NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pine Grove — Lunenburg RCMP investigating robbery involving man who was hitchhiking

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Lunenburg District RCMP is seeking information from the public about a robbery near Pine Grove.

    On October 7, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Lunenburg District RCMP responded to a report of a robbery from a man who was hitchhiking on Pinegrove Rd. Investigators learned that a white Chevrolet Malibu stopped near the man and the male driver approached him. The driver took the man’s bag, placed it in the trunk, and fled in the car.

    The last known direction of travel for the Malibu was northwest on Hwy. 10 toward New Germany.

    The man was treated for non-life-threatening injuries related to this incident.

    The male driver was described as 5’11” with a smaller build, and had short, dark messy hair and a mustache. He was wearing sneakers, jeans, and a green and black plaid short-sleeved shirt. He was also said to have a South Shore accent.

    Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information that may identify the driver is asked to contact Lunenburg District RCMP at 902-634-8674. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New councillor elected to St Michael’s ward

    Source: City of Coventry

    Cllr Sanjida Jobbar (left) is congratulated by Council Chief Executive Dr Julie Nugent

    Sanjida Jobbar has been elected as the new councillor for St Michael’s ward after winning a by-election last night.

    The election was held following the resignation of David Welsh, who had served the ward since 2010.

    Labour’s Cllr Jobbar won with a 572 majority, beating Dave Nellist of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition into second place with 49% of the vote. Turnout was 11.15%

    View the full results on the Council’s website.

    Friday, 11th October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Reed Leads Tour of Latino-Owned Small Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    CENTRAL FALLS, RI – In an effort to highlight the Ocean State’s vibrant Latino culture, restaurants, and small businesses, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today teamed up with the City of Central Falls and the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and lead a special walking tour along Broad Street in Central Falls.
    The theme of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 to October 15.  It is a time to appreciate and celebrate the colorful cultures, rich histories, and diversity of the nation’s Hispanic population whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
    The special walking tour: “Un recorrido por los negocios hispanos que impulsan y elevan a nuestras comunidades” (“A tour of hispanic businesses that fuel and uplift our communities”), featured several small businesses, both new and long-standing establishments, and amplified ventures that are helping power the local economy forward while also giving back to their neighbors.
    “The theme of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is about shaping the future.  As we saw during today’s walking tour, Mayor Rivera, the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Central Falls’ diverse small business community have embodied that theme through their actions, advocacy, and commitment to their neighbors,” said Senator Reed.  “I will continue to stand with Rhode Island’s vibrant and diverse Hispanic and Latino communities to ensure that the future of our state remains strong, prosperous, and welcoming to all who want to plant their roots here.”
    “Central Falls celebrates the rich cultural contributions of our Latino and Hispanic communities and is home to many Latino-owned small businesses that make our city vibrant,” said Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera.  “Thank you, Senator Reed, for your incredible partnership and support for Latino communities across Rhode Island, and to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for ensuring these businesses have the resources they need to succeed.”
    At the beginning of the tour, Senator Reed joined Mayor Rivera, Oscar Mejias, and members of the community for lunch at La Hacienda Restaurant, a family-owned restaurant dishing out authentic Salvadoran Mexican cuisine. The group then visited a host of local businesses that help the community celebrate together, eat together, and join together.
    The tour included stops at Krystal’s Flower Shop, a small business providing specialty floral arrangements and decorations for celebrations and ceremonies; Esperanza Convenience Store; Tony’s Shoe Service; Rossell’s Beauty Salon, a community institution that has been a fixture on Broad Street for nearly 30 years; and Elsy Nutrition, a family-owned small business promoting the importance of good nutrition.
    Hispanic or Latino residents now make up 18 percent of Rhode Island’s population, up from 12.4 percent in 2010, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.  The Ocean State has long been home to thriving Colombian, Dominican, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, and Mexican communities among others, each with its own unique traditions and identities within the Hispanic community that all contribute to Rhode Island’s shared culture and heritage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plaid Leader sets sights on government with vision for healthier Wales

    Source: Party of Wales

    Plaid leader promises a government with both immediate impact and a vision for long-term change toward a healthier, wealthier Wales

    Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS will today address his party’s Annual Conference in Cardiff, criticising 25 years of Labour leadership and spelling out his vision for a healthier and wealthier Wales.

    Rhun ap Iorwerth MS will set out Plaid Cymru’s commitment to “break the cycle of short-term thinking which shortchanges Wales”. On key issues of the economy, education and health, he’ll promise action to implement immediate improvement but set out the need for longer term change that Wales desperately needs.

    In health that means a pledge that under a Plaid Cymru Government, spending on preventative health measures will increase every year.

    He will also announce that a Plaid Cymru Cabinet would include a Minister for Public Health, “ensuring a truly national mission of creating healthier lives which in turn deliver substantial savings.”

    Describing the NHS as “born on Labour’s watch” with a promise of a “rebirth under a Plaid Cymru government” Rhun ap Iorwerth MS is expected to say:

    “My government will break the cycle of short term thinking which shortchanges Wales.

    Unlike Eluned Morgan, I will acknowledge that some things are  broken but more importantly I’ll be determined that nothing is beyond repair.

    My government will not consider issues in isolation. Silo working helps no one when one decision so often affects another.

    Unlocking our economic potential will need major improvements in education attainment, but another bedrock of a healthy economy is a well Wales – its people active in body and mind.

    This year, as waiting lists grew – Labour for some inexplicable reason cut the amount it spends on preventative health policies.

    Friends, this is short-term thinking with long term pain guaranteed. It feeds the problem as opposed to solving it, putting further pressure on front line staff, filling our hospitals with ever sicker patients.

    Plaid Cymru will reverse the thinking, it’s something I’m determined to do , ensuring the NHS is fit for its centenary celebrations and beyond.”

    The Plaid leader will launch a new approach to preventative health as part of wider NHS changes by saying:

    “For too long, Labour’s priority has been managing people’s pain but I want to keep people healthy and I can announce that in the first 100 days of a Plaid Cymru government we will bring forward a new budget – based on the principles of a healthier, wealthier Wales – with a promise that spending on preventative health measures will increase every year

    No more sticking plaster, no more blaming the individual, no more passing the buck.

    This is grown-up government – taking responsibility, empowering people and protecting the NHS.

    And we have an enormous task ahead of us. On improving the NHS estate, we’ll go further than the last 8 Labour Health Ministers, clearing the emergency maintenance backlogs over the duration of the next Senedd term. Only this week, a critical incident was declared at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend because of serious long-term damage to its roof. We have to have an NHS estate fit for purpose!

    We’ll introduce a target focused cancer contract for every patient and reform the governance of the NHS, bringing standards back where they should be and waiting lists down.

    And with a new Minister for Public Health, we’ll put the ‘N’ back in the NHS – ensuring a truly national mission of creating healthier lives which in turn deliver substantial savings.

    Our treasured National Health Service – born on Labour’s watch, given a rebirth by the Plaid Cymru government I will lead.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As the conflicts in the Middle East dramatically escalate, could Iran acquire a nuclear bomb?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    As Israel continues its assault on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran appears increasingly backed into a corner.

    Israel’s efforts to weaken Iran’s proxy network have focused on a number of objectives: eliminating key Hezbollah leaders, destroying their weapons and other military sites, and targeting large numbers of fighters and sympathisers.

    Hezbollah has undoubtedly been weakened over the past few weeks, which presents a dilemma for Iran. Could this sustained pressure on its main militant proxy group push Iran towards finally acquiring a nuclear weapon?

    Iran’s deterrence strategy

    The use of armed proxy networks as a deterrence strategy is a well-known approach employed by countries worldwide.

    Iran has successfully adopted this strategy for decades, starting with Hezbollah in Lebanon and extending to Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, various Iraqi militant factions, and Houthi rebels in Yemen.

    This strategy has allowed Iran to project power in the region and counter pressure from the United States, Israel and their allies, while deterring any direct military confrontation from its adversaries.

    Both Iran and Israel have until recently appeared reluctant to engage in a full-scale war. Instead, they have adhered to certain rules of engagement in which they apply pressure on each other without escalating to all-out conflict. This is something neither side can afford.

    Iran has long avoided direct confrontation with Israel, even when Israel has targeted its groups in Syria and assassinated several Iranian nuclear scientists over the past few decades.

    Recently, however, this strategy has shifted. Feeling the impact of Israel’s prolonged assaults on its proxy network, Iran has responded by launching two direct missile attacks against Israel in the past six months.

    This indicates that as pressure on Iran’s proxies intensifies, Tehran may increasingly resort to alternative strategies to reestablish effective deterrence against Israel and its Western allies.

    Some analysts believe Israel may now be gaining what is called “escalation dominance” over Iran. As one group of experts has explained, this happens when one combatant escalates a conflict

    in ways that will be disadvantageous or costly to the adversary while the adversary cannot do the same in return, either because it has no escalation options or because the available options would not improve the adversary’s situation.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a “harsh response” to Iran’s latest missile attack against Israel in early October. This could push Iran further towards changing its deterrence strategy, particularly if Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    Calls for a new nuclear strategy

    With pressure growing on Iran’s leaders, the regime is now openly discussing whether to declare a military nuclear program.

    This would represent a major shift in Iranian policy. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, with no intention of developing a military component. The US and its allies have contested this assertion.

    On October 8, the Iranian parliament announced it had received draft legislation for the “expansion of Iran’s nuclear industry”, which will be discussed in parliament. The nature of this expansion is not yet known – it’s unclear whether it will include a military program. However, recent statements by Iranian officials suggest such an agenda.

    Kamal Kharrazi, a senior politician and member of the Expediency Discernment Council, a high-ranking administrative assembly appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, forewarned of a reconsideration of Iran’s nuclear program. In an interview in May, he said:

    Iran’s level of deterrence will be different if the existence of Iran is threatened. We have no decision to produce a nuclear bomb, but we will have to change our nuclear doctrine if such threat occurs.

    Calls in Iran for a revision of the country’s defence doctrine are growing louder. This week, nearly 40 lawmakers wrote a letter to the Supreme National Security Council, which decides on Iran’s general security policy. They demanded the council reconsider the current nuclear policy, noting that Khamenei’s fatwa forbidding the production of a nuclear bomb could be subject to change due to current developments.

    In the same vein, Ayatollah Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic revolution and former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, called last week for “enhancing the level of deterrence” against Israel. Iranian media interpreted this as referring to nuclear weapons.

    There have also been reports speculating that an earthquake in Iran last week could actually have been a nuclear bomb test.

    However, the US has said there is no evidence yet that Iran is moving towards building a nuclear weapon.

    Revived nuclear deal increasingly unlikely

    In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany and the European Union. This deal allowed it to pursue a civilian nuclear program with certain restrictions on its critical nuclear facilities. In exchange, the US and its allies agreed to lift sanctions on Iran.

    However, the US withdrew from the deal under then president Donald Trump in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Since then, Iran has barred several international inspectors from monitoring some of its nuclear sites.

    It is now believed to be just weeks away from producing enough weapons-grade material to build a bomb.

    Efforts to revive the nuclear negotiations have not gone far in recent years, though Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has suggested his government would be willing to engage again with the West and resume the talks.

    Yet, if Israel carries out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in retaliation for last week’s missile attack, as has been speculated, Iran may deem it necessary to opt for the weaponisation of its nuclear program instead.

    If Iran declares a military nuclear program, it would do so with the expressed intention of restoring a deterrence balance with Israel that could prevent a full-scale war. Israel is believed to possess nuclear weapons, but has never confirmed it.

    However, such a decision is likely to have dire implications for both Iran and the region.

    It would undoubtedly lead to more international pressure and US sanctions on Iran, making it even more isolated. And it could spark a nuclear arms race in the region, as Saudi Arabia has already pledged to pursue a nuclear arsenal if Iran develops one.

    Shahram Akbarzadeh receives funding from Australian Research Council. He is affiliated with Middle east Council on Global Affairs (Doha).

    Ali Mamouri 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. As the conflicts in the Middle East dramatically escalate, could Iran acquire a nuclear bomb? – https://theconversation.com/as-the-conflicts-in-the-middle-east-dramatically-escalate-could-iran-acquire-a-nuclear-bomb-240893

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-led resolution on women’s rights wins broad support at UNHRC

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, speaks during the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 9, 2024. A resolution marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by consensus on Wednesday during the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. [Photo/Xinhua]

    GENEVA, Oct. 10 — A resolution marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by consensus on Wednesday during the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

    Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, introduced the draft resolution. It was co-submitted by China, Denmark, France, Kenya, and Mexico, and received widespread support, with 112 countries backing the initiative as co-sponsors.

    Chen noted that the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, marking a historic milestone in the development of women’s rights globally.

    While acknowledging the significant progress in women’s social status over the past three decades, Chen emphasized that challenges remain in fully realizing the goals of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The resolution aims to revitalize the declaration’s spirit, reflecting the shared ambition to accelerate gender equality and strengthen international cooperation in tackling these persistent challenges.

    During the adoption of the resolution, representatives from countries including France, Finland, Gambia, Sudan, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Argentina, and Japan affirmed that the declaration’s spirit continues to guide global efforts to promote and protect women’s rights.

    China has also proposed convening a Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

    The 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council is held in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korean author Han Kang wins Nobel Prize in Literature

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy Mats Malm announces the laureate of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature in Stockholm, Sweden, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    South Korean author Han Kang has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Swedish Academy announced on Thursday.

    The announcement made Han the first South Korean writer to win this prestigious honor. The academy praised her “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.”

    Anders Olsson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Literature, commended Han’s “physical empathy for the vulnerable, often female lives” of her characters.

    “She has a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead, and in a poetic and experimental style, has become an innovator in contemporary prose,” Olsson said.

    Her novel The Vegetarian, which won the 2016 International Booker Prize, remains her most internationally recognized work. She has also written several other acclaimed works such as Human Acts, The White Book, and Greek Lessons.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: China Mobile and Huawei Scoop Best 5G Voice Innovation Award for 5G New Calling at Network X

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: China Mobile and Huawei Scoop Best 5G Voice Innovation Award for 5G New Calling at Network X

    [Paris, France, October 11, 2024] The 5G New Calling solution, a groundbreaking joint innovation from China Mobile and Huawei, was recognized with the prestigious Best 5G Voice Innovation Award at the Network X annual award ceremony. This achievement is a testament to the solution’s outstanding technical innovation and far-reaching market influence, underscoring the strength of the partnership between the two industry leaders. By pushing the boundaries of 5G voice services, this joint innovation will advance the intelligent transformation of voice communications in the global 5G era.
    A marquee annual event in the global communications industry, Network X gathers top-tier telecom operators, pioneering technology innovators, and influential decision makers from around the world. The awards presented at the event represent a badge of honor, recognizing and celebrating outstanding innovations in a wide range of communications sectors. By acknowledging and showcasing such innovations, these awards not only inspire further innovation, but also drive the growth and prosperity of the global communications industry as a whole.
    China Mobile and Huawei win Best 5G Voice Innovation Award at Network X

    As 5G technologies continue to gather momentum, the traditional landscape of voice services is giving way to a more intelligent and diverse range of communication experiences. The 5G New Calling solution is at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to establish a comprehensive multimodal communications platform. This innovative platform seamlessly integrates various communication modes, including voice, text, images, and gestures, and takes things to the next level by incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as Real-Time Translation, Visualized Voice Calling, and Real-Time Voice Driven Avatar. The end result is unparalleled calling experiences for users.
    One of the standards set out in 3GPP’s Release 18, 5G New Calling redefines operators’ basic communication services with three revolutionary features: ultra-high-definition clarity, intelligence, and interactivity. New Calling is a major breakthrough in the voice industry, marking a leap forward in service intelligence for the 5G era. China Mobile has been blazing a trail in taking advantages of New Calling’s new market opportunities. Notably, by September 2024, the carrier had over 20 million subscribers to their New Calling services. This not only underscore the vast market potential of the 5G New Calling industry, but also highlight the technological prowess and market leadership of the partnership between Huawei and China Mobile.
    As Feng Shaorui, Head of China Mobile International France, accepted the award, he underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation-driven development, with a specific focus on integrating intelligence into its products. Emphasizing the significance of industry collaboration, Mr. Feng highlighted China Mobile’s strong partnerships with leading companies like Huawei, with whom they will continue to collaborate to develop New Calling as a platform-like product that seamlessly integrates with users’ dialing pads. By harnessing the power of intelligence, China Mobile is poised to elevate its products to all-new heights.
    Chen Haiyong, President of the CS&IMS Domain of Huawei Cloud Core Network Product Line, pointed to the significance of the groundbreaking achievement by Huawei and China Mobile in building the world’s first commercial 5G New Calling network. As well as significantly enhancing the calling experiences and communication efficiency for users, this pioneering effort also leaves a lasting impact on the global market. Looking ahead, Huawei plans to build upon this success by creating intelligent service entry points based on users’ dialing pads, with the goal of empowering operators to unlock new business opportunities and drive success.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: China Mobile and Huawei Scoop Best 5G Voice Innovation Award for 5G New Calling at Network X Oct 11, 2024

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: China Mobile and Huawei Scoop Best 5G Voice Innovation Award for 5G New Calling at Network X
    Oct 11, 2024

    [Paris, France, October 11, 2024] The 5G New Calling solution, a groundbreaking joint innovation from China Mobile and Huawei, was recognized with the prestigious Best 5G Voice Innovation Award at the Network X annual award ceremony. This achievement is a testament to the solution’s outstanding technical innovation and far-reaching market influence, underscoring the strength of the partnership between the two industry leaders. By pushing the boundaries of 5G voice services, this joint innovation will advance the intelligent transformation of voice communications in the global 5G era.
    A marquee annual event in the global communications industry, Network X gathers top-tier telecom operators, pioneering technology innovators, and influential decision makers from around the world. The awards presented at the event represent a badge of honor, recognizing and celebrating outstanding innovations in a wide range of communications sectors. By acknowledging and showcasing such innovations, these awards not only inspire further innovation, but also drive the growth and prosperity of the global communications industry as a whole.
    China Mobile and Huawei win Best 5G Voice Innovation Award at Network X

    As 5G technologies continue to gather momentum, the traditional landscape of voice services is giving way to a more intelligent and diverse range of communication experiences. The 5G New Calling solution is at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to establish a comprehensive multimodal communications platform. This innovative platform seamlessly integrates various communication modes, including voice, text, images, and gestures, and takes things to the next level by incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as Real-Time Translation, Visualized Voice Calling, and Real-Time Voice Driven Avatar. The end result is unparalleled calling experiences for users.
    One of the standards set out in 3GPP’s Release 18, 5G New Calling redefines operators’ basic communication services with three revolutionary features: ultra-high-definition clarity, intelligence, and interactivity. New Calling is a major breakthrough in the voice industry, marking a leap forward in service intelligence for the 5G era. China Mobile has been blazing a trail in taking advantages of New Calling’s new market opportunities. Notably, by September 2024, the carrier had over 20 million subscribers to their New Calling services. This not only underscore the vast market potential of the 5G New Calling industry, but also highlight the technological prowess and market leadership of the partnership between Huawei and China Mobile.
    As Feng Shaorui, Head of China Mobile International France, accepted the award, he underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation-driven development, with a specific focus on integrating intelligence into its products. Emphasizing the significance of industry collaboration, Mr. Feng highlighted China Mobile’s strong partnerships with leading companies like Huawei, with whom they will continue to collaborate to develop New Calling as a platform-like product that seamlessly integrates with users’ dialing pads. By harnessing the power of intelligence, China Mobile is poised to elevate its products to all-new heights.
    Chen Haiyong, President of the CS&IMS Domain of Huawei Cloud Core Network Product Line, pointed to the significance of the groundbreaking achievement by Huawei and China Mobile in building the world’s first commercial 5G New Calling network. As well as significantly enhancing the calling experiences and communication efficiency for users, this pioneering effort also leaves a lasting impact on the global market. Looking ahead, Huawei plans to build upon this success by creating intelligent service entry points based on users’ dialing pads, with the goal of empowering operators to unlock new business opportunities and drive success.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doorstop – Adelaide, South Australia

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Look it is just fantastic to be here at Ferguson Australia. Can I thank Andrew and Kate and all of the staff here for taking us around and talking us through the whole process of lobsters and lobster exports. And it’s wonderful to be here with Don, my wonderful colleague, the Trade Minister, and also with Joe Szakacs, the State Minister for Trade and Investments.

    We’re here the morning after the Prime Minister has announced we have agreed a timetable with China to allow the full resumption of Australian live rock lobster exports by the end of this year. And what does that mean for Australians, for Australian jobs and Australian workers? It means that in businesses like Ferguson Australia, for workers like the team we’ve seen here today, we have been able to open up an export market which is so important to the industry, to profits, and also to jobs and wages for Australians. I know from our discussions that the Fergusons have been involved in the fishing industry here in South Australia since the 1960s, but obviously, when under the previous government, the businesses were effectively blocked from entering the Chinese market, that a lot of businesses like this one here in South Australia took a really big hit. A $700 million market was shut down overnight. But as a result of the excellent work by the Albanese Government, the Prime Minister and obviously the Trade Minister as well, we’re able to start exporting this first-rate Australian product back into the Chinese market.

    Obviously, this has occurred in the context of the stabilisation of our relationship with China. I said before the election and what we have delivered on is that we would look to stabilise the relationship with China without compromising on things which are important to Australians. When we came to government we inherited some $20 billion worth of trade impediments. $20 billion worth of trade impediments under Peter Dutton. Now, less than $500 million of those impediments remain.

    Obviously, we will continue, as we have over the last two and a bit years, to press for those trade impediments to be removed. The approach we have taken to China has been patient, it has been calibrated, it has been deliberate. And our approach has paid dividends for Australians, for Australian businesses and for Australian workers. Very pleased that we have seen this announcement overnight by the Prime Minister. Very pleased that we’ll see Australian rock lobster in the Chinese market again. And again, I thank the Ferguson’s for their hospitality today and I’ll hand over to the Trade Minister.

    Don Farrell, Trade and Tourism Minister: Well, thank you, Penny, and thank you for the really good work that you’ve done with the Prime Minister to stabilise our relationship with China that has resulted in this decision yesterday to lift the final impediment on the final product back into China. We lost more than $700 million worth of trade with rock lobster going into China. By the end of the year, of course, Chinese consumers will have the advantage of the wonderful Australian product. The best rock lobster in the world comes from Australia and particularly from South Australia. And we are so pleased that the stabilisation process that you, as Foreign Minister, undertook has resulted in now the final removal of all the products.

    As you said, two and a half years ago, we started with $20 billion worth of trade impediments. They have now been removed. And of course, what that’s meant is greater prosperity for Australian producers, and more jobs for Australian workers. But we’re not going to rest on our laurels, as you will have seen in the last week or two, we’ve negotiated new free trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and we’re encouraging companies like Fergusons to expand, to look at other markets so that we diversify our trading relationships. That’s the best way we can increase our prosperity and increase the number of jobs in this country.

    I want to thank the Fergusons. I was here only a couple of months ago where we said we’d be back with some good news, and that’s today. We’ve got that good news. And I want to thank the industry for sticking with us, it’s been a tough four years for this industry and all the way along the line I’ve wanted to give them some hope to make sure that they understood that if they stick with it, we would eventually get this sort of result. And I’m so pleased that the industry have toughed it out. They’ve diversified, but now the opportunity exists for them to go back into China. We’ve got a wonderful product here. We’ve got a clean and green image in China. We know from all of the other products that we’ve got back into the Chinese market over the last two and a half years, we actually go back with a greater volume than when we started. So, I’ve got the greatest of confidence that we’re not just going to stay where we are in terms of our exports, we’re actually going to increase those exports into the Chinese markets, and that’s very good news for this country. Thank you very much. And I want to thank my state colleagues, they’ve been working really hard with us – Joe and Claire. We’ve never given up hope. We’ve kept persisting and that persistence has now paid off. Thank you very much.

    Joe Szakacs, SA Minister for Trade and Investment: Thank you, everyone. Can I start by acknowledging the incredible work of the Commonwealth Government, particularly led by Senator Wong and Senator Farrell. The stabilisation of the China relationship has meant that important trade matters for South Australia have been able to be prosecuted by the Commonwealth Government, the Albanese Government, and thanks to their hard work and the support provided by our State Government here, we’ve seen these materialise today. Just yesterday, I announced that the trade numbers, the exports to China from South Australia, have hit another all-time high at $4.27 billion. To give some context for the impact that this announcement today or yesterday will have on the local industry in lobster, this was an over $70 million industry for South Australia that flatlined overnight. So, the resumption of the full exports of South Australian lobster into China will have a material impact for local jobs and local economic prosperity.

