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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Germany: Germany’s international investment position at the end of 2023

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets totalled €2,964 billion, thus amounting to just over 70% of Germany’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Overall, both assets and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents rose further in 2023. This was especially true of claims and liabilities from cross-border portfolio investment. However, corporate ties resulting from direct investment by German investors also continued to expand in 2023. By contrast, both assets and liabilities from other investment declined. These include loans and trade credits (where these do not constitute direct investment) as well as currency and deposits. However, as German liabilities in this segment fell even more sharply than claims in 2023, the other investment balance also rose. In net terms, Germany’s net external assets at the end of 2023 were €206 billion higher than at the end of 2022. This increase was attributable in large part to the surplus on the German current account and the resulting net capital exports.
    Net external assets rise on the year once again
    At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,964 billion. This was slightly more than 70 % of nominal gross domestic product and meant that this ratio remained virtually unchanged on the year. In 2023, the German net external asset position rose by around €206 billion in absolute terms. Claims on non-residents were up on the year by €381 billion (or 3.1 %) to €12,579 billion; liabilities rose by €175 billion (or 1.9%) to €9,616 billion. Claims mainly reflected transaction-related changes, i.e. asset purchases, as well as positive market price effects. The exchange rate effect, meanwhile, was negative: as the euro effectively appreciated against the currencies of its most important trading partners over the course of the year,[1] the value, in euro terms, of German assets abroad tended to drop where they were reported in a foreign currency. Other non-transaction-related adjustments had a positive impact on Germany’s external assets.[2] The rise in German foreign liabilities was mainly attributable to market price effects, which predominantly occurred around year-end, driven by a more favourable inflation outlook and expectations of falling key interest rates.
    The cross-border transactions recorded in the financial account resulted in net capital exports of €250 billion last year, in line with Germany’s current account surplus. Non-transaction-related changes reduced the increase by €44 billion, however. On balance, negative market price and exchange rate effects were contributory factors. Other adjustments made a positive overall contribution to Germany’s external position.
    Surplus in portfolio investment slightly higher than in 2022
    At €807 billion, the portfolio investment balance at the end of 2023 was around €23 billion higher than in the previous year. Securities claims on non-residents slightly outpaced the corresponding liabilities.[3]
    At the end of 2023, resident investors held foreign securities totalling €4,004 billion, up by €392 billion (or 10.9 %) on the previous year. The rise was mainly the result of net purchases of foreign bonds and positive market price effects. The relative strength of the euro, meanwhile, caused mostly negative exchange rate effects on the assets side. Alongside foreign bonds, resident investors also bought foreign investment fund shares and money market papers. However, they sold foreign shares – in small amounts.
    At the end of 2023, non-resident investors held German securities to the tune of €3,197 billion in their portfolios, which was €369 billion (or 13.1 %) more than at the end of 2022. This was mainly the result of positive market price effects, especially in relation to shares and long-term debt securities. Transactions recorded in the financial account also contributed to the build-up of holdings. On balance, non-resident investors almost exclusively bought German long-term debt securities, as well as, to a lesser extent, short-term debt securities. By contrast, they were net sellers of German shares and investment fund shares.
    Drop in the positive balance for financial derivatives
    At the end of 2023, holdings of financial derivatives and employee stock options registered a positive balance of €27 billion. This was, however, only slightly more than half the size of the previous year’s balance. In 2022, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine had triggered severe disruptions in the energy markets and caused considerable net capital exports in forward and futures contracts relating to electricity and gas.
    Further expansion in direct investment
    Cross-border corporate ties involving German firms continued to expand in 2023. German outward direct investment was up on the year by a total of €85 billion (3.0 %) to €2,929 billion, an increase that was, on balance, exclusively attributable to transactions. In particular, German investors boosted their equity capital in enterprises abroad, but also issued additional loans to affiliated group entities. The effective appreciation of the euro meant that exchange rate effects had a negative impact on Germany’s outward foreign direct investment stocks. These valuation losses were, however, largely offset by positive other adjustments and slightly positive market price effects. 
    Non-resident enterprises increased their direct investment in Germany by €26 billion (1.3 %) to €1,995 billion in 2023, with transactions accounting for just over two-thirds of this total. Non-resident investors augmented their equity capital in German enterprises but reduced their intra-group lending to domestic enterprises. 
    On balance, Germany’s direct investment balance at the end of 2023 amounted to around €933 billion and was therefore €59 billion higher than at year-end 2022.
    Other investment: net claims higher
    In other investment, comprising loans and trade credits (where these do not constitute direct investment) as well as currency and deposits amongst others, Germany’s positive net asset position rose by €133 billion on the year, bringing it up to €905 billion at the end of 2023. The Bundesbank’s external claims in this segment fell by €174 billion, which was, on balance, exclusively attributable to the Bundesbank’s lower TARGET balance vis-à-vis the ECB.[4] At the same time, the Bundesbank’s external liabilities in other investment declined, as non-euro area counterparties reduced their deposits with the Bank. On balance, the Bundesbank’s net external position in other investment sank by €33 billion. Monetary financial institutions (excluding the central bank) granted additional loans to non-residents and expanded their holdings of currency and deposits. In both segments, negative valuation effects as a result of exchange rate changes reduced the overall effect on outstanding claims, which rose by €19 billion on balance. Non-residents’ deposits with German monetary financial institutions (excluding the Bundesbank) came down by €65 billion. Overall, the balance of monetary financial institutions (excluding the central bank) in other investment rose by €84 billion last year. General government also recorded a rise in its net claims, by €9 billion, in 2023. By contrast, other investment by enterprises and households swelled by €73 billion on balance. At the end of 2023, claims on non-residents arising from other investment had dropped by €17 billion, or 0.4 %, to €3,867 billion across all sectors. External liabilities fell even more sharply; they stood at €2,963 billion at year-end 2023, down €150 billion, or 4.8 %, on the year. 
    Increase in reserve assets
    The Bundesbank’s reserve assets amounted to €292 billion at the end of 2023 and were therefore up by €16 billion on the previous year. They grew only marginally by €1 billion as a result of transactions. Reserve asset holdings increased on the back of positive market price effects, in particular (€18 billion), with the rise in the price of gold dominating. Taken in isolation, the appreciation of the euro against the US dollar and other important currencies brought the value of reserve assets down by €3 billion.
    uncollectable credit claims, changes in sector classifications, changes in the functional category of a financing instrument, as well as statistical discrepancies between the international investment position and the balance of payments due to differing data sources, for example.
    Footnotes:
    The fact that the Eurosystem raised key interest rates was also a factor. 
    Non-transaction-related changes include valuation effects as a result of exchange rate or market price movements and other adjustments. Other adjustments include, for instance, write-downs on uncollectable credit claims, changes in sector classifications, changes in the functional category of a financing instrument, as well as statistical discrepancies between the international investment position and the balance of payments due to differing data sources, for example.
    For more information on transactions in portfolio investment, see Deutsche Bundesbank, German balance of payments in 2023, Monthly Report, March 2024.
    The Bundesbank’s TARGET claims on the ECB dropped by €176 billion in 2023. That was attributable, amongst other things, to the fact that payments from maturing securities under the asset purchase programme (APP) were no longer being reinvested in full. Reinvestments under the APP were discontinued as of July 2023. See Deutsche Bundesbank, German balance of payments in 2023, Monthly Report, March 2024.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI German News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Germany’s international investment position at the end of 2023

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets totalled €2,964 billion, thus amounting to just over 70% of Germany’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Overall, both assets and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents rose further in 2023. This was especially true of claims and liabilities from cross-border portfolio investment. However, corporate ties resulting from direct investment by German investors also continued to expand in 2023. By contrast, both assets and liabilities from other investment declined. These include loans and trade credits (where these do not constitute direct investment) as well as currency and deposits. However, as German liabilities in this segment fell even more sharply than claims in 2023, the other investment balance also rose. In net terms, Germany’s net external assets at the end of 2023 were €206 billion higher than at the end of 2022. This increase was attributable in large part to the surplus on the German current account and the resulting net capital exports.
    Net external assets rise on the year once again
    At the end of 2023, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,964 billion. This was slightly more than 70 % of nominal gross domestic product and meant that this ratio remained virtually unchanged on the year. In 2023, the German net external asset position rose by around €206 billion in absolute terms. Claims on non-residents were up on the year by €381 billion (or 3.1 %) to €12,579 billion; liabilities rose by €175 billion (or 1.9%) to €9,616 billion. Claims mainly reflected transaction-related changes, i.e. asset purchases, as well as positive market price effects. The exchange rate effect, meanwhile, was negative: as the euro effectively appreciated against the currencies of its most important trading partners over the course of the year,[1] the value, in euro terms, of German assets abroad tended to drop where they were reported in a foreign currency. Other non-transaction-related adjustments had a positive impact on Germany’s external assets.[2] The rise in German foreign liabilities was mainly attributable to market price effects, which predominantly occurred around year-end, driven by a more favourable inflation outlook and expectations of falling key interest rates.
    The cross-border transactions recorded in the financial account resulted in net capital exports of €250 billion last year, in line with Germany’s current account surplus. Non-transaction-related changes reduced the increase by €44 billion, however. On balance, negative market price and exchange rate effects were contributory factors. Other adjustments made a positive overall contribution to Germany’s external position.
    Surplus in portfolio investment slightly higher than in 2022
    At €807 billion, the portfolio investment balance at the end of 2023 was around €23 billion higher than in the previous year. Securities claims on non-residents slightly outpaced the corresponding liabilities.[3]
    At the end of 2023, resident investors held foreign securities totalling €4,004 billion, up by €392 billion (or 10.9 %) on the previous year. The rise was mainly the result of net purchases of foreign bonds and positive market price effects. The relative strength of the euro, meanwhile, caused mostly negative exchange rate effects on the assets side. Alongside foreign bonds, resident investors also bought foreign investment fund shares and money market papers. However, they sold foreign shares – in small amounts.
    At the end of 2023, non-resident investors held German securities to the tune of €3,197 billion in their portfolios, which was €369 billion (or 13.1 %) more than at the end of 2022. This was mainly the result of positive market price effects, especially in relation to shares and long-term debt securities. Transactions recorded in the financial account also contributed to the build-up of holdings. On balance, non-resident investors almost exclusively bought German long-term debt securities, as well as, to a lesser extent, short-term debt securities. By contrast, they were net sellers of German shares and investment fund shares.
    Drop in the positive balance for financial derivatives
    At the end of 2023, holdings of financial derivatives and employee stock options registered a positive balance of €27 billion. This was, however, only slightly more than half the size of the previous year’s balance. In 2022, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine had triggered severe disruptions in the energy markets and caused considerable net capital exports in forward and futures contracts relating to electricity and gas.
    Further expansion in direct investment
    Cross-border corporate ties involving German firms continued to expand in 2023. German outward direct investment was up on the year by a total of €85 billion (3.0 %) to €2,929 billion, an increase that was, on balance, exclusively attributable to transactions. In particular, German investors boosted their equity capital in enterprises abroad, but also issued additional loans to affiliated group entities. The effective appreciation of the euro meant that exchange rate effects had a negative impact on Germany’s outward foreign direct investment stocks. These valuation losses were, however, largely offset by positive other adjustments and slightly positive market price effects. 
    Non-resident enterprises increased their direct investment in Germany by €26 billion (1.3 %) to €1,995 billion in 2023, with transactions accounting for just over two-thirds of this total. Non-resident investors augmented their equity capital in German enterprises but reduced their intra-group lending to domestic enterprises. 
    On balance, Germany’s direct investment balance at the end of 2023 amounted to around €933 billion and was therefore €59 billion higher than at year-end 2022.
    Other investment: net claims higher
    In other investment, comprising loans and trade credits (where these do not constitute direct investment) as well as currency and deposits amongst others, Germany’s positive net asset position rose by €133 billion on the year, bringing it up to €905 billion at the end of 2023. The Bundesbank’s external claims in this segment fell by €174 billion, which was, on balance, exclusively attributable to the Bundesbank’s lower TARGET balance vis-à-vis the ECB.[4] At the same time, the Bundesbank’s external liabilities in other investment declined, as non-euro area counterparties reduced their deposits with the Bank. On balance, the Bundesbank’s net external position in other investment sank by €33 billion. Monetary financial institutions (excluding the central bank) granted additional loans to non-residents and expanded their holdings of currency and deposits. In both segments, negative valuation effects as a result of exchange rate changes reduced the overall effect on outstanding claims, which rose by €19 billion on balance. Non-residents’ deposits with German monetary financial institutions (excluding the Bundesbank) came down by €65 billion. Overall, the balance of monetary financial institutions (excluding the central bank) in other investment rose by €84 billion last year. General government also recorded a rise in its net claims, by €9 billion, in 2023. By contrast, other investment by enterprises and households swelled by €73 billion on balance. At the end of 2023, claims on non-residents arising from other investment had dropped by €17 billion, or 0.4 %, to €3,867 billion across all sectors. External liabilities fell even more sharply; they stood at €2,963 billion at year-end 2023, down €150 billion, or 4.8 %, on the year. 
    Increase in reserve assets
    The Bundesbank’s reserve assets amounted to €292 billion at the end of 2023 and were therefore up by €16 billion on the previous year. They grew only marginally by €1 billion as a result of transactions. Reserve asset holdings increased on the back of positive market price effects, in particular (€18 billion), with the rise in the price of gold dominating. Taken in isolation, the appreciation of the euro against the US dollar and other important currencies brought the value of reserve assets down by €3 billion.
    uncollectable credit claims, changes in sector classifications, changes in the functional category of a financing instrument, as well as statistical discrepancies between the international investment position and the balance of payments due to differing data sources, for example.
    Footnotes:
    The fact that the Eurosystem raised key interest rates was also a factor. 
    Non-transaction-related changes include valuation effects as a result of exchange rate or market price movements and other adjustments. Other adjustments include, for instance, write-downs on uncollectable credit claims, changes in sector classifications, changes in the functional category of a financing instrument, as well as statistical discrepancies between the international investment position and the balance of payments due to differing data sources, for example.
    For more information on transactions in portfolio investment, see Deutsche Bundesbank, German balance of payments in 2023, Monthly Report, March 2024.
    The Bundesbank’s TARGET claims on the ECB dropped by €176 billion in 2023. That was attributable, amongst other things, to the fact that payments from maturing securities under the asset purchase programme (APP) were no longer being reinvested in full. Reinvestments under the APP were discontinued as of July 2023. See Deutsche Bundesbank, German balance of payments in 2023, Monthly Report, March 2024.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Confederation releases tariff quota for bread cereals earlier than expected

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Office for Agriculture

    Bern, 30.09.2024 – The 2024 harvest of Swiss bread grains is significantly below the multi-year average; the cold and wet weather is the cause of this decline. The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) will release the last part of the tariff quota for bread grains on 4 October in order to cover the national demand for grains such as wheat, rye and spelt.

    Frequent rainfall from sowing to harvest has had a negative impact on the quantities and quality of cereals harvested in 2024 in Switzerland and Central Europe. The cereal industry estimates that the need for imports will be significantly increased, which is why it has requested that the last part of the tariff quota, which amounts to 15,000 tonnes, be released earlier than planned. It has also submitted a request for a temporary increase of 20,000 tonnes in the regular quota, which amounts to 70,000 tonnes.

    The Federal Council, which is responsible for increasing the tariff quota for bread grains, will decide on the temporary increase, probably at the end of October.

    By amending the ordinance on agricultural imports, the OFAG has brought forward the release date of the last part of the quota, i.e. 15,000 tonnes of bread cereals, to 4 October 2024. The amendment will come into force on this date.

    Address for sending questions

    FOAG, Communications, tel. 41 58 463 01 07, media@blw.admin.ch

    Author

    Federal Office for Agriculturehttp://www.blw.admin.ch

    Social sharing

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The amount of student loan available for drawing down was raised in August

    Source: Bank of Finland

    In August 2024, drawdowns of student loans totalled EUR 165 million – almost the same as in the corresponding month last year. However, the volume of student loan drawdowns was affected by opposing forces.

    At the beginning of August 2024, the amount of student loan available for drawdown per month was raised by up to 30%.[1] As a result of an amendment to the Act on Financial Aid for Students, persons over 18 years studying in Finland have been able to draw down EUR 850 per month of government-guaranteed loan, instead of the previous EUR 650. The previous raise to the government-guaranteed amount of student loan was made in August 2017.

    Another change affecting the monthly drawdown volume was that students in secondary education now have more frequent student loan disbursements than before.[2] From now on, there are four disbursement dates in an academic year, regardless of the duration of studies. The change of the number of disbursements reduces the drawdowns in August and January and correspondingly increases them in March and November. According to Kela’s statistics, students in secondary education drew down approximately 19% of all student loans in the academic year 2022/2023.

    The rise in level of interest rates has reduced the volume of student loan drawdowns. However, interest rates on student loans have declined in 2024. In August 2024, the average interest rate on new student loans drawn down declined further, to stand at 4.07% in August. The average interest rate was slightly lower than at the same time a year earlier. 89% of the student loans drawn down were linked to Euribor rates and 11% to banks’ own reference rates.

    The reduced drawdown volume has contributed to the slowdown in the growth rate of the student loan stock in recent years.[3] However, the annual rate of growth of the student loan stock (4.2% in August) has picked up somewhat in recent months, and the increase of the government guarantee and lower interest rates may accelerate it further going forward. In August 2024, the stock of student loans (EUR 6.3 billion) was the largest ever.

    Loans

    In August 2024, Finnish households drew down EUR 1.1 billion of new housing loans, which is EUR 40 million less than in the same period a year earlier. Buy-to-let mortgage loans accounted for EUR 110 million of the new housing loan drawdowns. The average interest rate on new housing loans decreased from July, to stand at 3.93% in August. At the end of August 2024, the housing loan stock totalled EUR 105.9 billion, and its year-on-year change amounted to -0.7%. Buy-to-let mortgages accounted for EUR 8.7 billion of the housing loan stock. At the end of August, Finnish households’ loan stock included EUR 17.9 billion of consumer credit and EUR 17.6 billion of other loans.

    Drawdowns of new loans by Finnish non-financial corporations in August totalled EUR 1.5 billion, including EUR 440 million of loans to housing corporations. The average interest rate on new corporate-loan drawdowns rose from July, to stand at 5.36 %. At the end of August, the stock of loans granted to Finnish non-financial corporations was EUR 107.7 billion, whereof housing corporations accounted for EUR 44.8 billion.

    Deposits

    At the end of August 2024, the total stock of Finnish households’ deposits was EUR 110.6 billion, and the average interest rate on these deposits was 1.35%. Overnight deposits accounted for EUR 67.1 billion and deposits with an agreed maturity for EUR 14.6 billion of the total deposit stock. In August, Finnish households made new deposit agreements with an agreed maturity in the amount of EUR 1.1 billion. The average interest rate on these new term deposits was 3.39%.

    Loans and deposits to Finland, preliminary data*
      June, EUR million July, EUR million August, EUR million August, 12-month change1, % Average interest rate, %
    Loans to households, stock 141,421 141,223 141,425 -0.4 4.53
        – of which housing loans 106,032 105,861 105,914 -0.7 3.95
        – of which buy-to-let mortgages 8,682 8,680 8,708   4.14
    Loans to non-financial corporations2, stock  108,10 107,497 107,747 1.1 4.62
    Deposits by households, stock 110,784 109,951 110,644 1.2 1.35
               
    Households’ new drawdowns of housing loans 1,096 1,049 1,104   3.93
        – of which buy-to-let mortgages 96 96 111   4.06

    * Includes loans and deposits in all currencies to residents in Finland. The statistical releases of the Bank of Finland up to January 2021, as well as those of the ECB, present loans and deposits in euro to euro area residents and also include non-profit institutions serving households. For these reasons, the figures in this table differ from those in the aforementioned releases.
    1 Rate of change has been calculated from monthly differences in levels adjusted for classification and other revaluation changes.  
    2 Non-financial corporations also include housing corporations.

    For further information, please contact:

    Markus Aaltonen, tel. +358 9 831 2395, email: markus.aaltonen(at)bof.fi,

    Ville Tolkki, tel. +358 9 183 2420, email: ville.tolkki(at)bof.fi.

    The next news release on money and banking statistics will be published at 10:00 on 28 October 2024.

    Related statistical data and graphs are also available on the Bank of Finland website: https://www.suomenpankki.fi/en/statistics2/.

    [1] A larger amount of student loan can be taken out starting from August | Kela

    [2] Amount of the student loan | Our services| Kela. For students in higher education, there are two disbursement dates.

    [3] To a limited extent, the slowdown also reflects student loan compensations paid by Kela. Student loan compensation | Our services| Kela.

    statistics loans deposits interest rates student loans

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Legal adviser member appointed to the Family Procedure Rule Committee

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of a legal adviser member to the Family Procedure Rule Committee.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Helen Sewell as a legal adviser member of the Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC) from 30 September 2024 until 29 September 2027.

    FPRC was set up, in October 2004, to make Family Procedure Rules. Its aim is to make clear, easily understandable rules to create an accessible, fair and efficient family justice system. FPRC makes rules of court that govern the practice and procedure followed in family proceedings in the High Court and family court.

    Appointments, to FPRC, are made by the Lord Chancellor after consulting the President of the Family Division, under section 77(2) of the Courts Act 2003. The appointment of non-judicial members is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Biography

    Helen Sewell was admitted Solicitor in 1991. Since 2020, she has worked as a Legal Team Manager for HMCTS. Previously, from 2002-2020, she worked for HMCTS as a Justices’ Legal Advisor for Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court, Swindon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Pilot skills assessed on simulator

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Office of Civil Aviation

    Bern, 30.09.2024 – Flight simulators have been used for around fifty years in commercial aviation and for training on multi-pilot aircraft. In future, tests to assess the aeronautical skills of pilots of helicopters and complex single-pilot aircraft will take place on simulators. Simulators have several advantages over real-world flights: they are safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

    Currently, several certified helicopter and PC-12 simulators are in operation in Switzerland for pilot training and testing. More will follow. Examiners certified by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) check the aeronautical skills of pilots as part of a flight test. The FOCA has decided that from 1 October 2024, tests of piloting skills on single-pilot aircraft must be carried out on a simulator if a suitable simulator is available. The same will apply from 1 June 2025 for tests on single-pilot helicopters. Several reasons are given for this decision. Firstly, the simulator eliminates the risk of accidents with significant financial consequences. Secondly, it is significantly less expensive than a flight in real conditions. Finally, the simulator does not cause any noise pollution or pollutant emissions.

    Modern simulators are able to faithfully reproduce real situations of visual or instrument piloting by integrating, for example, engine failures, avionics failures or even forced landings. Today, simulators of this type are an integral part of the training and development of professional pilots.

    On the other hand, until recently, the situation was different for simulators on helicopters and on complex or high-performance single-pilot aircraft. Although common European regulations have governed tests and examinations on simulators since 2011, they were rarely used for this purpose, due in particular to an insufficient fleet of aircraft.

    Address for sending questions

    For media professionals: OFAC Communication Telephone: 41 58 464 72 87

    Author

    Federal Office of Civil Aviationhttp://www.bazl.admin.ch

    Social sharing

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Looking at how well defence contractors follow the rules for reporting under the non-competitive regulatory system

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Compliance Bulletin examines how well defence contractors followed the reporting regulations for non-competitive (also known as single source) defence contracts.

    Defence contractors must report information about their single-source defence contracts to the MOD and the Single Source Regulations Office (the SSRO). This is performed using the SSRO’s Defence Contract Analysis and Reporting System (DefCARS).

    As an important part of the regulatory framework, these submissions provide the MOD with information throughout the contract duration that can be used to support purchasing decisions and management of those contracts so that they obtain the best value for money whilst paying fair and reasonable prices.

    In its written compliance and review methodology, the SSRO explains how it will keep an eye on how well contractors who are required to report are following the regulations.

    The Compliance Bulletin presents compliance statistics relating to reports expected between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024. Data is also presented against historical compliance records going back to May 2018.  

    The bulletin shows that while the majority of expected submissions are made by contractors, there is still room for improvement with regard to the data quality of initial submissions. The MOD must also make sure that the information it receives is considered and utilised appropriately, by ensuring that more submissions are accessed and reviewed in DefCARS.

    The SSRO’s Head of Compliance, Reporting and IT, Akhlaq Shah, said:

    The SSRO won’t only monitor compliance and report on it; but will continue to assist both contractors and the MOD in fulfilling their commitments whenever possible. We will keep investing resources to help ensure an understanding of what is needed; how industry can best offer it; and how the MOD can use the data consistently and continuously.

    Take a look at the Compliance Bulletin for more information on contractors are doing in timeliness and quality of their reporting.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Indo-Pacific region increasingly important in a turbulent world

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Indo-Pacific region increasingly important in a turbulent world – Government.se

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    Press release from Ministry of Defence

    Published

    Security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is becoming increasingly interlinked. The Government is now presenting a defence policy direction for cooperation between Sweden and countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

    The Indo-Pacific region, the vast and densely populated area that stretches from the east coast of Africa via the Indian Ocean and archipelagos of South-East Asia to the Pacific Islands Countries, has taken on a key defence policy and military role in recent years. 

    These regional developments are increasingly characterised by the dynamic between China and the United States. China’s increasing authoritarianism and cooperation with Russia, as well as the United States’ resource prioritisation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, are both impacting the security situation in Europe. The Euro-Atlantic region, including Sweden, would be negatively affected by conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.

    At the same time, the Indo-Pacific region is affected by events in Europe, such as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its aftermath. Security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions is increasingly interlinked. 

    “It has therefore become increasingly important to develop defence relations with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The Government’s ambition to do this is presented in the new policy direction,” says Minister of Defence Pål Jonson.

    The Government adopted the direction on 4 July. It was publicly launched during a seminar at the Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm on 30 September, which Mr Jonson participated in. 

    Press contact

    Policy direction in brief

    The direction lists measures intended to strengthen Sweden’s defence cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries within three focus areas:
    • defence relations;
    • military presence;
    • cooperation on defence materiel, innovation and technology.
    Through enhanced cooperation, Sweden and Swedish actors can further national defence capabilities and security while also contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Within both NATO and the EU, Sweden will pursue increased defence cooperation with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sustainable Food Network launches in the city

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Food Partnership Meeting

    Published: Monday, 30th September 2024

    The Food Partnership is a cross-sector partnership, with members and representatives from the statutory, VCSE, and private sectors.

    Organisations across Stoke-on-Trent are joining forces to help drive forward an “equitable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable food network that supports the health, wellbeing and prosperity of our communities”.

    Fronted by the YMCA North Staffordshire and VAST the partnership has three overarching priorities;
    1. Food availability
    2. Food affordability
    3. Food sustainability

    The Food Partnership is a cross-sector partnership, with members and representatives from the statutory, VCSE, and private sectors. Its clear aim is to ensure representation and influence from a range of expertise, and specialisms.

    Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty, said: “Collaboration work is vital to ensuring all residents are represented and supported. We know the Cost-of-Living crisis impacted people harder than we could ever imagine. Support is out there and I urge anyone struggling to reach out. We want to help communities to come together to support each other.”

    Daniel Flynn, Chief Executive Officer at YMCA North Staffordshire advised: “We collectively believe that every person in the city should have access to healthy, tasty, affordable food. We recognise that food is at the heart of some of our city’s most pressing social, economic and environmental problems; however, we also see good food as part of the solution to our communities’ challenges.”

    Over the last couple of years, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, alongside voluntary sector partner, VAST pulled together an essential directory to help families all year round, signposting support services, including information for those facing food poverty, financial issues and support with household energy.

    The Help is at Hand campaign has been coordinated by the city council in partnership with a range of community and voluntary organisations across the city. The city council has committed to ensuring every resident has access to a financial MoT and is now focusing on ensuring everyone has the nutritional, healthy, affordable food they need.

    Information on the range of advice, support and information on offer as part of the Help is at Hand campaign is available at http://www.stoke.gov.uk/helpisathand.

    Interested organisations can find out about upcoming Food Partnership meetings at vast.org.uk/events or email support@vast.org.uk

    VAST currently provides city-wide support to communities in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire and supports the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Return of peak rail fares a costly blow for commuters and climate

    Source: Scottish Greens

    30 Sep 2024 Transport End Peak Rail Fares

    Hiking rail fares is bad for people and planet.

    More in Transport

    The return of peak rail fares in Scotland will be a costly blow for commuters and our climate, says the Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP.

    Mr Ruskell’s comments came on the morning that peak rail fares returned to Scotland, following a 12 month pilot to remove them that was secured by the Scottish Greens.

    The fare hike means that someone travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh at peak times will see a return fare increase from £16.20 to £31.40.

    Mr Ruskell said: “A lot of commuters will have an unpleasant surprise when they pay for their tickets this morning and see that prices are higher than ever.

    “Peak rail fares are fundamentally unfair. They disproportionately impact people who have no say over when they need to travel for work or study. Bringing them back will do nothing to help workers or students or to encourage people out of their cars.

    “Many regular commuters have saved hundreds of pounds on their fares over the last year, and some of the rises they will now face are staggering.

    “If we want to build a transport system that works for people and planet then we need to ensure that rail is always an affordable and reliable option. People in Scotland already pay some of the highest fares in Europe and this will only make it worse.

    Mr Ruskell added: “The removal of peak rail fares was one of the most important changes that the Scottish Greens secured in government. I am proud of the work we did with trade unions and campaigners to deliver it. 

    “I hope that the SNP will reconsider this decision, and that we will see peak fares removed permanently.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pan-African partnership reaches milestone for long-term climate finance solutions in Kenya

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Mobilisation of climate finance set to be boosted across East Africa through new UK-backed company as investors put pen to paper to begin operations.

    • Investors back Dhamana Guarantee Company’s work to transform East Africa’s financial landscape.

    • Tackling climate change given another boost in Kenya as, for second time in a week, a UK-Government backed investor in green finance solutions puts pen to paper.

    Monday 30 September 2024 – Dhamana Guarantee Company Ltd (Dhamana) has reached a major milestone, marked at an event in Nairobi today.

    Investors in the new company put pen to paper at a signing ceremony, which will allow the company to kick-start operations.

    Dhamana aims to mobilise private sector finance to support the development of sustainable businesses. It will do so by issuing guarantees to commercially viable projects, businesses, and institutions that tackle the climate crisis and make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The design and creation of the company was supported by the UK-Government backed investor the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) through InfraCo Africa. With its anchor investment, PIDG kick-started Dhamana, attracting further equity investment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and CPF Group, with support provided by Cardano Development and FSD Africa.

    Dhamana is a new limited liability company based in Kenya with a mandate to deliver for the East African region – including – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. It will provide credit guarantees on debt capital market instruments, to boost the credit rating of such instruments and crowd in investment from pension funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds to support sustainable infrastructure and business development in East Africa.

    Dhamana will target businesses that add value to people’s lives, improving the day-to-day life of Kenyans and of people across the region. The increase in affordable finance for Kenyan businesses will mean projects will require less capital to get off the ground, make money, and generate growth. Dhamana will also enable investors to diversify their portfolios, acting as a catalyst to transform East Africa’s financing landscape.

    This is the second time in a week that an investor in climate solutions backed by the UK Government has achieved a milestone. Last week, MOBILIST signed a partnership with the Nairobi Securities Exchange which aims to drive the listing of new investment products in the Kenyan market and increase the amount of private sector capital available for development and climate projects in Kenya and drive growth.

    Dhamana CEO, Christopher Olobo, said:

    With the support of our investors and supporters, we have worked to develop Dhamana as an important catalyst for long-term sustainable finance in the region. Dhamana’s local currency guarantees will connect pools of untapped capital with East Africa’s real economy, making a tangible difference to people’s lives and offering local investors the opportunity to invest in Paris-aligned initiatives.

    Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director, British High Commission Nairobi, Leigh Stubblefield, said:

    For the second time in a week I am proud to say that the UK has supported a climate finance solution in Kenya – an example of our long-term commitment to long-term investment and growth. This is a great pan-Africa partnership that will improve the lives of East Africans for the better, and as the saying goes, we go far when we go together.

    Representing PIDG, InfraCo Africa CEO, Gilles Vaes, added:

    Building on the success of other PIDG-supported credit enhancement facilities in Nigeria and Pakistan, Dhamana will demonstrate the value of such a facility in the East African market, opening up opportunities for investors and clients alike. Crucially, Dhamana will engage new partners and investors in our efforts to urgently address the climate crisis and accelerate delivery of the UN sustainable development goals.

    In his remarks at the launch event, Solomon Quaynor, African Development Bank Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialisation, said:

    The African Development Bank’s equity investment in Dhamana reinforces the catalytic role and potential of credit enhancement companies in leveraging opportunities for infrastructure financing in local currency and supporting debt capital markets deepening in our regional member countries. We intend to replicate this business model in appropriate markets across Africa with partners such as the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and others. The first example of this type of credit enhancement company was InfraCredit in Nigeria which has had demonstrated success, and now Dhamana in East Africa. The investment in Dhamana aligns with the Bank’s priority to mobilise financing through innovative vehicles from African institutional funds including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies for infrastructure development in Africa.

    On his part, Dr. Hosea Kili, OGW – CPF Group Managing Director/CEO – said:

    We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative through Dhamana Guarantee Company. We believe in the power of innovative financial solutions to drive sustainable growth. By leveraging local currency guarantees, Dhamana will unlock critical capital for critical infrastructure projects, advancing economic development. This partnership aligns with our commitment to investing in initiatives that improve the lives of people’s lives and our economy while contributing to a more sustainable future.

    Joost Zuidberg, CEO of Cardano Development concluded:

    Dhamana’s true strength lies in its capacity to attract significant investments from East Africa’s institutional capital, laying a strong foundation for future scaling up according to its sizeable potential and thus meaningfully contribute to sustained economic growth in the region. Part of our core work is to incubate guarantee solutions for emerging and frontier markets, and we are thrilled to formalise this partnership today, as we collectively provide Dhamana with the crucial support and capital needed to fulfil this vital objective.

    NOTES FOR EDITORS

    The UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership

    The UK-Kenya strategic partnership joint statement can be found here.

    About Dhamana

    Dhamana Guarantee Company (Dhamana): Dhamana is working to catalyse the development of domestic capital markets in East Africa. It does this by connecting significant under-utilised sources of domestic institutional capital with the real economy, such as new green infrastructure, and providers of credit to  businesses. This increases access and the affordability of local capital, providing new low-risk opportunities for local investors. Dhamana will also serve to provide a portfolio of businesses with access to the local currency capital needed to deliver bankable projects, meeting the high demand for new affordable housing, transportation, water, and energy infrastructure, and promoting long term economic development. http://www.dhamana.com

    About PIDG

    The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) is an innovative infrastructure project developer and investor which mobilises private investment in sustainable and inclusive infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and south and south-east Asia. PIDG investments promote socio-economic development within a just transition to net zero emissions, combat poverty and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PIDG delivers its ambition in line with its values of pioneering, partnership, safety, inclusivity, and urgency. PIDG offers Technical Assistance for upstream, early-stage activities and concessional capital; its project development arm – which includes InfraCo Africa and InfraCo Asia – invests in early-stage project development and project and corporate equity. PIDG credit solutions include EAIF (the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund), one of the first and more successful blended debt funds in low-income markets; GuarantCo, its guarantee arm that provides credit enhancement and local currency solutions to de-risk projects; and a growing portfolio of local credit enhancement facilities, which unlocks domestic institutional capital for infrastructure financing. Since 2002, PIDG has supported 233 infrastructure projects to financial close, which provided an estimated 228 million people with access to new or improved infrastructure. PIDG is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, Global Affairs Canada, Germany, and the IFC. http://www.pidg.org

    About the African Development Bank (AfDB)

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. http://www.afdb.org

    About the CPF Group

    The CPF Group offers a comprehensive range of services through its various subsidiaries including  CPF Financial Services which administers both private and public pension funds; notably – the Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSS); The Local Authorities Pensions Trust (LAPTRUST); the Taifa Pension Fund; the County Pension Fund and CPF Individual Pension Plan. The funds under our administration have a total membership of just over 500,000 members.

    Other subsidiaries include Laser Infrastructure & Technology Solutions (LITES); Laser Property Services; Rukisha Advances payment platform; CPF Asset Managers; CPF Capital & Advisory; and Laser Insurance Brokers (LIB).  The Group offers a wide range of services in ICT & renewable energy solutions, Property Services, Insurance Brokerage, Smart Money platform, fund management, Transaction Advisory, Trust fund services, training & consultancy, and Corporate Trustee Services. Derived from uncompromised commitment to fulfilling lives, the CPF Group prioritises new models and approaches in engineering turnkey solutions for clients across the region. http://www.cpfgroup.or.ke

    About Cardano Development

    Cardano Development (CD), established in 2007, incubates new companies, and creates and manages fund managers. Through careful risk-management analysis in data poor settings, CD identifies scalable solutions that can help to make frontier financial markets more inclusive, investible, and sustainable to unlock lasting economic value. CD creates scalable solutions for currency, credit, and liquidity risks in these markets. With over USD 6 billion assets and USD 3.1 billion capital under management, CD supports scale-up ventures (TCX, GuarantCo, Frontclear, BIX Capital, ILX Fund, AGRI3 Fund), and a number of new start-ups, with ongoing management support services and corporate governance oversight. http://www.cardanodevelopment.com.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: The fight against racism in the canton of Vaud

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Swiss Canton of Vaud – news in French

    Its systemic nature is highlighted by studies. On the occasion of the Assises, the IntégrAction 2024 Prize also rewarded the NELA and Action-parrainages associations.

    Organised by the Cantonal Consultative Chamber of Immigrants (CCCI) chaired by Guy Gaudard, the 2024 Immigration Conference was dedicated on Saturday to the fight against racism, the subject of the 2004 edition. “20 years later, if things have moved forward, the findings have also evolved. Racism is a very real reality in Switzerland”, underlines Isabelle Moret, head of the Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment and Heritage.

    Since then, the Cantonal Office for the Integration of Foreigners and the Prevention of Racism (BCI), created in 2009, has set up a consultation for people facing racism since 2012, which was subsequently supplemented by that of the Lausanne Office for Immigrants (BLI). A new consultation is currently being planned in the north of the canton. To counter systemic racism, action plans are underway or being considered with various cantonal services, including the police, schools and the health sector,

    During the Assizes, Ludovic Vérolet, a lawyer specializing in this field, noted that, while the criminal law against discrimination and incitement to hatred (article 261 bis of the penal code) certainly makes it possible to counter racist acts and behavior, despite 30 years of existence, it still faces challenges in its application (the public dimension of the act is necessary for the offense to be constituted and the definitions of the groups or individuals targeted are very restrictive).

    Denise Efionayi-Mäder, deputy director of the Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies at the University of Neuchâtel, notes the existence of real systemic racism, a racism that goes beyond individual deviant behavior and can unconsciously influence institutions.

    Anthropologist Ninian Hubert van Blijenburgh noted that the scientifically based claim that races do not exist (there is only one human species) must be supplemented by an explanation that accounts for human diversity. He emphasizes that diversity education is essential to counter racist misrepresentations.

    Journalist Julie Eigenmann also presented the exploratory survey “Switzerland in flagrant denial” which brings together testimonies and analyses on various concrete facets of racism. Several articles taken from this survey were exhibited at the Lausanne School of Social Work and Health (HETSL) which hosted the Assises this year.

    The IntegrAction 2024 prize was awarded by the president of the jury, Professor Patrick Bodenmann, head physician of the Department of Vulnerabilities and Social Medicine at the University Center for General Medicine and Public Health (Unisanté), to two winners: on the one hand, the NELA association, which welcomes, supports and supervises young migrants through sponsorships and the implementation of cultural and social projects, and on the other hand, to the Action-parrainages association, which connects families living in the canton and migrants in order to facilitate their integration, by promoting the learning of French and the creation of links with the population.

    Link to the press release

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DVLA digital service update allows motorists to tax vehicle without log book and tax reminder letter

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Motorists applying for a duplicate V5C (log book) can now tax their vehicle without needing to wait for their log book to arrive.

    DVLA has announced a new service update that allows motorists to tax their vehicle even if they have lost their V5C (log book) and their vehicle tax reminder letter (V11).

    Previously, customers who had lost these documents would have had to wait up to 5 days for a replacement V5C to arrive, or phone DVLA’s Contact Centre to tax their vehicle. This latest update will allow customers to apply online for a new V5C and tax their vehicle at the same time.

    This is the first time that DVLA has linked their online registration service with their online licensing service, allowing the customer to self-serve through the 2 digital channels in one seamless customer journey.

    Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive, said:

    We are always looking for ways to improve our digital services to provide more convenience for motorists. This latest enhancement will enable customers who have misplaced or lost their V5C to get a replacement and tax their vehicle quickly and easily.

    The updated online service is available at http://www.gov.uk/vehicle-log-book

    Press office

    DVLA Press Office
    Longview Road
    Morriston
    Swansea
    SA6 7JL

    Email press.office@dvla.gov.uk

    Only for use by journalists and the media: 0300 123 2407

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: DRC President Felix Tshisekedi must be held accountable for human rights violations

    Source: Amnesty International –

    By Jean Mobert Senga, Amnesty International’s DRC researcher

    Speaking at the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2024, President Tshisekedi ignored the continuing deterioration of human rights under his own government. The international community must push him to change course.

    At the start of his first term in 2019, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi promised to protect human rights — but his government appears to have embarked on a crusade against his own pledges.

    The DRC authorities’ response to the armed conflict and inter-communal violence that has ravaged the country for decades has failed to improve the security situation. In some cases, it has made it worse.

    While the international community must address serious human rights abuses by armed groups in eastern DRC, including Rwanda and other countries’ alleged support to some armed groups, it must also increase pressure on President Tshisekedi’s government to uphold human rights, tackle impunity, and address deep-rooted socioeconomic injustices.

    The DRC is enduring one of the most protracted humanitarian crises in the world. From east to west and from north to south, the civilian population faces daily threats of violence from a myriad of armed groups. Congolese soldiers and affiliated militia groups also continue to target civilians and commit horrendous crimes, often with impunity.

    A profound failure

    Internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly women and girls, disproportionately bear the brunt of this conflict. IDP camps are rife with sexual violence, exacerbated by poor security conditions and insufficient humanitarian aid. The continued failure of the Tshisekedi administration to protect populations made vulnerable by these living conditions is inacceptable.

    The international community must hold the DRC government accountable not only for its failure to prevent and punish sexual violence and attacks against civilians, but also for its inaction in addressing the humanitarian catastrophe. Both the Congolese government and the international community must increase funding for the chronically underfunded humanitarian response to meet the urgent needs of affected populations, including shelter, food, healthcare and education.

    The international community must hold the DRC government accountable not only for its failure to prevent and punish sexual violence and attacks against civilians, but also for its inaction in addressing the humanitarian catastrophe.

    Jean Mobert Senga, DRC Researcher, Amnesty International

    A key contributing factor to the deteriorating human rights situation in the eastern DRC is the ongoing “State of Siege” imposed in North Kivu and Ituri since May 2021. This exceptional measure, which is akin to a state of emergency, has effectively militarized everyday life, concentrating all powers in the hands of military and police officials, including powers which should be those of civilian authorities. Tshisekedi’s government must urgently end the “State of Siege” and work towards a human rights-centred approach to restoring security.

    Meanwhile, a crackdown on dissent has swept the nation under the pretext of defending the country against enemies. Journalists, civil society activists, and political opponents have faced threats, arbitrary detention, and judicial harassment. By weaponizing the judiciary, the Tshisekedi administration has betrayed the hopes and aspirations of those who resisted the repression of their rights under the Kabila regime.

    Equally alarming is the government’s decision in March this year to reinstate the death penalty after more than two decades of hiatus. Military courts have since handed down more than a hundred death penalty sentences, heightening the risk of politically motivated executions.

    The recent tragedy at Makala prison in Kinshasa, where over 120 people died, hundreds were injured, and more than 200 women and girls were subjected to sexual violence, including gang rape, underscores the dire state of prison conditions in the DRC. President Tshisekedi must ensure that the courts conduct a transparent and prompt investigation and prosecute all responsible, including political and security officials who may have failed to prevent these horrific events. The international community must push for and assist in urgent criminal and penitentiary reforms to ensure such tragedies are never repeated.

    Despite repeated calls for justice, the government has so far largely failed to bring both Congolese and foreign perpetrators of crimes under international law to justice. Powerful actors continue to operate with impunity, deepening the cycle of violence. Efforts towards other forms of justice, including compensations and reparations, remain dismally inadequate. Victims and survivors are frustrated by the lack of transparency and the slow pace of these efforts, which often feel more symbolic than substantive.

    Despite repeated calls for justice, the government has so far largely failed to bring both Congolese and foreign perpetrators of crimes under international law to justice. Powerful actors continue to operate with impunity, deepening the cycle of violence.

    Jean Mobert

    It is not only armed conflict that poses an existential threat to thousands of people in the country. The DRC is a critical supplier of copper and cobalt, minerals that are essential to the global transition to renewable energy. However, as highlighted in Amnesty International’s 2023 report “Business as Usual?”, increased investments in the industrial mining sector have led to human rights abuses, including mass forced evictions and environmental pollution, leaving frontline communities in limbo. Toxic pollution and dangerous working conditions continue to plague artisanal miners, particularly in the cobalt-rich southern provinces.

    The international community cannot afford to ignore the grave human rights situation in the DRC any longer. President Tshisekedi’s allies — especially the United States, South Africa, Angola, Belgium, and France — must use their influence to demand accountability for human rights violations.

    This oped first ran in South Africa’s Daily Maverick

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: Sydbank share buyback programme: transactions in week 39

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company Announcement No 45/2024

    		 Peberlyk 4
    6200 Aabenraa
    Denmark

    Tel +45 74 37 37 37
    Fax +45 74 37 35 36

    Sydbank A/S
    CVR No DK 12626509, Aabenraa
    sydbank.dk
    30 September 2024  

    Dear Sirs

    Sydbank share buyback programme: transactions in week 39
    On 28 February 2024 Sydbank announced a share buyback programme of DKK 1,200m. The share buyback programme commenced on 4 March 2024 and will be completed by 31 January 2025.

    The purpose of the share buyback programme is to reduce the share capital of Sydbank and the programme is executed in compliance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016, collectively referred to as the Safe Harbour rules.

    The following transactions have been made under the share buyback programme:

      Number of shares VWAP Gross value (DKK)
    Accumulated, most recent
    Announcement

    2,163,000

    		  

    772,968,750.00
    23 September 2024
    24 September 2024
    25 September 2024
    26 September 2024
    27 September 2024    		 17,000
    17,000
    15,000
    15,000
    16,000    		 335.79
    339.99
    335.19
    337.94
    335.70    		 5,708,430.00
    5,779,830.00
    5,027,850.00
    5,069,100.00
    5,371,200.00
    Total over week 39 80,000   26,956,410.00
    Total accumulated during the
    share buyback programme

    2,243,000

    		  

    799,925,160.00

    All transactions were made under ISIN DK 0010311471 and effected by Danske Bank A/S on behalf of Sydbank A/S.

    Further information about the transactions, cf Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on market abuse and Commission delegated regulation, is available in the attachment.

    Following the above transactions, Sydbank holds a total of 2,325,322 own shares, equal to til 4.26% of the Bank’s share capital.

    Yours sincerely
            
    Mark Luscombe        Jørn Adam Møller
    CEO        Deputy Group Chief Executive

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: A new preventive treatment against bronchiolitis in babies will be available from mid-October in the canton

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Canton of Neuchatel Switzerland

    09/30/2024

    ​This fall, babies will be able to benefit from a new preventive medication against acute bronchiolitis. This viral respiratory disease can cause serious complications, particularly in infants under 3 months old. This treatment is recommended by the Neuchâtel Health Authorities and the Neuchâtel Pediatric Society. It will be offered by pediatricians and at the maternity ward of the Neuchâtel Hospital Network.

    Preventive treatment for acute bronchiolitis will be available for babies from mid-October in the canton of Neuchâtel. It will offer them effective protection to get through the winter period. Indeed, each year in Switzerland, nearly 3,000 children under 12 months are hospitalized due to complications caused by this viral respiratory infection. Infants under 3 months are particularly likely to develop severe complications.

    The Neuchâtel Health Authorities and the Neuchâtel Pediatric Society strongly recommend this new preventive medication. For infants born between April 2024 and September 2024, treatment should be carried out from mid-October by the child’s pediatrician. For those born between October 2024 and March 2025, it will be offered directly at the maternity ward of the Neuchâtel Hospital Network (RHNe). It is also indicated for certain children under 2 years of age with a chronic illness.

    Swissmedic has authorised the marketing of this new treatment (immunisation with a specific antibody) in December 2023. The latter allows an 80% reduction in severe bronchiolitis and offers protection for at least five months. It is reimbursed by compulsory health insurance (AOS).

    Simple preventive measures​

    In order to avoid contamination of babies, simple preventive measures are recommended for those around them:

    Further information is available athttp://www.ne.ch/bronchiolitis.

    BodyRight

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press conference following Council of Ministers meeting no. 97

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    27 Settembre 2024

    Council of Ministers meeting no. 97 was held at Palazzo Chigi today, after which Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano, Minister for Civil Protection and Marine Policies Nello Musumeci, Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio and Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso held a press conference.

    [This video is available in Italian only]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New tool locates MCA-approved life-saving appliance service stations

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Online finder will help seafarers and those responsible for the maintenance of inflatable life-saving appliances to find approved service stations.

    A marine evacuation system (MES) in use during an evacuation exercise.

    Developed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a new online tool will provide easier search and filtering capabilities for seafarers looking to locate approved service stations for life-saving appliances (LSAs).

    The search engine provides users with filterable results to identify MCA-approved service stations across the UK, according to appliance type, manufacturer and service station location.

    MCA-approved service stations are annually assessed and certified to carry out servicing work to these devices, which include devices including lifejackets, life rafts, marine evacuation systems (MES) and inflated rescue boats.

    All SOLAS-certificated inflatable LSAs for use on board UK ships must be serviced at UK approved service stations, at intervals not exceeding 12 months (unless otherwise exempted).

    MCA Life-saving Appliances Lead Robert Stone-Ward said:

    Servicing LSA is a legal requirement under SOLAS that ensures that your devices are functioning correctly and will be ready for use in an emergency.

    Our new tool is a simple way for seafarers and those with responsibilities for maintaining safety equipment to more easily find an MCA-approved service station for a range of devices, in a location closest to them.

    Visit the Find a service station for your inflatable life-saving appliances page to use the tool.

    Press office

    Email public.relations@mcga.gov.uk

    Press enquiries (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) 0203 817 2222

    Outside these hours or on bank holidays and weekends, for media enquiries ONLY, please send an email outlining your query and putting #Urgent in the subject title.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nina Hingorani-Crain reappointed as a Non-Executive Director to the Board of NS&I

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    HM Treasury has announced today the reappointment of Nina Hingorani-Crain as a Non-Executive Director to the Board of NS&I for a second, three-year term.

    HM Treasury has announced today that Nina Hingorani-Crain has been reappointed as a Non-Executive Director to the Board of NS&I (National Savings and Investments), as of 1 November 2024. The reappointment will be for a term of three years.

    Non-Executive Directors on NS&I’s Board ensure a sound strategy is in place to meet the organisation’s remit of raising cost-effective debt financing for the government. They also act as an external source of advice, have oversight of risk control, and ensure NS&I’s links with its outsourcing partners remain open and transparent.

    NS&I is one of the largest savings organisations in the UK, offering a range of savings and investments. All products offer 100% capital security because NS&I is backed by HM Treasury.

    Nina was first appointed as a Non-Executive Director in November 2021. She has held a number of high-profile executive and non-executive roles, including as Chief of Staff and Principal Private Secretary to the Chair of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) during the global financial crisis and as Chief of Staff leading the transition of the FSA into the Financial Conduct Authority, the current financial services regulator. She is currently on the Board of Nest (the workplace pension scheme set up by the UK government), a London mental health and community health NHS Foundation Trust, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). She has previously served on the Board of the Charity Commission for England & Wales, and the Boards of several other national and regional organisations.

    Further information:

    The reappointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Nina Hingorani-Crain has confirmed that she has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Medium-term fiscal-structural plan 2025-2029

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    28 Settembre 2024

    The Presidency of the Council of Ministers has submitted the medium-term fiscal-structural plan 2025-2029 to Parliament, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IV of Regulation (EU) 2024/1263 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2024.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met investigation leads to 16-year prison sentence for Chelsea child sexual predator

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A prolific and historic child abuser has been jailed, demonstrating the Metropolitan Police Service’s commitment to investigating child abuse and protecting the public from harm. 

    Christopher George Pearce, 59 (06/11/1965) of Cale Street, Chelsea was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 27 September.

    The shocking sexual abuse by Pearce began in 1984 in Hammersmith, when his two victims were aged just 5 and 7 at the time. Pearce’s crimes continued until 1988 when he sexually abused another two children, aged 6 and 7 in Chelsea.

    Specialist officers began investigating Pearce in 2020 after he was caught trying to groom what he believed to be a child online in March 2020. After Pearce’s arrest was posted online, two of his victims bravely came forward years after Pearce’s terrible crimes had taken place.

    As part of officers’ determination to build a case against Pearce, officers were able relocate evidence dating back as far as 1988, before carefully conducting interviews with Pearce’s previous victims.

    Detective Superintendent Tony Larkin for the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation said: “I want to thank the victims for coming forward, speaking to and working with officers through a long and complex investigation. I hope the bravery and willingness of the victims serves as an inspiration to those who may otherwise fear reporting this kind of abhorrent abuse.

    “I am in no doubt that since 1984 Pearce has been an incredibly dangerous child sex offender and is now no longer free to commit offences against children.

    “The officers in this case showed true determination in securing justice for all the victims – they are a credit to the Met.

    “I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse – no matter how long ago – to please come forward to police. We assure you that you will be listened to and we will help you get support you so rightly deserve.”

    Children and young people are the most vulnerable in society, and the Met is committed to keeping them safe in person and online.

    As part of the A New Met for London plan, officers are working closely with third sector partners, including The Children’s Society to help young people, parents and carers spot the signs of sexual abuse and predatory behaviour online and offline. 

    Crimes of this nature can be reported online or on the telephone or in person to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.  

    If you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual assault, charities and support agencies can offer help and guidance: 

    • National Association for People Abused in Childhood NAPAC helpline: 0808 801 0331  
    • Rape Crisis: 08085002222   
    • Childline : 0800 1111  
    • National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline : 0808 802 9999    

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: APOSTOLIC JOURNEY – Pope in Belgium: the synodal process must be a return to the Gospel and not about prioritizing “fashionable” reforms

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 28 September 2024

    Vatican Media

    Brussels (Agenzia Fides) – “The synodal process must involve returning to the Gospel. It is not about prioritizing “fashionable” reforms, but asking, how can we bring the Gospel to a society that is no longer listening or has distanced itself from the faith? Let us all ask ourselves this question”. On the penultimate day of his Apostolic Journey to the heart of Europe, Pope Francis met with the bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers of Belgium in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Koekelberg, offering numerous suggestions to the local Catholic community and to the entire Western Church in view of what he himself describes as the “crisis of faith” that the West is experiencing.The crisis of faith, said the Pope, have impelled us “to return to what is essential, namely the Gospel. The good news that Jesus brought to the world must once again be proclaimed to all and allowed to shine forth in all its beauty”. The crisis, he continued, “is a time given in order to shock us, to make us question and to change. It is a valuable opportunity, referred to in biblical language as kairòs, a special occasion. Indeed, when we experience desolation, we must always ask ourselves what message the Lord wishes to convey to us”.This “crisis of faith” demonstrates that “we have moved from a Christianity located within a welcoming social framework to a “minority” Christianity, or better, a Christianity of witness”. This, Pope Francis continued, “requires the courage to undertake an ecclesial conversion for enabling those pastoral transformations that concern our habitual ways of doing things, and the language in which we express our faith, so that they are truly directed to evangelization “.In this perspective, “priests also need this courage in order to be priests who are not just preserving or managing a past legacy, but pastors who are in love with Christ and who are attentive to responding to the often implicit demands of the Gospel as they walk with God’s holy people. In doing so, pastors walk sometimes ahead of their people, sometimes in their midst and sometimes behind them”. Hence the reflections on the synodal process, which will enter a next phase in a few days with the celebration of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly in the Vatican.Finally, the Pope recommended to the Church of Belgium to be merciful: “This can sometimes seem “unjust”, when we are faced with the experience of evil. This is because we simply apply an earthly justice that says, “Whoever does wrong must pay”. Yet God’s justice is greater”. The Pope also addressed the concept of justice with regard to the cases of abuse (in the Apostolic Nunciature, Pope Francis met 17 victims of abuse by Belgian clergy, ed.) and thanked the Catholic community “for the great work” that has been done “to transform anger and pain into help, closeness and compassion. Abuse generates atrocious suffering and wounds, undermining even the path of faith. And there is a need for a great deal of mercy to keep us from hardening our hearts before the suffering of victims, so that we can help them feel our closeness and offer all the help we can. We must learn from them, as you said, to be a Church at the service of all without belittling anyone”, said Pope Francis.In greeting those present, Francis recalled a work of art by Magritte, an illustrious Belgian painter entitled “The Act of Faith”. It depicts a closed door viewed from the inside of a room, a door that has been broken through, thus showing us the open sky: “The image invites us to go beyond, to direct our gaze forward and upward and never to close in on ourselves, never. It is an image I leave with you as a symbol of a Church that never closes its doors – please, never close the doors! – a Church that offers everyone an opening to the infinite, and that knows how to look beyond”.”Walk together, all of you, with the Holy Spirit, practice mercy; be this type of Church. Without the Spirit, nothing Christian can take place”, the Pope concluded, who at the end of the meeting went to the royal crypt, beneath the church of Our Lady of Laeken, where many members of Belgium’s royal family are buried.Accompanied by the King and Queen, the Pope paused in silent prayer before the tomb of King Baudouin, whom he praised for his courage for choosing to temporarily “abdicate the throne so as not to sign a murderous law”.In 1992 the sovereign abdicated for 36 hours to avoid signing the law on the legalization of abortion. Finally, the Pope urged the Belgians to look to him at this time when criminal laws are making their way, hoping that his cause for beatification will proceed. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 28/9/2024)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Sept. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bango (AIM: BGO), today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.

    Financial Overview (unaudited):

    Results for the 6 months ended 30 June 2024  1H24 1H23 Change
           
    Total Revenue $24.1M $20.3M +18.6%  
             
    Transactional Revenue1 $16.4M $15.5M +5.3%  
             
    DVM, Audiences & One-Off2 $ 7.7M $ 4.7M +62.5%  
             
    Annual recurring revenue (ARR)3 $12.9M $5.6M +130.4%  
           
    Net Revenue Retention4 159%      
             
    Adjusted EBITDA5 $4.0M ($0.2M) +$4.2M
           
    Profit/(Loss) before taxation ($3.4M) ($4.9M) +$1.5M
           
    Net (Debt6)/Cash ($5.1M) $5.5M -$10.6M


    Notes:

    • Transactional revenue grew 9.4% on a constant currency basis.
    • Other Income of $1.4M, which is not included in the revenue figure above, related to recovery of tax costs from the acquisition of DOCOMO Digital. $1.1M will be accounted for as a tax cost, resulting in $0.3M profit.
    • Gross profit margin of 80.8% (1H23: 90.0%) reduced from 82.8% in 2H 2023 due to geographic mix. Improvements expected in 2H 2024 as high margin DVM revenue grows.
    • Net debt6 of $5.1M at 30 June 2024 (net debt of $3.9M at 31 Dec 2023) after R&D investment of $7.6M in the period.

    Operational Highlights

    • Bango signed 4 new Digital Vending Machine® (DVM) customers in 1H24, including a Bank in Brazil. Post-period there has been a further 3 new customer wins.
    • A leading European telco that adopted the DVM in 2020 extended their contract for a further 3 years, with a minimum contract value of $1.5M over the term.
    • 13 new subscription content providers were added to the DVM in 1H24, taking the total to 106.
    • The eDisti7 program now has 20 content providers, including Microsoft and Disney, allowing Bango to provide a ‘pre-stocked’ Digital Vending Machine, reducing time to revenue for both DVM customers and Bango.
    • Bango signed a global agreement with Uber to accelerate the take-up of Uber One subscriptions through telco channels, proving the appeal of the Bango DVM beyond digital video, music and gaming services.
    • The ‘global technology leader’ (announced in June 2022) launched its first two telcos with Bango in 1H24. Additional launches are underway.
    • Chartered Accountant Tony Perkins joined the Bango Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee. In Q3, Tony was appointed as Senior Independent Director replacing Eric Peacock who retired from the Board to focus on his recovery from an accident.

    Presentation and Webcast

    A presentation of the interim results will be made to investors and analysts at 10:00 BST today via the Investor Meet Company Platform. Those wishing to join the call can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free via:
    https://www.investormeetcompany.com/bango-plc/register-investor

    Full RNS announcement

    Read the full Interims Results RNS announcement here: https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/bango_plc/news/rns/story/r7ze9jw

    Paul Larbey, Chief Executive Officer of Bango, commented:

    “The first six months of 2024 have gone to plan and are in-line with the Trading Update issued in July. The payments business continues to deliver growth, providing cash to fund expansion of the Digital Vending Machine® (DVM), which continues to be adopted as the defacto standard platform for subscription bundling by the world’s largest companies. The addition of Disney+ to the Bango eDisti program is further evidence of this and will help accelerate time-to-revenue from DVM deals. With 4 new DVM wins in the 1H and a further 3 in Q3, the pipeline built over the past years continued to deliver results and provides confidence in meeting market expectations for the full year.

    The subscriptions market is vast and growing, and the percentage of subscriptions bundled through channels is increasing. Bango’s leadership position in this market is strengthening with the DVM now playing a key role in the customer acquisition and engagement strategies of major content brands. We are excited by the opportunity ahead and remain on track to continue our strong growth trajectory and return to a positive net cash position in FY25.”

    1 Transactional Revenue is revenue derived by charging a percentage of the retail price paid by the consumer and is made up of direct carrier billing, resale and revenue share amounts.
    2 DVM, Bango Audiences & one-off Revenue includes all DVM license and support fees, revenue from Bango Audiences (discontinued in Q1) and one-off fees including DVM set-up and change requests.
    3 Annual Recurring Revenue is the expected annual revenues to be generated in the next 12 months based on contracted revenues recognized as at 30 June 2024.
    4 Net Revenue Retention is a measure of the retention and expansion of revenue from customers over the previous 12 months and is calculated by dividing the ARR from existing customers at the end of 1H24 to the ARR from those same customers at the end of 1H23.
    5 Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization, negative goodwill, exceptional items, share of net loss of associate and share based payment charge 
    6 Net debt is cash and cash equivalents plus short-term investments less the loan from NHN and borrowings. Barclays continues to provide an overdraft facility which was not used at the end of the period .
    7eDisti is a program that allows Bango to resell subscriptions from content providers removing the need for a commercial agreement between the DVM customer and the content provider.

    Contact Details:  
    investors@bango.com

    About Bango

    Bango enables content providers to reach more paying customers through global partnerships. Bango revolutionized the monetization of digital content and services, by opening-up online payments to mobile phone users worldwide. Today, the Digital Vending Machine® is driving the rapid growth of the subscriptions economy, powering choice and control for subscribers.

    The world’s largest content providers, including Amazon, Google and Microsoft trust Bango technology to reach subscribers everywhere.

    Bango, where people subscribe. For more information, visit http://www.bangoinvestor.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 21 startups transforming education with AI

    Source: Google

    Picture a world where students, regardless of their background, can learn in a personalized way. Imagine teachers with tools that anticipate their needs, freeing them to focus on what they do best: inspiring and guiding their class. This isn’t a distant dream, but a reality being shaped by entrepreneurs in the Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Education program.

    Selected from a pool of more than 600 applicants from across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the 21 participating startups are all using AI to create more inclusive, engaging and effective educational pathways. From building intelligent tutors that adapt to each student’s pace, to platforms that make education accessible even in remote areas, we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have on learners around the world.

    Each founder and their team will receive three months of mentorship by Google experts, resources to help grow their technology, business and global reach, and a collaborative community of fellow founders to support one another. Learn more about the Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Education cohort:

    • Angaza Elimu (Kenya): An eLearning platform that creates a more personalized and engaging experience, fostering stronger connections between learners and teachers.
    • BLISKO (Poland): An AI-powered platform that personalizes learning for children ages 0-6, that focuses on building strong relationships and creating personalized learning plans that fit each child’s unique needs, abilities and interests
    • Complori (Germany): A hybrid learning platform that equips children, ages 7-16, with hard skills such as technological understanding and programming, and soft skills through live and online group lessons.
    • Correcto (Spain): An AI-powered platform that enhances Spanish writing skills, offering tools tailored for Spanish-speaking users.
    • Digify Africa (South Africa): A high-tech learning platform, delivered via a low-tech interface, that improves access to education for low-income learners.
    • eKidz (Germany): An app that makes acquiring literacy and a new language easy and accessible for every child. Utilizing a purpose-built AI voice recognition students with precise diagnostics and support.
    • EvidenceB (France): An AI tutoring platform that works for any subject, available as a subscription service. Teachers get helpful data insights to guide their instruction.
    • ExamSolutions (UK): An AI-powered tutoring platform combining visual, auditory and textual content tailored for learning and exam preparation for math at GCSE & A-level.
    • Hawkings Education (Spain): An AI online learning system, making the experience more personalized for students and giving teachers better tools.
    • Jotit (Israel): A first of its kind, turning any standard Chromebook or tablet into an all-in-one learning space, creating a focused, distraction-free environment which keeps handwriting at its core.
    • LearnWise AI (Netherlands): A platform empowering universities and colleges worldwide to revolutionize student support through custom AI assistants.
    • MOONHUB (UK): A VR training platform that allows people to train like they were on the job from anywhere, any time to assess how people react to their observed virtual worlds.
    • Optima (UAE): An AI-powered education platform and course creation engine with a focus on data and AI engineering skills. Optima’s approach combines live interactive sessions, self-paced learning and AI-assisted tutoring.
    • OpenCyberAI (United Kingdom): An educational platform dedicated to cybersecurity, offering virtual simulations through interactive training, powered by an AI personalizing your learning path.
    • Pandatron (Finland): A platform supports talent development and helps employees adapt to digital and cultural changes by using AI-powered coaching conversations to identify underlying issues within the organization.
    • SignLab (Norway): An AI sign language digital platform that makes learning more accessible, effective, and affordable.
    • Story Spark (United Kingdom): An AI-powered story generator and reading platform for children combining innovative literacy education with engaging and personalized content.
    • ubiMaster (Germany): A live, personal online tutor platform designed to make learning with experts easy and widely available.
    • Utiva Education (Nigeria): A tech platform that helps people in Africa learn skills needed for global jobs, enabling companies to hire talent across different regions and increasing employment in the region.
    • Wilco (Israel): A platform helping both businesses and software vendors easily provide high-end training and education materials for their employees, candidates or users.
    • Wiloki (France): An online tutoring platform for children ages 7-14, using AI-powered tools to personalize the learning path according to each child’s unique educational profile and motivational triggers.

    As we continue to explore the possibilities of AI in education, one thing is certain: The path towards more personalized, effective and inspiring learning experiences has just begun.

    Learn more about our selected startups at startup.google.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Valuing learning

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Swiss Canton of Vaud – news in French

    A large promotional campaign is planned to support these efforts, as well as the opening of a Cité des métiers in Crissier to provide information and guidance throughout the year. However, to observe real changes, an evolution in the orientation and the end of compulsory schooling will be necessary via the MAT-EO project.

    On the eve of the opening of the career fair on October 1, 2024, State Councilor Frédéric Borloz presented generally stable figures on the career guidance of young people in the Canton. These figures nevertheless show for the first time in a long time a 1% increase in the choice of apprenticeship upon leaving compulsory school (19.3% in 2023 to 20.3% in 2024). The number of young people in pre-gymnasium who directly choose apprenticeship is also up by 2% (7% to 9%). At the same time, transition measures are falling by 0.9% to 24% and enrollments in maturity schools are stable at around 37.7% and have not increased for 3 years. Out of 36,4000 young people in post-compulsory education, the Canton of Vaud has 19,500 young people in apprenticeships compared to 13,950 in general education at the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

    Building bridges between schools and the world of work

    Promoting vocational training is a priority of the 2022-2022 legislative program7 and a priority of the Council of State. For two years, the Department of Education and Vocational Training has continued its efforts and deployed its action plan. In addition to the one-off and symbolic event represented by the Salon des Métiers, an entire ecosystem of measures and systems are now in place and developing. For example, we can cite the organization of meetings between local businesses and students through regional forums. These events are set up in several establishments by the coordinators of the approach to the professional world, now present in all school regions. Thus, young people benefit from opportunities for individual or group internships thanks to the links established with the world of work in each region.

    A City of Trades in Crissier and a campaign to promote apprenticeships

    The head of the training department also announced that the Cité des Métiers project has started. This permanent place dedicated to information and guidance will be available to the population by 2028 at the latest on the site of the future Crissier gymnasium. Various Vaud administration counters will be represented there, academic and professional guidance, training for young people and adults, employment and scholarships. In addition, a campaign to promote apprenticeships will be launched to enhance the image of apprenticeships among young people, parents and teachers. It will help combat stereotypes and show the diversity of professions and career opportunities.

    The Careers Fair and a day of higher education

    Thousands of young people, students and families are expected at the Salon des Métiers 2024, which takes place earlier this year. For the first time, Sunday will be devoted to higher education courses that follow the CFC, whether they are higher education diplomas, federal certificates or professional diplomas.

    Efforts are continuing to highlight the apprenticeship pathway, in several timeframes, for several audiences and in various forms. While some indicators seem rather encouraging, real changes can only be observed with time and by changing the orientation of students at the end of compulsory schooling. In the years to come, this is precisely one of the missions of MAT-EO, the project of the reform of the four-year maturity and compulsory schooling.

    Link to the press release

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: AFRICA/ANGOLA – Synod, the Bishop of Leena: “The problems of the West are not ours”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    by Fabio BerettaLeena (Agenzia Fides) – Low education, lack of services, leprosy, the spread of aggressive sects: these are some of the problems that the Catholic community has to face daily in Angola, where pastoral emergencies “are often different from what is discussed during the Synod”. This is underlined in an interview with Agenzia Fides by Martín Lasarte Topolansky, Bishop of the Diocese of Leena. “What the Pope said is true, that when we think of the Church we are ‘Western’. Of course, this is the history of the Church, two thousand years of beauty and richness of Christianity cannot be erased. But the Holy Spirit – explains the Angolan bishop – has blown everywhere. However, it is noted that the Church is Eurocentric on many occasions, like this Synod. Sometimes they want to pass off the problems that the Church has in the West as if those were precisely the great problems of the universal Church. Instead, we should say: calm down, you have these problems, and it’s okay to face them, we give you courage. However, we have many other critical issues, such as the first evangelization, or the formation of the laity, interreligious dialogue or the enormous growth of sects of any kind”. “In my Diocese”, the Bishop continues, “leprosy still exists. It is true that in Europe there is advancing secularization, but in Africa there are hundreds of seminarians who need to be supported in their training. We are a Church in development. The Catholic Church is beautiful with its diversity, it has riches and critical issues in every latitude that are too often not understood”. And if we talk about critical issues, in Angola one problem is the increase in Islamic extremists. “Objectively, the problem exists”, the Bishop recognizes. In some cases, Christian girls marry Muslim boys, their children are sent to study in countries with a Muslim majority and when they return they have become Muslims linked to extremist groups. It almost seems like a ‘vocational pastoral care’ … “Obviously the situation changes depending on where you are: “Dialogue exists, but not always and not everywhere. In the East there are situations that are the exact opposite of the West, so dialogue becomes more difficult in some areas. And when poverty and lack of horizons are put together, a dangerous mixture is created.” And the same happens with neo-Pentecostal sects: “These are completely disconnected groups that do not even enter into dialogue with Protestant Churches” explains the Bishop of Leena. And the problem of witchcraft persists: “There are places where magic and witchcraft are the primary cause of violence and murder. Every day we have to deal with a society where there are so many situations of hardship. Everyone is free to believe what they want, maximum respect for ancestral beliefs, but we must respect first and foremost the dignity of each person”. In this, the industrious presence of many missionaries helps: “Having missionaries from different peoples and nations is a wealth. One could fall into the temptation to say: ‘We are mature, we do not need anyone’. It is true, I am the only non-Angolan bishop, the others are all local, but we all recognize – underlines Topolansky – that their presence is a sign of the times. In my diocese, 123 thousand square kilometers, among the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, where 8 languages are spoken, they are a resource”. “Today then – concludes the Bishop of Leena – we have Angolans who have left as missionaries in Papua New Guinea and in the Amazon. Countries that previously received missionaries have now become countries from which missionaries depart. The Gospel is always the same, the styles of evangelization change, but the Church by its nature is missionary and will always continue to be so”. (Agenzia Fides 30/9/2024)Share:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Violation of the principles of the rule of law in France resulting from the refusal to recognise the outcome of the parliamentary elections – E-001722/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001722/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marina Mesure (The Left), Manon Aubry (The Left), Younous Omarjee (The Left), Anthony Smith (The Left), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Arash Saeidi (The Left), Rima Hassan (The Left), Damien Carême (The Left), Emma Fourreau (The Left)

    Following the 2024 parliamentary elections, the New Popular Front (NFP) coalition emerged as the leading parliamentary coalition in the National Assembly. However, breaking with the practice of parliamentary democracies, the President of the Republic refused to invite the NFP-designated candidate Lucie Castets to form a government and to appoint her as Prime Minister. Instead, after maintaining an outgoing government that trampled on the principles of the separation of powers and exceeded its constitutional powers, Emmanuel Macron appointed a Prime Minister from a group that had been defeated at the parliamentary elections: Michel Barnier. Barnier’s programme is directly inspired by the far right; its proposals openly call into question fundamental rights guaranteed by European and international law, including the right of asylum.

    Does the Commission consider that Emmanuel Macron’s refusal to recognise the result of the parliamentary elections, as well as the political orientation of the new Prime Minister, constitute a violation of the principles of the rule of law in France and of the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union?

    Submitted: 16.9.2024

    Last updated: 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Follow-up on Court judgment – P-001613/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. In order to comply with the judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-661/20, Slovakia must provide for appropriate assessment of inter alia sanitary logging to comply with Article 6(3) Habitats Directive[1]. It also must prevent forest management activities from deteriorating Capercaillie habitats and disturbing the species and adopt conservation measures for seven Natura 2000 bird sites designated for the Capercaillie. Slovakia informed the Commission about the measures taken, e.g. zonation of national parks Muránska Planina and Veľká Fatra and designation of Pralesy and Stolica nature areas, thus improving protection of Capercaillie habitats, and about the adoption of conservation measures for the Volovské vrchy site. Slovakia also informed about the envisaged measures, e.g. zonation of national parks Nízké Tatry, Vysoké Tatry and Malá Fatra and adoption of management plans for them. However, the Slovak legislation has not yet introduced sufficient legislation submitting sanitary logging to appropriate assessment. Slovakia has thus not yet taken all necessary measures to comply with the ruling.

    2. If Slovakia does not make substantive progress to comply with the Court’s judgment, the Commission may initiate the infringement procedure under Article 260(2)[2] of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and subsequently, refer Slovakia to Court of Justice of the EU for the second time while proposing financial penalties.

    • [1] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
    • [2] https://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/infringements-proceedings/infringement_decisions/?langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byCase&page=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumns=refId&refId=INFR(2018)4076
    Last updated: 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance of the German Government’s decision to reintroduce border controls with EU law – P-001801/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001801/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR)

    The German Government’s introduction of controls at all borders on 16 September 2024 is a legal measure that is incompatible with the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination, as well as with the rules laid down in the Schengen Borders Code, and it is resulting in discrimination against EU citizens. Neighbouring countries are particularly affected, leading to a decline in trade, delays and disruption to border regions.

    Member States may bring a matter before the Court of Justice of the European Union if they consider that another Member State has failed to fulfil one of its obligations under the Treaties. This act must be preceded by a complaint to the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties.

    In light of the above, could the Commission please clarify the following:

    • 1.What serious threat to public policy or internal security, within the meaning of Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code, has the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany indicated to justify the temporary reintroduction of border controls at internal borders?
    • 2.Has the German Government provided the Commission with evidence that the introduction of controls is necessary and justified and that the measure complies with the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination?
    • 3.Has a complaint been lodged with the Commisson against Germany in respect of the violation of obligations under the Treaties under Article 259 TfEU? If so, which Member State lodged the complaint, and is the Commission preparing a reasoned opinion on it?

    Submitted: 24.9.2024

    Last updated: 30 September 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Changes in the number of own shares held by Aktia Bank Plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aktia Bank Plc
    Stock Exchange Release
    30 September 2024 at 1.00 p.m.

    Changes in the number of own shares held by Aktia Bank Plc

    Aktia Bank Plc has today, based on a decision made by the company’s Board of Directors, transferred a total of 4,586 own shares held by the company to eight persons based on the company’s remuneration programs. Of the transferred shares, 2,086 were transferred to six persons as part of variable remuneration previously deferred in accordance with regulation, and 2,500 shares to two persons as part of the Restricted Share Plan.

    The divestment of own shares is based on the authorisation by the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on 3 April 2024. After the above-mentioned divestments, a total of 71,490 shares remain in the company’s possession.

    Aktia Bank Plc

    Further information:
    Oscar Taimitarha, Director, Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 562 2315, ir (at) aktia.fi

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Mass media
    http://www.aktia.com

    Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 850 people around Finland. Aktia’s assets under management (AuM) on 30 June 2024 amounted to EUR 14.1 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 12.4 billion. Aktia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.

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