Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Promoting Gaelic in Islay

    Source: Scottish Government

    Support for local projects.

    Gaelic projects in Islay will benefit from funding as part of efforts to grow the language.

    Islay’s Gaelic Centre will receive £150,000 for a virtual experience which will pull viewers into another world as they learn about the island’s history, heritage and geography.

    Projectors, touch-walls and a virtual reality headset will create a 360-degree experience of Gaelic Islay. This will enable visitors to experience the scents and sounds of the island as they explore a library of Gaelic stories, songs and language courses.

    A further £8,000 will go towards the construction of an outdoor classroom at Bowmore Gaelic Medium Primary school to be used for plays, poems and other drama activities.

    Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced the funding ahead of the opening of the Royal National Mòd in Oban.

    Ms Forbes said:

     “It is only fitting that this year’s Mòd is in Oban as Gaelic forms a core part of Argyll’s culture, heritage and history.

    “Our investment in a virtual experience at the Islay’s Gaelic Centre will help to create a star attraction which will bring new opportunities for the island.

    “We are working collaboratively across Parliament to progress the Scottish Languages Bill with the aim of building a sustainable future for Gaelic. This includes creating a system which will enable all parents to apply for Gaelic early learning and childcare services and introducing measures to strengthen Gaelic education in secondary school.”

    Manager of Islay Gaelic Centre Sìne NicEalair said:

    “We are delighted and very grateful to receive this grant enabling us to complete the second phase of our digital project.

    “We see this as a great asset to the Gaelic and non-Gaelic community in Islay and off the island.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Safety bulletin 4/2024 published

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Owners, operators and skippers of fishing vessels fitted with side shell doors urged to ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessment of watertight integrity.

    Image courtesy of Royal Air Force

    Today, we have issued a safety bulletin to the fishing vessel community following the foundering of fishing vessel Argos Georgia approximately 190 nautical miles east of Port Stanley, Falkland Islands on 22 July 2024, with the loss of 13 lives.

    The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an investigation on behalf of St Helena Government.

    Media enquiries (telephone only)

    Media enquiries during office hours 01932 440015

    Media enquiries out of hours 0300 7777878

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From Moments to History. How the “Student Perspective 2024” Went

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An off-site educational seminar for first-year trade union organizers called “Student Perspective 2024” was held at the “Goluboe Ozero” recreation center. For the 26th time, PROF organized a meeting for first-year students so that they could get acquainted with the basics of student self-government at the Polytechnic University, communicate with administration representatives, exchange experiences with activists from various institutes, and outline their development trajectory at the university.

    The seminar opened with a video with a welcoming address from the rector of the Polytechnic University, chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy.

    Over the course of three days, more than 300 participants — trade union organizers, trainers, representatives of PROF and student associations — were fully immersed in active student life. This year’s theme was “From Moments to History,” and indeed, the participants were able to create many bright moments that formed a fascinating and positive story. In addition to trainings, the trade union organizers attended the events “PROF.festival” and “Catch the Moment: A Journey Through the Stars,” where the institutes demonstrated their unity and creativity.

    One of the key events was a meeting with representatives of the university administration: the head of the rector’s administrative office Vladimir Glukhov, the vice-rector for youth policy and communication technologies Maxim Pasholikov, the head of the Youth Policy Department Ivan Khlamov, the director of the SPbPU Student City Vyacheslav Olshevsky, the chairman of the PROF Maxim Susorov. The students asked questions about the educational process and extracurricular activities of the Polytechnic University, as well as about the future of the university.

    A separate strategic session with Maxim Pasholikov and Ivan Khlamov was organized for the trade union committee. At it, the participants designed interaction within the framework of the university’s youth policy. On the second day, a festival of student associations was held, where the guys got to know such associations as ReGreen, the School of Cultural Organizers, the Military History Club, the United Student Council of Dormitories, the Polytechnic Community of Physics Students, and others.

    “Student Perspective” ended with a warm and pleasant ceremony with sparklers and a group photo session at the Blue Lake.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://www.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/student_life/from-moments-in-history-how-the-student-perspective-2024/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak got acquainted with domestic developments in the field of hydrogen energy and transport

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Previous news Next news

    Alexander Novak got acquainted with domestic developments in the field of hydrogen energy and transport

    Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak familiarized himself with the plans of the Hydrogen Technologies Center of AFK Sistema in the field of developing projects on hydrogen energy and transport, as well as new models of Russian freight transport on hydrogen fuel cells manufactured by PJSC KAMAZ at the site of the production complex of JSC Elektrozavod. On the basis of the Hydrogen Technologies Center, projects have been created and are being developed to create water and freight transport on hydrogen, drones for the transportation of commercial goods, catalysts and sensors for hydrogen, electrolyzers, energy accumulation and storage systems, fuel cells, etc.

    The Deputy Prime Minister saw a new KAMAZ truck with a payload capacity of over 20 tons, which can travel 400 km on hydrogen, in motion, and also assessed the work of the domestic power plant and the truck platform with hydrogen fuel cells manufactured by PJSC KAMAZ. Representatives of AFK Sistema and its structures, as well as PJSC KAMAZ, took part in the event.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/52953/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnicians at the International DID Forum

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The city of Innopolis hosted the traditional international forum Digital Innopolis Days, which this year was combined with the AI IN conference on artificial intelligence. The topics of the discussions were focused on key areas and technologies: artificial intelligence, robotics, unmanned systems, innovations in education and personnel training.

    At the plenary session “Prospects for robotization of Russia: converting problems into tasks,” the following spoke: Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Deputy Minister of Energy Eduard Sheremetsev, representatives of the largest industrial enterprises, such as KAMAZ and Transmashholding.

    Valery Falkov spoke about approaches to training personnel for robotics, and also noted important changes taking place in the higher education system. First of all, this is the search for models of its implementation in accordance with the needs of the modern technological structure and training of specialists of the future, reformatting engineering education. The head of the Ministry of Education and Science noted that any educational program related to production should contain a block on automation systems and robotics, and universities need to qualitatively build work in the market of additional professional education.

    Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education at SPbPU Dmitry Tikhonov noted: The forum platform is very representative and practice-oriented. Based on the results of last year, we launched three new educational projects with new partners, contacts with whom were established precisely at DID. This year there were interesting sections in the field of UAS and AI, which showed the diversity of potential areas of application of these technologies.

    The use of artificial intelligence in education and university management, digital development of the education system, and new collaborations in this area were discussed at the forum by Vladimir Tuchkevich, Head of the Department for Development of Portals and Mobile Applications at SPbPU, and Denis Ivanov, Deputy Director of the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity.

    Traditionally, an interesting discussion unfolded around the digital departments. This year, a closed session was held for the best students of the project and an HR studio was organized. The Polytechnic was represented by IKNK student Ekaterina Chadayeva, one of the best graduates of the program “Development of digital solutions based on 1C technologies”.

    Several useful events were organized for students. This was not only an introduction to various companies, but also a strategic session for graduates of digital departments. There we discussed what a dream digital department should be like, – Ekaterina shared her impressions.

    Industrial partners presented their best practices for working with universities within the framework of the Digital Departments project.

    At the forum, we exchanged practices and visions for the future development of IT education. Every year, companies’ interest in joint programs for professional retraining of the digital department is growing. For example, the company “1C” presented a joint program with the Polytechnic University, in the implementation of which 15 employers are participating at once. This approach demonstrates the importance of this project and allows us to create programs that are truly relevant for the industry, – said the head of the project office “Digital Departments” of SPbPU Nadezhda Tsvetkova.

    The forum also hosted a closed event of Gazprom partner universities, where the curator of the project “PAO Gazprom Flagship University” Yanis Olekhnovich and the head of the employment assistance sector Elvira Tuktamysheva gave a report. They presented the results of the implementation of educational programs and events for training personnel and developing applied IT competencies necessary for an engineer to perform the company’s tasks. Part of the report was a presentation of specialized interactive educational and demonstration complexes based on VR technologies. These complexes allow students to be trained using the example of the industrial partner’s technologies.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/science_and_innovations/polytechnics-at-the-international-forum-did-ai-in-2024/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kadir Rende from Turkey: “Polytech is a springboard for future professionals”

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On October 7, applications for free education at the expense of the budget of the Russian Federation within the quota established by the government of the country for the 2025/26 academic year were accepted. A bachelor’s student from Turkey, Kadir Rende, spoke about his experience at the Polytechnic University. He entered the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of SPbPU on a contract basis, but passed the quota selection of Rossotrudnichestvo and continued his education on a budgetary basis.

    — Why did you choose to study mechanical engineering at the Polytechnic?

    — From an early age, I was interested in how the toys I played with worked. I was constantly taking them apart to understand how they worked. As I grew older, this curiosity grew into a desire to find out why machines move and how it happens. I never doubted that I would become an engineer.

    When I decided to study in Russia, I started looking for the ideal university and chose Peter the Great Polytechnic University. It is one of the best universities in the country with a rich history, within whose walls many famous engineers and scientists studied.

    Mechanical engineering is a promising direction. Highly qualified specialists like me will be in demand at various enterprises. I am sure that the knowledge and skills I have gained will help me make a significant contribution to this industry and realize my ambitions.

    — How difficult is it to communicate in Russian in everyday life?

    — I studied Russian at the preparatory department in Kazan before continuing my studies in St. Petersburg. Although it may seem that I speak well, my level is still limited to conversational. In lectures I encounter more complex materials, which sometimes causes difficulties. Fortunately, I have excellent relationships with teachers who understand our problems and are always ready to help. My Russian classmates and other students are also very friendly and willing to explain if something is unclear. I am a sociable person. I enjoy speaking Russian, which I find very rich and beautiful.

    Thanks to constant practice, I feel that my level of language proficiency is getting better and better. This year, I even took second place in the Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language, which I am very proud of!

    — What other Russian cities have you seen?

    — I have been to Moscow, Kazan and small towns around it, but to be honest, St. Petersburg is my favorite. It feels like a fairy tale, so I really love walking around the cultural capital. Last year, my relatives flew in from Istanbul to visit me. They were delighted with the city.

    — Did you manage to make friends with the locals?

    — I was told that Russians can seem “cold”. However, almost all my friends here are Russian. We communicate very well. At first it was difficult to get to know each other because of the language barrier, but as I got to know them better, I realized that they are actually kind and helpful people.

    — Do you study on a fee-paying basis or through some kind of scholarship program?

    — At first, I studied under a contract and didn’t even think about participating in the competition for free education. I thought that I would have to start studying all over again. But after studying the issue in detail, I made up my mind. In my second year, I managed to transfer to a budget. So I’m very happy.

    — What do you do in your free time?

    — I try to find interesting and beautiful places in the city. Then I visit them with friends. The Polytechnic also has excellent conditions for doing sports. I am into boxing and go to free training sessions in the evenings, I made new friends there. There is a gym in our dormitory, sometimes I work out there.

    — What advice would you give to other international students who are already studying or just entering the Polytechnic?

    — There are many organizations for students, including international students, at the university, and I highly recommend visiting them. They offer a variety of activities and events, allowing everyone to find something for themselves. I go to Russian conversation clubs in the PolyUnion space, and at the Interclub I like to get together with friends for games. There are really many opportunities for activities here. It’s a great way to meet new people and improve your knowledge of the language.

    — What are your plans for the future?

    — After completing my bachelor’s degree, I would like to continue my studies at the Polytechnic University for a master’s degree. I understand that this will be very useful for building my future career.

    We remind you that international students can apply forwebsite quota selection until January 15. You can also take part in the international Open Doors Olympics and get the opportunity to study for bachelor’s, master’s and postgraduate degrees at the Polytechnic University for free.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://www.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/international_activize/kadir-rende-from-turkey-polytech-springboard-for-future-professionals/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnicians win two gold medals at international construction championship

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The IV International Construction Championship has ended in Yekaterinburg. The Institute of Civil Engineering of SPbPU is a traditional participant of this large-scale event. This year, the Institute performed triumphantly – two gold awards in the team and individual nomination “Information Modeling and Design”.

    Our gold medalists in the team category are Dmitry Zharkov, Alina Doroshenko, Mikhail Safoshkin, Alexandra Kulakova and Ulyana Popova.

    The winner in the individual nomination is Serafim Zagorodniy.

    The experts in the nominations from the Civil Engineering Institute were senior lecturer of the Higher School of Civil Engineering and Construction (HSCECI) Anna Kukina and assistant of the Higher School of Civil Engineering and Construction (HSCECI) Alexander Mitin.

    We congratulate the guys on their victory and wish them further professional success!

    We are proud of our absolute victory at the international construction championship in the student nomination “Information Modeling and Design”. For the Civil Engineering Institute, this is the highest assessment of our activities in the field of training the engineering elite from the professional community. This triumph once again proves that the Polytechnic is one of the best universities in the country in training engineering personnel, – commented on the success of the Polytechnics, Director of the ISI Marina Petrochenko.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/achievements/polytechnics-won-two-golds-at-the-international-construction-championship/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Demonstration performances, master classes and lectures: Muscovites are invited to the birthday of the Center for Providing Mobility to Passengers of Moscow Transport

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On October 12, the Northern River Terminal will host a large-scale program in honor of the birthday of the Passenger Mobility Center (PMC) of Moscow transport. Each visitor will be able to understand what socially significant work PMC inspectors do, congratulate them on the holiday and thank them for their work.

    “We are adapting the transport infrastructure for the convenience and safety of the capital’s residents on the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin. Thus, in 2013, we created the Passenger Mobility Center. Its inspectors help people who have difficulty moving around in transport. For the birthday of the CMPC, we have prepared a festive program at the Northern River Terminal. Together with the city residents, we will congratulate our colleagues and thank them for their work,” said the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry

    Maxim Liksutov.

    At 12:00, guests will see demonstration performances and master classes by the Russian School for Training Guide Dogs of the All-Russian Society of the Blind, the Mudry Pes Guide Dog Owners Club, and the Mudrik i Ko team. Faithful and loyal four-legged friends help their owners become more mobile and provide them with a safe journey.

    Together with dog training schools, the CMMP staff has helped train more than 350 guide animals in the Moscow Metro since 2014. Another 50 guide dogs will be trained this year to help people with limited mobility in the metro.

    Each visitor to the Northern River Terminal will be able to walk along a pre-prepared obstacle course with a guide dog. He will understand what a huge job these animals and the TSOMP employees do, who also help passengers with limited mobility move safely along the route they need.

    The “Wise Dog” school has prepared tactile games. Their participants will learn how to properly interact with guide dogs. In addition, a thematic photo zone will be opened for visitors, where they can take beautiful memorable pictures.

    From 13:00 to 15:00, a creative workshop will be open at the station for everyone. Museum of Moscow Transport.

    From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, anyone can listen to a lecture on how to properly interact with people with limited mobility and visit the tactile games of the interactive museum in the dark, Sensorium. Guests will learn Braille and take part in a blitz on the sense of smell to focus on all the senses.

    For 11 years now, inspectors and employees of the Center for the Prevention of Disabilities of the Passenger’s Body have been accompanying passengers with hearing or vision impairments, musculoskeletal disorders, elderly people, large families, parents with baby carriages and organized groups of schoolchildren. They help passengers with limited mobility to get to more than 300 places in the capital. The Center for the Prevention of Disabilities of the Passenger’s Body is nearby throughout the entire journey on the metro, on the Moscow Central Circle, in ground transportation and trams. They make the movement of citizens safer and more comfortable. Since the center’s creation, over 1.2 million people have received assistance.

    The support service is free. You can leave a request on the metro website, in the Moscow Metro app, via the Alexandra chatbot, or by calling the TSOMPS contact center at 7 495 622-73-41 and 7 800 250-73-41 (free call). The service is open from 05:30 to 01:00.

    Since the beginning of the year, inspectors of the Central Office of the Passenger Transport Service have helped more than 17 thousand blind and visually impaired passengers.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145048073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The first defense of a doctoral dissertation in cognitive sciences in Russia took place at HSE

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Photo: Higher School of Economics

    Professor at the Higher School of Economics, leading research fellow Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences Vasily Klyucharev successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in cognitive sciences. This is the first doctoral dissertation in this discipline in Russia.

    Cognitive sciences began to develop actively in the second half of the 20th century. This is a unique interdisciplinary field of research that opens up new horizons of human consciousness and behavior. Cognitive science studies how the human mind works, functions, and behaves, how people perceive, understand, and react to information received.

    The HSE University’s research unit in cognitive neuroscience was established in 2013. Vasily Klyucharev then headed the Department of Psychology and founded new laboratories for cognitive brain research. Over the course of 11 years, the small research unit has grown into the largest research institute in Russia in the field of cognitive neuroscience with a team of scientists who have received global recognition. In 2021, with the direct participation of the HSE University, the new specialty in cognitive sciences. In September 2024, Vasily Klyucharev became the first doctor of cognitive sciences in Russia.

    “This is an important step not only for me, but for the entire scientific community,” Vasily Klyucharev noted after his defense. “For a long time, cognitive sciences were not popular in the Soviet Union; the authorities did not like them. This led to a lag in this most important scientific and technological area. Research was conducted, but it was integrated into other scientific fields – biology, psychology, linguistics. The creation of a separate specialty in cognitive sciences and the opportunity to defend candidate and doctoral dissertations in this field is a sign of recognition at the state level.”

    Vasily Klyucharev’s research is devoted to the phenomenon of conformism — the tendency of people to adjust their decisions to the opinions of others. The work examines the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying conformism using modern brain scanning technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroencephalography, and magnetoencephalography.

    Neurocognitive mechanisms of social influence appear to be deeply rooted in the biology of the brain. Conformity is not just a social phenomenon. Researchers have found that deviating from the majority opinion activates areas of the brain responsible for automatic behavioral change, which forces people to reconsider their decisions, adapting to others.

    “I have been studying the topic of conformism since about 2009, when our research group was one of the first to become interested in this phenomenon. We were the first to discover that the brain automatically adapts to the opinions of others. Using various neuroimaging technologies, we have confirmed that specific areas of the brain associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine are responsible for conformism. If their activity is suppressed, conformism decreases,” explains Vasily Klyucharev. “In this regard, the phenomenon of nonconformism is a very interesting, but still completely unexplored area. Perhaps this is a foundation for future research.”

    Vasily Klyucharev emphasizes that cognitive science is a unique scientific field that requires comprehensive knowledge from a wide variety of fields: from mathematics to philosophy.

    “To understand how the system, i.e. the human brain, works, we must study literally everything: neurophysiology, biochemistry, social behavior, sociocultural characteristics. It is important to be able to describe all processes mathematically, use various modern technologies of neurovisualization and data analysis. Even such a fashionable topic as artificial intelligence depends on cognitive research. How correctly will we understand AI? How will it understand us? Cognitive science is, in general, the science of understanding everything.”

    The defense of a doctoral dissertation in cognitive science marks a new stage in the history of HSE, confirming the university’s status as a leading center for research in the field of cognitive science in Russia.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.hse.ru/nevs/scene/971895605.html

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Road safety improvements begin on busy commuter route

    Source: City of Derby

    Work to deliver a package of upgrades to Ashbourne Road is under way.

    Last year the Council was awarded £475,000 from the Government’s Safer Roads Fund (SRF) to improve safety on Ashbourne Road between Markeaton Island and Friar Gate.

    This section has been identified as high-risk and requiring improvement by the Road Safety Foundation.

    Following a 12-week community consultation, work is now underway to introduce collision reduction measures and to make active travel, such as walking and cycling easier. Measures include:

    • Improvements to existing pedestrian crossings
    • Upgrades to existing crossings on side roads leading to Ashbourne Road
    • New infrastructure to reduce speed.

    These works are expected to be completed in 2025 and will be conducted during off-peak periods as much as possible to minimise disruption.

    Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said: 

    We’re committed to creating a safer, greener transport network to Derby and Ashbourne Road is a key element of that.

    The improvements we’re carrying out on this busy commuter route will improve safety for countless road users and make it easier for people to choose greener alternatives.

    The people of Derby have played a key part in these improvements, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their views in our consultation.

    The Safer Roads Fund was introduced by the Department for Transport (DfT) to support road safety in England as part of a wider package of investment in Britain’s transport network. In total, £47.5 million of Government funding is being invested to improve 27 of England’s most dangerous roads.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Caroline Russell AM presses Mayor over TfL advertising

    Source: Mayor of London

    Amid the national debate over harmful advertising at Euston Station, Caroline Russell AM questioned the Mayor directly about his failure to change Transport for London’s (TfL) advertising policy, specifically regarding its continued support for fossil-fuel related advertising across its network. [1] 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CMA response to Scottish Law Commission report on review of contract law consultation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Scottish Law Commission report on review of contract law.

    Documents

    Details

    The CMA has responded to Scottish Law Commission report on the review of contract law consultation, led by the Scottish Government.

    The response highlights the changes to the landscape around contract law as a result of the DMCC Act 2024 granting new powers to the CMA in relation to consumer protection law.

    For queries relating to the CMA’s response, please contact the CMA Scotland team by email at scotland@cma.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Europol supports Latvia in dismantling major synthetic drug lab network

    Source: Europol

    Europol worked closely with Latvian partners to identify and track the criminal network responsible for the production and distribution of synthetic substances, including synthetic cathinones and other high-risk drugs.The operation, which culminated in coordinated raids across Latvia in the beginning of October, resulted in the arrest of eight individuals suspected of involvement in the production. Among the arrested were key…

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Major overhaul work completed on building No. 2 of Botkin Hospital

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Specialists from the municipal services complex have completed the main work on the capital repairs of building No. 2 of the Moscow multidisciplinary scientific and clinical center named after S.P. Botkin. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for housing and public utilities and improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “The three-story brick building with an area of over three thousand square meters was built in 1909 and was completed until 1937. Its engineering systems and some of the structures were in an unsatisfactory condition, so a decision was made to carry out a major overhaul. The building is a cultural heritage site, and therefore the necessary restoration work was carried out in it,” noted Petr Biryukov.

    The specialists reinforced the existing structures, repaired the floors, laid the floor screed, updated the rafter system and roof. They completely replaced the electrical and water supply systems, heating, sewerage, air conditioning and ventilation.

    Partitions and suspended ceilings were installed on the floors, stone window sills were mounted, 147 window and nine door units made of hardwood were installed. They became part of the historical appearance of the building, so their dimensions, shape and color were observed.

    The building’s facade, with an area of almost three thousand square meters, was restored. The plaster and brick were painted in a style typical of the first half of the 20th century.

    The craftsmen preserved the cornices, horizontal graphic rustication at the first floor level and metal canopies above the entrances. In addition, they restored the stairs with figured metal railings and restored the Mettlach tiles on the landings.

    Petr Biryukov noted that during the renovation, the Monier vaults discovered on the stairwells were preserved – small-span cylindrical brick vaults arranged between metal beams. They were put in order and plastered.

    The territory of the Botkin Hospital will be improved this year – Moscow Mayor

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145071073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Investing in sustainable economic growth and solidarity and safeguarding EU financial interests through our 2023 budget

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 10 Oct 2024 The Commission welcomes the European Court of Auditor (ECA)’s extensive work on its Annual Report on the 2023 EU budget published today and takes note of the ECA’s valuable insights as regards the regularity of the EU budget implementation.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF and partners strengthen efforts against tobacco smuggling

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    The European Anti-Fraud office (OLAF), in cooperation with the Irish Revenue – Tax and Customs, organised the annual OLAF Tobacco Conference from 8-10 October in Dublin, Ireland. The event brought together over 90 representatives from key stakeholders including customs and national police authorities of EU member states and third countries, the World Customs Organization, EUROPOL and representatives from the industry.

    Participants discussed strategies and latest trends and exchanged best practices in order to enhance international cooperation in combating tobacco smuggling. During the conference, OLAF presented an overview of developments on water pipe tobacco and new generation tobacco products. These new products, which include tobacco pouches, heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, have gained popularity among consumers in recent years, especially young consumers, as alternatives to traditional cigarettes. This trend presents a unique challenge for regulators and enforcement agencies. 

    The illegal tobacco trade poses a significant threat to public health, deprives the EU and member states of substantial tax revenues and fuels organised crime networks. It undermines anti-smoking and public health campaigns, and violates the strict rules that the EU and Member States have on manufacturing, distribution and sale. In 2023, international operations involving the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) led to the seizure of 616 million illicit cigarettes, 140 tonnes of raw tobacco and 6 tonnes of water pipe tobacco, saving an estimated €150 million in revenue loss in the EU.

    The global nature of tobacco smuggling requires a united response. The goal of the conference was to build stronger, more robust and coordinated international efforts to combat the illegal tobacco trade, thereby protecting public health, safeguarding revenues, and disrupting the illicit networks involved in smuggling operations. 

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: COMCO: Discontinuance of the investigation against Novartis

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English

    Bern, 10.10.2024 – The Competition Commission (COMCO) terminates the investigation against Novartis without consequences.

    On 13 September 2022, COMCO opened an investigation against Novartis. Its purpose was to determine whether Novartis intended to unlawfully protect one of its dermatological medicines by filing various patent infringement lawsuits. In this regard the investigation sought to establish whether such behaviour had to be considered a case of a so called “blocking patent” unlawfully limiting production, supply or technical development in the market within the meaning of antitrust law.

    The investigation revealed that Novartis’ actions finally were common practice in the field of patent law and, further, did not confirm the above indications of an unlawful restraint of competition. Therefore, COMCO discontinued the investigation.

    In this investigation, COMCO mutually cooperated with the European Commission on the basis of the bilateral Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation concerning cooperation on the application of their competition laws in force since 2014. The European Commission made its own analysis of the facts of the case and came to the same conclusion to discontinue proceedings.


    Address for enquiries

    Laura Melusine Baudenbacher
    President
    +41 79 854 87 25
    lauramelusine.baudenbacher@comco.admin.ch

    Patrik Ducrey
    Director
    +41 58 464 96 78
    +41 79 345 01 44
    patrik.ducrey@comco.admin.ch

    Olivier Schaller
    Vice Director
    +41 58 462 21 23
    +41 79 703 80 07
    olivier.schaller@comco.admin.ch


    Publisher

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    http://www.weko.admin.ch/

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission restrictions on liquids carried in cabin baggage at airports – E-001961/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001961/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marcin Sypniewski (ESN)

    Passengers in the Member States are still being forced to comply with stringent restrictions on liquids carried in cabin baggage at airports.

    An estimated 350 new CT X-ray scanners have already been acquired in 13 Member States. These allow for the scanning of larger quantities of liquids and the scanning of laptops without having to remove them from suitcases. As a result, some airports, such as those in Amsterdam and Rome, have relaxed their limits on the amount of liquids carried.

    In late July 2024, however, the Commission temporarily upheld the 100 ml limit on liquids carried, citing the fact that traditional scanners cannot detect liquid explosives as the sole reason. The decision went into effect on 1 September 2024, but no estimated date for the lifting of the restriction was given.

    In this connection, I would like to ask the following questions:

    • 1.Are the restrictions imposed solely due to the limitations of the old equipment previously used at airports, or is the new equipment also, in the Commission’s opinion, incapable of scanning larger quantities of liquids?
    • 2.In addition to equipment problems, are there other restrictions resulting from existing rules?
    • 3.When does the Commission plan to lift the recently upheld limit?

    Submitted: 4.10.2024

    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: 2024 REGIOSTARS awards recognise EU-funded projects for their impact and innovation

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 10 Oct 2024 Last night, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, together with President of the Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, hosted the 2024 REGIOSTARS awards ceremony in Brussels as part of the 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Sakharov Prize: shortlist of three candidates – Committee on Development

    Source: European Parliament

    On 26 September, the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Development, together with the Subcommittee on Human Rights, presented the candidates for this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, one of the most important events of the European Parliament. On 17 October, the AFET and DEVE committees will meet again to narrow down the list of nominees to a three-candidate shortlist, via a secret vote.

    Each year the Sakharov Prize reaffirms the European Parliament’s unwavering commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights, a founding principle of the European Union. The winning 2024 laureate(s) will be announced on 24 October by the Conference of Presidents (EP President and political group leaders) and an exchange of views with the laureate(s) will take place in a joint Committee meeting on 16 December. The Prize will be presented to the laureate(s) at an award ceremony during the December plenary, on 18 December.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – MEPs complete check on possible conflicts of interest of Commissioners-designate

    Source: European Parliament

    The Legal Affairs Committee gave its green light for the confirmation hearings for all 26 Commissioners-designate to go ahead.

    MEPs in the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) concluded the procedure of examining any conflicts of interest for the new Commissioners-designate in relation to their respective portfolios. The process will now proceed with the confirmation hearings, as each Commissioner-designate will be heard in their respective committees in accordance with the calendar agreed by Parliament.

    Declarations of interest submitted by the Commissioners-designate will become publicly available before the start of the confirmation hearings.

    Quote

    Following the examination, Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew, BG) said: “The JURI Committee performed an impartial and in-depth analysis of the declarations of interest of the Commissioners-designate, looking at potential conflicts of interests with reference to the assigned portfolios. Whenever we deemed the information incomplete, we requested further details in order to assess all relevant elements and reach our conclusions. From a procedural point of view, some reasonable criticism of the legal framework can arise and we will have the opportunity to analyse it and suggest amendments, if needed. But today, I want to express my gratitude to all Members of JURI for taking an active part in the process and safeguarding the interests not only of the Committee and Parliament – but also – the European citizens, through their thorough review of all data and information at our disposal. I am glad that JURI, together with all other parliamentary committees, will now be able to focus on the confirmation hearings of Commissioners-designate.”

    Background

    According to Parliament’s rules of procedure, the Legal Affairs Committee is responsible for assessing each commissioner-designate’ s potential or actual conflict of interests. This procedure is confidential and it is a precondition for a candidate to take part in the hearing in the European Parliament. The Legal Affairs Committee must confirm in writing the absence of any conflict of interest in order for the candidate to be heard by the relevant committee.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Enquiry regarding electric cars and the 2035 target – E-001885/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001885/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR)

    When, in February 2023, Parliament approved – with a fragile majority – the proposal that from 2035 only electric cars would be sold, in order to reach the ‘zero CO2 emissions’ target, its proponents spoke of a historic moment, subsumed under the eco-Marxist left’s dream of achieving so-called climate neutrality by the middle of this century.

    But the facts are: battery production and replacement costs have remained extremely high; car-charging infrastructure – one of the critical issues – is far from sufficient; concern about ‘saving the planet’ is a fiction maintained by the extreme environmentalists; and, therefore, electric car sales have fallen massively in the last year.

    I ask the Commission, therefore, to respond to the following:

    To what extent will the ‘ambitious’ (in fact, utopian) goal of eliminating vehicles powered by conventional fuels in just a few years be achieved, given that demand for electric cars is steadily declining, manufacturers are postponing ‘electrification’ indefinitely, and the trend of rejection of this ideological tool is obvious and growing?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Erasmus+ funding from the Commission for the controversial Gazientep University – E-001927/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001927/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dirk Gotink (PPE)

    According to an article[1] , there is an Erasmus+ partnership between the Commission and Gaziantep University and the university recently received EUR 250 000 from the EU. The article points to a host of anti-Israeli statements and states that the university rector actively supports the Hamas terrorist organisation. Accordingly:

    • 1.Is this report about the Commission providing EUR 250 000 in Erasmus+ funding for Gaziantep University true?
    • 2.When establishing relations with Gaziantep University, did the Commission also look into the statements by the rector and his possible links with Hamas?
    • 3.Does the Commission concur that, in view of the rector’s statements, the agreement with the university should be immediately terminated? If not, why not?

    Submitted: 2.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.lejdd.fr/societe/erasmus-lunion-europeenne-sous-le-feu-des-critiques-pour-avoir-integre-une-universite-pro-hamas-150023
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Increase in the Modernisation Fund by 0.5 % of the total quantity of allowances in accordance with Article 10a(5b) of Directive (EU) 2003/87/EC – P-001971/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001971/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Adam Jarubas (PPE)

    On 31 May 2021, the Commission adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/927 determining the uniform cross-sectoral correction factor for the adjustment of free allocations of emission allowances for the period 2021 to 2025.

    In his answer to question for written answer to the Commission P-003674/2021[1], Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans stated that the second exercise to determine the free allocation for the years 2026 to 2030 would take place after 30 September 2024.

    When exactly will the exercise take place, and when does the Commission plan to adopt the implementing decision determining the uniform cross-sectoral correction factor for the adjustment of free allocations of emission allowances for the period 2026 to 2030?

    Submitted: 7.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2021-003674-ASW_EN.html.
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Geo-blocking in French overseas territories – E-001936/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001936/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Rody Tolassy (PfE), Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), Angéline Furet (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), André Rougé (PfE), Mathilde Androuët (PfE), France Jamet (PfE), Alexandre Varaut (PfE), Catherine Griset (PfE), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE)

    Although the European Parliament voted to ban geo-blocking in EU Member States, some French departments continue to be affected by it.

    With its overseas territories, France has a unique geography. The people living in these territories are European taxpayers, just like Spanish, Italian or German citizens, and should therefore enjoy the same rights.

    However, our overseas compatriots still do not have full access to European, let alone French, information, both in terms of audiovisual media and on certain websites.

    In order to better integrate our overseas territories into the EU while also protecting French culture, what measures will the Commission take to put a definitive end to this kind of geographical discrimination?

    Submitted: 3.10.2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Contradictory information from the Commission on Treaty change – E-001946/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001946/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marieke Ehlers (PfE)

    In the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the Conference on the Future of Europe (COM(2022) 404 of 17 June 2022), the Commission stated that it would ‘always be on the side of those who want to reform the European Union to make it work better, including through Treaty change […]’.

    On 18 September 2024, however, in response to minister Marjolein Faber’s letter, in which the Netherlands formally requested an opt-out from European migration policy in the event of a subsequent Treaty change, the Commission stated that no Treaty change was planned.

    • 1.Does the Commission intend to go back on its communication of 17 June 2022, which backed Treaty change initiatives?
    • 2.Has the Commission decided, accordingly, that it is not going to abide by the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and, hence, that it no longer wants to be involved in the process of initiating Treaty change?
    • 3.Has the Commission decided, accordingly, that no candidate countries will join the EU during the 2024-2029 parliamentary term, given that accession agreements allow Member States to opt out of certain European policies?

    Submitted: 3.10.2024

    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission challenging France’s energy success, ignoring the EU’s climate and environmental challenges – E-001873/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001873/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jordan Bardella (PfE)

    On 11 September 2023, former Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson publicly reprimanded France for its energy policy, saying that it had yet to meet its climate targets given the share of renewable electricity in its energy mix.

    Now, with Parliament about to decide on the Commissioners nominated by Ursula von der Leyen, it would seem that the candidates Teresa Ribera[1] (energy transition) and Dan Jorgensen[2] (energy) also share the same hostility to nuclear energy. With these two appointments, Brussels continues to show its ideological blindness in favouring intermittent and variable energies.

    • 1.Will the Commission propose a further revision of the Renewable Energy Directive with a view to including all low-carbon energy sources?
    • 2.Not forgetting that it is guardian of the Euratom Treaty, does it still see a place for nuclear energy in Europe’s energy future?

    Submitted: 30.9.2024

    • [1] https://www.lefigaro.fr/conjoncture/francois-d-orcival-teresa-ribera-une-pourfendeuse-du-nucleaire-aux-cotes-d-ursula-von-der-leyen-20240925
    • [2] https://www.information.dk/debat/2022/02/dan-joergensen-atomkraft-maa-aldrig-del-loesningen-danmark
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Early departure of Luis Miguel Bueno, the EU’s Arabic spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa – E-001869/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001869/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jordan Bardella (PfE)

    Luis Miguel Bueno, the EU’s Arabic spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa, left his post early on 31 July 2024. This was in the wake of growing controversy surrounding ambiguous statements on his part and his Islamist tendencies. On 24 July 2024, Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell defended Mr Bueno, deeming his statements to be in line with the role assigned to him as an EU official. Some of Mr Bueno’s most controversial posts have nevertheless been removed from his official social media channels.

    Luis Miguel Bueno made a particular splash in December 2023 with a video shared via ICESCO, an organisation influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood[1], in which he stated that ‘Arabic has become a European language. The Arabic language and Arabic and Islamic culture are an integral part of the European Union and of European history and culture’.

    • 1.Is an internal investigation on the cards to establish the reasons behind Mr Bueno’s early departure?
    • 2.What means is the Commission using to protect itself against entryism on the part of Islamist movements within the European institutions?

    Submitted: 30.9.2024

    • [1] https://www.revuedesdeuxmondes.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/R2M-2020-12-109-119.pdf.
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Verbal violence and online abuse – E-001875/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001875/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Eleonora Meleti (PPE)

    We have recently seen a dramatic increase in the number of instances of hate speech on social media. Across Europe, more and more people – regardless of age or gender – are becoming victims of sexist, racist and abusive verbal attacks carried out in the name of ‘democracy and freedom of speech’. Unfortunately, hate speech has been on the rise in mass media and on social networks and become endemic in society. Verbal violence and abuse takes an immeasurable toll on the mental health and daily lives of its victims.

    These acts are at odds with European culture and education, the principles of respect and dignity and the values of the EU. Given that verbal violence is starting to spiral out of control in all EU countries, can the Commission answer the following:

    • 1.Does it intend to take immediate action and, if so, what measures will it take to combat hate speech in the digital world and to protect victims of verbal violence and their mental health?
    • 2.How does it intend to follow up the initiative[1] to extend the list of EU crimes so that it finally includes hate speech?

    Submitted: 30.9.2024

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0777
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Civic reception is a golden occasion for Olympians and Paralympians

    Source: City of Leeds

    Leeds rolled out the red carpet last night as it honoured the local stars of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics with a civic reception.

    The event was organised to recognise the inspirational achievements of competitors from the city and the rest of West Yorkshire on the global sporting stage in Paris earlier this year.

    Guests at the reception – held in the banqueting suite at Leeds Civic Hall – included athletes Hannah Cockroft, Guillaume Junior Atangana and Donard Ndim Nyamjua, gymnasts Harry Hepworth and Luke Whitehouse and divers Lois Toulson, Jack Laugher, Anthony Harding and Yona Knight-Wisdom.

    They gave the 100-strong invited audience some intriguing insights into their Games experiences during a series of interviews with sports commentator and former international gymnast Lisa Gannon.

    The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, had earlier welcomed attendees to the event, organised by Leeds City Council with support from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

    Other speakers included Ed Anderson (HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire), Councillor Salma Arif (Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture), Mariana Pexton (interim chief executive of Leeds City Council) and Alison Lowe (West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime).

    Together they congratulated the assembled Olympians and Paralympians on their achievements and thanked them for further enhancing West Yorkshire’s status as a powerhouse of sporting talent and ambition.

    There was recognition, too, for the crucial part played by coaches, volunteers and other unsung heroes in delivering the kind of world-class performances seen in Paris.

    Stewart Ross, chair of Triathlon Leeds, Dave Murray, director of performance at Leeds Gymnastics Club, and Marc Holdsworth, head coach at City of Leeds Diving Club, were among those sharing the spotlight with the competitors.

    Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:

    “Leeds, and indeed West Yorkshire as a whole, is hugely passionate about sport and that was reflected in the excitement generated earlier this year by the Olympics and the Paralympics.

    “As a city and a county, we have a superb range of sports facilities and an excellent record of staging high-profile sporting events. Add in the natural talent and determination that is in Yorkshire’s DNA and it’s no wonder that we keep producing sportsmen and sportswomen who are at the very top of their respective games.”

    The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, said:

    “I was pleased and proud to have the opportunity to welcome so many of our Olympians and Paralympians to Leeds Civic Hall for this well-deserved celebration of their achievements.

    “Their stories gave us a real flavour of what it’s like to compete at the highest level of sport, with all the rewards and challenges that can bring. It was also great to hear about the dedicated work that is done by coaches and volunteers with our athletes – from grassroots to elite – as they help them realise their sporting dreams. Thank you for making us all so proud.”

    Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said:

    “West Yorkshire’s sporting legends did us proud in Paris, and inspired young people right across our communities. Every child deserves the chance to follow in their footsteps and go for gold. That’s why we’re planning to create more opportunities for people in West Yorkshire to get involved in sport.”

    Leeds’s impressive range of sporting facilities includes Beeston’s John Charles Centre for Sport, the Leeds Gymnastics Club set-up in Seacroft and the Bodington Playing Fields-based Brownlee Centre – the UK’s first purpose-built triathlon training site.

    The list of major sporting events held in the city in recent years, meanwhile, includes the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series as well as a number of fixtures at 2022’s Rugby League World Cup.

    Local competitors have also enjoyed notable recent success at some of the world’s biggest sporting occasions, with Yorkshire famously outperforming countries such as Jamaica, Spain and Brazil with its haul of seven gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

    Last night’s event came just over a month after the end of the 2024 competitions in Paris, with the date being picked to fit in as best as possible with the busy diaries of West Yorkshire’s various Olympians and Paralympians.

    Hannah Cockroft was joined at Leeds Civic Hall by her husband and fellow Paralympian, Salford-born Nathan Maguire, fresh from their wedding on Saturday.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom