NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI China: Auto industry accelerates toward intelligent transformation

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Having surged to the forefront of the global new energy vehicle (NEV) market with their outstanding performance, Chinese automakers are exploring strategies to gain an advantage over their competitors in the more challenging latter phase of the market race, which is increasingly driven by intelligent development and artificial intelligence.

    One of the latest efforts in this push is the 2024 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference (WICV), held from Oct. 17 to 19 in Beijing.

    The WICV attracted over 250 auto firms and institutions from home and abroad, with more than 200 new technologies and products making their debut.

    “Intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) have become a focus of industry innovation, and Chinese automobiles are accelerating into a new stage with intelligence as their core competitiveness,” said Li Shufu, chairman of Geely Holding Group, at the event.

    Seizing the opportunities presented by intelligent technology and promoting China’s transformation into an automotive powerhouse is a challenge the entire Chinese auto industry must address, he added.

    Like many of China’s leading car companies, Geely has made significant strides in intelligent innovation, driving advancements in areas such as automobile safety, human-machine interaction, intelligent driving, onboard chips and low-orbit satellites. The company is also committed to creating an integrated space-ground smart network.

    According to Zhu Huarong, chairman of Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd, China’s ICVs saw rapid growth this year, with sales projected to reach 17 million and a penetration rate surpassing 63 percent.

    Stefan Mecha, CEO of the Volkswagen China Passenger Cars Brand, said that China actively fosters innovation opportunities through consistent government plans for ICV and NEV development, a tech-savvy consumer base, and an openness to technology within an advanced tech ecosystem.

    A comprehensive industrial system for China’s ICV sector has basically taken shape, covering products and technologies such as basic chips, sensors, computing platforms and chassis control, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong said Thursday during the opening ceremony of WICV.

    China leads the world in human-machine interaction and is rapidly advancing toward breakthroughs in technologies like steer-by-wire and active suspension technologies, among others, the minister noted.

    According to Jin, the country’s ICV sector currently boasts nearly 400 “little giant” firms, or novel elites of small and medium-sized enterprises that are engaged in manufacturing, specialize in a niche market and hold cutting-edge technologies. Five Chinese lidar companies have ranked among the global top 10 in sales, while nine automotive manufacturers are piloting conditional automated driving models.

    Lei Jun, founder and CEO of tech giant Xiaomi, revealed at the WICV that the company is expected to deliver more than 20,000 units of its first self-developed NEV model SU7 this month, and achieve its annual delivery target of 100,000 vehicles in November.

    The new model was released by the market newcomer in late March, and technological breakthroughs in key fields have been achieved, such as modeling design, batteries, intelligent driving and intelligent cockpits.

    “In the next five years, the structure of the entire automotive industry will be reconstructed on a large scale,” Lei said.

    The CEO noted that the entire industry should engage in benign competition and work together to explore the international market. He also urged Chinese automakers to avoid redundant investments and focus on creating a smart automotive ecosystem.

    Global players like Volkswagen are also speeding up their intelligent transformation in a bid to expand their presence in the Chinese market.

    “We will invest consequently into the localization of our R&D activities to integrate ourselves much more strongly into the rapidly growing ecosystem for electric vehicles in China,” said Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

    In addition to building its largest development center outside Germany in the city of Hefei in east China, Volkswagen is also strengthening cooperation with local manufacturers like Xpeng and high-tech companies such as Horizon Robotics, Thundersoft and Gotion.

    “This deep integration into the world’s leading development network for ICVs will further expand our local innovative strength, but also provides us with a strategic advantage on the global markets in the mid-term,” Brandstaetter said.

    “China is driving the future of the automotive industry, and we are committed to being part of this journey in the era of ICVs,” he added.

    To support such rapid industrial development in China, more than 50 cities have designated over 32,000 kilometers of test routes for ICVs and upgraded about 10,000 kilometers of roads with smart technologies, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov made a working visit to Indonesia

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Denis Manturov with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto

    The First Deputy Prime Minister, on behalf of President Vladimir Putin, headed the Russian delegation at the inauguration of the country’s elected President Prabowo Subianto. Denis Manturov was received by the President of Indonesia and also held talks with the Minister and Coordinator for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto.

    Trade and economic relations between Russia and Indonesia are showing positive dynamics. “Over the past three years, mutual trade turnover has grown by three quarters and by the end of 2023 amounted to 4.1 billion dollars. This year, despite unfavorable external factors, we have generally managed to maintain a stable level of trade turnover,” Denis Manturov noted.

    The First Deputy Prime Minister discussed bilateral cooperation in the trade, economic and humanitarian spheres with his Indonesian colleagues. The conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between Indonesia and the EAEU is of great importance for strengthening trade and economic cooperation. Work on the draft agreement is at an advanced stage. Speaking about specific industry areas of cooperation, Denis Manturov singled out the agro-industrial complex. “We have restored supplies of Russian wheat to Indonesia and see preconditions for increasing supplies, given Russia’s leading position in the global grain market. Russia is also ready to increase exports of mineral fertilizers in demand in Indonesia, and to meet the needs of Indonesian partners for fuel, including oil and LNG,” he emphasized. Promising areas of cooperation that were also discussed during the working visit were the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the space sector.

    Next year, Russia and Indonesia are preparing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Soviet Union was one of the first countries to recognize Indonesia’s sovereignty and independence from the Netherlands in 1950. A plan of joint events dedicated to the landmark date has already been prepared. An extensive business and cultural program will be provided for as part of the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Indonesian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, which will take place in March 2025.

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

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

    http://government.ru/nevs/53059/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A technical fix to keep kids safe online? Here’s what happened last time Australia tried to make a ‘clean’ internet

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Houlihan, PhD Candidate in History, Monash University

    Prostock Studio / Shutterstock

    For anyone who has been online in Australia longer than a decade or so, the discussion around current proposals to set a minimum age for social media use might trigger a touch of déjà vu.

    Between 2007 and 2012, the Rudd–Gillard government’s efforts to implement a “Clean Feed” internet filter sparked very similar debates.

    Beset by technical problems and facing fierce opposition, the Clean Feed was eventually abandoned in favour of laws that already existed. Will the proposed social media ban face a similar fate?

    How to regulate cyberspace

    The question of how to regulate a cyberspace occupied by both adults and children has puzzled governments for a long time. Traditional controls on physical media are difficult to apply to online spaces, particularly when so much online media comes from overseas.

    As early as 1998, an Australian Broadcasting Authority report noted a key difficulty in online regulation. Namely, balancing adults’ access to legal online spaces and content with restrictions on childrens’ access to age-inappropriate material and bans on illegal content.

    The Clean Feed proposal attempted to address parental concerns about age-inappropriate websites. First raised in 2006 by Labor in opposition, it became a campaign promise at the 2007 election.

    The proposal aimed to solve the issue of overseas content. Australian authorities could already require website owners in Australia to take down illegal content, but they had no power over international sites.

    To address this, the Clean Feed would require internet service providers to run a government-created filter blocking all material given a “Refused” classification by the Australian Classification Board, which meant it was illegal. Labor argued the filter would protect children from “harmful and inappropriate” content, including child pornography and X-rated media. The Australian Communications and Media Authority created a “blacklist” of websites that the filter would block.

    Technical trouble

    The Clean Feed was plagued by technical issues. Trials in 2008 revealed it might slow internet speeds by up to 87%, block access to legal websites, and wouldn’t block all illegal content.

    While the effect on speeds was improved, the 2008 trials and others in 2009 revealed another problem: determined users could bypass the filter.

    There were also fears the blacklist would be used to block legal websites. While the government maintained the filter would only target illegal content, some questioned whether this was true.

    Internet service providers were already required to prevent access to content that had been given a Refused classification. This, along with unclear government statements about removing age-inappropriate material, led many to believe the blacklist could be more far-reaching.

    The government also planned to keep the list secret, on the grounds that a published list could become a guide for finding illegal material.

    The blacklist

    In 2009, the whistleblowing website Wikileaks published a list of sites blacklisted in Denmark. The government banned those pages of Wikileaks, and in response Wikileaks published what it said was the Australian government blacklist. (The government denied it was the actual blacklist.)

    Newspapers noted that around half the websites on the published list were not related to child pornography.

    Wikileaks published what it claimed was the government’s planned ‘blacklist’ of websites, along with a rationale for publishing the list.
    Wikileaks

    The alleged blacklist also contained legal content, including Wikipedia pages, YouTube links, and even the website of a Queensland dentist. This lent weight to fears the filter would block more than just illegal websites.

    More debates emerged surrounding how the Refused classification category was applied offline as well as on the internet.

    In January 2010, the Australian Sex Party reported claims from pornography studios that customs officials had confiscated material featuring female ejaculation (as an “abhorrent depiction” or form of urination) and small-breasted adult women (who might appear to be minors). Many questioned whether these should be banned, and if such depictions would be added to the blacklist – including members of hacker-activist group Anonymous.

    Operation Titstorm and the end of the Clean Feed

    While Anonymous members had already protested the Clean Feed, this new information sparked a new protest action dubbed Operation Titstorm.

    On February 10 2010, activists targeted several government websites. The Australian Parliament site was down for three days. Protesters also mass-emailed politicians and their staff the kinds of pornography set to be blocked by the filter.

    While Operation Titstorm gained media attention, other digital activists (such as Electronic Frontiers Australia and other members of Anonymous) criticised its illegal tactics. Many dismissed the protest as juvenile.

    In February 2010, hacker-activists from Anonymous launched denial-of-service attacks and email campaigns in protest of proposed internet filters.
    WIkipedia

    However, one participant argued that many protesters were children, who had used these methods because “kids and teenagers don’t really get the chance to voice their opinions”. The protesters may have been the very people the Clean Feed was supposed to protect.

    The government abandoned the Clean Feed in 2012 and used existing legislation to require internet service providers to block INTERPOL’s “worst of” child abuse list. It remains to be seen whether the social media minimum age will similarly crumble under the weight of controversy and be rendered redundant by existing legislation.

