NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Spain’s failure to comply with the 2019 directive on work-life balance – P-001637/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    On 16 November 2023, the Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union (with Belgium and Ireland) for failing to notify national measures fully transposing EU rights on Work-life Balance for parents and carers .

    Therefore, the case is now before the Court of Justice of the EU (the Court). Since the cases concern the failure to notify transposition measures of a legislative directive, the Commission asked the Court to impose financial sanctions on those Member States[1]. The final amount of the sanctions will be decided by the Court.

    The Commission as guardian of the Treaties monitors the application of EU law in Member States and may open other infringement procedures where necessary.

    The above-mentioned case concerns non-communication of the national measures transposing the directive into national law. Once the transposition is completed, the Commission will check the compliance of the said national measures with the directive; if it considers that the Member State’s legislation doesn’t comply with the requirements of the directive, the Commission may open new infringement proceedings.

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_5372
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Suspected violation of human rights through the use of state institutions as a tool for exerting pressure – P-001548/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is following the situation in Bulgaria and is in a constant dialogue with the Bulgarian authorities to promote the rule of law within the framework of the comprehensive annual rule of law cycle.

    The 202 4 Rule of Law Report, published on 24 July 20 2 4 , presents developments and recommendations related to the rule of law in the Member States of the EU and includes a dedicated country chapter on all 27 Member States, including Bulgaria[1].

    In the particular case of Bulgaria, the 2024 report notes that concerns have been raised as to the functioning and independence of certain regulatory and independent authorities in the country.

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-communication-and-country-chapters_en
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: PEUGEOT Completes its EV Line-up with the New PEUGEOT E-408: Unexpected from Every Angle, 100% Electric

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

    CASABLANCA, Morocco, October 10, 2024/APO Group/ —

    PEUGEOT (www.PEUGEOT.com) completes its EV line-up, with a fully electric version of the PEUGEOT 408, following the launch of the plug-in hybrid version in 2022. The new PEUGEOT E-408 combines the unexpected allure of a fastback silhouette with zero emission efficiency, the thrill of a powerful 157 kW/210 hp motor, and the pleasure of the PEUGEOT electric driving experience, with up to 453 km range. When it comes to recharging, the process is made simple with the integrated trip planner. PEUGEOT also offers total peace of mind to its customers by providing the PEUGEOT E-408 with 8 years/160,000 km warranty through its ALLURE CARE programme.

    ALLURE: With its fastback silhouette and 100% electric powertrain, the PEUGEOT E-408 is an entirely unique offering in the market.

    EMOTION: The pleasure of 100% electric driving is amplified with the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® and its embedded trip planner.

    EXCELLENCE: The PEUGEOT E-408 completes PEUGEOT’s EV line-up, the widest of any mainstream manufacturer in the European electric market with 12 electric passenger cars and LCVs.

    By unveiling the PEUGEOT 408 in June 2022, PEUGEOT brought the allure of an unprecedented fastback silhouette to the top of the C segment. Unexpectedly different, the 408 stands out with its feline posture, dynamic lines offering an elevated driving position, and the premium sophistication of its design down to the finest details.

    The two electrified powertrains, PLUG-IN HYBRID 180 e-EAT8 and PLUG-IN HYBRID 225 e-EAT8, marked a first step in electrification for the 408. Earlier this year, the 48V HYBRID 136 e-DCS6 joined the 408 line-up. The new PEUGEOT E-408 takes this electric strategy to the next level with a zero-emission powertrain of 157 kW/210 hp paired with a 58,2 kWh (usable) NMC battery.

    The launch of the PEUGEOT E-408, with the opening of orders from 2nd October, marks the latest step in PEUGEOT’s ambition to become the mainstream EV leader in Europe. The new PEUGEOT E-408 will be built at the Mulhouse plant and benefits from the ALLURE CARE programme and is warranted for up to 8 years / 160,000 km, the longest of any European brand.

    ALLURE: AN UNEXPECTED AND DYNAMIC FASTBACK DESIGN

    The innovative and unexpected fastback design perfectly matches the modernity of the new PEUGEOT E-408. A platform that allows for total electrification without compromising on style, dynamism, or interior comfort.

    With an overall length of 4.69m and a width of 1.85m (with the mirrors folded), the PEUGEOT E-408 uses the multi-energy E-EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform), notable for its wheelbase length of 2.79 m. This generous dimension allows the battery to be installed in the car’s underbody, under the floor between the wheels, thus preserving the cabin space and lowering the PEUGEOT E-408’s centre of gravity for dynamic road behaviour where pleasure drives progress.

    This architecture combines the dynamic elegance of a fastback, road behaviour worthy of the best saloons, and a slightly elevated driving position that enhances daily enjoyment, safety, and comfort.

    A feline posture

    With its wide tracks – 1.59 m at the front and 1.60 m at the rear – the PEUGEOT E-408 is firmly anchored to the road. Despite being elevated, this model offers a sleek and sporty profile thanks to a limited height of 1.49 m, which improves aerodynamics.

    The feline character of the PEUGEOT E-408 is highlighted by the unique and sharp treatment of the body surfaces, particularly noticeable towards the rear – with the ‘cat’s ears’, the boot lid, and the shape of the wings, creating sharp facets designed to play with the light.

    Side body and wheel arch protections extend into a robust black rear bumper, which, by cutting the body colour diagonally, accentuates the rear’s dynamism. The large 19-inch Graphite wheels with innovative design receive 225-50R19 tyres with very low rolling resistance (A+ class).

    A modern identity

    The body-colour treatment of the PEUGEOT E-408’s grille “dematerialises” it by blending it into the bumper’s overall shape – a sign of a generational change and the electrification era of the PEUGEOT range.

    The brand’s identity is more visible than ever through the sophisticated work on lighting. At the front, the LED technology allows for very thin – and very effective – headlights that form the PEUGEOT E-408’s look: a resolutely PEUGEOT look. The light signature extends downward with two LED strips in the shape of fangs plunging into the bumper. At the rear, PEUGEOT’s identity takes the form of the iconic three LED claws, inclined for even more dynamism.

    Five colours are available for the new PEUGEOT E-408: Okenite White, Obsession Blue, Selenium Grey, Elixir Red and Perla Nera Black.

    EMOTION: MORE THAN EVER, PLEASURE DRIVES PROGRESS

    Generous power, immediate torque… the 100% electric drive of the PEUGEOT E-408 offers pure driving pleasure. This is further amplified by the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® and road behaviour, in true PEUGEOT tradition.

    A unique driving experience

    The incomparable PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® offers exceptional ergonomics. The compact steering wheel enhances driving pleasure by allowing unique agility and precision of movement. Positioned at eye level just above the steering wheel, the digital cluster includes a fully customisable and configurable 10-inch 3D digital panel.

    More than ever, driving pleasure is embedded in the new PEUGEOT E-408’s genes, with exemplary road handling, high-end ride comfort, and perfect manoeuvrability in the city, enabled by a curb-to-curb turning radius of 11.18 m. To improve vibrational comfort, the body rigidity is optimized by bonding structural elements.

    Performance contributes to driving pleasure

    The new PEUGEOT E-408 features a synchronous electric motor with permanent magnets developing 157 kW (210 hp) and a generous torque of 345 Nm. This motor is produced in France, in Trémery, by the STELLANTIS-NIDEC joint venture. The reducer it is associated with is manufactured by STELLANTIS in Valenciennes (France).

    The PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® with countless connected services*

    The 10-inch high-definition central screen allows you to control the PEUGEOT i-Connect® Advanced system, which comes standard on the PEUGEOT E-408 and offers efficient and effective TomTom connected navigation. For optimal readability, the map display covers the entire 10-inch touchscreen. As for system updates, they are carried out “over the air,” meaning directly through data transmission via the telecom network.

    Efficient navigation with a trip planner and optimised solutions. The navigation system includes a “trip planner” function that optimally plans routes to maximise the car’s range and facilitate recharging. To calculate the ideal route, the system takes into account numerous pieces of information, including the distance to be travelled, the battery charge level at the start, the desired battery charge level at the destination, speed, energy consumption, traffic, type of road, elevation, and of course, available charging stations near the destination.

    The e-Routes by Free2move Charge application is also accessible in the vehicle by connecting a smartphone to the PEUGEOT i-Connect® system. It optimises all trips by calculating the best route based on the vehicle’s range needs, the location of charging stations, traffic conditions, the distance to be travelled, etc.

    The mirroring function that connects the smartphone to the car’s infotainment system is wireless (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), and it is possible to connect two phones via Bluetooth simultaneously. Four USB-C ports complete the connected setup of the PEUGEOT E-408.

    The fully configurable i-toggles arranged under the central screen like an open book, provide a unique aesthetic and technology level in the segment. Each of the 5 customisable i-toggles offer a touch-sensitive shortcut to climate control settings, a phone contact, a radio station, an app launch… configured to the user’s choice. This can be customised for each driver, with up to 8 customisable profiles.

    A daily ally for more safety and ease, the “OK PEUGEOT” natural language voice recognition command allows access to all infotainment functions and ChatGPT. Like all the latest generation PEUGEOTs, the new PEUGEOT E-408 integrates the generative artificial intelligence ChatGPT, which responds, via voice command, to all requests, such as tourist information or generating a quiz to keep children occupied during a trip…

    The MyPEUGEOT® smartphone app is particularly practical and allows:

    • Launching or scheduling thermal preconditioning. Beyond comfort, this feature allows, when the vehicle is plugged in, to optimise range (faster convergence of the temperature setpoint during startup phases by anticipating the optimal operating temperature of the battery).
    • Consulting, scheduling, launching, or delaying battery charging.
    • Activating the welcome light sequence, for example, to locate the car in a crowded parking lot.

    A warm atmosphere inside the cabin

    The new PEUGEOT E-408 is designed as a high-end fastback in the C segment. It offers numerous features intended to fully enjoy the pleasure of travel and mobility.

    Inside the new PEUGEOT E-408, the LED ambient lighting (8 colours to choose from) behind the central screen, diffuses a soft light and contributes to the sophisticated cabin ambiance. The same

    light extends to the padded door panels, which are covered with either fabric, Alcantara® (RHD), or real stamped aluminum pieces (LHD), depending on the trim level.

    The thermal and acoustic comfort of the new PEUGEOT E-408 is optimised by the technologies implemented for the design and manufacture of its windows:

    • At the front and rear, the windows have a thickness (3.85 mm) above average.
    • At the front, the side windows are laminated (3.96 mm on GT) for better sound insulation and increased security.

    Of course, the air conditioning contributes to the thermal comfort of the occupants. The vents bringing fresh air into the cabin are positioned high at the front, and the rear passengers benefit from 2 air vents placed at the back of the central console.

    To ensure a healthy interior atmosphere, the PEUGEOT E-408 GT can be equipped with the optional AQS (Air Quality System), which continuously monitors the quality of the air entering the cabin and can automatically activate air recirculation. This serenity is complemented on the GT level by the Clean Cabin, an air treatment system with pollutant gas and particle filtration, with the air quality being displayed on the central touch screen.

    The new PEUGEOT E-408’s Hi-Fi Premium FOCAL® system is a result of over 3 years of co-design working with the high-end audio specialist. Complemented by ARKAMYS digital sound processing, the Hi-Fi Premium FOCAL® system consists of 10 speakers with exclusive patented technologies:

    • 4 TNF tweeters with inverted aluminum domes,
    • 4 woofers/midrange speakers with Polyglass membranes and TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) suspension of 165mm,
    • 1 Polyglass central channel,
    • 1 Power Flower™ triple coil oval subwoofer.
    • They are paired with a new 12-channel 690 W amplifier (boosted class D technology).

    Particularly enveloping, the front seats have obtained the AGR (Aktion für Gesunder Rücken) label awarded by an independent German association of ergonomics and back health experts. This label rewards both the ergonomics and the range of adjustments of the front seats. These can also have 10-way electric adjustments with two possible memory settings for the driver, 6  ways for the passenger, as well as 8-pocket pneumatic massage with 8 different programs, and heated seats.

    The seat design has been thought to highlight the quality of the materials used: mottled fabric, technical meshes, Alcantara, embossed leather, and nappa leather (for select markets). On the GT versions, they are adorned with an Adamite colour signature thread, which also outlines the dashboard, door panels, and padded console pads.

    Between the front seats, the central console’s arch extends to a space dedicated to wireless phone charging. Thus, the rest of the console is entirely dedicated to storage and practicality, with an armrest, 2 USB C ports (charge/data), 2 large-diameter cup holders, and up to 33 liters of various storage.

    The rear space is particularly generous, thanks to the long wheelbase of 2.79 m, making the new PEUGEOT E-408 the most spacious PEUGEOT for rear seated passengers: they benefit from 183 mm of leg room. The footwell, the space dedicated to the rear passengers’ feet under the first-row seats, is designed to maximise freedom of movement; the seat design and seating angle are

    intended to give passengers the opportunity to make the most of their space for optimal comfort during trips.

    Connectivity is not left behind with the presence, from the Allure level, of 2 USB C charging ports at the back of the central console.

    The new PEUGEOT E-408 offers a 2-part (60/40) bench seat with a ski hatch as standard. In the GT trim, it benefits from an immediate folding system of its 2 parts by operating two easily accessible controls from the trunk sides.

    The boot volume of the new PEUGEOT E-408 is particularly generous, offering 471 dm3  of loading capacity. With the rear seats folded, the space available is further increased to 1,545 dm3. Once the bench seatback is folded down, it is possible to load an object up to 1.89 m long. For daily practicality, the boot area is equipped with a 12V socket located on the right boot trim, LED lighting, a net and storage elastic, and bag hooks.

    EXCELLENCE: A CONSTANT QUEST FOR EFFICIENCY, SAFETY, AND QUALITY

    Efficiency was at the heart of the PEUGEOT teams’ concerns throughout the design and development of the PEUGEOT E-408.

    Designed for a smooth energy transition

    The aerodynamics of the new PEUGEOT E-408 (SCx: 0.66) received particular attention. Bumpers, front air intake, underbody screen, and lower rear guards for the the front wheels. The new PEUGEOT E-408 also receives a specific underbody forming an aerodynamic flat floor, the result is a low electricity consumption of 15.2 kWh / 100 km and up to 453 km WLTP combined range according to the WLTP cycle.**

    The PEUGEOT E-408 is equipped with a high-voltage battery of 58,2 kWh usable. With NMC 811 technology – 80% Nickel, 10% Manganese, 10% Cobalt – it benefits from increased energy density with 18 onboard modules. The new PEUGEOT E-408 offers a range of 453 km in the WLTP mixed cycle, meeting the needs of most C-segment customers, whose typical daily mileage is under 45 km (Industry data).

    Regenerative braking allows for a smoother driving experience. Using the paddles behind the compact steering wheel, the driver can easily activate regenerative braking in 3 levels, the left paddle increases regeneration, and the right one decreases it… The three regeneration levels are: Low (-0.6 m/s²) for sensations close to a thermal vehicle, Moderate (-1.3 m/s²) for increased deceleration when releasing the accelerator pedal and, Increased (-2.0 m/s²) for maximum deceleration when releasing the accelerator pedal and thus maximum regeneration. The last two levels automatically illuminate the rear stop lights.

    The driver can also choose between three drive modes, depending on their priorities. Normal is the default mode, setting the power at 140 kW (190 hp) and torque at 300 Nm, offering an ideal balance between dynamism and range. The Sport mode (157 kW/210 hp and 345 Nm) is available for maximum performance and activates automatically and temporarily during “kick downs.” The ECO mode (125 kW/170 hp, 270 Nm) favours range while preserving driving pleasure.

    The new PEUGEOT E-408 is equipped as standard with a heat pump, as well as heated steering wheel and seats, optimizing passenger thermal comfort while preserving battery energy. A simple and fast recharge. For AC charging, the new PEUGEOT E-408 is equipped as standard with an 11 kW three-phase charger. For DC charging via superchargers, the PEUGEOT E-408 accepts power up to 120 kW, allowing a charge from 20% to 80% of the battery in just over 30 minutes (under nominal battery temperature conditions) and recovering 100 km of range in just over 10 minutes. To optimise charging, the driver can program the lower and upper thresholds from the PEUGEOT E-408’s central screen. For example, from 20% minimum charge to 80% maximum charge.

    Something for everyone

    Two plug-in hybrid engines are also available on the PEUGEOT 408:

    PLUG-IN HYBRID 225 e-EAT8: 2-wheel drive / combination of a 180 bhp (132 kW) turbo engine and an 81 kW electric motor coupled with the e-EAT8 8-speed automatic gearbox / currently undergoing homologation.

    PLUG-IN HYBRID 180 e-EAT8: 2-wheel drive / combination of a 150 bhp turbo engine (110kW) and an 81kW electric motor coupled with the 8-speed e-EAT8 automatic gearbox / currently undergoing homologation.

    The Li-ion battery on both plug-in hybrid versions has a capacity of 12.4kWh. Two types of on-board chargers are available: a 3.7kW single-phase charger as standard and an optional 7.4kW single-phase charger.

    Estimated charging times are the following:

    • From a 7.4kW Wall Box (32 A) and with the 7.4kW single-phase on-board charger, fully charged in 1 hour 40 minutes.
    • From a reinforced socket (14 A) and with the 3.7kW single-phase on-board charger, fully charged in 3 hours 55 minutes.
    • From a standard socket (8A) and with the single-phase on-board charger (3.7kW), full charging takes approximately 7 hours 05 minutes.

    One hybrid engine is available on the PEUGEOT 408:

    HYBRID 136 e-DCS6: 2-wheel drive / combination of a 136 hp turbo engine (100kW) and a 48V battery coupled with the 6-speed e-DCS6 automatic gearbox.

    This PEUGEOT HYBRID 48V system, which consists of a new-generation 136 hp petrol engine coupled with a dual-clutch 6-speed gearbox that incorporates an electric motor. Thanks to a battery that recharges while driving, this technology offers extra torque at low revs and a reduction of up to 15% in fuel consumption (5.2 l/100 km in WLTP mixed cycle**). In urban driving, the new 408 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 can operate up to 50% of the time in 100% electric zero-emission mode.

    Maximum safety for optimal peace of mind

    Onboard the new PEUGEOT E-408, a comprehensive set of latest-generation driving aids, powered by information gathered from 5 cameras and 3 radars, secure and ease driving, maneuvers, and travel. Some of these systems are directly derived from higher segments:

    • Adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go function and adjustable inter-vehicle distance setting.
    • Automatic emergency braking with collision risk alert: it detects pedestrians and cyclists, day and night, from 7 km/h to 140 km/h depending on the version.
    • Active lane departure warning with trajectory correction.
    • Driver attention alert detecting vigilance issues during long drives and at speeds above 65 km/h, using steering wheel micro-movement analysis.
    • Extended recognition and display on the digital cluster of traffic signs: stop, no entry, no overtaking, end of no overtaking, in addition to the usual speed-related signs.
    • Long-range blind spot monitoring (75 metres).
    • Rear traffic alert: during reverse, alerts of approaching danger nearby.

    A clear and straightforward range

    The new PEUGEOT E-408 is available in two trims: Allure and GT

    The new PEUGEOT E-408 is available in two versions: Allure and GT.

    The PEUGEOT E-408 Allure comes standard with: LED headlights, 19” alloy wheels, PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® with a customisable 10” digital instrument cluster, connected navigation with trip planner, OK PEUGEOT voice command, wireless mirroring Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 6-speaker audio system, heated driver seat and steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking camera and sensors, heat pump, etc.

    The PEUGEOT E-408 GT comes standard with, in addition to the Allure version’s equipment: Matrix LED headlights, front parking sensors, PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® with a customisable 10” digital instrument cluster, aluminum interior trims with customisable 8-colour ambient lighting, aluminum door sills, hands-free motorised tailgate, Drive Assist Plus package (Level 2 semi-autonomous driving), etc.

    Superior quality

    The new PEUGEOT E-408 is positioned at the top of the C segment, offering ergonomics, quality, finish, and equipment worthy of higher categories.

    As on all its 100% electric models, PEUGEOT will offer its PEUGEOT Allure Care program on the new PEUGEOT E-408, which covers the electric motor, charger, transmission, and main electrical and mechanical components for up to 8 years or 160,000 kilometers. PEUGEOT Allure Care complements the specific PEUGEOT warranty that already applies to the high-voltage battery for 8 years/160,000 km to provide comprehensive vehicle coverage. PEUGEOT Allure Care activates automatically and free of charge every 2 years or 25,000 kilometers after each maintenance performed within the PEUGEOT network.

    Owners of the PEUGEOT E-408 will benefit from reduced maintenance constraints, with a service program every 2 years or 25,000 kilometers.

    *Some services may require a subscription.

    ** WLTP cycle under approval 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Violation of LGBTQ+ rights by the Republic of Bulgaria – P-001504/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, equality and respect for human dignity and human rights are values common to the Member States on which also the EU is founded.

    The Commission remains steadfast, within the limits of its competences, in its commitment to tackling discrimination, inequalities and challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) individuals, including in education, as outlined in our LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025[1], of course including in Bulgaria .

    The Commission is aware of the law adopted by the Bulgarian parliament.

    On 13 August 2024, Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, sent a letter to the Bulgarian Minister of Education and Science, Mr Galin Tsokov, to request further information on the legislation. The Commission received the reply of the Minister on 3 September and is assessing it.

    The Commission is analysing whether the legislation is aligned with EU law, including the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The Commission will use all the instruments at its disposal to protect the EU’s values and will not hesitate to take the necessary actions within the limit of its competence.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0698
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Netherlands: Dutch Life Science Tools LUMICKS secures €20 million from EIB to accelerate drug discovery for cancer.

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • Amsterdam-based LUMICKS signs €20 million venture debt with EIB to accelerate the development and launch of its new product, designed to advance immunotherapy development for cancer research.
    • LUMICKS’ next generation high-throughput cell avidity platform aims to transform the drug discovery process by replacing traditional screening methods, expediting development for life-saving treatments, and improving reliability in the drug discovery process.
    • The investment is backed by the European Commission through the InvestEU initiative, which seeks to foster innovation projects and job creation across Europe.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and LUMICKS have signed a €20 million venture debt agreement to accelerate the launch of its next generation, high throughput cell avidity platform. The financing is supported by the European Commission under the InvestEU initiative.

    LUMICKS’ Cell Avidity technology is transforming the discovery process in cancer immunotherapy by addressing a critical challenge: the lack of tools to directly measure the binding interaction of immune cells, such as CAR-T cells, with cancer cells. This limitation creates uncertainties in the preclinical funnel and slows therapy development. By providing high-throughput measurement of such interactions, LUMICKS’ empowers researchers to optimize therapies faster and with greater accuracy, with the goal of improving success rates in clinical trials.

    “The Netherlands is home to a vibrant Life Sciences industry and the EIB has been proudly supporting this sector to ensure it continues to lead in medical innovation and transformative healthcare solutions.” stated EIB vice president Robert de Groot. “The new financing to LUMICKS is a testament of this. With the backing of InvestEU, the EIB can provide LUMICKS with stable long-term funding matching the highly innovative profile of the Company and tailored to its current needs for continued growth, market expansion, and development of its technologies.”

    “This investment from the EIB enables us to accelerate our R&D timeline, ensuring we continue innovating to deliver a long-lasting impact in the immunotherapy space” stated LUMICKS CEO Hugo de Wit. “By providing deeper insights into cellular interactions, our instruments empower researchers to make faster, better-informed decisions, with the goal of improving success rates in clinical trials and accelerating the development of effective therapies.”

    LUMICKS, founded in 2014, employs 170 people globally and has a proven track record of developing and commercializing cutting-edge life science tools. Widely adopted by top universities and research institutions worldwide, LUMICKS’ technologies have contributed to numerous publications in top journals across fields such as oncology and immunotherapy.

    Background information:

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. Over the last ten years, the EIB has made available more than €27 billion in financing for Dutch projects in various sectors, including research & development, transport, drinking water, healthcare and SMEs.

    The EIB is the European Union’s bank; the only bank owned by and representing the interests of the European Union Member States, The Netherlands owns a 5,2% share of the EIB. It works closely with other EU institutions to implement EU policy and is the world’s largest multilateral borrower and lender. The EIB provides finance and expertise for sustainable investment projects that contribute to EU policy objectives. More than 90% of its activity is in Europe.

    The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investment for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments previously available to support investment in the European Union, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is deployed through implementing partners who will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment.

    LUMICKS is a pioneering life science tools company dedicated to accelerating drug discovery in cancer research and advancing the understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels. Our innovative technologies empower researchers to reveal crucial insights into the biological complexity of health and disease, driving the development of next-generation therapies and accelerating immunotherapy breakthroughs.

    Mission:

    We empower academic and pharmaceutical communities with cutting-edge technologies to deeply understand the mechanisms of life and disease, driving the discovery and development of life-saving therapies.

    Vision:

    By 2027, more than 250 world-leading researchers developing therapies and understanding biological mechanisms will use cell avidity and single-molecule data to develop cures that will impact more than 1 million lives.

    Lumicks (IEU LS)
    Dutch Life Science Tools LUMICKS secures €20 million from EIB to accelerate drug discovery for cancer.
    ©EIB
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    Lumicks (IEU LS)
    Dutch Life Science Tools LUMICKS secures €20 million from EIB to accelerate drug discovery for cancer.
    ©EIB
    Download original
    Lumicks (IEU LS)
    Dutch Life Science Tools LUMICKS secures €20 million from EIB to accelerate drug discovery for cancer.
    ©EIB
    Download original

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Flood risk information provided to Poland via the Copernicus European alert system – E-001762/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001762/2024/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Piotr Müller (ECR), Michał Dworczyk (ECR), Waldemar Buda (ECR), Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR), Marlena Maląg (ECR), Daniel Obajtek (ECR)

    Janez Lenarčič, the EU Crisis Management Commissioner, has said that the Commission has been using the Copernicus European Flood Alert System to warn Member States about the risk of flooding since 10 September.

    In this context:

    • 1.When exactly was flood risk information provided to the Polish institutions via the Copernicus European Flood Alert System?
    • 2.Have Polish institutions given any feedback or asked for clarification of the information provided? If so, when, and which institutions got in touch about flood risk in Poland? To which bodies did they send this information/these queries?

    Submitted: 19.9.2024

    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Colombia: EIB Global provides Enel Colombia with $300 million loan for renewable energy generation and power grid improvements

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The facility finances solar photovoltaic (PV) plants totalling approximately 486 MW of capacity, and the improvement and expansion of the Enel Colombia distribution business.
    • The loan is in Colombian pesos and with the help of a synthetic product neutralises exchange rate risks.
    • The loan is the first of its kind to be issued by the EIB in favour of an Enel Group subsidiary.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB), in partnership with Enel and SACE, the Italian Export Credit Agency, has provided Enel Group subsidiary Enel Colombia with a loan in the local currency, for a maximum amount in Colombian pesos equivalent to $300 million, which through a synthetic product neutralises the exchange rate risk. The loan is backed by a SACE guarantee. Through this facility, aimed at financing the development of power grids and renewable energy generation in Colombia, the EIB, Enel and SACE have joined forces to support the energy transition in the country and mitigate the effects of climate change.

    This agreement is in line with the EU Commission’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, and it is the first EIB framework loan exclusively dedicated to financing Enel Colombia’s sustainable development, as well as being the first EIB synthetic product with an Enel Group subsidiary.

    Specifically, the facility will finance the solar PV plants Guayepo I and II, totalling approximately 486 MW of capacity, and the improvement and expansion of the Enel Colombia distribution business, which serves more than 3.7 million customers in Bogota, boosting resilience as well as enabling new connections and e-mobility, in line with the Bogotá Region 2030 project.

    The agreement builds upon the EIB’s longstanding successful collaboration with Enel and SACE in Latin America which has already granted a multi-country, multi-business and multi-currency facility of up to $900 million in Latin America to Enel Group’s subsidiaries in the area.

    “This project, in line with the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, contributes to reducing the infrastructure gap between wealthier and less developed regions of Colombia and increases the participation of renewable energy in the power matrix of the country by incorporating additional solar energy generation capacity. I welcome the opportunity to continue the fruitful cooperation with the Enel Group, which has a longstanding and successful relationship with the EIB and is one of its largest borrowers, and SACE, with whom the EIB also has an extensive relationship in supporting projects inside and outside the European Union,” said EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris.

    “The agreement with the EIB and SACE is a virtuous example of synergies between the public and private sector and confirms our sustainability commitment,” said Enel CFO Stefano De Angelis. “This partnership adds further value to our business projects through a development strategy focused on renewables and grids, while contributing to accelerate the energy transition as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in line with our Group’s Strategic Plan, the Paris Agreement and the UN 2030 Agenda.”

    “We are pleased to be part of this high-impact transaction, which testifies to our long-lasting partnership with Enel and the EIB and our strategic vision of long-term growth. Latin America and Colombia represent a significant opportunity for both the energy transition and the Italian technologies that can support it. Our team in Bogotá, where we have inaugurated our office in recent days, will continue to play a vital role for these projects,” stated Valerio Perinelli, Chief Business Officer at SACE.    

    Background information

    About the EIB

    The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EIB brings the experience and expertise of in-house engineers and economists to help develop and appraise top quality projects. As an AAA-rated, policy-driven EU financial institution, the EIB offers attractive financial terms – loans at competitive interest rates and with durations aligned with the projects it finances. Through our partnerships with the European Union and other donors, we can provide grants to further improve the development impact of the projects we support.

    About EIB Global in Latin America

    EIB Global has been providing economic support for projects in Latin America since 2022, facilitating long-term investment with favourable conditions and offering the technical support needed to ensure that these projects deliver positive social, economic and environmental results. Since the EIB began operating in Latin America in 1993, it has provided total financing of around €14 billion to support more than 160 projects in 15 countries in the region.

    About the Global Gateway initiative

    EIB Global is a key partner in the implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, supporting sound projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. Investing in connectivity is at the very heart of what EIB Global does, building on the Bank’s 65 years of experience in this domain. Alongside our partners, fellow EU institutions and Member States, we aim to support €100 billion of investment (around one-third of the overall envelope of the initiative) by the end of 2027, including in Colombia and Latin America.

    About SACE

    SACE is the Italian financial insurance company specialised in supporting the growth and development of businesses and the national economy through a wide range of tools and solutions to improve competitiveness in Italy and worldwide. For over 40 years, SACE has been the partner of reference for Italian companies exporting to and expanding in foreign markets. SACE also cooperates with the banking system, providing financial guarantees to facilitate companies’ access to credit. This role has been reinforced by the extraordinary measures introduced by the so-called Liquidity Decree and by the Simplifications Decree. With a portfolio of insured transactions and guaranteed investments totalling €156 billion, SACE serves over 26 000 companies, especially small and medium businesses (SMEs), supporting their growth in Italy and in around 200 foreign markets, with a diversified range of insurance and financial products and services.

    About Enel

    Enel is a multinational power company and a leading integrated player in the global power and renewables markets. At global level, it is the largest renewable private player, the foremost electricity distribution network player by number of grid customers served and the biggest retail operator by customer base. The Enel Group is the largest European utility by ordinary EBITDA[1]. Enel is present in 28 countries worldwide, producing energy with more than 88 GW of total capacity. Enel Grids, the Group’s global business line dedicated to the management of the electricity distribution service worldwide, delivers electricity through a network of 1.9 million kilometres with 69 million end users. Enel’s renewables arm Enel Green Power has a total capacity of around 64 GW and a generation mix that includes wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power, as well as energy storage facilities installed in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Enel X Global Retail is the Group’s business line dedicated to customers around the world, with the aim of effectively providing products and services based on their energy needs and encouraging them towards a more conscious and sustainable use of energy. Globally, it provides electricity and integrated energy services to around 58 million customers worldwide, offering flexibility services aggregating 9 GW, managing around 3 million lighting points, and with 27 300 owned public charging points for electric mobility.

     [1] Enel’s leadership in the different categories is defined by comparison with competitors’ FY2023 data. Fully state-owned operators are not included. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Diplomacy is the way to achieve peace and security for Lebanon and Israel: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Lebanon.

    Location:
    United Nations, New York
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    The situation in Lebanon is worsening by the day. Civilian casualties are mounting, and more than a quarter of the Lebanese population has been displaced.

    The humanitarian implications of the conflict are devastating and compounding an existing crisis in Lebanon, particularly for vulnerable groups who are unable to move or face considerable challenges in doing so. Israel must do everything possible to minimise civilian casualties.

    And Syrian refugees in Lebanon, already displaced from their homes, now face the choice of staying in the face of this conflict, or facing persecution from Assad’s regime if they return. For a year, Hizballah have been launching missiles at northern Israel, forcing more than 60,000 Israelis to flee their homes.

    They must take their responsibility for ending this cycle of violence rather than recklessly endangering the lives of Israelis and Lebanese alike.

    All parties must do everything possible to protect civilians and fully comply with international humanitarian law. The UK is committed to supporting the people of Lebanon and we have announced an additional $19.5m aid package of to meet their immediate humanitarian needs.

    We are gravely concerned to hear that two UN peacekeepers have been injured by Israeli troops and we wish them a speedy recovery. We reiterate that attacks on UN Peacekeepers are unacceptable. All parties must take all necessary measures to protect UNIFIL personnel and premises and allow it to fulfil its mandate.

    President, we must not lose sight of the destabilising role of Iran across the Middle East through their support to militias, including Hizballah, Hamas and the Houthis. Iran must immediately halt its attacks on Israel and its support for its militias to prevent an already tragic humanitarian situation deteriorating further.

    A political solution consistent with Resolution 1701 is the only way to restore the sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability of Lebanon. This requires an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel now, and immediate negotiations to re-establish security and stability for the people living on either side of the Israeli-Lebanon border.

    My Foreign Secretary has repeatedly and consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and I repeat that call today.

    Diplomacy, not violence, is the way to achieve peace, stability and security for Israel or Lebanon. Diplomacy, not violence, will bring wider regional stability.

    The risks of continued escalation and spill over into the wider region cannot be overstated. The UK will continue to strive tirelessly for a diplomatic solution to end this cycle of violence.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 10/10/2024 Conversation between Minister Radosław Sikorski and the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski met in Warsaw with the Speaker of the Swedish Riksdag Andreas Norlén. The interlocutors emphasized that the excellent cooperation between Poland and Sweden for years has recently been intensified due to threats in the immediate vicinity and as a result of Sweden’s accession to NATO. Warsaw and Stockholm – the initiators of the Eastern Partnership – want to deepen cooperation for Ukraine and towards the Eastern partners. It was emphasized that Russia as an aggressor must face the consequences of its criminal actions, and international law must be observed. The outcome of the war will influence the shape of the world order for many years to come, and especially security in the Baltic Sea region. The head of Polish diplomacy emphasized the excellent contacts with the Swedish partners, both in bilateral and multilateral formats. Minister Sikorski indicated that Poland is interested in regional cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic countries, also in Baltic formats, such as the Council of the Baltic Sea States. This cooperation enables better coordination of Polish policy towards key challenges faced by our region, such as hybrid threats, disinformation or the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea. The talks also covered the priorities of the Polish presidency of the EU Council, with particular emphasis on the security aspect. The interlocutors agreed on the need for cooperation between Poland and Sweden in counteracting the use of illegal migration by the Belarusian and Russian sides to attempt to destabilize the political situation in the European Union. The Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, Andreas Norlén, is in Poland on a two-day official visit.

    Photo: Barbara Milkowska/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by DSJ at Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong today (October 10):
     
    Consul General (Consul General of Spain in Hong Kong, Mr Miguel Aguirre de Cárcer), Deputy Commissioner Fang Jianming (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
         Good evening. I’m delighted to be here tonight to celebrate the national day of Spain. This is a proud and festive occasion throughout Spain, one of the major economies in the European Union.
     
         A celebration, too, of the growing ties between our two economies.
     
         Less than three weeks ago, the Financial Secretary visited Madrid, leading a high-profile delegation of Hong Kong start-up companies, together with the heads of Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport.
     
         Over three fruitful days, the Financial Secretary and his delegation visited a variety of Spanish start-ups, investors and corporate representatives, such as start-up accelerators IMPACT and Wayra, and Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica, and met with the Director General of CDTI (the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación), which promotes I&T (innovation and technology) co-operation between Spain and other economies.
     
         They also met with Spain Startup President and officials from IE University, the organisers of the renowned innovation and entrepreneurship event South Summit, which brings together a world of start-ups, investors, and entrepreneurs each year. The Financial Secretary welcomed the prospect of holding the South Summit in Hong Kong, and for good reasons.
     
         Asia’s super-connector, Hong Kong is at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and its consumer-powered population of more than 80 million people. Technology and innovation will drive the flourishing future of both Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
     
         Hong Kong is also among the world’s leading financial centres – placing third worldwide and topping the Asia-Pacific in the latest Global Financial Centres Index. Also, in the World Bank Group Business Ready 2024 Report which was just published last week, Hong Kong is among the top ten performers among 50 economies covered in that report. 
     
         We are familiar with the common law and we have connection with the Mainland legal system through a number of very important mutual legal assistance arrangements. Hong Kong is also a unique gateway. We can help Spanish start-ups find markets, and fund their expansion in the Mainland China and throughout Asia.
     
         Our legal co-operation with Spain is also well-established. I’m pleased to say that there has been well-established regimes for legal co-operation on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and the co-operation has been smooth and effective.
     
         Our good ties extend to culture and culinary creativity, too. This year’s Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival opens in less than two weeks at Central Harbourfont. And I know Hong Kong will revel in the Festival’s Spanish gourmet delights and featured wine and spirit tastings. They will surely be among the highlights of this year’s Wine & Dine Festival. I’ll see you there.
     
         And now, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast: to the people of Spain.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: A Proclamation on General Pulaski Memorial Day,  2024

    Source: The White House

         Today, we pay tribute to General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish immigrant who served alongside American soldiers in the Revolutionary War and made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation.  And we honor the culture and contributions of all our Nation’s Polish Americans who follow his legacy, standing up for the cause of freedom at home and around the world.

         General Pulaski dedicated his life to the pursuit of liberty — not just for himself or his country but for all of us.  Born and raised in Warsaw, Poland, he fought against the Russian domination of Poland — efforts that ultimately led him to flee his home country.  Later in life, when he was offered an opportunity to join another fight for liberty on the other side of the world, he took it — joining our Nation’s fight for independence.  General Pulaski’s service was critical:  He led a critical counterattack that helped slow the British, and during the course of the war, it was said that he even saved George Washington’s life. 

         General Pulaski’s story and service are just one example of how much Polish Americans have shaped our Nation’s history and our future.  Our country’s Polish-American communities have helped create new possibilities for all of us — leading in every sector, powering our economy, and enriching our culture.  They also strengthen our deep alliance and partnership with Poland and its people at a critical time in our history.  Since Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, the people of Poland have courageously stood up for freedom, liberty, and justice, rallying around the Ukrainian people and offering them safety and light in their darkest moments.  At the same time, Poland has donated tanks, artillery, and aircraft to support Ukraine’s self-defense all while becoming an important hub for aid from key partners.

         No one knows better than the people of Poland that, in moments of great upheaval and uncertainty, what you stand for is important and who you stand with makes all the difference.  Today, we celebrate General Casimir Pulaski, who decided to stand with our Nation to fight for our freedoms.  And we honor all the Polish Americans, who continue to push our Nation forward and fight for a future based on our most fundamental values:  dignity, liberty, and opportunity.

         NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2024, as General Pulaski Memorial Day.  I encourage all Americans to commemorate this occasion with appropriate programs and activities paying tribute to General Casimir Pulaski, honoring all those who champion freedom around the world, and celebrating the vast contributions of the Polish American communities.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                                 JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister announcing new actions to build secondary suites and unlock vacant lands to build more homes

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, I will tell you about the new measure our government is taking to build new housing. Minister Jean-Yves Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement) will tell you about the latest additions to the Canada Public Land Bank, a very important program that continues. And after that, Minister Terry Beech (Minister of Citizens’ Services) will tell you about the impact of these measures for Canadians.

    October 8, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario

    Check against delivery

    Introduction

    Good morning.

    I’m going to start on a very celebratory note. I want to start by congratulating the amazing Geoffrey Hinton on his Nobel Prize in physics. He is a great Canadian. He is absolutely brilliant. He happens to be a constituent of mine and, as the father of AI, is the teacher of generations of great Canadian intellectual leaders who have been taught by him, and who have learned from him at the University of Toronto. What a wonderful accomplishment. This is an honour which is richly deserved, and I think I speak for all Canadians in saying we are so proud of you and so grateful to you.

    Today, I will tell you about the new measure our government is taking to build new housing. Minister Jean-Yves Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement) will tell you about the latest additions to the Canada Public Land Bank, a very important program that continues. And after that, Minister Terry Beech (Minister of Citizens’ Services) will tell you about the impact of these measures for Canadians.

    I do want to start by talking for a moment about the good economic news we’ve been having in recent weeks. Canada is leading the G7 in achieving a soft landing after the COVID recession. Inflation fell to 2 per cent in August. That is a 42-month low and it means that, for all of this year, inflation has been within the Bank of Canada’s target range.

    Thanks to that inflation trajectory, the Bank of Canada led the G7 in cutting rates. Canada was the first G7 country to cut interest rates for the first time, we were the first G7 country to cut interest rates for the second time, and we were the first G7 country to cut interest rates for the third time.

    Wages have been outpacing inflation for 19 months in a row now. What all of that means for Canadians is their paycheques are going further. And for people who own a home and have a mortgage that is coming up for renewal, the fact that interest rates are coming down is a source of really great relief.

    Now on our announcement. We are announcing today new rules about secondary suites, and we’re issuing technical guidance for lenders and insurers to offer refinancing for secondary suites. These will come into force on January 15th.

    The idea here is to make it easier for people to build a secondary suite in their home, for someone to build a basement flat, a garden flat, or laneway housing. This is all about gentle density, creating more homes for Canadians to live in. It builds on the secondary suite loan program, which was announced in Budget 2024.

    Specifically, we’re going to allow refinancing of insured mortgages to build a secondary suite in your home. You will be able to access up to 90 per cent of the home value, including the value added by the secondary suite, and you will be able to amortize your refinanced mortgage for up to 30 years. The limit for insured mortgages, if you are building a secondary suite, will be $2 million and that will be particularly important to recognize—and is a recognition of conditions in the GTA, and in the Lower Mainland.

    This is really about giving Canadians, Canadian homeowners the opportunity to be part of our great national effort to build more homes faster. It’s to let a family who already owns a home and maybe would like their grandmother or grandfather, or both of them, to move in with them to give them access to a little bit more money to build that basement flat, to build that garden suite, so that grandparents can move in.

    It’s also about grandparents who have a big house. Maybe they are alone in that house, and they’d like a grandchild to be able to move in with them to go to school. This is about making it easier for them to build that extra space. And we see this as a measure which goes alongside other measures that we’ve put in place—designed for the big builders to get more homes built faster, to get more rental units built. This is about saying regular Canadians should have the ability and access to the financing to build gentle density in their neighbourhoods. To build density that their families and their communities need.

    The second announcement is a consultation on taxation of vacant land. We believe that good land should not be left unused. Ireland, for example, has a measure like that. Today, we are announcing consultations with municipalities, provinces and territories to discuss whether we need such a measure here in Canada.  And the objective, like all our objectives concerning housing, is to build more housing faster. We know that Canada needs this.   

    We know that one of the most pressing issues for Canada, for Canadians, is housing. And we know that the centre of that issue, the centre of the solution, needs to be to get more homes built faster. Today’s announcements are another arrow in our quiver of measures to get more homes built faster in Canada. This is about getting 4 million homes built.

    I’m now going to turn it over to my colleague, Jean-Yves Duclos.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Ng welcomes the CETA Mutual Recognition Agreement for Architects

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is central to the economic, trade, and investment relationship between Canada and the European Union (EU).

    October 10, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is central to the economic, trade, and investment relationship between Canada and the European Union (EU).

    The agreement has promoted and increased diversification in major industrial, services, and investment sectors and across supply chains. That means more opportunity for Canada and Canadian businesses. It has also enhanced Canada-EU collaboration in key areas such as the environment, critical minerals, and regulatory practices.

    The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, welcomes the adoption of the Mutual Recognition Agreement for professional qualifications of architects (MRAA) under CETA, which was signed today in Brussels, Belgium.

    Once the Agreement becomes binding, the MRAA will further strengthen Canada-EU commercial ties and benefit the Canadian architecture sector and related activities, such as engineering and construction. It will expand investment, grow our economy, and help create jobs. By making it easier to recognize Canadian and European architects’ professional qualifications, it will also expand access to new business opportunities in both economies.   

    This is the first time that a mutual recognition agreement for professional services will become binding under a Canadian free trade agreement. 

    Huzaif Qaisar
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
    343-575-8816
    Huzaif.Qaisar@international.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Concludes Long Term Operation Safety Review at Sweden’s Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts today completed a review of long term operational safety of the Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Unit 3 in Sweden.

    The Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation (SALTO) review mission was requested by the plant’s operator, OKG Aktiebolag. Oskarshamn Unit 3, situated roughly 300 kilometers south of Stockholm, was put into commercial operation in 1985 with a design life of 40 years. It is equipped with one boiling water reactor and has a net electrical output of 1400 MW(e). The plant operator is preparing to extend the operating lifetime to 60 years. Two other units at the power station are in permanent shutdown. Nuclear power accounts for more than a quarter of Sweden’s electricity production.

    During the ten-day mission from 1 to 10 October, the team reviewed the plant’s preparedness, organization and programmes for safe long term operation (LTO), which built upon an initial IAEA pre-SALTO mission held at the plant in 2022. The mission was conducted by an eleven-person team consisting of experts from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Pakistan, Spain, and the United States, as well as three observers from Hungary and the Netherlands, and two IAEA staff members. The team met and discussed topics in depth with staff from the Oskarshamn NPP and conducted site walkdowns during the review.    

    “The team observed that OKG is preparing for safe long term operation and the plant staff are cooperative, professional, and open to suggestions for improvement,” said team leader and IAEA Nuclear Safety Officer Bryce Lehman. “We encourage the plant to address the review findings and implement the remaining activities for safe long term operation as planned.”

    The team identified good performances that will be shared with the nuclear industry globally, including:

    • Reconstitution of design documentation in cooperation with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and securing access to the OEM archives for the period of long term operation.
    • Development of a user-friendly database that shows each user their assigned maintenance activities.
    • Regular meetings of experts from different plant departments to share experience, including international experience, and to discuss improvements to the plant for long term operation.

    The team also provided recommendations and suggestions to further improve safe LTO, the most significant are the following:

    • The plant should fully justify LTO through a periodic safety review, or alternative process.
    • The plant should fully establish a comprehensive programme to identify ageing management activities for long term operation.  
    • The plant should properly implement a comprehensive process to identify components requiring ageing management (a scoping process).

    The plant management expressed a determination to maintain the level of preparedness for safe LTO and further cooperate with the IAEA in this field.

    “We appreciate the IAEA’s support to our plant in ageing management and preparation for safe LTO,” said Johan Lundberg, President of OKG. “It is very important for us to get an external view on our business. The competencies and experience of the IAEA team enable it to effectively identify our areas for improvements.  The results of this mission will help us to improve our activities for safe LTO and to further align them with IAEA safety standards.”

    The team provided a draft report to the plant management and to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM), the country’s nuclear regulatory authority, at the end of the mission. The plant management and SSM will have an opportunity to make factual comments on the draft. A final report will be submitted to the plant management, SSM and the Swedish Government within three months.

    Background

    General information about SALTO missions can be found on the IAEA Website. A SALTO peer review is a comprehensive safety review addressing strategy and key elements for the safe long term operation of nuclear power plants. They complement OSART missions, which are designed as a review of programmes and activities essential to operational safety. Neither SALTO nor OSART reviews are regulatory inspections, nor are they design reviews or substitutes for an exhaustive assessment of a plant’s overall safety status.

    LTO of nuclear power plants is defined as operation beyond an established time frame determined by the license term, the original plant design, relevant standards, or national regulations. As stated in IAEA safety standards, to maintain a plant’s fitness for service, consideration should be given to life limiting processes and features of systems, structures, and components (SSC), as well as to reasonably practicable safety upgrades to enhance the safety of the plant to a level approaching that of modern plants.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Russian Nationals Charged for Their Participation in an Illicit Procurement Network That Exported to Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics with Military Applications in Violation of U.S. Export Controls

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Jonathan Carson, the Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Export Enforcement of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced today that ZHANNA SOLDATENKOVA and RUSLAN ALMETOV, both Russian nationals, were indicted along with ARTHUR PETROV, a dual Russian and German national, for export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with their alleged participation in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.  PETROV, previously charged in a criminal Complaint, was arrested on August 26, 2023, in the Republic of Cyprus at the request of the U.S. and was extradited from the Republic of Cyprus earlier this year.  He arrived in the Southern District of New York on August 8, 2024, and was ordered detained.  SOLDATENKOVA and ALMETOV are at large.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.

    The indictment can be read here.

    U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Zhanna Soldatenkova and Ruslan Almetov are now charged, alongside previously charged Arthur Petrov, for conspiring to smuggle microelectronics with military applications from U.S. distributors to a Russian company that supplies manufacturers for the Russian military.  This Office is committed to exposing the full breadth of such illicit procurement networks and protecting our national security.”

    Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “Zhanna Soldatenkova and Ruslan Almetova, along with Arthur Petrov, allegedly conspired to evade export laws as members of an illegal international procurement network to help aid the Russian defense industry.  As alleged, by deliberately concealing the true nature of their business, they not only violated the law but ultimately put the national security of our country at risk.  The FBI, in concert with our partners, is determined to protect the United States and will hold accountable anyone attempting to harm our nation.”

    Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson said: “As this action demonstrates, we will work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to charge alleged violators wherever they may be worldwide. Illegal global procurement networks that prop up the Russian war machine will not be tolerated. That’s why we and our law enforcement partners are working nonstop to ensure that those operating such networks face American justice.”

    According to the allegations contained in the Indictment returned in Manhattan federal court:[1]

    PETROV is a dual Russian-German national who previously resided in Russia and Cyprus and worked for LLC Electrocom VPK (“Electrocom”), a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.  SOLDATENKOVA is a Russian national who has resided in Russia and worked for Electrocom.  ALMETOV is also a Russian national who has resided in Russia and was the co-founder and served as General Director of Electrocom.

    PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas.  More specifically, they fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom.  To carry out the scheme, PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV used shell companies and other deceptive means to conceal that the electronics components were destined for Russia.  The technology that the defendants procured in contravention of export controls had significant military applications and included various types of electronics components of the sort that have been recovered in Russian military hardware on the battlefield in Ukraine, such as Russian guided missiles, drones, and electronic warfare and communications devices.

    To perpetrate the scheme, PETROV first acquired the controlled microelectronics from U.S.-based electronics exporters using a Cyprus-based shell company, Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD (“Astrafteros”), which he operated.  PETROV procured these sensitive electronics components by falsely representing to the U.S. exporters that Astrafteros was purchasing the items for fire security systems, among other commercial uses, and that the ultimate end-users and destinations of the electronics are companies in Cyprus or other third countries — when in fact the components were destined for Electrocom in Russia, which supplies manufacturers for the Russian military.  The microelectronics that PETROV procured as part of the conspiracy included, among other things, microcontrollers and integrated circuits on the Commerce Control List maintained by the Commerce Department and which could not lawfully be exported or reexported to Russia without a license from the Commerce Department.  Invoices provided to PETROV by the U.S. distributors expressly noted that these microcontrollers and integrated circuits were subject to U.S. export controls.

    To evade these controls, PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV worked together to transship the controlled items procured by PETROV using pass-through entities operated by SOLDATENKOVA and ALMETOV in third countries.  SOLDATENKOVA and ALMETOV then caused the items to be shipped, sometimes through yet another country, to the ultimate destination: Electrocom in Saint Petersburg, Russia.  At all times, PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV concealed from the U.S. distributors that they were procuring the controlled electronics components on behalf of Electrocom and that the items were destined for Russia.  During the course of the conspiracy, PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV procured from U.S. distributors and shipped to Russia more than $225,000 worth of controlled electronics components with military applications.

    *                *                *

    A table containing the charges and maximum penalties for PETROV, 35, of Russia and Cyprus, SOLDATENKOVA, 36, of Russia, and ALMETOV, 43, of Russia, is set forth below.  The maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

    Charge

    Defendants

    Maximum Penalties
    Count One:  Conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 5 years’ imprisonment
    Count Two:  Conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (“ECRA”) (50 U.S.C. §§ 4819(a)(1), 4819(a)(2)(A)-G), and 4819(b); 15 C.F.R. §§ 736.2(b)(1), 746.8(a)(1), and 764.2) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Three:  Violation of ECRA (50 U.S.C. §§ 4819(a)(1), 4819(a)(2)(A)-G), and 4819(b); 15 C.F.R. §§ 736.2(b)(1), 746.8(a)(1), and 764.2) PETROV and SOLDATENKOVA 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Four:  Violation of ECRA (50 U.S.C. §§ 4819(a)(1), 4819(a)(2)(A)-G), and 4819(b); 15 C.F.R. §§ 736.2(b)(1), 746.8(a)(1), and 764.2) PETROV and SOLDATENKOVA 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Five:  Violation of ECRA (50 U.S.C. §§ 4819(a)(1), 4819(a)(2)(A)-G), and 4819(b); 15 C.F.R. §§ 736.2(b)(1), 746.8(a)(1), and 764.2) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Six:  Conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 5 years’ imprisonment
    Count Seven:  Smuggling goods from the United States (18 U.S.C. §§ 554(a) and 2) PETROV and SOLDATENKOVA 10 years’ imprisonment
    Count Eight:  Smuggling goods from the United States (18 U.S.C. §§ 554(a) and 2) PETROV and SOLDATENKOVA 10 years’ imprisonment
    Count Nine:  Smuggling goods from the United States (18 U.S.C. §§ 554(a) and 2) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 10 years’ imprisonment
    Count Ten:  Conspiracy to commit wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1349) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Eleven:  Conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(h), 1956(f)) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 20 years’ imprisonment

    Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division and the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce.  Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Legal Attaché offices in Poland, Germany, and Athens, Greece; the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Justice and Public Order; and the Law Office of the Republic for their assistance.  The Republic of Cyprus National Police also provided critical assistance in effecting the defendant’s arrest and detention at the request of the U.S.

    This prosecution is coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force.  Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the U.S. has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.  The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Sullivan is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 10.10.2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    10 October 2024 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 10.10.2024

    Espoo, Finland – On 10 October 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 1,175,833 4.07
    CEUX 783,381 4.06
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 1,959,214 4.07

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 25 January 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to return up to EUR 600 million of cash to shareholders in tranches over a period of two years. The first phase of the share buyback program started on 20 March 2024. On 19 July 2024, Nokia decided to accelerate the share buybacks by increasing the number of shares to be repurchased during the year 2024. The post-increase repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 22 July 2024 and end by 31 December 2024 with a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 600 million for all purchases during 2024.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 10 October 2024 was EUR 7,966,948. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 163,555,435 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 40 803 4080
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: VINCENT GELLE APPOINTED DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MOBILIZE FINANCIAL SERVICES, RCI BANQUE’S COMMERCIAL BRAND

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    October 10th, 2024

    PRESS RELEASE

    VINCENT GELLE APPOINTED DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MOBILIZE FINANCIAL SERVICES, RCI BANQUE’S COMMERCIAL BRAND

    Mobilize Financial Services announces the appointment of Vincent Gellé as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, effective October 4 th.

    This appointment is part of the new organization sought by Martin Thomas to ensure that Mobilize Financial Services, the financial arm of the Renault Group brands, meets the challenges of the sector and strengthens its position as market leader.

    Martin Thomas, CEO, Mobilize Financial Services: “Mobilize Financial Services is giving itself the means to write a new chapter in its development in a particularly demanding context. I’m delighted that Vincent Gellé, who has worked his way up through the Group in a variety of positions both in France and internationally, can continue to bring us his expertise in this new role.”

            

    Born in 1978, Vincent Gellé graduated from ESSEC business school in 2000. He joined RCI Banque in 2001, holding a number of financial and commercial positions in France and abroad.
    He began his career in the UK in 2001 with Renault Financial Services, before joining RCI Banque’s head office in 2005 as Financial Controller. From 2008, Vincent Gellé successively held the positions of Administrative and Financial Director in South Korea, then Group Performance Control Director. In 2016, he continued his career in Japan with Nissan’s Finance Department, then in Russia as Sales & Martketing Director of RN Bank.
    He then joined Mobilize Financial Services headquarters in France, where he has held the role of VP, Accounting and Group Performance Control since August 2023. He is a member of the RCI Banque Executive Committee.

    About Mobilize Financial Services   
    Attentive to the needs of all its customers, Mobilize Financial Services, a subsidiary of Renault Group, creates innovative financial services to build sustainable mobility for all. Mobilize Financial Services, which began operations nearly 100 years ago, is the commercial brand of RCI Banque SA, a French bank specializing in automotive financing and services for customers and networks of Renault Group, and also for the brands Nissan and Mitsubishi in several countries.  
    With operations in 35 countries and nearly 4,000 employees, Mobilize Financial Services financed more than 1,2 million contracts (new and used vehicles) in 2023 and sold 3,9 million services. At the end of June 2024, average earning assets stood at 54,9 billion euros of financing and pre-tax earnings at 553 million euros.   
    Since 2012, the Group has deployed a deposit-taking business in several countries. At the end of June 2024, net deposits amounted to 29,4 billion euros, or 50 % of the company’s net assets.   
    To find out more about Mobilize Financial Services: http://www.mobilize-fs.com/  
    Follow us on Twitter: @Mobilize_FS 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Publication of a Circular – Notice of General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN ANY JURISDICTION, INCLUDING IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.

    HARGREAVE HALE AIM VCT PLC

    LEI: 213800LRYA19A69SIT31

    10 October 2024

    Publication of a circular

    On 9 October 2024, Hargreave Hale AIM VCT plc (the “Company“) launched an offer for subscription to raise up to £20 million (the “Offer“).

    The Company has also published a circular convening a general meeting (the “General Meeting“) to be held at 9.30 a.m. on 12 November 2024 at the offices of Canaccord Genuity Asset Management Limited, 88 Wood Street, London EC2V 7QR (the “Circular“). At the General Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve: (i) share issuance authorities in relation to the Offer; and (ii) amendments to the Company’s articles of association in order to extend the date of the next continuation vote to the annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2031.

    The Circular is available to download from the Company’s website, http://www.hargreaveaimvcts.co.uk, subject to certain access restrictions and will also shortly be available for inspection at the National Storage Mechanism, https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism .

    For further information please contact:
    Oliver Bedford, Canaccord Genuity Asset Management Limited
    Tel: 020 7523 4837

    Important Information
    This announcement and the information contained herein is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation, or the solicitation of an offer, to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction.

    The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom and the availability of the Offer to persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of relevant jurisdictions. Therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom will need to inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Societe Generale: shares and voting rights as of 30 September 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NUMBER OF SHARES COMPOSING CURRENT SHARE CAPITAL AND TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTING RIGHTS AS OF 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

    Regulated Information

    Paris, 10 October 2024

    Information about the total number of voting rights and shares pursuant to Article L.233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and Article 223-16 of the AMF General Regulations.

    Date Number of shares composing current share capital Total number of
    voting rights

    30 September 2024

    		 800,316,777

    Gross: 886,278,991

    Press contact:

    Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com
    Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com

    Societe Generale

    Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with more than 126,000 employees serving about 25 million clients in 65 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for nearly 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.

    The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

    • French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.
    • Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
    • Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.

    Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

    For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: TSplus Wraps Up Another Successful Quarter with Major Developments and New Product Enhancements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LYON, France, Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TSplus recently held its quarterly meeting in Lyon, where the entire headquarters gathered to celebrate milestones, strategize for the future, and share some exciting product updates. The company, known for its innovation and affordable alternatives to Citrix, is on track to expand its presence globally and further strengthen its offerings.

    Dominique Benoit, CEO of TSplus, opened the meeting by highlighting the company’s rapid growth, with about 600,000 clients and 8,000 resellers across the world. He emphasized TSplus’ position as the “French Citrix-Killer,” with upcoming subscription models for TSplus Remote Access poised to capture more market shares.

    “We’re building towards an exciting future,” Dominique said. “By 2030, we aim to grow from 80 employees to 500, and we’re already laying the groundwork with new strategic developments.”

    Powering the Future of Remote Access

    This quarter has seen remarkable growth, with invoice numbers doubling and a projected 15% revenue increase by year-end. The company’s flagship product, Remote Access Enterprise, has emerged as a best-seller, and key markets like India, France, and the USA are hosting the largest customers. Additionally, TSplus is proud to announce the official launch of TSplus China, located near Shanghai, marking an important milestone in expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Advanced Security, Remote Access and Beyond

    The Development Team has been hard at work, with the upcoming release of Advanced Security 7.1 taking center stage. This release, still in beta version, will introduce a completely revamped user interface, providing a smoother and more intuitive experience. New features will be included too, to increase risk awareness and protection performance.

    In other product news, Remote Access has seen over 30 updates and 40 fixes, such as improvements to the Universal Printer and a sleek new Web Portal. Remote Support now boasts 2FA protection, cross-platform compatibility over macOS and Windows devices, and a soon-to-be-released Android app.

    Leader To Be in Secure Remote Access Solutions

    TSplus has also focused on enhancing its digital presence, with a complete redesign of TSplus.net. The revamped website has significantly boosted traffic generating a 20% sales growth. Meanwhile, the Licensing Portal has been simplified, making it easier for resellers to navigate.

    As AI continues to shape the marketing landscape and Google ranking algorithm, TSplus is staying ahead to create high-quality videos, blog posts, and website enhancements, further expanding the company’s visibility everywhere on the Web.

    With ambitious plans on the horizon, TSplus is set to roll out additional updates, including a full overhaul of all their showcase websites. These developments will further solidify TSplus’ position as a global leader in secure remote access solutions.

    Try any TSplus software for free today with a 15-day trial by visiting http://www.tsplus.net.

    Media Contact:
    Floriane Mer
    Marketing Manager at TSplus
    floriane.mer@tsplus.net

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03affb29-cb02-4102-8792-863ea0b86f83

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: YY Group Holdings Limited Successfully Regains NASDAQ Compliance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YY Group Holding Limited (NASDAQ: YYGH) (“YY Group”, “YYGH”, or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that the company has regained compliance with NASDAQ’s Minimum Bid Price Rule, maintaining a consistent stock price above $1.00 for more than 12 consecutive business days.

    This achievement marks a key milestone in YYGH’s continued growth and recovery, after experiencing a low of $0.71 two months ago. The stock has risen by over 70%, to reach a peak at $1.295, averaging at $1.20 for the past 2 weeks, representing a significant improvement over the past 60 days. This growth highlights the market’s renewed confidence in the Company’s vision and the strength of its business model.

    Investor Support Key to Recovery

    The Company attributes this success to the unwavering support of its investors. In a market characterized by volatility, YYGH’s ability to stabilize and grow its stock price would not have been possible without the trust and confidence of its shareholders. The Company’s leadership recognizes the importance of its investor relationships and is committed to delivering long-term value through strategic initiatives and operational excellence.

    Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Mike Fu, expressed his gratitude, stating: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of our investors during this crucial time. Their confidence in YY Group’s future has been a vital component of our ability to regain compliance with NASDAQ’s standards. As we look ahead, our commitment to innovation, excellence, and shareholder value remains stronger than ever.”

    Looking Ahead

    As part of its forward strategy, YYGH is dedicated to driving sustainable growth by leveraging technological advancements and exploring opportunities in new markets. The recent expansions into the UAE have resulted in positive outcomes with contracts signed with 5-star hotels such as Sofitel Al Hamra and DoubleTree by Hilton. Excitedly, the company has also expanded into the European market, with the United Kingdom as its first point of entry.

    About YY Holdings Limited:
    YY Group Holding Limited is a Singapore-based data and technology-driven company that specializes in creating enterprise intelligent labor matching services and smart cleaning solutions. Rooted in innovation and a commitment to user-centric experiences, YY Circle leverages app-based technology to optimize the labor sourcing market and the Internet of Things to revolutionize the cleaning industry.

    For more information on the Company, please log on to https://yygroupholding.com/.

    Investor Contact:
    Phua Zhi Yong, Chief Financial Officer
    YY Group
    Enquiries@yygroupholding.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: Tidalwave of clean energy investment worth billions unlocked ahead of Investment Summit

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Thousands of jobs in green industries announced as the UK Government welcomes more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14th October.

    • Thousands of jobs in energy sector to be created across the UK up to £24 billion worth of investment secured ahead of International Investment Summit.
    • Boost for clean energy industries demonstrates vote of confidence in UK and government’s growth mission.
    • Comes as Prime Minister puts investment and growth at heart of first Council of Nations and Regions meeting in Scotland today.

    Thousands of jobs in green industries announced as the UK Government welcomes more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14th October.        

    The investments confirmed by private investors today will deliver growth in the clean energy sector across our nations and regions, from Yorkshire to Suffolk and Aberdeen to Stow, representing a huge vote of confidence in the UK and long-term growth.       

    Driven by the government’s clear path to growth creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, the billions worth of investments from leading companies include Iberdrola – one of the biggest energy companies in Europe – doubling their investment in the UK, Orsted unlocking £8bn and GreenVolt £2.5bn of investment in offshore wind farms, and SeAh Wind UK announcing a £225 million expansion of their investment in the North East to build a state-of-the-art wind technology manufacturing facility in Teesside, solidifying the UK’s position as a world leader in the wind power industry.   

    In only 100 days, the government has overturned the nine-year onshore wind ban in 72 hours, consented more solar than ever before, secured the most successful renewable auction round in history, and launched Great British Energy.     

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:    

    Today’s investments are a huge vote of confidence in this government and our relentless focus to drive growth across the UK.

    Whether you’re in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England – we are creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, and our International Investment Summit will be a springboard for every part of the UK to be an engine of innovation and investment.

    Today I’m convening the first ever Council of Nations and Regions, because it is when we work together in the spirit of genuine partnership, that we can deliver the real change people want to see and improve opportunities for all.  

    Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán said:    

    After having invested more than £30bn in the last 15 years, the clear policy direction, stable regulatory frameworks and overall attractiveness of the UK are leading us to double our investments for 2024-28, reaching up to £24bn.

    This is a vote of confidence in the UK’s clear and stable policies and is a major boost to the economy and the path towards green energy security and Net Zero. The benefits of electrification in terms of energy security, industrial development, jobs and decarbonisation are shared ambitions of the UK and Iberdrola.

    The investments demonstrate further progress on the government’s clean energy mission and a major boost to the UK economy three days before the first International Investment Summit on 14 October, which will gather UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from across the world to deepen our partnership to drive investment and growth.    

    It also comes as the Prime Minister today convenes the first Council of the Nations and Regions, delivering on a manifesto promise to rewire the way UK Government operates. Focussed on investment and growth, the Council will see First Ministers and Deputy First Minister from the Devolved Governments come together with regional mayors to collaborate and seize opportunities to secure long-term investment and boost growth. The agenda, agreed with attendees, includes discussion on how to boost growth and inward investment across the UK, including through an industrial strategy and the Investment Summit.    

    The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings and a joint meeting with the Devolved Government First Ministers and Deputy First Minister focussed on supporting intergovernmental relations as we continue to reset our relationship and work together to deliver for people across the UK.     

    Today’s investments include:    

    • Iberdrola doubling their investment in the UK, through Scottish Power, from £12bn to £24bn over the next 4 years, which includes £4bn for the East Anglia 2 wind farm off the Suffolk coast which was unlocked by this Government’s expanded allocation at the most recent wind auction round. Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galan has also today confirmed that the UK has become their largest Investment destination.
    • Orsted and Greenvolt confirming that the Government’s recent expanded offshore wind auction means their projects will unlock £8bn (Orsted) and £2.5bn (Greenvolt) of investment respectively in their planned offshore wind farms. Orsted says its commitment will see thousands of jobs for local people, while Greenvolt says it will create up to 2800 construction jobs.
    • SeAH Wind has made an additional £225 million investment into wind technology manufacturing in Teesside, thanks to new backing from UK Export Finance, which expects to create 750 direct jobs by 2027. This brings their total investment into the site at Teesworks up to £900 million and will help them make their ongoing factory build – one of the biggest facilities of its kind worldwide – even bigger.
    • Macquarie supporting investment of £1.3bn into new green infrastructure including its Island Green Power solar farm in Stow, as a result of planning consents having been granted by the Government, and its Roadchef portfolio company installing electric car ultra-fast charging points across its sites along the UK motorway network.
    • BW Group proceeding with a £300m investment into a new battery energy storage project in Birmingham.
    • Holtec, a major US advanced nuclear engineering company, has confirmed a significant investment of £325 million in a new factory in South Yorkshire which will supply materials for Hinkley Point C and likely Sizewell C power stations. They say this will create up to 490 direct and 280 indirect jobs annually during the construction phase and 1,200 direct engineering jobs created over 20 years.     

    Mads Nipper, CEO of Ørsted A/S said:    

    The reason we are investing in the UK is that alongside the targets for clean energy, we also see the commitment to creating the policy frameworks required to deliver those targets and a government who wants to work with businesses to enable the investments required.

    Lord Nicol Stephen, Chief Executive of Flotation Energy said:  

    Green Volt is a trailblazing, multibillion pound floating offshore wind project which will kickstart jobs and investment by companies right across the UK offshore supply chain. The choice of our HQ in Aberdeen is clear evidence of our strong commitment to support local jobs and businesses wherever possible.

    Chris Sohn, Chief Executive of SeAH Wind, said:    

    With the proactive support of UKEF, our project is progressing smoothly. As we approach the completion of the factory construction, we are committed to ensuring its successful finalization. We aim to become the first monopile manufacturing company in the UK and make a significant contribution to the UK economy.

    Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group, said:     

    BW Group is delighted to announce that its subsidiary BW ESS intends to shortly begin construction on two large battery projects in the Midlands – Hams Hall and Berkswell – with a combined capacity of 600 MW. These projects represent a major step forward in enhancing the UK’s energy infrastructure and supporting the transition to renewables.

    I am encouraged by the UK government’s commitment to the clean energy transition and our announcement today highlights BW Group’s commitment to strengthening our presence in the UK and contributing to the growth of the clean energy sector.

    Shemara Wikramanayake, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group, said:   

    We believe that infrastructure investment helps create strong foundations for economic growth, job creation, better services for the public and stronger communities. We are fully invested in the UK’s success and look forward to playing our part in delivering the investment the country needs.

    Dr Rick Springman, Holtec’s President of Global Clean Energy Opportunities, said:   

    Holtec has been part of the UK’s nuclear fabric for over 30 years. We recognise the UK’s long-term commitment to nuclear energy to drive forward government missions on clean energy and economic growth.

    Our planned advanced manufacturing factory in South Yorkshire will bring thousands of skilled, highly-paid engineering jobs to the region while supporting tens of thousands more in the UK’s wider manufacturing supply chains.

    The potential size of the prize of this investment is significant. Depending on future SMR order books it could open up a £30bn export market over ten years adding billions of pounds to the UK economy. Over the coming months Holtec will be finalising its full factory plans and designs based on its UK and international order book.

    This follows the announcement earlier this week that up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs are set to be supported as bus operator Go Ahead confirms a major £500 million investment to decarbonise its fleet including. This includes creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with Northern Ireland-based UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus.    

    Yesterday, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero gave the green light for a new scheme to help unlock billions in investment in energy storage infrastructure. This could see the first significant long duration energy storage facilities in nearly 4 decades, helping to create back up renewable power and bolster the UK’s energy security.    

    And it also builds on the Government confirming funding to launch the UK’s first carbon capture sites in Teesside and Merseyside. Two new carbon capture and CCUS enabled hydrogen projects will create 4,000 new jobs, in a boost for the economy and British industry, helping remove over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of taking around 4 million cars off the road.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting with Chief of the Royal Danish Navy Rear Adm. Henrik Ryberg

    Source: United States Navy

    VENICE, Italy – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met Admiral Danish Fleet Rear Adm. Henrik Ryberg for a formal bilateral engagement during the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice, Italy, today.

    During the meeting the leaders expressed their shared commitment to maritime security in the High North, Baltic Sea, Red Sea, and Atlantic region. They discussed future opportunities to strengthen their naval partnership and increase interoperability with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare.

    Franchetti thanked Ryberg for the Royal Danish Navy’s support to recent U.S. Navy submarine and destroyer visits to ports within the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as Royal Danish Navy participation in multilateral exercises, including Steadfast Defender.   

    The CNO also discussed her recently-released strategic guidance: the Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy, specifically stressing capability development for long-term advantage and the integrated warfighting ecosystem. The leaders noted the importance exchange opportunities to train together in the future.

    The U.S. and Denmark are founding members of NATO, and the alliance between the two nations is critical to the security and stability in Europe and across the globe.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: CNO Strengthens Partnerships at 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium

    Source: United States Navy

    VENICE, Italy – Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, attended the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium (TRSS) in Venice, Italy, Oct. 8-10, 2024.

    This year’s TRSS brought together Heads of Navy and Coast Guard from 67 countries with experts and professionals from around the world to discuss critical maritime issues and foster collaboration. The symposium, themed “A Spotlight on the Depths: the Underwater as a New Frontier for Humankind,” aimed to address the growing importance of the underwater through panel discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions that allowed participants to explore innovative approaches and strategies for maritime cooperation.

    “It is great to be here among friends who are united by our shared values, our shared commitment, and our shared stake in the continued stability, security, and prosperity of the entire global maritime commons, especially in the undersea domain,” said Franchetti.  “We’ve all scanned the horizon and see the forces that are threatening to make the world more unstable and more dangerous. And we’ve witnessed the vulnerabilities of our critical undersea infrastructure, like gas pipelines, fiber optic cables, which are so critical to our economies, our shared security, our prosperity, and our peoples’ way of everyday life.”

    During the symposium, Franchetti participated in a panel titled “Safeguarding the Underwater: New Solutions and Technologies for new Challenges,” where she discussed how U.S. Navy is leveraging modern technology, like robotic autonomous systems, underwater command and control networks, and sensing and detection systems; is integrating these systems into the fleet and adopting the new technology, getting the innovation into the hands of Sailors as quickly as possible; and building relationships and having conversations with Allies and partners.

    “Integrating robotic and autonomous systems into the daily business of our operations is a critical part of my recently released Navigation Plan for America’s War Fighting Navy,” said Franchetti.  “It’s one of my seven Project 33 targets, areas where I will invest my personal time and my resources, where I’m going to put my thumb on the scale to raise the baseline level of readiness of the American Navy in the fastest time possible.”

    She went on to say, “we are continuing to closely collaborate with you, all of our allies and partners, and your respective innovation bases to advance our capabilities in the undersea domain.  And I see us doing this together as part of a broader warfighting ecosystem.  It’s another component in my Navigation Plan, which is fundamental to my vision of how we will deter and, if necessary, fight and win future wars.”

    While at the symposium Franchetti also held bilateral engagement with her counterparts from Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden; and conducted over 40 meaningful discussions with TRSS Head of Navy participants about the importance of increasing interoperability with Allies and partners.

    Franchetti also conducted her second trilateral meeting with her Australian and United Kingdom counterparts as part of the AUKUS partnership. Their first meeting occurred earlier this summer at HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia.

    “In three years of  the AUKUS agreement we have made significant progress in integrating the exceptional undersea capabilities of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States,” said Franchetti. “Our navies will continue to build on our relationships, strengths, and interchangeability to provide security and stability, and maintain the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe.

    The CNO wrapped up her time at TRSS with a multilateral meeting with Heads of Navy from the Group of Seven (G7: U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom) and a meeting with the chiefs of carrier strike group navies.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tidalwave of clean energy investment worth billions unlocked ahead of Investment Summit

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Thousands of jobs in green industries announced as the UK Government welcomes more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14th October.

    • Thousands of jobs in energy sector to be created across the UK up to £24 billion worth of investment secured ahead of International Investment Summit.
    • Boost for clean energy industries demonstrates vote of confidence in UK and government’s growth mission.
    • Comes as Prime Minister puts investment and growth at heart of first Council of Nations and Regions meeting in Scotland today.

    Thousands of jobs in green industries announced as the UK Government welcomes more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14th October.        

    The investments confirmed by private investors today will deliver growth in the clean energy sector across our nations and regions, from Yorkshire to Suffolk and Aberdeen to Stow, representing a huge vote of confidence in the UK and long-term growth.       

    Driven by the government’s clear path to growth creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, the billions worth of investments from leading companies include Iberdrola – one of the biggest energy companies in Europe – doubling their investment in the UK, Orsted unlocking £8bn and GreenVolt £2.5bn of investment in offshore wind farms, and SeAh Wind UK announcing a £225 million expansion of their investment in the North East to build a state-of-the-art wind technology manufacturing facility in Teesside, solidifying the UK’s position as a world leader in the wind power industry.   

    In only 100 days, the government has overturned the nine-year onshore wind ban in 72 hours, consented more solar than ever before, secured the most successful renewable auction round in history, and launched Great British Energy.     

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:    

    Today’s investments are a huge vote of confidence in this government and our relentless focus to drive growth across the UK.

    Whether you’re in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England – we are creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, and our International Investment Summit will be a springboard for every part of the UK to be an engine of innovation and investment.

    Today I’m convening the first ever Council of Nations and Regions, because it is when we work together in the spirit of genuine partnership, that we can deliver the real change people want to see and improve opportunities for all.  

    Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán said:    

    After having invested more than £30bn in the last 15 years, the clear policy direction, stable regulatory frameworks and overall attractiveness of the UK are leading us to double our investments for 2024-28, reaching up to £24bn.

    This is a vote of confidence in the UK’s clear and stable policies and is a major boost to the economy and the path towards green energy security and Net Zero. The benefits of electrification in terms of energy security, industrial development, jobs and decarbonisation are shared ambitions of the UK and Iberdrola.

    The investments demonstrate further progress on the government’s clean energy mission and a major boost to the UK economy three days before the first International Investment Summit on 14 October, which will gather UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from across the world to deepen our partnership to drive investment and growth.    

    It also comes as the Prime Minister today convenes the first Council of the Nations and Regions, delivering on a manifesto promise to rewire the way UK Government operates. Focussed on investment and growth, the Council will see First Ministers and Deputy First Minister from the Devolved Governments come together with regional mayors to collaborate and seize opportunities to secure long-term investment and boost growth. The agenda, agreed with attendees, includes discussion on how to boost growth and inward investment across the UK, including through an industrial strategy and the Investment Summit.    

    The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings and a joint meeting with the Devolved Government First Ministers and Deputy First Minister focussed on supporting intergovernmental relations as we continue to reset our relationship and work together to deliver for people across the UK.     

    Today’s investments include:    

    • Iberdrola doubling their investment in the UK, through Scottish Power, from £12bn to £24bn over the next 4 years, which includes £4bn for the East Anglia 2 wind farm off the Suffolk coast which was unlocked by this Government’s expanded allocation at the most recent wind auction round. Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galan has also today confirmed that the UK has become their largest Investment destination.
    • Orsted and Greenvolt confirming that the Government’s recent expanded offshore wind auction means their projects will unlock £8bn (Orsted) and £2.5bn (Greenvolt) of investment respectively in their planned offshore wind farms. Orsted says its commitment will see thousands of jobs for local people, while Greenvolt says it will create up to 2800 construction jobs.
    • SeAH Wind has made an additional £225 million investment into wind technology manufacturing in Teesside, thanks to new backing from UK Export Finance, which expects to create 750 direct jobs by 2027. This brings their total investment into the site at Teesworks up to £900 million and will help them make their ongoing factory build – one of the biggest facilities of its kind worldwide – even bigger.
    • Macquarie supporting investment of £1.3bn into new green infrastructure including its Island Green Power solar farm in Stow, as a result of planning consents having been granted by the Government, and its Roadchef portfolio company installing electric car ultra-fast charging points across its sites along the UK motorway network.
    • BW Group proceeding with a £300m investment into a new battery energy storage project in Birmingham.
    • Holtec, a major US advanced nuclear engineering company, has confirmed a significant investment of £325 million in a new factory in South Yorkshire which will supply materials for Hinkley Point C and likely Sizewell C power stations. They say this will create up to 490 direct and 280 indirect jobs annually during the construction phase and 1,200 direct engineering jobs created over 20 years.     

    Mads Nipper, CEO of Ørsted A/S said:    

    The reason we are investing in the UK is that alongside the targets for clean energy, we also see the commitment to creating the policy frameworks required to deliver those targets and a government who wants to work with businesses to enable the investments required.

    Lord Nicol Stephen, Chief Executive of Flotation Energy said:  

    Green Volt is a trailblazing, multibillion pound floating offshore wind project which will kickstart jobs and investment by companies right across the UK offshore supply chain. The choice of our HQ in Aberdeen is clear evidence of our strong commitment to support local jobs and businesses wherever possible.

    Chris Sohn, Chief Executive of SeAH Wind, said:    

    With the proactive support of UKEF, our project is progressing smoothly. As we approach the completion of the factory construction, we are committed to ensuring its successful finalization. We aim to become the first monopile manufacturing company in the UK and make a significant contribution to the UK economy.

    Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group, said:     

    BW Group is delighted to announce that its subsidiary BW ESS intends to shortly begin construction on two large battery projects in the Midlands – Hams Hall and Berkswell – with a combined capacity of 600 MW. These projects represent a major step forward in enhancing the UK’s energy infrastructure and supporting the transition to renewables.

    I am encouraged by the UK government’s commitment to the clean energy transition and our announcement today highlights BW Group’s commitment to strengthening our presence in the UK and contributing to the growth of the clean energy sector.

    Shemara Wikramanayake, Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group, said:   

    We believe that infrastructure investment helps create strong foundations for economic growth, job creation, better services for the public and stronger communities. We are fully invested in the UK’s success and look forward to playing our part in delivering the investment the country needs.

    Dr Rick Springman, Holtec’s President of Global Clean Energy Opportunities, said:   

    Holtec has been part of the UK’s nuclear fabric for over 30 years. We recognise the UK’s long-term commitment to nuclear energy to drive forward government missions on clean energy and economic growth.

    Our planned advanced manufacturing factory in South Yorkshire will bring thousands of skilled, highly-paid engineering jobs to the region while supporting tens of thousands more in the UK’s wider manufacturing supply chains.

    The potential size of the prize of this investment is significant. Depending on future SMR order books it could open up a £30bn export market over ten years adding billions of pounds to the UK economy. Over the coming months Holtec will be finalising its full factory plans and designs based on its UK and international order book.

    This follows the announcement earlier this week that up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs are set to be supported as bus operator Go Ahead confirms a major £500 million investment to decarbonise its fleet including. This includes creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with Northern Ireland-based UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus.    

    Yesterday, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero gave the green light for a new scheme to help unlock billions in investment in energy storage infrastructure. This could see the first significant long duration energy storage facilities in nearly 4 decades, helping to create back up renewable power and bolster the UK’s energy security.    

    And it also builds on the Government confirming funding to launch the UK’s first carbon capture sites in Teesside and Merseyside. Two new carbon capture and CCUS enabled hydrogen projects will create 4,000 new jobs, in a boost for the economy and British industry, helping remove over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of taking around 4 million cars off the road.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Cajun Navy’ volunteers who participate in search-and-rescue operations after hurricanes are forming long-lasting organizations

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kyle Breen, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Texas A&M International University

    Volunteers with Savage Freedoms Relief Operation coordinates aid in Swannanoa, on Oct. 7, 2024, after Hurricane Helene severely damaged the North Carolina town. Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images

    The volunteers who take part in search-and-rescue operations and then support disaster survivors belong to organizations that have become more formal and established over the past decade. That’s what we found after spending more than four years volunteering alongside eight of these groups to better understand their role and the motivations of the people who participate in these efforts.

    We did this research as part of a larger team of sociologists, an urban planning scholar and emergency management specialists. All of us worked alongside civilian volunteer search-and-rescue groups from Louisiana and Texas between 2017 and 2022 during and after many hurricanes, including Harvey and Laura, the winter storm known as Uri and other major disasters.

    While we volunteered with these organizations, we observed them in action and interviewed their leaders and volunteers to learn why they were making the time and taking personal risks to save others. Many cited their personal values, expressed their need to belong to a group, and said it had helped them find a sense of purpose. Others shared that they were motivated by their personal circumstances and experiences or feelings of guilt, or that this kind of volunteering gave them a deep sense of satisfaction.

    “I lost everything I owned in Katrina. They deemed my family’s property uninhabitable,” said a boater we’ll call Dylan to protect his anonymity. “I can’t sit here after knowing what it is to lose everything.”

    Some volunteers said that one reason why they have repeatedly done this work is to counter stereotypes about people who engage in these efforts. When he’s heard people say, “Oh you’re just out there, doing it for the spotlight,” said Roger, he told us he wants to respond by saying, “Yeah, dude. If you flood, call me, I’ll come get you.”

    While the organizations we researched were based in Louisiana and Texas, the volunteers who participate in these efforts come from across the U.S. and, in some cases, other countries. One volunteer we met was from the United Kingdom.

    After Hurricane Helene destroyed roads in western North Carolina, rescue squads delivered aid by donkey and helicopter.

    Why it matters

    Since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, volunteers have been participating in search-and-rescue efforts after big disasters – especially in that region. But these volunteers come from all over.

    Many of these groups are known as “Cajun Navy” organizations. Whether or not these organizations use the Cajun Navy branding in their names they share, a common mission of helping others in emergencies.

    These volunteers aren’t just operating boats and helicopters. Others serve as dispatchers, handle logistics, and run social media operations.

    Over time, some of the organizations have begun to team up with local emergency responders, signing memorandums of understanding with them. They partner with government agencies while assisting in disaster response and relief efforts, but they primarily operate with autonomy and are able to travel where they perceive the need is greatest.

    This kind of group tends to dissolve after a disaster is over, instead of evolving into an established nonprofit.

    But many of the eight groups we studied have become nonprofits or are in the process of doing so.

    How we do our work

    We were able to do this research by becoming volunteers ourselves. We took part in dispatch operations on the ground and remotely, and we supported logistics planning. We also observed and, in some cases, participated in search-and-rescue training and operations in the water and on land.

    The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

    Kyle Breen received funding from the National Science Foundation for this research. He currently holds funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for other research projects.

    J. Carlee Purdum received funding from The National Science Foundation for this research and for other ongoing projects.

    – ref. ‘Cajun Navy’ volunteers who participate in search-and-rescue operations after hurricanes are forming long-lasting organizations – https://theconversation.com/cajun-navy-volunteers-who-participate-in-search-and-rescue-operations-after-hurricanes-are-forming-long-lasting-organizations-240769

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 09.10.2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    9 October 2024 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 09.10.2024

    Espoo, Finland – On 9 October 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 1,278,616 4.04
    CEUX 800,000 4.04
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 2,078,616 4.04

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 25 January 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to return up to EUR 600 million of cash to shareholders in tranches over a period of two years. The first phase of the share buyback program started on 20 March 2024. On 19 July 2024, Nokia decided to accelerate the share buybacks by increasing the number of shares to be repurchased during the year 2024. The post-increase repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 22 July 2024 and end by 31 December 2024 with a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 600 million for all purchases during 2024.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 9 October 2024 was EUR 8,397,193. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 161,596,221 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 40 803 4080
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting Inspector of the German Navy Vice Adm. Jan Christian Kaack

    Source: United States Navy

    VENICE, Italy – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met Inspector of the German Navy Vice Adm. Jan Christian Kaack, for a formal bilateral engagement during the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium (TRSS) in Venice, Italy, today.

    The heads of navy discussed the security environment in Europe and the Middle East, as well as opportunities to increase their interchangeability through bilateral and multilateral operations in the Indo-Pacific.

    Franchetti thanked Kaack for the German Navy’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific and expanded participation in this year’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise. The leaders noted that the many lessons learned through their shared experience will make both of their navies more ready to operate together globally in the future.

    Franchetti and Kaack also discussed the CNO’s recently-released strategic guidance: the Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy and the similarities with the “German Navy Objectives for 2035 and beyond,” notably on the need to prioritize operationally integrating robotic and autonomous systems.

    Germany is a key NATO ally and critical partner in maintaining peace and stability around the globe.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting with Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Adm. Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras

    Source: United States Navy

    VENICE, Italy – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Adm. Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras for a formal bilateral engagement during the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice, Italy, today.

    The two leaders discussed strengthening their naval partnership through increased interoperability and future maritime cooperation deployments, and the importance of Greece’s contributions to the NATO alliance.

    Franchetti thanked Kataras for Greece’s leadership in the Red Sea through operation Aspides, which they noted effectively cooperates with Operation Prosperity Guardian, as they work together to defend the rules-based international order and protect the free-flow of commerce. She also thanked him for their integration with the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group while in the Eastern Mediterranean earlier this year.

    Franchetti and Kataras discussed the CNO’s recently-released strategic guidance: the Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy, and their mutual focus on the priorities of Warfighting, Warfighters and the Foundation. They also discussed initiatives to support recruiting and retention, as well as future Professional Military Exchange opportunities.

    As NATO allies, the United States and Greece enjoy a long-standing friendship and partnership rooted in shared democratic values and strong cultural ties.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 420 Years Ago: Astronomer Johannes Kepler Observes a Supernova

    Source: NASA

    In October 1604, a new star appeared in the sky, puzzling astronomers of the day. First observed on Oct. 9, German astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) began his observations on Oct. 17 and tracked the new star for over a year. During that time, it brightened to magnitude -2.5, outshining Jupiter, and for several weeks remained visible in the daytime. Publication of his detailed observations in 1606 led astronomers to call the star Kepler’s Supernova, today formally designated as supernova SN 1604. Astronomers of the day did not know what caused the star’s sudden appearance and eventual disappearance, but the phenomenon helped shape European cosmology toward the heliocentric model proposed by Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus half a century earlier. Today, astronomers designate SN 1604 as a Type Ia supernova, resulting from the explosion of a white dwarf star, and use ground-based and space-based telescopes to study its remnants.
    Left: Portrait of Johannes Kepler by August Köhler. Middle: Kepler’s book about his observations of the 1604 supernova open to the page depicting the location of the new star. Right: Closeup of Kepler’s illustration of the location of the new star, designated N, in the constellation Ophiuchus near the right foot of the serpent-bearer.
    Italian astronomer Lodovico delle Colombo first observed the supernova in the constellation Ophiuchus on Oct. 9. Kepler, then working in Prague, heard rumors of the new star but did not observe it until Oct. 17. He continued to monitor the star for over a year, inspired by the earlier work of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe’s observations of a similar phenomenon, the 1572 supernova. The new star quickly brightened to magnitude -2.5, outshining Jupiter, and for three weeks could be seen in the daytime before finally fading into obscurity in March 1606. Kepler could only make naked eye observations, since Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei didn’t turn his newly invented telescope to the skies for another four years after SN 1604 faded from view.
    Later in 1606, Kepler summarized his observations in his book De Stella nova in pede Serpentarii (On the New Star in Ophiuchus’ Foot), published in Prague. SN 1604 is believed to be about 20,000 light years away, near the edge of a dark nebula complex. Kepler and his contemporaries observed not only the last known supernova to occur in the Milky Way Galaxy but also the last supernova visible to the naked eye until 1987. That one, Supernova 1987A, appeared in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.
    A Type Ia supernova results from a white dwarf drawing in material from a nearby red giant star, the additional mass leading to a runaway thermonuclear explosion.
    Astronomers today understand that what Kepler and others believed as the birth of a new star actually represented the violent death of a star. Astronomers today classify supernovas according to their characteristics, and SN 1604 belongs to the group known as Type Ia supernovas, typically found in binary star systems composed of a white dwarf and a red giant. The gravitation force of the white dwarf draws in material from its larger less dense companion until it reaches a critical mass, around 1.4 times the mass of our Sun. At that point, a runaway thermonuclear chain reaction begins, causing a release of tremendous amounts of energy, including light, that we see as a sudden brightening of an otherwise dim star.
    Images of Kepler’s supernova remnants in different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Left: X-ray image from the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Middle: Visible image from the Hubble Space Telescope. Right: Infrared image from the Spitzer Space Telescope.
    Supernova explosions leave remnants behind and those of SN 1604 remain visible today. Ground-based and space-based instruments using different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum study these remnants to gain a better understanding of their origins. The remnants of SN 1604 emit energy most strongly in the radio and X-ray parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. In recent years, astronomers have used Type Ia supernovas to determine the rate of expansion of the universe. Because Type Ia supernovas all occur in stars of about 1.4 solar masses, they give out about the same amount of light. This makes them useful as distance indicators – if one Type Ia supernova is dimmer than another one, it is further away by an amount that astronomers can calculate. Based on this information, astronomers believe that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, possibly caused by the presence of a mysterious substance called dark energy.
    Events in world history in 1604:
    January 1 – First performance of William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.
    March 22 – Karl IX begins his rule as King of Sweden.
    August 5 – Sokolluzade Mehmed Pasha becomes the new Ottoman Grand Vizier in Constantinople.
    August 18 – England and Spain sign the Treaty of London, ending their 20-year war.
    September 1 – Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s religious text, is installed at Hamandir Sahib in Amritsar, India.
    October 4 – Emperor of Ethiopia Za Dengel is killed in battle with the forces of Za Sellase, who restores his cousin Yaqob to the throne.
    November 1 – First performance of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello.
    December 29 – A magnitude 8.1 earthquake shakes the Taiwan Strait causing significant damage.

    MIL OSI USA News –