NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CFS announces food safety report for August

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 30) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 6 100 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for nine unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.

         A CFS spokesman said about 1 900 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 4 200 samples were taken for chemical and radiation level tests.

         The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators; the chemical tests included testing for pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others; and the radiation level tests included testing for radioactive caesium and iodine in samples collected from imported food from different regions.

         The samples comprised about 1 900 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 500 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 500 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 1 000 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 800 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 1 400 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).

         The nine unsatisfactory samples comprised a crab sample with an excessive metallic contaminant; a prepackaged salad sample found to contain Salmonella; a frozen confection sample detected with coliform bacteria and total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limit; three prepackaged frozen confection samples detected with total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limit; a prepackaged egg-flavoured noodle sample detected with a preservative exceeding the legal limit; a prepackaged ice-cream sample and a prepackaged wheat starch sample in breach of food labelling regulations.

         The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory samples including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.

         The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.

         Separately, in response to the Japanese Government’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the CFS will continue enhancing the testing on imported Japanese food, and make reference to the risk assessment results to adjust relevant surveillance work in a timely manner. The CFS will announce every working day on its dedicated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/daily_japan_nuclear_incidents.html) the radiological test results of the samples of food imported from Japan, with a view to enabling the trade and members of the public to have a better grasp of the latest safety information.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Postal services to Cayman Islands return to normal

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Postal services to Cayman Islands return to normal
    Postal services to Cayman Islands return to normal
    **************************************************

         Hongkong Post announced today (September 30) that, as advised by the postal administration of Cayman Islands, mail delivery services to Cayman Islands previously impacted by severe weather have returned to normal.

     
    Ends/Monday, September 30, 2024Issued at HKT 15:15

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Third Meeting of the Interagency Steering Committee on Combating Cybercrime in Kazakhstan

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Third Meeting of the Interagency Steering Committee on Combating Cybercrime in Kazakhstan

    Third Meeting of the Interagency Steering Committee on Combating Cybercrime in Kazakhstan, Astana, 18 September 2024 (OSCE/Akbota Sarzhanova) Photo details

    On 18 September 2024, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana held the third and final meeting of the Interagency Steering Committee on the development of Kazakhstan’s first Comprehensive Action Plan to Counter Cybercrimes and Crimes using Information and Communication Technologies for 2025-2029 (hereinafter, Action Plan). The initiative is part of the extrabudgetary project “Supporting the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Development of Effective Policies to Counter Cybercrimes (Phase I)”, implemented by the Office in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior of Kazakhstan, and with the support of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan.
    The meeting brought together over 80 representatives from law enforcement and government agencies, including representatives from 20 police departments, leading national and international experts in combating cybercrime, as well as representatives from the private sector. Discussions focused on finalizing the draft of the Action Plan, refining the plan’s activities, and determining the methods and timelines for implementation.
    Dr. Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, addressed the meeting, stating, “I would like to extend my gratitude to our key partner, the Ministry of Interior. Your staff are on the front lines of the daily fight against cybercrime. We recognize the significant challenges they face in investigating these crimes and bringing offenders to justice. Rest assured, both as an organization and as the Office, we are committed to providing full support to your Ministry in advancing initiatives aimed at combating cybercrime.”
    This expert-level meeting builds on the progress made during the first and second meetings in this format, where participants reviewed key findings and recommendations for improving the country’s ability to combat cybercrime, based on the analysis of the current situation in Kazakhstan and the international experience of OSCE and OECD countries in effectively combating cybercrime. Special attention was paid to discussing mechanisms and methods to increase the effectiveness of countering new challenges and threats, improving the cybercrime prevention system, and ensuring respect for human rights and freedoms throughout the project’s implementation.
    Deputy  Minister of the Interior, Aidos Rysbaev, noted the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, “Since last year, we have launched a joint initiative with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and other government agencies to develop effective policies for combating cybercrime. The Interagency Steering Committee has been established under the Ministry of Interior, and a draft Action Plan is already in place.”
    A key outcome of the meeting was the recognition of the need to strengthen and expand international co-operation, establish mechanisms for interagency interaction, and enhance partnerships within a “whole-of-society” approach, thereby improving the effectiveness of identifying, investigating, preventing, and mitigating cybercrimes.
    The extrabudgetary project is supported by the governments of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Norway, and aligns with Kazakhstan’s ongoing efforts to join the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. As Kazakhstan advances its cybercrime policies, the Action Plan will serve as a vital roadmap, ensuring the country is well-equipped to navigate the escalating challenges of the digital age.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Germany: Germany’s international investment position at the end of 2023

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets totalled €2,964 billion, thus amounting to just over 70% of Germany’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Overall, both assets and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents rose further in 2023. This was especially true of claims and liabilities from cross-border portfolio investment. However, corporate ties resulting from direct investment by German investors also continued to expand in 2023. By contrast, both assets and liabilities from other investment declined. These include loans and trade credits (where these do not constitute direct investment) as well as currency and deposits. However, as German liabilities in this segment fell even more sharply than claims in 2023, the other investment balance also rose. In net terms, Germany’s net external assets at the end of 2023 were €206 billion higher than at the end of 2022. This increase was attributable in large part to the surplus on the German current account and the resulting net capital exports.
    Net external assets rise on the year once again
    At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,964 billion. This was slightly more than 70 % of nominal gross domestic product and meant that this ratio remained virtually unchanged on the year. In 2023, the German net external asset position rose by around €206 billion in absolute terms. Claims on non-residents were up on the year by €381 billion (or 3.1 %) to €12,579 billion; liabilities rose by €175 billion (or 1.9%) to €9,616 billion. Claims mainly reflected transaction-related changes, i.e. asset purchases, as well as positive market price effects. The exchange rate effect, meanwhile, was negative: as the euro effectively appreciated against the currencies of its most important trading partners over the course of the year,[1] the value, in euro terms, of German assets abroad tended to drop where they were reported in a foreign currency. Other non-transaction-related adjustments had a positive impact on Germany’s external assets.[2] The rise in German foreign liabilities was mainly attributable to market price effects, which predominantly occurred around year-end, driven by a more favourable inflation outlook and expectations of falling key interest rates.
    The cross-border transactions recorded in the financial account resulted in net capital exports of €250 billion last year, in line with Germany’s current account surplus. Non-transaction-related changes reduced the increase by €44 billion, however. On balance, negative market price and exchange rate effects were contributory factors. Other adjustments made a positive overall contribution to Germany’s external position.
    Surplus in portfolio investment slightly higher than in 2022
    At €807 billion, the portfolio investment balance at the end of 2023 was around €23 billion higher than in the previous year. Securities claims on non-residents slightly outpaced the corresponding liabilities.[3]
    At the end of 2023, resident investors held foreign securities totalling €4,004 billion, up by €392 billion (or 10.9 %) on the previous year. The rise was mainly the result of net purchases of foreign bonds and positive market price effects. The relative strength of the euro, meanwhile, caused mostly negative exchange rate effects on the assets side. Alongside foreign bonds, resident investors also bought foreign investment fund shares and money market papers. However, they sold foreign shares – in small amounts.
    At the end of 2023, non-resident investors held German securities to the tune of €3,197 billion in their portfolios, which was €369 billion (or 13.1 %) more than at the end of 2022. This was mainly the result of positive market price effects, especially in relation to shares and long-term debt securities. Transactions recorded in the financial account also contributed to the build-up of holdings. On balance, non-resident investors almost exclusively bought German long-term debt securities, as well as, to a lesser extent, short-term debt securities. By contrast, they were net sellers of German shares and investment fund shares.
    Drop in the positive balance for financial derivatives
    At the end of 2023, holdings of financial derivatives and employee stock options registered a positive balance of €27 billion. This was, however, only slightly more than half the size of the previous year’s balance. In 2022, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine had triggered severe disruptions in the energy markets and caused considerable net capital exports in forward and futures contracts relating to electricity and gas.
    Further expansion in direct investment
    Cross-border corporate ties involving German firms continued to expand in 2023. German outward direct investment was up on the year by a total of €85 billion (3.0 %) to €2,929 billion, an increase that was, on balance, exclusively attributable to transactions. In particular, German investors boosted their equity capital in enterprises abroad, but also issued additional loans to affiliated group entities. The effective appreciation of the euro meant that exchange rate effects had a negative impact on Germany’s outward foreign direct investment stocks. These valuation losses were, however, largely offset by positive other adjustments and slightly positive market price effects. 
    Non-resident enterprises increased their direct investment in Germany by €26 billion (1.3 %) to €1,995 billion in 2023, with transactions accounting for just over two-thirds of this total. Non-resident investors augmented their equity capital in German enterprises but reduced their intra-group lending to domestic enterprises. 
    On balance, Germany’s direct investment balance at the end of 2023 amounted to around €933 billion and was therefore €59 billion higher than at year-end 2022.
    Other investment: net claims higher
    In other investment, comprising loans and trade credits (where these do not constitute direct investment) as well as currency and deposits amongst others, Germany’s positive net asset position rose by €133 billion on the year, bringing it up to €905 billion at the end of 2023. The Bundesbank’s external claims in this segment fell by €174 billion, which was, on balance, exclusively attributable to the Bundesbank’s lower TARGET balance vis-à-vis the ECB.[4] At the same time, the Bundesbank’s external liabilities in other investment declined, as non-euro area counterparties reduced their deposits with the Bank. On balance, the Bundesbank’s net external position in other investment sank by €33 billion. Monetary financial institutions (excluding the central bank) granted additional loans to non-residents and expanded their holdings of currency and deposits. In both segments, negative valuation effects as a result of exchange rate changes reduced the overall effect on outstanding claims, which rose by €19 billion on balance. Non-residents’ deposits with German monetary financial institutions (excluding the Bundesbank) came down by €65 billion. Overall, the balance of monetary financial institutions (excluding the central bank) in other investment rose by €84 billion last year. General government also recorded a rise in its net claims, by €9 billion, in 2023. By contrast, other investment by enterprises and households swelled by €73 billion on balance. At the end of 2023, claims on non-residents arising from other investment had dropped by €17 billion, or 0.4 %, to €3,867 billion across all sectors. External liabilities fell even more sharply; they stood at €2,963 billion at year-end 2023, down €150 billion, or 4.8 %, on the year. 
    Increase in reserve assets
    The Bundesbank’s reserve assets amounted to €292 billion at the end of 2023 and were therefore up by €16 billion on the previous year. They grew only marginally by €1 billion as a result of transactions. Reserve asset holdings increased on the back of positive market price effects, in particular (€18 billion), with the rise in the price of gold dominating. Taken in isolation, the appreciation of the euro against the US dollar and other important currencies brought the value of reserve assets down by €3 billion.
    uncollectable credit claims, changes in sector classifications, changes in the functional category of a financing instrument, as well as statistical discrepancies between the international investment position and the balance of payments due to differing data sources, for example.
    Footnotes:
    The fact that the Eurosystem raised key interest rates was also a factor. 
    Non-transaction-related changes include valuation effects as a result of exchange rate or market price movements and other adjustments. Other adjustments include, for instance, write-downs on uncollectable credit claims, changes in sector classifications, changes in the functional category of a financing instrument, as well as statistical discrepancies between the international investment position and the balance of payments due to differing data sources, for example.
    For more information on transactions in portfolio investment, see Deutsche Bundesbank, German balance of payments in 2023, Monthly Report, March 2024.
    The Bundesbank’s TARGET claims on the ECB dropped by €176 billion in 2023. That was attributable, amongst other things, to the fact that payments from maturing securities under the asset purchase programme (APP) were no longer being reinvested in full. Reinvestments under the APP were discontinued as of July 2023. See Deutsche Bundesbank, German balance of payments in 2023, Monthly Report, March 2024.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI German News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Notice of the People’s Bank of China and the National Financial Regulatory Administration on Optimizing the Policy on Minimum Down Payment Ratios for Personal Housing Loans

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    The People’s Bank of China Shanghai Head Office and branches of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, and cities specifically designated in the state plan; local offices of the National Financial Regulatory Administration; state-owned commercial banks, the Postal Savings Bank of China, and joint-stock commercial banks:

    To implement the decisions and arrangements made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, support the rigid housing demand of urban and rural residents as well as their diverse needs to improve living conditions, and promote stable and sound development of the property market, the People’s Bank of China and the National Financial Regulatory Administration hereby issue the notice on the following matters concerning the personal housing loan policy：

    For households that borrow loans to buy homes, the minimum down payment ratios for commercial personal mortgage loans shall no longer be distinguished between first-home and second-home loans, but rather be set uniformly at no less than 15 percent.

    Based on the national policy on minimum down payment ratios, the provincial-level branches of the People’s Bank of China and the local offices of the National Financial Regulatory Administration shall adopt city-specific approaches. In line with the regulatory requirements of the local governments, they shall decide on their own whether to apply the policy on minimum down payment ratios on a differentiated basis in the cities within their respective jurisdictions, and they shall set for the cities the floor ratios of minimum down payment.

    The People’s Bank of China

    National Financial Regulatory Administration

    September 24, 2024

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2024年09月29日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Notice on Improving Central Bank Lending for Affordable Housing

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    To China Development Bank, policy banks, state-owned commercial banks, Postal Savings Bank of China, and joint-stock commercial banks,

    To support local state-owned enterprises in purchasing completed yet unsold housing at reasonable prices and in turning them into affordable housing, and to further enhance market-based incentives for financial institutions and acquiring entities, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has decided to adjust and improve relevant policies for central bank lending for affordable housing. For eligible loans issued by financial institutions, central bank lending issued by the PBOC to financial institutions will be increased from 60 percent of the loan principal to 100 percent.

    In the case of any inconsistency between previous policies and this notice, this notice shall prevail. Other matters, operational procedures, and work requirements for central bank lending for affordable housing will continue to follow relevant provisions of the “Notice of the People’s Bank of China on Launching Central Bank Lending for Affordable Housing” (Yinfa No. 110 [2024]) and the “Notice of the People’s Bank of China and the National Financial Regulatory Administration on Implementing Central Bank Lending for Affordable Housing” (Yinfa No. 135 [2024]).

    General Administration Department of the People’s Bank of China

    September 27, 2024

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2024年09月29日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Germany’s international investment position at the end of 2023

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets totalled €2,964 billion, thus amounting to just over 70% of Germany’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Overall, both assets and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents rose further in 2023. This was especially true of claims and liabilities from cross-border portfolio investment. However, corporate ties resulting from direct investment by German investors also continued to expand in 2023. By contrast, both assets and liabilities from other investment declined. These include loans and trade credits (where these do not constitute direct investment) as well as currency and deposits. However, as German liabilities in this segment fell even more sharply than claims in 2023, the other investment balance also rose. In net terms, Germany’s net external assets at the end of 2023 were €206 billion higher than at the end of 2022. This increase was attributable in large part to the surplus on the German current account and the resulting net capital exports.
    Net external assets rise on the year once again
    At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,964 billion. This was slightly more than 70 % of nominal gross domestic product and meant that this ratio remained virtually unchanged on the year. In 2023, the German net external asset position rose by around €206 billion in absolute terms. Claims on non-residents were up on the year by €381 billion (or 3.1 %) to €12,579 billion; liabilities rose by €175 billion (or 1.9%) to €9,616 billion. Claims mainly reflected transaction-related changes, i.e. asset purchases, as well as positive market price effects. The exchange rate effect, meanwhile, was negative: as the euro effectively appreciated against the currencies of its most important trading partners over the course of the year,[1] the value, in euro terms, of German assets abroad tended to drop where they were reported in a foreign currency. Other non-transaction-related adjustments had a positive impact on Germany’s external assets.[2] The rise in German foreign liabilities was mainly attributable to market price effects, which predominantly occurred around year-end, driven by a more favourable inflation outlook and expectations of falling key interest rates.
    The cross-border transactions recorded in the financial account resulted in net capital exports of €250 billion last year, in line with Germany’s current account surplus. Non-transaction-related changes reduced the increase by €44 billion, however. On balance, negative market price and exchange rate effects were contributory factors. Other adjustments made a positive overall contribution to Germany’s external position.
    Surplus in portfolio investment slightly higher than in 2022
    At €807 billion, the portfolio investment balance at the end of 2023 was around €23 billion higher than in the previous year. Securities claims on non-residents slightly outpaced the corresponding liabilities.[3]
    At the end of 2023, resident investors held foreign securities totalling €4,004 billion, up by €392 billion (or 10.9 %) on the previous year. The rise was mainly the result of net purchases of foreign bonds and positive market price effects. The relative strength of the euro, meanwhile, caused mostly negative exchange rate effects on the assets side. Alongside foreign bonds, resident investors also bought foreign investment fund shares and money market papers. However, they sold foreign shares – in small amounts.
    At the end of 2023, non-resident investors held German securities to the tune of €3,197 billion in their portfolios, which was €369 billion (or 13.1 %) more than at the end of 2022. This was mainly the result of positive market price effects, especially in relation to shares and long-term debt securities. Transactions recorded in the financial account also contributed to the build-up of holdings. On balance, non-resident investors almost exclusively bought German long-term debt securities, as well as, to a lesser extent, short-term debt securities. By contrast, they were net sellers of German shares and investment fund shares.
    Drop in the positive balance for financial derivatives
    At the end of 2023, holdings of financial derivatives and employee stock options registered a positive balance of €27 billion. This was, however, only slightly more than half the size of the previous year’s balance. In 2022, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine had triggered severe disruptions in the energy markets and caused considerable net capital exports in forward and futures contracts relating to electricity and gas.
    Further expansion in direct investment
    Cross-border corporate ties involving German firms continued to expand in 2023. German outward direct investment was up on the year by a total of €85 billion (3.0 %) to €2,929 billion, an increase that was, on balance, exclusively attributable to transactions. In particular, German investors boosted their equity capital in enterprises abroad, but also issued additional loans to affiliated group entities. The effective appreciation of the euro meant that exchange rate effects had a negative impact on Germany’s outward foreign direct investment stocks. These valuation losses were, however, largely offset by positive other adjustments and slightly positive market price effects. 
    Non-resident enterprises increased their direct investment in Germany by €26 billion (1.3 %) to €1,995 billion in 2023, with transactions accounting for just over two-thirds of this total. Non-resident investors augmented their equity capital in German enterprises but reduced their intra-group lending to domestic enterprises. 
    On balance, Germany’s direct investment balance at the end of 2023 amounted to around €933 billion and was therefore €59 billion higher than at year-end 2022.
    Other investment: net claims higher
    In other investment, comprising loans and trade credits (where these do not constitute direct investment) as well as currency and deposits amongst others, Germany’s positive net asset position rose by €133 billion on the year, bringing it up to €905 billion at the end of 2023. The Bundesbank’s external claims in this segment fell by €174 billion, which was, on balance, exclusively attributable to the Bundesbank’s lower TARGET balance vis-à-vis the ECB.[4] At the same time, the Bundesbank’s external liabilities in other investment declined, as non-euro area counterparties reduced their deposits with the Bank. On balance, the Bundesbank’s net external position in other investment sank by €33 billion. Monetary financial institutions (excluding the central bank) granted additional loans to non-residents and expanded their holdings of currency and deposits. In both segments, negative valuation effects as a result of exchange rate changes reduced the overall effect on outstanding claims, which rose by €19 billion on balance. Non-residents’ deposits with German monetary financial institutions (excluding the Bundesbank) came down by €65 billion. Overall, the balance of monetary financial institutions (excluding the central bank) in other investment rose by €84 billion last year. General government also recorded a rise in its net claims, by €9 billion, in 2023. By contrast, other investment by enterprises and households swelled by €73 billion on balance. At the end of 2023, claims on non-residents arising from other investment had dropped by €17 billion, or 0.4 %, to €3,867 billion across all sectors. External liabilities fell even more sharply; they stood at €2,963 billion at year-end 2023, down €150 billion, or 4.8 %, on the year. 
    Increase in reserve assets
    The Bundesbank’s reserve assets amounted to €292 billion at the end of 2023 and were therefore up by €16 billion on the previous year. They grew only marginally by €1 billion as a result of transactions. Reserve asset holdings increased on the back of positive market price effects, in particular (€18 billion), with the rise in the price of gold dominating. Taken in isolation, the appreciation of the euro against the US dollar and other important currencies brought the value of reserve assets down by €3 billion.
    uncollectable credit claims, changes in sector classifications, changes in the functional category of a financing instrument, as well as statistical discrepancies between the international investment position and the balance of payments due to differing data sources, for example.
    Footnotes:
    The fact that the Eurosystem raised key interest rates was also a factor. 
    Non-transaction-related changes include valuation effects as a result of exchange rate or market price movements and other adjustments. Other adjustments include, for instance, write-downs on uncollectable credit claims, changes in sector classifications, changes in the functional category of a financing instrument, as well as statistical discrepancies between the international investment position and the balance of payments due to differing data sources, for example.
    For more information on transactions in portfolio investment, see Deutsche Bundesbank, German balance of payments in 2023, Monthly Report, March 2024.
    The Bundesbank’s TARGET claims on the ECB dropped by €176 billion in 2023. That was attributable, amongst other things, to the fact that payments from maturing securities under the asset purchase programme (APP) were no longer being reinvested in full. Reinvestments under the APP were discontinued as of July 2023. See Deutsche Bundesbank, German balance of payments in 2023, Monthly Report, March 2024.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New research reveals why the mighty Darling River is drying up – and it’s not just because we’re taking too much water

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

    Water flows in mainland Australia’s most important river system, the Murray-Darling Basin, have been declining for the past 50 years. The trend has largely been blamed on water extraction, but our new research shows another factor is also at play.

    We investigated why the Darling River, in the northern part of the basin, has experienced devastating periods of low flow, or no flow, since the 1990s. We found it was due to a decrease in rainfall in late autumn, caused by climate change.

    The research reveals how climate change is already affecting river flows in the basin, even before water is extracted for farm irrigation and other human uses.

    Less rain will fall in the Darling River catchment as climate change worsens. This fact must be central to decisions about how much water can be taken from this vital natural system.

    A quick history of the Darling

    Murray Darling catchment map.
    Martyman/Wikimedia, CC BY

    The Darling River runs from the town of Bourke in northwest New South Wales, south to the Murray River in Victoria. Together, the two rivers form the Murray-Darling river system.

    The Indigenous name for the Darling River is the Baaka. For at least 30,000 years the river has been an Indigenous water resource. On the river near Wilcannia, remnants of fish traps and weirs built by Indigenous people can still be found today.

    The Darling River was a major transport route from the late 19th to the early 20th century.

    In recent decades, the agriculture industry has extracted substantial quantities of water from the Darling’s upstream tributaries, to irrigate crops and replenish farm dams. Water has also been extracted from Menindee Lakes, downstream in the Darling, to benefit the environment and supply the regional city of Broken Hill.

    A river in trouble

    Natural weather variability means water levels in the Darling River have always been irregular, even before climate change began to be felt.

    In recent years, however, water flows have become even more irregular. This has caused myriad environmental problems.

    At Menindee Lakes, for example, fish have died en masse – incidents experts say is ultimately due to a lack of water in the river system.

    Periods of heavy rain in recent years have dramatically improved water flows.

    But in between those episodes, water levels and quality have declined, due to factors such as droughts, expanded water extraction, salinity and pollution from farms.

    Compounding the droughts, smaller flows that once replenished the system have now greatly reduced. Our research sought to determine why.

    What we found

    We examined rainfall and water flows in the Darling River from 1972 until July 2024. This includes from the 1990s – a period when global warming accelerated.

    We found a striking lack of short rainfall periods in April and May in the Darling River from the 1990s. The reduced rainfall led to long periods of very low, or no flow, in the river.

    Since the 1990s under climate change, shifts in atmospheric circulation have generated fewer rain-producing systems. This has led to less rain in inland southeast Australia in autumn.

    The river system particularly needs rainfall in the late autumn months, to replenish rivers after summer.

    The periods of little rain were often followed by extreme floods. This is a problem because the rain fell on dry soils and soaked in, rather than running into the river. This reduced the amount of water available for the environment and human uses.

    In addition to the fall in autumn rainfall, we found the number of extreme annual rainfall totals for all seasons has also fallen since the 1990s.

    We also examined monthly river heights at Bourke, Wilcannia and Menindee. We found periods of both high and low water levels before the mid-1990s. But the low water levels at all three locations from 2000 onwards were the lowest in the period.

    Ensuring water for all

    Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. Ensuring steady water supplies for human use has always been challenging.

    Falls in Darling River water levels in recent decades have largely been attributed to water extraction for farm dams, irrigation and town use.

    But as our research shows, the lack of rainfall in the river catchment – as a result of climate change – is also significant. The problem will worsen as climate change accelerates.

    This creates a huge policy challenge. As others have noted, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan does not properly address climate change when determining how much water can be taken by towns and farmers.

    Both the environment and people will benefit from ensuring the rivers of the basin maintain healthy flows into the future. As our research indicates, this will require decision-makers to consider and adapt to climate change.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. New research reveals why the mighty Darling River is drying up – and it’s not just because we’re taking too much water – https://theconversation.com/new-research-reveals-why-the-mighty-darling-river-is-drying-up-and-its-not-just-because-were-taking-too-much-water-239923

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: DOOR STOP BY ACTING PRESIDENT SHIPOKOSA PAULUS MASHATILE AT THE COMMEMORATION OF HERITAGE DAY

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

    DOOR STOP BY ACTING PRESIDENT SHIPOKOSA PAULUS MASHATILE ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMMEMORATION OF HERITAGE DAY AT MEQHELENG STADIUM, FICKSBURG, FREE STATE PROVINCE, 24 SEPTEMBER 2024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QnPZtclavo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI China: 313 telecom fraud suspects handed over to China from Myanmar

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China’s Ministry of Public Security on Monday announced that 313 Chinese nationals suspected of cross-border telecom fraud have been transferred from Myanmar to China.
    This is the result of a joint law enforcement operation between Chinese and Myanmar police aimed at cracking down on telecom and online fraud in northern Myanmar.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “StuDos” invites you to open classes

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The creative team “StuDos” invites you to the first open classes for dancers and vocalists.

    Become a part of our creative family, discover your talent and show yourself to the world! Our team supports any initiatives and efforts. You should definitely visit our open classes and show your talent.

    Dance September 30 at 19:00 Dance floor of the State University of Management (building of the Central University of Management, 1st floor)

    Registration for the class is strictly via this link: https://forms.yandex.ru/u/66f512c75d2a06350cebb30e/ Don’t forget to bring comfortable clothes and shoes. See you on the dance floor!

    Vocals October 9 at 19:00 A-124 (Administrative building of the State University of Management, 1st floor)

    Registration for the class is also strict, but this time via this link: https://forms.yandex.ru/u/66f50c553e9d0833492fe8dd/ Don’t forget to prepare a song.

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 09/30/2024

    The creative team “StuDos” invites you to the first open classes for dancers and vocalists.

    Become a part of our creative family,…

    ” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/СтуДос-1.png” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d1%81%d1%82%d1%83%d0%b4%d0%be%d1%81-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%b3%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%88%d0%b0%d0%b5%d1%82-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%be%d1%82%d0%ba%d1%80%d1%8b%d1%82%d1%8b%d0%b5-%d0%b7%d0%b0%d0%bd%d1%8f/”>

    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.

    “StuDos” invites you to open classes

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE Tops Ranking of Universities Leading Tech Entrepreneurship

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    HSE University has taken the leading position in the university ranking prepared by the Expert Analytical Center. The Techpred-50 ranking evaluates the success of educational institutions in training founders of technology startups for the period from 2014 to 2023. HSE is among the top three, along with MIPT and MSU.