    The same, but different

    The Clean Feed tried to balance the rights of adults to access legal material with protecting children from age-inappropriate content and making cyberspace safer for them. In a sense, it did this by regulating adults.

    The filter limited the material adults could access. Given it was government-created and mandatory, it also decided for parents what content was age-appropriate for their children.

    The current proposal to set a minimum age for social media flips this solution by determining what online spaces children can occupy. Similar to the filter, it also makes this decision on parents’ behalf.

    The Clean Feed saga reveals some of the difficulties of policing the internet. It also reminds us that anxiety about what Australian youth can interact with online is nothing new – and is unlikely to go away.

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

    – ref. A technical fix to keep kids safe online? Here’s what happened last time Australia tried to make a ‘clean’ internet – https://theconversation.com/a-technical-fix-to-keep-kids-safe-online-heres-what-happened-last-time-australia-tried-to-make-a-clean-internet-241371

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand celebrates epic sporting weekend

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New Zealanders have a huge amount to be proud about after five national sporting teams celebrated historic wins over the weekend, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says.

    “In New Zealand’s history there haven’t been too many sporting weekends like the one we’ve just seen, with epic wins from Team New Zealand, the White Ferns, the Black Caps, the Silver Ferns and the Paddle Ferns,” Mr Bishop says.

    “I know lots of Kiwis will be bleary-eyed today after a couple of long nights watching our teams go up against the best, but I bet they’re as stoked at the results and as proud of our teams as I am.

    “The excitement started around 1am Sunday morning when Emirates Team New Zealand, who were on match point, took to the water off Barcelona with INEOS Britannia. Kiwi sailing fans with long memories were probably pretty nervous at this point, and they probably chewed through their fingernails as the Brittania clawed their way back to dead even around the midway mark – but Team New Zealand’s Taihoro was dominant in the end, finishing 37 seconds ahead. This three-peat victory by Team New Zealand was the first time any team has won the Cup three times in more than 30 years – a brilliant achievement by the team.

    “The next sporting victory was on Sunday evening from the Black Caps who took out the first test in the series against India. This was just New Zealand’s third win against India in India ever, and our first since 1988. The Hutt Valley’s own Rachin Ravindra (deservedly Man of the Match) made a century in the first innings and helped chase down the target in the second innings, finishing unbeaten. 

    “There was also sporting action in Wellington on Sunday evening with the Silver Ferns taking on the world champion Diamonds in the Constellation Cup. The Ferns were dominant from the start, playing a bold attacking game which showed in the final score of 64-50 – the highest the Silver Ferns have ever scored against the Diamonds in regular time. The Ferns and the Diamonds have been pretty even in recent years so a 14 goal victory is an awesome achievement. While there are still three games to go, this is a brilliant start.

    “That wasn’t all for Sunday evening though: over in China the Paddle Ferns, our women’s national Canoe Polo team, took on Italy in the final of the Canoe Polo World Cup and stormed home with the silverware. The final score of 6:1 shows how strong the Paddle Ferns were – continuing a long and proud history of excellence in the sport. 

    “And then to round out a truly amazing sporting weekend, at 3am Monday morning the White Ferns, led by Sophie Devine, stepped up to face South Africa in the women’s T20 World Cup final in Dubai and absolutely smashed it, bringing home their first World Cup since the One Day International in 2000. Amelia Kerr’s 43 runs off 38 balls, and then taking 3 wickets for 24 set our team up for their magnificent performance. 

    “All in all, I think this was a weekend that will go down in New Zealand’s sporting annals. All five teams should know that their country is enormously proud of them. 

    “And I think Kiwi sports fans can be forgiven if they’re caught yawning at work today, after so much sporting excitement packed into one weekend!”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green growth and security to underpin UK relationships with Indonesia and South Korea

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy visits Indonesia and South Korea.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy meets with President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto on his visit to Indonesia. Picture by Ben Dance / FCDO

    • UK will put green growth and security at the centre of our relationships across the region. 
    • Government will step up efforts towards a new, deeper Strategic Partnership with crucial G20 partner Indonesia to support green innovation and accelerate the clean energy transition.
    • Driving forward further security collaboration, the Foreign Secretary will visit South Korea to galvanise work on defence, clean energy and growth.

    A new chapter in the relationship between the UK and Indonesia, a vital Indo-pacific and G20 partner, begins with the Foreign Secretary arriving in Jakarta today (20th October).

    The Foreign Secretary will attend the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto, as the UK and Indonesia celebrate seventy five years of diplomatic relations this year. With new governments in the UK and Indonesia, both countries will work together to build a deeper Strategic Partnership that delivers growth and security while ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. 

    Reinforcing the UK and South Korea’s shared global values, David Lammy will travel onwards to Seoul where he will visit the Demilitarized Zone and underline our geopolitical collaboration on security, climate and growth with another G20 power in the Indo-Pacific. 

    In South Korea the Foreign Secretary will witness first-hand the geopolitical reality and immediacy of the divided Korean peninsula and the ongoing threat posed by North Korea. 

    Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: 

    Our South Korean partners have stood side-by-side with us in defence of Ukraine whilst also working to preserve regional stability here on the Korean peninsula.

    It is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of conflict, with North Korea supporting Russia and prolonging conflict on Europe’s borders whilst their illegal weapons of mass destruction programme threatens regional security. That is why it is so important for the UK to engage globally over conflict on our continent and security beyond it.

    Indonesia is a key player in our fight to tackle the climate crisis – and our new governments are working together to build a strategic partnership that delivers green growth, deepens our cooperation on security and ensures a sustainable future for our planet. 

    Right across this region, we are working to further unlock growth, trade and green innovation.

    Underlining the UK and South Korea’s joint commitment to upholding peace both on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe, the Foreign Secretary will announce the first UK and South Korea Foreign and Defence Ministerial 2 + 2 Dialogue. This set-piece consultation will provide a formalised space to further enhance cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges to peace and security. 

    The Ministerial 2 + 2 will sit alongside an Inaugural UK-Korea Hybrid Threats Dialogue, which will enable discussion on issues of shared national interest and identification of new opportunities to tackle shared threats together – jointly improving our resilience. 

    The Foreign Secretary’s visit to both Indonesia and South Korea will also be underpinned by the UK’s international leadership on the climate crisis, through clean power and green solutions.  

    In Indonesia, the Foreign Secretary will meet Indonesian companies supported by the UK to spearhead green innovations. He will also see first-hand the UK expertise being deployed to support sustainable infrastructure development in Indonesia. 

    In the Republic of Korea, Mr Lammy will visit Ewha Women’s University to share expertise and experience on the UK’s and South Korea’s clean energy transition. Focusing on how both countries can deliver female leadership in climate and growth, the Foreign Secretary will meet with the university’s President, Kim Eun Mee, and leaders within the climate sphere.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: New Report on Circumstances Resulting in UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld’s Death in 1961

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    A new report concerning the investigation into the conditions and circumstances resulting in fatal crash in 1961that killed then-United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld assesses it to remain plausible that an external attack or threat was a cause, a United Nations spokesman said today. The report, written by the designated Eminent Person, Mohamed Chande Othman, notes that the alternative hypotheses that appear to remain available are that the crash resulted from sabotage, or unintentional human error. Spokesman Farhan Haq said the Secretary-General calls for renewed resolve and commitment to pursue the full truth of what happened on that fateful night in 1961.

    ————————–

    One of the most enduring mysteries in United Nations history – the 1961 plane crash that killed Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and all on board as he sought to broker peace in the Congo – will linger on, with a new assessment announced today (18 Oct) suggesting that “specific and crucial” information continues to be withheld by a handful of Member States.

    According to the UN’s Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, “significant new information” has been submitted to the inquiry for this latest update.

    This included probable intercepts by Member States of communications related to the crash, the capacity of Katanga’s armed forces, or others, to mount an attack on SE-BDY and the involvement of foreign paramilitary or intelligence personnel in the area at the time.

    It also included additional new information relevant to the context and surrounding events of 1961.

    Over the years, the UN General Assembly has mandated a series of inquiries into the death of Hammarskjöld and those of his party. The most recent, in December 2022, was led by Mohamed Chande Othman, former Chief Justice of Tanzania, with the formal title of “Eminent Person.”

    Othman, Haq said, “assesses it to remain plausible that an external attack or threat was a cause of the crash,” and “notes that the alternative hypotheses that appear to remain available are that the crash resulted from sabotage or unintentional human error.”

    However, Haq continued, Othman assessed so far that it is “almost certain” specific, crucial and so far undisclosed information exists in the archives of Member States.

    He noted that Othman has not received, to date, specific responses to his queries from some Member States believed to be holding useful information.

    Haq said, “the Secretary-General has personally followed up on [Mr. Othman’s] outstanding requests for information and calls upon Member States to release any relevant records in their possession,” and added that “with significant progress having been made, the Secretary-General calls on all of us to renew our resolve and commitment to pursue the full truth of what happened on that fateful night in 1961.”

    Appointed at just 47 years old, Hammarskjöld of Sweden remains the youngest UN Secretary-General.

    Widely regarded as a visionary diplomat and reformer, Hammarskjöld is credited with strengthening the role of the newly established UN during a period of intense global tensions, including the drive to decolonise Africa and Asia.

    His leadership was pivotal during the tumultuous events of 1956. He led a ceasefire mission to the Middle East and continued through the Suez crisis, where he helped negotiate the withdrawal of foreign forces from Egypt and oversaw the deployment of the Organization’s first emergency peacekeeping mission, the UN Emergency Force.

    Hammarskjöld was known for his integrity and dedication to public service, earning the Nobel Peace Prize for developing the UN into an effective and constructive international organization capable of giving life to the principles and aims expressed in the UN Charter.

    Hammarskjöld served as Secretary-General from April 1953 until his death aged 56, when the chartered Douglas DC6 aircraft he was travelling in with others, registered as SE-BDY, crashed shortly after midnight on 17-18 September 1961, near Ndola, then in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).

    He was en route to negotiate a ceasefire between UN peacekeepers and separatists from the breakaway Congolese region of Katanga, and possibly even a peace agreement encompassing the whole of newly independent Congo.

    Fourteen of the 15 passengers died on impact, and the sole survivor succumbed to their injuries a few days later.

    An initial inquiry by Rhodesian authorities reportedly attributed the crash to pilot error but the finding was disputed.

    On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres transmitted Othman’s latest report to the Assembly.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqA7GqfAIPY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What does class mean today in Britain? Podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Laura Hood, Host, Know Your Place podcast, The Conversation

    Gig economy workers take a break in Chinatow, London. Shutterstock/Grant Rooney

    Social class continues to influence British people’s opportunities and the way they think about them, even if the boundaries between those classes have shifted.

    In the third part of Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics, a podcast series from The Conversation Documentaries, we explore how class is defined and measured, and how the UK’s changing class identity interacts with identity politics.

    Over the course of the last half century, there’s been a big shift in the make up of the labour market, and a decline in what are traditionally considered working class jobs, such as in manufacturing. And yet, data from the annual British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey run by the National Centre for Social Research, found that 52% of people identify as working class compared with 43% who identify as middle class.

    According to Oliver Heath, professor of politics at Royal Holloway University of London, who co-authored the chapter on class for the BSA report in 2023, people still think about themselves in class terms to exactly the same degree as they did 40 years ago.

    There’s been no decline in terms of whether people think of themselves as identifying with a class, and no decline in whether they identify with being working class or not. So that seems remarkably stable and if anything showed some signs of actually increasing.

    The growth of self-employment, and in particular the gig economy, has disrupted the UK’s traditional class structure, according to Daniel Evans, a lecturer of criminology, sociology and social policy at Swansea University.

    The size of the formally self-employed has absolutely exploded. It’s close to about 5 million,  which is coming very close to the size of the entire public sector. This is absolutely unprecedented. In the early 1970s, it was about 1 million self-employed people.

    Evans argues this has also muddled what it means to be part of the petit bourgeoisie, someone who own the means of your own production in a Marxist sense.

    So many people are doing almost like bogus forms of self-employment. Whereas in the past, lots and lots of people are doing this voluntarily, a lot of working class people aspired to join the ranks of the self-employed because they wanted to be their own boss … more and more people have been forced, basically, into self-employment.

    Education, education, education

    Amid these shifts, education has become a dominant force in recent years, overriding class defined by occupation or income as the most influential factor in voter behaviour. According to Paula Surridge, professor of political sociology at the University of Bristol, this was true for the Brexit vote too, she says.

    Education is a stronger predictor of Brexit vote than class, with those with degree or higher level education more likely to vote remain than those with lower level qualifications. And the reason for that is the Brexit vote was primarily driven by a set of social values that don’t relate to economics.

    Town and gown: Britain’s modern political divide.
    Shutterstock

    This can be a tricky dynamic to talk about. The education divide is not a term intended to deliver a value judgement but describes two distinct experiences of life. The university population in the UK has exploded since the 1990s and going to university has a profound effect on a person’s outlook, according to John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde and senior research fellow at Natcen:

    The experience of university, where people get mixed with people from diverse backgrounds, they’re encouraged, particularly in the humanities, to be critically reflective about culture, etc. that that seems to create a rather more socially liberal ambience.

    For more analysis, listen to the full episode of Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics on The Conversation Documentaries.

    A transcript is available on Apple Podcasts.

    Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics is produced and mixed by Anouk Millet for The Conversation. It’s supported by the National Centre for Social Research.

    Newsclips in the episode from BBC Newsnight, Financial Times, The Frost Report, CBC News, Sky News, France24 English, AP Archive, BBC News, Official Jeremy Corbyn Channel and Channel 4 News.

    Listen to The Conversation Documentaries via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    John Curtice receives funding from UKRI-ESRC. Tim Bale has previously received funding for research on the Conservative Party and party members from the Leverhulme Trust and from the Economic and Social Research Council. Oliver Heath does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Paula Surridge does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Daniel Evans does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Know Your Place: what happened to class in British politics is supported by the National Centre for Social Research.

    – ref. What does class mean today in Britain? Podcast – https://theconversation.com/what-does-class-mean-today-in-britain-podcast-241412

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Queen Street to close for 5 nights in November

    Source: City of York

    City of York Council has published information to support residents and visitors as a key road near York Station closes over 5 nights in November.

    As an essential part of works to transform the area to the front of York Station, the new Queen Street diversion road will be closed for five consecutive weeknights. The road will reopen to traffic during the day.

    The road will be closed from:

    • 7.30pm on Monday 4 November 2024 until 6.00am Tuesday 5 November 2024
    • 7.30pm on Tuesday 5 November 2024 until 6.00am Wednesday 6 November 2024
    • 7.30pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024 until 6.00am Thursday 7 November 2024
    • 7.30pm on Thursday 7 November 2024 until 6.00am Friday 8 November 2024
    • 7.30pm on Friday 8 November 2024 until 6.00am Saturday 9 November 2024

    These closures are to allow the removal of the remaining part of Queen Street Bridge, which was left in place while further work took place to protect the city walls.

    This follows two weekend closures in April 2024 which saw the removal of the majority of Queen Street Bridge and the construction of the diversion road.

    The council has now published information to offer advice for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelers, blue badge holders, bus users, taxis and drivers.

    Trains to and from York will be running as usual. Buses will continue to operate throughout the closure, but some routes will change as a result of the road closures. This will include the temporary relocation of some bus stops.

    Free shuttle buses will also be running until midnight, between Blossom Street and stops RF-RJ opposite the station. The shuttle buses will run regularly and will stop at all regular bus stops along the route.

    The station car park will be open during these works. Residents and businesses on Queen Street will be able to access their premises at all times. Lowther Terrace gates will be open as usual.

    York remains open for business. Residents and visitors are being asked to please plan ahead if travelling in the area and, if possible, consider other ways to travel in to the city during these closures.

    Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said:

    “Removing the remaining sections of Queen Street Bridge is an important milestone for the project, as we move closer to seeing the benefits of this exciting transformation.

    “We understand how disruptive these closures are and will continue working to keep disruption to a minimum.

    “As with the closures earlier in the year, we encourage everyone to plan ahead and give themselves extra time if travelling in the area and check the travel information online.

    “We appreciate the efforts to help keep York moving throughout these works, and want to thank residents, visitors and businesses for their continued patience.”

    This major scheme is being delivered in partnership by City of York Council, Network Rail, LNER and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority alongside contractor for the highways works for the project, John Sisk & Son.

    The project will completely transform the area to the front of the station, providing an effective transport interchange, enhanced public space and an improved setting for the city walls.

    Read the latest information and plan ahead.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: September 2024 Transaction Data

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    This data provides information about the number and types of applications that HM Land Registry completed in Septemer 2024.

    NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com

    Please note this data shows what HM Land Registry has been able to process during the time period covered and is not necessarily a reflection of market activity.

    In September:

    • HM Land Registry completed more than 1,934,910 applications to change or query the Land Register 
    • the South East topped the table of regional applications with 437,185

    HM Land Registry completed 1,934,916 applications in September compared with 1,876,215 in August and 1,730,767 last September 2023, of which: 

    •  286,474 were applications for register updates compared with 285,515 in August
    • 1,119,845 were applications for an official copy of a register compared with 1,073,999 in August
    • 197,651 were search and hold queries (official searches) compared with 197,468 in August
    • 77,774 were transactions for value compared with 78,219 in August
    • 16,471 were postal applications from non-account holders compared with 18,417 in August

    Applications by region and country 

    Region/country July applications August applications September applications
    South East 468,348 425,070 437,185
    Greater London 404,408 350,059 362,510
    North West 236,256 210,417 219,362
    South West 203,566 185,961 188,834
    West Midlands 178,188 158,505 163,947
    Yorkshire and the Humber 166,385 149,177 155,258
    East Midlands 148,285 138,813 142,378
    North 103,651 95,160 95,537
    East Anglia 87,080 79194 80,620
    Isles of Scilly 194 259 159
    Wales 96,036 83,463 89,016
    England and Wales (not assigned) 157 137 110
    Total 2,092,554 1,876,215 1,934,916

    Top 5 local authority areas 

    September 2024 applications

    Top 5 Local authority areas September applications
    Birmingham 28,173
    City of Westminster 27,432
    Leeds 23,152
    North Yorkshire 22,058
    Buckinghamshire 19,858

    August 2024 applications

    Top 5 local authority areas August applications
    Birmingham 27,866
    City of Westminster 25,959
    Leeds 22,776
    North Yorkshire 20,844
    Buckinghamshire 19,900

    Top 5 customers 

    September 2024 applications

    Top 5 customers September applications
    Infotrack Limited 194,207
    Landmark Information Group Ltd 39,195
    Orbital Witness Limited 34,008
    Enact 30,413
    O’Neill Patient 29,616

    August 2024 applications

    Top 5 customers August applications
    Infotrack Limited 182,701
    Landmark Information Group Ltd 44,136
    Orbital Witness Limited 32,623
    Enact 28,071
    O’Neill Patient 27,852

    Access the full dataset on our Use land and property data service.

    Next publication 

    Transaction Data is published on the 15th working day of each month. The October 2024 data will be published at 11am on Thursday 21 November 2024.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Eclipse Zenoh 1.0.0 Debuts, Redefining Connectivity for Robotics and Automotive

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BRUSSELS, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Eclipse Foundation, a leading open source foundation, today announced the release of Eclipse Zenoh 1.0.0, a breakthrough open source protocol that seamlessly integrates communication, storage, and computation in embedded systems and across cloud platforms. This milestone release builds on years of development and real-world deployment experience, delivering new features tailored for developers and engineers in robotics, automotive, and broader edge and IoT sectors.

    “Eclipse Zenoh has proven to be a valuable protocol for innovative robotics and automotive applications, and with this release, we expect that trajectory to accelerate,” said Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation. “Its unique blend of abstraction, scalability, and high performance make it ideal for complex, real-time applications like advanced robotics.”

    Eclipse Zenoh, which has been in use for several years, unifies data in motion, data at rest, and computations. The 1.0.0 release represents a significant evolution, incorporating insights from industrial deployments to deliver a mature, production-ready solution.

    “The Eclipse Zenoh 1.0.0 release represents a carefully considered step forward,” said Angelo Corsaro, CEO & CTO of ZettaScale, the creator of the Zenoh project. “We’ve taken the time to learn from real-world implementations, refining Zenoh to meet the complex needs of modern network communication. This release offers developers an efficient, scalable toolset that streamlines development and communication across critical technology stacks.”

    Key enhancements in Eclipse Zenoh 1.0.0 include shared memory and zero-copy support, advanced end-to-end protection, high-performance access control, and specific extensions for robotics and automotive protocols. As the 1.0.0 release, the update also introduces backward compatibility and enables long-term support.

    Eclipse Zenoh has gained significant adoption across industries such as manufacturing, transportation, medical, and industrial automation. To see a list of industry adopters, visit https://zenoh.io/adopters/  

    Eclipse Zenoh has also been recognised by the Robot Operating System (ROS) community as the leading protocol for robotics, further validating its capabilities in robotics applications.

    Eclipse Zenoh 1.0.0 is now available for download at https://github.com/eclipse-zenoh/zenoh/releases

    About the Eclipse Foundation
    The Eclipse Foundation provides our global community of individuals and organisations with a business-friendly environment for open source software collaboration and innovation. We host the Eclipse IDE, Adoptium, Software Defined Vehicle, Jakarta EE, and over 420 open source projects, including runtimes, tools, specifications, and frameworks for cloud and edge applications, IoT, AI, automotive, systems engineering, open processor designs, and many others. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the Eclipse Foundation is an international non-profit association supported by over 385 members. Visit us at this year’s Open Community Experience (OCX) conference on 22-24 October 2024 in Mainz, Germany. To learn more, follow us on social media @EclipseFdn, LinkedIn, or visit eclipse.org.

    Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

    Media contacts:
    Schwartz Public Relations (Germany)
    Gloria Huppert/Marita Bäumer
    Sendlinger Straße 42A
    80331 Munich
    EclipseFoundation@schwartzpr.de
    +49 (89) 211 871 -70/ -62

    514 Media Ltd (France, Italy, Spain)
    Benoit Simoneau
    benoit@514-media.com
    M: +44 (0) 7891 920 370

    Nichols Communications (Global Press Contact)
    Jay Nichols
    jay@nicholscomm.com
    +1 408-772-1551

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Tower Semiconductor Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel – October 21, 2024 – Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ/ TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, will issue its third quarter 2024 earnings release on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its third-quarter 2024 financial results and fourth-quarter 2024 guidance on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (09:00 a.m. Central, 08:00 a.m. Mountain, 07:00 a.m. Pacific and 05:00 p.m. Israel time).

    The call will be webcast and available through the Investor Relations section of Tower Semiconductor’s website at https://ir.towersemi.com/, where the pre-registration form required for dial-in participation is also accessible. Upon completing the registration, participants will receive the dial-in details, a unique PIN, and a confirmation email with all necessary information. The teleconference will be available for replay for 90 days.

    About Tower Semiconductor         
    Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for its customers in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating a positive and sustainable impact on the world through long-term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging sensors, displays, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), photonics, and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as process transfer services including development, transfer, and optimization, to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor owns two facilities in Israel (150mm and 200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm), two in Japan (200mm and 300mm) which it owns through its 51% holdings in TPSCo, shares a 300mm facility in Agrate, Italy, with ST as well as has access to a 300mm capacity corridor in Intel’s New Mexico factory. For more information, please visit: http://www.towersemi.com.

    ###
    Contact Information:
    Tower Semiconductor Investor Relations                        
    Noit Levy, SVP Investor Relations                
    noitle@towersemi.com | +972-74-7377556                 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The receding waters of Nuphar Lake, near Norris Geyser Basin

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s contribution is from Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.

    Nuphar Lake is a small, non-thermal body of water—more pond than lake, really—adjacent to the entrance road to Norris Geyser Basin.  It was mostly unremarkable until the past few years, when some interesting changes began occurring.

    In 2021 and 2022, the lake level started to rise dramatically, by several feet (about a meter), and the water changed color from dark green to a bright milky blue.  These changes were caused by the input of hot water from hydrothermal features on a ridge just above the lake.  Those features normally sent water into the adjoining Porcelain Basin of Norris Geyser Basin—a plain full of colorful and active geysers and hot springs.  When the hot water started to flow instead into Nuphar Lake, the water changed color to the milky blue that is typical of many hydrothermal ponds and pools, and the water level began to rise.  By early 2024 the lake was threatening to overtop its edges and possibly flow into Porcelain Basin. 

    High-resolution satellite images of Norris Geyser Basin showing the area of Porcelain Basin and Nuphar Lake (both images cover the same area).  In the left image, acquired on April 2, 2024, springs on Porcelain Terrace are full of water, and warm hydrothermal water is flowing into Nuphar Lake from the area circled in yellow.  This warm water kept the north part of the lake free of ice, the lake level is high, and the color is a milky blue.  Boardwalks in the area appear as white lineations because they are covered in snow. In the right image, acquired on August 20, 2024, the lake level is lower, and the color is a deep green.  The variations in lake level and color were caused by the cessation of thermal water flowing into the lake from nearby hydrothermal features—a change that was coincident with a hydrothermal explosion in the area on April 15, 2024.  Imagery were processed by R. Greg Vaughan (USGS), and data were collected by WorldView-3 satellite and made available thanks to the NEXTVIEW End User License Agreement between Maxar (formerly DigitalGlobe, Inc.), which supports Earth science research and applications.

    By the end of summer in 2024, however, the lake level had receded, and the water had returned to its previous deep green color.  What happened?

    An explosion happened. That’s what.

    Photo of dead trees along the edge of Nuphar Lake.  The white staining at the base of the trees is a telltale sign that the trees were immersed in thermal water containing silica.  USGS photo by Mike Poland, September 1, 2024.

    On April 15, 2024, a newly installed monitoring station in Norris Geyser Basin detected an explosion from the direction of the hydrothermal features above Nuphar Lake.  Inspection of the area in May revealed a crater measuring about 10 feet (about 3 meters) across, surrounded by cracked and disrupted ground.  Also, the nearby hydrothermal features were no longer emitting water—not into Nuphar Lake, and not into Porcelain Basin.  Instead, only some vigorous steam vents and a pool of hot, but not boiling, water were present in the area.

    It appears that pressure had been building beneath the hydrothermal features above Nuphar Lake during the preceding years.  This pressure resulted in an increase in hot water and steam emissions, but the plumbing must have become clogged and sealed in April.  The explosion on April 15—similar to, but smaller than, the well-observed explosion in Biscuit Basin on July 23, 2024—broke that seal and disrupted the hot-water plumbing to the features.

    Because hot water was no longer flowing into Nuphar Lake after the explosion, the lake level dropped over the course of the summer of 2024, and the milky blue color faded as silica settled out of the water and was not replaced.  The changes are especially visible in satellite images of the area.

    The formerly high level of thermal water still left its mark, though.  Nuphar Lake is now surrounded by a ring of dead trees along the shoreline. These trees, some of which have already fallen into the lake, were killed when they were inundated by the silica-rich water, marked by telltale white stains on the tree trunks.

    Hydrothermal activity in the area of Nuphar Lake seems to have calmed significantly since 2021–2022, but the lesson of Yellowstone is one of change.  The thermal areas of Yellowstone National Park are dynamic, so it would not be a surprise if the pools and vents above Nuphar Lake surged to life in the future and sent their hot, silica-laden water coursing into the lake once again.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Road Conditions Report – Monday 21 October 2024

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.  It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.

    Maps of the Council’s gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at winter road maintenance (external link).

    Drivers should take extreme care this morning. Windblown debris is affecting roads and sea blown debris is affecting coastal roads particularly in the west. Roads operatives are working to clear roads this morning.

    The Corran Ferry is running as normal this morning.

    Follow our social media channels to keep up-to-date with all Highland Council road issues today – @HighlandCouncil

    Details as of 10am today are as follows – 

    Badenoch and Strathspey
    Roads damp. Positive road surface temperatures. No known problems.

    Nairn
    Roads damp. Positive road surface temperatures. No known problems.

    Sutherland
    The C1054, Coal Pit Road at Brora, approximately 100m off the  A9 is currently blocked due to a fallen tree. Operatives are in attendance to clear road. Earlier this morning, trees were down on the Lothmore side road (the U2766) off the A9 between Brora and Portgower but these have been cleared.

    Lochaber
    A861 Clovullin road is reduced to single lane for approximately 100 metres. The Corran Ferry is operating as normal this morning.

    Wester Ross
    Positive road surface temperatures. The A834 slip road at Contin War Memorial is closed with a tree blocking the road. Operatives are on their way to clear the road.

    Caithness
    No winter action required. No other known issues to report.

    Inverness
    Roads are dry / damp with no known problems.

    East Ross-shire
    Positive temperatures. No winter action.

    For information on Trunk Roads follow @trafficscotland or visit: https://www.traffic.gov.scot/ (external link) (external link).

    SSEN information –  https://www.ssen.co.uk/ (external link) (external link).

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Eight-year ban for director of home improvements firm which failed to complete more than £300,000 of building work

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The company accepted payments for projects when it was insolvent

    • Samantha Fairweather was the sole director of Fairweather Construction Ltd when it took payments from customers for home improvements it did not complete 

    • The company had already failed to finish building work such as new conservatories and windows when it accepted the additional payments  

    • Fairweather Construction had substantial debts at the time it took the payments, including owing more than £100,000 in tax 

    The boss of an Essex construction firm which took more than £300,000 in deposits for home improvements work it never completed has been disqualified as a director for eight years. 

    Samantha Fairweather, 53, was the sole director of Fairweather Construction Ltd when it sought advice from an insolvency practitioner in April 2022, owing more than £100,000 in unpaid tax. 

    The company had taken deposits from homeowners worth more than £150,000 by this time for building work such as the installation of new windows or conservatories which it had not finished. 

    However, Fairweather Construction then proceeded to take a further £177,900 in payments for further building projects it did not complete, including £37,370 in deposits for new work, before it was liquidated in the autumn of 2022.  

    Neil North, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Samantha Fairweather knew, or ought to have known, that the company she was a director of had unpaid debts to HMRC and had been unable to fulfil its obligations to existing customers. 

    The company then took significant amounts of money from homeowners for house extensions and projects which were never done. 

    Members of the public need protection from this kind of activity which is why Fairweather will no longer be able to act as a company director until October 2032. 

    Fairweather, of Maitland Road, Stansted Mountfitchet, was the only director of Fairweather Construction since it was established in December 2014. 

    The company marketed itself as a home improvement specialist, with its work mainly focused on properties around the Essex and Hertfordshire border. Its registered office address was more than 150 miles away on Wood Lane, Heskin, Lancashire. 

    However, homeowners from further afield also lost out as a result of the company’s actions. 

    One couple from south London paid Fairweather Construction £12,500 for new windows in July 2022, but the order was never placed with the manufacturer. 

    Similarly, a woman from Saffron Walden paid the company £4,500 for new windows in August 2022, which were never fitted. 

    In the same month, Fairweather Construction took £18,000 from customers in the Bishop’s Stortford area for a new conservatory and extensions to an existing one which were not built. 

    Numerous excuses were made by the company for why the orders were not fulfilled. 

    Fairweather also caused her company to breach the Covid Bounce Back Loan Scheme in May 2020 by using £11,000 of the £50,000 she obtained to repay a director’s loan. 

    These payments were not for the economic benefit of the business as they had to be under the rules of the scheme. 

    Fairweather Construction entered liquidation in September 2022 with liabilities of more than £700,000. 

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Fairweather, and her eight-year ban began on Monday 21 October. 

    The disqualification prevents her from becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. 

    Further information 

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Germany: EIB and Deutsche Leasing support the green transformation of small businesses and mid-caps

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • Deutsche Leasing will provide new leases on favourable terms to small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and mid-caps in Germany and countries in Eastern Europe.  
    • The second tranche of this operation, started in February, has been signed.  
    • The loan has a two-fold focus on cohesion, accounting for 50% of the projects, and green investments, with 30% of green leases.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Deutsche Leasing have announced the second tranche of a project designed to support small business and mid-cap leases for a total project cost of €560 million, with a total of €200 million of EIB financing approved. A first tranche of €50 million of the €200 million has been signed in February.

    Under the cooperation programme, Deutsche Leasing will finance machinery and technologies that lead to energy savings, low-carbon mobility and other environmental solutions, thereby supporting the green transformation of small businesses and mid-caps.

    Deutsche Leasing will use the EIB loan to finance small and medium-sized companies (SMEs, with fewer than 250 employees) and midcaps (with up to 3 000 employees) in Germany and countries in Eastern Europe. The beneficiaries will be able to use the funds for long-term investment projects. The focus of the second tranche lies on climate investment. It is foreseen that at least 30% of the EIB funds will be used to support climate and the environment, such as financing of energy efficient industrial equipment and agricultural machinery, including climate adaptation measures.

    As the EIB has the highest possible credit rating (AAA), it can raise funds on the capital markets on favourable terms. The advantages of the EIB-backing will be passed on to the SMEs and midcaps to enable them to invest into growing their businesses and investing in their green transition.  By facilitating access to financing, this partnership will promote long-term economic growth as well as job security. This operation should support approximately 570 SMEs and thus approximately 47,300 employees.

    “SMEs and MidCaps are the backbone of our European economy”, EIB-Vice-President Nicola Beer said. “Supporting them is one of the core missions of the EIB. Together with financing partners like Deutsche Leasing, we provide long-term, stable financing for the Mittelstand to invest in innovative projects for the green and digital transition and help foster the European competitiveness.”

    Deutsche Leasing supports SMEs and midcaps in successfully managing the upcoming transformation to a Green Economy that lies in innovative technologies, by disseminated those technologies largely in its target markets across the EU and beyond. Deutsche Leasing will also provide advisory expertise for corporates and public entities in the sustainable transformation and plays a key role in the circular economy.

    The use of intermediated lending via Deutsche Leasing will provide EIB financing to reach smaller scale projects that are often unable to demonstrate sufficient volume for a standalone EIB-financed project.

    “We are pleased to continue our good cooperation with the EIB, as well in the context of financing the green transformation. With the EIB’s refinancing, we as the Deutsche Leasing Group offer our SME customers the opportunity to realize green transformation projects on the European market”, Deutsche Leasing CEO Kai Ostermann said.

    This operation continues the EIB’s cooperation with Deutsche Leasing and complements the synthetic securitisations of 2020 and 2023 signed with Deutsche Leasing Romania, part of the same group, consisting of guarantees for financing small businesses and mid-caps.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union. It finances sound investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects strengthen competitiveness, sustainable development, and social and territorial cohesion. They promote innovation and accelerate the transition to climate neutrality. The EIB Group – which also includes the European Investment Fund – signed a total of €88 billion in new financing for over 900 projects in 2023. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €320 billion in investment, supporting 400 000 companies and 5.4 million jobs.

    The Deutsche Leasing Group is the solution-oriented asset finance partner for the German SME sector. The company provides support for investment projects in Germany and other countries and offers a wide range of financing solutions (asset finance) and supplementary services (asset services) for current and non-current assets. The company helps its customers to finance change and innovation when it comes to the key transformative issues of our time – in the areas of decarbonisation, digitalisation and forward-looking infrastructure. As a central and international group partner, the Deutsche Leasing Group is Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe’s centre of excellence for leasing, factoring as well as other alternative forms of financing.

    Deutsche Leasing
    Germany: EIB and Deutsche Leasing support the green transformation of small businesses and mid-caps
    ©EIB
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    Deutsche Leasing
    Germany: EIB and Deutsche Leasing support the green transformation of small businesses and mid-caps
    ©EIB
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor announces winner of innovation challenge to help more Londoners into work

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Mayor announces £50,000 for three winners of his No Wrong Door Open Innovation Challenge to develop innovative ways to help Londoners enhance their skills and move into new or better jobs
    • The winning ideas are designed to help London’s diverse communities including refugees, diverse communities, young people and women get back to work
    • Five runners up will also receive £5,000 in additional funding, helping Londoners to access skills and training for green jobs, enhanced CV writing, and access to job opportunities for young Londoners

     

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the three winners of his No Wrong Door Open Innovation Competition, which will help to pioneer new ways to help disabled Londoners, women, refugees, young and older Londoners access high-quality skills and employment support to better thrive in our economy. For Londoners, the No Wrong Door innovation challenge means that no matter their starting point or what service they access first, they can be connected to the right type of support at the right time to help them into good work.     

    Sadiq’s No Wrong Door Open Challenge encouraged innovators to address the challenges that London’s diverse communities can face when accessing the labour market. These include lack of necessary additional support when navigating employment applications or systems; insufficient understanding from employers when tailoring jobs; and lack of support for physical or mental health barriers.  

    The three winners are:

    • Earlybird, an AI-driven platform will equip individuals with the skills and support they need to overcome barriers to employment, helping them secure and retain meaningful jobs.
    • Facework Group CIC, an online platform providing training and workspaces for refugees, that will provide training in employability skills, mental health support, self-employment opportunities, and social integration.
    • Tailored Futures, an AI-powered platform providing support to individuals within the criminal justice system by connecting them with employers, helping them access job opportunities and rebuild their lives, ultimately reducing reoffending rates.

     

    Research commissioned by City Hall(1) in the summer of 2023 has shown that integration of employment and skills services could be improved through human centred, technology and innovative solutions to address barriers that make it harder for various Londoners to access support. 

    Alongside the winners, five runners up were chosen and will receive £5,000 in additional funding, along with monthly coaching sessions provided by delivery partner, Allia Impact, to help them further their ideas. These ideas range from helping Londoners to access skills and training for green jobs, enhanced CV writing, upskilling for mothers returning to the workplace and support to access job opportunities for young Londoners.  

    The Mayor’s adult skills programmes have already supported over one million learners. As part of the Mayor’s commitment to help grow London’s economy, Sadiq is focused on ensuring that Londoners furthest from the labour market to get the support they need to help them build their skills and move into new and better jobs. 

    One of the Mayor’s 10 key priorities is the new London Growth Plan, with a target of helping to create more than 150,000 good jobs by 2028 and increasing living standards for all Londoners. The new growth plan aims to grow London’s economy, so we can improve the lives of all Londoners, drive London’s green transition and support prosperity in London and across the country.  

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “These innovative solutions will help those Londoners struggling to gain the skills they need to move ahead in the job market, ensuring our economy has the talented workforce it needs to thrive. 

    “In the face of a cost-of-living crisis, increased rents and mortgages and rising energy bills, it is more important than ever for Londoners to get the right employment support, as we continue to build a better, fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.” 

    Claudine Adeyemi-Adams, Founder of Earlybird, said: “We are so honoured to be selected for Phase II of the NWD Innovation Challenge. It’s real validation for us that the judges, who are experts in employment support and, we hope, future Earlybird users, can see the significant value that our innovation creates. We are really looking forward to deepening our relationships with partners in the GLA network and NWD community and driving greater impact as we scale our solution, particularly for employment support organisations and people who are out of work.”  

    Titi Solarin, Founder of Tailored Futures CIC, said: “We’ve been working on the concept of this app for several years, and it’s incredible to finally see it moving towards the development stage. This app is designed to help people navigate the complexities of reintegrating into the community after involvement with the criminal justice system. I’m beyond excited about the potential impact it will have, making support and opportunities more accessible to those who need it most.” 

    Stephen Carrick-Davies CEO of the Facework Group said: “We have proved that with training and support those with the lived experience of migration can play an important role in supporting other refugees to access better quality work or self-employment.  For this to be effective it has to be personalised, human-centric and address wider issues of mental health and integration into the wider community.  We are thrilled that Facework has received NWD support for us to now scale our approach and build partnerships with Local Authority job teams and wider stakeholders.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – German authorities’ extradition of Maja T. to Hungary – E-001970/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001970/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Ilaria Salis (The Left), Martin Schirdewan (The Left)

    On 28 June 2024, German authorities extradited Maja T. to Hungary, despite the German Federal Constitutional Court’s decision to halt the extradition. On 2 August 2024, the court raised ‘considerable concerns’ regarding the compatibility of this extradition with requirements for effective legal protection, and expressed doubts as to whether Maja T.’s rights would be adequately protected in Hungarian custody.

    • 1.Is the Commission aware of the case of Maja T., and engaging, or planning to engage, with the German and/or Hungarian authorities regarding this matter and in relation to the implementation of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW)?
    • 2.How does the Commission evaluate the extradition of Maja T. by the German authorities, particularly in relation to Article 15(2) of the EAW Framework Decision[1], given Maja T.’s right to a fair trial under the Charter, given that Maja T. is non-binary, and the concerns of systemic and generalised deficiencies in the rule of law in Hungary raised in the Commission’s July 2024 Rule of Law Report?
    • 3.Hungary is facing challenges with overcrowding in prisons (ECtHR pilot judgment Varga and Others v Hungary and NGO reports[2]). Is the Commission aware of this situation, and what steps does it plan to take, also in light of the Commission Recommendation of 8 December 2022 on procedural rights of suspects and accused persons subject to pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions[3]?

    Submitted: 7.10.2024

    Last updated: 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Mitigating climate change impact by strengthening EU solidarity mechanisms – E-001992/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001992/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Vladimir Prebilič (Verts/ALE), Rasmus Andresen (Verts/ALE), Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE), Lena Schilling (Verts/ALE), Gordan Bosanac (Verts/ALE), Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Matej Tonin (PPE)

    The devastating floods that affected Slovenia in August 2023, as well as the more recent flooding across Austria, Poland and other European countries, have illustrated the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters across Europe. While the EU’s solidarity mechanisms, including the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), have provided vital assistance in response to such events, the scale of these crises across Europe demands a comprehensive review of existing frameworks to ensure faster and more effective responses, as well as better preparedness.

    The Slovenian example proves that the aid provided is indeed insufficient for recovery as the total estimate of the direct damage is approximately EUR 9.9 billion, while EU aid amounts to less than 5 % of that sum.

    • 1.Are there any plans to increase funding or flexibility within the EUSF or related instruments to ensure rapid and adequate responses to larger-scale or more frequent climate-related disasters such as floods, fires and droughts? Could improvements be made to streamline cross-border cooperation, resource sharing, and coordination between Member States in disaster preparedness and response?
    • 2.What measures or climate adaptation initiatives has the Commission put into its disaster response frameworks to reduce future risks and improve resilience at both national and EU levels?

    Submitted: 8.10.2024

    Last updated: 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Discrimination against German pensioners and tourists in Spain – E-002004/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002004/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Anderson (ESN)

    German pensioners in Spain are reportedly experiencing systematic discrimination when applying for residence permits, despite having sufficient financial resources. Some are even said to have been deported as soon as they became reliant on assistance. These practices may constitute breaches of EU law. There have recently been protests against mass tourism in Mallorca, which targeted German tourists in particular. At the same time, economically viable projects such as the development of alternative tourism regions are being put on the back burner as a result of dependence on EU funding.

    • 1.What measures does the Commission intend to take to investigate discrimination against German tourists and pensioners in Spain and in particular in Mallorca?
    • 2.How does the Commission ensure that EU funding does not lead to economically viable projects being put on hold until subsidies are paid?
    • 3.What measures is the Commission taking to ensure the free movement of EU citizens in all Member States without bureaucratic hurdles and discrimination?

    Submitted: 9.10.2024

    Last updated: 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Authorisation application deadlines for Christmas period 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Validation for applications during the Christmas period 2024 for MA, ManA, WDA, Batch Release, Specific Batch Control, and Special Import and Export Certificates.

    Our offices will be closed on Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 December and Wednesday 1 January.

    Validation during the Christmas Period 2024

    Marketing Authorisation applications

    In recognition of the resource pressures and delays to service currently being experienced, the VMD is extending the usual Christmas shut down period for 2024 to focus efforts on issuing existing applications.

    All applications must be received by 29 November to be processed during the Christmas period. Any applications received after this date will not be processed until 2 January 2024.

    Validation of New Marketing Authorisation applications

    The last validation meeting to discuss applications for new Marketing Authorisations (MAs) will take place on 12 December. New applications to be considered for validation must be received on or before 29 November. Weekly validation meetings will resume from 9 January 2024.

    For further information contact s.response@vmd.gov.uk

    Manufacturing and Wholesale Dealer Authorisation applications (new and variations)

    The last day for validation of applications for Authorisations for Manufacturers, Blood Banks, Equine Stem Cell Centres and Wholesale Dealers (new and variations) will be 13 December. To be considered for validation by this date, please ensure that your application reaches us by 11 December. The validation discussions will resume from 2 January 2024.

    For further information contact the team at inspections@vmd.gov.uk

    Export Certificates

    Your application for an export certificate must be received by 13 December to ensure it is dealt with during the Christmas period. Applications received after this date will be dealt with from 2 January 2024.

    For further information contact the team at exportcert@vmd.gov.uk.

    Specific Batch Control-PVMP

    Your application must be received by 11 December to ensure it is dealt with during the Christmas period. Applications received after this date will be dealt with from 2 January 2022.

    For further information contact the team at s.response@vmd.gov.uk.

    Batch Release Requests-IVMP

    Your batch release request must be received by 11 December to ensure it is dealt with during the Christmas period. Requests received after this date will be dealt with from 2 January 2024.

    For exceptional cases after 11 December, we will consider these on a case-by-case basis, contact the team on batchr@vmd.gov.uk.

    Special Import Scheme applications

    For Special Import Certificate and Wholesale Dealer Import Certificate applications requiring assessment, that is, not available instantly online, your application must be received by 13 December to ensure it is dealt with during the Christmas period.  

    Requests received after this date will be dealt with from 2 January 2024. If you have an urgent clinical need requiring an import certificate prior to this date, please email importcert@vmd.gov.uk identifying your application as urgent.

    Please send any general enquiries to postmaster@vmd.gov.uk, using key words in the subject heading.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Ambassador to Iraq: Irfan Siddiq

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Mr Irfan Siddiq OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq in succession to Mr Stephen Hitchen.

    Mr Irfan Siddiq OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq in succession to Mr Stephen Hitchen who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  

    Mr Siddiq will take up his appointment during March 2025.

    CURRICULUM VITAE      

    Full name: Irfan Siddiq     

    — —      
    2022 to present Nicosia, British High Commissioner  
    2021 to 2022 Full time Greek language training  
    2021 FCDO, Director, East and Central Africa  
    2018 to 2021 Khartoum, HM Ambassador  
    2017 to 2018 Plan International (External Secondment), Global Advocacy Director  
    2016 to 2017 FCO, Head, Secondments Unit  
    2013 to 2016 Baku, HM Ambassador  
    2011 to 2013 FCO, Head, Arab Partnership Department  
    2010 to 2011 Baghdad, Deputy Head of Mission  
    2007 to 2010 Damascus, Deputy Head of Mission  
    2005 to 2007 FCO, Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary  
    2004 to 2005 Washington, Iraq Political Officer, US State Department  
    2003 to 2004 Baghdad, Political Officer, Coalition Provisional Authority  
    2002 to 2003 Cairo, Second Secretary (Political / Press)  
    2000 to 2002 Full Time Arabic Language Training  
    1999 to 2000 New Delhi, Economic and Commercial Officer  
    1998 to 1999 FCO, Security Policy Department  
    1998 Joined FCO  

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Northern Ireland: Government’s appeal of Troubles Act judgement a ‘betrayal’

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Amnesty has today said the UK Government is betraying its own legacy commitments and failing victims by diluting its election promise to repeal and replace the widely opposed Troubles legacy Act. Amnesty made the comments today at a press conference in Belfast, held along with victims following the Government’s decision to seek to appeal a court of appeal judgment which found core parts of the Troubles Act including the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to be unlawful.

    Grainne Teggart, Amnesty UK Deputy Director in Northern Ireland said:

    “The UK Government’s decision to appeal, is a betrayal of their own legacy commitments and fails victims. It is a staggering dilution of their pre-election position.

    “The Government’s decision raises serious questions about their commitment to their own promise to repeal and replace the Troubles Act.

    “The Government needs to own this change of direction. The categorical pledge by the Labour party prior to the election was to repeal and replace the Troubles Act. That pledge has been increasingly qualified over recent months, and we now see them propping up the legacy body established by the last Government.

    “The Government should change course again, immediately, and fulfil their manifesto promise to repeal the Troubles Act. This should be done in full, as well as abandoning any attempt to prop up the ICRIR, which was condemned by the court ruling and by victims groups alike.

    “Stormont House Agreement remains the foundation on which to build.”

    On Friday 20 September, the Court of Appeal in Belfast ruled that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information (ICRIR) was not human rights compliant in respect of effective victim participation and that the Troubles Legacy Act gives the UK Government too much veto power over the disclosure of material.

    Martina Dillon, whose husband, Seamus, was shot and killed outside the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon on 27 December 1997 said:

    “Repeal and replace the universally-opposed Troubles Act as well as the investigations body which is a hangover from the last Government’s flawed plan. That’s what we were promised and that’s what we are now demanding.

    “The Secretary of State should categorically not be seeking to prop up a body he should clearly see there are problems with. Anything short of the return of my inquest is unacceptable. Others who need inquests should have access to them too. Victims have waited long enough for justice for our husbands, brothers, sisters, and children. Enough is enough, we won’t be fobbed off again.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Camera enforcement to be introduced at two schools streets

    Source: City of Leicester

    PLANS to improve road safety and air quality on two streets close to local schools using new enforcement powers have been given the go-ahead by the city council.

    Last year, Leicester City Council was awarded designated authority status by the Department for Transport. This gives the council permission to use camera enforcement to deal with so-called moving traffic offences.

    Now the city council plans to use camera enforcement to penalise drivers who flout restrictions on Northfold Road and Eastcourt Road which border Overdale infant and junior schools, in Knighton.

    Restrictions on the two school streets have been in place since an initial trial in February 2022 and prohibit access to motor vehicles during school run times – 8-9am and 2.30-4pm Monday to Friday – except for permit holders.

    The measures were introduced at the request of local residents and the wider school community in an effort to improve air quality, road safety and traffic congestion at the beginning and end of the school day.

    Despite being clearly signed, and legally backed by traffic regulation order, motorists have continued to contravene the restrictions on a regular basis.

    The decision to use camera enforcement follows a consultation with local residents, parents at the Overdale schools and other members of the public.

    Cameras are due to be installed and brought into operation in the coming weeks. Residents on the two affected streets affected, and eligible parents at the schools, will be contacted in advance to apply for exemption.

    For an initial period of six months, first offences will result in drivers being issued with a warning notice.

    Subsequent contraventions will result in drivers being issued with a penalty charge notice.

    This will be charged at £70, or at discounted rate of £35 if paid within 21 days.

    Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for transport and environment said: “Camera enforcement can be a very effective way of deterring motorists from committing traffic offences that are dangerous or obstructive for other road users.

    “That’s why we’re introducing these measures to help enforce restrictions on two school streets close to Overdale infant and junior schools.

    “The restrictions here were originally introduced following feedback from local residents and families at the schools and it’s important that we do whatever we can to discourage people from ignoring them.”

    Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, councils can apply to the Government to take on the responsibility for traffic offences, by applying for a designated authority status. This gives councils powers to enforce areas such as box junctions, one-way streets, no-entry signs or other prohibited traffic movements, along with bus lanes, cycles lanes and pedestrian zones for example.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cutting-edge ‘immersive classroom’ unveiled at Ryhope Junior School

    Source: City of Sunderland

    A brand-new immersive classroom incorporating virtual reality (VR) and tools for interactive learning, has been opened at Ryhope Junior School thanks to £50,000 investment from Together for Children (TfC).

    The new classroom uses technology such as virtual and augmented reality (AR), including visuals, wind effects and scents to bring learning to life, allowing pupils to explore ancient civilizations, tour local landmarks, or conduct experiments in a simulated science lab.

    The classroom has already been used to teach pupils about local history, and during a lesson about the coal mining heritage of Ryhope students got to experience what it was like to work in the mines through an AR simulation.

    It can be used just for fun as well as lessons; students can play games and even take a virtual zipwire tour over London.

    Now, TfC hopes to use this first immersive classroom as a pioneer to showcase the possibilities to other schools in the city.

    Teachers at Ryhope Junior School hope that the new classroom will help to boost pupil engagement and make lessons more dynamic, enjoyable, and interactive.

    The school’s headteacher Fiona Lynn said: “This immersive classroom will open up a world of possibilities for our children. It provides a unique opportunity to make learning more interactive and engaging, particularly for those students who thrive in hands-on environments.

    “The technology will also allow us to tailor the experience to each student, making learning not only more effective but also more enjoyable. It’s also about fostering collaboration and creativity among students. With interactive smart boards and collaborative digital platforms, pupils can work together on projects in real-time, even when they’re in different locations.”

    Councillor Michael Butler, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Child Poverty and Skills, said: “We’re delighted to see the pioneering immersive classroom up and running at Ryhope Junior School. It has so many uses for interactive learning, and will support children with anxiety or additional needs as they can take interactive trips and build confidence. The classroom is a tool which we hope will benefit all pupils and be built into the curriculum to help them thrive at school.”

    Ryhope Junior School’s Computing Lead Michael Simpson believes the immersive experience is already impacting learning outcomes. He said: “We’re seeing pupils more engaged than ever before. The combination of visual, auditory, and hands-on learning caters to a wide range of learning styles, which helps us ensure that every child reaches their potential.

    “As schools across the country begin to adopt more immersive learning environments, Ryhope Junior School is proud to be at the forefront of this educational revolution. The introduction of this new classroom marks a significant step forward in providing students with a 21st-century learning experience that is not only educational but also memorable and fun.”

    Simon Marshall, TfC Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services said: “We’re always looking at ways to boost the curriculum and enhance the ways children learn. When we approached Ryhope Junior School with the opportunity to access funding for this project, staff were excited to try something new and showcase exciting technology to pupils and parents.

    “The technology gives the school the freedom to add to the curriculum by adding their own videos geared towards local knowledge, which means the children can virtually travel everywhere from Penshaw Monument to the deepest oceans via New York, and even past a Gruffalo!”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Plan approved for submission to the Secretary of State, by St Albans City and District Councillors

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date:

    A Local Plan for St Albans District’s future growth has been agreed by Councillors. St Albans City and District Councillors approved the draft Local Plan (LP) for the purpose of submission to the Secretary of State, at a meeting of Full Council.

    The LP identifies land for housing, employment developments and green spaces for the years to 2041.

    Residents, community groups, businesses, neighbouring local authorities, statutory bodies and other organisations have helped shape the document by giving their views in consultations.

    Councillor Paul de Kort, the Council’s Leader, said after the meeting on Wednesday 16 October: “I am delighted that Councillors have voted overwhelmingly to approve our Local Plan for submission to the Secretary of State.

    “Producing a Local Plan is one of the most challenging, complex and important tasks that a Council faces and it has taken more than three years of demanding work to reach this stage.

    “It is in the interests of our residents that we move forward with the Local Plan without delay otherwise we will be vulnerable to more speculative planning applications for inappropriate developments.

    “It is these opportunistic developments that most concern residents as they don’t take a strategic account of the impact on the local community and, as they are not included in a Local Plan, they contribute less to improving the local infrastructure. 

    “This Local Plan can protect the District from such random, piecemeal developments by providing for new housing, schools, parks, cycleways and employment centres in a strategic way.”

    The LP allows for the building of 15,000 new homes in the District over the next 17 years in accordance with current national planning policy guidelines. This will include 1,200 social rent properties, mainly three-bedroom homes, increasing the area’s social housing stock by around 25%.

    The LP also allows for a potential £750 million of infrastructure to support the proposed new residential areas. This includes nine new primary schools, four new secondary schools, improvements to public transport, locations for 15,000 jobs, and new green spaces and health facilities.

    Cllr de Kort added: “The Local Plan helps to address the housing crisis we see in the District and that the country is faced with. In our District, this is more challenging as house prices are among the least affordable in the country.

    “The Local Plan provides for the first significant increase in social housing in a generation. It also caters for the need for more starter homes for young families.

    “It has the potential to give the younger generation a much greater chance of living in the area they grew up in, whether as homeowners or tenants.”

    The LP is currently undergoing what is called the Regulation 19 Consultation. This allows for public comment on the draft LP’s compliance and ‘soundness’ with national planning policies. 

    A report on the feedback will be considered at a meeting of the Planning Policy and Climate Committee on Thursday 28 November. 

    Previously, it was intended to submit a draft LP in March next year. The timetable was brought forward to avoid potential changes to national planning policy that could mean starting the whole LP process again from scratch.

    The Regulation 19 consultation continues until Friday 8 November. More information, including the draft LP and other documents, is available at http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/new-local-plan.
     

    Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: State of the Russian economy examined

    Source: Government of Sweden

    State of the Russian economy examined – Government.se

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    Article from Ministry of Finance

    Published

    Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine continues with unabated intensity and far-reaching consequences for civilians. At the same time, Russia is spreading propaganda to try and portray the Russian economy as more well-functioning than it actually is. As part of efforts to combat this propaganda, the Swedish Government commissioned the National Institute of Economic Research to analyse economic developments in Russia. Last Wednesday, Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson hosted a seminar in connection with the report’s conclusions.

    • Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson.

      Photographer: Magnus Liljegren/Swedish Government Offices.

    • Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson.

      Photographer: Magnus Liljegren/Swedish Government Offices.

    • Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson, Torbjörn Becker, Director of the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) at the Stockholm School of Economics, Vladimir Milov, Russian opposition politician and economist, and Emil Wannheden, analyst at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI).

      Photographer: Magnus Liljegren/Swedish Government Offices.

    • Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson.

      Photographer: Magnus Liljegren/Swedish Government Offices.

    “Russia is spreading propaganda in an attempt to portray its economy as strong and resilient in order to give the impression that sanctions are ineffective and thereby undermine continuance of support to Ukraine. That’s why it’s important to nuance the view of the Russian economy and look beyond the official figures,” said Ms Svantesson. 

    The seminar was attended by Director of the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) Torbjörn Becker at the Stockholm School of Economics, who presented SITE’s report, done in response to the Government’s assignment to the National Institute of Economic Research. The report calls attention to one of the main challenges in analysing the Russian economy: the lack of reliable data because Russia’s economic reporting has become intertwined with its war propaganda. The Russian government has stopped publishing large parts of previously available data, and the figures that are available are being used to portray a more positive situation.

    The report also highlights that the Russian government’s financial reserves, which have been used to finance war spending, are rapidly running out and may be exhausted within a year. Once these reserves are exhausted, the Russian Central Bank will then be under pressure to lower its policy rate or even to start printing more money, which could lead to high inflation and a weakened rouble.

    “It is clear that the Russian economy is not working as well as Putin would have it appear. Resources are being drained to the war industry and the economy is overheated. There are obviously big question marks surrounding the official figures. We must continue to actively combat Putin’s propaganda. Wednesday’s discussion is an important part of these efforts,” said Ms Svantesson.

    Russian opposition politician and economist Vladimir Milov and analyst and economist Emil Wannheden at the Swedish Defence Research Institute also attended the seminar.

    Introduction by Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson

    Presentation by Torbjörn Becker

    Comments by Vladimir Milov

    Comments by Emil Wannheden

    Questions

    Closing statement by Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Farmer blames weather app after rain washes slurry down road

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Farmer Ben Hembrow blamed rain which he claimed had not been forecast. But his fields were saturated with slurry which began running down a road.

    Slurry run off Huntham Farm in Stoke St Gregory into a lane.

    Somerset farmer Ben Hembrow applied slurry to fields growing winter wheat and claimed that heavy rain, which he said had not been forecast, led to slurry running into surrounding ditches and road drains near his Stoke St Gregory farm.

    This resulted in fines and costs to Hembrow and the farm totalling over £20,000.

    Appearing before District Judge Brereton at Yeovil Magistrates Court on Wednesday 16 October 2024, Hembrow, 36, of Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset admitted two charges relating to causing slurry pollution. The company, Huntham Farm Ltd, also admitted one charge of causing a polluting discharge.

    Slurry put on fields ahead of rain

    In a case brought by the Environment Agency, the court heard that an officer went to the farm on a wet Sunday in February 2022, following a report of slurry running down a road and into a surface water drain close to the farm in Stoke St Gregory.

    The officer found fields saturated in slurry and observed slurry entering nearby watercourses and ditches. While investigating, Hembrow arrived on scene, visibly shaken. He attempted to reduce the impact by blocking a ditch and used sub soiling equipment to help break up the surface of the soil and prevent further run-off. Despite his actions the investigation later showed that over 1.5km of watercourse, as far as the confluence with the Sedgemoor Old Rhyne Site of Special Scientific Interest, had been impacted.

    Weather app blamed for forecasting ‘just 1mm of rain’

    During interview Hembrow claimed that the weather app he used had predicted only 1mm of rain the day after the slurry was applied. The agency’s investigation established that heavy rain had been forecast to fall on the Sunday throughout the week by numerous weather forecasters including the BBC and the app used by Hembrow. No checks on the physical condition of the soil had been made, no soil test pits to assess soil structure had been dug.

    Hembrow claimed he was not in breach of regulations to prevent pollution due to measures he had taken before spreading and specifically stated that, given the weather forecast he had consulted, he did not believe the application of slurry gave rise to a risk of pollution.

    A fine to reflect the slip in standards

    Summing up, District Judge Brereton acknowledged Hembrow to be a hard-working farmer committed to modern technology and farming practices. However, she also concluded that the fine imposed should reflect that the standards of farming had fallen well below what is expected. She also referenced aggravating features, specifically that Hembrow had previously been prosecuted for offences in 2016 and 2021.

    Hembrow, as an individual, was fined £525 for failing to plan the slurry applications. Huntham Farm Ltd was fined £8,000 for causing pollution and ordered to pay the agency’s full costs of £11,564.25.

    ‘Anything spread on the soil was likely to run off’

    David Womack, senior environment officer for the Environment Agency, said:

    This pollution event was avoidable but occurred because Mr Hembrow failed to carry out the most basic checks to assess if the land he was spreading slurry on was suitable.

    Previous land management had led to the fields being compacted – anything spread on the soil was therefore likely to run off, even in moderate rainfall conditions. He wrongly assumed risk assessments for slurry application would be done by his agronomist – but it was his responsibility to do this just prior to the slurry being applied.

    Additional weather checks would also have alerted Mr Hembrow that wet weather was very likely to occur immediately after he chose to apply slurry. Since 2018 there have been specific laws to ensure organic manure applications are planned and that they take into account weather forecasts and soil conditions.

    Background

    The charges:

    Ben Hembrow: 

    • On and before the 13 February 2022 you, Ben Hembrow, did cause an unpermitted water discharge activity, namely the discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter from Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset into inland fresh waters. Contrary to Regulations 12(1)(b) and Regulation 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. 
    • On and before the 13 February 2022 you, Ben Hembrow, did fail to plan the application of organic matter, namely slurry, to agricultural land at Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset so as to give rise to a significant risk of agricultural diffuse pollution. Contrary to Regulations 4(1)&4(2) and Regulation 11 of the  Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018. 

    The company: 

    • On and before the 13 February 2022 you, Huntham Farm Ltd, did cause an unpermitted water discharge activity, namely the discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter from Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset into inland fresh waters. Contrary to Regulations 12(1)(b) and Regulation 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Opioid addiction market to reach $2.4 billion in 8MM by 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Opioid addiction market to reach $2.4 billion in 8MM by 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    The opioid addiction market across the eight major markets (8MM*) is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8% from $2.0 billion in 2023 to $2.4 billion in 2033, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report “Opioid Addiction: Opportunity Assessment and Forecast,” reveals that growth will primarily be driven by an increase in diagnosed prevalent cases, as well as an increase in treatment rates and the introduction of four late-stage pipeline products – cannabidiol, mazindol controlled release (CR), probenecid, and TRV-734.

    Jos Opdenakker, Neurology Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Of the four late-stage pipeline products, three of them (cannabidiol, mazindol CR, and probenecid) are non-opioids. Cannabidiol and mazindol CR are expected to be used as potential adjunctive treatments in addition to the standard of care in the treatment of opioid use disorder, driving an increase in the OUD market. Probenecid is indicated for the treatment of OWS and is expected to take market share from existing OWS agents.”

    GlobalData forecasts that the late-stage pipeline products could drive combined sales of approximately $171.4 million in the 8MM by 2033. Trevena’s TRV-734 will be the most promising pipeline product, indicated for the treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS).

    According to GlobalData forecasts, TRV-734 could generate global sales of approximately $77.6 million by 2033. It has the potential to see strong uptake due to its position as a partial mu-opioid receptor agonist. This means that it has the potential to elicit the partial effects of opioids but not the full effect, and this could limit some of the distressing side effects and potentially prevent withdrawal associated with existing opioid-based treatments.

    Opdenakker adds: “While the OUD pipeline agents will bring new mechanisms to market, they are unlikely to become first line treatments. The need for effective non-opioid treatments that do not target the mu receptor, which could potentially replace opioids as first-line therapies, remains.”

    Opdenakker continues: “The overall opioid addiction market is expected to experience growth until 2033; however, continued generic erosion will be an important barrier. Generic erosion is expected to be particularly significant in the US opioid addiction market.”

    In 2023, the US represented the largest market for opioid addiction, with 74.1% of the 8MM sales, due to its larger patient population and the high price of medications. Although the US is expected to remain the largest market for opioid addiction at the end of the forecast period, its proportion of global sales is expected to fall to 70.5% in 2033.

    The decline in the contribution of  the US opioid addiction market will be fueled by the patent expiries of Indivior’s extended-release formulation of buprenorphine, Sublocade, which was the top-selling drug in the opioid addiction market in 2023, Alkermes’ Vivitrol (naltrexone ER), Braeburn’s long-acting buprenorphine product, Brixadi and Orexo US’ Zubsolv (buprenorphine), all of which will expire throughout the forecast period, resulting in sales erosion amongst the key OUD therapies.

    Opdenakker concludes: “Although the impending entry of numerous generic products will act as a major barrier to growth and the introduction of the late-stage pipeline products is limited in their potential to generate significant revenues to counter the generic erosion, the increase in diagnosed prevalence, treatment rates, and general awareness surrounding opioid addiction will continue to act as the main drivers of growth across the 8MM.”

    *8MM- US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Canada, and Australia

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Stabilization Notice – Pre Stab Webuild SpA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    22/10/2024

    Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

    WEBUILD SpA

    Pre-stabilisation Period Announcement

    BNP Paribas (contact: Stanford Hartman telephone: 0207 595 8222 hereby gives notice, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation EU/2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014).

    The securities:1  
    Issuer: Webuild Spa
    Guarantor (if any): N/A
    Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 400,000,000 expected 
    Description:  
    Offer price: TBC
    Other offer terms:  
    Stabilisation:  
    Stabilisation Manager(s) Banca Akros, BNP Paribas, BOFA, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Intesa Sanpaolo, JPM, Natixis, Unicredit
    Stabilisation period expected to start on: 31/10/24
    Stabilisation period expected to end no later than: 30/11/2024
    Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over‑allotment facility: The Stabilisation Manager(s) may over‑allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law.
    Stabilisation trading venue: OTC

    In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilisation Manager(s) may over‑allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time. Any stabilisation action or over‑allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

    This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

    This announcement and the offer of the securities to which it relates are only addressed to and directed at persons outside the United Kingdom and persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters related to investments or who are high net worth persons within Article 12(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in the United Kingdom.

    In addition, if and to the extent that this announcement is communicated in, or the offer of the securities to which it relates is made in, the UK or any EEA Member State before the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in the UK or that Member State in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus  Regulation”) (or which has been approved by a competent authority in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in the UK or that Member State in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation), this announcement and the offer are only addressed to and directed at persons in the UK or that Member State who are qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (or who are other persons to whom the offer may lawfully be addressed) and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in the UK or that Member State.

    This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Watch live: Lords debates apprenticeships and technical education

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Members are set to debate the key purpose of the Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill on Tuesday 22 October. The aim of the bill is to abolish the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and transfer its statutory functions to the Secretary of State for Education, who in practice will defer these duties to the newly established Skills England.

    Find out more https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2024/october/lords-debates-institute-for-apprenticeships-and-technical-education-bill/

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
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    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament #StateOpening

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj40OUNjWi0

    MIL OSI Video –