Source: European Commission
European Commission Press release Brussels, 31 Oct 2024 Today, the Commission published its proposal to set catch limits, or total allowable catches (TACs), for ten fish stocks in the EU waters in the Atlantic Ocean, Kattegat, and Skagerrak for 2025.
Source: European Union 2
Building on the success of the European Hydrogen Week 2023, also this year Hydrogen Europe, the European Commission and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership have teamed up to bring the entire hydrogen sector in one place for a whole week of conferences, exhibition and great networking opportunities.
In the conference streams, featured panels consisting of some of the most prominent stakeholders in the hydrogen industry covering the most pressing topics facing this new industry: the need for both urgency and pragmatism in creating the regulatory framework, the unique challenges different sectors face to decarbonise and how hydrogen can help, and how to remain a leader in an industry that has caught the attention of the rest of the world..
Across the exhibition room, attendees can get a first-hand view of the latest in electrolyser and fuel cell technologies as well as touch with hand and test hydrogen trucks, buses, and cars.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Colombia
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Haiti
– Sudan
– Floods in Spain
– Security Council
– Mpox
– Noon Briefing Guest
– Briefings Today
– Briefings Tomorrow
FLOODS IN SPAIN
Images of the torrential rains that have caused severe floods in and around Valencia, in the south of Spain are devastating.
The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and expresses his full solidarity with the Government and the people of Spain.
The UN stands ready to assist in whichever way it can.
Valencia is hosts the UN Global Service Center base, which is an important logistics hub for the entire UN system.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Moving to Gaza, further to that situation, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is urging the Israeli authorities to urgently grant access for critical humanitarian activities in Jabalya, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in North Gaza. OCHA emphasizes the need for secure conditions to deliver aid and conduct rescue operations safely, given the ongoing military operations there.
The UN and the humanitarian partners are set to urgently implement critical activities in those areas as soon as Israeli authorities reopen North Gaza.
The Secretary-General is deeply shocked by reports of an Israeli air strike in Beit Lahia, in North Gaza that took place early yesterday reportedly left at least 90 Palestinians killed or missing, including at least 25 children. This tragic loss of life, he said particularly among vulnerable people, yet again underscores the devastating human impact of the ongoing conflict, which is intensifying in the north of Gaza.
The Secretary-General unequivocally condemns the widespread killing and injury of civilians in Gaza and the ongoing displacement of the population. All parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international law, including the obligation to respect and protect civilians. This includes humanitarian workers and first responders, who play a vital role in mitigating suffering and providing life-saving assistance.
The obstruction of their work only deepens the suffering of the population. Aid must flow freely and safely.
The toll of the violence in Gaza is unconscionable. There must be an immediate ceasefire. And he reiterates once again his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The time to stop the bloodshed is now.
Also throughout October, we’ve noted that North Gaza governorate has been largely inaccessible, with very few exceptions, amid reports of high casualties, direct hits on overwhelmed medical facilities, and widespread family displacement and separation.
OCHA also emphasizes the need for direct supply routes from Erez West to these areas, rather than routing all aid through Gaza City, which is the current imposed practice.
Meanwhile, in the south, OCHA today visited two locations in Absan, east of Khan Younis, to assess the situation of displaced families. One was the Saudi Centre for Cultural and Heritage in Abasan Al Kabira, which provides mental health support for children, internet access for students, and operates a community kitchen for more than 500 families. The second location was in the Al Mharaba site, which hosts 2,000 people. At this site there are no health services, limited power and insufficient water facilities.
LEBANON
On the humanitarian front in Lebanon, a joint OCHA-UNICEF mission today delivered essential supplies to approximately 800 households in the village of Sarafand, in southern Lebanon. The supplies include water bottles, hygiene and dignity kits, water testers, children’s clothes and first aid kits.
Also, today, a convoy by UNRWA delivered 5,000 liters of fuel for generators to ensure the operation of water wells and sanitation facilities in the Burj Shemali Palestinian Refugee Camp along the South Litani River.
The situation continues to deteriorate amid escalating hostilities and displacement orders. Today, the Israeli army issued displacement orders for all residents of Baalbek city in the east of the country, to evacuate the entire city immediately.
This prompted mass displacement and panic among residents. Strikes subsequently began after several hours. Displacement orders were also issued in several localities in Nabatieh, in the south.
The Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, deplored the extensive harm inflicted on civilians and the destruction of critical infrastructure. He called for the violence to end immediately and reminded parties to the conflict that they must take all feasible precautions to avoid and minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=30%20October%202024
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Press conference by Ms. Mariana Katzarova, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation.
———————————
Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation said, “the aggressive war, the full-scale invasion against Ukraine” has exacerbated “the repression against civil society, against any antiwar expression inside the Russian Federation.”
Special Rapporteur spoke to reporters Tuesday (29 Oct) in New York, describing instances of Russian citizens, soldiers, and critics who resist the war facing severe punishment, ranging from beatings to torture.
Katzarova said, “Russian soldiers who decide, or officers who decide, already in Ukraine, that they don’t want to follow criminal orders, they do not want to participate in the war, they have been subjected to despicable torture in so called “zindans” pits in the ground, or they have been suspended from trees without water, without food while they’ve been severely beaten. Some has been shot in the back while trying to escape the war zone.”
The clampdown has also extended to Russian journalists covering the conflict, with Katzarova detailing how authorities have detained more than 30 reporters. She said, “there are rules of war, but when the authorities of any country, and here we’re talking about the Russian government, starts hunting down journalists on assignment, this shows a desperation by the authorities to really cover up, to silence the truth about the aggressive war in its third year against Ukraine.”
Katzarova estimated that over 1,300 people are currently detained as political prisoners, though some NGOs place the number above 1,700. Among these cases, she pointed to a young poet, arrested after reading an anti-war poem publicly in Moscow, who was reportedly gang-raped by police officers in detention. Despite the poet’s request for an investigation, Katzarova said, “the judge turned a blind eye.”
Other dissenters, including prominent activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, have received lengthy prison terms for speaking out. Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years for “publishing three articles and delivering two speeches against the war.” His recent release as part of a prisoner exchange is an exception in Russia, Katzarova emphasized.
Beyond political repression, Katzarova highlighted the troubling status of marginalized groups in Russia, particularly the LGBTQ+ community, which was labeled “extremist” by Russia’s Supreme Court last year, criminalizing expressions of LGBTQ+ identity and symbols. She said, “if you allow yourself to wear the rainbow flag, you are promoting the symbols of extremist organization.”
Katzarova also condemned Russia’s tolerance of other severe human rights abuses, including the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in regions like Dagestan, a practice that remains legal in the country. “Russia is a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture, which mandates torture be criminalized under national law,” she stated, noting that domestic violence and torture remain unaddressed by Russian legislation. “There is no law in Russia outlawing domestic violence, nor any distinct criminal offense of torture in Russian legislation,” said the Special Rapporteur.
Following her UN briefing, Katzarova joined a meeting with public and grassroots organizations, hosted by the German Mission, where Vladimir Kara-Murza, now free, also addressed attendees. Speaking later with UN News, Kara-Murza said, “I believe it’s vitally important that now, for the first time ever, there is a specific mandate holder within the United Nations system tasked with documenting human rights violations in the Russian Federation. This is the first time ever that such a mandate holder has been appointed with responsibility for a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and that alone speaks volumes about the horrendous state of Vladimir Putin’s Russia.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Director disqualified for operating tax avoidance scheme without notifying authorities
Alastair Lunt was the director of Peak PAYE Ltd which operated a tax avoidance scheme which resulted in more than £2.5 million of unpaid tax
The scheme, which had around 250 users, promised to help its customers avoid paying income tax and National Insurance
Lunt has been disqualified as a company director until September 2034
A director who promoted a tax avoidance scheme which deprived HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of more than £2.5 million in unpaid tax has been disqualified.
Alastair Lunt was the director of Peak PAYE Ltd when it caused losses of at least £2.64 million to HMRC between October 2020 and February 2022.
Lunt had failed to notify HMRC of the scheme, which had around 250 users, as he was required to by law.
The 36-year-old, who now lives in southern California, was banned as a company director for 10 years.
Claire Entwistle, Assistant Director of Operations at the Insolvency Service, said:
Tax avoidance schemes are marketed as ways for people to pay less tax but do not always work as advertised, landing customers instead with a big tax bill.
Our public services also rely on everyone paying their taxes and schemes such as this deprive the UK of the revenue it needs to invest in our hospitals, schools and roads.
Peak PAYE’s director, Alastair Lunt, was required to notify HMRC of the scheme. He failed to do so, causing substantial losses to the public purse.
We will continue to work closely with our partners at HMRC to disrupt and clamp down on scheme promoters such as Peak PAYE.
Peak PAYE operated its tax avoidance scheme by paying contractors the National Minimum Wage, and then paying the remainder of their wages disguised as a financial option or as a salary advance.
The company, which had a registered office in Manchester, promised users they could avoid paying National Insurance and income tax as a result.
Promoters of tax avoidance schemes are required to inform HMRC. Peak PAYE did not do this between October 2020 and February 2022.
The company was ordered by HMRC to stop running the scheme in November 2022 and entered liquidation the following month.
Lunt moved to his current address of 16th Place, Costa Mesa, Orange County after his involvement with Peak PAYE.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Lunt, and his ban started on Monday 30 September.
It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.
Alastair Lunt is of 16th Place, Costa Mesa, Orange County, California. His date of birth is 23 March 1988
Peak PAYE Ltd (company number 11762908)
Individuals subject to a disqualification order or undertaking are bound by a range of restrictions
Information about the published tax avoidance schemes and promoters
Information about HMRC’s ‘Don’t Get Caught Out’ campaign and the support available for customers who believe they are involved in a tax avoidance scheme
Visit GOV.UK to report tax avoidance schemes and those offering you the schemes
Source: Scottish Government
Where to seek help over winter.
An awareness campaign is underway to ensure people know the best place to access healthcare this winter.
Right Care Right Place helps the public decide the most appropriate service for their healthcare needs – whether they should contact their GP or pharmacy, call NHS 24 on 111 or use self-help guides on the NHS Inform website. Hospital emergency departments should only be visited for critical emergencies.
The campaign features targeted advertising on television, radio and online and aims to help alleviate pressures on the NHS and social care ahead of an expected seasonal increase in demand.
Health Secretary Neil Gray visited East Lothian Community Hospital to hear about work being undertaken to address delayed discharges. The hospital supports patients leaving acute hospitals who require intermediate care before returning home.
Mr Gray said:
“We have been working closely with colleagues across the NHS and social care to make sure we are as prepared as possible ahead of winter.
“Public information and awareness of the treatment options and how to access them when needed is key to ensuring services are directed where they are most needed.
“This will help everyone to get the right care, in the right place as quickly as possible while helping alleviate pressures on the rest of the NHS. People can also help by making sure they receive their Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Covid-19 and flu vaccinations if eligible.”
Background
Self-help guides can be found on NHS inform and include advice on the most common winter illnesses.
Health and social care: winter preparedness plan 2024 to 2025 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Source: St Albans City and District
Publication date:
More than 300 people attended a series of pop-up events in St Albans District to celebrate Older Persons’ Day.
St Albans City and District Council organised the drop-in events, called Flourishing Lives, along with partner organisations to highlight the contribution older people make to our community.
Council officers were on hand to explain a range of services including housing and the welfare benefits that older people may be entitled to.
Herfordshire Police, Citizens Advice, Communities 1st, Age UK and other groups which work with older people were present.
Information on issues such as crime prevention and the location of warm spaces during cold spells was given out.
There were also opportunities to socialise over a cup of tea, provided by St Albans Old People’s Trust, at the four events in St Albans, Wheathampstead, London Colney and Redbourn.
The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated around the world every year in early October and is followed by weeks of special events.
Councillor Sarwar Shamsher, Lead for Inclusion, said:
I am delighted to say that these pop-up events were well attended and a major success.
It was a great example of partnership working as we teamed up with other organisations to make our older people aware of the services and opportunities available to them.
As a Council, we are committed to ensuring older people can lead fulfilling lives and not become socially isolated.
These free events have brought hundreds of people together and have helped them discover how they can participate in a range of social and fun activities, including art and keep-fit clubs.
Photos: scenes from the Older Persons’ Day events including, 2nd from top, Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jenni Murray, far right, talking to Herts Police at the Redbourn event.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council: 01727-919533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
As part of his working visit to Uzbekistan, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the ceremonial opening of the new campus of the branch of the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen in Tashkent.
The ceremony was also attended by the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva, First Deputy Director of the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan Khilola Umarova, Rector of the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen Sergey Tarasov.
“This new education center symbolizes another step in strengthening the close ties between our countries, Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation, which have been reliable partners and true friends for many, many decades,” said Tanzila Narbaeva.
Minister of Preschool and School Education of Uzbekistan Khilola Umarova noted that today the branch successfully implements its mission, training specialists in the fields of preschool education, child psychology and teaching Russian.
“There are already more than 1,100 students studying here. And in the near future, upon completion of construction work, we plan to increase their number to 3,000, creating modern conditions for their study,” the minister said.
The Deputy Prime Minister thanked everyone who made the opening of the new campus of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia possible, especially the heads of state. In May, the leaders of the countries Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting at which they made a number of important decisions, including in the field of education.
“Education, upbringing and enlightenment are an investment in the future development of our countries. It is very important that it is at the site of the RSPU branch that advanced technologies are used, including those made and developed in Russia, which have proven experience and successful application. Teachers who will then teach our children study here – this is a very necessary investment. The opening of the campus is a celebration, first of all, for teachers and students. They have received unique conditions for work and study. Of course, we expect a responsible attitude from them so that these conditions are converted into an excellent result, which the leadership of the countries expects from us,” emphasized Dmitry Chernyshenko.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that today 14 branches of leading Russian universities operate in Uzbekistan. The republic also occupies a leading position in the number of students in Russian universities among the countries of the near and far abroad – this is about 53 thousand people.
Additionally, Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized the role of the Russian language in the development of relations between Russia and Uzbekistan.
“A new campus of the branch of the Russian State Pedagogical University has opened. This is a big event for our countries. The competition for training today is three people per place, all the popular areas are represented here. I am sure that the opening of the branch will become a new stage of our cooperation, will facilitate the exchange of teachers and students. For our part, we will provide all the necessary methodological assistance,” said Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov.
He emphasized that the renovation work carried out made it possible to make the external appearance of the main building of the branch as similar as possible to the façade of Count Razumovsky’s palace in St. Petersburg, where the oldest pedagogical university in Russia has been located for more than 200 years.
The Russian delegation inspected the library, computer room, Center for Defectological Education and Rehabilitation, and laboratories in the campus building.
Together with the Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic Alexey Chekunkov, the Deputy Prime Minister also visited the Victory Park memorial complex in Tashkent, where he laid flowers at the Ode to Fortitude monument and left a commemorative note in the book of honored guests.
“Thank you very much for your careful attitude to the memory of our common Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Thanks to your museum, the younger generation will learn more about the pages of military history and the feat accomplished by our huge country in the struggle for liberation from fascism. The contribution of the people of Uzbekistan to the Victory is difficult to overestimate – the republic became a reliable rear and did everything possible for the front. Many of its soldiers died on the battlefield – we sacredly honor their feat in the name of peace. Our countries have common spiritual and moral values, and this is the key to the prosperity and successful future of Uzbekistan and Russia,” the Deputy Prime Minister wrote.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United States AFRICOM
U.S. Air Force aircraft arrived at the Marrakech Airshow 2024 (MAS), Tuesday, Oct. 29.
The trade show features static and aerial displays of military and civilian aircraft and is an opportunity for international aerospace industry representatives to showcase their capabilities at the Marrakech Royal Moroccan Air Force Base from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2024. The air show is also an opportunity for high level military officials to meet with their Moroccan Royal Armed Forces counterparts and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
This year, the United States is participating with several aircraft platforms including a C-130J Super Hercules from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker. U.S. Air Force participation in this international exhibition is intended to strengthen U.S. and international security assistance efforts as well as U.S. strategic partnerships with African countries.
We are glad to be back in Morocco,” said Brig. Gen. Ricky Mills, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs. “The interactions and exchanges we have with our partners at MAS 2024 allow us to learn from and leverage the strengths of other nations.”
Also attending is U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Shawn Holtz, Deputy Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs for U.S. Africa Command.
“The United States and the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco share a longstanding partnership, with Morocco hosting AFRICOM’s largest exercise, African Lion, and partnering with the Utah National Guard for more than 20 years,” said Holtz. “The Marrakech Air Show is one more opportunity to strengthen our relationship, exchange ideas, promote trust, and bolster security cooperation in the region.”
The two generals are taking part in bilateral discussions with senior leaders from the Royal Armed Forces and other African military leaders.
U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar is also attending the air show.
“Congratulations to Morocco on the success of this world-class event!” said Ambassador Talwar. “The United States has been a part of each Marrakech Air Show since its first edition, and we welcome the opportunity for U.S. companies to showcase the breadth of cutting edge technology that exemplifies American innovation. Morocco’s rapidly growing role as regional economic hub, and investments in aerospace infrastructure make this an exciting time to grow our partnership.
The air show and discussions highlight the strategic partnership between the United States and Morocco which is rooted in hundreds of years of shared interests in regional peace, security, and prosperity, and a longstanding commitment to continued cooperation.
The Utah National Guard has also held an active partnership with Morocco since 2003 through the State Partnership Program, fostering strong, trust-based relationship focused on security cooperation. Through joint training and humanitarian missions, both forces exchange knowledge, refine tactics, and enhance operational capabilities.
The Marrakech Airshow is held every two years since 2008, but has been on hiatus since 2018 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: European Central Bank
31 October 2024
In September, former ECB President Mario Draghi published an alarming report on how the European economy is falling behind. Do you agree with this assessment?
Europe is falling behind. It’s true. And so is France. Mario Draghi’s report highlights the productivity gap, which is largely due to the tech sector. Tech players in Europe and the United States believe that the gap first emerged during the digital revolution that began in the mid-1990s.
The question now is whether the boost that the United States got from the mid-1990s will continue with artificial intelligence, the accumulation of data centres and the exploitation of these data. This is the key issue. In Europe we need to roll up our sleeves and make an effort to keep those companies that start out here and then develop themselves elsewhere. We need to try to make them stay.
So what is the solution? Do you think the gap will remain?
We need to look at why Europe is falling behind. The energy component is key, especially as regards data centres. Labour is also important, with mobility being much greater in the United States. And regulation is a crucial issue, too. In overly simple terms, the United States is developing AI very quickly, and already has a number of major players. In the meantime, not only is Europe lacking such big players, but it has also become a pioneer in AI regulation. This causes players in this sector to say “OK, let’s do this elsewhere. It’ll be easier and we’ll have fewer obstacles and fewer restrictions”.
What about the public funding provided to businesses in the United States?
The fourth factor that is contributing to Europe falling behind is the “light” industrial policy pursued by the United States. It’s not light in terms of money because the Inflation Reduction Act of August 2022 is very large, but there are relatively few criteria to qualify for funding to start a company on US soil. When I ask manufacturers, they pretty much all agree that in Europe, the process is complicated and unwieldy. And on top of the multi-layered European system, you then have those of the Member States.
The final factor is private funding. In the United States there are pension fund plans and other financial instruments that make it possible to channel savings and get savers (employees or retirees) interested in the future of the economy or the evolution of the stock market. In many European countries, these plans are still a long way off of those mechanisms, especially share participation and company profit sharing. Hence the need to develop a capital markets union.
But we have been talking about this project for the past 15 years. And when Mario Draghi’s report was published, Germany immediately opposed common borrowing. Is Europe really capable of reacting?
You’re right. We have been talking about a capital markets union since the time of Jean-Claude Juncker (President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019), and little progress has been made. The Letta and Draghi reports are a wake-up call for Europeans, a warning. The assessment is severe but fair and provides specific recommendations. It suggests that all Europeans should gear up and be ready to give up a bit of sovereignty to ‘combine the best,’ to paraphrase what Paul Valéry once said. But what gives me hope is the engagement of all European institutions on the capital markets union. The ECB’s Governing Council is firmly engaged as well. We must use this momentum.
In 2020, the plan for a collective European loan of €750 billion was a major step forward. Four years later, less than half of the loan has been allocated. Should we see this as another example of European slowness?
We had exactly the same problem during the Greek crisis. The administrations of the different countries are not always able to quickly manage the incoming funds. The finance ministers of countries receiving a lot of funds tell you that they have of course identified what bridge or railway line should be constructed, but that they need to obtain local authorisations as well as permissions to expropriate property, and that environmental organisations are taking court actions. All of this takes a lot of time.
In this context, what consequences could the US elections on Tuesday 5 November have for Europe?
I do not want to give an opinion on any particular candidate. But US international trade policy will of course have an impact on economic activity in the rest of the world, and primarily on China. Whoever wins, if trade fragmentation worsens, the effect on global GDP will be negative, with losses reaching 9% in a severe scenario of full decoupling according to ECB simulations. But remember: when Joe Biden was elected, everyone thought that he would remove the customs barriers erected by his predecessor (Donald Trump). Nothing came of that.
Between China, which is withdrawing towards Asia, and the United States, which is closing up again, isn’t Europe, as a partner to both powers, the big loser?
That’s why we need to act and roll up our sleeves. Will Europe need to undergo another crisis for it to bring about reforms? It’s always in times of crisis that we are able to make things happen. That may be why Mario Draghi speaks of “agony”, it’s a way of saying “the crisis is here, now, do something!”.
There is talk of a European decoupling. But isn’t there a French decoupling within Europe?
If you compare today’s GDP figures with those of 2019, the United States has grown by 10.7%, the European average by 4.8% and France by 3.7%. France is lagging behind the European average.
What is your view of the surge in the French deficit?
The prospect of returning in line with European standards by applying European fiscal rules should serve as a binding guideline.
And are the French promises to restore public finances credible?
As I said, applying European fiscal rules should serve as a binding guideline.
Will we be heading towards a recession in Europe in 2025?
Based on the information now available and our current assessment, we don’t see a recession in 2024, nor in 2025, nor in 2026.
What will drive this growth, given the weakness in demand?
The two levers are exports and domestic demand, which is set to pick up. Today, with wages rising and inflation falling, disposable income is increasing. For the moment, this benefits savings more than consumption. But we are convinced, and economic history shows us, that this additional disposable income will ultimately flow towards consumption.
How do you explain the fact that it is proving so difficult for consumption to recover?
We can indeed ask why households are choosing to save their money instead of spending it. It could be that people are reluctant to make major purchases owing to geopolitical uncertainty. A second explanation could be related to the return on their savings, which is still fairly high in the euro area. A third could be that people are deciding it’s better to save rather than spend when they expect their taxes or other contributions to go up.
Euro area inflation was at 1.7% in September, below your 2% target. Is it now under control?
The target is in sight but I’m not going to tell you that inflation is defeated yet. Inflation stood at 1.7% in September. Excluding energy and food, it was still at 2.7%. We are pleased about the 1.7% figure, but we also know that inflation is going to rise again in the coming months simply because of base effects. In September energy prices were 6.1% lower than a year earlier, bringing down the cost of the consumption basket. Besides, inflation in the services sector – which is highly dependent on wages – is still at 3.9%. So, prudence is warranted.
How do you respond to those who say the ECB was too late in reacting to the rise in inflation?
I tell them we should look at the facts. Don’t forget that inflation was at 10.6% two years ago. It has fallen back to 1.7%. Perhaps we could have started a few months earlier. But we raised rates at the fastest pace ever and we managed to bring down inflation considerably in a short period of time. I now want to see inflation reach the 2% target on a sustained and durable basis. Unless there is a major shock, this will happen during the course of 2025.
And what do you say to those who now accuse you of cutting rates too late and not quickly enough?
The pace at which interest rates are cut will be determined by the economic data we receive in the coming weeks and months – based on our updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission. And to revitalise growth, urgent action is needed in the area of structural reforms.
The spread between France and Germany has increased from 0.5% to 0.8% since the French National Assembly was dissolved. The ECB has an instrument that it can use to intervene and calm the markets. Are you ready to use it?
We have clearly outlined the conditions under which we will use this instrument. And that is not an issue today.
A number of emerging countries brought together by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are thinking about a payments system to circumvent the dollar. Is dedollarisation happening?
That would require another country to be able to take on the role of reserve currency. China is preparing for that, but it isn’t ready yet. I won’t see the renminbi take the place of the dollar in my lifetime.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Details of courts and tribunals opening times over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.
Our courts and tribunals will temporarily close on various dates over the Christmas period.
The closure dates for this year are:
Some magistrates’ courts will be open on 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025, but for remand hearings only.
On Friday 27 December 2024, only County and Family Courts, Crown Courts, the High Court, Court of Appeal (Royal Courts of Justice and Rolls Building) and some tribunals will be closed. Magistrates’ courts and our Scotland tribunal offices will open on this day. In Scotland, our tribunal offices will also be closed on Thursday 2 January 2025.
Hearings that take place over the Christmas period may take place in person, or via video or telephone. Your hearing notice will confirm this.
Some smaller satellite courts/hearing venues may also be closed outside of these arrangements. To check or for more information, please contact the relevant court or tribunal directly.
Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen
Part of the Castlegate is to have a temporary surface installed in the next few weeks which will ensure the area will be safer.
The current flagstones would have a significant cost to fully repair– more than £1.5milion – which would then likely need changed anyway due to the major improvement works to link Union Street to the beach area.
The area is due to have the improvements as part of the City Centre and Beach Masterplan, which will reinstate the central role of Union Street while establishing stronger linkages north to the beach area via the Castlegate.
Bearing in mind the forthcoming major improvements and so as to not spend money on a full repair which would then need ripped out, a temporary cost-effective solution is to be installed in the area.
The temporary cost-effective solution is in the form of compacted road planings which is a waste material generated from the Council’s capital roads resurfacing programme.
The use of waste planings, delivered directly from other roadworks sites around Aberdeen, will also minimise the carbon cost in line with ACC’s commitment with Net Zero.
The road planings will be used to create a road surface for vehicular traffic, whilst pedestrian pavements of cassies will be repaired.
It is acknowledged that while the compacted road planings will not be the most aesthetically-pleasing of surfaces, the works will allow the area to be kept safe whilst minimising expenditure on an area which will soon be redeveloped as part of the CCMP.
The flagstones, which were laid in the early 1990s, will be retained for potential future use.
Source: City of Sunderland
Sunderland’s countdown to Christmas is about to get underway.
Preparations for the festive season kick off with the city’s Christmas Switch On in Keel Square on Thursday 21 November.
A firm favourite in Sunderland’s events calendar, the switch on promises to be a wonderful family event as the city comes together to start the celebrations and officially kick off the festive season.
The entertainment gets underway from 5.30pm onwards with music to get everyone in the Christmas spirit and cartoon characters doing walkabouts, before Hits Radio’s breakfast show hosts Steve and Karen take to the stage to get the party started from 6pm onwards with a host of festive hits and sparkling entertainment.
There’ll be competitions aplenty, including the chance to win tickets for this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk panto at the Sunderland Empire and Disney on Ice at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
Everyone’s favourite ogre, Shrek will also be putting in a special appearance, followed by panto stars from Jack and the Beanstalk before Santa, the main man himself, takes to the stage to join in the fun and games.
The Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Allison Chisnall will then be joined by Steve and Karen, SAFC players and panto stars for the grand switch on at 7pm.
Councillor Chisnall, said: “Christmas is always such a special time of year. The annual Christmas Switch On marks start of the city’s countdown to the big day and it’s something that families from across Sunderland and beyond really look forward to each year.
“We’ve got a fantastic programme of entertainment lined up for this year’s event and what better way to start the festive season.”
To coincide with the Sunderland Christmas Light Switch On, The Fire Station is also launching FireSide, its new, free-to-enter festive marquee experience in front of The Fire Station building. Offering a bar, food and cosy seating areas, this opens at 4pm on Thursday 21 November and runs through December. Visitors coming along to the switch on might also want to take advantage of some of the other fantastic restaurants and bars around Keel Square.
The launch of Christmas has been organised by Sunderland City Council and supported by Sunderland BID and Hits Radio (formerly Metro Radio)
Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID), said: “The Christmas light switch on signals the start of a really important period for businesses in the city centre.
“There are so many great venues, wonderful retailers and fabulous events in the city centre that can be visited and enjoyed. We hope to see lots of people join us at the light switch on and then to come back and do their shopping and enjoy the season in the city.”
To find out more about the Christmas Switch on, visit: https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/christmaslights2024
And to find out what else is on in Sunderland during the festive season, visit: https://mysunderland.co.uk/events
For information on parking, visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/parking
For information on the Sunderland Empire panto, visit: www.atgtickets.com/sunderland
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Millions of people, including families, pensioners, carers and those struggling to find work are set to benefit from Autumn Budget reforms to boost work and tackle poverty.
Welfare safety net will be strengthened with a new Fair Repayment Rate, an increase to benefits and an extension of vital crisis support.
The first steps in the Work and Pensions Secretary’s plan to drive up opportunity and drive down poverty across the UK were unveiled in the Government Budget yesterday (Wednesday 30 October).
As the department shifts its focus from welfare to work, a £240 million package will open up opportunities to millions of people left behind and denied the opportunity to get into work and get on at work.
These major changes will address spiralling economic inactivity and a record 2.8 million people locked out of work due to long term sickness and are part of the Government’s ambition to reach an 80% employment rate.
The Get Britain Working White Paper will develop:
Those with caring responsibilities will able to earn more without losing government support, with the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold boosted by £45 a week to £196, benefitting more than 60,000 carers by 2029/30. This is the biggest ever cash increase in the earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance. This is alongside an independent review into Carer’s Allowance Overpayments led by Liz Sayce OBE.
As well as boosting pensions and benefits through annual uprating, a new Fair Repayment Rate will be introduced, reducing Universal Credit deductions. This will mean 1.2 million of the poorest households will benefit by an average of £420 a year.
£1 billion, including Barnett impact, will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund in England by a full year, on top of the six months already announced, and to maintain Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales. This will help struggling families and pensioners facing the greatest financial hardship.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall said:
We promised change, and that is what we will deliver.
For too long, millions of people have been denied opportunities to work and build a better life, and too many children are growing up in poverty, harming their life chances and our country’s future.
This Budget shows the first steps in our plan to drive up opportunity and drive down poverty in every corner of the country.
There is still much more to do, but this Budget has shown change has begun.
Measures announced today will also improve how the department detects and prevents fraud and error, so support is targeted where it is needed most and taxpayers know every pound is spent wisely. These changes are expected to save £7.6 billion by 2029/30.
The Secretary of State has also concluded her annual review of the State Pension and benefit rates, which will see:
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Oct. 31 — The inaugural World Conference on Classics, slated for Nov. 6-8 in Beijing, will welcome participants from across the globe to engage in in-depth discussions on topics related to classical civilizations.
Themed “Classical Civilizations and the Modern World,” the event is co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Ministry of Education of China, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Ministry of Culture of Greece, and the Academy of Athens, according to the secretariat of the conference.
The event seeks to provide a platform for classical civilization researchers and specialists to trace the origins of human thought, distill wisdom from human history, and explore the traditions of human civilization from the perspective of classical studies.
It aims to lay a solid academic foundation for promoting exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, offer insight into addressing modern global issues, and provide new ideas that will drive human progress, thereby better practicing the Global Civilization Initiative and promoting the building of a human community with a shared future.
Representatives from various countries and international organizations, renowned experts and scholars, cultural figures, media professionals, think-tank experts and youth representatives around the world have been invited to the event.
During the conference, the participants will attend two high-level dialogues and multiple parallel forums.
Prior to the conference, foreign participants will tour the provinces of Shandong, Henan and Sichuan to explore the openness and inclusiveness of Chinese civilization.
Other activities revolving around the conference will include special exhibitions on themes such as archaeology and the origins of Chinese civilization, and on classical studies achievements, as well as classical-studies-themed activities held at colleges and universities.
Source: European Asylum Support Office
The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) will begin to offer financial grants for the first time, with initial projects aiming to support some of the Agency’s activities including providing information to asylum seekers and strengthening its Situational Awareness work. In a pilot phase, the Agency will further develop its database of Asylum Case Law, with a call for proposals launching today.
The EUAA has launched its first call for proposals, as part of a pilot phase for a new EUAA grants programme, with an expected value of 2.8 million euros for 2024-2025. The grants programme is a direct result of the Agency’s strengthened mandate. Grants will be awarded in order to help the Agency to implement several activities that are critical to fulfilling its mandate to support Member States’ asylum and reception systems.
Over the next year, the Agency will prepare a series of calls for proposals that will provide funding to eligible organisations that can support it with several activities including:
Under Article 56(2) of the EUAA Regulation, the Agency is newly empowered to offer grants, to help it discharge its responsibilities. The Agency supports Member States in implementing their asylum and receptions systems by implementing the tasks set out in Article 2 of the same Regulation. To that end, the Agency will begin to offer grants, in line with the principles of the EU’s Financial Regulation.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
More than £3 billion has been set aside to mend crumbling wards and bring NHS technology into the 21st century.
New technology and functioning hospitals will be the first priority in the Government’s ambition to modernise the NHS and make it fit for the future.
More than £3 billion has been set aside to mend the crumbling wards and bring healthcare tech into the 21st century – to give patients the right care, in the right location, with the right technology.
It’s only with this new technology and functioning hospitals that the NHS can begin to reform in earnest – and create a health service that can thrive for generations to come.
This is part of the Chancellor’s record-breaking £22.6 billion increase in day-to-day spending and £3.1 billion capital boost for the Department for Health and Social Care from 2023/24 to 2025/26, which will reduce waiting times and rebuild the NHS.
Paired with reforms set out in the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, this overdue injection of capital spending will fix the foundations and make the delivery of healthcare more efficient for generations to come. It will move us from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.
It comes alongside a commitment to deliver 2% productivity growth to the nation’s healthcare system.
Prime Minister, Rt Hon Keir Starmer, said:
We’re fixing the foundations to deliver change – by fixing the NHS and rebuilding Britain, while ensuring working people don’t face higher taxes in their payslips.
Yesterday’s budget marks a huge step towards that – setting us on the path to make our public services fit for the future.
This new settlement follows a shocking report by Lord Darzi earlier this year, which laid bare the chronic underinvestment in both facilities and technology that has been stunting the NHS.
He concluded the last decade was a “missed opportunity” to prepare the NHS for the future and embrace the technologies that would enable a shift in the model from ‘diagnose and treat’ to ‘predict and prevent’— something he warned about 15 years ago.
Yesterday’s budget puts an end to that – with £2 billion set aside to tilt the NHS towards technology and £1 billion to deal with the bulging backlog of maintenance work that has left hospitals on their knees.
The investment of more than £2 billion will transform the way NHS staff work as the service looks to harness new technologies to free up their time so they can focus on the care and treatment of patients.
The £1 billion will tackle critical repairs and the NHS maintenance backlog which has built up since 2010; something highlighted by Lord Darzi, which has meant the NHS has been left in a ‘critical condition’.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, said:
This was a Budget to fix the foundations and deliver change – starting by fixing the NHS.
It’s a service that matters to so many of us and this is us delivering on our promise of change.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:
We’re on a mission to fix our broken NHS by driving fundamental reform, to bring our analogue health service into the digital age. We will put the latest kit in the hands of NHS staff and use modern technology to give patients real control over their own healthcare.
Through our 10-Year Health Plan we will cut waiting lists, reduce waiting times and get the health service delivering for patients and staff once again.
Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS National Director for Transformation, said:
The NHS has already made £2 billion of efficiency savings so far this financial year, and the Chancellor’s confirmation of funding for next year will allow us to continue to roll out technology to improve productivity and switch services from analogue to digital.
Whether it is critical estates maintenance, cyber security or digitising patient records, the NHS is committed to working with the Government in the coming months to fix the foundations of the health service, while also transforming for the future.
Source: NATO
Wichita Falls, Texas is home to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, where aspiring aviators from 14 NATO member countries see if they have what it takes to fly with the Alliance’s best.
Wichita Falls doesn’t seem like a place that should mean anything to a European fighter pilot. But if you were to ask Jade, a lieutenant in the Belgian Air Force, if she’s ever heard of the place, she might give you a knowing smirk.
It’s where she learned to fly.
The sky over Sheppard Air Force Base thundered as sleek jets knifed through the air, breaking left over the runway in preparation for landing. Home of the US Air Force’s 80th Flying Training Wing, Sheppard owns the busiest airspace in the United States. Planes are constantly landing, taking off or queueing on the long taxiways. A bumper sticker on the back of one car reads: “I Heart Jet Noise.”
The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) has been turning out NATO fighter pilots since 1981, when seven Allies founded the school at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls. Most joint NATO initiatives are based in Europe (where 30 of the 32 NATO member countries are located), but Sheppard was chosen as the ideal location for ENJJPT because of its existing training facilities, year-round good flying weather and the wide-open Texan skies. Today, more than 40 years later, 14 national flags fly outside the squat, brick building that houses ENJJPT’s headquarters, representing the 14 participating NATO Allies: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Inside, Italian pilots saunter through the maze-like corridors, passing groups of Romanians, Norwegians, Spaniards and Danes. In the gear room, Greek instructors put on their flight vests and G-Suits (trousers lined with inflatable air pockets that keep pilots conscious during high-speed turns) and wait for their students. On their way out, they pass groups of Canadian and Turkish students coming back from training sorties, their hair matted with sweat, their faces flushed with victory: it’s another flight down, another step closer to their wings.
Ask one of the European student aviators how they like living in the Lone Star State, and they’ll twist their mouth into a curious smile and say something like: “I like it.” Which might be a polite way of saying: I’m from a small village in Germany and I’ve never heard someone say “yeehaw” before.
Not that the students get many chances to sample the local culture. From the moment they arrive at Sheppard and drop their suitcases, their schedules are packed. First stop is “ground school”, where students learn the fundamental science of flight. Then students get fitted for helmets, harnesses and G-suits and climb into their first aircraft, the T-6 Texan II.
With the instructors watching from the backseat, this is where the student aviators take the stick for the first time. They learn how to take off, fly in formation and land, keeping the aircraft on speed and on course. It’s a time of firsts, each with its own tradition: a student’s first flight is called a “Dollar Ride” because students are expected to give their instructors a Silver Dollar coin. After a student’s first solo flight, their classmates haul them off to a nearby pool of water for a well-deserved bath.
From here, some students leave Wichita Falls to learn how to fly multi-engine transport aircraft like the C-130 Hercules. Those destined for fighter jets, however, must conquer the T-38 Talon.
The Talon is skinny as a scalpel, with wings so thin they seem to disappear when viewed head-on. Its long snout slopes up to a bubble canopy, which encloses two ejection seats. It looks fast, and it is; with afterburners lit, it can punch through the sound barrier and send a sonic boom smashing across the north Texas Plains. One Dutch Major, callsign “Homer”, compares it to a ’66 Mustang sports car – fitting, he notes, because the Talon first entered service in the 1960s.
The jet will be replaced in the coming years, but in the meantime it’s still a worthy teacher. Its hydraulic flight controls demand that students pay attention, feeling the jet through the stick and continuously “trimming out” to ensure balanced flight. Its stubby wings are built for maximum speed, not maximum stability, and if the inattentive student bleeds too much speed in a turn, it will fall out of the sky – or, as the instructors prosaically put it, “depart controlled flight.”
When Lieutenant Jade first took off in a Talon, she was used to the T-6 Texan II, and she wasn’t ready for the raw power pumped out by the jet’s two turbojet engines. She had to stand on the brakes to keep the aircraft static as she pushed the throttle to “mil” – full military power. She felt the aircraft tremor as the afterburners lit. When she released the brakes, the jet leapt forward.
“For me, that day was like… I knew I was on the right track,” she said.
The Talon curriculum is the hardest part of ENJJPT. When students aren’t flying, they’re studying. When they aren’t studying, they’re in the simulator, practising skills like flying in close formation, or the thrill of high-speed, low-level flight. And when they’re not in the simulator, they’re sleeping.
“Sometimes it’s a bit too fast, and I have to catch up,” Jade said. “That’s the biggest struggle I’ve had so far. That gets me feeling down about it, sometimes. But then it’s even more rewarding when you’re able to step up and strive again.”
The students know that success is not guaranteed. Plenty of their peers buckle under the stress and leave the Program to serve out their military commitments elsewhere in their country’s armed forces. But for most, failure is not an option. Washing out would mean turning their back on something that’s called to them all their life.
“Everyone wishes to have an impact on the world,” Jade said. “That’s how I think I can make the biggest impact.”
If a student proves that they can master the demands of high-speed flight in the Talon, they head towards “Drop Night” – the ceremony where they find out which jet they’re going to fly. For the US Air Force, which operates a variety of fighter, bomber and transport aircraft, the suspense is real. When a student is assigned to their first-pick aircraft, some literally leap with joy and relief.
For Jade, there was little suspense – the Belgian Air Force primarily flies one tactical jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter, although Belgium is now replacing its F-16 fleet with F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighters – but the glee in having passed a demanding curriculum was undiluted. When she “dropped” the F-16, she leapt into the air, pumping her fists before being carried away by her cheering classmates.
Jade has since left Sheppard to learn how to fly the F-16. Eventually, perhaps, she’ll be deployed to eastern Europe, where NATO Allies have significantly increased the number of fighters on standby to respond to airborne threats, part of the NATO Air Policing mission on the Alliance’s eastern flank. Until then, the next generation of aspiring military aviators has already begun training at Sheppard, joining a decades-long tradition of taking to the skies together.
Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland
Statement, following the Budget, by TUV MP Jim Allister:-
“The Labour Government proved, what I suspected, it has no feel or empathy with farmers. Else, it would not have dealt such a brutal blow to the future of family farming through its inheritance tax extinction policy.
“Farmers are asset rich, because of their land, but, often, cash poor, with it being a struggle to meet the constant monthly bills from fluctuating income. The fact they own 50 or 100 acres isn’t something they can draw on for day-to-day needs. Yet, retaining that 50 or 100 acres for farming into the future is key to the generational survival of the farm.
“Hence, the reason and logic for the historic agricultural exemption from inheritance tax.
“Now, alas, this Government is set to raid farming assets by a whacking on inheritance tax upon the death of the current farmer. With limited cash reserves, most family farms, when that point comes, will have no alternative but to sell off land and thereby diminish the viability and productivity of the farm. Food production and security will suffer knock-on effects.
“The threshold of £1m is of little help at today’s land prices. Acreage as low as 50 or 60 will frequently be caught for inheritance tax.
“The farmers in North Antrim, as elsewhere, have devoted their lives to building up their farms with the driving motivation to see the land handed on to the next generation. Now this kick in the teeth from uncaring government has rightly left many angry and betrayed.
“I will, of course, vote against this madness and join vigorously in the campaign to rescue the situation.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Safe access zones are now in force around abortion clinics in England and Wales to protect women accessing these services.
Women accessing abortion services will be better protected from harassment or distress as protection zones come into force around abortion clinics, the government has confirmed.
From today, a 150-metre boundary will be in place around all clinics and hospitals offering abortion services known as a ‘safe access zone’.
Within these boundaries it is now a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly:
Police and prosecutors will consider each case individually based on the evidence. However, this could include:
This could also cover prayer, including:
Anyone found guilty of breaking the new laws will face an unlimited fine.
The Crown Prosecution Service has published guidance today, alongside further information from the College of Policing, setting out how the police and prosecutors should approach enforcing the new offence. While operational decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, this new guidance will ensure there is clarity and consistency across the country.
Crime and Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said:
Access to healthcare is a fundamental right. Access to abortion services is a matter of healthcare. I’m confident that the safeguards we have put in place today will have a genuine impact in helping women feel safer and empowered to access the vital services they need.
Safeguarding Minister, Jess Phillips said:
Getting this measure up and running as soon as possible has been one of our priorities and I am proud of everyone involved in getting us here. The idea that any woman is made to feel unsafe or harassed for accessing health services, including abortion clinics, is sickening. This stops today.
The measure applies to any clinics and private hospitals that are approved under the Abortion Act 1967, and for any NHS hospital that has given notification in the current or previous calendar year that it has carried out abortions.
Safe access zones were introduced through the Public Order Act 2023, following a free vote in Parliament that received cross-party support.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The next meeting of the Polytechnic University Academic Council was marked presentation of the mantle of the Honorary Doctor of SPbPU to the head of the S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, Lieutenant General, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Evgeny Kryukov.
In addition, the ceremonial part of the meeting, as usual, included the presentation of certificates of academic titles to university employees and the honoring of the best polytechnicians who have earned awards in science, education, social and cultural life and sports.
Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy congratulated the director of the Higher School of Sports Pedagogy Vladislav Bakayev and professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Sergey Barykin on being awarded the title of “professor”. The certificate of assignment of the academic title of associate professor was received by the leading research fellow of the laboratory “Synthesis of New Materials and Structures” Vadim Sufiyarov.
The company “Kodeks” received a commemorative medal and gratitude from the university, represented by its CEO andgraduate of the Physics and Mechanics Department of the Polytechnic University Sergei Tikhomirov. “Kodeks” made a significant contribution to the development of the SPbPU Endowment Fund and the formation of the endowment “Development of scientific, educational, youth and educational projects of PhysMech”. Also, for assistance in the formation of the endowment capital of PhysMech, its graduates, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Mechanics and Control Processes Natalia Ermakova and Professor of the Higher School of Applied Mathematics and Computational Physics, received awards. Maxim Frolov.
The Polytechnic University fruitfully cooperates with the Kalininsky District in many areas. The honorary badge “For services to the Kalininsky District” was awarded to the director of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics Dmitry Rodionov.
From October 14 to 17, the super final of the Open International Student Internet Olympiad in Mathematics was held. In the individual standings, the silver medal was won by PhysMech student Chinh Thi Thu Hoai, and the bronze medal was won by IMMiT student Phan Mau Dat. The Polytechnic team included another PhysMech student, Ilya Grishchenko, and the guys also took bronze in the team standings. The scientific supervisor was Maria Bortkovskaya, associate professor of the Department of Higher Mathematics.
The gold medal of the IV International Construction Championship in the individual nomination “Information Modeling” was won by the student of the Civil Engineering Institute Serafim Zagorodniy. In the team standings, the gold of the championship was won by the students of the ICI: Dmitry Zharkov, Alexandra Kulakova, Ulyana Popova, Mikhail Safoshkin and Alina Doroshenko. The expert of the championship, assistant of the Civil Engineering Institute Alexander Mitin received a letter of gratitude from the Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation Irek Faizullin and the General Director of the ANO “Russia – Country of Opportunities” Alexey Komissarov.
The next series of congratulations concerned the athletes.
The Polytechnic University team won first place in the overall team standings at the student orienteering competitions within the first stage of the IX All-Russian Summer Universiade and third place in the overall team standings of the Universiade. Pavel Ivanov (IEIT) also won the Universiade in the sprint discipline, and together with Alexander Gumennikov (PhysMech) won silver medals in the men’s relay.
The Polytechnic team won 1st place in the student volleyball competitions as part of the first stage of the Universiade. The Academic Council honored players Egor Tretyakov (IMMiT) and Ilya Smirnov (IE). At the Universiade, our Polytechnic team entered the top 10 best student teams in the country.
Ivan Sokolov, a student at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport, won first place in the qualifying tournament for the World Championship in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) “Steel Lion JFC” among juniors and became a Master of Sports of Russia in this sport.
Vice-Rector for Educational Activities Lyudmila Pankova spoke on the meeting agenda. She spoke about the results of work in the 2023–2024 academic year and the tasks for the 2024–2025 academic year.
The number of students as of October 1, 2024 was 33,818. Of these, 30,870 are studying in higher education programs (21,810 in bachelor’s programs, 2,124 in specialist programs, 6,936 in master’s programs), and 2,948 in secondary specialized programs. There are 121 people studying in the specialist program at the branch in Sosnovy Bor. There are 156 people in the general education Natural Science Lyceum.
There are 357 main educational programs at the Polytechnic University, including 142 bachelor’s programs, 15 specialist programs, and 200 master’s programs. There are 22 programs at the college.
In the 2023–2024 academic year, 23 new basic educational programs were launched. For 2024–2025, 19 new basic educational programs were developed: two for bachelor’s degrees, one for specialist degrees, and 16 for master’s degrees.
51 basic educational programs are being implemented under network agreements, including 13 with Slavic universities.
A system of individual achievements has been developed and implemented as a pilot project, allowing teachers to create different trajectories for assessing students, taking into account their individual capabilities, and to conduct interim assessments based on the results of ongoing monitoring of academic performance outside of the examination session.
A project-based approach has been introduced into the state final certification, and defenses of final qualification works have been organized in new formats — as a project and as a startup. 48 students successfully defended their collective final works as a project (21 projects were completed), and 52 people (26 startups) successfully defended their final qualification works as a startup.
A policy in the field of formation has been developed and introduced career trajectories for professional development of teachers. Starting from the 2024–2025 academic year, there will be four career paths: research teacher, mentor teacher, practicing teacher, and intern. The transition to them occurs through a competitive selection of faculty members.
A project to support fundamental training in engineering fields has been launched. A program to improve the quality of teaching fundamental disciplines by reducing the teaching load and providing additional payments has been approved. 181 teachers are participating in the project.
Entrance testing of first-year engineering students in mathematics and physics was conducted to organize in-depth fundamental training for gifted children and remedial training for those who are lagging behind. A pilot program for in-depth study of mathematics and physics for talented students was launched at IMMiT and IKNK.
The second issue on the agenda was also related to fundamental disciplines. To ensure advanced training of students in physics and mathematics, taking into account engineering specifics, the Institute of Physics and Mathematics was created at the Polytechnic. Its director Pavel Zakharov spoke about the IFiM development program.
Also at the meeting, members of the Academic Council voted to award further academic titles to Polytechnic employees. SPbPU Academic Secretary Dmitry Karpov reported on monitoring the implementation of the Academic Council’s decisions.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
New York, 30th October 2024: Assetera, Europe’s first EU-regulated secondary market for tokenized securities, has teamed up with leading investment firm Republic and influencer marketing platform SquadApp to globalize distribution of tokenized securities, encompassing financial assets and tangible assets. This strategic alliance aims to unlock new opportunities in the tokenized economy and enhances influencer marketing at scale for every token issuer.
“With tokenization gaining global regulatory support, content creators will be essential to driving retail adoption. Republic empowers all market participants to trade tokenized securities, safeguarded by the transparency and security of blockchain, said Andrew Durgee, President of Republic.
Republic’s extensive experience in democratizing access to private investments will play a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of tokenized assets across global markets. By leveraging Republic’s broad investor base and expertise, this establishes an inclusive, accessible marketplace for tokenized securities, empowering both issuers and investors alike.
The collaboration will leverage Assetera’s investment and blockchain knowledge, Republic’s experience in connecting investors with businesses to create shared value, and SquadApp’s influencer marketing capabilities to transform how issuers raise awareness and capital for their projects, and distribute to their investor base. According to McKinsey, tokenized market capitalization could reach $2 trillion by 2030, while the influencer marketing industry is expected to grow to $50 billion in the same period.
“By tokenizing shares or other financial instruments, issuers will be able to allocate assets as part of long-term marketing budgets for partnerships with influencers, effectively creating a new way to finance marketing campaigns”, Anthony Adamovich, Co-founder, CEO SquadApp.
“This gathering not only facilitates the efficient distribution of tokens, which is a primary concern for issuers, but also provides the 3 million Republic Wallet clients with the opportunity to trade these tokens on Assetera”, Thomas Labenbacher, CEO, Founder Assetera. By integrating these services, Republic enhances the liquidity options available to its users and strengthens its position in the marketplace.
About Republic
Headquartered in New York City, Republic is a global financial firm operating a network of retail-focused investment platforms and an enterprise digital advisory arm. With a deep track record of legal and technical innovation, Republic is known for providing access to new asset classes to investors of all types. Backed by Valor Equity Partners, Galaxy Interactive, Hashed, AngelList and other leading institutions, Republic boasts a global portfolio of over 2,000 companies and a community of nearly three million members in over 150 countries. More than $3 billion has been deployed through investment platforms, funds, and firms within the Republic family of companies. Republic has established operations in the US, the UK, EU, the UAE, South Korea, and Singapore.
About Assetera
Assetera, regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority in the EU, is set to become a game-changer in the digital asset trading space. It will offer a range of tokenized financial instruments, including financial assets and real-world assets (RWAs) such as real estate, art, transferable securities, money market instruments, fund units, and derivatives.
Assetera provides services to retail and institutional investors, and features a DLT system deployed on the Polygon blockchain to enable trading and atomic settlement. By utilizing blockchain technology, Assetera aims to democratize access to previously illiquid asset classes, providing clients with a secure, transparent, and efficient trading experience.
About SquadApp
SquadApp is a US-based, data-driven influencer marketing platform that helps brands connect with influencers globally. Specializing in optimizing campaign effectiveness and maximizing ROI, SquadApp streamlines brand-influencer collaborations, providing businesses with scalable solutions to execute high-impact influencer marketing strategies. SquadApp’s participation in this collaboration will provide tokenized projects with the critical global marketing support needed to reach diverse and global audiences.
The Vision for Global Impact
The partnership between Assetera, Republic, and SquadApp introduces a groundbreaking model for project promotion and global token distribution. By tokenizing financial instruments, such as shares and leveraging those assets for influencer marketing campaigns, this initiative creates a novel approach for projects and issuers to attract investment while simultaneously building global brand visibility. This model is in line with the emerging trends in digital assets, the finance world and decentralized marketing, offering cutting-edge solutions for brands and companies to engage with audiences and thrive in the evolving digital economy.
For more information or inquiries:
Contact Information
Jasmyn Pizzimbono
PR Lead, Republic
jasmyn@republic.co
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NAXXAR, Malta, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bojoko.com is proud to announce that the third quarter of 2024 has been the most successful in the company’s history, with record-breaking growth across all key performance metrics.
During this period, Bojoko saw an increase in commissions of 56.1% from the previous quarter and an extraordinary rise of 67% compared to the third quarter of 2023. Player engagement also reached new heights this quarter, with new registrations and first-time depositors (FTDs) increasing by 109.9% and 102.8%, respectively.
This surge highlights Bojoko’s ability to effectively connect players with trusted online casino, betting, and bingo partners, demonstrating the quality of the relationships built within the gaming sector.
Joonas Karhu, CEO of Bojoko.com, attributed this outstanding quarter to the unwavering dedication of the Bojoko team in prioritising a player-first approach. “This quarter has truly been a landmark moment for Bojoko,” Karhu stated. “Our growth reflects our ongoing efforts to create a user-centred experience that empowers players. The significant rise in new registrations and first-time deposits shows that we are providing real value to players who trust us to guide their gaming choices and to our partners who benefit from a committed audience.”
Bojoko further believes this quarter’s success resulted from a steady focus on quality content, expert insights, and a platform designed to offer a fair and informative casino selection process. This commitment has strengthened Bojoko’s position as a leading guide in the online gambling sector. The growth in commissions further demonstrates the value delivered not only to players but also to affiliate partners, who have benefited from increased player engagement and conversions.
“We are building the best environment for gambling enthusiasts,” Karhu continued. “It’s gratifying to see the impact of our efforts, with more players than ever choosing Bojoko to guide them in their first steps within the iGaming space. Our mission remains clear: to provide players with the tools and information they need to make informed decisions while giving our partners access to a highly engaged and informed audience.”
The success of Q3 lays a strong foundation for even greater achievements as Bojoko continues to support players in having a safe, enjoyable, and well-informed online gaming journey.
Contact:
Christoffer Ødegården
Head of Marketing
christoffer.odegarden@bojoko.com
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Viktoriia Lapa, Lecturer, Institute for European Policymaking, Bocconi University
The mantra “as long as it takes” has become the European Union’s rallying cry in support of Ukraine’s resistance against Russia. Initially, some experts predicted that Ukraine would fall within three days – yet nearly three years have passed, and Ukraine is still standing. This prolonged struggle has come at an immense human cost.
It’s clear that the decision to resist was made by the Ukrainian population, and they are grateful to the EU for its support. However, hopes that Ukraine can repel the invaders are fading, and there is no clear end in sight. “As long as it takes” for the EU translates, for Ukrainian ears, to “as many of your lives as we can afford to sacrifice”. Ukrainians are weary, even as they hold the front line, but the west has not communicated a commitment to fully engage in stopping Russian aggression and deterring future threats. Instead, it seems focused on a policy of “de-escalation management”. This only emboldens Russia and its allies.
What is even more concerning is the absence of a coherent strategy for managing Russia. What would the EU do in the event that the war were to magically end tomorrow? Is there a plan in place, or will EU leaders simply offer Russia a reset?
The EU has excelled in rhetoric when it comes to Ukraine but has fallen short in delivering military support. It remains reluctant to draw firm red lines for Russia as a response to attacks on European soil or to adopt a more assertive stance.
The supply of shells to Ukraine is a case in point. The EU pledged to supply 1 million rounds of ammunition by March 2024, but by January, Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, admitted that the bloc would only deliver half of that on time while committing to send 1.1 million shells by the year’s end. To address this shortfall, Czech president Petr Pavel proposed an initiative at the Munich Security Conference in February, aiming to provide 800,000 shells to Ukraine by the year’s end, sourcing ammunition globally instead of solely from EU manufacturers. By August 2024, the EU had sent Ukraine only 650,000 shells out of the promised 1 million.
Various news outlets have reported that the result is a grim picture on the front line, where for every shell fired by Ukraine, Russian forces are firing ten or more.
Additionally, the EU has been reluctant to take decisive action, even in response to Russian attacks on its territory. Recent incidents, such as a narrowly avoided plane crash in Germany attributed to suspected sabotage, reflect a troubling increase in aggressive behaviour from Russian saboteurs. The only response so far has been a relatively weak sanctions framework to be used on those involved in such attacks.
The EU must adopt a proactive approach to securing peace in Ukraine, recognising that Russia is currently unwilling to negotiate – but would also never negotiate from a position of weakness.
A clear strategy – including security guarantees for Ukraine, preferably through a pathway to Nato membership – could help put pressure on Russia and facilitate negotiations. It’s clear that bringing Ukraine into Nato might take years, but in the meantime, European countries should consider deploying troops to Ukraine as a security guarantee for this interim period.
As the Lithuanian minister of foreign affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, rightly said: “At the beginning of the year, Emmanuel Macron hinted at putting boots on the ground. At the end of the year, North Korea had actually done so. We are still on the back foot, reacting to escalation instead of reversing it. Macron’s ideas should now be revisited – better late than never.”
Security agreements do of course exist between Ukraine and its EU and G7 partners, but not a single country has hinted at a possibility of providing, as a guarantee for peace, such a security guarantee as “troops on the ground”. EU countries must consider this seriously.
And with a view to what happens after the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the EU needs at least the beginnings of an idea about what its terms would be for re-engaging with Russia. Otherwise it risks enabling Russia to set its own terms.
The situation on the ground is dire. While the west boasts economic strength, it lacks visionary leadership and political will. It should not allow Russia to take the lead and must adopt a clear strategy for Ukraine’s victory. Otherwise, we are heading toward the scenario described by Timothy Garton Ash in his Financial Times article advocating for Ukraine’s accession to Nato:
Consider the alternative. A defeated, divided, demoralized, depopulated Ukraine, pulsating with anger against the West and – as Zelenskyy hinted last week – probably seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. Moscow triumphant. The rest of the world concluding that the West is a paper tiger. Xi Jinping encouraged to have a go at Taiwan. Biden and Harris going down in history as the leaders who ‘lost Ukraine’.
One could add: the EU faces disintegration, regressing to its pre-union state. Ursula von der Leyen is remembered as the leader whose “as long as it takes” policy resulted in an epic failure to secure a safer future for Europe and Ukraine. Does the west want to see itself in this way?
Viktoriia Lapa is an Affiliated Scholar at the Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development, a research partnership between the School of Law of the University of Bologna and the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy (SAIS Europe).
– ref. Why Europe should consider putting boots on the ground in Ukraine – https://theconversation.com/why-europe-should-consider-putting-boots-on-the-ground-in-ukraine-242279
Source: The Conversation – France – By Amandine Cornille, Research associate professor, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)
The COP16 biodiversity conference opened on October 21, 2024. The UN conference is an opportunity to highlight that biodiversity is crucial for ensuring a sustainable food system. However, it is directly threatened by climate change and its side effects, such as the emergence of parasites. These disruptions, which reduce crop productivity and increase harvest uncertainty, threaten global food security.
Finding solutions to save the viability of our crops is a priority. In this area, the wild relatives and varieties of currently cultivated plants offer a source of genetic diversity for coping with global changes. Indeed, for thousands of years, they have faced major environmental changes. Some wild species have thus contributed to the adaptation of cultivated plants to high altitudes and various climatic conditions.
If we intend to rely on wild relatives to ensure crop diversification, we must characterize their diversity and ability to respond to climate change. Conservation and development programmes for diversity in agrosystems have already been initiated for annual species, such as cereals. Perennial species, like fruit trees, however, remain too neglected, even as human activities threaten their wild relatives. It is high time to come to their rescue!
Faced with the collapse of biodiversity, nearly 2,000 seed banks have been created worldwide. The oldest, a pioneer in conserving the genetic diversity of plants, was established over 100 years ago in Saint Petersburg, Russia, at the Vavilov Institute, named after the scientist who initiated these collections. Another well-known example is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, set up in Norway in 2008. These “bunkers” are essential for preserving the genetic diversity of as many cultivated plant species and their wild relatives as possible. However, they are somewhat challenging to utilise in emergencies for certain plant species.
While new seeds can be obtained within a year for annual cereals, fruit trees can take years to reach sexual maturity and produce flowers and pollen, which presents a major challenge. Crossbreeding wild relatives with cultivated species, necessary to introduce favourable traits such as parasite resistance or climate adaptation, is lengthy. Leveraging the genetic heritage of fruit trees to address immediate challenges requires access to genetic material from mature trees, whose traits are already known and proven under specific environmental conditions. Therefore, genetic resource “bunkers,” while crucial for preserving diversity, are insufficient for fruit trees.
Our access to the genetic diversity of cultivated fruit trees and their wild relatives is currently limited, making it difficult to address the rapid changes occurring globally.
Fruit trees have played a central role in human history through their economic and cultural value. The genetic exchanges between wild and cultivated fruit trees form the basis for the diversity of shape and taste in our fruits. The wild relatives of these cultivated fruit trees also have a significant role to play, as they have demonstrated resilience to parasites and climate change.
Conservation orchards, or living collections, for fruit trees serve as a means to preserve genetic diversity while making it available in case of emergencies to preempt threats associated with global changes. Unlike seed banks, these collections provide immediate access to the necessary materials (pollen and flowers) for crossbreeding in varietal improvement programmes, as well as for reforestation and the conservation of wild relatives in forests.
These conservation orchards also serve as open-air laboratories to study the response of fruit trees to climate conditions and parasite attacks, as well as the evolutionary and ecological processes that give rise to biodiversity. These spaces of genetic diversity, where different genotypes are planted over several years across a large area, also help limit the emergence of parasites by controlling their populations, thereby maintaining the delicate balance of biodiversity and ensuring dynamic agroecosystems. Finally, they act as venues for outreach and scientific mediation to raise awareness about fruit biodiversity in agroecosystems and ecosystems.
In France, living collections of cultivated fruit trees, housed by both research institutes and associations such as the “Croqueurs de Pommes” (munchers of apples) represent a valuable genetic heritage. In 2020, 168,400 hectares of orchards were recorded; however, wild fruit tree orchards are less documented and much rarer. This is regrettable, considering that these wild relatives are directly threatened by habitat fragmentation and gene flow from cultivated fruit trees in orchards, even though they are invaluable allies in addressing climate change.
However, there are some notable examples, such as the conservation orchards of wild olive trees at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) centre in Montpellier, the wild plum orchard in Lorraine, the wild apricot orchards at the INRAE centre in Bordeaux-Aquitaine, and various wild apple orchards across France including on the Saclay plateau [https://x.com/PommierVerger]. These orchards, established with the help of research institutes and local public initiatives, provide a unique opportunity to study the impact of parasite attacks and climate change on cultivated fruit trees and their wild relatives. Many more are being established across Europe, so it’s definitely something to keep an eye on!
Public involvement via citizen science is another way to gather information for the conservation of genetic diversity of fruit trees. Individuals can directly collect data from fruit trees near them – whether in their gardens, public parks or nearby fields – to advance research. These valuable contributions help ensure the monitoring of changes in flowering times related to climate change.
This aligns with initiatives launched through Pl@ntNet, an application that allows users to identify plant species using a simple photo, and Tela Botanica, which connects beginners with expert botanists to assist in launching collaborative projects.
By investing in the creation and maintenance of new orchards, strengthening collaboration among research institutes, associations and conservation organisations, and mobilising the public, one can play a role in preserving fruit biodiversity while enhancing fruit trees’ resilience to increasing environmental pressures.
Acknowledgments: Evelyne Leterme, Henri Fourey, Mathieu Brisson, Amandine Hansart, Alexandra Detrille, Mouhammad Noormohamed, the association Les Croqueurs de Pommes, and all project collaborators and participants as well as the general public.
Amandine Cornille (associate professor at New York University Abu Dhabi) has received funding from NYUAD, CNRS (ATIP-Avenir CNRS-Inserm), the European LEADER/FEDER program, the BNP Paribas “Climate and Biodiversity Initiative” Foundation, Institut Diversité Ecologie et Evolution du Vivant (IDEEV), Université Paris Saclay, CNRS, AgroParistech, INRAE, Center for interdisciplinary studies on biodiversity, agroecology, society and climate (C-BASC), CLand Convergence Institute and ANR.
Karine Alix has received funding from AgroParisTech, CNRS, INRAE, ANR and IDEEV.
– ref. ‘Noah’s arks’ for fruit trees: How conservation orchards preserve and boost biodiversity – https://theconversation.com/noahs-arks-for-fruit-trees-how-conservation-orchards-preserve-and-boost-biodiversity-242421
Source: US State of Georgia
ATLANTA (October 30, 2024) — On Monday, November 4, at 9:00 a.m., the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee on Disaster Mitigation and Resilience, chaired by Sen. Lee Anderson (R–Grovetown), will hold its first meeting in Newnan.
EVENT DETAILS:
ABOUT THE MEETING:
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment has general jurisdiction over issues related to the development, regulation and conservation of the state’s public lands and its natural resources, which includes water, energy and wildlife. Additional Senate members appointed to serve on the subcommittee include Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas), Sen. Matt Brass (R–Newnan), Sen. Frank Ginn (R–Danielsville), Majority Leader Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Sen. Marty Harbin (R–Tyrone), Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (D–Dawson) and Sen. Sam Watson (R–Moultrie). More information on the subcommittee can be found here.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
# # # #
Sen. Lee Anderson serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment. He represents the 24th Senate District, which includes Elbert, Greene, Hart, Lincoln, Oglethorpe, and Wilkes County, as well as most of Columbia County. He can be reached at 404.656.5114 or via email at lee.anderson@senate.ga.gov
Source: United States Attorneys General 7
On Oct. 10, the U.S. Department of Justice and the United Kingdom Home Office convened a multilateral meeting at the U.S. Embassy in London to address the urgent challenge of state-sponsored high-harm physical threats and other forms of transnational repression. The meeting was co-chaired by Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for National Security from the U.S. Department of Justice, and Chloe Squires, Director General for Homeland Security from the U.K. Home Office.
The meeting brought together senior government officials from partner nations that are confronting increasing levels of transnational violence perpetrated by state actors, particularly authoritarian regimes, and their proxies. This meeting included representatives from intelligence, law enforcement, prosecutorial, and policy organizations to share disruption strategies for countering the alarming rise in transnational assassination plots, kidnappings, and other acts of violence and repression.
The engagement was designed to achieve a common understanding of the threat landscape, share operational and strategic approaches to counter the threat, and identify opportunities for ongoing collaboration and partnership. At the conclusion, participants agreed to establish a regular working group to maintain shared visibility into the threat in member countries and to review and develop strategies to increase the capacity of the partner nations to deter and disrupt state-sponsored violence and repression.
Source: Switzerland – Federal Council in English
On 30 October, the Federal Council decided to adopt further sanctions against Belarus. This brings Switzerland in line with the measures adopted by the European Union on 29 June and reaffirms Switzerland’s close partnership with the EU with regard to sanctions. The changes will come into effect on 31 October.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the UN Security Council meeting on UNMIK.
Let me begin by thanking the Special Representative for the work she and her team are doing to promote stability and respect for human rights in Kosovo.
The UK is a long-standing supporter of Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence. We remain committed to supporting an inclusive, diverse and multi-ethnic democracy in Kosovo.
We welcome, for example, Kosovo’s efforts to recruit police officers from non-majority communities, and its commitment to tackling Conflict Related Sexual Violence including through its leadership of the International Forum for Women, Peace and Security.
Yet for many years the absence of a normal relationship between Kosovo and Serbia has negatively impacted the lives of individuals living in both countries and impacted regional stability.
In recent weeks we’ve seen positive steps towards greater cooperation. This includes easing restrictions on Serbian imports into Kosovo, and the agreement securing Kosovo representation in the Central European Free Trade Agreement.
We are, however, concerned that progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue has been faltering. We call upon both parties to reaffirm their commitment to the EU-facilitated dialogue and we echo the Secretary-General’s call for greater participation of women in the process.
It is important that both sides demonstrate the political will and the courage to fully implement existing agreements under the dialogue, including the establishment of an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities.
At the same time, it is important for all sides to avoid actions which could jeopardise such progress. We urge Kosovo to carefully consider the impact of its decisions on all its citizens including those from non-majority communities and to work with its partners.
And we urge Serbia to play its part in supporting efforts to ensure justice and accountability for the perpetrators of last year’s shocking attack in Banjska and to play a constructive role in reducing tensions and promoting positive relations in the region.
I would like to end by expressing the UK’s gratitude to the Special Representative and all Mission staff who have contributed to UNMIK’s work over the last 25 years.
Promoting dialogue and trust-building between Kosovo’s communities is and remains vital.
However, it has been over sixteen years since Kosovo’s independence and the situation is unrecognisable from 1999. It is therefore time for this Council to review UNMIK’s role to reflect conditions on the ground.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
We are raising the living wage, expanding the Help to Save scheme and limiting reductions to Universal Credit awards.
Working people are the lifeblood of our economy. The government is not increasing the basic, higher or additional rates of Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT.
Here are just some of the measures announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 that will help put more money into your pocket.
The Help to Save scheme has been extended and widened. The scheme offers lower earners a savings account where they can save a maximum of £50 a month for 4 years and receive a 50% government boost at the end of year 2 and year 4. This helps workers kickstart a lifelong savings habit and offers up to £1,200 over the 4 years.
The scheme was due to end in April 2025 but has been extended by 2 years until April 2027. Eligibility for the scheme will widen from April 2025. It will be open to all working Universal Credit claimants earning at least £1 a month.
In her statement, the Chancellor announced that from 1 April 2025, the National Living Wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour for employees aged 21 and over. That’s an increase of 6.7% from 2024.
For 18 to 20 year olds, it will increase by £1.40 an hour, to £10.00 an hour. This is the first step towards the government’s plan to remove discriminatory age bands and deliver a genuine living wage that all adults can benefit from.
The government is creating a new Fair Repayment Rate which caps deductions made through Universal Credit at 15% of the standard allowance. Before this Budget, it was 25%.
This means approximately 1.2 million households will keep more of their Universal Credit payment each month, with households expected to be better off by an average of over £420 a year.
These are just some of the ways the government is protecting working people. The Autumn Budget 2024 also includes further support for pensioners, those in crisis and those struggling most with the cost of essentials. Read the Budget in full to find out more.
Answer a few questions to find out what support you might be able to get to help with living costs. Check benefits and financial support you can get.
