NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improved recording of A&E activity

    Source: Scottish Government

    New method backed by Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

    A new methodology to accurately capture all emergency care activity in weekly and monthly Public Health Scotland statistical publications will be applied from 4 February 2025.

    The move, backed by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, means published statistics will now include ‘planned’ A&E attendances. This is where a patient is given a specific time slot to attend a minor injury unit or A&E department to receive emergency care.

    The update follows recommendations from an expert working group, that was asked to consider how to improve the consistency in the recording of A&E activity nationally. The inclusion of ‘planned’ attendances in Scottish A&E statistics aligns with the inclusion of booked ‘new’ appointments in A&E statistics reported in England. 

    In a published analysis of the new methodology, Public Health Scotland have confirmed the changes will have a minimal impact on performance figures.

    National Clinical Lead for Quality & Safety NHS Scotland Dr John Harden said:

    “On behalf of the Scottish Government, I thank the expert working group for their work to explore how we can improve the consistency in the recording of A&E activity.

    “As we strive to improve A&E performance, it is vital that we have a clear picture of emergency care across the country, and that the data we collect reflects the hard work of staff on the ground, so we have accepted the group’s recommendation to include planned A&E attendances in published stats.

    “This means weekly and monthly stats will now provide a more accurate and consistent reading of the levels of emergency care being provided by our Health Boards.”

    Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Dr John Paul Loughrey said:

    “The Royal College of Emergency Medicine welcomes the Scottish Government’s ‘Four Hour Emergency Access Standard: Expert Working Group Recommendations Report’. Accurate and consistent performance monitoring is crucial for improving Emergency Care in Scotland.

    “The working group formed to assess performance data has provided recommendations that will significantly enhance data collection and prevent variations across health boards. The measures will help provide a clearer representation of the pressures faced by A&Es and ways for Policy Makers to work with clinical experts and RCEM to resuscitate emergency care.”

    Clinical Director of Emergency Medicine at NHS Lothian Dr David McKean said:

    “This revision of the Emergency Access Standard demonstrates a further commitment to providing safe, timely care to patients across Scotland. It should help to remove variation and ensure that all patients requiring emergency care are treated consistently across services.”

    Background

    Four Hour Emergency Access Standard: Expert Working Group Recommendations Report – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

    The Scottish Government, along with Public Health Scotland, established the Four Hour Emergency Access Standard Expert Working Group to consider how to improve the consistency in the recording of A&E performance across NHS Scotland.

    The Working Group was formed of: clinical experts from across Scotland’s Health Boards; information and data representatives from Boards; Data Management and Analytical Teams from Public Health Scotland; representation from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and officials from the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Directorate.

    Overview – Accident and emergency – Urgent and unscheduled care – Acute and emergency services – Our areas of work – Public Health Scotland

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Portsmouth’s ‘call to the classroom’ answered with new webinar

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    A city leader has thanked Portsmouth’s community for answering a call to the classroom to teach children and young people in schools.

    Teach Portsmouth, a Portsmouth City Council service, is organising a ‘Love to Teach’ webinar on Wednesday 23 October from 5pm – 5:45pm.

    The webinar aims to support individuals who are interested in becoming teachers but are unsure about their options. This includes students who are graduating this summer as well as those who are already qualified to start training.

    Nationally, challenges remain in recruiting teachers, with a new 5% pay award helping to attract more applicants. However, primary and secondary teacher training applications are still below target across the UK for the academic year 2023/24.

    Councillor Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council, said:

    “I would like to thank everyone for their interest in attending Teach Portsmouth’s webinar. It is perfectly timed to give those at the start of their teaching career an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the profession – just as applications open.

    “While there are challenges nationally, Portsmouth is leading the way in demystifying training routes into teaching and providing practical advice for those ready to take the next step.”

    The webinar will feature local teacher training providers and early career teachers, offering a range of perspectives and experiences to help aspiring educators understand the variety of pathways available.

    Topics will include university-led postgraduate courses, school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) programmes, and financial support options including bursaries and scholarships. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions during a live Q&A session.

    While the UK faces ongoing pressures in teacher recruitment, Portsmouth is working proactively to attract and retain talent. Local initiatives to recruit teaching assistants and school staff, have helped the city stay ahead in tackling these challenges.

    Over the last academic year, 12 people have been recruited into support vacancies and volunteering roles in schools. Alongside this, a further 34 people have started training with The Learning Place. These sessions are designed to boost skills and confidence, preparing people before applying for a vacancy.

    Teach Portsmouth’s Love to Teach webinar is free to attend and held on Zoom video conferencing. Those interested will need to register in advance of the session.

    For more information about the webinar, please visit http://www.teachportsmouth.co.uk/webinar.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council enjoy significant success in fly-tipping crackdown

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Officers from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council have revealed significant successes in their crack-down against fly-tippers over recent months.

    Since the start of April this year, 11 separate Fixed Penalty Notices (£400 fines) have been issued to those responsible for dumping rubbish in green areas and public spaces.

    These enforcement actions have taken place right across the ABC Borough in both urban and rural areas, with five Fixed Penalty Notices issued in Portadown, two in Armagh, two in Lurgan, two in Craigavon and one in Keady.

    A spokesperson for ABC Council said one offender who dumped waste outside a recycling centre in Keady when it was closed and failed to pay the Fixed Penalty Fine was later taken to court and fined £500 plus costs.

    The spokesperson said: “A further five people who failed to respond to notices issued in relation to fly-tipping offences were fined in court with the fines ranging from £150 to £300 plus costs.

    “There is no reason why anyone would have to fly-tip waste as the council provides a collection service for bulk waste items such as white goods, furniture etc.

    “We would also urge anyone who does not have the appropriate wheeled bins for their waste to contact their landlord where appropriate or contact the Environmental Services Department within council.”

    The spokesperson added: “Fly-tipping is damaging to the climate, the environment and local wildlife and our Environmental Health officers are determined to continue our zero-tolerance approach, by pursuing all those responsible for fly-tipping and issuing these very significant fines.”

    Members of the public can also help in the fight against fly-tipping, by reporting incidents via the ABC Council App which is available to download on the App store and Google Play store, or by calling the Council’s Environmental Health team directly on 0300 0300 900.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Challenges for the Mayor’s 2025-26 budget

    Source: Mayor of London

    The Mayor of London is responsible for a total budget of £20.7 billion, but what should be his priorities for 2025-26?

    The Mayor’s Budget Guidance document highlights three issues “causing considerable uncertainty to the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group’s medium-term financial forecast”:

    • the future state of London’s economy.
    • the upcoming spending reviews for 2025-26, to be announced as part of the Autumn Budget on 30 October 2024, and for 2026-29, which is due in Spring 2025.
    • the prospect of the government introducing reforms to the local government finance system.1

    The London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee will meet tomorrow to hear from a panel of outside experts on the effectiveness of the Mayor’s current budget priorities, and also to discuss and anticipate future financial trends and challenges ahead of next year’s budget.

    Guests include:

    Panel 1 – TfL Funding (10am – 11.15am)

    • Stuart Hoggan, Associate Consultant, LG Futures
    • Antonia Jennings, CEO, Centre for London
    • Tom Pope, Deputy Chief Economist, Institute for Government
    • Tony Travers, London School of Economics (LSE) Department of Government and Director of LSE London
    • Luke Hillian, Strategic Finance Analyst, London Councils
    • Michael Roberts, CEO, London TravelWatch

    Panel 2 – Affordable Housing Delivery (11.15am – 12.10pm)

    • Stephanie Pollitt, Programme Director (Housing), BusinessLDN
    • Stuart Hoggan, Associate Consultant, LG Futures
    • Antonia Jennings, CEO, Centre for London
    • Tom Pope, Deputy Chief Economist, Institute for Government
    • Tony Travers, LSE Department of Government and Director of LSE London
    • Luke Hillan, Strategic Finance Analyst, London Councils

    Panel 3 – London Police and Crime Plan and the New Met for London Programme (12.10pm – 1pm)

    • Rick Muir, Director, Police Foundation
    • Ian Wiggett, Associate Director, World Policing Advisory

    The meeting will take place on Tuesday 22 October from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

    Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

    The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

    Follow us @LondonAssembly.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 18/10/2024 The Sejm adopted an act amending the excise tax on tobacco products, innovative products and e-cigarette liquid

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Source: Polish Excise Duty in Polish. Source: Polish Excise Duty in Polish.18 of 2024, at its 20th session, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland passed an act amending the Excise Duty Act and certain other acts (print no. 692). The act assumes making the current excise road map more realistic by increasing excise duty rates on tobacco products (cigarettes, smoking tobacco and cigars and cigarillos), dried tobacco and innovative products, as well as including e-cigarette liquid in the scope of this map in the years 2025-2027. The impetus for introducing the update of rates was the increasing purchasing power of consumers from year to year. With the increase in the average salary, an increasing number of stimulants can be purchased for a monthly salary. The increase in excise duty rates on tobacco products and their substitutes is primarily intended to limit the consumption of the above products by consumers, especially minors. The current tax rates will apply until July 28, 2025. New excise duty rates will apply from March 1, 2025. MIL OSIMIL OSI

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Up to £600 cash boost for Britain’s lowest paid to help kickstart the economy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ten million working people across the country to benefit from an overhaul of workers’ rights as the Government’s landmark Employment Rights Bill returns to Parliament.

    • Impact assessment shows the Employment Rights Bill will have a positive direct impact on economic growth
    • Reforms means extra 30,000 new dads qualify for paternity leave
    • Positive impacts set out include the Employment Rights Bill delivering up to £600 income savings for workers in the lowest paid, insecure jobs

    Ten million working people across the country will benefit from an overhaul of workers’ rights as the Government’s landmark Employment Rights Bill returns to Parliament today (Monday 21 October).

    The Bill will support employers, workers and unions to get Britain growing again as shown by its Impact Assessment published today, setting out how it could boost productivity, create better working conditions and move more people into secure work while improving living standards for families and communities across the UK.

    The analysis shows “many of the policies within the Employment Rights Bill could help support the Government’s Mission for Growth.” It concludes that the package could have “a positive but small direct impact on economic growth” and will “help to raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.”

    Poor productivity, insecure work, and broken industrial relations have been holding back the British economy for too long. Last year the country saw the highest number of working days lost to strikes since the 1980s – costing the economy millions of pounds. This has entrenched a culture of brinkmanship that only serves to damage public services, public finances, and public faith in institutions. Today is a significant step in putting an end to that – as the Employment Rights Bill reaches its second reading, alongside a package of consultations to help inform its next steps. This includes a consultation on our new approach to Statutory Sick Pay, where the Bill will be removing the waiting period and the Lower Earnings Limit.

    The Bill is expected to benefit people in some of the most deprived areas of the country by saving them up to £600 in lost income from the hidden costs of insecure work. Around 2.4 million people in the UK work irregular patterns like zero or low hours contracts or agency jobs, where insecure hours can mean forking out on expensive childcare or transport to cover last-minute shifts – or losing out altogether if work is changed or cancelled at short notice.

    New protections like guaranteed hours and giving reasonable notice or compensation for lost work will help shift workers keep up to £600 a year, including workers in the North and Midlands where irregular work is highest.

    For a cleaner working night shifts on an average annual wage of £21,058, a £600 saving would be worth over £250 more a year than the last two national insurance cuts.

    Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

    We’re delivering real change for working people across the country, while driving our mission for growth and making people better off.

    Successful firms already know that strong employee rights mean strong growth opportunities. This landmark legislation will extend the employment protections given by the best British companies to millions more workers.

    We said we would get on and deliver the biggest upgrade to rights at work in a generation and the growth our economy needs – and that is exactly what we are doing.

    Speaking in the House later today, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will say:

    From our very first day in office, this Government has moved to restore security for working people.

    That principle runs throughout this legislation and ensuring that employee rights are fit for a modern economy, empower working people, and contribute to our central mission of economic growth.

    Make no mistake – a pro-worker economy is a pro-business economy. This legislation will deliver a new deal for working people. It will help fix our broken labour market. And it will tackle the poor pay, poor working conditions and poor job security that have been holding our economy back.

    The Plan to Make Work Pay was developed in partnership with both businesses and trade unions, and the Government will continue to work closely with all stakeholders on how best to implement these commitments. The Impact Assessment sets out further details on how the new measures will:

    • Create a level playing field for all businesses, raising standards and helping stop the undercutting of good employers. 

    • Make flexible working the default, helping people achieve a better work life balance, which can lead to happier, healthier and more productive employees, which benefits both workers and businesses.

    • Provide a boost for business by supporting higher workforce participation and more opportunities to employ a wider pool of talent, thanks to increased flexibility and employment rights.   

    • Bring 1.5 million workers into scope of the right to unpaid parental leave. 

    • Allow payments to workers for short notice shift cancellation or curtailment as high as £120 million per year

    • Offer benefits to workers in sectors such as hospitality, which makes up around 20% of low-paying jobs and accounts for a disproportionate amount of economic activity in areas of central Scotland, North Wales and Southwest England.
    • Create a right to bereavement leave following the death of a loved one, which could benefit up to 2 million people a year.

    The analysis also confirms costs to business will represent under 0.4% of total employment costs across the economy. The majority of this will be transferred directly into the pockets of workers – helping raise living standards and give people more money to spend on the high cost of living, which has driven up over the past 14 years.

    Through new consultations launched today, the Government will be seeking views on the following four areas: 

    Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay through setting a new rate for those on lower earnings

    As part of the Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay the waiting period for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will be removed as well as the Lower Earnings Limit. These changes will ensure SSP is available to employees from day one of their sickness absence and is available to all employees, regardless of their earnings. A consultation will seek views on what percentage rate should be paid for those earning below the current rate.

    The UK currently has one of the least protected labour markets in the OECD and these changes will mean up to 1.3 million employees who are currently excluded from SSP will now be eligible. Further detail is available here.

    Ensuring the provisions on Zero Hours Contracts apply effectively to agency workers

    The Government is committed to ending one-sided flexibility for all workers, which is why this consultation wants to fully understand how the zero hours contracts measures in the Employment Rights Bill can best be applied to agency workers without causing unintended consequences. Further detail is available here.

    Creating a modern framework for industrial relations

    Over recent years, trade union laws have been a barrier to effective, positive industrial relations in this country.  Alongside reforms in the Bill, the Government is consulting on several changes to the industrial relations framework, hardwiring a series of fundamental principles including collaboration and accountability, and enabling trade unions to represent and deliver on behalf of their workers. Further detail is available here.

    Strengthening remedies against abuse of the rules on collective redundancy and fire and rehire

    This consultation will ask for views on increasing the maximum period for the protective award in cases where employers haven’t complied with collective redundancy rules, and adding interim relief to collective redundancies and unfair dismissals in fire and rehire scenarios. Further detail is available here.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP said:

    Millions of employees across the UK who can’t immediately get sick pay if they are too unwell to work deserve better.

    People should not have to choose between earning a living at work or getting better at home – the changes we want to see will allow employees to do both and businesses to get on.

    We are now asking for your views on the rate of sick pay for low earners, as we fix our broken labour market and the poor pay and working conditions that have been holding our economy back.

    As set out in Next Steps to Make Work Pay, this package is just the first step as we look to engage all stakeholders on how to best put our plans into practice, with further consultation to come in the months ahead. The majority of reforms are expected to take effect no earlier than 2026.

    TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

    Everyone who works for a living deserves to earn a decent living – and to be treated with dignity and respect. The Employment Rights Bill is an opportunity to make work pay for millions and to give working people vital rights and protections.

    We urge MPs from all parties to support this Bill and to be on the right side of history. It’s time to turn the page on the low-pay, low-rights and low-productivity economy of the last 14 years.

    Driving up employment standards is good for workers and good for business. It will allow people more control and predictability over their working lives – and stop decent employers from being undercut by the bad.

    Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain

    Small business owners are rarely against additional rights for their staff, so this is unlikely to deter them from hiring. Indeed they often exceed regulations to offer flexible local employment opportunities that deliver value beyond simply creating work. It must be remembered that the proposed Employment Rights Bill does include protections for employers – such as a lighter-touch process for fair dismissal so employers can continue operating probation periods.

    However, any changes must consider the squeezed budgets and resources small businesses have. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure owners have the support they need to navigate new processes and feel confident that they can meet the costs over the long term.

    Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), said:

    The Government consultations on the Employment Rights Bill offer a crucial chance for business and labour market experts to engage on the detail of how the proposals will impact flexible work.

    In particular, we welcome the opportunity to offer feedback on how agency work interacts with zero hours contracts. We asked for this and the Government have listened.  

    In delivering the Government’s plan to Make Work Pay, we must ensure the views of the full range of workers are taken into consideration and that the protections and opportunities currently afforded to many, for example to agency workers, are in no way jeopardised or put into conflict with future legislative changes.

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    • 10 million employees benefitting is based on:
      • ‘Making Unfair Dismissal a Day One’ right which will strengthen protections for all of the 9 million employees who have been with their employer for less than two years.
      • The 2.4 million employees on variable hours contracts that will benefits from a right to guaranteed hours and a right to payment for shifts cancelled, moved or curtailed at short notice.
      • ‘The right to Bereavement Leave’ following the death of a close family member which would benefit between 900,000 and almost 2 million people a year depending on the definition of the scope
      • Bringing an extra 30,000 fathers or partners into scope of Paternity Leave and 1.5 million workers into scope of the right to Unpaid Parental Leave.
    •  Following the consultation on Statutory Sick Pay, the government will specify the percentage rate in law and will seek to make this change through a government amendment to the Employment Rights Bill.
    • Employee will be entitled to a percentage of their weekly earnings or the current SSP flat rate, whichever is lower.   

    • More information on the Plan to Get Britain Working is available here: Back to Work Plan will help drive economic growth in every region – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    • The government’s Impact Assessment shows that around 2.4 million people in the UK are in irregular work such as zero hours or low hours contracts or agency work. This is a total 8.3% of the UK’s workforce who will benefit from strengthened basic protections like guaranteed hours and reasonable notice and compensation for cancelled or changed shifts. These changes will also benefit people in more deprived areas of the country, including the North and Midlands where oa greater proportion of employees are in irregular work.
    • Research by the Living Wage Foundation finds that many shift workers end up forking out on expensive childcare or transport to cover last minute shifts or losing out on this money altogether after short notice changes or cancellations. The Living Wage Foundation estimates that these workers may each save up to £600 a year on lost income, thanks to new protections in the Bill. For a cleaner working night shifts on the median wage of £21,058, a £600 saving would be worth over £250 a year more than the last two national insurance cuts.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Central Library hosts breast cancer information event

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    It takes place on Thursday (24 October) from 10.30am to 12pm in aid of Breast Cancer Now and in partnership with AgeUK. People are invited to come along for a cuppa, a cake and to find out more about support services in the local area. They can also wear something pink and make a donation for charity.

    Meanwhile, staff from the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team and the Black Country Integrated Care Board will be at Asda, Wolverhampton, next Monday between 10am and 3pm, to talk to people about the importance of breast screening and of routinely checking their breasts for any changes.

    Statistics show that around 1 in 7 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives, making it the most common cancer in the UK. It leads to around 11,500 deaths each year – but the NHS breast screening programme is helping to reduce breast cancer mortality by around 20% in women who are regularly screened.

    Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. Those over 71 can request screening. If you have not been invited for breast screening by the time you are 53 but think you should have been, please contact the Dudley, Wolverhampton and South West Staffordshire Breast Screening Service – for more details.

    As well as screening, the NHS recommends that people check their breasts once a month. This will help with what is normal for your body therefore it will be easier to detect any changes that may need further examination from a health professional. For help, visit Check your breasts. You can also sign up to a monthly text reminder to check with Breast Cancer UK.

    John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “Cancer screening and routinely checking your breasts for any changes is essential for early detection, which is critical in improving treatment outcomes and survival rates.  

    “Early stage cancers are often more treatable and have a better prognosis than those detected at a later stage, and almost all women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest possible stage in England survive their disease for at least 5 years after diagnosis.

    “Screening can also identify precancerous conditions that can be treated before they develop into cancer, further reducing the risk of cancer development. By catching cancer early, screening programmes can reduce the overall burden of cancer, decrease healthcare costs, and improve the quality of life for patients.

    “If you have any questions or concerns, or simply fancy having a chat with experts while enjoying some free refreshments, please come along to our coffee morning and information session at Central Library on Thursday, or pop into Asda next Monday.”

    For more information about breast cancer in women please visit Breast cancer in women.    

    Though rare, men can also get breast cancer – for more information, please visit Breast cancer in men.

    For more information, resources and support, visit Living with breast cancer.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Report for the G20 on tokenisation highlights the opportunities, risks and future considerations for central banks

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    • Tokenisation could have implications for the future of finance and the role of central banks in payments, monetary policy and financial stability.
    • While tokenisation could offer numerous benefits for the financial system and broader economy, costs and risks also need to be considered.
    • BIS report highlights four key considerations for central banks: private sector initiatives; trade-offs between different types of settlement assets; sound regulation, supervision and oversight for tokenisation; and the impact on monetary policy implementation.

    Tokenisation of money could have implications for the role of central banks in payments, monetary policy and financial stability, according to a report to the G20 published today by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

    Tokenisation in the context of money and other assets: concepts and implications for central banks, which was prepared by the BIS, including the BIS Committee on Payment and Market Infrastructures (CPMI), examined tokenisation – the generation and recording of digital representations of traditional assets on a programmable platform. 

    The report also looked at global challenges in the regulated payments sector and focused on the possible benefits of tokenisation in addressing existing frictions in financial markets. It considered potential benefits of some of the innovative solutions involving new use cases and functions that are currently being explored around the world. 

    It notes that, while the potential benefits of tokenisation, such as cheaper and speedier transactions, have attracted interest, the costs and risks need to be considered. 

    They may also affect how pre- and post-trade functions are executed for money and other assets. In addition, ensuring appropriate governance and legal frameworks, credit and liquidity risks, as well as custody and operational risks will also require focus. 

    The report also highlights that risks may materialise in a different manner to the challenges faced by conventional market infrastructures. Tokenisation arrangements provide platform-based intermediation for financial assets that may lead to changes in how financial markets operate and are structured. 

    In this context, the report focuses on four key considerations for central banks:

    • responding to ongoing private sector tokenisation initiatives; for example, whether to foster interoperability in the case of fragmenting markets;
    • assessing the trade-offs and the appropriate balance between different types of settlement assets in token arrangements;
    • Identifying, monitoring and assessing tokenisation arrangements that may need to be subject to sound regulation, supervision, and oversight; and
    • assessing the potential impact of token arrangements on monetary policy implementation, for example through changes in the structure of regulated markets or the demand for central bank versus other types of money. 

    Tokenisation has significant potential to improve the safety and efficiency of the financial system. Central banks along with the private sector must continue to explore novel technologies and develop solutions that are fit for purpose for the future financial system. However, tokenisation also poses economic, legal and technical challenges that must be addressed if it is to fulfil its potential. The BIS is committed to exploring aspects of these challenges through its analysis and Innovation Hub projects in the years ahead.

    Agustín Carstens, General Manager of the BIS

    As with existing payment, clearing and settlement systems, the potential capacity of token arrangements to improve financial system safety and efficiency will require sound governance and risk management. The well known risks of existing systems apply, but these risks may materialise in different ways due to the effects of token arrangements on market structure.  As follow-up to this report, the CPMI will continue its exploration of the topic, including the impact of innovation on the role of central bank money.

    Fabio Panetta, Governor, Bank of Italy and Chair, CPMI

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Karolinska Development’s portfolio company SVF Vaccines announces positive data from a phase 1 study of its universal Covid-19 vaccine

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, October 21, 2024. Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) announces that its portfolio company SVF Vaccines, has presented positive clinical safety and immunogenicity data from a clinical phase 1 study of the universal Covid-19 vaccine candidate, SVF-002.

    SVF Vaccines develops SVF-002, a DNA vaccine designed to engage a broad neutralizing response directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, but has also been designed to induce a T-cell response that is capable of eliminating cells in which the virus is present. SVF-002 has now been evaluated in a double-blind, first-in-human clinical study. The results were presented today at the annual meeting of the International Society for Vaccines in Seoul, South Korea, by the principal investigator of the study, Professor Soo Aleman, Senior Physician and Section Manager at the Medical Unit for Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital.

    The results showed that the vaccine candidate was safe and well-tolerated and that the higher dose boosted neutralizing antibodies to the spike protein and provided unique T-cell responses against highly conserved components of the virus, the membrane protein and the nucleoprotein, which may entail better protection even if the virus changes. The study was run by the OpenCorona consortium in collaboration with the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. The study enrolled healthy individuals who had previously received three doses of an mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine.

    “SVF Vaccine is developing a portfolio of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines that potentially can both prevent disease and cure infected patients. The positive results in the clinical phase 1 study are an important achievement that validates SVF Vaccines development platform,” says Viktor Drvota, CEO of Karolinska Development.

    Karolinska Development’s ownership in SVF Vaccines amounts to 34%.

    For further information, please contact:

    Viktor Drvota, CEO, Karolinska Development AB
    Phone: +46 73 982 52 02, e-mail: viktor.drvota@karolinskadevelopment.com

    Johan Dighed, General Counsel and Deputy CEO, Karolinska Development AB
    Phone: +46 70 207 48 26, e-mail: johan.dighed@karolinskadevelopment.com

    TO THE EDITORS

    About Karolinska Development AB

    Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) is a Nordic life sciences investment company. The company focuses on identifying breakthrough medical innovations in the Nordic region that are developed by entrepreneurs and leadership teams. The Company invests in the creation and growth of companies that advance these assets into commercial products that are designed to make a difference to patient’s lives while providing an attractive return on investment to shareholders.

    Karolinska Development has access to world-class medical innovations at the Karolinska Institutet and other leading universities and research institutes in the Nordic region. The Company aims to build companies around scientists who are leaders in their fields, supported by experienced management teams and advisers, and co-funded by specialist international investors, to provide the greatest chance of success.

    Karolinska Development has a portfolio of eleven companies targeting opportunities in innovative treatment for life-threatening or serious debilitating diseases.

    The Company is led by an entrepreneurial team of investment professionals with a proven track record as company builders and with access to a strong global network.

    For more information, please visit http://www.karolinskadevelopment.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: “NATO will defend Allied interests in the Arctic” says Chair of NATO Military Committee

    Source: NATO

    On 19 October 2024, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer attended the 11th edition of the Arctic Circle Assembly. While in Iceland, he also met with the Chief of Defence, Mr Jonas G. Allansson, former President of Iceland Mr Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of the Arctic Circle Assembly and Michael Sfraga, newly appointed US ambassador-at-large for the Arctic.

    In his keynote speech for the Arctic Circle Assembly, Admiral Bauer expressed his concerns about Russia’s continued military build-up in the Arctic and the growing (military) cooperation between China and Russia, also in the Arctic region. “NATO will defend its interests in the Arctic. We have a responsibility to protect all our Allies, including the seven here in this region. And we want to uphold the international rules-based order, which includes freedom of navigation,” Admiral Bauer said. He underscored NATO’s strong posture in the High North based on new defence plans, major exercises and build-up of Joint Force Command Norfolk to ensure NATO’s deterrence and defence for the whole of the North Atlantic.  Admiral Bauer also praised closer Nordic Defence Cooperation: “The historic accession of Sweden and Finland makes NATO stronger, also in the High North. And Nordic Allies are investing deeply in their capabilities and equipment”. 

    Sitting down with the Icelandic Chief of Defence, Mr Jonas Allansson, Admiral Bauer reiterated the key role Iceland plays as a NATO Ally. “Iceland continues to be strategically important because of its location and by operating crucial NATO air defence and surveillance systems. Iceland also hosts Allied Air Policing and key exercises,” Admiral Bauer stated, adding that Iceland is one of 13 Allies involved in the NORTHLINK initiative that was launched during the Defence Ministerial Meeting on 17-18 October 2024. This initiative will help develop a secure, resilient and reliable multinational Arctic satellite communications capability. Admiral Bauer also welcomed Iceland’s long-term support to Ukraine.

    Meeting with Mr Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Admiral Bauer praised the Arctic Circle Assembly for being a key venue to address global challenges, including the security implications of climate change. “Reduction in sea ice due to climate change means that new shipping routes come into play in the Arctic, making them economically and militarily significant,” Admiral Bauer said. 

    In his meeting with the US Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs, Michael Sfraga, Admiral Bauer discussed the role of the United States as an Artic ally, both on the diplomatic front and also militarily, as Pentagon published an updated Arctic Strategy in July this year.

    Read the speech at the Arctic Circle Assembly.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Einstein Telescope in border region step closer

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    News item | 18-10-2024 | 12:00

    Major steps have been taken to build the Einstein Telescope in the border region of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. This was revealed at the 4th ministerial summit on the project. The Flemish government is already reserving €200 million for the project. In addition, Belgium and the Netherlands support the steps being taken in Germany to definitively earmark funds for the construction of the Einstein Telescope. Finally, it was announced at the summit that the 1rst results of the drilling campaign give the preliminary conclusion that the subsoil in the border area of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany is sufficiently stable and offers opportunities to build the telescope.

    Newcomers

    That news caused great optimism among the responsible ministers from North Rhine-Westphalia, Belgium and the Netherlands at the Kerkrade conference on the underground telescope.

    Following elections and government formation in the Netherlands and Belgium, a number of new ministers in the Netherlands and Belgium are responsible for the Einstein Telescope project. From Wallonia it is Minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet, in Flanders it is Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele and from the Netherlands Minister Eppo Bruins, who also hosted.

    Commitment in the 3 countries

    Ahead of the summit, it was announced that the new Flemish cabinet is already reserving €200 million for the Einstein Telescope. This is good news. Together with the financial reservation in the Netherlands and the extra boost given by Minister Bruins on Prinsjesdag, a total of more than a billion euros is available for the Einstein Telescope in both countries.
    Germany is also taking steps for the Einstein Telescope. There, an application is under way to get the Einstein Telescope on Germany’s priority list for large scientific infrastructure. This is a necessary condition for a financial contribution. Dutch and Belgian ministers have indicated their support for this proposal.

    Drilling campaign: hard rock favourable

    A key condition for building the Einstein Telescope is that the soil is suitable for it. To determine that, drilling to an average depth of 300 metres was carried out at 11 locations in the border region of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Not all analyses have been completed yet, but the first preliminary conclusions look good. It was found that the subsurface consists of harder rock layers than initially assumed. This is favourable for building an underground research infrastructure. The analysed data from the drillings have been independently verified by the geological service of TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research). TNO concurs with the research team’s conclusion based on these initial findings that there are no factors that would make the project unfeasible.
    This drilling campaign and the data collected do not yet say anything about exactly where the 3 vertices for the underground telescope will be. Further geological research is needed for that. In addition, seismic surveys must show that the area is sufficiently noise-free to allow the telescope to measure gravity waves optimally. Furthermore, civil engineering studies must show how the construction of the underground tunnels and vertices is possible. In addition, environmental impact studies will help determine the most suitable location.

    Einstein Telescope of great value

    The Einstein Telescope will be of great value to science, the economy and society. Studies show that every euro invested will pay for itself twice over, and thousands of additional jobs are expected to be created in the border area of the 3 countries. Both for scientists and professionals in the fields of construction, maintenance and hospitality.
    The decision on where to build the Einstein Telescope will be made in 2026. The border region of Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium is in the race together, working on the best possible bid book. The Netherlands has €58 million for preparation and a reservation of €870 million for construction.

    Quotes from national and regional ministers

    Minister Eppo Bruins (OCW) – the Netherlands: ‘Together, we are really another step closer to the Einstein Telescope. The Flemish investment is very good news, and Germany is also taking steps. These agreements and first results of the ground borings mean that the ground under our plan is getting firmer, both literally and figuratively. And that’s good news. Together, we can really give a major boost to science, society and the economy in our countries with the Einstein Telescope.’

    State Secretary Thomas Dermine, Belgium: ‘This latest ministerial meeting shows that the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany continue to make significant daily efforts to ensure that the candidacy of the EMR region for the Einstein Telescope is as solid and coherent as possible. The Belgian federal government, whose administration (BELSPO) coordinates the work of the Belgian Task Force, closely monitors the next steps to be taken to ensure that this high-value scientific project is actually realized in the EMR region. The realization of a European project of this caliber will enhance the EMR cross-border region and demonstrate that Europe is at the top of scientific technology in the field of gravitational wave detection.’

    Nathanael Liminski, Minister of Federal, European, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery: ‘We are constantly fostering cross-border cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia, the Netherlands and Belgium for the benefit of the people in the region. Of the many areas and projects in which we work together, the Einstein Telescope stands out in particular. Joint cutting-edge research projects send out the signal that we, as Europe, have the confidence to be among the best in the world. The Einstein Telescope has enormous potential, both scientifically and economically.’

    Gonça Türkeli-Dehnert, State Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Research of the State of North-Rhine Westphalia: ‘The research landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia, with its many excellent universities and research institutions, is unique in Europe. I am sure that North Rhine-Westphalia and its partners in the Netherlands and Belgium will be the ideal home for the Einstein Telescope.’

    Minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Wallonia: ‘This project is of great importance for scientific research and European scientific collaboration, but also for the economy of our regions, which is why the new Walloon Government fully supports this bid through the Economy and Industry Department. Most of this project will be carried out under Walloon soil, and the spin-offs will be significant for our regions. In the coming weeks, the Walloon Government will be expanding its project team to maximise the chances of this joint bid by Germany, the Netherlands, Flanders and Wallonia.’

    Flemish Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele: ‘The Einstein Telescope is a unique ‘Big Science’ project. It links fundamental science, technological innovation, attraction of STEM fields and international appeal. A strong commitment from all governments involved will enable us to actually bring this unique scientific infrastructure to the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. This is why the new Flemish government has already entered an initial reservation of 200 million euros in its budget.’

    Deputy Stephan Satijn (Economy, Finance and Business, Public affairs) Province of Limburg (NL): ‘During the ministerial meeting, it became clear that we all want the same thing: to bring the Einstein Telescope to this region. The new ministers are also keeping the Einstein Telescope high on the agenda. With good agreements, we have taken another step forward.’

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China launches its first digital resource center for Tibetan medicine, astrology

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region launched the country’s first digital resource center for Tibetan medicine and astrology on Friday.

    Established by the Hospital of Traditional Tibetan Medicine in the regional capital Lhasa, the center features 10 databases, including Tibetan medicine materials and the literature on Tibetan medicine and astrology. It also houses high-resolution scanned copies of rare Tibetan medical and astrology texts dating back to the 8th Century.

    The digitization efforts began in 2006, with over 40 researchers working to collect and preserve valuable literature not only from Xizang but also from provincial-level regions such as Qinghai, Gansu, Yunnan, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning. The team also traveled internationally, securing documents from collections in Mongolia, the United States and France.

    “It is a critical step forward in advancing academic collaboration and scientific research in Tibetan medicine and astrology. We aim to create an open, accessible platform offering high-quality data and services to the global academic community,” said Tsering, director of the hospital.

    Traditional Tibetan medicine emphasizes that seasonal changes affect the circulation of the body’s organs. As a result, practitioners pay close attention to variations in celestial bodies.

    Under Tibetan tradition, astronomical calculations and astrology are conducted at hospitals. Each year, the almanac is generated based on calculations made by scholars of the hospitals. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Severn Valley communities invited to learn about plans for area

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Communities along the Severn Valley are invited to find out more about plans to manage water and enhance communities at a series of drop-in events.

    Flooding in the Severn Valley.

    Residents and business owners along the upper Severn Valley are invited to a series of drop-in sessions being held later this year where they can find out more about plans to manage water and enhance communities in the area. 

    The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) is an initiative led by a partnership of the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Powys County Council and Shropshire Council which aims to enhance water management and create resilient environments across the Upper Severn catchment.  

    The Partnership will be at the drop-in sessions below to discuss how it will be developing plans to make the Severn a more vibrant and resilient river catchment, and members of the communities are invited to the drop-in session to find out more.  

    As well as considering future options for the upper Severn catchment, the SVWMS is also exploring the different funding approaches that would be needed to take forward future implementation in what is a challenging funding environment.   

    The drop-in sessions will be held on the following dates:

    • 7 November – Newtown Library, Park Lane, Newtown, SY16 1EJ 

    • 26 November – Llanidloes – Hanging Gardens Project, Bethel St, Llanidloes SY18 6BS   

    • 10 December – Meifod – Meifod Cobra Rugby Club, Meifod, SY22 6HF 

    • 13 January – Oswestry – Oswestry Memorial Hall, Smithfield Street, Oswestry, SY11 2EG 

    • 29 January – Shrewsbury – Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6AH 

    These sessions, which coincide with briefings for local parish and community councils in Powys and Shropshire, are designed to provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the project, ask questions, and share their views. 

    People can also keep up to date with progress of the scheme and all the latest news and events by viewing the new SVWMS website, which seeks feedback from those with an interest in the scheme. 

    The project is investigating a combination of sustainable land use management, in conjunction with current land uses, up-scaled nature-based solutions, and sensitive engineering methods to improve flood risk resilience and water management in the catchment area. 

    If delivered, the SVWMS will bring numerous benefits to communities and businesses across the Severn catchment in England and Wales: 

    • Improved Flood Risk Management: By implementing a combination of measures, the project will help slow the flow of water upstream, reducing the risk of flooding in downstream areas. 

    • Enhanced Biodiversity: The project will contribute to halting biodiversity decline by creating and improving habitats such as wetlands, reed beds, and woodlands. This will support a diverse range of plant and animal species. 

    • Climate Resilience: The regenerative approach of the SVWMS will positively contribute to addressing the climate crisis by enhancing the natural environment’s ability to absorb and store carbon. 

    • Social Value: The project will engage local communities and involve them in the decision-making process, fostering a sense of ownership and stewardship over the natural environment. 

    • Economic Benefits: By improving water management and reducing flood risks, the project can protect local businesses and infrastructure, contributing to the overall economic resilience of the region. 

    David McKnight, Environment Agency Area Flood and Coastal Risk manager for the West Midlands said:  

    “Delivering the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme is a long-term solution to sustainable water management and has the potential to better protect thousands of homes and businesses from flood risk across the upper Severn catchment in England and Wales.

    “We are looking forward to sharing progress as it is made and for people to contribute and engage with us as the project advances. We want to hear from all areas of the Severn community as we embark on the strategy that the catchment needs to be able to adapt to our changing climate and continue to thrive. 

    “The new SVWMS website will be a reliable and informative resource for anyone wanting to engage with partners and we will update the venue details of our community drop-in sessions and event summaries there too.” 

    Gavin Bown, Natural Resources Wales, Head of Operations for Mid Wales said: 

    “This is an ambitious but important project as we face a climate and nature emergency.  We are seeing adverse weather events, such as flooding and periods of drought, occurring more frequently than we have experienced in recent decades. 

    “The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) is looking at new and innovative ways to supplement our flood risk management activities and help further address these issues through using natural flood management to reduce the risk of flood or drought by working with natural systems. 

    NRW and Welsh Government are committed to the sustainable management of our natural resources.  The SVWMS is a project which could provide us with additional longer-term solutions to sustainably manage water in the Severn catchment.  We welcome the opportunity for communities to help inform the scheme.” 

    Councillor James Gibson-Watt, at Powys County Council, added:  

    “The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme is a significant opportunity to address climate impacts being experienced within our communities in Powys.  We’re excited to be a partner in this initiative and would encourage participation in the upcoming community events to learn more about the project and the potential opportunities it could bring.” 

    Councillor Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport at Shropshire Council, added:  

    “The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme represents a significant step forward in our efforts to protect communities and enhance our natural environment.  This project not only addresses the immediate flood risks but also supports biodiversity and our fight against climate change.  

    “We encourage everyone to participate in the upcoming sessions to learn more about the positive impacts this scheme will bring.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derry students pose questions to Councillors at Let’s Talk event

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Derry students pose questions to Councillors at Let’s Talk event

    21 October 2024

    Pupils from seven of the city’s secondary schools had the opportunity to ask elected representatives from Derry and Strabane District Council about matters that affect them at a specially arranged discussion event to celebrate Good Relations Week.

    The Let’s Talk event was held at the Waterfoot Hotel and was attended by pupils from St Joseph’s Boys’ School, St Brigid’s College, St Columb’s College, Lisneal College, Thornhill College, Foyle College and St Cecilia’s College.
    Students posed questions to Councillors from Sinn Fein, the SDLP, DUP, UUP, People Before Profit and an Independent Councillor.

    The event was organised by Council’s Good Relations section of Community Development and hosted by Communications expert Paul McFadden.

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, addressed the event and praised the young people for their positive contribution.

    “I was delighted to address the Good Relations Week Let’s Talk event and hear from the young people and learn more about what is important to them,” she said.

    “The students showed a deep understanding of a wide range of issues including the Gaza situation, violence against women and drug use in their areas.

    “Well done and thank you to everyone who took part and the Council’s Good Relations team for organising and excellent event.”

    Further information about Good Relations Week and the Council’s Good Relations team and programmes is available on the Council website at derrystrabane.com/community/good-relations.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enjoy and evening of Doric Banter and Beats at Aberdeen Art Gallery

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    A special event presenting a modern take on the North East region’s mother tongue of Doric takes place at Aberdeen Art Gallery on Friday (26 October). 

    Supported by the Doric Board, Banter and Beats will showcase some of the best up-and-coming local talent in an evening of spoken word and music. The event, which takes place in the Art Gallery’s Cowdray Hall, is offered on a ‘pay what you can’ basis. No booking required. 

    The programme is hosted by Aiberdeen Mannie (Duncan Dallas), a social media influencer from Aberdeen. His short and funny videos on day-to-day life as a ‘middle-aged mannie fae Aiberdeen’ have seen him amass over 16k followers on Instagram. He was nominated as Scots Media Person of the Year at the Scots Language Awards in 2022.  
     
    The evening’s line-up includes: 
     
    Jackill (Jack Hughes), an influential rapper, writer and producer from Aberdeen. He has been involved in the Scottish Hip-Hop scene for over ten years and released his debut album A Day With The Jackal to acclaim in 2019. Five years in the making, the album is driven by Jackill’s social commentary about the world around him. Alongside being a musician, he works in local communities delivering workshops to young people and adults experiencing barriers to the arts. 

    Aberdeenshire folksinger Iona Fyfe has become one of Scotland’s finest singers. In 2021, she became the first singer to win the coveted title of Musician of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Iona is a fierce advocate for the official recognition of the Scots Language, leading a successful campaign to pressure Spotify into recognising Scots and add it to its list of languages. Honoured at the Scots Language Awards with the title of Speaker of the Year in 2021, Iona performs both folk and pop songs in the Scots language, remaining true to her rooting in tradition. 

    Spoken word artist and writer Jo Gilbert’s debut poetry collection, WTF is normal anyway?, was published by Seahorse Publications in August 2022. Jo’s work is influenced by a myriad of things – music, art, poetry, film, history, prose, photography, sound, landscape, class, and people – filtered through personal experience and innumerable factors that weave the direction our creative paths take. Jo was a recipient of a Micro-Commission Award from Aberdeen Art Gallery in 2020. 
     
    Banter and Beats – an Evening of Doric 
    Friday 25 October 
    Aberdeen Art Gallery – Cowdray Hall, 7:30pm-9pm (doors open 7pm) 
    Pay what you can to support our programme 
    Café open for refreshments.  

     
    View of Aberdeen exhibition is on display in Gallery 15 at Aberdeen Art Gallery (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 11am-4pm, admission free), and is a constantly evolving exhibition which aims to reflect people’s views on Aberdeen as a city to live and work in.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing logs 1.7M inbound trips by foreigners in 3 quarters

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    More than 1.7 million foreign nationals entered the Chinese capital in the first three quarters, a year-on-year increase of 156.6%, according to the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.
    The number of cross-border travelers at Beijing ports reached nearly 13.7 million from January to September, more than doubling that of the same period last year. The figure also surpassed the total number of entries and exits for the whole of last year.
    China’s optimized visa-free policy, together with measures aimed at facilitating international travel, has substantially helped to increase the number of foreign travelers arriving in Beijing.
    According to the Beijing border inspection office, most of the foreign travelers who entered through Beijing in the first three quarters of the year originated from Russia, the U.S., the Republic of Korea, Germany, and Malaysia. 
    During the period, 580,000 foreigners entered Beijing under visa-free policies, with 46,000 benefiting from the 144-hour transit visa exemption, representing six-fold and 3.4-fold increases year on year, respectively.
    The Beijing General Station of Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection has implemented multiple measures facilitating services for foreign travelers, including promoting the use of electronic boarding passes with 14 airlines, and piloting self-service printing of entry cards for foreigners to reduce waiting time. Moreover, additional channels and waiting areas have been installed at busy checkpoints.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sophos to Acquire Secureworks to Accelerate Cybersecurity Services and Technology for Organizations Worldwide

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    News Summary

    • Secureworks shareholders to receive $8.50 per share in cash
    • Sophos intends to integrate solutions from both companies into a broader and stronger security portfolio for all small, mid- and enterprise customers
    • By combining complementary AI-driven security platforms powered by automated prevention, detection and response, the two organizations can deliver advanced solutions for defeating modern, persistent adversaries even faster
    • The deal is expected to strengthen the security community by bringing together two industry leaders with shared mission-driven cultures

    OXFORD, United Kingdom and ATLANTA, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sophos and Secureworks® (NASDAQ:SCWX), two global leaders of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced a definitive agreement for Sophos to acquire Secureworks. The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $859 million. Sophos is backed by Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm.

    Sophos’ experience and reputation as a leading provider of managed security services and end-to-end security products, combined with Secureworks’ security operations expertise transformed into the Taegis™ platform, is expected to further deliver complementary advanced MDR and XDR solutions for the benefit of their global customer bases. Together, they will help strengthen the resilience and security posture of global organizations of any size with a combination of security controls, AI, world-class threat intelligence, and two teams with decades of cybersecurity expertise.

    Sophos expects to integrate solutions from both companies into a broader and stronger security portfolio benefiting small, mid- and enterprise customers. This includes Sophos expanding its current portfolio with other new offerings like identity detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, operational technology (OT) security, and enhanced vulnerability risk prioritization. As two partner-centric organizations, the combination of Sophos and Secureworks will enable the combined company to expand its market presence to create greater value within the channel and strengthen the overall security community.

    “Secureworks offers an innovative, market-leading solution with their Taegis XDR platform. Combined with our security solutions and industry leadership in MDR, we will strengthen our collective position in the market and provide better outcomes for organizations of all sizes globally,” said Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos. “Secureworks’ renowned expertise in cybersecurity perfectly aligns with our mission to protect businesses from cybercrime by delivering powerful and intuitive products and services. This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our commitment to building a safer digital future for all.”

    Cyber risk continues to escalate, driven by a rampant cybercriminal ecosystem and global geopolitical pressures. Combined, Sophos and Secureworks share a long history of having exceptional threat intelligence, security operations, incident response, and innovative security product capabilities that help organizations defeat these adversaries.

    “Our mission at Secureworks has always been to secure human progress. Sophos’ portfolio of leading endpoint, cloud, and network security solutions – in combination with our XDR-powered managed detection and response – is exactly what organizations are looking for to strengthen their security posture and collectively turn the tide against the adversary,” said Wendy Thomas, CEO, Secureworks. “As Joe and I both believe, this transaction will strengthen our go-to-market offering with Sophos’ global scale, expertise and reputation.”

    Transaction Details
    Under the terms of the agreement, Sophos intends to acquire Secureworks in an all-cash transaction valued at $859 million. Secureworks shareholders, including Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL), will receive $8.50 per share in cash. This represents a 28% premium to the unaffected 90-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP). The transaction is expected to close in early 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Additional information regarding this announcement can be found in the Form 8-K filed by Secureworks with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Oct. 21, 2024.

    Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel to Sophos and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC., Barclays, BofA Securities, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and UBS Investment Bank are acting as financial advisors and providing debt financing for the transaction. Piper Sandler & Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as financial advisors to Secureworks and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is acting as legal counsel.

    About Sophos
    Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, including Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and incident response services and a broad portfolio of endpoint, network, email, and cloud security technologies. As one of the largest pure-play cybersecurity providers, Sophos defends more than 600,000 organizations and more than 100 million users worldwide from active adversaries, ransomware, phishing, malware, and more. Sophos’ services and products connect through the Sophos Central management console and are powered by Sophos X-Ops, the company’s cross-domain threat intelligence unit. Sophos X-Ops intelligence optimizes the entire Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem, which includes a centralized data lake that leverages a rich set of open APIs available to customers, partners, developers, and other cybersecurity and information technology vendors. Sophos provides cybersecurity-as-a-service to organizations needing fully managed security solutions. Customers can also manage their cybersecurity directly with Sophos’ security operations platform or use a hybrid approach by supplementing their in-house teams with Sophos’ services, including threat hunting and remediation. Sophos sells through reseller partners and managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at http://www.sophos.com.

    About Secureworks
    Secureworks (NASDAQ: SCWX) is a global cybersecurity leader that secures human progress with Secureworks® Taegis™, a SaaS-based, open XDR platform built on 20+ years of real-world detection data, security operations expertise, and threat intelligence and research. Taegis is embedded in the security operations of thousands of organizations around the world who use its advanced, AI-driven capabilities to detect advanced threats, streamline and collaborate on investigations, and automate the right actions.

    Connect with Secureworks via LinkedIn and Facebook or Read the Secureworks Blog

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication includes certain disclosures which contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to those statements related to the merger of the wholly-owned subsidiary of Sophos, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“Parent”) with and into SecureWorks Corp. (the “Company”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”), including financial estimates and statements as to the expected timing, completion and effects of the Merger, including the delisting from NASDAQ and deregistration under the Exchange Act the timing of the foregoing. In most cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “confidence,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “outlook,” “should,” and “would,” or similar words or expressions that refer to future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Merger, are based largely on information currently available to our management and our management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, they are not guarantees of performance. There is no assurance that our expectations will occur or that our estimates or assumptions will be correct, and we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

    Important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include but are not limited to: (i) the completion of the Merger on the anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the Merger; (ii) potential litigation relating to the Merger that could be instituted against the Company or its directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (iii) the risk that disruptions from the Merger (including the ability of certain customers to terminate or amend contracts upon a change of control) will harm the Company’s business, including current plans and operations, including during the pendency of the Merger; (iv) the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel, including those with extensive information security expertise; (v) the diversion of management’s time and attention from ordinary course business operations to completion of the proposed transaction and integration matters; (vi) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Merger; (vii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (viii) potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships, during the pendency of the Merger that could affect the Company’s financial performance; (ix) certain restrictions during the pendency of the Merger that may impact the Company’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (x) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, outbreaks of war or hostilities or the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health issues, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; (xi) the impact of inflation, rising interest rates, and global conflicts, including disruptions in European economies as a result of the Ukrainian/Russian conflict and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the relationship between China and Taiwan and ongoing trade disputes between the United States and China; (xii) the possibility that the Merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (xiii) the ability to obtain the necessary financing arrangements set forth in the commitment letter received in connection with the Merger; (xiv) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger, including in circumstances requiring the Company to pay a termination fee; (xv) the risk that the Company’s stock price may decline significantly if the Merger is not consummated; (xvi) there may be liabilities that are not known, probable or estimable at this time or unexpected costs, charges or expenses; (xvii) those risks and uncertainties set forth under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, which are available via the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov; and (xviii) those risks that will be described in the information statement that will be filed with the SEC and available from the sources indicated below.

    These risks, as well as other risks associated with the Merger, will be more fully discussed in the information statement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger. There can be no assurance that the Merger will be completed, or if it is completed, that it will close within the anticipated time period. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company does not undertake to update, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, any of its forward-looking statements, whether resulting from circumstances or events that arise after the date the statements are made, new information, or otherwise. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this communication that could cause actual results to differ. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect the Company.

    Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

    This communication is being made in connection with the pending Merger. The Company plans to file an information statement on Schedule 14C for its stockholders with respect to the Merger. The information statement will be mailed to stockholders of the Company. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. Stockholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of such documents filed by the Company when filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, the Company’s stockholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of such documents filed by the Company at the Company’s website (investors.secureworks.com) or by e-mailing the Company’s Investor Relations department at investorrelations@secureworks.com. Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from the Company upon written request by mail to SecureWorks Corp., Investor Relations, One Concourse Parkway NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.

    Press Contacts
    Susie Evershed
    press@secureworks.com

    Kelly Kane
    Kelly.Kane@sophos.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Get ready for fun with Leeds’s first ever Festival of Play

    Source: City of Leeds

    A fun-filled week-long celebration of the magic of play is set to sweep Leeds later this month with the launch of the city’s first ever Festival of Play and Creativity.

    People of all ages are encouraged to join the city-wide celebration and let loose their playful side with an activity-packed array of events taking place this upcoming half term, from October 25 to November 3.

    From performances and interactive experiences to games and workshops, the inaugural Festival of Play and Creativity aims to showcase Leeds as a great place to play and encourage people to make more time to have fun.

    The festival has been organised by Leeds Community of Play – a network of over 100 people and organisations, including Leeds City Council and its Child Friendly Leeds initiative, committed to inspiring playfulness in neighbourhoods.

    Over 60 events are already planned for the week, which aims to highlight the city’s rich cultural landscape as well as promoting grassroots community activities, with organisers hoping it will spark ideas and enthusiasm and inspire more people to embrace the power of play.

    Highlights so far include the six-day pop-up Playful Information Centre, featuring four refurbished shipping containers at Victoria Gardens, outside Leeds Art Gallery in the city centre, where a daily line-up of different artists will host activities including a ‘Conquer the Conker’ challenge, a ‘Wheel of crisps’ game, Halloween costume-making and a hot dog race.

    The information centre will also showcase all the other playful happenings across the city, which include pumpkin carving at Kirkstall Valley Farm, Lego play with digital consultancy firm Hippo Digital, a mini gig at Brudenell Social Club and story time with Hold Fast, a bookshop on a boat.

    Elsewhere across the city, community groups including Better Leeds Communities and LS14 Trust are getting involved with activities for all, resident-led playstreets will hold activities on people’s doorsteps and Leeds Libraries are providing colourful mini playboxes at various libraries, with each box boasting six drawers full of open-ended play activities.

    Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “Play is vital for both adults and children but we know it can often be overlooked in life’s priorities so it’s really great to see an event like this which showcases the power of play to people of all ages.

    “Last year we became the first city in England to commit to delivering an action plan optimising play opportunities for children and young people – a key element in helping everyone in Leeds to get the best start in life.

    “We have an incredible community of playmakers, artists and organisations in Leeds who all work hard to lead the way for play and this festival is a fantastic way to showcase and celebrate this on the city-wide stage and hopefully inspire people to embrace play in their day-to-day lives.”

    Rachel Ingle-Teare, senior librarian at Leeds Libraries, said: “Leeds Libraries are thrilled to be a key partner in the festival – a celebration that encourages the joy of play into the heart of our communities – and are proud to offer a variety of playful experiences.

    “The festival’s rich tapestry of events and activities are designed to ignite curiosity and encourage playful discovery for all ages. Join us in embracing the power of play and creativity across the city.”

    Festival co-organiser Joanne Michael, founder of Leeds business HappyAsABean Creative and a member of Community of Play, added: “Leeds is a city that knows how to play.

    “The Festival of Play and Creativity has been a real community effort fuelled by over 100 members of Community of Play over the last nine months – all keen to encourage people of all ages to value time spent playing and make more time for joy.”

    The Festival of Play and Creativity has a dedicated page on the Leeds Inspired website where all events are being listed; visit https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/FOP24. Many of the festival’s activities are free to attend, with some requiring pre-registration.

    The Playful Information Centre has been sponsored by Northern Bloc Ice Cream.

    ENDS

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statement by President Meloni on the fight against human trafficking and money laundering

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    21 Ottobre 2024

    I wish to thank the Guardia di Finanza [Italian Finance Police] in Crotone, the SCICO [Central Organised Crime Investigation Service] and the DDA [District Anti-Mafia Directorate] of Catanzaro for their outstanding operation which has led to the dismantling of an international criminal organisation engaged in human trafficking and money laundering.

    It is a top priority to combat those who exploit people’s legitimate desire to find better living conditions in order to make huge profits for themselves. The Government is determined to take down these criminal networks and to stamp out the illegal trafficking of human beings, which feeds the interests of the slave traders of the third millennium.

    Our commitment continues. We will keep working tirelessly to defend our borders and to reassert a fundamental principle: you can only enter Italy legally, by following the established rules and procedures.

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Information on shares, voting rights and authorized capital

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    After acquiring its own shares on 21 October 2024, Šiaulių Bankas AB (hereinafter – the Bank) pursuant to Article 19(2) of the Law on Securities of the Republic of Lithuania provides information on the total number of voting rights granted by the shares issued by it and the amount of the authorized capital, the number of shares and their nominal value:

    Type of shares Ordinary registered shares
    ISIN code LT0000102253
    Bank’s LEI code 549300TK038P6EV4YU51
    Nominal value of 1 share, EUR 0.29
    Number of shares, units 662 996 646
    Authorised capital, EUR 192 269 027,34
    Number of votes granted by all issued shares, units 662 996 646
    Number of votes calculating the quorum of the General Meeting of Shareholders 655 746 646

    Additional information:
    Tomas Varenbergas

    Head of Investment Management Division
    tomas.varenbergas@sb.lt

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: armasuisse takes part in DACH meeting of research directors

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

    On 21 and 22 October 2024, Thomas Rothacher, Head of armasuisse Science and Technology, will take part with a delegation in a meeting of the research directors from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The meeting will be characterised by increased international cooperation with the focus on robotics, drone defence and systems for the soldiers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Childless cat ladies’ have long contributed to the welfare of American children − and the nation

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Anya Jabour, Regents Professor of History, University of Montana

    Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, who never had children of her own, concentrated much of her activism on enriching the lives of American youth. Chicago History Museum/Getty Images

    Parenting, single people and the U.S. birth rate have assumed a greater place in the 2024 presidential campaign than any race in recent memory.

    Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance was widely rebuked for criticisms he lodged in 2021 against “childless cat ladies,” saying they have no “physical commitment” to the country’s future.

    In August 2024, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, also a Republican, piled on, saying Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has no children to “keep her humble,” even though she’s stepmother to two children who call her “Mamala.”

    As a historian of women, families and children in the U.S., I see these biological definitions of motherhood as too narrowly conceived. The past can serve as a reminder that other forms of mothering are important, too.

    My research offers a broader perspective on women’s experiences of mothering and a deeper understanding of how women without biological children contribute to the nation and its future.

    ‘Mothers of all children’

    One such woman was Katharine Bement Davis, the subject of my current research.

    Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1860, Davis was a member of a generation of “new women” who pursued higher education, built professional careers and fought for political rights.

    Other women of this generation included Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, public health nurse Lillian Wald, prison reformer Miriam Van Waters, child welfare advocate Julia Lathrop, social work pioneer Sophonisba Breckinridge and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt – to name just a few.

    Of this group, only Roosevelt had children of her own. But all of them saw themselves as “mothers of all children,” as one historian has described juvenile justice advocates. Accepting responsibility for the nation’s welfare, they used their identity as public mothers to shape American politics.

    In a 1927 letter to her college classmates, Davis whimsically reflected on her life choices:

    “First, I am still an old maid; therefore, I cannot write interesting things about my husband and children, (and) how I have treated him and how I have raised them. First and last, however, I have had a good deal to do in the way of looking after other people’s husbands and children.”

    Indeed, Davis’ life illustrated the many meanings of motherhood.

    Like many ostensibly childless women, Davis was a doting aunt. With her unmarried sisters, Helen and Charlotte, she helped care for her only niece, Frances, whose mother died when she was just a toddler. In the mid-1920s, Frances lived with all three aunts while attending school in New York City.

    Black feminist scholars call this sort of arrangement, long practiced in African American communities, “othermothering.”

    Davis and other white women of her generation also engaged in the practice of caring for children, whether through formal adoption or informal caregiving. For instance, Breckinridge helped raise her nieces and nephews, while Van Waters legally adopted a daughter.

    ‘Maternalism the coming great force in government’

    Throughout her life, Davis used what she called “the methods of motherhood” to promote public welfare.

    After teaching school in western New York , establishing a playground in a working-class neighborhood in Philadelphia and supervising young offenders in upstate New York, Davis became New York City’s first female commissioner of correction in 1914.

    Only months into her term, male inmates at Blackwell’s Island Penitentiary staged a major riot. Davis quelled the rebellion and established her own authority by addressing the refractory prisoners like wayward children. “You fellows must behave,” she pronounced. “I’ll have it no other way.”

    Social reformer Katharine Bement Davis, right, wrote that she ‘had a good deal to do in the way of looking after other people’s husbands and children.’
    Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images

    After successfully using “motherly methods” to regain control of “the bad boys of Blackwell’s Island,” Davis proclaimed that “maternalism” was “the coming great force in government.”

    Echoing her colleagues in the suffrage movement, Davis used the language of maternalism to promote women’s voting rights. Like other feminist pacifists, she believed that women were “the mother half of humanity.” Finally, like many women activists in the U.S. and Europe, she believed that all women – whether they had children of their own or not – were responsible for all children’s welfare.

    Insisting that “wise motherhood” was essential to better government, Davis argued that women needed the vote – and that the nation needed women voters. Maternalist activists also promoted juvenile justice, parks and playgrounds, health care programs and financial assistance for needy families and children, laying the groundwork for the modern welfare state.

    Giving women the right to choose

    While she promoted public welfare and demanded political rights, Davis also advocated for what she and her contemporaries called “voluntary motherhood” – the idea that women should be able to control their reproductive lives.

    Davis supported efforts to overturn the Comstock Act of 1873, which defined contraception and abortion as obscene and made distributing birth control information or devices through the U.S. postal service a federal crime.

    States followed federal precedent by adopting “mini-Comstock Laws” criminalizing birth control. By the 1920s, however, some states permitted physicians to prescribe contraceptives – such as diaphragms and spermicides – to protect the health of their female patients.

    When she surveyed 1,000 married women for a study of female sexuality in the 1920s, Davis found that most of her study subjects used contraceptives. In addition, nearly 1 in 10 reported having had at least one abortion, even though the procedure was illegal in every state.

    And when Davis asked the women about their views on contraception – or as the survey put it, “the use of means to render parenthood voluntary instead of accidental” – she found that about three-quarters of them approved of it.

    When the childless take charge

    So-called childless women like Davis have shown that they have a stake in children’s welfare, women’s welfare and the nation’s welfare.

    Over the past century, maternalists and feminists often have worked together to achieve their aims. Indeed, sometimes they were the same people.

    Davis cuddles a kitten in a photograph taken while she was a college student.
    Life and Labor, Volume 4

    But today, it seems that Republican politicians are attempting to drive a wedge between mothers and others. As a recent New York Times article put it, “the politics of motherhood” have become a “campaign-trail cudgel.”

    However, as Davis understood, many issues that affect mothers are important to all women. Moreover, Davis believed that everyone – not just biological mothers – shares the responsibility for the health and welfare of future generations. Finally, she insisted that women should control their own destinies.

    So, was Davis a childless cat lady?

    Well, a grainy photo of her cuddling a kitten suggests that she did love cats.

    As for her childless status, when you consider the full range of her work on behalf of the nation’s children, the answer becomes a bit more complicated.

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

    – ref. ‘Childless cat ladies’ have long contributed to the welfare of American children − and the nation – https://theconversation.com/childless-cat-ladies-have-long-contributed-to-the-welfare-of-american-children-and-the-nation-240199

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark Sentencing Review launched to end prison crisis

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Public safety will be at the heart of an independent review into sentencing, as the government pledges to end the crisis in our prisons.

    • review into sentencing launched to end prison crisis and ensure no government forced into emergency release of prisoners again
    • the first principle of the Review will be to protect the public and make sure prisons punish serious offenders
    • this forms part of the government’s pledge to always have the prison places needed to lock up the most dangerous offenders, alongside its commitment to build 14,000 prison spaces
    • review will also look at tough alternatives to custody

    Chaired by former Lord Chancellor David Gauke, the review will make sure the most serious offenders can be sent to prison to protect the public, and that the country always has the space needed to keep dangerous criminals locked up.

    Launched on the day more prisoners will be leaving jail under an emergency release scheme due to chronic overcrowding, the review will make sure no government is ever placed in this position again.

    The prison population has roughly doubled in the last 30 years – but in the last 14 of those years, just 500 places were added to the country’s stock of jail cells.

    The government has committed to creating 14,000 extra prison places and outlining a 10-year capacity strategy later this year. Alongside this, the Sentencing Review will follow 3 core principles to ensure a sustainable justice system:

    • make sure prison sentences punish serious offenders and protect the public, and there is always the space in prison for the most dangerous offenders
    • look at what more can be done to encourage offenders to turn their backs on a life of crime, and keep the public safe by reducing reoffending
    • explore tougher punishments outside of prison to make sure these sentences cut crime while making the best use of taxpayers’ money

    The review will also specifically consider whether current sentencing for crimes committed against women and girls fits the severity of the act, and ask whether there is more can be done to tackle prolific offending.

    Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, said:

    This government inherited prisons in crisis, within days of collapse.

    This review, along with our prison building programme, will ensure we never again have more prisoners than prison spaces.

    I believe in punishment. I believe in prison, but I also believe that we must increase the range of punishments we use. And that those prisoners who earn the right to turn their lives around should be encouraged to do so.

    The Sentencing Review will make sure prison and punishment work – and that there is always a cell waiting for dangerous offenders.

    The review will examine the tough alternatives to custody, such as using technology to place criminals in a ‘prison outside prison’ and forcing offenders to do hard work in the community that gives back to society.

    In developing their recommendations, the independent chair and panel will look at evidence in this country and also from overseas jurisdictions, such as the US, to explore alternative approaches to criminal justice.

    Independent Reviewer David Gauke said:               

    Clearly, our prisons are not working. The prison population is increasing by around 4,500 every year, and nearly 90% of those sentenced to custody are reoffenders.

    This review will explore what punishment and rehabilitation should look like in the 21st century, and how we can move our justice system out of crisis and towards a long-term, sustainable future.

    The review will submit its findings in full to the Lord Chancellor by Spring 2025.

    Notes to editors

    The Review will provide long-term solutions for our justice system by:

    • examining the use and composition of non-custodial sentences, including robust community alternatives to prison and the use of fines
    • looking at the role of incentives in sentence management and the powers of the probation service in the administration of sentences in the community
    • exploring the use and impact of short custodial sentences
    • reviewing the framework around longer custodial sentences, including the use of minimum sentences, and the range of sentences and maximum penalties available for different offences
    • looking at the administration of sentences, including the point at which offenders are released from prison, how long they are supervised in the community on licence, recall to prison, and how technology can support this
    • considering whether the sentencing framework should be amended to take into account the specific needs or vulnerabilities of specific cohorts such as young adult offenders, older offenders, and women
    • considering the approach to sentencing in cases of prolific offenders
    • considering specifically sentencing for offences primarily committed against women and girls

    The review will not consider:

    • the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence or the administration of it
    • the use of remand
    • the youth sentencing framework
    •  Out-of-court resolutions

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: GraniteShares – Delisting ETPs – Euronext Paris

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBLIN, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    GraniteShares Financial Plc
    21 October 2024
    LEI: 635400MFOIY6BX1JUC92

    GRANITESHARES FINANCIAL PLC (the “Issuer”)
    NOTICE OF DELISTING

    THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt about what action you should take, you are recommended to consult your independent financial adviser.

    NOTICE is hereby given by the Issuer to the holders of the ETP Securities listed in Schedule 1 thereto (the “Affected Series”), that with effect from open of trading on 28 October 2024, the Relevant Series will be delisted from the exchange set out in Schedule 1 hereto. The Relevant Series will continue to trade on all other exchanges on which they are listed, as set out in Schedule 2 hereto (the “Remaining Trading Lines”).

    Capitalised terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given to them in the Issue Deed relating to the ETP Securities.

    This Notice is given by the Issuer.

    GRANITESHARES FINANCIAL PLC

    By: ______/s/ Aileen Mannion_________________

    Name:   ___ Aileen Mannion ___________________

    Title:      Director

    Ground Floor, Two Dockland Central
    Guild Street
    North Dock
    Dublin 1
    Ireland

    Schedule 1 – Affected Series

    ETP Securities Ticker ISIN SEDOL Last trading day
    GraniteShares 3x Long Airbus Daily ETP Securities 3LAR XS2376933375 BMW5LG9 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Airbus Daily ETP Securities 3SAR XS2376937442 BMW5LH0 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Volkswagen Daily ETP Securities 3LVW XS2376990417 BMW5M99 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Volkswagen Daily ETP Securities 3SVW XS2376991142 BMW5MB1 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long AMD Daily ETP Securities 3LAM XS2377112110 BMW5LB4 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long NIO Daily ETP Securities 3LNI XS2600249812 BN91F32 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Moderna Daily ETP Securities 3LMO XS2613356620 BRT42Q1 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short UBER Daily ETP Securities 3SUB XS2626290238 BNDTBW3 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short NIO Daily ETP Securities 3SNI XS2626290311 BNDTCJ7 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Facebook Daily ETP Securities 3LFB XS2656469561 BPLW388 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Tesla Daily ETP Securities 3STS XS2656471039 BP83M32 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Tesla Daily ETP Securities 3LTS XS2656472193 BP83LQ8 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Microsoft Daily ETP Securities 3LMS XS2662640627 BNYJ8J8 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long UBER Daily ETP Securities 3LUB XS2662640973 BNYK9D2 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Apple Daily ETP Securities 3SAP XS2662641195 BNYKBB4 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Alphabet Daily ETP Securities 3SAL XS2671672223 BQ2L1X2 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Facebook Daily ETP Securities 3SFB XS2671672819 BQ2L217 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Amazon Daily ETP Securities 3SZN XS2671672900 BQ2L251 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Netflix Daily ETP Securities 3SNF XS2675292135 BMZ8DH0 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Amazon Daily ETP Securities 3LZN XS2675292218 BMZ8DN6 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Alphabet Daily ETP Securities 3LAL XS2675292309 BMZ8DT2 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares FAANG ETP Securities FANG XS2679084603 BNT9FS1 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 1x Short FAANG Daily ETP Securities SFNG XS2679090162 BNT9V49 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long FAANG Daily ETP Securities 3FNG XS2679091996 BNT9VF0 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short FAANG Daily ETP Securities 3SFG XS2684011211 BP6LNX5 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares GAFAM ETP Securities GFAM XS2684011641 BQBBD59 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 1x Short GAFAM Daily ETP Securities SGFM XS2684011997 BQBBDF9 25 Oct 2024
    ETP Securities Ticker ISIN SEDOL Last trading day
    GraniteShares 3x Long GAFAM Daily ETP Securities 3GFM XS2693059839 BKPLWL2 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short GAFAM Daily ETP Securities 3SGF XS2693061819 BKPLWT0 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares FATANG ETP Securities FTNG XS2693061900 BLDC6C3 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 1x Short FATANG Daily ETP Securities SFTG XS2696137772 BMX7LB9 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long FATANG Daily ETP Securities 3FTG XS2696138077 BMX7LL9 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short FATANG Daily ETP Securities 3SFT XS2696138150 BMX7LW0 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Microsoft Daily ETP Securities 3SMS XS2722160707 BNDSDD5 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Apple Daily ETP Securities 3LAP XS2722161424 BNDSDJ1 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long NVIDIA Daily ETP Securities 3LNV XS2734938835 BNDQT31 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Palantir Daily ETP Securities 3SPA XS2836484787 BQGD0Q0 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short AMD Daily ETP Securities 3SAM XS2838543457 BSMMMN6 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short Moderna Daily ETP Securities 3SMO XS2838543614 BSMMN00 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Short NVIDIA Daily ETP Securities 3SNV XS2842095676 BS4DNR8 25 Oct 2024
    GraniteShares 3x Long Palantir Daily ETP Securities 3LPA XS2856105833 BMY3FT2 25 Oct 2024
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry loan shark jailed

    Source: City of Coventry

    A 38-year-old man who operated as a loan shark in Coventry has been sentenced to 31 months in prison and handed a Criminal Behaviour Order in a first for the national Illegal Money Lending Team.

    James Ringrose lent thousands of pounds to people, including workmates, charging ‘exorbitant’ interest rates and putting pressure on them to make them pay, Warwick Crown Court heard. He left borrowers feeling distraught and even suicidal as they struggled to pay him back.

    Ringrose admitted two charges of illegal money lending and money laundering following an investigation by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) and appeared before the court to be sentenced on Friday. (October 18)

    The case was prosecuted by the IMLT in partnership with Coventry Trading Standards and West Midlands Police.

    Mr Jonathan Barker, prosecuting on behalf of the IMLT, told the court Ringrose was operating as a loan shark between 2016 and July 2024 and used some of the proceeds to fund a house extension and cosmetic procedures in Turkey.

    Ringrose was not authorised by the Financial Condict Authority to lend money, which meant he could charge whatever he wanted and did not have to abide by the rules that protect borrowers.

    Mr Barker said one of Ringrose’s borrowers was a workmate who needed some cash but could not get a loan through a mainstream lender. He borrowed £40 and repaid £60. A few weeks later borrowed a further £100 and told to repay £140. The borrowing continued and by 2019 he was repaying Ringrose £400 a month.

    Mr Barker said the borrower would go to a cashpoint and meet Ringrose, who had a clipboard and crossed his name off when he handed over cash. He said Ringrose also asked this borrower to withdraw using debit cards belonging to other people.

    Mr Barker said the borrowing ‘spiralled out of control’. He was never given any paperwork and never knew exactly how much he owed.

    Another colleague who needed money to repair a vehicle, borrowed £200 and was told she would have to repay £280 by the end of the month. She later took another loan on the same terms and when she struggled to repay, they came to an agreement where she was repaying £80 a month. Mr Barker said she was so scared of repercussions she continued to make payments for three years, significantly more than the original sum.

    After an initial investigation by the IMLT, Ringrose was arrested at an address in Barons Croft, Nuneaton.

    Analysis of his accounts showed that since November 2016 there were 317 third party credits totalling more than £80,000, 29 cash credits of over £17,000, 63 third party debits totalling just over £4,500 and 626 cash withdrawals worth over £90,000. There were at least 20 names associated with the transactions.

    He was bailed but the court heard he continued to provide and collect on unauthorised loans to around 10 people, for more than £15,000.

    In July 2024, he was arrested again following a warrant at an address in The Barley Lea, Coventry. During a search of property IMLT officers recovered loan records hidden under the carpet of the bottom stair in a folder.

    New analysis of his bank accounts showed that since May 2023, there were 39 third party credits of just under £3,500, 94 third party debits of over £5,700 and 22 cash withdrawals worth just over £1,000.

    Mr Barker said this showed part of the picture as the defendant would have conducted loan activity in cash.

    The court heard another borrower borrowed £1,000 in various instalments and was charged double interest on anything over £100, which led her into a cycle of debt.

    Mr Barker said: “She estimates that over the years she has borrowed a total of £5,000 and has already paid over £50,000 back, but the defendant had stated she still owes him over £60,000. She states for years she endured constant harassment from the defendant. This includes him persistently contacting her via phone, turning up outside her work address, forcing her to provide bank statements and wage slips to show what funds she has, entering her home without her permission following her and taking her to cash machines to withdraw funds.”

    He said on one occasion Ringrose followed her around Coventry, shouted at her in the street and threatened her partner in order to get her to pay.

    He said another workmate borrowed £3,000, adding: “He states that the defendant never kept his illegal money lending business a secret and was actually quite boastful about it. Ringrose told him that he would operate like a ‘payday loan lender’ and after collecting payments from people, they would have to borrow again from him immediately. He boasted that he had a constant stream of income.”

    Mr Barker added: “The prosecution case is that the loan business was lucrative. The defendant would brag to others about how lucrative it was. It helped him fund an extension to his property and pay for cosmetic treatments in Turkey.”

    Mr Barker also said when Ringrose found out that the IMLT had begun an investigation he tried to persuade borrowers not to speak to officers, offering money as an incentive.

    Mr Gerard Cullen, defending, told the court there was a lack of sophistication in the offending and Ringrose did not realise he was acting illegally at first.

    The judge, Mr Recorder Tom Restall, said despite coming to the attention of the authorities, Ringrose continued to lend money, charging ‘exorbitant’ levels of interest.

    He said borrowers’ mental health suffered badly and one reported feeling suicidal.

    For the first count of illegal money lending, Ringrose was sentenced to 16 months in jail to run concurrently with a three-month sentence for money laundering.

    For the second offence of illegal lending, he was handed a 12-month sentence together with one month for money laundering, to run concurrently, but consecutive to the first set of offences.

    He was also handed three months’ custody for breach of a suspended sentence for an earlier unrelated offence, bringing his total sentence to 31 months.

    Ringrose was also made subject to a 10-year restraining order in relation to one borrower and handed a Criminal Behaviour order for five years, which means he must not enter the Stoke Aldemoor area of Coventry and not provide or collect unauthorised loans, directly or indirectly. If he breaches either order he could face a further jail term. A POCA timetable was set.

    Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, chair of Coventry’s Police and Crime Board, added: “It is really disturbing how the culprits operate and that’s why I’m pleased about the action that has been taken to deal with this case. It shows the importance and effectiveness of partnership working between the Council’s trading standards officers and the Illegal Money Lending Team. I’d encourage anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending to get in touch on the Stop Loan Sharks helpline or via their online support.”

    Dave Benbow, acting head of the IMLT, a national organisation hosted by Birmingham City Council, which investigates and prosecutes loan sharks, said: “This case is the first time we have used a Criminal Behaviour Order, which means that not only has Ringrose been punished for his illegal money lending activities, he will also be subject to strict rules that stop him acting as an illegal lender in the future.

    “Even when illegal lenders are convicted and sentenced, that is not the end of it. We will do whatever we can to ensure they are not free to continue to blight communities in any way.

    “Once again, we are grateful to all the witnesses who came forward in this case. We realise it’s not easy, but this shows that we can and will continue to take the strongest possible action against illegal lenders to make our communities safer.”

    Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at http://www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Boralex will release its 2024 third quarter financial results on November 14

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boralex inc. (“Boralex” or the “Company”) (TSX: BLX) announces that the release of the 2024 third quarter results will take place on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 11 a.m.

    Financial analysts and investors are invited to attend a conference call during which the financial results will be presented.

    Date and time

    Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 11 a.m.

    To attend the conference

    Webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/mr7srj6t

    To attend the event by phone: Click here to register for the earnings call. Once you have completed your registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link and your personal PIN to connect to the call. If you lose this link and your PIN, you will be able to register again. You must register if you wish to attend the call by phone.

    Media and other interested individuals are invited to listen to the conference and view a presentation which will be broadcasted live and on a deferred basis on Boralex’s website at http://www.boralex.com. A full replay will also be available on Boralex’s website until November 14, 2025.

    The financial information will be released through a press release and on Boralex’s website on November 14, 2024, at 7 a.m.

    About Boralex

    At Boralex, we have been providing affordable renewable energy accessible to everyone for over 30 years. As a leader in the Canadian market and France’s largest independent producer of onshore wind power, we also have facilities in the United States and development projects in the United Kingdom. Over the past five years, our installed capacity has more than doubled to over 3 GW. We are developing a portfolio of more than 6.8 GW in wind, solar and storage projects, guided by our values and our corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach. Through profitable and sustainable growth, Boralex is actively participating in the fight against global warming. Thanks to our fearlessness, our discipline, our expertise and our diversity, we continue to be an industry leader. Boralex’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BLX.

    For more information, visit boralex.com or sedar.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

    For more information

    Source: Boralex inc.        

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Andres Kitter, Board Member of LHV Bank, to step down

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Andres Kitter, Chief Technology Officer and a member of the executive committee and board of LHV Bank Limited, a subsidiary of LHV Group operating in the United Kingdom, will step down from his position at the end of this year.

    Andres Kitter joined LHV in 2013 as a member of the management board of LHV Bank and Head of Retail Banking. Under his leadership, the retail banking offering in Estonia was developed, the business line for international financial intermediaries was launched, and LHV was established in the UK. In his role as Chief Technology Officer, Andres Kitter built one of the most modern banking platforms and assembled a strong team.

    “The profitable business line of servicing financial intermediaries, developed under Andres’ initiative and leadership, has helped expand both LHV’s mental and operating landscape. It can be considered, this led the way to the subsequent creation of LHV Bank. At the same time, Andres has been involved in the development of the entire business line of financial intermediaries, including customer relations, technology and risk management,” said Madis Toomsalu, CEO of LHV Group.

    “After 11 remarkable years at LHV, I’ve decided it’s time for a new direction in my career. During my time here, I’ve had the privilege of helping to develop several key business areas and have built a highly capable and inspiring team. Now, I feel the time is right to step outside the company and focus on businesses in their earlier stages of development,” commented Andres Kitter.

    LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group and capital provider in Estonia. LHV Group’s key subsidiaries are LHV Pank, LHV Varahaldus, LHV Kindlustus, and LHV Bank Limited. The Group employs over 1,100 people. As at the end of July, LHV’s banking services are being used by 437,000 clients, the pension funds managed by LHV have 118,000 active clients, and LHV Kindlustus protects a total of 167,000 clients. LHV Bank Limited, a subsidiary of the Group, holds a banking licence in the UK and provides banking services to international financial technology companies, as well as loans to small and medium-sized enterprises.

    Priit Rum
    Communications Manager
    Phone: +372 502 0786
    Email: priit.rum@lhv.ee 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statutory Instrument laid in Parliament provides first regulatory framework of its kind that will transform the manufacture of innovative medicines at the point of patient care

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK will be the first country in the world to introduce a tailored framework for the regulation of innovative products manufactured at or close to the location where a patient receives care.

    A Statutory Instrument (SI) laid in Parliament today, 21 October, will provide a new regulatory framework meaning that medicines with a very short shelf life and highly personalised medicines can more easily be made in or near a hospital setting and can get to the patients who need them safely and much more quickly.

    The regulation will also allow for manufacture of innovative medicines in small, portable units that can be set up close to patients who may be too sick to travel or whose reduced immunity precludes travel or where rapid medicine availability is best served. 

    This novel UK regulatory framework will transform patient treatment by enabling the safe development of innovative, personalised products such as cell or gene therapy that need to be manufactured close to the individual patient.

    It will help relieve pressures on hospitals by enabling delivery of care where it is most appropriate for the patient, in community settings or even in their homes, supporting the ambition to expand ‘hospital at home’ services such as virtual wards.

    IIan Rees, Point of Care lead at the MHRA, said:

    “Enabling patients to safely access innovative treatments and medicines is a top priority for the MHRA, which is why we have developed this novel regulatory framework.

    “This will enable new and innovative ways of manufacturing medicines closer to the patients who need them whilst ensuring their quality, safety and efficacy, with the consequent benefits both to patients and the healthcare system.

    “This totally new framework, the first of its kind in the world, supports the MHRA’s drive to deliver for patients; making it possible to safely manufacture breakthrough medicines closer to where care is delivered and increasing the attractiveness of the UK as a destination to market new life-saving medicines.”

    The legislation proposes a six-month implementation period once Parliamentary processes have been concluded. This regulation could, therefore, become law in Summer 2025.

    The regulation follows a consultation with stakeholders in 2021, which showed a high level of support for proposals for a regulatory framework for point of care and modular manufacture of medicinal products.

    These changes will ensure that our regulations are proportionate, flexible and adaptable for the implementation of these innovative manufacturing processes, increasing the attractiveness of the UK as a destination to market new life-saving medicines.

    The MHRA is developing detailed, supporting guidance and will engage with industry, academia and healthcare institutions to ensure that the necessary interpretation and procedural support is in place to support the implementation of the new regulations ahead of the date that the legislation will come into force.

    ENDS

    Notes to Editors

    • The SI, and associated explanatory memorandum and impact assessments, are now live on legislation.gov.uk

    • This instrument amends the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (S.I.2012/1916) (“the HMRs”) and the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2014/1031) (“the 2004 Regulations”) to provide a new regulatory framework for medicines manufactured at the point of care, and also for modular manufacturing, where products are manufactured in modular, relocatable units.

    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.

    • The MHRA announced the introduction of this framework in January 2023 through this press release.

    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

    • Products manufactured at the POC are eligible for support through the MHRA ILAP pathway, which is in place to accelerate time to market and facilitate patient access.

    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Roundtable on sustainable supply chains marks EU Anti-Trafficking Day in Croatia

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

    Headline: Roundtable on sustainable supply chains marks EU Anti-Trafficking Day in Croatia

    Boris Topic, National Anti-Trafficking Officer, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Julia Schellhaas, Senior Advisor, Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, speaking at a roundtable on business & human rights and supply chain issues in Croatia, October 2024 (OSCE) Photo details

    On 18 October, the Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities of Croatia, the OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-operation for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and the UN Global Compact Network Croatia marked EU Anti-Trafficking Day with a pivotal roundtable discussion in Zagreb on supply chains and human rights. The event, titled ‘Sustainable Supply Chains: Promoting Human Rights and Social Responsibility’, was a landmark occasion that brought together the public and private sectors to discuss human rights in global supply chains, with a particular focus on combating human trafficking for labour exploitation in the context of the new EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
    Convening 30 participants from diverse backgrounds, including representatives from businesses, government agencies, international organizations, academia, and civil society, the roundtable was a testament to the widespread interest in the topic. Their collective engagement in discussions on preventing human rights abuses and ensuring environmental sustainability in supply chains underscored the broad commitment to this critical issue.
    “In order to enhance awareness of the phenomenon of labour exploitation and to formulate an appropriate response to the emerging situation, the Government of the Republic of Croatia is committed to strengthening the collaboration between the private and public sectors through joint initiatives and the involvement of the private sector in shaping public policies,” said Alen Tahiri, National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator of Croatia. “Public-private partnerships are crucial for identifying and mitigating the risks of labour exploitation.”
    Additionally, the CSDDD requires the Croatian government to amend several national laws, making this event a timely opportunity to discuss the challenges faced not only by businesses required to comply, but also by governments that must implement these changes.
    According to the UN Global Compact Croatia Network, the roundtable discussion is just the beginning, serving as a platform for ongoing co-operation between the public and private sectors on human rights issues.
    Vali Marszalek, Board Chair of the UN Global Compact Network Croatia and ESG Director for the Adria Region at Forvis Mazars, emphasized that while companies are currently focused on sustainability reporting, a crucial shift towards evaluating business behaviour is needed. “With the new directive in effect, businesses must scrutinize their operations and entire chains of activity, recognizing that they cannot distance themselves from negative impacts,” she said.
    Boris Topić, National Anti-Trafficking Officer at the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscored that “the OSCE is walking the talk when it comes to ethical supply chains and has implemented several measures in its own operations and procurement processes. We are excited to see the next steps that Croatia will take as a joint effort from the public and private sectors toward the implementation of the CSDDD, and we stand ready to support Croatia in this endeavor.”
    Discussions underscored Croatia’s ongoing commitment to high human rights standards, including efforts against trafficking and labour exploitation. By sharing insights and best practices, the roundtable fostered collaborative efforts to enhance compliance and enforcement of due diligence legislation, reinforcing the importance of responsible business conduct for the benefit of all employees in the country.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni meets with the Emir of the State of Qatar

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, received His Highness the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome today, as part of the Emir’s State Visit to Italy.

    Their discussions focused on the situation in the Middle East. President Meloni shared the outcomes of her recent trips to Jordan and Lebanon with her guest, confirming Italy’s support for the mediation being carried out by Qatar, together with Egypt and the United States, to reach an agreement in Gaza. The two leaders also discussed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the serious crisis of displaced persons in Lebanon.

    The meeting also provided an opportunity to reiterate common, firm support for UNIFIL and the need to guarantee the safety of its personnel at all times, working towards full implementation of Resolution 1701 also through the necessary international support for the Lebanese armed forces.

    With regard to bilateral relations, President Meloni and the Emir reaffirmed their shared desire to boost cooperation between Rome and Doha, also with reference to the African continent as part of the Mattei Plan for Africa. This desire was expressed in a joint declaration that was adopted at the end of the meeting, in addition to which several agreements in various areas of mutual interest were also signed.

    MIL OSI Europe News –