce that, subject to having the requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals, it intends, in conjunction with Northern Venture Trust PLC and Northern 2 VCT PLC (together with the Company known as the “Northern VCTs”), to launch a joint prospectus offer of new ordinary shares for subscription in the 2024/25 tax year (“the Offer”). It is envisaged that the Offer will seek to raise up to £6 million for the Company, with a total fund-raising of up to £36 million across the Northern VCTs.
Full details of the Offer will be contained in the prospectus which is expected to be published in January 2025.
Enquiries:
Sarah Williams / James Sly, Mercia Fund Management Limited – 0330 223 1430
Website: www.mercia.co.uk/vcts
Neither the contents of the Mercia Asset Management PLC website, nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Mercia Asset Management PLC website (or any other website), are incorporated into, or form part of, this announcement.
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MIL-OSI Banking: Asian Development Blog: Beyond Growth: How AI Can Reshape Economies for Ecological Sustainability
Source: Asia Development Bank
Amid converging crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, the urgency of reimagining our economic systems has never been greater. Artificial Intelligence offers a unique opportunity to rethink how we manage resources and align economic activities with environmental sustainability.
For decades, global economic policy has been driven by the relentless pursuit of GDP growth, often at the expense of environmental and social well-being. This growth-centric model has spurred overexploitation of natural resources, driven deforestation, depleted oceans, and contributed significantly to global climate change.
These issues underscore a fundamental flaw: the assumption that economic growth can continue indefinitely without hitting ecological limits.
Economic activities frequently externalize environmental costs, treating them as side effects rather than central concerns.
For instance, standard agricultural practice has long prioritized short-term yield maximization, relying heavily on chemical fertilizers and monoculture cropping. While this boosts immediate output, it leads to soil degradation, water depletion, and loss of biodiversity, ultimately threatening the long-term sustainability of food production and security.
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to disrupt these outdated models by supporting the transition to circular and regenerative economies.
Unlike the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” a circular economy seeks to minimize waste by reusing and recycling resources. AI can play a critical role in optimizing these processes—enhancing supply chains, extending product lifecycles, and reducing waste.
Imagine AI algorithms that analyze vast amounts of data to optimize supply chain logistics, reducing waste and inefficiencies.
In manufacturing, AI can aid in designing products that are easier to repair, reuse, or recycle, aligning with circular economy principles. This shift not only lowers the environmental footprint but also reduces costs, providing economic incentives for businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to disrupt outdated economic models by supporting the transition to circular and regenerative economies.
In agriculture, AI can revolutionize practices through precision farming, which allows farmers to make data-driven decisions about how to manage their crops and resources. AI systems can provide real-time information on soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop needs, enabling farmers to use water and fertilizers more efficiently and reduce their environmental impact.
Precision farming optimizes resource usage, directing them exactly where required, thereby bolstering food security, safeguarding natural habitats, and strengthening resilience against climate change.
AI’s potential extends beyond industrial efficiency to direct environmental protection. An inspiring example is the use of AI-powered wind farms that can detect when migratory birds are passing through and temporarily shut down turbines to prevent collisions.
Such innovations highlight how AI can be a force for harmonizing human activities with the natural world, advancing both renewable energy goals and biodiversity conservation.
AI can also be a game-changer in reforestation and ecosystem restoration. Autonomous drones equipped with AI can plant trees in deforested areas, monitor their growth, and even identify and respond to threats such as wildfires or illegal logging.
These efforts are crucial for carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery, and the overall health of ecosystems. Using AI to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of reforestation can make significant strides in reversing some of the damage caused by decades of environmental neglect.
AI should be deployed to support systemic changes that align economic activities with ecological limits. Take, for example, how AI can streamline the incorporation of renewable energy into national grids, balance energy demand with greater precision, and minimize waste.
Harnessing predictive analytics, AI guarantees that renewable energy is accessible at the right moments and places, facilitating a seamless shift to a low-carbon economy.
As we navigate the AI revolution, we are like guardians of highly intelligent toddlers—curious, rapidly growing, and absorbing information at an unprecedented rate. Just like young children, these AI systems will mature based on the values, knowledge, and principles we instill in them today.
If we feed them the right data—balanced, ethical, and grounded in the principles of sustainability and equity—they can grow into powerful allies for a sustainable future. The choices we make now will echo for generations to come, determining if AI becomes a force for good that nurtures the delicate balance of our natural world.
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MIL-OSI Europe: Notice of Briefing
Source: The Holy See
Notice of Briefing, 22.09.2024
Tomorrow, Monday 23 September 2024, at 12.15, in the Holy See Press Office, Sala San Pio X, Via dell’Ospedale 1, the director Matteo Bruni will give a briefing to illustrate the programme of the Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis in Luxembourg and Belgium, to take place from 26 to 29 September 2024.
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MIL-OSI Video: Connecting with Multicultural & Multilingual Students
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
By leveraging his Hispanic heritage and his bilingualism, Jorge Torres – the American School Counselor Association’s 2023 Washington State School Counselor of the Year – connects with students who are multilingual & multicultural, helping them feel more seen in their school.
#HispanicHeritageMonth #HHM
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 57: UK Statement for the Commission of Inquiry on Syria
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, as delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
We regret that due to timetabling problems, the Commissioners could not be here this morning. If they had been, I would have thanked them for their latest report, which clearly highlights the horrific violations and abuses Syrians continue to endure.
Of all the horrors of this conflict, one of the greatest tragedies is of those forcibly detained and missing. As the Commissioners report, over 100,000 Syrians remain missing yet Syrian authorities continue to obstruct families’ efforts to find their loved ones.
The UK firmly supports families, survivors and victims in their quest for the truth. So, we commend efforts to operationalise the Independent Institution on Missing Persons and call for the swift appointment of its Assistant Secretary-General, so that it can help clarify the fate of those missing Syrians and support their long-suffering families.
The Assad regime must address the issue of the missing and cease arbitrary detention. The Syrian people need assurances on their safety and security, if they are ever to return home.
This Council must not, will not, turn its back on the Syrian people, and those responsible for the abuses and violations of human rights must, will be held to account.
Updates to this page
Published 23 September 2024 -
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Views sought on building safety levy proposals
Source: Scottish Government
Legislation to raise funds for fixing cladding issues.
Proposals for a tax on developers, aiming to raise funds to fix building safety issues in Scotland, have been published for public consultation.
Views are being sought on the proposed Scottish Building Safety Levy, which will be introduced under powers due to be devolved by the UK Government later this year. The consultation will open on 23 September and run for eight weeks, closing on 18 November.
The levy would apply to the construction of new residential buildings, mirroring measures being introduced in England through the UK Building Safety Act. Funds raised would support the Scottish Government’s cladding remediation programme.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said:
“We are keen to hear from people across Scotland about our proposals, which would raise funds from developers to help safeguard people living in buildings with unsafe cladding.
“I know that developers share our determination to keep people safe and have continued to make significant progress. This legislation will build on that momentum, ensuring developers make a fair contribution to address building safety defects in Scotland, just as the UK Government is asking them to do in England.
“We are continuing our work in partnership with developers, in line with our New Deal for Business and Framework for Tax, to ensure this levy best contributes to our mission of keeping people safe.”
Background
Views sought on building safety levy proposals – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
The UK Government agreed in principle to devolve the powers needed for a Scottish Building Safety Levy in April . Powers secured to introduce building safety levy – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Following the recent General Election, the new UK Government has renewed the agreement. The process to devolve powers and the necessary legislative procedures is anticipated to be completed in December 2024.
An earlier, joint consultation sought views on the devolution proposal, including any evidence to inform consideration of the potential for the new tax to create or incentivise economic distortions and arbitrage within the UK. Consultation on devolving powers for a Scottish Building Safety Levy – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Details of how the Scottish Building Safety Levy will operate will be developed through consultation and liaison with the UK Government and residential construction sector.
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MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers remarks at the Asia-Pacific Digital Talent
Source: ASEAN
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered remarks at the Asia-Pacific Digital Talent Summit 2024 held in Nanning, China. The Summit gathered policymakers, industry practitioners, and academics in discussing ways to develop and cultivate the youth in realising the potential of the region’s digital transformation. To fully harness this potential, Dr. Kao underscored in his remarks that ASEAN aims to finalise the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) by 2025.
Download the full remarks here.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers remarks at the Asia-Pacific Digital Talent appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor visits New York to promote London as leading destination for business, tourism and sport
Source: Mayor of London
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is heading to New York this week for a series of meetings and events with global leaders to bang the drum for London as a place to invest, hold sporting events and promote the capital as an unrivalled destination for tourists.
Sadiq’s visit takes place during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, where business leaders, politicians and major organisations converge on New York to discuss global issues including delivering economic prosperity and tackling climate change.
During his visit Sadiq will promote London as an exceptional place to work and invest in, including meetings with Accordion, CLA Global, Salesforce and Thoropass. He will also use meetings to promote London as an unparalleled destination for sporting events and tourism.
The Mayor will speak at a number of high-profile events, including the Concordia Annual Summit, a global affairs forum that works to address the world’s most pressing needs, the Climate Pledge Summit and the NYC Climate Week Hub.
London faces stiff competition but is still the leading location globally for US businesses looking to expand overseas. Last year saw New York invest $1.7 billion into London climate start-ups and climate focused companies, with the capital the top city for foreign direct investment from the United States over the last 10 years, when compared to all other cities globally.
Around 3.5 million visits were made between the US and London in 2023, surpassing pre-Pandemic levels by 12 per cent. This week’s visit to the US follows the Mayor’s announcement last week that he plans to transform oxford street into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, encouraging even more tourists to come to central London, restoring the street as the leading retails destination in the world.
While in New York the Mayor will also meet with senior sporting officials as he fulfils his pledge to explore bringing more sports from North America and around the world to our city. London, under Sadiq’s mayoralty has great pedigree in hosting the biggest international sporting events from around the globe – and Sadiq is determined to cement our city’s reputation as the undisputed sports capital of the world.
This capital has had a fantastic summer of music and sport, with Taylor Swift performing The Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium more times than any other city in the world and London hosting Major League Baseball, Diamond League Athletics, the Champions League Final and world title heavyweight boxing. In the coming months there are more major events with the 68th BFI London Film Festival, three NFL games and the League of Legends grand final at the O2 Arena, while next summer the capital will host the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Sadiq will also remind global leaders that now is the time to take firm action to tackle climate change. He will speak at New York Climate Week and at the Climate Pledge Summit emphasising how cities are at the forefront of climate action, with over half of the world’s population living in them and consuming 75per cent of global energy. The Mayor will highlight London’s bold initiatives and plans for the future including his commitment to make London rivers swimmable in ten years.
Sadiq is in New York in his capacity as Mayor of London and also Chair of C40 Cities – a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis, and will call on leaders to follow London’s example, turning our current global challenges into opportunities for transformative climate action.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am looking forward to visiting New York to bang the drum for London as the perfect location for global businesses to expand, invest and to hold sporting events.
“With so many key business leaders and politicians in New York this week, this really is the perfect time to promote London on the global stage – whether as an exciting tourist destination or the host of the world’s best sporting events.
“It is also an important week for global leaders to restate their commitment to tackle climate change, to learn from other cities and nations and showcase how London remains at the forefront of global action.”
While in New York, Sadiq will also speak at the UN’s SDG Lounge event – hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships – on the need to accelerate climate action and give the keynote address at a Clinton Global Initiative opening the session on “Leveraging Technology and Nature for Equitable Urban Resilience”.
C40 Executive Director, Mark Watts, said: “This UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week come at a pivotal time, amidst an upcoming election in the USA and following the general election here in the UK. The world will be watching to see how global leaders are addressing—or, in many cases, delaying action on the climate crisis. That is why Mayor Khan’s role this week, representing both London and C40 Cities, is so crucial. His unwavering dedication to creating healthier and greener cities sets a powerful example for city and national leaders around the globe. His presence here highlights the leading role of mayors in building a sustainable and inclusive future for all.”
Janet Coyle, Managing Director of Business Growth, London & Partners, said: “The business ties between London & North America have always been prevalent. From the future of drug discovery with Recursion to a leading cloud provider in CoreWeave, it has already been an impactful year for US expansion to London. New York and London in particular have always enhanced one another’s ecosystem to strengthen not only each other but the collective transatlantic community.”
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Council By-elections for Wards 6 & 14 – Voters urged to make sure their vote counts
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer
Polling will take place on Thursday 26 September 2024 to fill the two vacant seats for The Highland Council’s Cromarty Firth ward and the one vacant seat for the Inverness Central Ward. Voters are being reminded to be ready to make their vote count.
The single transferable vote system will be used. Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on. Voters can mark as many choices as they wish.
Postal packs have been despatched to those registered electors that submitted a form by the postal vote deadline. Further guidance on how to complete your postal pack is available here
Anyone who has requested a postal vote will not be able to vote in person at a polling station. If you are unable to post it in time, it is possible to hand in your completed postal pack into any of the polling stations located within wards 6 and 14 between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 26 September 2024. There are no restrictions on the number of postal votes that can be handed in to a polling station.
For those opting to vote in person on Thursday 26 September 2024, polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. Voters are reminded to check their poll cards as this will have details of where they need to go to cast their vote.
For those opting to vote in person on Thursday 26 September 2024, polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. People are reminded to check their poll cards as this will have details of where they need to go to cast their vote. There is no requirement to bring any form of voter ID.
The confirmed candidates standing for election to Ward 6 – Cromarty Firth are:
- Ryan BARROWMAN – Scottish Greens
- Sinclair COGHILL – Independent
- Richard James CROSS – Independent
- John EDMONDSON – Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Brideen GODLEY-MACKENZIE – Independent
- Kim HANNING JACKSON – Reform UK
- Roland HANNING JACKSON – Reform UK
- Odette MACDONALD – Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Tina MCCAFFERY – Independent
- Innes MUNRO – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- Michael PERERA – Scottish Labour Party
- Martin RATTRAY – Independent
The confirmed candidates standing for election to Ward 14 – Inverness Central are:
- Andrew BARNETT – Scottish Greens
- Michael GREGSON – Scottish Labour Party
- Chris LEWCOCK – Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Martin MACGREGOR – Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Donald MACKENZIE – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- Iain RICHMOND – Reform UK
The electronic election counts for both wards will take place on Friday 27 September 2024 starting at 9.00am. People will be able to follow the count and watch the declaration of the results live via the Council’s social media channels – @highlandcouncil
All information about the by-election, including answers to frequently asked questions and short video clips to show how to vote is available by visiting the Council’s website
23 Sep 2024
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MIL-OSI Video: Lebanon: grave concern of explosions & Palestine/Israel: Displaced people- Security Council Briefing
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Briefing UN Security Council members today (19 Sep) on the situation in the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed his “grave concern” on the “the series of explosions across Lebanon and rockets fired toward Israel in recent days,” warning that these incidents add to the overall volatility. Wennesland urged all parties to “refrain from steps that will further exacerbate the situation and take immediate steps to deescalate.”
In his briefing, Wennesland also highlighted the ongoing demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. He noted that over 550 people, including 250 children, had been displaced. He said, “demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures continued… citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain.”
The Special Coordinator also expressed alarm over provocative actions and rhetoric on both sides. Urging all parties to reject such dangerous incitements, he said, “a joint statement from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad threatened a return to the use of suicide bombings… while an Israeli minister said, ‘Palestinian prisoners must be killed. Shot in the head.’”
Helen Clark, a member of The Elders and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, told the Security Council that the current approach to managing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has failed. She criticized member states that use their veto power to “protect allies” or “obstruct geopolitical rivals,” warning that this undermines the authority of the Council.
Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, referred to a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, declaring Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as unlawful. “The Court reaffirmed the illegality of Israel’s settlements… stressing the obligations of the occupying Power to cease immediately all settlement activities,” Mansour said.
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said, “this Council and the world must wake up to the reality of the threat Iran poses. The dark force driving the violence we see today is not a collection of independent groups; it is Iran pulling the strings,” He said, “the Iranian proxies, Hezbollah in the North, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria, are all Iran’s attack dogs unleashed to spread death and destruction across the region.” Danon further said that Iran is not only targeting Israel but is seeking domination of the entire Middle East, while the Palestinian Authority is being “utterly weak and impotent.”