    Can I also say that the South Australian Government has been planning for this day for some time. Just a couple of months ago, I was actually just down here with Senator Farrell and Andrew to announce the $475,000 Seafood Support Package that our government implemented. That package is now ready to go. It supports one of two things. It supports the immediate re-engagement with China of our seafood industry, and particularly our lobster industry. It also supports and builds on the important diversification work that has been occurring to other markets, like Hong Kong, like Vietnam, like Korea and Japan. And we were in there inside today and we saw fresh live lobster being packed to head over to Hong Kong. That’s exactly the work that our State Government has been undertaking to diversify.

    Also, I just want to note that with the resumption of China Southern Airlines into South Australia, into Adelaide in December, we will see 15 tonnes of air freight every flight open up. Why is that critical? Well, it’s critical for lobster. We can’t put lobster on a boat. We can’t move lobster through ports of other states or territories. We need the best South Australian lobster to be in a plane, in the belly of a plane, into market in one day. With 15 tonne of air freight every single day being opened up from Adelaide to Guangzhou, that means direct air freight route for companies like Ferguson and other local producers. So, I just, again want to say thank you and particularly pay note to the Commonwealth Government for their extraordinary efforts in this regard.

    Clare Scriven, SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development: So, this is a wonderful announcement, but particularly for our regional economies. The rock lobster industry is worth $158 million to South Australia overall, and a significant amount of that has been in terms of China and the market there. So, it’s been a really difficult time for the lobster fishermen and also for the economies in our regional areas who rely on that lobster fishing industry. So, this is a great announcement. We are really pleased that the Federal Government and State Government has worked so hard to be able to achieve this and we look forward to an uplift for our regional economies as well as our lobster fishermen.

    Foreign Minister: Thanks, Clare. Okay, happy to take questions.

    Journalist: Minister Wong, when will the first lobsters hit China? Is this an immediate thing?

    Foreign Minister: Well, the announcement is by the end of the year that the trade impediments will be removed. Obviously, we’re hoping a little bit earlier than that. I was speaking to Andrew before about how that might be operationalised by the industry. I know with wine we started with a few shipments and then obviously month by month those, those exports grew. But the announcement is by the end of the year, but we’re hoping for earlier.

    Journalist: Now, do you trust China as a trading partner after the past four years? And what lessons have you learnt here?

    Foreign Minister: Well, we learnt a few lessons as a country, didn’t we? The first is that Peter Dutton talking tough isn’t the same as being tough. And that Mister Dutton and his colleagues really took an approach to the relationship with China which ultimately didn’t end up with a relationship that was stable, where we could agree, disagree, cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in the national interest. We saw that the Opposition continues to seek to politicise the China relationship. Now, I’ve been very clear: China has a set of interests. Some of those are very different to Australia’s. There are going to be areas where we disagree and Australia has been very clear about standing up for those issues which are important to Australians. But we also know that its important to engage and we will continue to do that in a mature, calibrated and deliberate way.

    Journalist: And will you pull back on other issues you might have with China to try and keep these trade deals going?

    Foreign Minister: Well, I think you’ve seen that we have been very clear about those areas where we disagree. And the whole point about trying to stabilise a relationship is to recognise there will be areas where you disagree and those will continue. There will be areas where you can cooperate and you want to work on them. And perhaps most importantly, you have to engage. You have to keep engaging in dialogue, in visits, in discussion, and we will continue to do that. And I was very pleased, for example, last night at the airport I saw a number of the Australian parliamentarians who are going to Beijing for the first parliamentarian trip for some time. So, we will have areas where we continue to have different views. Your Government will continue to articulate Australia’s position on them in accordance with our national interests. But we also recognise that it is important for us to seek to work with China to open up these markets. The reason is what you saw in there. This is about Australian jobs.

    Journalist: I just have some questions from Canberra about the Middle East. So, the Opposition says Australians fleeing from Lebanon should be made to pay for Government-supported flights back home if they’ve ignored Government warnings. What’s your response to that?

    Foreign Minister: Look, we’re taking the same approach on this as we talk to people who had to flee in the earlier part of the conflict after the horrific events of October 7. But I would say this; we have a flight scheduled for Sunday, that’s October 13, there are no further flights scheduled beyond that. So, I’d say to Australians, there is a flight scheduled on October 13. There are no further flights scheduled and any further flights would obviously, as I said, flights are not going to be scheduled indefinitely and are subject to operational and security constraints. You should leave now if you wish to leave.

    Journalist: And did the government go too far with its wording on the October 7 motion in Parliament? Should you have ensured it was wording the Coalition would support?

    Foreign Minister: Well, you know who’s gone too far in this and that’s Mr Dutton. Mr Dutton is out of step with the majority of the international community, including allies such as the US, the United Kingdom, members of the G7. He refused to support a ceasefire in Gaza. Can I remind everybody that a ceasefire in Gaza has been called for, led by the United States and backed in by every single member of the United Nations Security Council.

    So, the United States and every member of the UN Security Council have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but Mr Dutton does not want to vote for it. I’d also make the point that we had a debate in the Senate yesterday – the Coalition there was prepared to support a broader motion, including some of the issues that Mr Dutton refused to support in the House. Mr Dutton is doing what he always does, which is to seek to divide, to seek to inflame. Whenever there is a moment where we need Australians to come together, you can always count on Peter Dutton to look to divide Australians. Whenever there is a moment where we need Australians to come together, Mister Dutton will always work to divide them.

    Journalist: Thank you, Ministers. I just wanted to ask about biosecurity testing requirements. Is that something we’ve agreed to?

    Trade and Tourism Minister: Thanks, Dominic. So, we have been in discussions, of course, for some months now with the Chinese authorities in order to deal with all of the biosecurity issues that have been raised by the Chinese Government in the past. We have now got a way forward to resolve all of those biosecurity issues in a way that meets all of the Chinese requirements. So, what you’ll see, I think, between now and Christmas when there’s a full resumption, is a gradual resumption of exports of Australian rock lobster into China that will meet all of the requirements of the Chinese Government.

    Journalist: And what does that mean for Australian companies? Do they have to do anything extra or is that onus on the government when it comes to testing?

    Trade and Tourism Minister: Well, every government imposes its regulations on products coming into their country. China is no different from that. But I’m very confident, as a result of all of the discussions that have taken place, particularly the good work of the Agriculture Minister, Minister Collins, and before that, Minister Watt, we will ensure that we satisfy all of the requirements that the Chinese Government require about all of the products that we export into China.

    Journalist: Thank you. And just one for the Foreign Minister, if that’s all right. Yesterday you met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar and he put forward some suggestions about how Australia could act in terms of responding to the junta’s rule. I’m just wondering if there’s any particular ideas that you were receptive to or if we’re considering any further measures that he suggested?

    Foreign Minister: We are very concerned about the situation in Myanmar. We’re concerned because, as a decent country, the loss of life and the disrespect for human rights concerns us all. We’re also concerned because Myanmar is critical to regional stability. If you look at the history of Southeast Asia, the history of ASEAN, stability in Myanmar has been a central part of the stability of the region. So, that matters to Australia. We are very concerned about the situation. We are very concerned about the behaviour of the regime. You would have seen previously that we have put sanctions on particular members of the regime. And recently I also put sanctions on particular companies, including those supplying jet fuel, given that the regime was in engaging in attacks on its own people.

    I was very pleased to meet with the Rapporteur. We discussed the situation in Myanmar. We discussed the need to focus more on the humanitarian crisis. People might recall I visited Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh some time ago. I made the point that that is Australia’s largest single humanitarian contribution, under both governments. We have put very substantial amounts of humanitarian support there because it is a humanitarian crisis in our region. And we’ll continue to work with both the international community, regional partners, to try and contribute to finding stability in Myanmar and certainly averting or dealing with the humanitarian crisis which is on our doorstep.

    Thanks very much, everybody.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ageas announces exclusive negotiations to strengthen its partnership with UK over 50s specialist Saga

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ageas announces that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with Saga plc, the UK specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50, to establish a 20-year partnership with Saga Services Limited (SSL) for the distribution of personal lines Motor and Home insurance products to Saga’s customers. Alongside this, Ageas would also acquire Saga’s Insurance Underwriting business, AICL (Acromas Insurance Company Limited), which together form the Proposed Transaction.

    The Proposed Transaction aligns perfectly with Ageas’s recently unveiled Elevate27 strategy, to capitalise on its robust Non-Life presence across Europe, while accelerating solutions targeted at an ageing population, a rapidly expanding customer segment where the Group and Ageas UK already has real strength and expertise. Furthermore, it presents Ageas with the opportunity to enhance its position as a leading personal lines insurer in the UK, adding scale to a core European market of the Group. By combining Saga’s insights with Ageas UK’s personal lines insurance expertise particularly in this customer segment, the partnership offers a unique competitive advantage in the expanding over 50s market.

    Under the Proposed Transaction, Ageas UK, a subsidiary of Ageas, would enter into a 20-year Affinity Partnership with SSL, Saga’s Insurance Broking business, which distributed in excess of GBP 479 million in Gross Written Premiums (GWP) in the 12-month period ended 31 July 2024 across its motor and home insurance products. The Proposed Transaction represents a total cash payment of GBP 147.5 million, subject to customary completion adjustments, with a potential additional contingent consideration of up to GBP 60 million, subject to meeting agreed policy volumes and profitability targets. Completion of the AICL transaction remains conditional on the signing of definitive transaction documentation and regulatory approvals. As of January 2024, AICL’s Own Funds (Unrestricted Tier1) and Solvency Capital Requirement stand at GBP 83 million and GBP 54 million, respectively.

    Based on the initial consideration and including capital synergies, the estimated impact on the Ageas Group Solvency is – 5%.

    The Proposed Transaction will not affect the Group’s current share buyback programme.

    Background on Saga

    Saga, created over 70 years ago, is a specialist in the provision of products and services for people over 50. The Saga brand is one of the most recognised and trusted in the UK. Saga is known for its high level of customer service and its high-quality, award-winning products and services including cruises and travel, insurance, personal finance and media. (http://www.saga.co.uk)

    Hans De Cuyper, CEO of Ageas said: “We eagerly anticipate further strengthening our partnership with Saga, a well-known brand in the UK. This proposed deal aligns seamlessly with the Ageas Group recently launched Elevate27 strategy, which aims to leverage our strong European presence in Non-Life, add scale to our business, and benefit from material capital diversification. This transaction allows us to grow in a market where we already have real strength and expertise. Ageas has a longstanding tradition of successful partnerships, and we are confident that this collaboration with Saga will open new avenues for creating and accelerating profitable growth.”

    Ant Middle, CEO of Ageas UK said: “This proposed deal with Saga aligns perfectly with our strategy to profitably grow in UK personal lines and in creating powerful partnerships to the benefit of our customers. Deepening our relationship with Saga unlocks even more opportunity to increase our competitiveness in a rapidly expanding over 50s customer segment; an area where we already have real strength and expertise. It also draws on our strengths of technical and operational excellence, and customer care, providing more potential for us to leverage the significant investments made in our business over the last three years and offer our expertise in meeting the unique needs of Saga’s customers.”

    Mike Hazell, CEO of Saga plc said: “We are hugely excited at the opportunity to grow our home and motor Insurance business through this proposed partnership with Ageas. The coming together of Saga’s fantastic brand and Ageas’s unrivalled expertise in operating successful affinity insurance partnerships, would create a winning combination. Our joint reputation for delivering exceptional products and services to people over 50 means this partnership would allow us to serve even more customers with great products at excellent value. Saga is a unique business with a long heritage, great people and loyal customers. We have been clear for some time that developing a partnership approach is the right strategy, providing us with a capital-light route to growth and the ability to reduce debt, leading to the creation of long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”

    Whilst Ageas and Saga are in exclusive negotiations, the Proposed Transaction remains subject to the parties agreeing binding documentation as well as regulatory approvals, and therefore there is currently no certainty that it will occur. A further announcement will be made in due course, as appropriate.

    Proposed terms

    Affinity Partnership

    • The Affinity Partnership would be for a 20-year term, with the ambition to ‘go live’ by the end of 2025.
    • Ageas UK would pay Saga an upfront consideration of GBP 80 million payable at or around the ‘go live’ date.
    • Additionally, Saga may receive contingent consideration of up to GBP 30 million in 2026 and up to GBP 30 million in 2032, subject to certain policy volume and profitability targets being met.
    • SSL would receive commission on the GWP generated over the term of the Affinity Partnership representing the value that SSL will continue to provide through the Partnership.

    Ageas acquisition of AICL

    • Ageas UK would acquire AICL for a total consideration of GBP 67.5 million, subject to customary completion adjustments.
    • Completion of the AICL transaction is targeted in Q2 2025 and is conditional on the signing of definitive transaction documentation and certain regulatory approvals.

    Ageas is a listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning almost 200 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow, and is also engaged in reinsurance activities. As one of Europe’s larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Portugal, Türkiye, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long-term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of about 44,000 people and reported annual inflows of more than EUR 17 billion in 2023.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Tryg A/S – Interim report Q3 2024 and Q1-Q3 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tryg’s Supervisory Board has today approved the Q3 and Q1-Q3 2024 interim report.

    Tryg reported an insurance service result of DKK 2,130m (DKK 1,513m) and a combined ratio of 78.2% (83.8%) in Q3 2024. The insurance service result was supported by significantly lower weather and large claims compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The underlying claims ratio for the Group improved by 30 basis points driven by continued profitability initiatives. The underlying claims ratio for the Private segment deteriorated by 20 basis points while it deteriorated 40 basis points in Q2 2024. Tryg reported a top-line growth of 3.9% (4.4%) in Q3 2024. The top-line development was mainly driven by price adjustments across all segments to offset inflationary pressure, whilst there was a continued and expected drop in the Corporate business following higher churn in the first part of the year and in line with Tryg’s re-balancing strategy. Synergies from the RSA Scandinavia acquisition were DKK 58m in the quarter reaching DKK 864m accumulated. The investment result was DKK 444m (DKK 265m) driven by positive returns across all asset classes. Pre-tax profit was DKK 2,134m (DKK 1,225m) and profit after tax was DKK 1,611m. Quarterly dividend of DKK 1.95 (DKK 1.85) per share increased by more than 5%, and a solvency ratio of 202% supportive of future shareholders’ remuneration.

    Financial highlights Q3 2024

    • Insurance revenue growth of 3.9% in local currencies (4.4%)
    • Insurance service result of DKK 2,130m (DKK 1,513m)
    • Combined ratio of 78.2% (83.8%)
    • Expense ratio of 13.3% (13.3%)
    • Investment result of DKK 444m (DKK 265m)
    • Profit before tax of DKK 2,134m (DKK 1,225m)
    • Quarterly ordinary dividend of DKK 1.95 (DKK 1.85) per share and solvency ratio of 202%

    Financial highlights Q1-Q3 2024

    • Insurance revenue growth of 4.2% in local currencies (4.3%)
    • Insurance service result of DKK 5,617m (DKK 4,745m)
    • Combined ratio of 80.5% (82.9%)
    • Expense ratio of 13.5% (13.3%)
    • Investment result of DKK 908m (DKK 485m)
    • Profit before tax of DKK 5,270m (DKK 3,640m)
    • Dividend per share of DKK 5.85 (DKK 5.55) per share

    Customer highlights Q3 2024

    • Customer satisfaction score of 86 (86)

    Statement by Group CEO Johan Kirstein Brammer:
    We have delivered a solid insurance service result in the third quarter, once again highlighting our strength as a full-scale insurance operator in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Today’s results are the last before we present our new strategy, and the numbers underpin our expectation of achieving our financial goals for the strategy period. These goals include an insurance service result of between DKK 7.2 and 7.6 billion and a combined ratio at or below 82% by the end of 2024,” says Johan Kirstein Brammer, CEO of Tryg.

    Conference call
    Tryg hosts a conference call today at 10:00 CET. CEO Johan Kirstein Brammer, CFO Allan Kragh Thaysen, CTO Mikael Kärrsten and Head of IR, SVP Gianandrea Roberti will present the results in brief followed by Q&As.

    The conference call will be held in English. An on-demand version will be available shortly after the conference call has ended.

    Conference call details:
    Danish participants:              +45 78 76 84 90
    UK participants:                    +44 203 769 6819
    US participants:                    +1 646 787 0157
    PIN: 560768

    The interim report material can be downloaded on http://www.tryg.com/downloads-2024 shortly after the time of release.
    Contact information:

    Visit tryg.com for more information. 

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Festival celebrates renowned playwright

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Lao She Theater Festival, an annual cultural event in Beijing, celebrates renowned Chinese playwright and novelist Lao She (1899-1966).

    Named after the famous writer, whose works explore social issues in modern China with wit and humanism, the festival features performances of Lao She’s plays and other contemporary theatrical works, with a highlight on the connection between theatrical productions and literary works.

    On Sept 27, the eighth edition of the festival was announced at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. In the following three months, 35 theatrical productions will be staged in the capital with 90 performances divided into seven sections. The festival showcases a variety of theatrical performances not just by Lao She but also new plays by contemporary playwrights from China and beyond.

    These productions explore themes relevant to modern audiences, including social issues, cultural identity and human nature, according to Yang Cheng, president of the Beijing Artists Management Corp, the festival organizer.

    “Literature can evoke deep emotions through the reader’s imagination and connection to the written word, while theater amplifies this emotional impact by presenting stories live. The immediacy and presence of actors onstage allow audiences to feel the tension, humor or sorrow in real-time, making the emotional engagement more direct,” he says.

    Last year, the festival commissioned director Fang Xu to adapt Lao She’s classic novel Rickshaw Boy into a play. Featuring an all-male cast, the play has been staged in over 20 shows across the country. On Sunday and Monday, it was staged again at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center.

    Fang says that while literature is often the product of a single author’s vision, theatrical productions are highly collaborative. The process of staging a play involves writers, directors, actors, set designers and more, contributing their skills to interpret the original text. This collaboration can lead to multiple layers of meaning beyond what is present in the original literary work.

    This year, the festival announced its second commission for the event. Chinese director Zhang Xiao will adapt Chinese writer Du Liang’s popular novel Peking in Flames into a play, which will premiere on Dec 12 with shows running till Dec 15.

    The novel is a historical drama set in Beijing (formerly Beiping) during the late stages of the War of Liberation (1946-49), specifically in 1948, just before the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The novel was turned into a hit TV drama in 2009 featuring actor Liu Peiqi playing the lead role of Wen San’er, who makes a living by pulling a rickshaw and is depicted as clever, street-smart and knows how to navigate the complex political landscape of Beiping.

    “The novel focuses on the lives of various characters from different social classes caught up in the political and military struggles of the time. Du Liang is known for his detailed and immersive storytelling, bringing historical events to life with rich characterizations and dramatic tension,” says Zhang. “The writer uses the setting of Beiping to symbolize the broader transformation of Chinese society during this period. The character Wen San’er is vivid and, despite his petty, streetwise demeanor, possesses a trait that shines brightly. This trait carries a resilient vitality.”

    On Dec 7 and 8, the festival will stage The Family by the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group adapted from Chinese writer Ba Jin’s novel of the same title. Depicting the oppressive effect of traditional feudal families upon younger generations, the novel is Ba Jin’s most famous and influential work, which has been adapted into different art forms.

    Over the years, the Lao She Theater Festival has expanded to include collaborations with international theater groups, bringing diverse theatrical styles and influences to the event. This has helped position it as a platform for cross-cultural exchange.

    The Armazem Theatre Company from Brazil will debut in Beijing by staging its production Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas from Oct 31 to Nov 3. Adapted from the book by Brazil’s celebrated writer Machado de Assis, the production, directed by Paulo de Moraes, sold out when it was staged during the 10th edition of the Wuzhen Theater Festival — an annual theater event in the ancient water town of Wuzhen, Zhejiang province.

    The Song of the Goat Theatre from Poland will return with its theatrical experiment Hamlet — A Commentary, featuring actors interpreting the characters, events and emotions through sounds. The text is given a melody and the dialogue is presented as musical harmonies. The words and music reflect the characters’ and family’s emotions. In 2019, the theater company staged its production Songs of Lear, an interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear, during the third edition of the Lao She Theater Festival.

    Other highlights of the ongoing festival will include a new section for dance productions. Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan will present the dance drama Tian Gong Kai Wu, or The Exploitation of the Works of Nature, inspired by the science classic of the same title by Song Yingxing, a scientist who lived in the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. First published in 1637, the book offers a summary of ancient China’s manufacturing and farming techniques, earning recognition as an encyclopedia of science and technology. The eponymous drama, coproduced by the Jiangxi Cultural Performance Group and the Beijing Dance Academy, revolves around Song’s quest, portraying his journey to gather the techniques and tools and emphasizing the craftsmanship of ancient Chinese laborers.

    Since its launch in 2017, the festival has supported young theater lovers from various universities. Eighteen theatrical productions by students of Chinese universities will be staged during the festival, selected among 60 productions from 33 universities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Paris collection draws evolution of ink painting

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Art lovers in China may not be aware of this, but a museum in Paris houses an important collection of Asian and Chinese art. The ongoing exhibition The Journey of Ink: Modern and Contemporary Chinese Paintings From the Musee Cernuschi showing at the Bund One Art Museum in Shanghai marks the first time a selection of masterpieces from the Paris museum is on display in China.

    Running until Jan 5, the exhibition features 89 paintings from the collection of the Musee Cernuschi, including works by familiar masters such as Zhang Daqian, Lin Fengmian, Qi Baishi and Sanyu.

    The Musee Cernuschi’s collection of modern and contemporary Chinese art has been displayed for more than 70 years, says Eric Lefebvre, director and general curator of the French museum. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France, “so we think it is a great opportunity to share the ink paintings with audiences in Shanghai”, he told media at the opening ceremony.

    “We have selected artworks spanning almost a century to showcase how Chinese ink art innovated and developed throughout this period.”

    The exhibition ranges from paintings made at the beginning of the 20th century to the creations of living artists in the final chapter.

    “We search for a link with the past in the paintings,” says Mael Bellec, head of the Chinese and Korean collections at the Musee Cernuschi.

    In the curatorial process, Lefebvre and Bellec discovered a narrative thread connecting the works and chose ink painting as the main theme. “Because ink is native to Chinese characteristics, viewing it conjures the feeling of its history,” Bellec says.

    Many Chinese artists stayed in Paris and “while they were there, they did new things with what they learned … When two cultures meet, there is a blending that happens almost immediately and brings forth new ideas”, Bellec tells China Daily.

    “In France, people tend to forget that these artists were there and are part of our history,” he says. “Except for a few artists such as Pan Yuliang, whose biographic movie was made starring famous actress Gong Li, it’s not so easy to recognize and acknowledge them as part of our history, too,” he adds.

    For French visitors to the Cernuschi Museum in Paris, Bellec says: “Studying the art from a faraway country helps you to get out of your own culture and broaden your view of the world and its aesthetics, which is very different from your own.”

    Visitors to the exhibition in Shanghai will find landscape paintings, flowers and birds, and hand scrolls traditionally mounted in the first showroom.

    “Then, one chapter after another, they will observe the evolution of ink paintings, from the forms to the techniques,” Lefebvre says.

    To give audiences a full evolutionary experience, Lefebvre and Bellec also selected a series of videos from the institution’s archives, dating as early as the 1930s, that document the painting process of some artists.

    “From these videos, we can learn about the techniques of Zhang Daqian and see how artist Walasse Ting created the popular action painting style of the United States, reflecting the integration of Chinese and Western art,” Lefebvre says.

    A significant part of the exhibit joins the museum collection from the 1950s when the Musee Cernuschi received an important donation of paintings from Guo Youshou, a Chinese diplomat who later worked for UNESCO.

    An important collector and promoter of Chinese art, Guo facilitated the first series of exhibitions of Chinese art in France, Switzerland and Slovakia. From the 1950s to 60s, he helped to organize three exhibitions of Zhang Daqian in France, says Xie Dingwei, founding director of the Bund One Art Museum.

    “In 1953, Guo donated 76 paintings to the Musee Cernuschi, including works by Xu Beihong, Lin Fengmian, Pu Ru and my father,” says Xie, the son of renowned Chinese artist Xie Zhiliu.

    Guo’s donation played an important part in the Musee Cernuschi’s collection of modern Chinese art. Today, “we recognize him as a pioneer who made great contributions by introducing Chinese art to the world”, Xie says.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Remembrance Service Sunday 10 November 2024 – Bangkok

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The British Embassy in Bangkok will be hosing this year’s annual Remembrance Day Service at The British Club.

    The annual Remembrance Day Service organised by the British Embassy in Bangkok will be held at The British Club commencing at 1050hrs on Sunday 10th November.  The event will not only commemorate British, Commonwealth, and allied personnel, but all those who have been affected in all conflicts.  It serves as a reminder that nations who fought so bitterly against each other can come together to promote peace and stability in the modern world. 

    Wreaths will be laid at the War Memorial by Ambassadors or their representatives, by War Veterans’ organisations and by representatives from associations and societies in Bangkok. Those attending the service are asked to gather from 1020hrs. 

    We would be grateful if you would reply via this link or through the QR code provided no later than 25 Oct 24 if you would like to attend.  Applications for attendance will only be processed via this method and regrettably we cannot guarantee entry for anyone who has not completed this application form. 

    If you wish to lay a wreath, they are available from the British Embassy for a donation of 1500 THB each; requests for wreaths and details for payment are included in the attendance response form.  All funds raised will go to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.  There will be an opportunity for personal wreaths to be laid following the service.

    There will be no public parking on site.  Travel by public transport is recommended. Public Address The British Club Bangkok, Silom Road Soi 18, Bangrak.  Following the service, light refreshments will be served on the back lawn.

    Please be aware that attendance may result in your image being captured during official event photography.  Should you not wish your image to appear in any official photographs on government or other media outlets please inform the British Embassy in writing accordingly.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Employment Rights Bill: statement on lateness of IA submission

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    RPC statement about the late submission of the Employment Rights Bill impact assessment.

    The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) produces opinions of impact assessments (IAs) and Options Assessments (OAs) to help departments ensure that the evidence and analysis in them is sufficiently robust. We provide an independent opinion to assist ministerial decision making and parliamentary scrutiny of regulatory proposals. We publish these to assist parliamentarians and to ensure that they are available to external stakeholders. Government departments are expected to submit IAs to the RPC in time for the RPC to issue an opinion before the relevant legislation is laid before Parliament.

    As part of the King’s Speech, the Government made clear its intention to introduce an Employment Rights Bill. Since this was a manifesto commitment, the Better Regulation Framework urgent measures process allows the department (the Department for Business and Trade) to submit an IA for the proposal, rather than an OA as normally required.

    The Employment Rights Bill was introduced to Parliament yesterday (10th October 2024). An IA has yet to be submitted to the RPC for scrutiny.

    The RPC will, on receipt of the IA, produce its opinion as soon as possible. Our opinion will be made available to the Government and Parliament and published on our website as soon as it is complete, when we will update this statement.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa needs more nautical scientists and marine engineers – if you love the sea these may be the careers for you

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ekaterina Rzyankina, Lecturer, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

    When most people are asked to picture an engineer at work, they probably imagine a civil engineer in a hard hat at a construction site, a chemical engineer in a laboratory or an electrical engineer examining a complex circuit board. Very few, I’m willing to bet, visualise someone aboard a ship.

    But, for those drawn both to engineering and a seafaring life, marine engineering and nautical science are ideal careers – especially in a country like South Africa, uniquely positioned where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge.

    Over 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea. That means both marine engineers and nautical scientists are crucial to global trade, transportation and resource management. These professionals play a critical role in ensuring that vessels operate reliably, comply with environmental regulations and navigate safely through the world’s oceans.

    South Africa’s Department of Higher Education does not distinguish between different types of engineering when collecting statistics about graduates. However, those of us in the marine engineering and nautical science space in academia can confirm the numbers are low. At my own institution, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in Cape Town, between ten and 20 people graduate each year from these programmes. At another, Nelson Mandela University in the Eastern Cape province, around seven people graduate in these fields each year. With so few people studying these disciplines, the skills they impart are in high demand. The government’s list of scarce skills for 2024 includes “marine engineering technologist”.

    I’m an engineering lecturer in the Department of Maritime Studies at CPUT. There, I teach in both the Bachelor of Nautical Science and Marine Engineering programmes, lecturing on a variety of subjects, including mathematics and applied thermodynamics (the branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat, energy and work).

    Watching my students complete their degrees and start careers in marine engineering or nautical science has made it clear that this work offers a blend of adventure, technical challenge, and the opportunity to contribute to an industry that is essential to global commerce and environmental stewardship.

    Whether it’s designing cutting-edge marine technology or navigating the world’s vast oceans, the maritime field promises a fulfilling professional journey.

    Theory and practice

    Three universities – CPUT, Nelson Mandela University and the Durban University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal – offer maritime studies courses aimed at those who intend to work at sea. A fourth, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, offers this degree with a focus on maritime law and logistics. There are also some specialised training institutions, among them the South African Maritime Safety Authority, that provide various qualifications and certifications.

    You’ll need to have taken mathematics, physical science and English in your school-leaving matric year, and to have passed them well. (Contact individual universities to find out their precise degree requirements.) A strong interest in and commitment to a career at sea or in the maritime industry more broadly is crucial.

    Being a strong swimmer can be an advantage. But it is not necessarily a requirement. Students who do not know how to swim will typically have the opportunity to learn and develop their swimming skills as part of their training.

    There are practical and theoretical components to these degrees. At our Granger Bay campus near the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, for instance, we’ve set up a survival centre – a practical facility where students receive training to equip them for life at sea. It is fully equipped with three fully enclosed lifeboats, two open lifeboats, a rigid capsule, two fast rescue craft, a heated 12 x 7 metre pool, an underwater escape training dunker, various life rafts, life jackets, immersion suits, and more.

    Read more: Seasickness: we built a digital monitoring system on a South African research ship to help manage it

    On the theoretical side, a Bachelor of Nautical Science programme focuses on the navigation and operation of ships. It encompasses navigation techniques, ship stability, cargo handling, meteorology, and maritime laws. This prepares students for careers as navigators in the merchant navy. (Not to be confused with the military navy – a merchant navy is a country’s commercial shipping industry, which includes all the cargo and passenger ships that are registered under that nation and used for trade, transport and other non-military purposes.)

    Some of our graduates have gone on to become ship’s masters, also called captains – the highest ranking officer on any ship.

    Marine engineering programmes, meanwhile, focus on the design, development, operation and maintenance of the mechanical systems and equipment used on ships and other marine vessels. This includes everything from engines and propulsion systems to refrigeration and steering mechanisms. Marine engineers ensure that these systems function efficiently and safely. They often work closely with naval architects to integrate these technologies into new ship designs or retrofit them into existing vessels.

    Ample opportunities

    Oceanic African countries, like South Africa, need people with these skills to harness the full potential of their maritime resources.

    Read more: What South Africa can do to harness a neglected resource – its oceans

    The development of local expertise in maritime engineering and nautical science is essential for ensuring safe and efficient maritime operations. It also helps to protect marine environments and contributes to global maritime trade. Skilled professionals in these fields help these countries take advantage of their maritime assets, promote economic growth and enhance their roles in international commerce.

    As a proud lecturer, I am thrilled to see my students progress and develop both internationally and locally. Many have gone on to work in various exciting and prestigious roles around the world. Some have become ship’s masters, navigating and managing large vessels on international waters, while others have taken on critical roles in maritime operations, port management and logistics in countries such as Singapore, Norway and the United Kingdom. Some have pursued careers in maritime law and policy. Their career paths reflect the diverse and global opportunities available in the maritime industry.

    – South Africa needs more nautical scientists and marine engineers – if you love the sea these may be the careers for you
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africa-needs-more-nautical-scientists-and-marine-engineers-if-you-love-the-sea-these-may-be-the-careers-for-you-234104

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank to Host 2024 Trade Finance Seminar and Factoring Workshop in Windhoek, Namibia

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAIRO, Egypt, October 11, 2024/APO Group/ —

    African bankers, financiers, legal practitioners, insurers, and professionals from regulatory agencies and corporates, from across the African continent involved in trade finance will gather in Windhoek, Namibia, from 5 to 8 November for the annual Afreximbank Trade Finance Seminar (ATFS) and Factoring Workshop (https://ATFS2024.AfreximbankEvents.com).

    The event will address critical trade finance trends, tools and offer training in innovative strategies to bolster Africa’s trade ecosystem.

    Mr. Titus Ndove, Executive Director, Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, Namibia will deliver the Keynote Address, underscoring Namibia’s commitment to advancing intra-Africa trade as well as global trade facilitation.

    The Seminar will host a number of world class speakers covering a broad range of topics and technical training workshops.

    Ms. Gwen Mwaba, Managing Director Trade Finance & Correspondent Banking, Afreximbank, said: “This Seminar aims to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of financing transactions and structuring viable trade deals amidst increasing and heightened global economic uncertainty.

    “By enhancing expertise in trade and trade-related deals, participants will not only drive national economic growth and boost public and private sector revenues through enhanced income generation, but also enable governments to execute critical development projects. Our aim is to foster a collaborative environment where these key stakeholders can share insights and strategies to strengthen Africa’s trade finance landscape and unlock new opportunities for growth.”

    Africa’s trade finance gap (https://apo-opa.co/4eBnsOn) is estimated to be between US$90 billion and US$120 billion per year.

    The exiting and scaling back of many international banks from Africa have severely limited local lenders’ ability to finance clients’ import and export needs and created record demand for trade finance in Africa.

    The Afreximbank Trade Finance Seminar (ATFS) and Factoring Workshop (https://ATFS2024.AfreximbankEvents.com) is a cost- and time-efficient capacity-building seminar tailored to African markets for professionals involved directly or indirectly in trade finance, providing them with valuable knowledge and expert training.

    Among the speakers at the workshop is Mr Neal Harm, the Secretary General of the FCI, the Global Representative Body for Factoring and Financing of Open Account Domestic and International Trade Receivables headquartered in the Netherlands.

    The full-day Factoring Workshop on 8 November will focus on “Solving the African Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) Trade Finance Gap through Factoring and Supply Chain Finance” and provide valuable insights into how this alternative financing method can effectively bridge the finance gap for MSMEs.

    Factoring is a vital trade finance tool that provides MSMEs with access to financing, helping to boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    Interested attendees can register for the Afreximbank Trade Finance Seminar and Factoring Workshop by clicking on this link (https://apo-opa.co/3YjsWav).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First tickets for London’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations to go on sale

    Source: Mayor of London

    • First batch of tickets for The Mayor of London’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display will go on sale at midday on Friday 18 October
    • London will welcome in 2025 with spectacular fireworks, lighting and music – showcasing our capital, boosting our economy and providing an incredible global advert for our tourism industry
    • Millions around the world watch the annual celebration, with the BBC’s coverage the most watched TV programme in the UK last year
    • Some ticket prices have increased this year to enhance security and crowd management, although Londoners can secure tickets for a number of viewing areas at the same price as last year

     

    The first tickets for the Mayor of London’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display will go on sale at midday on Friday 18 October.

    It will be the first of two batches of tickets to go on sale for the capital’s biggest night of the year, when Londoners and visitors to the capital gather opposite the London Eye to welcome in the new year.

    The eyes of the world will be on the capital as London celebrates 2024 and looks forward to 2025 with a spectacular display of fireworks, lighting and music that begins with the traditional sounds of Big Ben’s chimes.

    The display is shown live to many millions around the world, showcasing our capital, boosting our economy and providing an incredible global advert for our tourism industry. The BBC’s coverage was the most watched TV programme in the UK last year, with many millions more watching on the iPlayer and online.

    The first opportunity to guarantee a place to watch the celebration in person is when tickets go on sale next Friday at midday.

    It is essential to buy a ticket to watch the fireworks in person as those without tickets will not be allowed to enter the viewing areas. Only tickets bought from the authorised outlet Ticketmaster will be accepted. No official tickets will be sold by any other websites and those bought through any other means will not be valid.

    This year some ticket prices have increased to enhance security and crowd management around the event, and cover increasing costs seen across the industry. The impending and important introduction of Martyn’s Law, after the horrific Manchester Arena attack, has also set out important new security measures at major events to help keep people safe which the GLA is implementing.

    Tickets cost between £20 and £50 depending on the viewing area and if they are being bought by someone who lives in London. Londoners will pay £15 less on each ticket booked than those living outside of the capital – meaning that they can secure tickets for a number of viewing areas at the same price as last year.

    There will also be an opportunity to donate to TAP London, a charity dedicated to supporting homeless Londoners.

    Those who are unable to secure a ticket will be able to welcome in the new year in London’s fantastic range of bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs across the capital, or watch the display live on BBC One alongside more than 12m TV viewers.

    City Hall is working closely with a range of partner agencies including the Met Police, TfL, local authorities and the emergency services to deliver the event.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Our New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations are renowned across the globe, with many millions watching how our capital welcomes in the new year. I’m proud that our spectacular display of fireworks, lighting and music gets better every year, boosting our hospitality and tourism industries and showing why London is the greatest city on Earth. The only way to enjoy this fantastic show in person is to buy a ticket, so I urge anyone wanting to attend to secure their tickets as early as possible.”

     

    Robin Goodchild, Senior General Manager of the lastminute.com London Eye, said: “This New Year’s Eve is incredibly special as we mark both the world entering a quarter of a century since the dawn of the new millennium and kick off a year-long celebration for our 25th anniversary. London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are internationally acclaimed and we at the lastminute.com London Eye are thrilled to host them as an icon of London’s skyline. We feel especially privileged to once again partner with the Mayor of London to bring this world-renowned show to the people of London and inspire visitors globally to visit our great capital. A dazzling display of colour and storytelling will illuminate the night sky, and for both those watching here in London and for TV audiences around the globe, we are excited to be at the forefront of bringing in 2025.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Konsolidator completes private placement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no 16-2024

    Søborg, October 16, 2024

    Konsolidator completes private placement

    In company announcement no. 15-2024, Konsolidator A/S (“Konsolidator”) announced the resolution by the Board of Directors to issue up to 573,979 new shares in a private placement. The new shares have been subscribed for by existing investors.

    Konsolidator announces the completion of the private placement as all 573,979 new shares have been subscribed for and the total subscription amount of DKK 2.2m has been received by Konsolidator.

    The new shares and the related capital increase will be registered at the Danish Business Authority today, following which the company has a registered share capital of nominal DKK 909,388. The share capital will consist of 22,734,700 shares, each with a nominal value of DKK 0.04. Each share carries one vote, corresponding to a total of 22,734,700 votes.

    The new shares represent approximately 2.6% of Konsolidator’s share capital before the capital increase and 2.6% of Konsolidator’s share capital after the capital increase.

    The new shares are expected to be admitted to trading on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Denmark on October 15, 2024 under the ISIN code of Konsolidator’s existing shares, DK0061113511.

    Following registration of the capital increase, the authorization in section 3.1.8 of the articles of association for the Board of Directors to issue shares without pre-emption rights has been reduced to a nominal value of DKK 156,089.68.

    The updated articles of association are available at http://www.konsolidator.com/investor/.

    Contacts

    Certified Adviser

    About Konsolidator
    Konsolidator A/S is a financial consolidation software company whose primary objective is to make Group CFOs around the world better through automated financial consolidation and reporting in the cloud. Created by CFOs and auditors and powered by innovative technology, Konsolidator removes the complexity of financial consolidation and enables the CFO to save time and gain actionable insights based on key performance data to become a vital part of strategic decision-making. Konsolidator was listed at Nasdaq First North Growth Market Denmark in 2019. Ticker Code: KONSOL

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Housing boost for North East communities as Combined Authority deepens strategic ties with Homes England

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Housing ambitions to support people across the North East boosted by Strategic Place Partnership between local leaders and national agency

    Credit: North East Combined Authority

    North East Combined Authority (NECA) and Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, have signed a Strategic Place Partnership that will support the region to realise its housing ambitions.

    Teams from NECA and the Agency will work together for the long-term to unlock locally-led plans to create new homes within thriving places for people across the region.

    This includes drawing on Homes England expertise and resources, including land, legal powers and funding, underpinned by the development of a shared business plan aligned to local priorities

    The agreement deepens existing local-national partnership working between NECA, North East local authorities and the Agency, with funding and expertise already supporting a range of projects including Forth Yards in Newcastle3 and West Park in Sunderland4.

    Mayor of the North East Kim McGuinness said:

    Everyone in the North East deserves a place they are proud to call home, and that is why I have made housing a key plank of my plans as Mayor. Indeed, this announcement follows closely from the news we have invested £4.5m to support the regeneration of Horden in East Durham5.

    Signing the Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England will allow us to take some of our biggest brownfield sites and turn them from eyesores into the homes and communities people need.

    It’s an opportunity to turbocharge development across the region by working with the Agency and our local authorities to create new homes that are affordable, energy efficient, and where people can thrive.

    Homes England Chief Executive Peter Denton said:

    A strategic place partnership isn’t a ceremonial bit of paper. It signals a long-term commitment where regional and national teams work together for the benefit of communities, to achieve the visions of local leaders who understand what people local to the area want and need to thrive.

    My colleagues and I are excited to deepen our ties with the combined authority to help accelerate progress. We are united by a passion to get things done in the right way, in the right places, to help ensure successful, sustainable regeneration and more affordable, quality home for thousands of people in the North East.

    The Agency is proud to be supporting NECA to achieve its housing vision through the SPP, with similar partnerships in place with regional authorities including South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    About Homes England

    Homes England is the government’s homes and regeneration agency. We drive the creation of more high-quality homes and thriving places so that everyone – no matter their background – has a place to live and thrive. We work in partnership with thousands of public and private bodies including local authorities, home builders, developers, affordable housing providers, commercial real estate companies  and financial institutions to make this happen. For more information visit: Homes England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    About North East Combined Authority

    The North East Combined Authority (North East CA) was formed on 7 May 2024. It is led by Elected Mayor Kim McGuinness and the Cabinet and covers the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.  For more information visit http://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk

    Homes England acquires Quayside West as part of wider Newcastle regeneration – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Sunderland residents set to benefit from new homes after fresh investment supports city centre regeneration plans – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Mayor makes first steps to deliver new generation of social housing with County Durham investment (northeast-ca.gov.uk)

    Attached pictures caption: Mayor of the North East Kim McGuinness and Homes England Chief Executive Peter Denton launched a new partnership agreement between the organisations during a visit to the Newcastle Training Hub for bricklaying and groundworker apprenticeships.

    Contact information

    For further information, imagery or interview requests please contact media@HomesEngland.gov.uk or 0207 874 8262.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa needs more nautical scientists and marine engineers – if you love the sea these may be the careers for you

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ekaterina Rzyankina, Lecturer, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

    Careers in the maritime industry can take graduates all over the world. Igor-Kardasov

    When most people are asked to picture an engineer at work, they probably imagine a civil engineer in a hard hat at a construction site, a chemical engineer in a laboratory or an electrical engineer examining a complex circuit board. Very few, I’m willing to bet, visualise someone aboard a ship.

    But, for those drawn both to engineering and a seafaring life, marine engineering and nautical science are ideal careers – especially in a country like South Africa, uniquely positioned where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge.

    Over 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea. That means both marine engineers and nautical scientists are crucial to global trade, transportation and resource management. These professionals play a critical role in ensuring that vessels operate reliably, comply with environmental regulations and navigate safely through the world’s oceans.

    South Africa’s Department of Higher Education does not distinguish between different types of engineering when collecting statistics about graduates. However, those of us in the marine engineering and nautical science space in academia can confirm the numbers are low. At my own institution, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in Cape Town, between ten and 20 people graduate each year from these programmes. At another, Nelson Mandela University in the Eastern Cape province, around seven people graduate in these fields each year. With so few people studying these disciplines, the skills they impart are in high demand. The government’s list of scarce skills for 2024 includes “marine engineering technologist”.

    I’m an engineering lecturer in the Department of Maritime Studies at CPUT. There, I teach in both the Bachelor of Nautical Science and Marine Engineering programmes, lecturing on a variety of subjects, including mathematics and applied thermodynamics (the branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat, energy and work).

    Watching my students complete their degrees and start careers in marine engineering or nautical science has made it clear that this work offers a blend of adventure, technical challenge, and the opportunity to contribute to an industry that is essential to global commerce and environmental stewardship.

    Whether it’s designing cutting-edge marine technology or navigating the world’s vast oceans, the maritime field promises a fulfilling professional journey.

    Theory and practice

    Three universities – CPUT, Nelson Mandela University and the Durban University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal – offer maritime studies courses aimed at those who intend to work at sea. A fourth, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, offers this degree with a focus on maritime law and logistics. There are also some specialised training institutions, among them the South African Maritime Safety Authority, that provide various qualifications and certifications.

    You’ll need to have taken mathematics, physical science and English in your school-leaving matric year, and to have passed them well. (Contact individual universities to find out their precise degree requirements.) A strong interest in and commitment to a career at sea or in the maritime industry more broadly is crucial.

    Being a strong swimmer can be an advantage. But it is not necessarily a requirement. Students who do not know how to swim will typically have the opportunity to learn and develop their swimming skills as part of their training.

    There are practical and theoretical components to these degrees. At our Granger Bay campus near the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, for instance, we’ve set up a survival centre – a practical facility where students receive training to equip them for life at sea. It is fully equipped with three fully enclosed lifeboats, two open lifeboats, a rigid capsule, two fast rescue craft, a heated 12 x 7 metre pool, an underwater escape training dunker, various life rafts, life jackets, immersion suits, and more.



    Read more:
    Seasickness: we built a digital monitoring system on a South African research ship to help manage it

    On the theoretical side, a Bachelor of Nautical Science programme focuses on the navigation and operation of ships. It encompasses navigation techniques, ship stability, cargo handling, meteorology, and maritime laws. This prepares students for careers as navigators in the merchant navy. (Not to be confused with the military navy – a merchant navy is a country’s commercial shipping industry, which includes all the cargo and passenger ships that are registered under that nation and used for trade, transport and other non-military purposes.)

    Some of our graduates have gone on to become ship’s masters, also called captains – the highest ranking officer on any ship.

    Marine engineering programmes, meanwhile, focus on the design, development, operation and maintenance of the mechanical systems and equipment used on ships and other marine vessels. This includes everything from engines and propulsion systems to refrigeration and steering mechanisms. Marine engineers ensure that these systems function efficiently and safely. They often work closely with naval architects to integrate these technologies into new ship designs or retrofit them into existing vessels.

    Ample opportunities

    Oceanic African countries, like South Africa, need people with these skills to harness the full potential of their maritime resources.



    Read more:
    What South Africa can do to harness a neglected resource – its oceans

    The development of local expertise in maritime engineering and nautical science is essential for ensuring safe and efficient maritime operations. It also helps to protect marine environments and contributes to global maritime trade. Skilled professionals in these fields help these countries take advantage of their maritime assets, promote economic growth and enhance their roles in international commerce.

    As a proud lecturer, I am thrilled to see my students progress and develop both internationally and locally. Many have gone on to work in various exciting and prestigious roles around the world. Some have become ship’s masters, navigating and managing large vessels on international waters, while others have taken on critical roles in maritime operations, port management and logistics in countries such as Singapore, Norway and the United Kingdom. Some have pursued careers in maritime law and policy. Their career paths reflect the diverse and global opportunities available in the maritime industry.

    Ekaterina Rzyankina is affiliated with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

    – ref. South Africa needs more nautical scientists and marine engineers – if you love the sea these may be the careers for you – https://theconversation.com/south-africa-needs-more-nautical-scientists-and-marine-engineers-if-you-love-the-sea-these-may-be-the-careers-for-you-234104

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lord Provost Bill Campbell Blog #28

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    Hello and welcome to my End of Month Blog #28 as the Lord Provost of Dundee.

    After having taken time off from carrying out events in August due ill health, from the beginning of September I returned to active duties and seen some of the fantastic activities and events taking place in the city.

    Activities over September included:

    • On Thursday 5th, I attended the Consular Corps in Scotland Summer event in Edinburgh. I was very keen to attend this event to meet with the many Consuls based in Scotland, some of whom I had previously met, and some of whom this event facilitated me meeting some of the recently appointed Consuls for the first time. Events such as this allow me to carry out part of my duties as Lord Provost which include promoting Dundee internationally;
    • I attended the Annual Dundee Submarine Memorial Service at the Dundee International Submarine Memorial on Saturday 7th. I laid a wreath during the Service on behalf of the City and followed on to a reception at the Apex Hotel where I spoke with representatives from the Royal Navy, Dutch and French Navies, and Officers from Dundee Sea & Royal Marines Cadets;
    • On Sunday 8th, Depute Lord Provost Kevin Cordell attended and officially opened the 2024 Dundee Cyclathon. This was the landmark 20th anniversary of the Cyclathon;
    • Following an invite from a Modern Studies 1st Year class at St Paul’s RC Academy, I took part in a Question & Answer session on the role of Lord Provost of Dundee on Wednesday 11th. I was delighted to visit the class and take part in the Q&A which was a very enjoyable experience with wide-ranging and very interesting questions put to me;
    • On Thursday 12th, I attended the Order of Malta’s 2024 Scottish Mass and Investiture at St Margaret’s Chapel which is situated not far from the Meadows area in Edinburgh. I was honoured to be invited to attend and following the Mass, there were Order of Merit presentations of medals to Scots who had assisted with work over many years;
    • The Lady Provost and I attended the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee Glovers Dinner & Annual General Meeting on Friday 13th at the Woodlands Hotel. I have been honoured to have been regularly associated with The Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee since becoming Lord Provost and am I hugely appreciative of their support. As Lord Provost, I was part of a Q&A event at this Dinner;
    • On Saturday 14th, the Lady Provost and I attended a service in the Congregational Church in Dundee to lay up the previous Standard for The War Widows Association and welcome in the new Standard. I had the great honour of making a speech during the Service in the Congregational Church;
    • The Lady Provost and I attended a performance of Snake in the Grass at Dundee Rep on Wednesday 18th. This was a superb performance from an amazing cast and we were engrossed in this play from start to finish;
    • On Thursday 19th, I was delighted to be asked to give a welcome speech and present the 25 Year Long Service Awards to employees of Tayside Contracts at this year’s Tayside Contracts Long Service Recognition Ceremony in the City Chambers;
    • I was very grateful to be invited by David Dorward, MBE, DL to attend the fifth birthday event on the evening of Thursday 19th for Launch It (Dundee) who support enterprising young founders and is based in Kandahar House in the city centre. David, as the chairperson, very kindly showed me around the facilities and I had the opportunity to meet with a number of current and former attendees;
    • On Saturday 21st, I attended the 140th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner for the Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association (YeAABA) which was formed in 1884. This was a superb event held at Forbes of Kingennie with special stories, awards and great conviviality with the very large attendance contributing to an excellent atmosphere. I was delighted to be asked to make a speech at this event. My congratulations to YeAABA on reaching this magnificent milestone;
    • I attended the Dundee Design Festival at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) on Sunday 22nd. I was delighted to be invited for a preview of Scotland’s National Festival of Contemporary Design which showcased the work of over 180 Scottish designers and design companies. MSIP provided a stunning backdrop to this amazing festival which I hugely enjoyed;
    • On the morning of Wednesday 25th, I had the pleasure of providing a Civic Welcome in the City Chambers to a group of just over 20 visitors from the Isle of Lewis as part of their visit to Dundee and Fife. They arrived at the Civic Floor for a Civic Tour and I was delighted to greet them all individually on behalf of the City as well as exchange gifts;
    • On the afternoon of Wednesday 25th, I took the Citizenship Ceremony in the Committee Rooms in City Square;
    • On the afternoon of Thursday 26th, I gave a Civic Reception to the Salvation Army in Dundee in the City Chambers;
    • Depute Lord Provost Kevin Cordell welcomed the Scottish Ambulance Service to the City Chambers for their Awards Ceremony on the evening of Thursday 26th;
    • The Lady Provost and I attended the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee Biennial Dinner on Friday 27th where I replied to a toast to the City of Dundee. This was an evening celebrating Raymond Edwards’ successful term as Deacon Convener and the impressive heritage of the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee and how they contribute to the city;
    • I attended an event at Holyrood marking the 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 28th of which included an address by His Majesty The King and an introduction by the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. The celebration also included music from the Gaelic Cóisir Alba from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a performance from over 90 young people brought together by Sistema Scotland.

    Outwith the events outlined above, this was a very busy month of activities which included a number of visits to the capital and a variety of meetings and additional events held within the city.

    For updates as they occur, you can find the latest Lord Provost news and activities on both Facebook and Twitter/X.

    Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Northern Ireland: Journalists, lawyers and NGOs urged to make surveillance concerns known to KC-led investigation 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    One week left to respond to Angus McCullough KC call for evidence

    ‘We now need answers to wider questions about the full extent of police use and misuse of secret surveillance powers in Northern Ireland. The McCullough Review can help provide those answers.’ – Patrick Corrigan 

    Journalists, lawyers and activists in Northern Ireland who suspect they have been spied on by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) should make a complaint to the McCullough Review before the October 18 deadline, Amnesty International said today.

    The McCullough Review is an independent inquiry into PSNI surveillance of journalists, lawyers, non-governmental organisations and police oversight bodies, led by London lawyer Angus McCullough KC. The review was commissioned by Chief Constable Jon Boutcher after campaigners raised concerns following evidence disclosed at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal pointed to potential widespread use of covert surveillance powers by the police.

    The call for evidence issued by McCullough has a deadline of 5pm on Friday 18 October 2024 and Amnesty is encouraging affected parties to contact the review before the cut-off date.

    Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland Director of Amnesty International, and a member of the McCullough Review group of experts and stakeholders, said:

    “The evidence disclosed to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal investigating spying on Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney has pointed to worrying surveillance practices by the PSNI in relation to journalists, lawyers and the office of the Police Ombudsman.

    “We now need answers to wider questions about the full extent of police use and misuse of secret surveillance powers in Northern Ireland. The McCullough Review can help provide those answers.

    “It is important that anyone who falls within the remit of the review and has information or evidence that they may have been subject to covert surveillance by the PSNI contacts McCullough.

    “It will also be crucial for former or serving police officers to bring what they know to this investigation. The Chief Constable has already committed to full cooperation with this review and we would encourage anyone with evidence to make it known via the confidential questionnaire on the McCullough Review website.

    “While this review does not have all the powers of a statutory public inquiry – and we may still need such an inquiry – it can play a hugely important role in shining a light on hitherto shadowy practices and point to potential breaches of human rights of surveillance targets.”

    View latest press releases

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Bring France into decolonisation talks, French Polynesian president tells UN

    By Stefan Armbruster 0f BenarNews

    French Polynesia’s president and civil society leaders have called on the United Nations to bring France to the negotiating table and set a timetable for the decolonisation of the Pacific territory.

    More than a decade after the archipelago was re-listed for decolonisation by the UN General Assembly, France has refused to acknowledge the world’s peak diplomatic organisation has a legitimate role.

    France’s reputation has taken a battering as an out-of-touch colonial power since deadly violence erupted in Kanaky New Caledonia in May, sparked by a now abandoned French government attempt to dilute the voting power of indigenous Kanak people.

    Pro-independence French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson told the UN Decolonisation Committee’s annual meeting in New York on Monday that “after a decade of silence” France must be “guided” to participate in “dialogue.”

    “Our government’s full support for a comprehensive, transparent and peaceful decolonisation process with France, under the scrutiny of the United Nations, can pave the way for a decolonisation process that serves as an example to the world,” Brotherson said.

    Brotherson called for France to finally co-operate in creating a roadmap and timeline for the decolonisation process, pointing to unrest in New Caledonia that “reminds us of the delicate balance that peace requires”.

    ‘Problem with decolonisation’
    In August, he warned France “always had a problem with decolonisation” in the Pacific, where it also controls the territories of New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna.

    The 121 islands of French Polynesia stretch over a vast expanse of the Pacific, with a population of about 280,000, and was first settled more than 2000 years ago.

    Often referred to as Tahiti after the island with the biggest population, France declared the archipelago a protectorate in 1842, followed by full annexation in 1880.

    France last year attended the UN committee for the first time since the territory’s re-inscription in 2013 as awaiting decolonisation, after decades of campaigning by French Polynesian politicians.

    French Permanent Representative to the UN Nicolas De Rivière responds to French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson at the 79th session of the Decolonisation Committe on Monday. Image: UNTV

    “I would like to clarify once again that this change of method does not imply a change of policy,” French permanent representative to the UN Nicolas De Rivière told the committee on Monday.

    “There is no process between the state and the Polynesian territory that reserves a role for the United Nations,” he said, and pointed out France contributes almost 2 billion euros (US $2.2 billion) each year, or almost 30 percent of the territory’s GDP.

    After the UN session, Brotherson told the media that France’s position is “off the mark”.

    17 speakers back independence
    French Polynesia was initially listed for decolonisation by the UN in 1946 but removed a year later as France fought to hold onto its overseas territories after the Second World War.

    Granted limited autonomy in 1984, with control over local government services, France retained administration over justice, security, defence, foreign policy and the currency.

    Seventeen pro-independence and four pro-autonomy – who support the status quo – speakers gave impassioned testimony to the committee.

    Lawyer and Protestant church spokesman Philippe Neuffer highlighted children in the territory “solely learn French and Western history”.

    “They deserve the right to learn our complete history, not the one centred on the French side of the story,” he said.

    “Talking about the nuclear tests without even mentioning our veterans’ history and how they fought to get a court to condemn France for poisoning people with nuclear radiation.”

    France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.

    ‘We demand justice’
    “Our lands are contaminated, our health compromised and our spirits burned,” president of the Mururoa E Tatou Association Tevaerai Puarai told the UN denouncing it as French “nuclear colonialism”.

    “We demand justice. We demand freedom,” Puarai said.

    He said France needed to take full responsibility for its “nuclear crimes”, referencing a controversial 10-year compensation deal reached in 2009.

    Some Māʼohi indigenous people, many French residents and descendants in the territory fear independence and the resulting loss of subsidies would devastate the local economy and public services.

    Pro-autonomy local Assembly member Tepuaraurii Teriitahi told the committee, “French Polynesia is neither oppressed nor exploited by France.”

    “The idea that we could find 2 billion a year to replace this contribution on our own is an illusion that would lead to the impoverishment and downfall of our hitherto prosperous country,” she said.

    Copyright ©2015-2024, BenarNews. Republished with the permission of BenarNews.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: At Hamburg Sustainability Conference UNECE shares practical solutions for climate action and sustainable development

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    On the heels of the Summit of the Future and adoption of the Pact for the Future, the first Hamburg Sustainability Conference (7-8 October) gathered international policy makers, business leaders and civil society to discuss ways to accelerate SDG implementation. Attending the conference, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean presented UNECE tools and initiatives that are already laying the foundation for strengthened international cooperation necessary to deliver result-oriented solutions, at the Mayors’ Panel on achieving sustainable cities of the future. 

    The Executive Secretary recalled that cities are key partners in achieving sustainable development as they are on the frontlines of addressing humanity’s most pressing problems. In its work UNECE applies a comprehensive approach to urban challenges and it supports local and regional authorities across various key areas, each contributing to the creation of more resilient, representative, and sustainable urban environments. Some of the most important initiatives include:  

     

    • Forum of Mayors to gather city leaders to exchange knowledge and local solutions, and engage with international policy and decision-making; 
    • PIERS methodology to score infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects against SDGs;  

     

    Opening the Sustainable Finance Forum, which bridges the Hamburg Sustainability Conference and the upcoming COP29, the Executive Secretary drew attention to the immense investments needed for the energy transition: to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement, USD 5 trillion are needed annually from now until 2030 in the energy sector alone. Yet, 2023 saw USD 1.8 trillion invested in the energy transition, which represents an increase of 17% over the previous year. Hard-to-abate sectors and small businesses face even greater challenges in securing such financing.  

    Aiming to address these gaps, the Forum brought together investors, decision makers and energy transition project leaders. Of some 250 initiatives mapped, 10 projects from South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia requiring financing of over USD 15 billion were shortlisted for showcasing at COP29.  

    With its PIERS methodology UNECE can help governments and financial actors to align their infrastructure and PPPs projects with the SDGs, thus advancing climate action and resilient infrastructure for a sustainable future. The shortlisted projects will benefit from training on PIERS, helping to strengthen accountability, transparency and investor readiness.  

    The Sustainable Finance Forum was convened by UNECE, the United Nations High-Level Climate Champions, DZ BANK, the European Commission, and the German Chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Germany) to strengthen the work of international partners in the field of transition finance.  

    The topic of strengthening the contribution of public and private capital providers to climate action was on the agenda of the Executive Secretary’s bilateral meetings on the margins of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, particularly during her discussion with Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mr. Mohieldin and Ms. Molcean agreed that an appropriate business environment is important to attract private investors and financiers to drive the transition. They also exchanged about the role of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and its impact on neighbouring countries to the EU and the role of organisations such as UNECE in supporting adaptation. They also discussed targeted taxation in helping emerging markets embrace the energy transition.   

    Meeting with the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), John Denton, the Executive Secretary highlighted the importance of involving the private sector to accelerate SDG implementation, as well as the joint work by UNECE and ICC to promote the global use of digital trade standards.  

    In discussion with Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, Ms. Molcean stressed the role of UNECE as a standard setter and an effective regional cooperation platform to advance sustainable development across diverse fields, including energy, environment, gender equality and transport among many others. 

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Post-flood recovery: lessons from Germany and Nigeria on how to help people cope with loss and build resilience

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola, Visiting Scientist, United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University

    Extreme climate events — floods, droughts and heatwaves — are not just becoming more frequent; they are also more severe.

    It’s important to understand how communities can recover from these events in ways that also build resilience to future events.

    In a recent study, we analysed how communities affected by the extreme flood events of 2021 in Germany’s Ahr Valley and in Lagos, Nigeria, grappled with recovery from floods.

    Our aim was to identify the factors – and combinations of factors – that served as barriers (or enablers) to recovery from disasters.

    We found that financial limitations, political interests and administrative hurdles led to prioritising immediate relief and reconstruction over long-term sustainable recovery.

    In both cases immediate and long-term recovery efforts were siloed, underfunded and focused on reconstruction to pre-disaster conditions.

    We concluded from our findings that the success of recovery efforts lies in balancing short-term relief and a long-term vision. While immediate aid is essential after a disaster, true resilience hinges on proactive measures that address systemic challenges and empower communities to build a better future.

    Recovery should not be merely action-oriented and building back infrastructure (engineering). It should also include insights in other areas, like governance and psychology, helping people to deal with losses and to heal.

    What worked

    To understand the recovery pathways of the two regions, we reviewed relevant literature, newspaper articles and government documents. We also interviewed government agencies, NGO representatives, volunteers and local residents in the communities where these floods occurred.

    We found that in the Ahr Valley, recovery wasn’t just about rebuilding structures, it was about empowering individuals.

    Through initiatives like mental health and first aid courses, residents learned to support one another. This fostered a sense of community and resilience that was essential for meeting the emotional challenges posed by the disaster.

    The focus on rebuilding with a sustainable vision also included environmental initiatives. For example, a type of heating system was put in place that didn’t rely on fossil fuels.

    Not only did this reduce carbon emissions, it also served as a symbol of hope. It showed there was an opportunity to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly community.

    In Lagos, too, residents found strength in community and innovation. Grassroots efforts using sustainable materials like bamboo and palm wood highlighted the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people. Faith-based organisations provided material aid as well as emotional and spiritual support. This reinforced the bonds that held the community together.

    Each community faced unique challenges. But they shared a common thread: the importance of adaptive governance – flexible decision-making and strong community ties.

    For example, established building codes in the Ahr Valley provided a framework for reconstruction, ensuring that new structures were resilient and safe.

    In Lagos, the absence of strong government support highlighted the critical role of community organisations in providing services and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

    What needs improvment

    In both the Ahr Valley and Lagos, the journey towards recovery has been fraught with obstacles as well.

    In the Ahr Valley, bureaucratic red tape has become a formidable barrier. Residents, eager to rebuild their lives, find themselves entangled in a complex web of regulations and lengthy approval processes. This has delayed their access to insurance and recovery funds. Waiting for months or even years has eroded hope and fuelled a sense of abandonment.

    Meanwhile, in Lagos, insufficient government support has left communities to fend for themselves, creating a breeding ground for uncertainty and conflict.

    Land tenure disputes, fuelled by a lack of clear property rights, sow seeds of distrust and hinder resettlement efforts. Political disagreements complicate the picture, as competing interests divert attention and resources away from those who need them most.

    In Lagos, none of the respondents reported having insurance to help them to recover from disaster-related losses.

    While some residents in the Ahr Valley did have insurance, many were under-insured.

    The Ahr Valley’s building codes offer a framework for reconstruction. But it’s clear that processes should be streamlined so communities can take ownership of their recovery.

    In Lagos, the importance of robust social safety nets is clear. Partnerships between communities and authorities are also needed.

    A different approach

    Recovery isn’t a separate process that occurs after disasters only. It should be seen as an essential part of managing risks. It’s important to understand what recovery involves and what resources are needed.

    This will help reduce future risks and increase resilience after extreme events.

    Governments should encourage flexible governance structures that value community voices and local knowledge to enable recovery. A good example is the New Orleans Recovery Authority, established after Hurricane Katrina. It involved local residents and city officials in planning and rebuilding efforts.

    Grassroots efforts in Lagos demonstrated the power of sustainable materials and community-led initiatives. Seeing things from the community’s point of view can help tailor solutions that fit the situation and adapt to evolving challenges.

    Training and capacity-building programmes empower communities to be active in their own recovery.

    Mental health and first aid courses were successful in the Ahr Valley. Equipping individuals with skills in sustainable practices and disaster preparedness helps weave a social fabric capable of weathering future storms.

    Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola is a Visiting Scientist at, the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)

    Saskia E. Werners works with United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). She is grateful to have received research grants in support of her research on climate change adaptation and recovery.

    – ref. Post-flood recovery: lessons from Germany and Nigeria on how to help people cope with loss and build resilience – https://theconversation.com/post-flood-recovery-lessons-from-germany-and-nigeria-on-how-to-help-people-cope-with-loss-and-build-resilience-240260

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Post-flood recovery: lessons from Germany and Nigeria on how to help people cope with loss and build resilience

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola, Visiting Scientist, United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University

    Extreme climate events — floods, droughts and heatwaves — are not just becoming more frequent; they are also more severe.

    It’s important to understand how communities can recover from these events in ways that also build resilience to future events.

    In a recent study, we analysed how communities affected by the extreme flood events of 2021 in Germany’s Ahr Valley and in Lagos, Nigeria, grappled with recovery from floods.

    Our aim was to identify the factors – and combinations of factors – that served as barriers (or enablers) to recovery from disasters.

    We found that financial limitations, political interests and administrative hurdles led to prioritising immediate relief and reconstruction over long-term sustainable recovery.

    In both cases immediate and long-term recovery efforts were siloed, underfunded and focused on reconstruction to pre-disaster conditions.

    We concluded from our findings that the success of recovery efforts lies in balancing short-term relief and a long-term vision. While immediate aid is essential after a disaster, true resilience hinges on proactive measures that address systemic challenges and empower communities to build a better future.

    Recovery should not be merely action-oriented and building back infrastructure (engineering). It should also include insights in other areas, like governance and psychology, helping people to deal with losses and to heal.

    What worked

    To understand the recovery pathways of the two regions, we reviewed relevant literature, newspaper articles and government documents. We also interviewed government agencies, NGO representatives, volunteers and local residents in the communities where these floods occurred.

    We found that in the Ahr Valley, recovery wasn’t just about rebuilding structures, it was about empowering individuals.

    Through initiatives like mental health and first aid courses, residents learned to support one another. This fostered a sense of community and resilience that was essential for meeting the emotional challenges posed by the disaster.

    The focus on rebuilding with a sustainable vision also included environmental initiatives. For example, a type of heating system was put in place that didn’t rely on fossil fuels.

    Not only did this reduce carbon emissions, it also served as a symbol of hope. It showed there was an opportunity to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly community.

    In Lagos, too, residents found strength in community and innovation. Grassroots efforts using sustainable materials like bamboo and palm wood highlighted the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people. Faith-based organisations provided material aid as well as emotional and spiritual support. This reinforced the bonds that held the community together.

    Each community faced unique challenges. But they shared a common thread: the importance of adaptive governance – flexible decision-making and strong community ties.

    For example, established building codes in the Ahr Valley provided a framework for reconstruction, ensuring that new structures were resilient and safe.

    In Lagos, the absence of strong government support highlighted the critical role of community organisations in providing services and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

    What needs improvment

    In both the Ahr Valley and Lagos, the journey towards recovery has been fraught with obstacles as well.

    In the Ahr Valley, bureaucratic red tape has become a formidable barrier. Residents, eager to rebuild their lives, find themselves entangled in a complex web of regulations and lengthy approval processes. This has delayed their access to insurance and recovery funds. Waiting for months or even years has eroded hope and fuelled a sense of abandonment.

    Meanwhile, in Lagos, insufficient government support has left communities to fend for themselves, creating a breeding ground for uncertainty and conflict.

    Land tenure disputes, fuelled by a lack of clear property rights, sow seeds of distrust and hinder resettlement efforts. Political disagreements complicate the picture, as competing interests divert attention and resources away from those who need them most.

    In Lagos, none of the respondents reported having insurance to help them to recover from disaster-related losses.

    While some residents in the Ahr Valley did have insurance, many were under-insured.

    The Ahr Valley’s building codes offer a framework for reconstruction. But it’s clear that processes should be streamlined so communities can take ownership of their recovery.

    In Lagos, the importance of robust social safety nets is clear. Partnerships between communities and authorities are also needed.

    A different approach

    Recovery isn’t a separate process that occurs after disasters only. It should be seen as an essential part of managing risks. It’s important to understand what recovery involves and what resources are needed.

    This will help reduce future risks and increase resilience after extreme events.

    Governments should encourage flexible governance structures that value community voices and local knowledge to enable recovery. A good example is the New Orleans Recovery Authority, established after Hurricane Katrina. It involved local residents and city officials in planning and rebuilding efforts.

    Grassroots efforts in Lagos demonstrated the power of sustainable materials and community-led initiatives. Seeing things from the community’s point of view can help tailor solutions that fit the situation and adapt to evolving challenges.

    Training and capacity-building programmes empower communities to be active in their own recovery.

    Mental health and first aid courses were successful in the Ahr Valley. Equipping individuals with skills in sustainable practices and disaster preparedness helps weave a social fabric capable of weathering future storms.

    – Post-flood recovery: lessons from Germany and Nigeria on how to help people cope with loss and build resilience
    – https://theconversation.com/post-flood-recovery-lessons-from-germany-and-nigeria-on-how-to-help-people-cope-with-loss-and-build-resilience-240260

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO holds annual nuclear exercise: Steadfast Noon

    Source: NATO

    NATO will begin its annual nuclear exercise “Steadfast Noon” on Monday (14 October 2024) with more than 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over western Europe. Steadfast Noon runs for two weeks and involves fighter jets capable of carrying U.S. nuclear warheads, but does not involve any live weapons.

    “Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Allied security,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said. “Steadfast Noon is an important test of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent and sends a clear message to any adversary that NATO will protect and defend all Allies.”

    NATO’s nuclear exercise is a routine and recurring training activity that happens every October. Steadfast Noon involves 2,000 military personnel from eight airbases and a variety of aircraft types, including nuclear-capable jets, bombers, fighter escorts, refuelling aircraft and planes capable of reconnaissance and electronic warfare. This year’s exercise involves flights mainly over host countries Belgium and the Netherlands and in airspace over Denmark, the United Kingdom and the North Sea. Planning for the exercise began a year ago and thirteen Allies will send aircraft to take part in the drills.

    NATO is taking steps to ensure the safety, security, effectiveness and credibility of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent. For example, this year, the first Allied F-35A fighter aircraft from the Netherlands were declared ready to perform nuclear roles. NATO’s Washington Summit declaration makes clear that “the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression,” It states that “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.”  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New research promises to connect the dots around marine microbiome A major European research project which aims to harness the full potential of the marine microbiome has entered a new stage.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Photo credit:Tabitha Turner on unsplashA major European research project which aims to harness the full potential of the marine microbiome has entered a new stage.
    A microbiome is the community of microorganisms that can usually be found living together in any given habitat. The marine microbiome is one of the fastest growing segments of the so-called ‘blue bioeconomy’, and its study is vital for the discovery, understanding, protection and use of ocean resources. 
    The BlueRemediomics project, which was awarded funding through the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme, involves researchers from a range of universities and research organisations worldwide, including Professors Abbe Brown and Marcel Jaspars, from the University’s School of Law and Department of Chemistry respectively. 
    Professor Jaspars is leading the use of genomic data for the discovery of new antimicrobial peptides (part of the innate immune response found among all classes of life) to target bacterial infections. 
    Meanwhile, Professor Brown is exploring innovative legal and policy approaches to improving access, protection, and governance of marine genetic resources and intellectual property rights. 
    This month, the completion of the 15-month long Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) expedition marks the beginning of an exciting research phase that involves the analysis of 23,000 marine samples and 70,000 terrestrial samples, providing new opportunities to study human impact on coastal ecosystems in unprecedented detail. 
    For the BlueRemediomics project, which aims to develop novel tools and approaches to explore marine microbiome data, these samples will provide critical insights into the search for novel products and cosmeceuticals derived from valuable marine bioresources. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –