It might sound far-fetched, but recent research suggests that dogs’ and humans’ brains synchronise when they look at each other.
This research, conducted by researchers in China, is the first time that “neural coupling” between different species has been witnessed.
Neural coupling is when the brain activity of two or more individuals aligns during an interaction. For humans, this is often in response to a conversation or story.
Neural coupling has been observed when members of the same species interact, including mice, bats, humans and other primates. This linking of brains is probably important in shaping responses during social encounters and might result in complex behaviour that would not be seen in isolation, such as enhancing teamwork or learning.
When social species interact, their brains “connect”. But this case of it happening between different species raises interesting considerations about the subtleties of the human-dog relationship and might help us understand each other a little better.
In the recent study, the researchers studied neural coupling using brain-activity recording equipment called non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG). This uses headgear containing electrodes that detect neural signals – in this case, from the beagles and humans involved in the study.
Researchers examined what happened to these neural signals when dogs and people were isolated from each other, and in the presence of each other, but without looking at each other. Dogs and humans were then allowed to interact with each other.
Look into my eyes
When dogs and humans gazed at each other and the dogs were stroked, their brain signals synchronised. The brain patterns in key areas of the brain associated with attention, matched in both dog and person.
Dogs and people who became more familiar with each other over the five days of the study had increased synchronisation of neural signals. Previous studies of human-human interactions have found increased familiarity between people also resulted in more closely matching brain patterns. So the depth of relationship between people and dogs may make neural coupling stronger.
The ability of dogs to form strong attachments with people is well known. A 2022 study found the presence of familiar humans could reduce stress responses in young wolves, the dog’s close relative. Forming neural connections with people might be one of the ways by which the dog-human relationship develops.
The researchers also studied the potential effect of differences in the brain on neural coupling. They did this by including dogs with a mutation in a gene called Shank3, which can lead to impaired neural connectivity in brain areas linked with attention. This gene is responsible for making a protein that helps promote communication between cells, and is especially abundant in the brain. Mutations in Shank3 have also been associated with autism spectrum disorder in humans.
Study dogs with the Shank3 mutation did not show the same level of matching brain signals with people, as those without the mutation. This was potentially because of impaired neural signalling and processing.
However, when researchers gave the study dogs with the Shank3 mutation, a single dose of LSD (a hallucinogenic drug), they showed increased levels of attention and restored neural coupling with humans.
The researchers were clear that there remains much to be learned about neural coupling between dogs and humans.
It might well be the case that looking into your dog’s eyes means that your respective brain signals will synchronise and enhance your connection. The more familiar you are with each other, the stronger it becomes, it seems.
Jacqueline Boyd is affiliated with The Kennel Club (UK) through membership and contributor to the Health Advisory Group. Jacqueline is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT #01583) and she also writes, consults and coaches on canine matters on an independent basis, in addition to her academic affiliation at Nottingham Trent University.
WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America (United States), gathered on the occasion of the 12th ASEAN-United States (U.S.) Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 11 October 2024;
HIGHLIGHTING our shared interest in unlocking the significant potential of artificial intelligence (AI) while also mitigating its risks;
Download the full statement here.
The post ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Statement on Promoting Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America (United States), gathered on the occasion of the 12th ASEAN-United States (U.S.) Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 11 October 2024;
HIGHLIGHTING our shared interest in unlocking the significant potential of artificial intelligence (AI) while also mitigating its risks;
Download the full statement here.
The post ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Statement on Promoting Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: African Development Bank Group Benin has pledged $2 million to the next replenishment of the African Development Fund, the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group.
The country’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Romuald Wadagni, made the announcement in Cotonou, at the opening session of the Mid-Term Review of the 16th Replenishment of the…
Some industry concerns, however, have been addressed20 min read
Yesterday, the Federal Government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024 (the Bill) to the Parliament, marking a significant shift in Australia’s merger regime. From 1 January 2026, Australia will adopt a mandatory and suspensory administrative merger process. New merger authorisation and informal clearance applications can no longer be made after 30 June 2025 and 31 December 2025 respectively.
The Bill sets out the legal framework for the new merger regime and key elements, including the control test, notification thresholds, ACCC and Tribunal review timelines, the suspensory rule, the substantial lessening of competition and public benefit tests and transitional arrangements.
While the Government has incorporated some feedback from businesses and the legal community provided during the consultation stage, concerns remain about the complexity of the regime, the volume of transactions it may capture and the ACCC’s ability to review mergers efficiently as a result. Businesses should carefully plan their timelines to avoid having to restart the process under the new regime during the transitional period.
However, despite some concerns, there are some positive changes. Amongst these, the Tribunal’s new evidence rules and ACCC waiver powers introduce important and beneficial new procedural aspects. In this Insight, we outline the key elements of the Bill and explore what its passage through Parliament could mean for the future of mergers in Australia.
Key takeaways
The Bill introduces a package of reforms that replaces Australia’s existing merger review framework with a single mandatory and suspensory administrative merger regime, which will come into effect on 1 January 2026. New merger authorisation and informal clearance applications can no longer be made after 30 June 2025 and 31 December 2025 respectively. From 1 January 2026, if an acquisition reaches the notification threshold and an exemption does not apply, it must be notified to the ACCC and cannot be ‘put into effect’ or it will be void.
The announced thresholds include only monetary factors (including a three-year cumulative turnover threshold), suggesting the Government will not be proceeding with market concentration thresholds. The Treasurer also has the ability to designate acquisitions that must be notified.
Acquisitions that do not result in control or a change in control are not required to be notified. While the concept of control is aligned with the Corporations Act, it is subject to several modifications when considering whether the ‘control exemption’ applies. Acquisitions of shares in listed entities and other bodies corporate under Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act are also not required to be notified if the acquisition does not result in a person’s voting power in that entity increasing to more than 20% or between 20% and 100%.
The ACCC will assess the acquisition against the new and expanded ‘substantial lessening of competition test’ (SLC test) of whether an acquisition, in all the circumstances, will lead to an effect, or likely effect, of creating, strengthening or entrenching a substantial degree of power in the market. Unlike the exposure draft, this SLC test will only apply to mergers and not the Competition and Consumer Act (CCA) generally.
The public benefits test will remain unchanged in the CCA, ie that the ACCC may determine that an acquisition can be put into effect if it is satisfied the acquisition will result in public benefits that outweigh any detriment. In the exposure draft, it had been proposed that the public benefit would need to substantially outweigh any detriment to the public, but this has since been removed in the Bill.
A confidential review process can be requested for certain hostile takeover bids and a notification waiver process is available to allow the ACCC to waive notification on a case-by-case basis. Similarly, voluntary transfers of business under the Financial Sector (Transfer and Restructure) Act will be reviewed by the ACCC confidentially, with no information or documents included on the acquisitions register until the ACCC makes a determination.
While the Tribunal cannot generally have regard to material that was not before the ACCC when making its determination, it has been empowered under the Bill to seek further information, documents and evidence in certain circumstances. One new circumstance is where the notifying party was not given a reasonable opportunity to make submissions to the ACCC in respect of new information relevant to the ACCC’s determination. This is a new addition, and one that is certainly welcome.
While the ACCC states in its statement of goals for merger reform implementation that it expects about 80% of mergers to be cleared within 15 to 20 business days, the complexity—together with the potential volume of mergers captured—raises significant concerns about the ability of the ACCC to review mergers promptly. Transacting parties will need to factor in specific timeframes for review of public benefits after the ACCC’s determination on competition effects.
Notifiable acquisitions
What types of acquisitions are caught?
The new regime requires that the following types of acquisitions by corporations or persons be notified where the ‘control’ and ‘monetary’ thresholds are met:
shares in the capital of a body corporate or corporation;
any assets of a person or corporation; or
any other acquisition the Minister, following consultation and by legislative instrument, determines should be notifiable or exempt.
The new regime also applies to partnerships and unit trusts as if they were a ‘person’ (subject to certain modifications, eg obligations being imposed on each partner or trustee (where there are multiple trustees), but capable of being discharged by the one). It also applies to acquisitions of units in a unit trust and an interest in a managed investment scheme as if those entities were bodies corporate and the units/interest were shares. This represents an expansion from previous legislation, addressing gaps identified in the exposure draft. The concept of ‘indirect’ acquisition has also been removed from the Bill.
Control test
Notification will be required where the above acquisitions result in the acquirer gaining control or practical influence over the business.
In this context, ‘control’ refers to the capacity to determine the outcome of decisions regarding the target’s financial and operating policies. Assessing whether such control exists requires consideration of both the practical influence that may be exerted (rather than the rights enforceable) and any practice or pattern of behaviour affecting the financial or operating policies of the entity. In aligning more closely with the definition of control in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Bill provides greater clarity on the concept of control as compared to the exposure draft.
However, the Bill modifies the concept of ‘control’ in certain ways, such as:
a person is taken to be able to control the target if it and one of its associates jointly have the capacity to control the target; and
for an acquirer that is a special purpose vehicle—the rule that deems an entity not to have control if it is under a legal obligation to exercise its influence for the benefit of others, is disregarded.
Exemptions
Certain acquisitions are exempt from notification, including:
acquisitions that do not result in control (ie the capacity to determine the outcome of decisions regarding the target’s financial and operating policies), including a change in control;
acquisitions of shares in the capital of a listed company, listed scheme or a large unlisted company (ie more than 50 members) (Chapter 6 entity) where the acquiring party’s voting power does not exceed 20% or does not move from above 20% to below 100%. This aligns with the takeovers threshold in the Corporations Act. When determining whether an acquisition meets the voting power threshold, a person is not considered to have acquired a ‘relevant interest’ in the shares until a conditional contract becomes binding (eg where a person has an option to acquire shares). This is a shift away from what was presented in the exposure draft;
internal restructures and reorganisations of involving related bodies corporate, or conducted through a trust or partnership; and
ordinary business transactions other than those involving land and patents.
Unlike the exposure draft, the Bill does not adopt the rebuttable presumption of control which had seen stakeholder concerns surrounding its ambiguity around acquisitions with lower voting power thresholds. The Bill also does not adopt the express exclusions for temporary holdings of shares or acquisitions. This is likely to be a significant issue for many businesses, so it will need to be considered further. It may be that it is intended to be covered by the waiver process or the Chapter 6 entity voting power exemption.
Further, parties can request that notification of a proposed ‘surprise hostile takeover’ (ie where the target is not aware of the proposed bid) be withheld from publication on the acquisitions register for up to 17 business days, or indefinitely if the ACCC decides to cease its review (including at the bidder’s request) within that period. However, this only applies to unconditional bids (or those subject only to prescribed occurrence conditions), and there is a range of requirements, such as the bidder committing to filing the bidder’s statement one business day after receiving the ACCC determination, which may expose the bidder to market risk.
Thresholds
While the regulations are yet to be released, the Government response has confirmed that the new regime will have the following notification thresholds:
Economy wide monetary thresholds
Targeted notification requirements and exceptions
Notification waiver: the new law also introduces a notification waiver process, wherein parties to an acquisition can apply to the ACCC to relieve them of the obligation to notify an acquisition that would otherwise be required to notified. The notification waiver does not, however, exempt an acquisition from the operation of section 50.
Ministerial determinations: the Bill incorporates a power for the Minister to make a determination that could require certain potentially anti-competitive mergers to be notified, in response to evidence-based analysis and consultation regarding high-risk sectors of the economy.
Further consultation on exceptions and targeted notification: the Government response indicates that it intends to consult further on whether certain categories of transactions should be notifiable or exempt, including:
requiring notification if a target is a non-listed body corporate, at least one merger party has Australian turnover of at least $200 million and the acquisition results in the acquirer holding more than 20% voting power; and
exempting land acquisitions involving residential property development or by any business that is primarily engaged in buying, selling or leasing property and which does not intend to operate a commercial business (other than leasing) on the land (unless those acquisitions are captured by additional targeted notification requirements).
The Government has also said it will ‘ensure’ that acquisitions unlikely to have an impact on Australia will not need to be notified. It is not clear how this will be applied at this point.
Proposed targeted screening tool
A targeted screening tool is currently being explored as a low-cost approach to capture acquisitions below the monetary thresholds in select concentrated regions and sectors. This means that all mergers where the target business or asset operates in the designated sub-industries, sector, goods or services or regions above a minimum turnover threshold (which is yet to be determined) would need to register with the ACCC.
A Ministerial determination could require acquisitions found through the screening tool to be in high-risk or concentrated markets to notify or provide more information to the ACCC.
The merger would only be notifiable if the ACCC requests notification within 5 to 10 business days.
Notification rules and requirements
The Bill details various changes to the notification and information-gathering requirements under the mandatory merger regime.
Who has the obligation to notify?
There is an obligation on the principal party (ie, the person(s) who acquire the shares / assets) to make a notification to the ACCC. A notification may be made jointly if there are multiple parties to the transaction.
Material changes of fact
Parties have an ongoing obligation to notify the ACCC of any material changes of fact to the notification until the ACCC makes its determination.
What constitutes a material change of fact is left to the discretion of the ACCC, but examples of material changes of fact may include: (i) the immediate or short-term exit of a major competitor, (ii) the destruction of assets that are relevant to the ACCC’s assessment of the notified acquisition; or (iii) significant regulatory change.
If a change of fact will materially impact the ACCC’s investigation, it has the ability to:
extend the determination period by the number of days that the ACCC was without information of the relevant change; or
could also effectively ‘re-start the clock’.
Penalties
The Bill introduces pecuniary penalties for contravention of the obligation to notify the Commission; the prohibition on putting into effect stayed acquisition; and a new civil penalty for providing false or misleading information to the ACCC or the Tribunal in relation to an acquisition.
Transitional arrangements
Both the current informal merger filing process and the merger authorisation process will be phased out.
From 1 January 2026, the new mandatory merger regime will come into effect and, if a proposed transaction is notifiable—in that it meets the relevant merger thresholds and control test—it will have to be notified to the ACCC under the new regime. Businesses will no longer be able to voluntarily notify the ACCC via its informal clearance process from 1 January 2026, or use the merger authorisation process from 1 July 2025.
Between 1 July 2025 and 31 December 2025, merging parties can choose to voluntarily notify the ACCC of their proposed acquisition under the new regime. There is no obligation to do so, however, and merging parties can continue to voluntarily notify the ACCC of a transaction under the informal process during this period.
The formal merger authorisation process will remain in effect until 31 December 2025, but merging parties can only lodge applications for merger authorisations up until 30 June 2025.
The new mandatory merger regime will not apply to acquisitions notified to the ACCC before 1 January 2026 where the ACCC has:
granted merger authorisation; or
advised the merging parties that it does not intend to take action under s50 of the CCA (ie cleared the transaction under the informal process); and
where the merging parties have put that acquisition into effect within 12 months of the ACCC’s decision.
To the extent that merging parties do not put the acquisition into effect during that period, they will need to re-notify the ACCC under the new mandatory regime. Similarly, if merging parties do not have informal clearance or a merger authorisation decision by 31 December 2025, the proposed acquisition will need to be re-notified to the ACCC under the new regime.
Section 50 of the CCA, which is the section under which the ACCC currently assesses informal merger filings, was slated to be repealed under the exposure draft. Under the proposed Bill, however, Treasury has retained s50 for application to non-notifiable/non-notified acquisitions.
Acquisitions will be suspended in various circumstances
An acquisition is stayed (ie suspended) in the following circumstances:
the acquisition is required to be notified to the ACCC but has not been;
the acquisition has been notified but has not been finally considered by the ACCC, or is the subject of an ongoing Tribunal review (ie there has not been a final determination);
the ACCC has determined that the notified acquisition must not be put into effect and has not subsequently determined that the acquisition is of substantial public benefit; or
the notification of the acquisition has become ‘stale’ (ie 12 months have lapsed since the ACCC’s determination that the acquisition may proceed). This time limit has been imposed in recognition of the fact that market conditions can materially change within a year of an ACCC determination, such that an acquisition that may have had substantial public benefits no longer does, or it now substantially lessens competition when previously it did not.
These types of acquisitions cannot be put into effect, or else they will be void.
Substantial lessening of competition test
In its July 2024 merger law reforms consultation, Treasury proposed that the interpretation provision of ‘lessening of competition’ in the CCA be expanded beyond the inclusion of ‘preventing or hindering competition’, to define that ‘substantial lessening of competition‘ in a market includes creating, strengthening or entrenching a substantial degree of power in any market.
In the Bill tabled to Parliament, this extended substantial lessening of competition test is retained, but its operation has been limited to the process of merger authorisations only, rather than having general application within the CCA.
The Bill states that the ACCC must have regard to ‘all relevant matters’ and provides guidance in the Explanatory Memorandum that economic factors to which the ACCC could be expected to have regard to include:
market position of the parties (including their economic and financial power);
whether the acquisition would result in the removal of a vigorous and effective competitor;
the nature of competition (and potential competition) in the market;
the effect of acquisition on the conditions for competition in the market;
structural and / or other conditions affecting competition, including the level of market concentration;
the conditions and barriers to entry and expansion, and the impact of the acquisition on those barriers;
the nature and strength of competitive constraints, including from outside of the market;
the degree of product and/or service differentiation;
the degree of dynamism;
the degree of countervailing power; and
the extent to which the acquisitions may give rise to efficiencies that could not otherwise be obtained, and the extent to which those efficiencies may benefit consumers.
A number of these will be quite familiar as they incorporate many of the existing ‘merger factors’ contained in s50(3) of the CCA, being factors the ACCC must currently take into account in assessing whether an acquisition would have the effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition under the current regime. However, these factors will no longer appear in the legislation under the new regime.
As with the previous exposure draft, the ACCC will be allowed to consider the cumulative effect of all acquisitions put into effect by the merging parties within three calendar years of the date the merger filing was lodged, whether those acquisitions were individually notifiable or not. The notifiable acquisition (ie the acquisition the ACCC is assessing) will be taken to have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in any market if the cumulative effect of the current acquisition and any acquisitions in the preceding three years by the merging parties in the same industry would be, or be likely to be, to substantially lessen competition in any market.
Aside from its SLC assessment, the ACCC now also has the power to consider and reject ‘goodwill provisions’ in sale agreements. Generally, provisions in business sale contracts that are solely to protect the goodwill of a business for the purchaser are exempt from the prohibitions against anti-competitive conduct in the CCA. Under the Bill, however, the ACCC will be able to declare that the goodwill exemption does not apply, eg where the contract includes a non-compete clause and its duration and/or geographic scope is broader than necessary for the protection of the purchaser in respect of the goodwill of the business.
Public benefit test
As foreshadowed in April and July 2024, a public benefit assessment of an acquisition which may otherwise be anti-competitive will only take place after the ACCC’s competition assessment.
In the Bill, there are no changes to the current public benefit test. The previous exposure draft proposed a public benefit test that introduced the concept of a ‘substantial’ outweighing of any detriment to the public, which has now been removed, as has the concept of a ‘substantial’ public benefit. The ACCC will continue to have broad discretion to consider what constitutes a public benefit. However, in making its determination (and whether to impose any conditions on an acquisition), the ACCC must consider the object of the CCA and all relevant matters, including the interests of consumers.
Processes for transparency of ACCC decisions
Public register
The Bill establishes a register of notified acquisitions that must be published by the ACCC.
Certain information and documents must be included on the register within one business day from when the determination, decision or notification (as applicable) is made. These include:
a copy of each determination;
the ACCC’s statements of reasons for making the determination;
a copy of the notice stating that a notification is subject to a Phase 2 review; and
details of each merger notification, including at least the names of the merging parties, a short description of the proposed acquisition and affected products and/or services, and a review timeline.
Information gathering
The Bill seeks to give additional clarity regarding the timing for the ACCC’s information gathering powers, and confirms the ACCC non-compulsory powers to request information through inviting interested persons to make written submissions, requesting additional information and consulting with reasonable and appropriate persons for the purposes of making a determination.
The ACCC must not take into account information that is received, or request information (unless written consent is provided), within 15 business days of the end of the Phase 2.
ACCC review timelines
The timelines within which the ACCC must make a determination on notified acquisitions are:
For Phase 1: up to 30 business days after the acquisition has been notified. Alternatively, if no issues are identified, a ‘fast-track’ determination may be made after 15 business days.
For Phase 2: if a determination is not made during Phase 1 and the ACCC is satisfied the notified acquisition could have the effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition, it has up to an additional 90 business days to complete its review.
However, the Bill allows the ACCC to extend these periods under certain conditions, including:
extending the Phase 2 determination period by the number of days the ACCC has not given notice of competition concerns after the 25th business day of the Phase 2 determination period for a duration that the notifying party agrees to;
extending the determination period by no more than 15 days to consider a commitment or undertaking offered by the notifying party;
extending the determination period by the number of days after the due date that the notifying party responds to a request for information;
following a notice by the ACCC no sooner than 10 business days after a s155 notice is issued to a party to the acquisition, the determination period is extended by the number of days between the extension notice being received and the date the information is furnished; and
adjusting the notification date if the ACCC becomes aware of a material change of fact, with the determination then required to be made ‘within a reasonable period’ after the ACCC identifies that change.
Therefore, in practice, these timeframes may not provide businesses with the degree of certainty intended, including if pre-consultation is engaged in. However, if the ACCC does not make a determination within the set timeframe and no applicable extension periods apply, the acquisition is automatically deemed approved.
Tribunal merits review
The Bill provides for a limited merits review by the Competition Tribunal to affirm, set aside or vary a determination of the ACCC in relation to a proposed acquisition.
The exposure draft included a proposed ‘fast-track’ process for Tribunal review, which has since been removed. However, if a party requests a review of an ACCC internal decision (ie the effective notification date or date of application), the Tribunal must make a decision within 14 days.
Both merging parties and third parties can apply for the ACCC’s determination to be reviewed by the Tribunal. Factors relevant when considering whether to grant a third party (ie not one of the merging parties) the right to review the ACCC’s decision include: the person’s interest in the matter, the efficient administration of the acquisitions provisions, whether there are any reasonable prospects of success, and any other matter the Tribunal considers relevant.
In its review of an ACCC determination, the Tribunal cannot generally have regard to material that was not before the ACCC when making its determination. It is empowered, however, to seek further information, documents and evidence in the following circumstances:
via consultations with any consumer associations or consumer interest groups;
via consultations with a technical expert (such as economic or industry experts);
information requests from the Tribunal to the ACCC;
where the notifying party was not given a reasonable opportunity to make submissions to the ACCC in respect of new information relevant to the ACCC’s determination. This is a new addition, and one that is certainly welcome;
where there is new, relevant information available that was not in existence at the time of the ACCC’s determination; and
where the Tribunal requires additional information for the sole purpose of clarifying existing information.
The Tribunal must make its decision in relation to a review of an ACCC determination between 45 and 90 days, and may extend that for up to 60 days in certain circumstances. Judicial review of Tribunal decisions will be available in the Federal Court.
What’s next?
Subject to the passage of the Bill, the new laws will come into effect on 1 January 2026 and allow for voluntary notification under the new regime from 1 July 2025.
If you would like to discuss the Bill, the impact it may have on your business and the steps you can take in the meantime to prepare for it, please get in touch with us.
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As the global polycarbonate market size continues to increase, the use of captured CO2 as a chemical raw material to produce polymers has an obvious ecological advantage over conventional polymers. The entire process of FCO2PC is close looped, zero waste and nontoxic. The technological breakthrough is the sophisticated catalysts used in carefully designed quantities and with unique physical properties. It solves the common environmental problems in traditional processes, avoids toxic chemical feedstock, and recycles all solvents and wastewater. In partnership with Chi Mei Corporation, FCO2PC is undergoing field testing and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 17%, or 178,500 metric tons annually.
FCO2PC was invented to solve challenges in both carbon capture and storage in one process. It is a production process that uses the captured CO2 from combustion flue gas as raw material and through esterification and transesterification, producing polycarbonate for commercial use. FCO2PC matches BPA polycarbonate in quality and is suitable for a wide range of applications, including safety helmets, phone cases, headlamp covers, eye protection and more.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese premier says promoting sound, stable relations between China, Europe responsibility of both sides
VIENTIANE, Oct. 11 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here that promoting a sound, stable and sustainable development of China-Europe relations is not only the responsibility of both sides, but also the expectation of the international community.
Li made the remarks on Friday during his meeting with European Council President Charles Michel on the sidelines of the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation held in Vientiane.
It has been proven repeatedly in history and practice that as two major peaceful and constructive forces in the world, China and Europe maintaining a sound relationship and strengthening practical cooperation are conducive to their respective development, world prosperity and stability, as well as joint responses to global challenges, Li added.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
VIENTIANE, Oct. 11 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday called on the EU institutions to view China’s development in a correct way and formulate objective and rational policies towards China.
Li made the remarks during his meeting with European Council President Charles Michel on the sidelines of the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation held in Vientiane.
China regards Europe as an important direction of China’s diplomacy and an important partner in promoting Chinese modernization, Li said, noting that China is also a major partner for Europe to achieve energy and green transition and jointly promote peace and development.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China, ASEAN poised to tap greater trade potential with major FTA upgrade progress
VIENTIANE, Oct. 10 — Leaders of China and ASEAN countries announced here on Thursday the substantial conclusion of the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) upgrade negotiations, paving the way for one of the world’s most populous and robust FTAs to play a bigger role in boosting regional development amid rising global protectionism.
The announcement was made at the 27th China-ASEAN Summit, part of a series of leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation starting Wednesday, including the 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit.
The important outcome provides institutional safeguards for China and ASEAN to build the super-sized markets together, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang when addressing the meeting, hailing it as a significant step in spearheading East Asian economic integration as well as in demonstrating their unequivocal support for multilateralism and free trade.
Both China and ASEAN have confirmed that they will accelerate work involving legal reviews and domestic procedures to promote the signing of the 3.0 upgrade protocol in 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday in a statement.
The construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area was completed in 2010, and Version 3.0 FTA negotiations began in November 2022.
“The China-ASEAN FTA 3.0, which is improved and more open, will promote mutual benefit and win-win results,” said Yong Chanthalangsy, representative of Laos to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. “China and ASEAN are a community of shared future. The joint efforts of both sides to build a more open China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 are also the embodiment of the spirit of a community with a shared future for mankind.”
The Chinese premier voiced hope to explore with ASEAN more ways and means to connect and share the markets, so as to generate stronger, more lasting development impetus for both sides and provide more solid support for the shared prosperity of the region and the world at large.
China has remained ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China’s top trading partner for four consecutive years.
Official data show that in the first seven months of this year, their trade reached 552 billion U.S. dollars, up 7.7 percent year on year, accounting for about one-sixth of China’s total foreign trade volume in the same period.
“With a combined population of more than 2 billion people, the market of China and ASEAN is a huge one,” Chanthalangsy noted. “China and ASEAN, geographically close with respective advantages and strong economic complementarity, can support each other and need each other at the same time. The China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 will make commodity circulation and trade between both sides more convenient, and inject new momentum into their respective economic development.”
The efforts of China and ASEAN are in tune with the theme of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which highlights the bloc’s ambition to respond to various pressing challenges and seize opportunities to build a more integrated, connected and resilient regional community.
China will always firmly support ASEAN integration, community building, and its strategic independence, and stands ready to work with ASEAN countries to elevate the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level, Li said.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping has noted, China will continue to follow the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and work with other countries in the region to build a better Asian community.
To this end, the premier said, China and ASEAN need to create a multidimensional connectivity network to enable unimpeded development for Asia in the future, expand cooperation in emerging industries to enhance the sustainability of growth for Asia in the future, and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges to solidify the foundation of friendship for Asia in the future.
The ASEAN leaders attending the summit applauded the robust growth momentum of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership, noting that cooperation between ASEAN and China in various fields has yielded fruitful results, which has greatly improved the well-being of people in the region.
“This upgrade to the FTA is an important move, especially in this time of growing protectionism in the world,” Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during the ASEAN-China Summit.
The results from this summit will “not only benefit China and the ASEAN countries, but also help enhance the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region,” said Seun Sam, a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia.
Also on Thursday, Li attended the 27th APT Summit, where he highlighted China’s readiness to have in-depth exchanges of views with all parties on major regional cooperation issues and contribute to making the region an important engine for global development.
Li said that China will continue to work with all parties to give full play to the APT cooperation mechanism, support ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture, promote the long-term, sound and stable development of the region, and inject more certainty and positive energy into Asia and the world.
The premier called for sustained efforts to enhance the resilience of regional development, improve the stability and competitiveness of regional industrial systems, and implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement with high quality.
“China looks forward to accelerating the restart of China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Area negotiations,” he added.
Leaders present at the meeting said that the world is witnessing rising complexity and uncertainty, and that the APT cooperation, which has made important contributions to maintaining regional stability and promoting regional development, is facing an opportunity of further development.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
GUU and Profit Service presented a joint project for the production of small-sized drones intended for use in anti-drone systems.
The basis for the development was a model of an unmanned aerial vehicle, previously created and patented by one of the members of the project team formed at the State University of Management.
A joint team of the university and the company, which included GUU postgraduate student Vladimir Kutkov, performed at the in-person stage of the competitive selection of projects, organized by the National Technological Initiative Foundation, which took place at the site of the Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Rudnevo Industrial Park.
The industrial partner plans to launch production of a new type of aircraft, developed by engineers of the Engineering Project Management Center of the State University of Management together with specialists from the Profit Service company based on the presented scientific and technical background, in the first quarter of 2025.
In addition, specialists from the Engineering Project Management Center of the State University of Management took part in a strategic session on the application of various types of radio-technical means and systems to solve problems in developing the unmanned aircraft systems industry, organized by the Department for Coordination of Educational Organizations of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. The event was held at MIREA.
Representatives of the State University of Management outlined a number of promising areas based on the integrated use of diverse unmanned systems, as well as complexes that combine unmanned aircraft with ground robots and other technical means and systems.
The outcome of the meeting was a list of areas in which various universities are ready and have the opportunity to develop new technologies of radio engineering, communication and navigation equipment for unmanned aviation.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 11.10.2024
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.
French Polynesia’s president and civil society leaders have called on the United Nations to bring France to the negotiating table and set a timetable for the decolonisation of the Pacific territory.
More than a decade after the archipelago was re-listed for decolonisation by the UN General Assembly, France has refused to acknowledge the world’s peak diplomatic organisation has a legitimate role.
France’s reputation has taken a battering as an out-of-touch colonial power since deadly violence erupted in Kanaky New Caledonia in May, sparked by a now abandoned French government attempt to dilute the voting power of indigenous Kanak people.
Pro-independence French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson told the UN Decolonisation Committee’s annual meeting in New York on Monday that “after a decade of silence” France must be “guided” to participate in “dialogue.”
“Our government’s full support for a comprehensive, transparent and peaceful decolonisation process with France, under the scrutiny of the United Nations, can pave the way for a decolonisation process that serves as an example to the world,” Brotherson said.
Brotherson called for France to finally co-operate in creating a roadmap and timeline for the decolonisation process, pointing to unrest in New Caledonia that “reminds us of the delicate balance that peace requires”.
The 121 islands of French Polynesia stretch over a vast expanse of the Pacific, with a population of about 280,000, and was first settled more than 2000 years ago.
Often referred to as Tahiti after the island with the biggest population, France declared the archipelago a protectorate in 1842, followed by full annexation in 1880.
France last year attended the UN committee for the first time since the territory’s re-inscription in 2013 as awaiting decolonisation, after decades of campaigning by French Polynesian politicians.
French Permanent Representative to the UN Nicolas De Rivière responds to French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson at the 79th session of the Decolonisation Committe on Monday. Image: UNTV
“I would like to clarify once again that this change of method does not imply a change of policy,” French permanent representative to the UN Nicolas De Rivière told the committee on Monday.
“There is no process between the state and the Polynesian territory that reserves a role for the United Nations,” he said, and pointed out France contributes almost 2 billion euros (US $2.2 billion) each year, or almost 30 percent of the territory’s GDP.
After the UN session, Brotherson told the media that France’s position is “off the mark”.
17 speakers back independence French Polynesia was initially listed for decolonisation by the UN in 1946 but removed a year later as France fought to hold onto its overseas territories after the Second World War.
Granted limited autonomy in 1984, with control over local government services, France retained administration over justice, security, defence, foreign policy and the currency.
Seventeen pro-independence and four pro-autonomy – who support the status quo – speakers gave impassioned testimony to the committee.
Lawyer and Protestant church spokesman Philippe Neuffer highlighted children in the territory “solely learn French and Western history”.
“They deserve the right to learn our complete history, not the one centred on the French side of the story,” he said.
“Talking about the nuclear tests without even mentioning our veterans’ history and how they fought to get a court to condemn France for poisoning people with nuclear radiation.”
France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.
‘We demand justice’ “Our lands are contaminated, our health compromised and our spirits burned,” president of the Mururoa E Tatou Association Tevaerai Puarai told the UN denouncing it as French “nuclear colonialism”.
“We demand justice. We demand freedom,” Puarai said.
He said France needed to take full responsibility for its “nuclear crimes”, referencing a controversial 10-year compensation deal reached in 2009.
Some Māʼohi indigenous people, many French residents and descendants in the territory fear independence and the resulting loss of subsidies would devastate the local economy and public services.
Pro-autonomy local Assembly member Tepuaraurii Teriitahi told the committee, “French Polynesia is neither oppressed nor exploited by France.”
“The idea that we could find 2 billion a year to replace this contribution on our own is an illusion that would lead to the impoverishment and downfall of our hitherto prosperous country,” she said.
Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
On the heels of the Summit of the Future and adoption of the Pact for the Future, the first Hamburg Sustainability Conference (7-8 October) gathered international policy makers, business leaders and civil society to discuss ways to accelerate SDG implementation. Attending the conference, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean presented UNECE tools and initiatives that are already laying the foundation for strengthened international cooperation necessary to deliver result-oriented solutions, at the Mayors’ Panel on achieving sustainable cities of the future.
The Executive Secretary recalled that cities are key partners in achieving sustainable development as they are on the frontlines of addressing humanity’s most pressing problems. In its work UNECE applies a comprehensive approach to urban challenges and it supports local and regional authorities across various key areas, each contributing to the creation of more resilient, representative, and sustainable urban environments. Some of the most important initiatives include:
Forum of Mayors to gather city leaders to exchange knowledge and local solutions, and engage with international policy and decision-making;
PIERS methodology to score infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects against SDGs;
Opening the Sustainable Finance Forum, which bridges the Hamburg Sustainability Conference and the upcoming COP29, the Executive Secretary drew attention to the immense investments needed for the energy transition: to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement, USD 5 trillion are needed annually from now until 2030 in the energy sector alone. Yet, 2023 saw USD 1.8 trillion invested in the energy transition, which represents an increase of 17% over the previous year. Hard-to-abate sectors and small businesses face even greater challenges in securing such financing.
Aiming to address these gaps, the Forum brought together investors, decision makers and energy transition project leaders. Of some 250 initiatives mapped, 10 projects from South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia requiring financing of over USD 15 billion were shortlisted for showcasing at COP29.
With its PIERS methodology UNECE can help governments and financial actors to align their infrastructure and PPPs projects with the SDGs, thus advancing climate action and resilient infrastructure for a sustainable future. The shortlisted projects will benefit from training on PIERS, helping to strengthen accountability, transparency and investor readiness.
The Sustainable Finance Forum was convened by UNECE, the United Nations High-Level Climate Champions, DZ BANK, the European Commission, and the German Chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Germany) to strengthen the work of international partners in the field of transition finance.
The topic of strengthening the contribution of public and private capital providers to climate action was on the agenda of the Executive Secretary’s bilateral meetings on the margins of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, particularly during her discussion withMahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Mr.Mohieldinand Ms. Molcean agreed that an appropriate business environment is important to attract private investors and financiers to drive the transition. They also exchanged about the role of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and its impact on neighbouring countries to the EU and the role of organisations such as UNECE in supporting adaptation. They also discussed targeted taxation in helping emerging markets embrace the energy transition.
Meeting with the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), John Denton, the Executive Secretary highlighted the importance of involving the private sector to accelerate SDG implementation, as well as the joint work by UNECE and ICC to promote the global use of digital trade standards.
In discussion with Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, Ms. Molcean stressed the role of UNECE as a standard setter and an effective regional cooperation platform to advance sustainable development across diverse fields, including energy, environment, gender equality and transport among many others.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Central Bank of Russia –
MFIs will have to eliminate practices that lead to citizens becoming over-indebted
Director of the Central Bank Department Ilya Kochetkov talks about how people are drawn into a chain of endless borrowing and what measures the regulator will use to combat this.
About 20% of loans issued by microfinance organizations are spent by so-called dependent clients of organizations on sports betting, online casinos, etc. — this estimate was given in an interview with Izvestia by the head of the non-bank lending department of the Central Bank, Ilya Kochetkov. He also reported that a third of expensive loans — with an overpayment of 100% or more — can be classified as usurious, when organizations bypass regulations and drag people into a debt hole. In order to stop this vicious practice, the Central Bank proposes to introduce a number of measures, in particular, the mechanism of “one loan in one hand.” However, as Ilya Kochetkov stated, this restriction will only apply to expensive loans. It is also planned to establish a three-day “cooling-off period” after the repayment of obligations to microfinance organizations.
“First of all, measures will be taken to protect citizens”
— In August, the Central Bank published a report for public discussion describing what was effectively a reform of the microfinance market. The changes proposed by the regulator are indeed serious, which is why they caused a strong reaction from the market. How is the discussion going with industry participants?
— The main goal of the changes proposed in the report is to create conditions for the development of companies that provide loans to businesses, but at the same time it is necessary to eliminate practices that lead to an increase in the indebtedness of citizens on consumer loans.
Indeed, the market has responded actively to our proposals. We have received feedback from self-regulatory organizations (SROs) and most of the largest industry participants. Several stages of discussion have already taken place. In early September, we held a meeting with representatives of microfinance organizations, SROs, infrastructure and public organizations, and the scientific and expert community. Last week, the proposals described in the report were conceptually supported at a meeting of the Financial Market Committee in the State Duma. And on October 14, we plan to discuss the feedback received with market representatives.
— Did any of the proposals from market representatives interest the Central Bank and will they be taken into account when preparing amendments to the legislation?
— Speaking about preliminary results, among the comments received there are proposals that we are ready to listen to. For example, the market suggests reducing the period for providing information to credit history bureaus. Currently, it is two days. We support this initiative. This will allow companies to track the receipt and repayment of loans in real time.
Also, a number of MFIs pointed out excessively strict requirements for capital and investment attraction. We are ready to take these proposals into account and adjust individual prudential requirements (aimed at avoiding risks and ensuring stability. — Izvestia) taking into account the opinions of companies.
— As I understood from the discussion of your proposals in the State Duma, the deputies are extremely determined and are ready to prepare and adopt a bill in the near future, almost in the autumn session. Will this be a separate law or will amendments be made to existing ones? When can we expect the bill to be adopted?
— Changing the configuration of the MFI market will require a comprehensive revision of legislation and regulations. They will be introduced into the law on microfinance activities and microfinance organizations, the law on consumer credit (loan), the law on the Bank of Russia and about 20 more laws. It is assumed that this will take place in several stages over three years.
First of all, measures aimed at protecting citizens will be implemented: the introduction of the “one loan per hand until repayment” rule, the establishment of a “cooling-off period” and a reduction in the maximum overpayment on consumer loans.
“The ban will only apply to the most expensive loans”
— Has the Central Bank already decided how the “one loan per person” rule will work? Will the restriction apply to all MFIs and will liabilities in banks, many of which now offer the “money until payday” product, be taken into account?
— It is planned that the ban will apply only to the most expensive MFI loans, for which the total cost of credit (TCC) exceeds 100% per annum. A person will not be able to have two such obligations. The purpose of this measure is to protect citizens from excessive indebtedness. If a person already has one such loan, then until it is repaid, no MFI will have the right to issue him a second expensive loan. At the same time, if a person has a bank loan or a loan with TCC up to 100%, the ban will not apply.
In addition, it is planned to establish a “cooling-off period” between receiving loans. This is done so that the borrower has the opportunity to take a more thoughtful and balanced approach to their obligations, and companies cannot issue new loans to pay off current debts.
— What kind of “cooling off period” will this be?
— We plan for it to be three days.
— Recently, in a review of retail lending trends, the Central Bank indicated that many borrowers have both a bank loan and a loan from an MFI. The regulator has consistently tightened macroprudential measures for borrowers with a high debt burden, who, having been refused by a bank, went to refinance in an MFI, where money is more expensive. Doesn’t it make sense to also take into account obligations to banks when imposing restrictions?
— Requirements for calculating the debt burden ratio (DBR) and macroprudential limits (MPL) for issuing loans to the most indebted borrowers are established not only for banks, but also for microfinance organizations. Yes, the limits were initially different — they were more lenient for microfinance organizations. But since the fourth quarter of this year, the same MPL values for loans with a high DBR have been in effect for microfinance organizations. This allows us to avoid regulatory arbitrage and limit the growth of indebtedness.
When calculating the borrower’s DTI, MFIs are required to include in his monthly expenses all payments on existing loans and credits. If the DTI is more than 50%, MFIs will be able to issue such a person a loan only within the limits established by the MPL.
— You recently said that restrictions on the maximum daily interest rate for microfinance organizations may be introduced. To what extent?
— For several years, we have been systematically working to reduce the cost of loans for individuals. During this time, the APR has been reduced from more than 1000% to 292% per annum, and the maximum overpayment has been reduced from four times the loan amount to 130%. But even now, MFI loans remain quite expensive for individuals, since most of them are issued at the maximum possible rate. We see potential for further reduction of the daily interest rate; specific values are currently being worked out. We are also considering various options for prudential regulation to encourage MFIs to differentiate rates and provide more favorable conditions for quality clients.
According to our estimates, a more effective measure to reduce debt load could be to limit the maximum amount of borrower overpayment. Currently, it is 130% of the loan amount. As an operational measure to reduce the cost of loans for citizens, we propose reducing the borrower overpayment to 100% of the amount. That is, conditionally: if you took a loan from an MFO for 1,000 rubles, then taking into account all interest, penalties, etc., you will still return no more than 2,000 rubles.
— SRO “Mir” proposes to review the criteria for “loans until payday”, reducing them to 15 thousand rubles and shortening the term of issue, and only then introduce a limit on them. Do you agree with this proposal?
— Indeed, the criteria for a payday loan — up to 30 thousand rubles and up to 30 days — are outdated. MFIs artificially extend loan terms or increase their amounts in order to circumvent regulatory restrictions. That is why a comprehensive review of consumer loan regulation is required, and restrictions should be introduced based not on formal criteria, but on the cost of the product. Therefore, we propose introducing stricter regulation for loans with an APR greater than 100%.
“Companies that do not accept the new rules of the game will have to leave the market”
— The head of the Central Bank Elvira Nabiullina has repeatedly said that usurious microfinance organizations should leave the market. What kind of organizations are these and what is their share?
— In a number of cases, consumer loans from microfinance organizations remain quite burdensome for citizens. High-quality, conscientious borrowers receive money on the same terms as less reliable clients. Although, based on the risks, the conditions for the former should be more favorable. The current model creates an excessive burden on solvent citizens and does not encourage companies to more carefully select borrowers.
Moreover, there is a practice of hidden loan refinancing on the market. Instead of stopping the accrual of interest when the overpayment reaches 130%, MFIs issue a new loan to a person and include previously accrued interest in its body. So-called loan chains are formed. As a result, the MFI client’s debt grows like a snowball.
According to our estimates, about a third of all expensive consumer loans issued by MFIs are part of such “chains” that lead to an increase in the indebtedness of citizens. The introduction of a limit on one loan per person and a cooling-off period is aimed at curbing such practices. Companies that do not accept the new rules of the game will have to leave the market.
— In your report, you indicated that many people have developed an “addiction to microfinance organization loans”; they borrow money to bet on sports or in online casinos. Are there any estimates of how much is borrowed for these purposes?
— Based on the analysis of actual spending on bank cards of several million MFI clients, we conclude that up to 20% of the amount of issued loans is spent on these purposes. At the same time, for some companies, the share of such loans may significantly exceed the average value, and individual clients spend all the funds they borrowed from the MFI on these purposes.
— Won’t it turn out that by squeezing unscrupulous players out of the market, you will simultaneously push MFIs and their clients into the “gray” and even “black” zone?
— This question is asked every time there is a plan to strengthen regulation in the MFI sector. We expect that the market will hear our arguments and respond to them by changing approaches and eliminating negative practices. We expect that this will be a change in the essence of business models, product lines, approaches to assessing the quality of borrowers, and not a search for various options to bypass regulation. This is important both for the image of the market and for its future, given the constantly emerging initiatives to ban MFIs.
As for “going into the shadows”, it is very important that citizens understand all the risks of turning to “black” creditors. Such companies operate outside the legal field and do not comply with the requirements established by law. Citizens are threatened with high rates, incorrect collection methods and other risks.
The Bank of Russia is working to combat the activities of illegal lenders. Last year, almost 2,000 illegal lenders were identified, and in the first nine months of this year, more than 1,300. We publish information about them on our website, where there is a special section. This helps promptly warn citizens about the risks.
We work closely with law enforcement agencies — we pass on all the data on the identified illegals. The organizers are brought to administrative responsibility. There are facts of initiating criminal cases. Together with the Prosecutor General’s Office and Roskomnadzor, we block the websites of illegal companies. Now this happens very quickly — within a few days.
— Since you yourself mentioned the ban on microfinance organizations… A corresponding bill has been introduced for many years, but as far as I understand, it has not been seriously considered. Why can’t the idea of closing the microfinance organization market be realized?
— We understand that MFIs are often associated with something dubious and semi-criminal. This image is largely formed by illegal lenders operating outside the legal field, as well as high rates and negative practices on the market, which I have already mentioned. But let’s look at the market as a whole. MFIs are an important part of the country’s financial market; they allow people to quickly and easily get money for a short period. It is also important to note that the MFI market is not only expensive loans, but also money for business, POS lending for large purchases. The rates on them are comparable to those of banks.
We proposed a concept for changing this market to eliminate negative aspects, make it more transparent and regulated. MFIs will have to adapt to new restrictions, eliminate practices that lead to citizens becoming over-indebted.
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 –
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.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola, Visiting Scientist, United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University
Extreme climate events — floods, droughts and heatwaves — are not just becoming more frequent; they are also more severe.
It’s important to understand how communities can recover from these events in ways that also build resilience to future events.
In a recent study, we analysed how communities affected by the extreme flood events of 2021 in Germany’s Ahr Valley and in Lagos, Nigeria, grappled with recovery from floods.
Our aim was to identify the factors – and combinations of factors – that served as barriers (or enablers) to recovery from disasters.
We found that financial limitations, political interests and administrative hurdles led to prioritising immediate relief and reconstruction over long-term sustainable recovery.
We concluded from our findings that the success of recovery efforts lies in balancing short-term relief and a long-term vision. While immediate aid is essential after a disaster, true resilience hinges on proactive measures that address systemic challenges and empower communities to build a better future.
Recovery should not be merely action-oriented and building back infrastructure (engineering). It should also include insights in other areas, like governance and psychology, helping people to deal with losses and to heal.
What worked
To understand the recovery pathways of the two regions, we reviewed relevant literature, newspaper articles and government documents. We also interviewed government agencies, NGO representatives, volunteers and local residents in the communities where these floods occurred.
We found that in the Ahr Valley, recovery wasn’t just about rebuilding structures, it was about empowering individuals.
Through initiatives like mental health and first aid courses, residents learned to support one another. This fostered a sense of community and resilience that was essential for meeting the emotional challenges posed by the disaster.
The focus on rebuilding with a sustainable vision also included environmental initiatives. For example, a type of heating system was put in place that didn’t rely on fossil fuels.
Not only did this reduce carbon emissions, it also served as a symbol of hope. It showed there was an opportunity to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly community.
In Lagos, too, residents found strength in community and innovation. Grassroots efforts using sustainable materials like bamboo and palm wood highlighted the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people. Faith-based organisations provided material aid as well as emotional and spiritual support. This reinforced the bonds that held the community together.
Each community faced unique challenges. But they shared a common thread: the importance of adaptive governance – flexible decision-making and strong community ties.
For example, established building codes in the Ahr Valley provided a framework for reconstruction, ensuring that new structures were resilient and safe.
In Lagos, the absence of strong government support highlighted the critical role of community organisations in providing services and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
What needs improvment
In both the Ahr Valley and Lagos, the journey towards recovery has been fraught with obstacles as well.
In the Ahr Valley, bureaucratic red tape has become a formidable barrier. Residents, eager to rebuild their lives, find themselves entangled in a complex web of regulations and lengthy approval processes. This has delayed their access to insurance and recovery funds. Waiting for months or even years has eroded hope and fuelled a sense of abandonment.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, insufficient government support has left communities to fend for themselves, creating a breeding ground for uncertainty and conflict.
Land tenure disputes, fuelled by a lack of clear property rights, sow seeds of distrust and hinder resettlement efforts. Political disagreements complicate the picture, as competing interests divert attention and resources away from those who need them most.
In Lagos, none of the respondents reported having insurance to help them to recover from disaster-related losses.
While some residents in the Ahr Valley did have insurance, many were under-insured.
The Ahr Valley’s building codes offer a framework for reconstruction. But it’s clear that processes should be streamlined so communities can take ownership of their recovery.
In Lagos, the importance of robust social safety nets is clear. Partnerships between communities and authorities are also needed.
A different approach
Recovery isn’t a separate process that occurs after disasters only. It should be seen as an essential part of managing risks. It’s important to understand what recovery involves and what resources are needed.
This will help reduce future risks and increase resilience after extreme events.
Governments should encourage flexible governance structures that value community voices and local knowledge to enable recovery. A good example is the New Orleans Recovery Authority, established after Hurricane Katrina. It involved local residents and city officials in planning and rebuilding efforts.
Grassroots efforts in Lagos demonstrated the power of sustainable materials and community-led initiatives. Seeing things from the community’s point of view can help tailor solutions that fit the situation and adapt to evolving challenges.
Training and capacity-building programmes empower communities to be active in their own recovery.
Mental health and first aid courses were successful in the Ahr Valley. Equipping individuals with skills in sustainable practices and disaster preparedness helps weave a social fabric capable of weathering future storms.
Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola is a Visiting Scientist at, the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
Saskia E. Werners works with United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). She is grateful to have received research grants in support of her research on climate change adaptation and recovery.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn today held a bilateral meeting with Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Zhang Ming, on the margins of the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Both sides exchanged views on ways to enhance ASEAN-SCO relations, among others.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola, Visiting Scientist, United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University
Extreme climate events — floods, droughts and heatwaves — are not just becoming more frequent; they are also more severe.
It’s important to understand how communities can recover from these events in ways that also build resilience to future events.
In a recent study, we analysed how communities affected by the extreme flood events of 2021 in Germany’s Ahr Valley and in Lagos, Nigeria, grappled with recovery from floods.
Our aim was to identify the factors – and combinations of factors – that served as barriers (or enablers) to recovery from disasters.
We found that financial limitations, political interests and administrative hurdles led to prioritising immediate relief and reconstruction over long-term sustainable recovery.
We concluded from our findings that the success of recovery efforts lies in balancing short-term relief and a long-term vision. While immediate aid is essential after a disaster, true resilience hinges on proactive measures that address systemic challenges and empower communities to build a better future.
Recovery should not be merely action-oriented and building back infrastructure (engineering). It should also include insights in other areas, like governance and psychology, helping people to deal with losses and to heal.
What worked
To understand the recovery pathways of the two regions, we reviewed relevant literature, newspaper articles and government documents. We also interviewed government agencies, NGO representatives, volunteers and local residents in the communities where these floods occurred.
We found that in the Ahr Valley, recovery wasn’t just about rebuilding structures, it was about empowering individuals.
Through initiatives like mental health and first aid courses, residents learned to support one another. This fostered a sense of community and resilience that was essential for meeting the emotional challenges posed by the disaster.
The focus on rebuilding with a sustainable vision also included environmental initiatives. For example, a type of heating system was put in place that didn’t rely on fossil fuels.
Not only did this reduce carbon emissions, it also served as a symbol of hope. It showed there was an opportunity to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly community.
In Lagos, too, residents found strength in community and innovation. Grassroots efforts using sustainable materials like bamboo and palm wood highlighted the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people. Faith-based organisations provided material aid as well as emotional and spiritual support. This reinforced the bonds that held the community together.
Each community faced unique challenges. But they shared a common thread: the importance of adaptive governance – flexible decision-making and strong community ties.
For example, established building codes in the Ahr Valley provided a framework for reconstruction, ensuring that new structures were resilient and safe.
In Lagos, the absence of strong government support highlighted the critical role of community organisations in providing services and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
What needs improvment
In both the Ahr Valley and Lagos, the journey towards recovery has been fraught with obstacles as well.
In the Ahr Valley, bureaucratic red tape has become a formidable barrier. Residents, eager to rebuild their lives, find themselves entangled in a complex web of regulations and lengthy approval processes. This has delayed their access to insurance and recovery funds. Waiting for months or even years has eroded hope and fuelled a sense of abandonment.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, insufficient government support has left communities to fend for themselves, creating a breeding ground for uncertainty and conflict.
Land tenure disputes, fuelled by a lack of clear property rights, sow seeds of distrust and hinder resettlement efforts. Political disagreements complicate the picture, as competing interests divert attention and resources away from those who need them most.
In Lagos, none of the respondents reported having insurance to help them to recover from disaster-related losses.
While some residents in the Ahr Valley did have insurance, many were under-insured.
The Ahr Valley’s building codes offer a framework for reconstruction. But it’s clear that processes should be streamlined so communities can take ownership of their recovery.
In Lagos, the importance of robust social safety nets is clear. Partnerships between communities and authorities are also needed.
A different approach
Recovery isn’t a separate process that occurs after disasters only. It should be seen as an essential part of managing risks. It’s important to understand what recovery involves and what resources are needed.
This will help reduce future risks and increase resilience after extreme events.
Governments should encourage flexible governance structures that value community voices and local knowledge to enable recovery. A good example is the New Orleans Recovery Authority, established after Hurricane Katrina. It involved local residents and city officials in planning and rebuilding efforts.
Grassroots efforts in Lagos demonstrated the power of sustainable materials and community-led initiatives. Seeing things from the community’s point of view can help tailor solutions that fit the situation and adapt to evolving challenges.
Training and capacity-building programmes empower communities to be active in their own recovery.
Mental health and first aid courses were successful in the Ahr Valley. Equipping individuals with skills in sustainable practices and disaster preparedness helps weave a social fabric capable of weathering future storms.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On October 11, 2024, at the 26th Russian agro-industrial exhibition “Golden Autumn”, a solemn ceremony of presenting state awards was held, timed to coincide with the Day of Agricultural and Processing Industry Workers. The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin.
“It is you who, with your hard work, are solving issues of food security, which are the most important issues for the development of the entire society and the achievement of national development goals that the head of state sets for us,” Mikhail Mishustin addressed the laureates and congratulated them on the upcoming holiday.
For merits in scientific and pedagogical activity, training of qualified specialists and many years of conscientious work, the honorary title “Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation” was awarded to Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Tractors and Automobiles of the Russian State Agrarian University named after K.A. Timiryazev, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Otari Didmanidze.
The State University of Management has long and fruitfully cooperated with Otari Nazirovich in the field of training a personnel reserve for subordinate organizations of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In addition, Otari Didmanidze is the scientific director of a large project “Ensuring food security of the country based on the creation of software and hardware systems and intelligent platform digital solutions in the field of development of agro-industrial technologies of the full life cycle”, carried out by the State University of Management together with the Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center and the Udmurt State University.
Let us recall that within the framework of this project, a team of young scientists from the State University of Management is developing a high-tech system for managing agricultural enterprises, and this week a working meeting was held between the management of the State University of Management and the Omsk Scientific and Technical Center, where the process of implementing the project was discussed.
The State University of Management congratulates Otari Nazimovich on being awarded the honorary title of “Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation”, wishes him further success in science and work, and also expresses hope for the continuation of fruitful cooperation.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 11.10.2024
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.
NATO will begin its annual nuclear exercise “Steadfast Noon” on Monday (14 October 2024) with more than 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over western Europe. Steadfast Noon runs for two weeks and involves fighter jets capable of carrying U.S. nuclear warheads, but does not involve any live weapons.
“Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Allied security,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said. “Steadfast Noon is an important test of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent and sends a clear message to any adversary that NATO will protect and defend all Allies.”
NATO’s nuclear exercise is a routine and recurring training activity that happens every October. Steadfast Noon involves 2,000 military personnel from eight airbases and a variety of aircraft types, including nuclear-capable jets, bombers, fighter escorts, refuelling aircraft and planes capable of reconnaissance and electronic warfare. This year’s exercise involves flights mainly over host countries Belgium and the Netherlands and in airspace over Denmark, the United Kingdom and the North Sea. Planning for the exercise began a year ago and thirteen Allies will send aircraft to take part in the drills.
NATO is taking steps to ensure the safety, security, effectiveness and credibility of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent. For example, this year, the first Allied F-35A fighter aircraft from the Netherlands were declared ready to perform nuclear roles. NATO’s Washington Summit declaration makes clear that “the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression,” It states that “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.”
Photo credit:Tabitha Turner on unsplashA major European research project which aims to harness the full potential of the marine microbiome has entered a new stage.
A microbiome is the community of microorganisms that can usually be found living together in any given habitat. The marine microbiome is one of the fastest growing segments of the so-called ‘blue bioeconomy’, and its study is vital for the discovery, understanding, protection and use of ocean resources.
The BlueRemediomics project, which was awarded funding through the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme, involves researchers from a range of universities and research organisations worldwide, including Professors Abbe Brown and Marcel Jaspars, from the University’s School of Law and Department of Chemistry respectively.
Professor Jaspars is leading the use of genomic data for the discovery of new antimicrobial peptides (part of the innate immune response found among all classes of life) to target bacterial infections.
Meanwhile, Professor Brown is exploring innovative legal and policy approaches to improving access, protection, and governance of marine genetic resources and intellectual property rights.
This month, the completion of the 15-month long Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) expedition marks the beginning of an exciting research phase that involves the analysis of 23,000 marine samples and 70,000 terrestrial samples, providing new opportunities to study human impact on coastal ecosystems in unprecedented detail.
For the BlueRemediomics project, which aims to develop novel tools and approaches to explore marine microbiome data, these samples will provide critical insights into the search for novel products and cosmeceuticals derived from valuable marine bioresources.
An exciting new dinosaur trail is set to roar into Aberdeen’s city centre tomorrow.
Local businesses taking part gathered today to mark one day until the Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail begins, a two-week event from 12th to 27th October with free parking available in two city centre car parks.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “We are delighted to welcome the Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail into Aberdeen throughout the school holidays.
“This is set to be an exciting trail that all ages can follow and I would like to extend my thanks to all the businesses involved. There are lots of ways to access the city centre, including free weekend parking in certain places.”
Education and Children’s Services Convener Councillor Martin Greig said: “The Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail is a great way for families to come together to explore and enjoy our vibrant city centre.
“This will hopefully be a fun and memorable experience that will encourage people to make the most of their city centre throughout the year.”
Visitors and locals will be able to discover 18 brick dinosaur models located in various city centre businesses, including a Stegosaurus, Triceratops and adorable baby dinosaurs.
Participants will be able to get an insight into how each model is made and learn more about the creations, including how many bricks were used to build the model and learn a fun dinosaur fact.
There will also be a Hidden Lego Minifigure Trail, where small Lego figures have been hidden across ten shop windows around the Upperkirkgate and Belmont Street area for people of all ages to find in a treasure-hunt style challenge.
Once each minifigure is found, there is the chance to enter into a prize draw to win an Aberdeen Gift Card worth £20.
Additional activities including dinosaur-themed bookbug and storytelling sessions will take place throughout the October Holidays in businesses hosting the trail.
The Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail has received £30,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Free weekend parking will be available in the Denburn and Frederick Street car parks throughout the October holidays and the first weekend in November. Parking for £1 will be available after 5pm at Virginia Street, the Gallowgate, Frederick Street, Summer Street, Chapel Street, West North Street, and the Denburn. Normal charging rates will resume from 8am.
For more information on the event and travelling into the city centre, visit our website.
An incremental pay increase offered to Resident Doctors, formerly known as Junior Doctors, and Dentists in Training will ensure NHS Scotland remains an attractive place to work and train in, Health Secretary Neil Gray has said.
If accepted by trade union members, the investment of more than £64 million in 2024-25 will see an 8.5% pay increase backdated to 1 April 2024, with a further 2.3% increase applied from 1 October 2024.
The offer will make significant progress towards tackling pay erosion and is in line with the shared aims of the multi-faceted 2023-24 pay deal, which included commitments to contract reform and work on a pay bargaining review mechanism.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said:
“Following weeks of constructive engagement with BMA Scotland, I am pleased to have agreed a pay offer that will ensure that our Resident Doctors, and Dentists in Training continue to feel valued while allowing NHS Scotland to remain the place of choice for them to work and train in.
“I want to express my thanks again to Scotland’s hardworking Resident Doctors, and Dentists in Training. I am pleased we have been able to work together to honour the agreement from 2023-24, with this offer making significant progress towards resolving pay erosion.
“I am grateful for the continued efforts around the table and, with the unions now consulting their members, I hope it will be accepted.”
BACKGROUND
This pay deal represents a £64.1 million investment and means a doctor at the start of their career will receive a salary increase of £3,418 in 2024-25. For those at the end of their training, the rise will be £7,088 over the same period.
The starting salary for a Dentist in Training will increase by £4,239 in 2024-25. For those at the end of their training, the rise will be £5,902 over the same period.
Work to repair the boundary walls and back gardens for three homes in Keyham, following the bomb incident earlier this year has been completed.
As part of the ongoing support Plymouth City Council has given residents most impacted by the Keyham bomb incident in February, the Council called on the support of the local construction industry to repair the damage left behind by the Army.
Building Plymouth is an award winning, Council-led partnership with the construction industry. With nearly 70 member organisations, they engage with clients, contractors, consultants and the supply chain and have delivered a number of successful community initiatives to help improve the quality of life in the city.
As a gesture of goodwill, Building Plymouth arranged for local contractors, consultants and suppliers to work together to help repair the damage that was left in the gardens after the incident. Over recent months, eighteen local companies volunteered their time, materials and equipment equivalent value to £40,000 in-kind to support residents in Keyham who’s properties were damaged by the army during the efforts to remove the unexploded bomb.
The first phase of the repair works involved repairing the boundary line at the rear of the properties – rebuilding the walls, erecting fencing and installing new back gates in order to make the area fully secure. The second phase of the works was to restore two gardens located either side of where the bomb was safely removed. This included creating new garden designs, laying the new decking, installing steps and fencing, reinstating destroyed masonry, as well as creating a stylish pergola.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of our construction industry. They have stepped in and helped these homeowners and their work has truly been outstanding. The gardens have not only been restored, but the craftmanship and skills shown have been second to none.
“Whilst it is not the Council’s role to pay for repairs to private properties following an emergency, together with Building Plymouth we have done everything we can to support the homeowners in Keyham. I would like to thank all the construction companies who have given their time, materials, equipment, collectively providing £40,000 in-kind support. You are a credit to Plymouth.”
One of the homeowners, Martyn Hammond, said: “The quality of work is outstanding! It didn’t feel like too much trouble and they listened to what I had previously and went over and above to reinstate my garden. I feel so happy to have my garden back again, considering back in February when this area was like a big sack of sand and now, I’m getting my plants restocked and am back in my happy place to sit and chill again. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to make this happen.”
Resident Lee Elliott added: “We can’t express our gratitude enough to the skilled workforce who have been here to help us – the quality of work is top quality, the carpentry is out of this world, everything has gone to regulation with no corners cut. It was a kind freebie but everyone has completely gone above and beyond! Thank you to everyone involved particularly Obedair Construction who stepped in to help restore our garden and exceeded our expectation and the Award Group for doing our boundary fencing and back gate installation to give back our privacy. We have finally got our little sanctuary back.”
Steve Warren-Brown, Managing Director from YGS Landscapes who acted as overall managing contractor on the garden projects, said: “Working brilliantly together as a team of volunteers through the Building Plymouth partnership has delivered a positive legacy after such a traumatic experience for three affected residents. As a local landscaping contractor, we knew we should play our part in helping to recover the Keyham gardens and it has been amazing to see so many construction friends stepping up to help. Thank you to everyone involved, this is another fantastic team effort coordinated through Emma Hewitt’s inspiring leadership of our Building Plymouth partnership.”
Emma Hewitt, Building Plymouth Lead for Plymouth City Council, said: “It has been a real privilege to get to know the residents through leading this garden recovery project and am delighted that we have exceeded their expectations. We couldn’t have made this happen without the generosity of the local construction industry. I continue to be so proud of what we achieve together through Building Plymouth, a huge thank you to everyone involved.”
Many of the contractors who gave their time for free.
The companies involved in this project were:
YGS Landscapes – the landscaping contractor managing design and delivery of the overall project and installation of the decking and steps in one garden
Travis Perkins Plymouth – supplying building and landscaping materials for the entire boundary line and two gardens reinstatement
Foot Anstey – providing legal advice and drafting the memorandum of understanding for residents to agree to the scope of works being offered
Airey and Coles – undertaking the structural assessment of remaining stone wall and providing the design and advice of delivering the new boundary line
South West Highways – providing advice on highways and ensuring traffic management and resident communications
Gilpin Demolition – dismantling of the existing boundary wall to make the structure safe ahead of the works
Award Group – erecting fencing and installing the new back gates
The Plym Group – erecting blockwork and repairing stonewall damage
Obedair Construction – delivered one complete back garden including laying the new decking, installation of steps, reinstating destroyed masonry, as well as building a pergola
Richard Harding Ltd – provided carpentry services to help deliver one of the back gardens
Arborcure – installed the specialist fencing in one garden
Red Air Media – filming onsite to track the progress of the community project
Jewson – providing the free hire of a micro digger and mixer
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists at VDEC use ‘organ-on-a-chip’ models to study infections and immune responses, aiming to improve vaccine testing and reduce reliance on animal research.
Executive summary
Scientists are constantly trying to improve the use and efficiency of models in research. As such, they are exploring a move away from traditional tissue or whole-body models. This move is proving to be a successful route to protecting human health against a variety of pathogens.
Target
The Pre-clinical team at UKHSA’s Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) has developed an expanding capability in the use of microphysiological systems (MPS), an example of this are the ‘organ-on-a-chip’ models.
Essentially, we can grow a range of different cell types in 3D structures that represent tissues and mimic human organs in miniature chambers supplied with very small volumes of growth medium (a substitute for human blood). Although we started out simply by infecting these systems with various strains of pathogens, we are now developing the ability to introduce parts of the human immune system as well so that we can model and understand how our bodies fight infectious disease and how we can enhance or supplement that protection.
Aims
Understanding the correlates of protection for new and emerging coronaviruses is at the forefront of science strategy around the world. The pandemic potential of coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) has been proven in recent years. Understanding how they evolve, and impact humans is of utmost importance. Once we can understand how this works, we are then able to (or we then have another method to) test the efficacy of vaccines against evolving variants.
One model that highlights the importance of developing such systems is the adaptation of human alveolus MPS. The SARS-CoV-2 infection model described here (1) replicates the breathing-like stretch observed in lung epithelial cells and other biochemical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection, allowing this to be used as a successful model of infection in live human tissue.
Options
An additional future benefit of this cutting-edge research is that it should help to reduce our reliance on animal research. Although that is a long-term view, it may also be possible that by increasing the complexity of the MPS models and analytical tools we use to interrogate them, we may one day be able to replace some aspects of animal research in medical research.
Outcome
Working alongside the teams that are developing and testing the MPS technology are teams using established challenge models, allowing direct comparison of human tissue replicating a whole organ system. The team at VDEC currently have 2 human lung-on-chip models. The first, a human bronchial airway and the second, human alveolus. Both models have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 in order to investigate the effect of this virus against various lung tissue types. A ‘non-breathing’ lung-on-chip alveolus model has also successfully been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, allowing characterisation of the differences between severe coronavirus infections.
Future work
Leading on from the success of the SARS-CoV-2 MPS, further work to develop a MPS model that can rival the current ‘gold standard’ MERS model is currently being carried out by the team at VDEC. This could provide clear evidence that MPS models are equally as effective as current models, refining the process of challenge studies across the board. We are working to extend the range of tissue types available for testing, for example working with brain and gut (2), as well as lung tissue to investigate movement of virus from organ to organ or to study difficult-to-study syndromes like long COVID or premature ageing.
The team is also pivoting transcriptomics, whole genome sequencing as well as sophisticated histopathological techniques to analyse these tiny samples. This means we will be able to detect small changes in the biochemistry, microbiology, and immunology of infected human cells very early on in the infection process to help us test new ways to protect humans. We have begun countermeasure testing antiviral drugs but intend to include vaccines testing as well using MPS technology, with a view to provide an alternate approach to certain aspects of human clinical trials. MPS-based technologies could allow detection of uniquely human issues with vaccine or therapeutic candidates ahead of human clinical trials, which could add an early ‘go’ or ‘no-go’ step as well as saving money downstream.
The use of MPS technology also allows our scientists to study infections from a new standpoint, as various environmental or immunological elements can be added or removed to investigate their impact. An example of this is that lung tissue can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of individual immune cell populations to help us reveal and understand the significance of their roles in disease and recovery.
At VDEC we are at the forefront of this exciting technology, pushing its potential to the limits of human disease research and therapeutics for the benefit of public health.
Jones EJ, Skinner BM, Parker A, Baldwin LR, Greenman J, Carding SR and Funnell SGP. ‘An in vitro multi-organ microphysiological system (MPS) to investigate the gut-to-brain translocation of neurotoxins’. Biomicrofluidics (2024). Sep 13;18(5):054105. doi: 10.1063/5.0200459. PMID: 39280192; PMCID: PMC11401645.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Deputy Ambassador Brown says that progress on democracy and fundamental freedoms cannot be taken for granted at this time of shrinking civil space and growing authoritarianism.
Location:
Warsaw
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning, everyone.
As we reach the end of the third Chair’s Warsaw Human Dimension Conference in three years, I would like to thank Malta as our Chair in Office for holding this meeting and enabling government officials, civil society, international experts and human rights activists to come together to take stock of how participating States are implementing their human dimension commitments.
The opportunity to take stock is why all participating States agreed to an annual meeting in this format in the early 1990s. We again condemn Russia’s decision to block the mandated Human Dimension Implementation Meeting and call on the Russian Federation to stop their illegal war; withdraw their troops from Ukraine; cease their malign activities, including disinformation; and, respect OSCE principles and commitments.
Thank you, Tea, and your teams at ODIHR for preparing and delivering this meeting and for the work you do throughout the year to help us all in the implementation of our commitments. That ODIHR has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize is recognition of your vital daily work. Like others I am waiting in excited anticipation to hear the news from Oslo.
I salute those of you who have spoken in plenary sessions and side events over the past fortnight. We have heard about the impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and systematic dismantling of rights and freedoms at home too. We have also heard about challenges to human rights and democracy in other parts of our region, reminding us that work to uphold our shared human dimension commitments is always required, and that progress cannot be taken for granted at this time of shrinking civil space and growing authoritarianism.
We have again been struck by the expertise and bravery of civil society organisations during this meeting. It is they who represent citizens and they that record and report violations at grassroots level. It is no exaggeration to say that without civil society, governments understanding of the extent of human rights violations on the ground would be sharply reduced. As we approach next year’s 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, we hope that civil society’s important role will receive the prominence that it deserves. As my Ambassador said in his opening statement, they truly are the spirit of Helsinki.
Kaya Comer-Schwartz has served as the Leader of Islington Council for more than three years, where she led transformation of youth services and £2m investment supporting survivors of violence against women.
The appointment of the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is subject to a confirmation hearing by the Assembly Policing and Crime Committee.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has appointed Kaya Comer-Schwartz as London’s new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.
Kaya Comer- Schwartz was born and raised in London and has been an Islington councillor for more than a decade. She has served as Council Leader for more than three years. She previously worked as Executive Member for Community Safety and Children, Young People and Families, championing equality, public safety and community cohesion.
Kaya was responsible for the transformation of the Council’s Youth Justice Services and oversaw a £2 million investment in vital services for survivors of violence against women and girls – ensuring key services were available and accessible for all of the borough’s diverse communities.
She has also worked on a pioneering local action plan following the publication of the Baroness Casey Review and worked closely with communities and the local police to identify clear steps to rebuild confidence and trust in the service.
The appointment follows the announcement last week that Sophie Linden*, who has served as London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime for the last eight years, is stepping down to take up a new position as a senior adviser to Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood MP.
The appointment of a new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is subject to a confirmation hearing by the London Assembly Policing and Crime Committee.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe. Kaya brings extensive experience to the role, working to make Londoners safer and improving trust and confidence in the police, which we know leads to reductions in violence and crime.
“I’m pleased to appoint Kaya Comer-Schwartz as London’s new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and I’m confident that she will help us to continue reforming the police and deliver a safer London for everyone.”
Kaya Comer-Schwartz said: “I’m thrilled to have been proposed as London’s new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.
“From dealing with the aftermath of the Finsbury Park terror attack to empowering communities and the police to stand together following the far-right riots this summer, I am proud to have championed justice, community cohesion and public safety throughout my career.
“I am excited about the prospect of bringing my skills, knowledge and experience to the role and driving the urgent reforms needed to the police to deliver a safer and more equal London.”
LYON, France – The remains of Dutch national Angelique Hendrix, who disappeared in 1990, have been identified after an international DNA match was made via INTERPOL.
Angelique Hendrix was identified through international DNA match 34 years after she disappeared
In 1991, Belgian authorities found unidentified human remains in Maasmechelen, just across the border from Angelique’s home in Stein, Netherlands.
The case remained unsolved until a recent change in Belgium’s legislation allowed its DNA profiles to be shared with INTERPOL’s I-Familia database. It contains DNA data from biological relatives of missing persons.
Dutch authorities had previously shared DNA data from Angelique’s family with I-Familia, which led to the match when Belgian authorities submitted DNA data from the human remains to INTERPOL.
Further research and collaboration involving Belgium and the Netherlands confirmed Angelique’s identification.
Created and managed by INTERPOL, the I-Familia database relies on voluntary DNA submissions from family members of missing persons. The database is used to compare DNA profiles with those from unidentified deceased persons and international missing persons cases.
This case represents the first I-Familia match for both Belgium and the Netherlands since the database was launched in 2021. I-Familia contains more than 21,000 DNA profiles from 78 countries and is used exclusively for solving missing persons cases. It is not connected to INTERPOL’s criminal databases.
INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:
“The major breakthrough in Angelique’s identification was thanks to the efforts of Belgian and Dutch law enforcement and the crucial role of I-Familia in providing answers to families of missing persons.
“For missing persons cases, international cooperation plays a vital role in enabling investigators to put together the various pieces of the puzzle surrounding a person’s disappearance.”
The I-Familia database is also an important part of the separate Identify Me international appeal launched earlier this week, which seeks the public’s help in uncovering the identities of unknown deceased women found across six European countries.
Members of the public with any information on the circumstances of Angelique’s disappearance can contact the Dutch police via http://www.politie.nl/angelique.
LYON, France – One of Ireland’s most wanted fugitives, Sean McGovern, has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates following cooperation via INTERPOL.
The 38-year-old, an alleged high-ranking member of the Kinahan Organized Crime Group, was taken into custody by Dubai Police on Thursday 10 October.
The arrest follows the publication of an INTERPOL Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, to support the ongoing collaboration between Irish and UAE authorities.
INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:
“One of Ireland’s most wanted individuals has been arrested thanks to the combined efforts of the Irish authorities and the United Arab Emirates.
“Cases like this underline the value of international police cooperation via INTERPOL’s global network, and again highlights that no fugitive can consider themselves safe from justice.
McGovern, who is wanted for charges including murder and directing an organized crime group, will be held in the UAE pending extradition proceedings.
I am pleased to be in Lao PDR at this crucial time for the region and our world.
The ASEAN-UN partnership has never been stronger as we make progress on the joint Plan of Action. And I am here to bolster that partnership even further.
This is my first visit outside of UN headquarters since world leaders gathered in New York for the opening of the General Assembly last month.
Leader after leader highlighted the enormous challenges facing our world.
We see geopolitical tensions rising…climate chaos battering countries… and deepening inequalities ripping the social contract to shreds.
In this dramatic context, ASEAN is a bridge-builder and a messenger for peace.
Peace that is more necessary than ever, when see the immense suffering of the people in Gaza, now extend to Lebanon. Not forgetting Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and many others.
In the face of all these trials and tests, world leaders took an important step forward with the adoption of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
At the ASEAN-UN Summit, we discussed how to move forward together in implementation and advancing our shared mission of peace, sustainable development and human rights.
And in my remarks I zeroed in on four areas but one essential theme: inclusion and community.
Our challenges are inter-connected – we all can and must be part of the solution. And ASEAN countries have much to offer.
First, building on the ASEAN theme of connectivity, we must make sure that emerging technologies benefit everyone – and that every country is a part of the global conversation.
This is particularly true when it comes to AI governance where we made an important breakthrough last month with the Global Digital Compact that was approved in New York.
It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence that would give every country a seat at the AI table.
Second, on finance, we must keep pushing for reform of the international financial architecture. Today it fails to provide developing countries with the support or safety net they need.
The Pact for the Future calls for groundbreaking reforms and urges G20 countries to lead on an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion a year, substantially increasing the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, and enabling them to massively scale-up affordable long-term climate and development finance.
All this is essential for developing countries to be able to implement the Agenda 2030 and to reach the Sustainable Development Goals.
Third, climate. We need look no further than the devastating effects of Super Typhoon Yagi for a glimpse of the supercharged climate dangers we are facing.
The coming year is crucial for climate action.
Every country must produce a new national climate action plan – or NDC – that aligns with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The G20 – the biggest emitters – must lead.
Innovative models for collaboration are critical. I welcome the Just Energy Transition Partnerships in Indonesia and Vietnam.
We also need to get finance flowing to climate action, including:
Significant contributions to the new Loss and Damage Fund;
An ambitious finance outcome at COP29 in Baku;
And developed countries honoring their promise to increase adaptation finance to at least 40 billion dollars a year by 2025.
I urge all countries to deliver.
Finally, we need peace.
I commend ASEAN for its ongoing constructive role in seeking to defuse tensions from the Korean peninsula to the South China Sea – and for doing so by putting the priority on dialogue and respect for international law.
But I am deeply concerned about the worsening political, humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar.
The people of Myanmar need peace.
With one-third of the population needing humanitarian assistance, and almost 3.5 million people internally displaced, skyrocketing poverty and food insecurity are compounding the already dire reality on the ground.
I support strengthened cooperation between the UN Special Envoy and the ASEAN Chair on innovative ways to promote a Myanmar-led process, including through the effective and comprehensive implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and beyond.
And I reiterate my call on all countries to leverage their influence towards an inclusive political solution to the conflict and prioritise the protection of civilians in line with international humanitarian law.
The plight of the Rohingya people must not be forgotten. And we must create the conditions for their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar by solving the Myanmar political problem.
And, more broadly, we know that peaceful and stable societies rest on a foundation where democratic space and human rights are protected — including the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
I want to express my support for the work of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media,
The way forward is clear. The world has much to learn from ASEAN countries. And the United Nations is proud to be a strong partner of ASEAN countries on this path.
And once again thank you for this warm welcome.
Thank you.
Q: And I have two short questions. From China Central Television.
The first question is, breaking news about the United Nations yesterday, October 10, Israel forced attacks in United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon, wanting to peacekeepers. What is your response? And the second question is the last week that Israel designed your undesirable personality in Israel and to ban your entry into Israel. But many countries, including China, has expressed their opposition to Israel decision, and they will continue to support you, but the Israel maybe doesn’t care about it, just like yesterday, the attacks the UN peacekeepers. So what is the response of the United Nations to Israel explaining and recent attacks, everything about the United Nations. Thank you.
Secretary-General: First of all, this is something that we had the opportunity to refer in our meeting with ASEAN. The two soldiers that were wounded were Indonesian. They belong to ASEAN. And obviously, I condemn the fact that there was shooting against the UN premises, wounding two peacekeepers, which is a violation of international humanitarian law. Peacekeepers must be protected by all parties of the conflict, and what has happened is obviously condemnable. There was naturally a reaction from many sides in solidarity with the peacekeepers that were wounded, and in telling Israel very clearly that this incident is intolerable, and it cannot be repeated.
The second question is, I’m sorry to say, irrelevant
Q:. I’m coming from Phoenix TV, and I have two questions. The first question is, during your term as UN Secretary General, you have seen the most complicated international situation. How do you feel about this, and how do you think we can avoid the war? And second question is, last month, communications equipment explosions occurred in Lebanon, and dozens died and thousands injured. So what do you think of this incident, especially the impact for on the international global supply chain? Thank you.
Secretary-General: Well, first of all, in relation to the first question, I have never seen in my time of Secretary General, any example of deaths and destruction as dramatic as what we are witnessing in Gaza. On the other hand, we are seeing escalation after escalation, regionalization of the conflict that is becoming a threat to global peace and security. And I strongly urge the different actors maximum restraint, because we cannot afford a global conflagration in the region that will have dramatic negative impacts to the economic and political situation globally.
In relation to the second question. I mean, this was just the beginning. What we are witnessing in Lebanon is a massive operation which strikes, heavy bombardments, obviously also with bombardments from the Hezbollah side, but that are causing dramatic number of civilians being killed. We believe that the number of killed is close to 2000 and we see already 170,000 people fleeing to Syria. We see more than 1 million displaced. We see an enormous tragedy in Lebanon, and we must do everything do everything to avoid an all-out war In Lebanon.
Q: From the Spanish news agency. The Nobel Prize Committee will announce soon the Nobel Prize and you are nominated. So what would you say if you are awarded with this?
Secretary-General: The only award I’m seeking is to be conscious that I’m doing my duty.
Q: Your Excellency. I’m a journalist from China Media Group. My question will be about the relation between China and ASEAN. As you know, China has done what it can to help and cooperate with the regional countries, and on Thursday, it has announced, together with the ASEAN of the FTA, new version 3.0, new version of free trade area negotiations. It will cover new economy, digital economy, green energy, supply chain, etc. It will definitely promote and escalate the corporations in the region, can you comment on this trade?
Secretary-General: We are totally committed to, first of all, guarantee that we have only one global economy with one only set of rules, one global Internet, and that fragmentation must be avoided at all costs. So, what brings people together within this global economy, all the agreements that are made in order to increase free trade, in order to create conditions for economic growth to be boosted, all those agreements are, from our perspective, always welcome.
York is at the forefront of regional efforts to tackle the climate crisis as part of the newly launched Yorkshire and Humber Climate Action Plan 2024.
Following significant engagement across the region, the comprehensive plan has gained unanimous support from all 15 local authorities. York’s leader, Councillor Claire Douglas, is a key voice in driving these changes, serving as Vice Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission.
The action plan outlines critical steps the region must take to achieve net zero by 2038, with a focus not only on reducing emissions but also ensuring a just transition that benefits all communities and ecosystems.
York Residents: Take Action through the Retrofit One Stop Shop
As part of the report, York was highlighted for its commitment to making the retrofit journey simpler for residents through its use of funding for a Retrofit One Stop Shop York (ROSSY).
This initiative, which will be called YorEnergy, encourages residents to contribute to the climate fight by improving the energy efficiency of their homes and is part of the city’s commitment to both small and large-scale efforts that support the region’s climate objectives. Whether it’s simple home upgrades or larger investments, residents can now access support and resources to make these changes easier.
Cllr. Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council and Vice-Chair of Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission said:
“The YHCC Climate Action Plan is about taking practical steps to combat the climate change that we’re all experiencing.
“We understand more now about the impacts of climate on our communities but also the challenges that there are around implementing some of the actions that we know we need to take.
“It’s really important that we share examples of the best practice that’s taking place in our communities and this is a great opportunity for people to see what others are already doing.”
Cllr. Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency said:
“York is ambitious to reach Net Zero.
“We have increasingly stark reminders of the impacts of carbon emissions, with more wildfires this summer, prolonged rainfall and flooding, and Florida currently suffering the impact of Hurricane Milton.
“We also want warmer homes with lower bills in winter, cooler homes in hotter summers, clean air for all, and nature and people to thrive together, and are pleased to have been A rated for climate action by the independent Carbon Disclosure Project for two years running.
“The Yorkshire and Humber Climate Action Plan strengthens our resolve to deliver on our climate commitments and gives clear guidance on how we in York, and as a region need to adapt. We’re delighted that our retrofit agenda has been highlighted in the plan, as this is a crucial part of our work, and reinforces York’s role as a leader in the region’s climate response.”