    The rating ranks universities by a number of key indicators, including the number of local and foreign startups created by graduates, the volume of investments attracted, and support for startups at the development stage. The Higher School of Economics scored the maximum score for most parameters, which allowed it to top the rating.

    According to the rating, HSE graduates have played a significant role in creating technology startups both in Russia and abroad. The university is the leader in the number of startups founded that have received support both locally and internationally. The share of startups created by HSE graduates is 44.7% in Russia and 82% abroad. This confirms that the university not only produces highly qualified specialists, but also actively promotes their further professional implementation in global markets.

    In addition, HSE took first place in terms of the volume of investments attracted. According to the rating, startups founded by HSE graduates attracted the largest investments both in rubles at the local level and in dollars in international projects.

    In recent years, the university has been consistently developing programs to support technological entrepreneurship. Particular attention is paid to creating conditions for the development of startups – from acceleration programs to close cooperation with venture funds and business incubators. The university provides students with unique opportunities to implement their projects, providing them with access to experts, financing and development of entrepreneurial competencies.

    “We attach great importance to the development of technological entrepreneurship, because we consider it one of the factors of sustainable economic growth and innovative leadership of Russia. HSE Business Incubator helps our students and graduates to turn their ideas into successful projects. We are proud that our graduates topped the rating and demonstrate such high results,” said Dmitry Shminke, Deputy Vice-Rector, Head of the HSE Business Incubator.

    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.

    http://vvv.hse.ru/nevs/edu/967365057.html

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Press Release 30 September 2024 Major international drought conference seeks to increase resilience

    Source: World Meteorological Organization

    Experts, policymakers, and practitioners will gather at the headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization at the Drought Resilience +10 Conference – so called because it marks a decade since the High-Level Meeting on National Drought Policy.

    The conference provides an opportunity for global stakeholders to reflect on a decade of advancements in drought preparedness, response, and adaptation while exploring new ways to turn knowledge into practical solutions that can help countries become more drought-resilient.

    “Droughts are an insidious and dangerous climate-related hazard, which undermines food human security and is a major cause of internal displacement in worst-hit countries. It can wreak a devastating impact on the environment and economies and reverse progress in sustainable development,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

    “We need sustainable solutions, based on scientific knowledge and tailored policies that promote integrated drought management practices and policies. We have the knowledge and the tools but we all too often lack the necessary political will and financial investment to build drought-resilient societies,” said Celeste Saulo.

    The Conference will focus on the escalating drought-related risks posed by climate change and increasing structural vulnerabilities in many societies. It will examine how to accelerate the shift in approach from a reactive, crisis-driven one to a more proactive approach, which leverages climate services such as seasonal forecasts, and anticipatory action tools, including innovative financing mechanisms.

    The conference will examine drought monitoring and forecasting advances and will discuss how to strengthen drought monitoring for early warnings for food security and health, and how to embed policies into the international Early Warnings for All initiative. There will be a heavy emphasis on case studies and community-led actions.

    It will also look at scientific and policy-making developments, including progress in satellite technology and artificial intelligence tools, which bring new perspectives to forecasting, monitoring and impact assessment.

    Drought is not a new phenomenon and has historically occurred as a consequence of natural climatic variability. However, climate change is intensifying the water cycle. This brings more intense rainfall and associated flooding, as well as more intense drought in many regions, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

    Changes in land use and land cover are compounding the challenge.

    “Healthy economies depend on healthy lands. We must urgently recognize that our land and natural systems are allies in our responses to climate change and drought, and we must leverage them for integrated, proactive drought management. Drought Resilience +10 is a crucial opportunity to exchange knowledge and build momentum for UNCCD COP16, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 13 December”, remarked the UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza.

    Drought Resilience +10 Conference

    State of Climate

    Between 1970 and 2019 drought caused approximately 650,000 reported deaths. Poverty and poor land use can increase vulnerability to drought and intensify their impact, according to the WMO Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses from Weather, Climate and Water Extremes.

    In Africa, 1 839 disasters attributed to weather, climate and water extremes were reported between 1970 and 2021. They caused 733 585 reported deaths and US$ 43 billion in economic losses. Droughts accounted for 95% of reported deaths.

    WMO State of the Climate reports report on the occurrence and impact of droughts.

    For instance, a prolonged La Niña event led to five consecutive failed rainfall seasons in the Horn of Africa, culminating in a massive humanitarian, food security and displacement crisis in 2023 in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

    With the transition to El Niño in 2023-2024, Southern African nations became the focus of the drought crisis – especially countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi.

    Enhanced drought resilience

    Despite the challenges, progress has been made in integrated drought management.

    The Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP) is a joint initiative between WMO and the Global Water Partnership (GWP), which works with over 45 partners to support countries and states, by providing them with policy and management guidance for handing droughts.

    There are a number of success stories. These examples underscore the importance of strong drought management policies and early warning systems. They highlight the need for governments to adopt forward-looking approaches that integrate climate data and resource management into their drought preparedness strategies.

    Brazil’s Northeast region, which historically faces frequent and severe droughts, provides a prime example of the benefits of proactive drought management policies. Recent policy responses focused on developing a comprehensive drought management system that integrates early warning systems, sustainable water management practices, and integration of climate change scenarios into infrastructure planning. Coordination between federal, state, and local governments was also enhanced to facilitate timely and efficient responses.  

    Similarly, in the USA, a proactive approach helped mitigate the effects of a severe water shortage in the State of Washington in 2024. With water supplies falling below 75% of normal levels in April, the state issued an early emergency drought declaration, unlocking funding for drought relief measures. This early action allowed communities and public entities to access funding for drought relief in advance, giving them time to implement mitigation strategies such as securing alternative water supplies and preparing for reduced irrigation.

    Drought Resilience +10 Conference

    Conference themes

    Discussions at DR+10 will focus on nine topics, each addressing key aspects of drought management and reflecting the central challenges and opportunities for building drought resilience globally.

    It will include national and regional case studies
    These include:

    • Drought resilience and global mechanisms
    • Drought risk governance: the regional, national and local challenges
    • Drought monitoring, impact assessment and forecasting
    • From policies to action
    • Ecosystems
    • Social inclusion and climate justice
    • Drought finance
    • Public-private civil society partnerships
    • Health

    There will be a high-level closing session: Turning Drought Resilience Challenges into Action.

    The Conference’s final declaration will include recommendations for countries to accelerate drought resilience efforts over the next decade. It will focus on policy implementation, drought resilience in countries’ preparedness plans, and adaptation strategies. It will also seek to mobilize resources to support vulnerable countries facing drought-related challenges.

    The outcomes of the Conference will inform the global drought community as well as the high-level discussions at the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh in December 2024.

    Logos of the World Meteorological Organization, Drought Resilience High-Level Meeting on National Drought Policy, and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

    The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation in atmospheric science and meteorology.

    WMO monitors weather, climate, and water resources and provides support to its Members in forecasting and disaster mitigation. The organization is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and improving public safety and well-being through its work.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The amount of student loan available for drawing down was raised in August

    Source: Bank of Finland

    In August 2024, drawdowns of student loans totalled EUR 165 million – almost the same as in the corresponding month last year. However, the volume of student loan drawdowns was affected by opposing forces.

    At the beginning of August 2024, the amount of student loan available for drawdown per month was raised by up to 30%.[1] As a result of an amendment to the Act on Financial Aid for Students, persons over 18 years studying in Finland have been able to draw down EUR 850 per month of government-guaranteed loan, instead of the previous EUR 650. The previous raise to the government-guaranteed amount of student loan was made in August 2017.

    Another change affecting the monthly drawdown volume was that students in secondary education now have more frequent student loan disbursements than before.[2] From now on, there are four disbursement dates in an academic year, regardless of the duration of studies. The change of the number of disbursements reduces the drawdowns in August and January and correspondingly increases them in March and November. According to Kela’s statistics, students in secondary education drew down approximately 19% of all student loans in the academic year 2022/2023.

    The rise in level of interest rates has reduced the volume of student loan drawdowns. However, interest rates on student loans have declined in 2024. In August 2024, the average interest rate on new student loans drawn down declined further, to stand at 4.07% in August. The average interest rate was slightly lower than at the same time a year earlier. 89% of the student loans drawn down were linked to Euribor rates and 11% to banks’ own reference rates.

    The reduced drawdown volume has contributed to the slowdown in the growth rate of the student loan stock in recent years.[3] However, the annual rate of growth of the student loan stock (4.2% in August) has picked up somewhat in recent months, and the increase of the government guarantee and lower interest rates may accelerate it further going forward. In August 2024, the stock of student loans (EUR 6.3 billion) was the largest ever.

    Loans

    In August 2024, Finnish households drew down EUR 1.1 billion of new housing loans, which is EUR 40 million less than in the same period a year earlier. Buy-to-let mortgage loans accounted for EUR 110 million of the new housing loan drawdowns. The average interest rate on new housing loans decreased from July, to stand at 3.93% in August. At the end of August 2024, the housing loan stock totalled EUR 105.9 billion, and its year-on-year change amounted to -0.7%. Buy-to-let mortgages accounted for EUR 8.7 billion of the housing loan stock. At the end of August, Finnish households’ loan stock included EUR 17.9 billion of consumer credit and EUR 17.6 billion of other loans.

    Drawdowns of new loans by Finnish non-financial corporations in August totalled EUR 1.5 billion, including EUR 440 million of loans to housing corporations. The average interest rate on new corporate-loan drawdowns rose from July, to stand at 5.36 %. At the end of August, the stock of loans granted to Finnish non-financial corporations was EUR 107.7 billion, whereof housing corporations accounted for EUR 44.8 billion.

    Deposits

    At the end of August 2024, the total stock of Finnish households’ deposits was EUR 110.6 billion, and the average interest rate on these deposits was 1.35%. Overnight deposits accounted for EUR 67.1 billion and deposits with an agreed maturity for EUR 14.6 billion of the total deposit stock. In August, Finnish households made new deposit agreements with an agreed maturity in the amount of EUR 1.1 billion. The average interest rate on these new term deposits was 3.39%.

    Loans and deposits to Finland, preliminary data*
      June, EUR million July, EUR million August, EUR million August, 12-month change1, % Average interest rate, %
    Loans to households, stock 141,421 141,223 141,425 -0.4 4.53
        – of which housing loans 106,032 105,861 105,914 -0.7 3.95
        – of which buy-to-let mortgages 8,682 8,680 8,708   4.14
    Loans to non-financial corporations2, stock  108,10 107,497 107,747 1.1 4.62
    Deposits by households, stock 110,784 109,951 110,644 1.2 1.35
               
    Households’ new drawdowns of housing loans 1,096 1,049 1,104   3.93
        – of which buy-to-let mortgages 96 96 111   4.06

    * Includes loans and deposits in all currencies to residents in Finland. The statistical releases of the Bank of Finland up to January 2021, as well as those of the ECB, present loans and deposits in euro to euro area residents and also include non-profit institutions serving households. For these reasons, the figures in this table differ from those in the aforementioned releases.
    1 Rate of change has been calculated from monthly differences in levels adjusted for classification and other revaluation changes.  
    2 Non-financial corporations also include housing corporations.

    For further information, please contact:

    Markus Aaltonen, tel. +358 9 831 2395, email: markus.aaltonen(at)bof.fi,

    Ville Tolkki, tel. +358 9 183 2420, email: ville.tolkki(at)bof.fi.

    The next news release on money and banking statistics will be published at 10:00 on 28 October 2024.

    Related statistical data and graphs are also available on the Bank of Finland website: https://www.suomenpankki.fi/en/statistics2/.

    [1] A larger amount of student loan can be taken out starting from August | Kela

    [2] Amount of the student loan | Our services| Kela. For students in higher education, there are two disbursement dates.

    [3] To a limited extent, the slowdown also reflects student loan compensations paid by Kela. Student loan compensation | Our services| Kela.

    statistics loans deposits interest rates student loans

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Confederation releases tariff quota for bread cereals earlier than expected

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Office for Agriculture

    Bern, 30.09.2024 – The 2024 harvest of Swiss bread grains is significantly below the multi-year average; the cold and wet weather is the cause of this decline. The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) will release the last part of the tariff quota for bread grains on 4 October in order to cover the national demand for grains such as wheat, rye and spelt.

    Frequent rainfall from sowing to harvest has had a negative impact on the quantities and quality of cereals harvested in 2024 in Switzerland and Central Europe. The cereal industry estimates that the need for imports will be significantly increased, which is why it has requested that the last part of the tariff quota, which amounts to 15,000 tonnes, be released earlier than planned. It has also submitted a request for a temporary increase of 20,000 tonnes in the regular quota, which amounts to 70,000 tonnes.

    The Federal Council, which is responsible for increasing the tariff quota for bread grains, will decide on the temporary increase, probably at the end of October.

    By amending the ordinance on agricultural imports, the OFAG has brought forward the release date of the last part of the quota, i.e. 15,000 tonnes of bread cereals, to 4 October 2024. The amendment will come into force on this date.

    Address for sending questions

    FOAG, Communications, tel. 41 58 463 01 07, media@blw.admin.ch

    Author

    Federal Office for Agriculturehttp://www.blw.admin.ch

    Social sharing

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Legal adviser member appointed to the Family Procedure Rule Committee

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of a legal adviser member to the Family Procedure Rule Committee.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Helen Sewell as a legal adviser member of the Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC) from 30 September 2024 until 29 September 2027.

    FPRC was set up, in October 2004, to make Family Procedure Rules. Its aim is to make clear, easily understandable rules to create an accessible, fair and efficient family justice system. FPRC makes rules of court that govern the practice and procedure followed in family proceedings in the High Court and family court.

    Appointments, to FPRC, are made by the Lord Chancellor after consulting the President of the Family Division, under section 77(2) of the Courts Act 2003. The appointment of non-judicial members is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Biography

    Helen Sewell was admitted Solicitor in 1991. Since 2020, she has worked as a Legal Team Manager for HMCTS. Previously, from 2002-2020, she worked for HMCTS as a Justices’ Legal Advisor for Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court, Swindon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s video message to the Forum of Mayors “Cities Summit of the Future”

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Download the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+25+Jul+24/3240997_MSG+SG+FORUM+OF+MAYORS++25+JUL+24.mp4

    Dear distinguished Mayors, Dear Friends,

    I want to thank the Forum of Mayors for your leadership – and for advancing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Cities are on the frontlines of shaping a world that is more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive, and interconnected.

    This gathering shows you are once again on the frontlines of innovation and change.

    The Summit of the Future has just concluded, and you are already joining forces to move the agenda where it matters most – at the local level, on the ground, in people’s lives.

    As Secretary-General, I recognize and applaud your pivotal role – which is one reason I created the UN Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments.

    I have seen how cities are engine rooms to transform sustainable development goals into sustainable development realities. 

    By working to tackle the climate crisis and create green jobs.

    By building inclusive and equitable communities.

    By helping families stay afloat during economic hard times.

    Cities are magnets for hope and opportunity for so many people around the world. 

    Thank you for transforming that hope into action.   

    Thank you for coming together to take the vision of the Summit of the Future forward for Cities of the future.

    We need your energy, initiatives, and ideas more than ever.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Pilot skills assessed on simulator

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Office of Civil Aviation

    Bern, 30.09.2024 – Flight simulators have been used for around fifty years in commercial aviation and for training on multi-pilot aircraft. In future, tests to assess the aeronautical skills of pilots of helicopters and complex single-pilot aircraft will take place on simulators. Simulators have several advantages over real-world flights: they are safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

    Currently, several certified helicopter and PC-12 simulators are in operation in Switzerland for pilot training and testing. More will follow. Examiners certified by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) check the aeronautical skills of pilots as part of a flight test. The FOCA has decided that from 1 October 2024, tests of piloting skills on single-pilot aircraft must be carried out on a simulator if a suitable simulator is available. The same will apply from 1 June 2025 for tests on single-pilot helicopters. Several reasons are given for this decision. Firstly, the simulator eliminates the risk of accidents with significant financial consequences. Secondly, it is significantly less expensive than a flight in real conditions. Finally, the simulator does not cause any noise pollution or pollutant emissions.

    Modern simulators are able to faithfully reproduce real situations of visual or instrument piloting by integrating, for example, engine failures, avionics failures or even forced landings. Today, simulators of this type are an integral part of the training and development of professional pilots.

    On the other hand, until recently, the situation was different for simulators on helicopters and on complex or high-performance single-pilot aircraft. Although common European regulations have governed tests and examinations on simulators since 2011, they were rarely used for this purpose, due in particular to an insufficient fleet of aircraft.

    Address for sending questions

    For media professionals: OFAC Communication Telephone: 41 58 464 72 87

    Author

    Federal Office of Civil Aviationhttp://www.bazl.admin.ch

    Social sharing

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sony Semiconductor Solutions and Raspberry Pi Launch the Raspberry Pi AI Camera

    Source: Sony

    Atsugi, Japan and Cambridge, UK — Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS) and Raspberry Pi Ltd today announced that they are launching a jointly developed AI camera. The Raspberry Pi AI Camera, which is compatible with Raspberry Pi’s range of single-board computers, will accelerate the development of AI solutions which process visual data at the edge. Starting from September 30, the product will be available for purchase from Raspberry Pi’s network of Approved Resellers, for a suggested retail price of $70.00*.
    * Not including any applicable local taxes.

    In April 2023, it was announced that SSS would make a minority investment in Raspberry Pi Ltd. Since then, the companies have been working to develop an edge AI platform for the community of Raspberry Pi developers, based on SSS technology. The AI Camera is powered by SSS’s IMX500 intelligent vision sensor, which is capable of on-chip AI image processing, and enables Raspberry Pi users around the world to easily and efficiently develop edge AI solutions that process visual data.

    • AI camera features
    • Because vision data is normally massive, using it to develop AI solutions can require a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerator, and a variety of other components in addition to a camera. The new Raspberry Pi AI Camera, however, is equipped with the IMX500 intelligent vision sensor which handles AI processing, making it easy to develop edge AI solutions with just a Raspberry Pi and the AI Camera.
    • The new AI Camera is compatible with all Raspberry Pi single-board computers, including the latest Raspberry Pi 5. This enables users to develop solutions with familiar hardware and software, taking advantage of the widely used and powerful libcamera and Picamera2 software libraries. 

    “SSS and Raspberry Pi Ltd aim to provide Raspberry Pi users and the development community with a unique development experience,” said Eita Yanagisawa, General Manager, System Solutions Division, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. “I’m very excited to share SSS edge AI sensing technology with the world’s largest development community as the first fruits of our strategic partnership. We look forward to further collaboration with Raspberry Pi using our AITRIOS edge AI solution development and operations platform. We aim to make the most of AI cameras equipped with our image sensors in our collaborative efforts with Raspberry Pi.”

    “AI-based image processing is becoming an attractive tool for developers around the world,” said Eben Upton, CEO, Raspberry Pi Ltd. “Together with our longstanding image sensor partner Sony Semiconductor Solutions, we have developed the Raspberry Pi AI Camera, incorporating Sony’s image sensor expertise. We look forward to seeing what our community members are able to achieve using the power of the Raspberry Pi AI Camera.”

    Specifications

    • Sensor model: SSS’s approx. 12.3 effective megapixel IMX500 intelligent vision sensor with a powerful neural network accelerator
    • Sensor modes: 4,056(H) x 3,040(V) at 10 fps / 2,028(H) x 1,520(V) at 40 fps
    • Unit cell size: 1.55 µm x 1.55 µm
    • 76 degree FoV with manual/mechanical adjustable focus
    • Integrated RP2040 for neural network firmware management
    • Works with all Raspberry Pi models using only Raspberry Pi standard camera connector cable
    • Pre-loaded with MobileNetSSD model
    • Fully integrated with libcamera

    About Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and the global leader in image sensors. It operates in the semiconductor business, which includes image sensors and other products. The company strives to provide advanced imaging technologies that bring greater convenience and fun. In addition, it also works to develop and bring to market new kinds of sensing technologies with the aim of offering various solutions that will take the visual and recognition capabilities of both human and machines to greater heights.
    For more information, please visit     https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/index.html.

    About Raspberry Pi Ltd
    Raspberry Pi is on a mission to put high-performance, low-cost, general-purpose computing platforms in the hands of enthusiasts and engineers all over the world. Since 2012, we’ve been designing single-board and modular computers, built on the Arm architecture, and running the Linux operating system. Whether you’re an educator looking to excite the next generation of computer scientists; an enthusiast searching for inspiration for your next project; or an OEM who needs a proven rock-solid foundation for your next generation of smart products, there’s a Raspberry Pi computer for you.

    Note: AITRIOS is the registered trademark or trademark of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliates.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN

    Source: ASEAN

    In gearing up for the upcoming 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Lao PDR, early next month, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN and CPR Chair for 2024, H.E. Amb. Bovonethat Douangchak, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ ASEAN Secretariat. SG Dr. Kao underscored the importance of the upcoming Summits and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Lao PDR, as the ASEAN Chair for 2024, for the success of its chairmanship year. The Secretary-General also expressed his confidence that the meetings will yield productive outcomes for the region and for the rest of the world.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Looking at how well defence contractors follow the rules for reporting under the non-competitive regulatory system

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Compliance Bulletin examines how well defence contractors followed the reporting regulations for non-competitive (also known as single source) defence contracts.

    Defence contractors must report information about their single-source defence contracts to the MOD and the Single Source Regulations Office (the SSRO). This is performed using the SSRO’s Defence Contract Analysis and Reporting System (DefCARS).

    As an important part of the regulatory framework, these submissions provide the MOD with information throughout the contract duration that can be used to support purchasing decisions and management of those contracts so that they obtain the best value for money whilst paying fair and reasonable prices.

    In its written compliance and review methodology, the SSRO explains how it will keep an eye on how well contractors who are required to report are following the regulations.

    The Compliance Bulletin presents compliance statistics relating to reports expected between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024. Data is also presented against historical compliance records going back to May 2018.  

    The bulletin shows that while the majority of expected submissions are made by contractors, there is still room for improvement with regard to the data quality of initial submissions. The MOD must also make sure that the information it receives is considered and utilised appropriately, by ensuring that more submissions are accessed and reviewed in DefCARS.

    The SSRO’s Head of Compliance, Reporting and IT, Akhlaq Shah, said:

    The SSRO won’t only monitor compliance and report on it; but will continue to assist both contractors and the MOD in fulfilling their commitments whenever possible. We will keep investing resources to help ensure an understanding of what is needed; how industry can best offer it; and how the MOD can use the data consistently and continuously.

    Take a look at the Compliance Bulletin for more information on contractors are doing in timeliness and quality of their reporting.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Indo-Pacific region increasingly important in a turbulent world

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Indo-Pacific region increasingly important in a turbulent world – Government.se

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    Press release from Ministry of Defence

    Published

    Security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is becoming increasingly interlinked. The Government is now presenting a defence policy direction for cooperation between Sweden and countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

    The Indo-Pacific region, the vast and densely populated area that stretches from the east coast of Africa via the Indian Ocean and archipelagos of South-East Asia to the Pacific Islands Countries, has taken on a key defence policy and military role in recent years. 

    These regional developments are increasingly characterised by the dynamic between China and the United States. China’s increasing authoritarianism and cooperation with Russia, as well as the United States’ resource prioritisation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, are both impacting the security situation in Europe. The Euro-Atlantic region, including Sweden, would be negatively affected by conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.

    At the same time, the Indo-Pacific region is affected by events in Europe, such as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its aftermath. Security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions is increasingly interlinked. 

    “It has therefore become increasingly important to develop defence relations with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The Government’s ambition to do this is presented in the new policy direction,” says Minister of Defence Pål Jonson.

    The Government adopted the direction on 4 July. It was publicly launched during a seminar at the Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm on 30 September, which Mr Jonson participated in. 

    Press contact

    Policy direction in brief

    The direction lists measures intended to strengthen Sweden’s defence cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries within three focus areas:
    • defence relations;
    • military presence;
    • cooperation on defence materiel, innovation and technology.
    Through enhanced cooperation, Sweden and Swedish actors can further national defence capabilities and security while also contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Within both NATO and the EU, Sweden will pursue increased defence cooperation with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AI in cyberattacks – the NCSC’s focus during European Cyber Security Month

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

    Bern, 30.09.2024 – Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in cyberattacks, particularly social engineering attacks. For this year’s European Cyber Security Month (ECSM), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will be raising public awareness of this cyberthreat. The ECSM takes place every October and is organised by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) together with the European member states.

    The use of AI is becoming increasingly important – even in the world of cybercrime. In particular, we are seeing a trend in social engineering attacks where AI is being used by criminals to impersonate someone else. For example, AI can easily be used to write authentic-looking emails, mimic voices or fake images. These fake identities give the cybercriminals more credibility and make it easier for them to gain the trust of their victims. In light of these developments, the NCSC is focusing on the influence of artificial intelligence in social engineering attacks as part of this year’s ECSM.

    A spotlight on deepfake videos

    From 1 October, the NCSC will run a campaign to raise public awareness of the risks of social engineering attacks using deepfake technology. Together with Youth and Media and Ralph Landolt, partner of Seniorweb.ch, the NCSC has developed targeted content for young people, professionals and seniors. The campaign includes a short video that shows how easy it is for cyber criminals to use AI to create deepfake videos. There will also be an online lunch meeting to discuss the issue, an explanatory video for older people and more information on the NCSC website. The campaign will run until 31 October.

    The European Cyber Security Month

    The ECSM is organised by ENISA together with the European member states. As a cooperation partner of ENISA, the NCSC plays an active role in the campaign. Social engineering was already the focus of ECSM 2023: the NCSC’s campaign was built around a dance video, which generated a lot of interest from the public. Because it is still so relevant today, the 2024 campaign will once again address the issue of social engineering in the context of cyberattacks.

    Address for enquiries

    NCSC Communication
    +41 58 465 04 64
    media@ncsc.admin.ch

    Publisher

    National Cyber Security Centre
    https://www.ncsc.admin.ch/ncsc/en/home.html

    General Secretariat DDPS
    https://www.vbs.admin.ch/

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Joan: ITV drama introduces a magnetic anti-heroine you can’t help but root for

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Laura Minor, Lecturer in Television Studies, University of Salford

    This article contains minor spoilers for episode one of Joan.

    The new six-part ITV crime series, Joan, opens with The Pretenders’ rebellious rock anthem Brass in Pocket. It’s a fitting choice that immediately sets the tone for the series. As Chrissie Hynde’s vocals kick in, we’re introduced to our protagonist – a woman who, like the song, will soon exude self-assurance and a touch of defiance, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

    Sophie Turner stars as Joan Hannington, whose journey from impoverished victim to notorious jewel thief unfolds in 1980s London. Based on true events, the series chronicles Hannington’s transformation into “the godmother” – the most infamous woman in the city’s criminal underworld.

    The first episode establishes Hannington’s dire circumstances and the spark that ignites her criminal career. She is trapped in an abusive marriage to a violent man who physically abuses her and neglects their six-year-old daughter, Kelly. When he goes on the run, Hannington seizes the opportunity to escape, but not before facing the harsh realities of her situation – from being assaulted by gangsters to whom her husband owes money, to being pressured by undercover police to inform on him.

    Circumstances force Hannington to place Kelly with an emergency foster family. This decision is made all the more poignant by the revelation of Joan’s own childhood in care, which explains her fierce determination to provide a better life for her daughter. Their relationship forms the first episode’s emotional core. It is why Joan takes her first tentative steps into illegality, beginning with stealing a car to visit Kelly at her new home.

    The trailer for Joan.

    This initial transgression evolves into more sophisticated cons. Her method of learning about jewellery by eavesdropping on wealthy women before landing a job at a jeweller’s offers a pointed commentary on class barriers. Hannington’s ability to mimic the accents and mannerisms of the affluent underscores the performative nature of social class and foreshadows her future success in high-end theft.

    Joan doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of its world, where the threat of male violence is a constant shadow. From her husband’s brutal abuse to the unwelcome advances of her new boss at the jewellers, the series portrays a reality where Hannington’s safety is perpetually at risk.

    Yet these very threats fuel her determination to carve out a safer life for herself and Kelly. We watch as she takes increasingly bold steps, culminating in a scene where she swallows several diamonds to smuggle them out of the store. This moment marks a turning point for Hannington, signalling her commitment to her new life of crime.

    Anti-heroines in British crime drama

    Joan takes its place in a rich tradition of anti-heroines in British crime TV, a lineage that has been slowly but steadily growing since the turn of the millennium.

    As noted by professor of television studies, Milly Buonanno in Television Antiheroines: Women Behaving Badly in Crime and Prison Drama (2017), it wasn’t until the noughties that “the rule of male prominence and power [was] challenged by a wave of anti-heroines who have made inroads into the criminal underworlds and have provided evidence of women’s capacity to be ‘good at being bad’ against the myth of female innocence”.

    Hannington joins this pantheon of complex female characters, trail-blazed in the 90s by Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) from Prime Suspect (1991). As TV critic Rebecca Nicholson has observed, Tennison’s influence “looms larger than is often acknowledged within modern television”. More recent additions to this lineage include characters such as Alice (Ruth Wilson) in Luther (2010) and Villanelle (Jodie Comer) in Killing Eve (2018) – each pushing the boundaries of how female characters are portrayed in British crime dramas.

    Speaking about bringing Hannington to life on screen, Turner has said that she “was captivated by the character of Joan, she’s such a complex and extraordinary woman, both vulnerable and strong. She makes some terrible choices, unfortunately, but I think someone that a lot of people can relate to, and I just wanted to read more and more about her.”

    Turner’s words encapsulate the hallmarks of the anti-heroine archetype – moral ambiguity, inner conflict, and a strange magnetism that draws viewers in despite (or perhaps because of) the character’s flaws. Her emphasis on Hannington’s relatability – even in the face of “terrible choices” – speaks to the human core of these anti-heroine stories.

    But it’s crucial to approach these characters with a sense of discernment. As Buaonanno cautions, we should refrain from “uncritically celebrating characters of women in the business of crime”. The mere presence of criminal anti-heroines doesn’t equate to feminist achievement. But Joan does offer an opportunity for a nuanced exploration of themes such as gender, class and morality.

    Whether Hannington’s journey will serve as a cautionary tale or a celebration of resilience remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Joan will challenge audiences to grapple with moral ambiguities as it explores the story of a working-class woman who forges her own path in the ruthless world of organised crime.


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Laura Minor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Joan: ITV drama introduces a magnetic anti-heroine you can’t help but root for – https://theconversation.com/joan-itv-drama-introduces-a-magnetic-anti-heroine-you-cant-help-but-root-for-239673

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Counterfeit Ozempic pens detected and adverse event reported

    Source: Australian Department of Health and Aged Care

    Consumers and health professionals should be aware that counterfeit Ozempic-labelled pens have been imported into Australia. These pens may pose a serious health risk and should not be used. There are clear inconsistencies from the original product to look out for.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sustainable Food Network launches in the city

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Food Partnership Meeting

    Published: Monday, 30th September 2024

    The Food Partnership is a cross-sector partnership, with members and representatives from the statutory, VCSE, and private sectors.

    Organisations across Stoke-on-Trent are joining forces to help drive forward an “equitable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable food network that supports the health, wellbeing and prosperity of our communities”.

    Fronted by the YMCA North Staffordshire and VAST the partnership has three overarching priorities;
    1. Food availability
    2. Food affordability
    3. Food sustainability

    The Food Partnership is a cross-sector partnership, with members and representatives from the statutory, VCSE, and private sectors. Its clear aim is to ensure representation and influence from a range of expertise, and specialisms.

    Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty, said: “Collaboration work is vital to ensuring all residents are represented and supported. We know the Cost-of-Living crisis impacted people harder than we could ever imagine. Support is out there and I urge anyone struggling to reach out. We want to help communities to come together to support each other.”

    Daniel Flynn, Chief Executive Officer at YMCA North Staffordshire advised: “We collectively believe that every person in the city should have access to healthy, tasty, affordable food. We recognise that food is at the heart of some of our city’s most pressing social, economic and environmental problems; however, we also see good food as part of the solution to our communities’ challenges.”

    Over the last couple of years, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, alongside voluntary sector partner, VAST pulled together an essential directory to help families all year round, signposting support services, including information for those facing food poverty, financial issues and support with household energy.

    The Help is at Hand campaign has been coordinated by the city council in partnership with a range of community and voluntary organisations across the city. The city council has committed to ensuring every resident has access to a financial MoT and is now focusing on ensuring everyone has the nutritional, healthy, affordable food they need.

    Information on the range of advice, support and information on offer as part of the Help is at Hand campaign is available at http://www.stoke.gov.uk/helpisathand.

    Interested organisations can find out about upcoming Food Partnership meetings at vast.org.uk/events or email support@vast.org.uk

    VAST currently provides city-wide support to communities in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire and supports the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s video message to the Forum of Mayors “Cities Summit of the Future”

    Source: United Nations – English

    strong>Download the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+25+Jul+24/3240997_MSG+SG+FORUM+OF+MAYORS++25+JUL+24.mp4

    Dear distinguished Mayors, Dear Friends,

    I want to thank the Forum of Mayors for your leadership – and for advancing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Cities are on the frontlines of shaping a world that is more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive, and interconnected.

    This gathering shows you are once again on the frontlines of innovation and change.

    The Summit of the Future has just concluded, and you are already joining forces to move the agenda where it matters most – at the local level, on the ground, in people’s lives.

    As Secretary-General, I recognize and applaud your pivotal role – which is one reason I created the UN Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments.

    I have seen how cities are engine rooms to transform sustainable development goals into sustainable development realities. 

    By working to tackle the climate crisis and create green jobs.

    By building inclusive and equitable communities.

    By helping families stay afloat during economic hard times.

    Cities are magnets for hope and opportunity for so many people around the world. 

    Thank you for transforming that hope into action.   

    Thank you for coming together to take the vision of the Summit of the Future forward for Cities of the future.

    We need your energy, initiatives, and ideas more than ever.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Return of peak rail fares a costly blow for commuters and climate

    Source: Scottish Greens

    30 Sep 2024 Transport End Peak Rail Fares

    Hiking rail fares is bad for people and planet.

    More in Transport

    The return of peak rail fares in Scotland will be a costly blow for commuters and our climate, says the Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP.

    Mr Ruskell’s comments came on the morning that peak rail fares returned to Scotland, following a 12 month pilot to remove them that was secured by the Scottish Greens.

    The fare hike means that someone travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh at peak times will see a return fare increase from £16.20 to £31.40.

    Mr Ruskell said: “A lot of commuters will have an unpleasant surprise when they pay for their tickets this morning and see that prices are higher than ever.

    “Peak rail fares are fundamentally unfair. They disproportionately impact people who have no say over when they need to travel for work or study. Bringing them back will do nothing to help workers or students or to encourage people out of their cars.

    “Many regular commuters have saved hundreds of pounds on their fares over the last year, and some of the rises they will now face are staggering.

    “If we want to build a transport system that works for people and planet then we need to ensure that rail is always an affordable and reliable option. People in Scotland already pay some of the highest fares in Europe and this will only make it worse.

    Mr Ruskell added: “The removal of peak rail fares was one of the most important changes that the Scottish Greens secured in government. I am proud of the work we did with trade unions and campaigners to deliver it. 

    “I hope that the SNP will reconsider this decision, and that we will see peak fares removed permanently.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pan-African partnership reaches milestone for long-term climate finance solutions in Kenya

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Mobilisation of climate finance set to be boosted across East Africa through new UK-backed company as investors put pen to paper to begin operations.

    • Investors back Dhamana Guarantee Company’s work to transform East Africa’s financial landscape.

    • Tackling climate change given another boost in Kenya as, for second time in a week, a UK-Government backed investor in green finance solutions puts pen to paper.

    Monday 30 September 2024 – Dhamana Guarantee Company Ltd (Dhamana) has reached a major milestone, marked at an event in Nairobi today.

    Investors in the new company put pen to paper at a signing ceremony, which will allow the company to kick-start operations.

    Dhamana aims to mobilise private sector finance to support the development of sustainable businesses. It will do so by issuing guarantees to commercially viable projects, businesses, and institutions that tackle the climate crisis and make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The design and creation of the company was supported by the UK-Government backed investor the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) through InfraCo Africa. With its anchor investment, PIDG kick-started Dhamana, attracting further equity investment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and CPF Group, with support provided by Cardano Development and FSD Africa.

    Dhamana is a new limited liability company based in Kenya with a mandate to deliver for the East African region – including – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. It will provide credit guarantees on debt capital market instruments, to boost the credit rating of such instruments and crowd in investment from pension funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds to support sustainable infrastructure and business development in East Africa.

    Dhamana will target businesses that add value to people’s lives, improving the day-to-day life of Kenyans and of people across the region. The increase in affordable finance for Kenyan businesses will mean projects will require less capital to get off the ground, make money, and generate growth. Dhamana will also enable investors to diversify their portfolios, acting as a catalyst to transform East Africa’s financing landscape.

    This is the second time in a week that an investor in climate solutions backed by the UK Government has achieved a milestone. Last week, MOBILIST signed a partnership with the Nairobi Securities Exchange which aims to drive the listing of new investment products in the Kenyan market and increase the amount of private sector capital available for development and climate projects in Kenya and drive growth.

    Dhamana CEO, Christopher Olobo, said:

    With the support of our investors and supporters, we have worked to develop Dhamana as an important catalyst for long-term sustainable finance in the region. Dhamana’s local currency guarantees will connect pools of untapped capital with East Africa’s real economy, making a tangible difference to people’s lives and offering local investors the opportunity to invest in Paris-aligned initiatives.

    Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director, British High Commission Nairobi, Leigh Stubblefield, said:

    For the second time in a week I am proud to say that the UK has supported a climate finance solution in Kenya – an example of our long-term commitment to long-term investment and growth. This is a great pan-Africa partnership that will improve the lives of East Africans for the better, and as the saying goes, we go far when we go together.

    Representing PIDG, InfraCo Africa CEO, Gilles Vaes, added:

    Building on the success of other PIDG-supported credit enhancement facilities in Nigeria and Pakistan, Dhamana will demonstrate the value of such a facility in the East African market, opening up opportunities for investors and clients alike. Crucially, Dhamana will engage new partners and investors in our efforts to urgently address the climate crisis and accelerate delivery of the UN sustainable development goals.

    In his remarks at the launch event, Solomon Quaynor, African Development Bank Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialisation, said:

    The African Development Bank’s equity investment in Dhamana reinforces the catalytic role and potential of credit enhancement companies in leveraging opportunities for infrastructure financing in local currency and supporting debt capital markets deepening in our regional member countries. We intend to replicate this business model in appropriate markets across Africa with partners such as the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and others. The first example of this type of credit enhancement company was InfraCredit in Nigeria which has had demonstrated success, and now Dhamana in East Africa. The investment in Dhamana aligns with the Bank’s priority to mobilise financing through innovative vehicles from African institutional funds including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies for infrastructure development in Africa.

    On his part, Dr. Hosea Kili, OGW – CPF Group Managing Director/CEO – said:

    We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative through Dhamana Guarantee Company. We believe in the power of innovative financial solutions to drive sustainable growth. By leveraging local currency guarantees, Dhamana will unlock critical capital for critical infrastructure projects, advancing economic development. This partnership aligns with our commitment to investing in initiatives that improve the lives of people’s lives and our economy while contributing to a more sustainable future.

    Joost Zuidberg, CEO of Cardano Development concluded:

    Dhamana’s true strength lies in its capacity to attract significant investments from East Africa’s institutional capital, laying a strong foundation for future scaling up according to its sizeable potential and thus meaningfully contribute to sustained economic growth in the region. Part of our core work is to incubate guarantee solutions for emerging and frontier markets, and we are thrilled to formalise this partnership today, as we collectively provide Dhamana with the crucial support and capital needed to fulfil this vital objective.

    NOTES FOR EDITORS

    The UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership

    The UK-Kenya strategic partnership joint statement can be found here.

    About Dhamana

    Dhamana Guarantee Company (Dhamana): Dhamana is working to catalyse the development of domestic capital markets in East Africa. It does this by connecting significant under-utilised sources of domestic institutional capital with the real economy, such as new green infrastructure, and providers of credit to  businesses. This increases access and the affordability of local capital, providing new low-risk opportunities for local investors. Dhamana will also serve to provide a portfolio of businesses with access to the local currency capital needed to deliver bankable projects, meeting the high demand for new affordable housing, transportation, water, and energy infrastructure, and promoting long term economic development. http://www.dhamana.com

    About PIDG

    The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) is an innovative infrastructure project developer and investor which mobilises private investment in sustainable and inclusive infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and south and south-east Asia. PIDG investments promote socio-economic development within a just transition to net zero emissions, combat poverty and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PIDG delivers its ambition in line with its values of pioneering, partnership, safety, inclusivity, and urgency. PIDG offers Technical Assistance for upstream, early-stage activities and concessional capital; its project development arm – which includes InfraCo Africa and InfraCo Asia – invests in early-stage project development and project and corporate equity. PIDG credit solutions include EAIF (the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund), one of the first and more successful blended debt funds in low-income markets; GuarantCo, its guarantee arm that provides credit enhancement and local currency solutions to de-risk projects; and a growing portfolio of local credit enhancement facilities, which unlocks domestic institutional capital for infrastructure financing. Since 2002, PIDG has supported 233 infrastructure projects to financial close, which provided an estimated 228 million people with access to new or improved infrastructure. PIDG is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, Global Affairs Canada, Germany, and the IFC. http://www.pidg.org

    About the African Development Bank (AfDB)

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. http://www.afdb.org

    About the CPF Group

    The CPF Group offers a comprehensive range of services through its various subsidiaries including  CPF Financial Services which administers both private and public pension funds; notably – the Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSS); The Local Authorities Pensions Trust (LAPTRUST); the Taifa Pension Fund; the County Pension Fund and CPF Individual Pension Plan. The funds under our administration have a total membership of just over 500,000 members.

    Other subsidiaries include Laser Infrastructure & Technology Solutions (LITES); Laser Property Services; Rukisha Advances payment platform; CPF Asset Managers; CPF Capital & Advisory; and Laser Insurance Brokers (LIB).  The Group offers a wide range of services in ICT & renewable energy solutions, Property Services, Insurance Brokerage, Smart Money platform, fund management, Transaction Advisory, Trust fund services, training & consultancy, and Corporate Trustee Services. Derived from uncompromised commitment to fulfilling lives, the CPF Group prioritises new models and approaches in engineering turnkey solutions for clients across the region. http://www.cpfgroup.or.ke

    About Cardano Development

    Cardano Development (CD), established in 2007, incubates new companies, and creates and manages fund managers. Through careful risk-management analysis in data poor settings, CD identifies scalable solutions that can help to make frontier financial markets more inclusive, investible, and sustainable to unlock lasting economic value. CD creates scalable solutions for currency, credit, and liquidity risks in these markets. With over USD 6 billion assets and USD 3.1 billion capital under management, CD supports scale-up ventures (TCX, GuarantCo, Frontclear, BIX Capital, ILX Fund, AGRI3 Fund), and a number of new start-ups, with ongoing management support services and corporate governance oversight. http://www.cardanodevelopment.com.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: The fight against racism in the canton of Vaud

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Swiss Canton of Vaud – news in French

    Its systemic nature is highlighted by studies. On the occasion of the Assises, the IntégrAction 2024 Prize also rewarded the NELA and Action-parrainages associations.

    Organised by the Cantonal Consultative Chamber of Immigrants (CCCI) chaired by Guy Gaudard, the 2024 Immigration Conference was dedicated on Saturday to the fight against racism, the subject of the 2004 edition. “20 years later, if things have moved forward, the findings have also evolved. Racism is a very real reality in Switzerland”, underlines Isabelle Moret, head of the Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment and Heritage.

    Since then, the Cantonal Office for the Integration of Foreigners and the Prevention of Racism (BCI), created in 2009, has set up a consultation for people facing racism since 2012, which was subsequently supplemented by that of the Lausanne Office for Immigrants (BLI). A new consultation is currently being planned in the north of the canton. To counter systemic racism, action plans are underway or being considered with various cantonal services, including the police, schools and the health sector,

    During the Assizes, Ludovic Vérolet, a lawyer specializing in this field, noted that, while the criminal law against discrimination and incitement to hatred (article 261 bis of the penal code) certainly makes it possible to counter racist acts and behavior, despite 30 years of existence, it still faces challenges in its application (the public dimension of the act is necessary for the offense to be constituted and the definitions of the groups or individuals targeted are very restrictive).

    Denise Efionayi-Mäder, deputy director of the Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies at the University of Neuchâtel, notes the existence of real systemic racism, a racism that goes beyond individual deviant behavior and can unconsciously influence institutions.

    Anthropologist Ninian Hubert van Blijenburgh noted that the scientifically based claim that races do not exist (there is only one human species) must be supplemented by an explanation that accounts for human diversity. He emphasizes that diversity education is essential to counter racist misrepresentations.

    Journalist Julie Eigenmann also presented the exploratory survey “Switzerland in flagrant denial” which brings together testimonies and analyses on various concrete facets of racism. Several articles taken from this survey were exhibited at the Lausanne School of Social Work and Health (HETSL) which hosted the Assises this year.

    The IntegrAction 2024 prize was awarded by the president of the jury, Professor Patrick Bodenmann, head physician of the Department of Vulnerabilities and Social Medicine at the University Center for General Medicine and Public Health (Unisanté), to two winners: on the one hand, the NELA association, which welcomes, supports and supervises young migrants through sponsorships and the implementation of cultural and social projects, and on the other hand, to the Action-parrainages association, which connects families living in the canton and migrants in order to facilitate their integration, by promoting the learning of French and the creation of links with the population.

    Link to the press release

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI