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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai addresses 2024 Concordia Annual Summit

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai addresses 2024 Concordia Annual Summit
    2024-09-25

    On the morning of September 25 (afternoon of September 24 EDT), President Lai Ching-te addressed the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit via video at the invitation of the New York-based non-profit organization Concordia, speaking on Taiwan’s key priorities in the current international security environment and vision for the future.
    In his remarks, President Lai said that democracy around the world is facing serious threats, citing as examples Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s intensifying military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. The president indicated that through its use of gray-zone tactics such as economic coercion and cognitive warfare, China poses serious threats to global peace and stability. He said that China often uses lawfare and distorts history to expand its power, an example being its distortion of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. The president thanked the United States and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for taking concrete actions to oppose China’s misinterpretations.
    President Lai reiterated that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China are not subordinate to each other, and that we will maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by promoting our Four Pillars of Peace action plan. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and other democratic nations will jointly support the democratic umbrella and counter authoritarian aggression as we navigate a new era in global democratic development. President Lai expressed that a stronger Taiwan is better able to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity around the world, and that we welcome more countries to join in support of democratic Taiwan and a stronger democracy worldwide.
    A transcript of President Lai’s speech follows:
    I want to begin by thanking Concordia for the opportunity to address the Annual Summit. Since my inauguration in May, I have been sharing Taiwan’s roadmap for development at various international venues. I’m honored to speak on our key priorities in the current international security environment, as well as our vision for the future.
    Our goal is to make Taiwan stronger, because a stronger Taiwan is better able to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity around the world.
    Our sincere hope is for Taiwan and other democratic nations to jointly support the democratic umbrella and counter authoritarian aggression as we navigate a new era in global democratic development, echoing the theme of this summit.
    Democracy around the world is facing serious threats. We have seen the growth of authoritarianism and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has exceeded two years. And we have seen China intensifying its military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. Through its use of gray-zone tactics such as economic coercion and cognitive warfare, China poses serious threats to global peace and stability.
    China often uses lawfare and distorts history to expand its power. I want to emphasize that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China are not subordinate to each other. This is a fact with a long-established, global consensus. Regardless of that, China has distorted UNGA Resolution 2758 in support of its “one China principle,” falsely claiming that Taiwan is a part of the People’s Republic of China and that we have no right to participate in the UN system and other international fora.
    I would like to thank the US and IPAC for taking concrete actions to oppose China’s misinterpretations. We welcome more countries to join in support of democratic Taiwan and a stronger democracy worldwide.
    China’s threat to Taiwan is a threat to the entire international community. China doesn’t just want to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. It intends to change the rules-based international order and achieve international hegemony.
    In this situation, our top priority is to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by promoting our Four Pillars of Peace action plan.
    First, we will strengthen our national defense. We will strengthen our capabilities and show our resolve for self-defense.
    Second, we will build economic security. We will continue to reduce economic dependence on China. We also aim to sign trade agreements with other democratic countries, participate more in the regional economy, and mutually enhance our economic resilience.
    Third, we will strengthen our partnerships with democratic countries. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded partners on “democracy chips.” We will also strengthen cooperation with other countries in national defense so that the democratic community can demonstrate the strength of deterrence and achieve our goal of peace.
    The final pillar is stable and principled cross-strait leadership. Taiwan will neither yield nor provoke, and will maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We will remain committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability.
    The road ahead may be difficult, but as long as we follow it together, I am confident that we can further strengthen democracy and sustain peace. Together, let’s forge ahead on the path to greater prosperity. Thank you.
    Concordia organizes its annual summit outside the UN headquarters during each year’s General Debate of the UNGA, inviting world leaders and top private sector representatives to seek solutions to global and regional challenges that are highly valued by the UN community. Among those who addressed this year’s summit were President Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, former Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom, former President Iván Duque of the Republic of Colombia, former President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović of the Republic of Croatia, US Senators Bill Cassidy and Chris Coons, US House Representative Chrissy Houlahan, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements, Governor of New York State Kathy Hochul, President of Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer, and President of The Rockefeller Foundation Rajiv J. Shah.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS promotes Hong Kong’s dual advantages in financial services and innovation and technology in Madrid, Spain (with photos/videos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, continued his visit to Madrid, Spain, yesterday (September 24, Madrid time).

         During a business luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Mr Chan delivered a keynote speech to about 150 leaders from the business, financial and innovation and technology sectors from Spain, and engaged in discussions with participants. He pointed out that Hong Kong has restored its global connections after the pandemic and with the singular advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, is further solidifying its role as a super connector. He said Hong Kong welcomes Spanish enterprises to use Hong Kong as a springboard to tap into the vast markets of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Mainland, and broader Asia.

         Mr Chan further noted that Hong Kong offers a full spectrum of fund-raising and financial services. Combined with the mutual access schemes with the capital markets of the Mainland, Hong Kong provides the channel where Spanish companies can conveniently attract funds from both the Mainland and international markets. Additionally, Hong Kong is a leader in green finance in Asia, and its green standards are compatible with those of the European Union, green projects from Europe can fully leverage Hong Kong as a fund-raising platform. At the same time, Hong Kong is making great strides to become an international innovation and technology centre, with a burgeoning innovation and technology ecosystem that can collaborate with Spain’s tech ecosystem across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, new energy and new materials.

         In conclusion, Mr Chan expressed hope for strengthening co-operation with Spain in finance, innovation and technology, culture, and creative industries to deepen co-operation and achieve mutually rewarding success.

         During the discussion session of the luncheon, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, Mr Albert Wong, and the Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, Mr Eric Chan, shared insights on Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development and advantages, the ecosystems of the two institutions, and the multi-faceted support offered to start-ups.

         In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with the Secretary of State for Trade of Spain, Ms Amparo López Senovilla and briefed her on Hong Kong’s latest economic development. They engaged in in-depth exchanges on further promoting economic and trade co-operation and mutual investments between the two economies. HKTDC Chairman, Dr Peter Lam, and its Executive Director, Ms Margaret Fong, also participated in the meeting.

         In the morning, Mr Chan led a delegation of tech start-ups to visit start-up accelerator IMPACT and Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica respectively. IMPACT, co-founded by the renowned digital business school ISDI, is one of Europe’s leading start-up accelerators, helping start-ups in and out of Europe build networks, and providing financial support, mentoring and training. The start-up representatives of the delegation interacted with IMPACT leaders, sharing their entrepreneurial ideas and business developments. The delegation then visited Telefónica to learn about the company’s operations and its development strategies in 5G telecommunications, the Internet of Things, Web3.0 and etc.; as well as its experience in incubating and investing in innovation and technology firms. 

         Mr Chan will continue his visit in Madrid today (September 25, Madrid time) and will travel to London in the afternoon.                           

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Simon Harris T.D., Taoiseach of Ireland

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Simon Harris T.D., Taoiseach of Ireland. The Secretary-General and the Taoiseach discussed the Summit of the Future, the implementation of the Pact for the Future, and efforts to galvanize support for multilateralism. They also discussed the wars in Ukraine and the situation in the the Middle East, including the war in Gaza. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Congratulates Alaska Whalers on Quota Renewal at International Meeting in Peru

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    09.24.24
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today applauded the efforts of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC) and many others for their efforts at the 69th International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Lima, Peru to renew Alaska’s subsistence whaling quota for six more years. The measure passed yesterday by consensus.
    “Today, we celebrate the preservation of subsistence whaling, a cultural practice our Alaska whalers have sustainably conducted for thousands of years,” said Sen. Sullivan. “This quota renewal is the result of hard work from the AEWC, represented in Peru by Chairman John Hopson Jr., Vice Chair Crawford Patkotak, and North Slope Borough Mayor Josiah Patkotak, and many others. Prior to the IWC meeting, John, Crawford, Josiah, other members of the AEWC and I met with senior executive branch officials and more than 20 different embassy representatives in the Capitol. This event was a pivotal opportunity to educate our global partners and our own federal government about our whalers’ priorities. Alaska and America couldn’t ask for better ambassadors than our whaling captains. I want to thank everyone involved who made this success happen, including a dedicated member of my staff, Mary Eileen Manning, who attended the Commission meeting in Peru, the U.S. Commissioner, and the entire U.S. delegation to the IWC. Congratulations to all of our whaling communities throughout the North Slope and the Bering Straits region!”
    The 2024 renewal built upon the successful 2018 renewal, when the U.S. delegation secured a streamlined quota renewal commitment.
    Background:
    As the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change and Manufacturing Subcommittee—which has jurisdiction over our nation’s oceans, fisheries, and marine mammals, including whales—Senator Sullivan has relentlessly championed the efforts of Alaska Native whalers to continue the subsistence harvest of whales.
    In September 2024, the Alaska delegation sent a letter to embassies of IWC member countries, again reiterating the importance of subsistence whaling.
    In the lead up to the 2024 IWC meeting in Peru, Senator Sullivan hosted representatives from the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, the North Slope Borough, and the Biden administration in a strategy meeting to educate global partners and the federal government about Alaska whalers’ priorities.
    Following the July 2024 meeting in Washington D.C., Senator Sullivan hosted a reception in the Capitol on the significance of subsistence whaling to the cultures and livelihoods of thousands of Alaska Native people. Speakers at the reception included Sen. Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), North Slope Borough Mayor Josiah Patkotak, AEWC Vice Chairman Crawford Patkotak, AEWC Chairman John Hopson, Jr., AEWC Secretary Herbert Kinneeveauk III, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Director Janet Coit, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mahlet Mesfin.
    In September 2018 at the 67th IWC meeting in Brazil, the AEWC secured a renewal of its subsistence whaling quota for seven more years and, for the first time, the automatic renewal of its whaling quota as long as harvests remain sustainable. The measure passed by a vote of 58 to 7.
    In the lead up to the 2018 IWC meeting in Brazil, Sen. Sullivan kept in close communication with senior leadership at the U.S. State Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and sent his legislative director to the IWC meetings in Brazil to serve on the U.S. delegation.
    In August 2018, the Alaska delegation sent a letter to embassies of IWC member countries, reiterating their commitment to subsistence whaling.
    In July 2018, Senator Sullivan convened a strategy meeting in the Capitol with AEWC, the State Department, and NOAA to ensure continued coordination and foster direct high-level engagement. Afterward, Sen. Sullivan led a reception, hosted by the Alaska congressional delegation, for ambassadors and diplomatic officials of IWC member embassies.
    In April 2018, Senator Sullivan, alongside Senator Murkowski, introduced and passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee the Whaling Convention Amendments Act of 2018—which authorized the Secretary of Commerce to preserve the bowhead whale subsistence harvest and Alaska Native food security under U.S. law if the IWC had failed to act on the bowhead whale quota during their meetings in Brazil.
    Subsistence Whaling and IWC Background:
    Worldwide whale stocks are managed through the International Whaling Commission, a group of 88 countries that have ratified the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. The Whaling Convention Act of 1949 is the relevant U.S. implementing legislation.
    The convention allows for the harvest of certain whale species for nations that certify either a cultural or subsistence need for their aboriginal population. Russia, Denmark (for Greenland), the United States, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are those nations who currently practice Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling (ASW).
    The subsistence harvest in Alaska is sustainable and non-commercial. The IWC has consistently certified that the biological status of Alaska’s bowheads is sustainable.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: TWO-THIRDS OF CHILDREN INTERACT DAILY ONLINE WITH PEOPLE THEY DON’T KNOW DESPITE GROOMING FEARS – REPORT

    Source: Save The Children

    SYDNEY, 25 Sept 2024 – Over six in 10 children with access to the internet interact with “unknown others” daily despite concerns about online grooming, according to new research released by Save the Children and Western Sydney University that highlighted children’s demands for better online protection.  

    The research team held in-depth consultations with about 600 children and young people aged 8 to 18 from Australia, Finland, the Philippines, Cambodia, Colombia, Kenya, and South Africa, who shared their views and experiences of facing inappropriate requests online for personal information or images. 

    The report, ‘Protecting Children from Online Grooming’, was written by the Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, and funded by the global child online safety investment vehicle Safe Online as part of the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund. 

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of online grooming and child sexual and financial exploitation have reached an all-time high [1], with an 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children reported in that period [2]. Online grooming practices have also transformed, with the fastest growing form of online grooming targeting young men for financial extortion [3]. 

    The report revealed children were more inclined to connect with strangers – or “unknown others” – online as they matured and became more social, motivated by a desire for friendship, fun and play, followed by a wish to stay informed about trends and events, and to connect over shared interests.  

    The findings also showed that while children across all cultures and age groups were more suspicious of people they didn’t know online than people they knew in person, most (66%) of the study participants still interacted with “unknown others” daily online.  

    Children in high-income settings were twice as likely to use privacy settings to protect themselves from unwanted contacts, compared to children from some low-income settings, but the potential to derive financial benefits was an incentive for children in middle-income countries to connect with strangers online, potentially compromising their safety.  

    While children have come up with numerous ways to protect themselves, they are calling for widespread, accessible and targeted online safety education for themselves and their caregivers. In the discussions the children also made concrete suggestions about how technology platforms and governments can implement changes that will keep them safer online.  

    Sonisay*, a girl aged 11-12 from rural Cambodia, said: 

    “Adults should know that children interact with strangers, monitor them, and read their chats.”  

    Angel* aged 15-17 from a city in the Philippines said: 

    “Adults need to know about the children of today who are highly computer-savvy… To be able to support and protect the children, adults need to understand that children are comfortable with using the internet which pushes to interact with strangers.” 

    Charlie* aged 14 from Australia emphasised the need to start online safety education earlier: 

     “Having young children educated about the safety of technology and the dangers … adults only start this education for older kids on social media when the problem can be on video games played by young kids.” 

    Children reported that it was very difficult to ascertain the intentions of strangers online. Children were also particularly worried about being asked for personal information or nude pictures, being drawn into inappropriate sexually-oriented exchanges, or exposure to criminal activities. 

    The report found that children want and need better online protection, with children primarily using intuition and background checks rather than seeking help from trusted adults to manage their online interactions with people they don’t know.  

    The data also showed that children distinguish people they know well both online and in person from those they only know online, with 86% approaching the latter with caution. Yet despite this wariness, children were still three times more likely to ignore or decline an inappropriate or unwanted request than they are to report or block it. 

    Steve Miller, Save the Children’s Global Director of Child Protection, said: 

    “Children deserve to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment – both online and offline. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the challenges and threats, including the threat of online grooming and exploitation. We need to foster a digital environment that is not only safe but also enriching, allowing children to explore, learn, and grow without fear. Policymakers need to listen to the voices and experiences of children when developing policies that protect them.” 

    Professor Amanda Third, Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre, Western Sydney University, said:  

    “Keeping children safe from online grooming requires a whole-of-community approach. Governments, NGOs, technology platforms, teachers, parents, caregivers, and children themselves all have an important role to play. However, to most effectively address this issue it is crucial that we listen to the views and experiences of children and young people and engage them as active partners in the research and policy design process. Children and young people are finding their own ways to tackle this issue and devise solutions but they are also calling on us to help equip them and their caregivers with the skills and knowledge needed to be able to safely navigate these rapidly evolving digital environments.” 

    Save the Children has launched a major global effort to support digital inclusion and empower the next generation of resilient digital citizens. Save the Children’s Safe Digital Childhood initiative is includes partnering with schools, communities and tech leaders to break down barriers to digital inclusion by making sure the children with the fewest resources can access devices and connectivity; offering targeted digital literacy and citizenship programs; helping technology industry partners embed child-centric safeguards into their platforms; and empowering children to advocate for their rights in the digital world. 

    The Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University is an Australian-based, international research centre that unites young people with researchers, practitioners, innovators, and policymakers to explore the role of technology in children’s and young people’s lives and how it can be used to improve individual and community resilience across generations.  

    Safe Online is the only global investment vehicle dedicated to keeping children safe in the digital world. Through investing in innovation and bringing key actors together, Safe Online helps shape a digital world that is safe and empowering for all children and young people, everywhere. The Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund, which funded the research, is a groundbreaking collaboration fuelling actionable research and bringing together the tech industry with academia and civil society in a bold alliance to end online child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

    *Names have been changed to protect identities 

    [1] WeProtect Global Threat Assessment Data 2023 

    [2] NSPCC. (2023, August 15). 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children in the last 5 years.

    [3] WeProtect’s Global Threat Assessment Data 2023  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: High-quality employment a priority for socioeconomic development

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

    China is ramping up efforts to boost high-quality employment growth by developing more new professions, encouraging entrepreneurship and skills education, and tightening supervision of the human resources market to secure a fairer, healthier working environment for people.

    Li Zhong, vice-minister of human resources and social security, said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday that high-quality employment is a priority of the nation’s socioeconomic development, and authorities must give more support to industries and companies that are better suited to create job opportunities.

    He said authorities need to establish a forecast mechanism for human resources demands based on technological and industrial advancement and regularly publish information about professions or occupations in urgent demand to relieve the current structural imbalance between labor force supply and employers’ needs.

    Li said the employment of young people, which requires systematic policy and financial support and the provision of smoother career promotion channels, remains a top priority for the ministry.

    Senior officials have also attached importance to skills education and training, another important incubator of job opportunities.

    Ministry spokesman Lu Aihong cited the outstanding performance of young Chinese at the recent WorldSkills competition while explaining the positive role of skills in realizing self-worth and boosting employment. The competition was held in Lyon, France, from Sept 10 to 15.

    “It’s the seventh time China sent a delegation to compete in the WorldSkills, which is recognized as the Olympics of skills,” he said. “The 68 young people from China won 36 golds, nine silvers and four bronzes, showing the world their superior skills and upbeat spirits.”

    Lu said 283 young Chinese have competed at WorldSkills since 2010, and the honors they have won have given them more space for self-growth and more job opportunities.

    “Many of these candidates and medal winners have devoted themselves to passing down skills, becoming good examples for the young generation,” he added.

    Li, the vice-minister, said the ministry will further optimize job services to ensure that people looking for work get fairer, easier access to more professional job-seeking guidance and services. He added that the ministry will also offer more support to entrepreneurs to help them start businesses.

    “Also, we will continue to perfect the labor or working regulations and expand social security coverage to protect people’s working rights,” he said. “Improper or illegal behavior, including job discrimination, salary arrears or unreasonable layoffs, will be cracked down upon to ensure the stability and health of the job market.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why is the Reserve Bank independent from government, and why does it matter?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Maher, Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney

    Negotiations over reforms to the Reserve Bank of Australia this week took an unprecedented turn when the Greens demanded the government use its reserve powers to immediately cut interest rates.

    Labor had initially hoped to pass the reforms with the support of the Coalition. However, after a year of negotiations, they decided against it. Labor’s attempts to salvage the reforms by negotiating with the Greens now seem doomed to failure.

    The Greens’ proposal that the government immediately cut interest rates might sound attractive, especially to the millions of mortgage holders struggling to service loans amid a cost-of-living crisis.

    Yet government taking direct control of setting interest rates would run contrary to both long-standing historical trends and international financial norms, including the independence of the central bank.

    Where did this independence come from?

    The idea of central bank independence has a long history.

    The classical political economist David Riccardo warned as early as 1824 that:

    government could not be safely entrusted with the power of issuing paper money; that it would most certainly abuse it.

    Even the authoritarian French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte claimed in creating the Banque de France that:

    I want the bank to be more in the hands of the government but not too much.

    However, for most of the 20th century, the commonsense view was that monetary policy was an important tool for government management of the economy. According to the Keynesian worldview of the time, it would be absurd for governments to give up such an important economic lever as control over interest rates.

    Even Napoleon Bonaparte thought some degree of separation between the central bank and the government was a good idea.
    Shutterstock

    The prevailing wisdom began to change following the stagflation crisis of the 1970s. Stagflation is the term for high inflation at the same time as high unemployment.

    Neoclassical economists such as Milton Friedman argued that only repeated and long-term increases to interest rates could end the stagflation crisis.

    However, Friedman suggested governments could not be trusted to maintain high interest rates because they would also cause unemployment. Accordingly, an independent central bank was needed. It would be insulated from partisan political control and could do what was necessary to stabilise the economy.

    What about in Australia?

    In Australia, central bank independence emerged slowly and informally.

    The Reserve Bank of Australia was separated from the Commonwealth Bank and started independent operations in 1960. It set up its headquarters in Sydney to increase its autonomy from politicians in Canberra.

    The RBA gained de facto independence from the government following financial deregulation under the Hawke government in the early 1980s. Subsequent declarations from federal treasurers Peter Costello and Wayne Swan affirmed the government’s recognition of RBA independence.

    The government still maintains the power to overrule the RBA on interest rates, but this “emergency power” has never been exercised.

    Why independence matters

    Though central bank independence is generally associated with lower inflation, the historical performance of independent central banks is not without blemish.

    For example, unemployment rates in Australia were historically lower prior to RBA independence. This reflects the willingness of the RBA to use higher unemployment as an inflation-busting mechanism.

    Independent central banks were also partly responsible for the outbreak of the global financial crisis in 2007. Many commentators have suggested the then US Federal Reserve Governor Alan Greenspan’s decision to hold interest rates at artificial lows was responsible for the US sub-prime housing bubble. That eventually unravelled into a global recession.

    However, the Greens’ attempt to use an interest rate cut as a negotiating chip ironically reinforces the importance of central bank independence. Were governments to take direct control of setting interest rates, we might expect monetary policy to be influenced by short-term electoral concerns, rather than the long-term health of the economy.

    Creating a precedent that interest rates could be cut to suit the government of the day would also have long-term inflationary effects.

    Further, it would likely continue to drive up house prices. This would exacerbate the housing crisis.

    In contrast, the initial reforms proposed by Labor look to strike a balance. They recognise the competing political interests involved in the development of monetary policy while avoiding partisan interference in the day-to-day running of the RBA.

    Though the Coalition has raised concerns about Labor using the reforms to stack the RBA board, both the governor and board are already appointed by the government of the day, acting on the advice of the RBA.

    Finding a workable compromise that improves the bank while preserving political independence should be possible.

    If the alternative is the complete abrogation of central bank independence, the Coalition would do well to return to the negotiating table.

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

    – ref. Why is the Reserve Bank independent from government, and why does it matter? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-the-reserve-bank-independent-from-government-and-why-does-it-matter-239717

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: InnoTrans highlights smart, green solutions

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A man visits the booth of China Railway during the 2024 International Trade Fair for Transport Technology (InnoTrans 2024) in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The 2024 International Trade Fair for Transport Technology, known as InnoTrans, kicked off on Tuesday with a focus on the future of mobility. This year’s event highlights smart transport solutions and low-carbon rail innovations powered by electricity and hydrogen.

    The four-day exhibition has drawn over 2,900 exhibitors from 59 countries and regions. They will showcase the latest products and innovations across 200,000 square meters of exhibition space and 3,500 meters of tracks, covering five segments: railway technology, railway infrastructure, public transport, interiors and tunnel construction.

    InnoTrans 2024 will showcase 226 world premieres, featuring groundbreaking advancements in electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles that are pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency and sustainability, Messe Berlin, the event’s organizer, told Xinhua.

    Innovations in autonomous rail technology, AI-driven solutions, and smart infrastructure systems using IoT and big data will also be in the spotlight, it added.

    Around 200 Chinese companies are participating in the biennial event. The CRRC Corporation Limited, one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers, unveiled two of its latest high-tech products: a hydrogen train capable of running up to 200 km per hour and a next-generation autonomous rail rapid transit vehicle, both featuring green and smart innovations.

    Meanwhile, the China State Railway Group is showcasing its high-speed trains capable of reaching speeds of 350 km per hour, along with equipment used for China-Europe freight trains.

    Chinese automaker BYD made its debut at InnoTrans, showcasing a range of electric buses and highlighting its self-developed blade battery and rapid charging systems.

    A man tries his hands on simulated driving of a Fuxing high-speed train at the booth of China Railway during the 2024 International Trade Fair for Transport Technology (InnoTrans 2024) in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    People view outdoor exhibits at the 2024 International Trade Fair for Transport Technology (InnoTrans 2024) in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Governments and Philanthropies Commit Approximately US$350 Million, Giving Urgent Boost to Family Planning and Sexual and Reproductive Health Supplies and Services Worldwide

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    During the UN General Assembly, countries and donors rally critical investments to save women and girls’ lives and drive sustainable development.

    As part of the global effort to secure sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all, governments and philanthropies have committed approximately US$350 million in new investments to expand access to family planning and sexual and reproductive health services. 

    Healthy women are the foundation of healthy families, vibrant communities, and prosperous economies and demand for SRH services is growing globally. Between 2023 and 2035, the number of people in low- and middle-income countries using modern contraceptives is predicted to increase by 95.4 million and annual births will increase by 3.29 million. Yet, a significant financing gap for contraceptives and lifesaving maternal health medicines – reaching at least US$1.5 billion in the world’s poorest countries alone by 2030 – threatens to derail hard-earned progress. Today, only 57 per cent of women are able to make their own decisions about their SRHR—a lack of autonomy that can put women’s lives at risk, rob them of opportunities, and foster an intergenerational cycle of poverty. 

    Together, the landmark commitments announced today on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly — ranging from countries committing domestic resources for reproductive health supplies to donor governments pledging funds to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership and new commitments from private sector and foundation partners — will help transform the lives of women and girls in 54 countries.

    “Investing in reproductive health supplies is a ‘best buy’ for development, empowering women, improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, and uplifting economies,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency. “The significant new resources that governments and philanthropies are committing to are a lifeline for millions of women, who can now enjoy reproductive freedom and the power of choice. Together, we must close the funding gap for reproductive health commodities so that every woman, everywhere, can exercise her fundamental rights.” 

    The contributions to UNFPA alone have the potential to reach more than 28 million people with reproductive health care, prevent more than 8 million unintended pregnancies, avert more than 2 million unsafe abortions, and save the lives of up to 9,000 women and girls.

    Domestic financing commitments include:

    • The Kyrgyz Republic announced US$119,000 to domestic resources for family planning commodities. 
    • The Republic of Madagascar announced a US$15 million government contribution to procure quality-assured contraceptives and maternal health medicines through UNFPA.
    • Nepal announced a US$600,000 government contribution to purchase quality-assured contraceptives.

    Financing commitments from international donors include: 

    • The Government of Canada announced US$84 million commitment to SRHR projects.
    • The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) announced a US$100 million commitment to co-fund the WISH/Step-Up (Women’s Integrated Sexual Health) platform, strengthening donor coordination on funding access to SRH choices for communities in the Sahel and Democratic Republic of Congo.
    • The Kingdom of the Netherlands committed to a multi-annual partnership.
    • Norway announced a US$12.3 million commitment to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership over 2 years.
    • The Government of Spain announced a US$18 million commitment to UNFPA. 

    Other commitments include:

    • The European Union and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a partnership to design new innovative financing mechanisms to expand contraceptive and SRH access for women in low- and middle-income countries.
    • As a catalytic in-kind investment, HELP Logistics (Kühne Foundation) committed to bringing their expertise to UNFPA’s supply chain strengthening activities to help ensure SRH services reach those who need them most.

    A Smart Investment for Health, Prosperity, and Sustainable Development

    “When we invest in healthy women, we invest in a healthy world,” said Dr. Anita Zaidi, President of the Gender Equality Division at the Gates Foundation. “Family planning is a proven, high-impact intervention that not only saves lives but also fuels economic growth, makes societies more resilient, and advances gender equality. Investing in family planning can help unlock a brighter, more sustainable future for us all.”

    Increasing sexual and reproductive health financing pays off.  Globally, every US$1 invested in family planning yields more than US$8 in benefits for families and societies. Addressing the women’s health gap – in which they currently spend 25 per cent more of their lives in poor health compared to men – will boost the global economy by US$1 trillion by 2040. That amounts to an increase in per capita GDP of nearly 2 per cent every year. 

    A World Made Possible by Family Planning 

    Furthering the impact of today’s domestic financing announcements, the governments of the Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, and Nepal have ongoing commitments under FP2030 to expand access to family planning. FP2030 – a global partnership dedicated to putting family planning at the centre of global health, development, and gender equality – premiered a new video at the UN General Assembly featuring Nigerian football star Asisat Oshoala and former US Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star and American business owner Renee Montgomery speaking to all that has been made possible by continued investments in family planning and SRH.

    “So much of our world has been made possible by family planning. By enabling more women to shape their lives and futures, family planning has helped women to finish their education, join the workforce, ascend to leadership positions, and achieve their dreams,” said Dr. Samukeliso Dube, Executive Director of FP2030. “The commitments made to family planning and sexual and reproductive health today will create limitless possibilities for women, for families, and for our collective future.”

    Investing in Family Planning and Sexual and Reproductive Health is Investing in the Future

    Today’s commitments represent a critical step towards ensuring universal access to SRH services. While the work is far from over, these commitments get us closer to closing the current and expanding financing gap.

    “There is no escaping the reality: even with the important pledges today, we still need to do more to ensure all women and girls have access to life-saving family planning when they want it,” said Sir Chris Hohn, Founder and Chair of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. “The shameful gap in funding for commodities and services must be met by strong domestic leadership – and sustained donor funding in service to country priorities. CIFF’s US$100 million investment in the WISH platform, on top of our US$100 million investment last year to end the commodity financing gap, is a demonstration of our commitment to prioritizing country-led solutions to ensure more women and girls can choose their futures.” 

    By unlocking sustainable financing and recharging political will for SRH, we can secure a healthier, more equitable world for future generations.

    Media contact:

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: At 2.7%, Australian inflation is back within the RBA zone. Here’s why that matters

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra

    Jeremy Ng/Shutterstock

    A closely watched measure of Australian inflation dived in the month of August, plunging from 3.5% in July to just 2.7%.

    The dip below 3% puts the monthly measure of annual inflation back within the Reserve Bank’s target band of 2-3% for the first time since August 2021.

    The longer-running quarterly measure of annual inflation is also likely to be back within the 2-3% band when the September-quarter figure is released next month.

    The dramatically lower inflation rate puts Australia in the same league as the United States, whose inflation rate is 2.5%, and the United Kingdom, whose inflation rate is 2.2%.

    The US and the UK have inflation targets of 2%, meaning their inflation rates are still somewhat above target. Australia’s monthly measure of inflation is on target, close to the middle of the band.

    Electricity prices down 17.9%

    Inflation has been trending down since late 2022, as shown on the graphs, but the sharp drops in the past two months are largely due to electricity rebates offered by the federal and state governments.

    The rebates will be applied automatically to electricity bills in this and each of the next three quarters. A staged rollout means they hit bills in only Queensland and Western Australia in July and hit other states in August.

    The Bureau of Statistics says these rebates took 6.4% off the average national power price in July and a further 14.6% off in August.

    Household electricity prices were down 17.9% over the year to August. The Bureau of Statistics describes this as the largest annual fall on record.

    Also helping bring down inflation were lower petrol prices and cheaper public transport, aided by Brisbane’s pre-election six-month trial of 50 cent fares.

    The jump in the monthly measure to 4% in May, which had excited some commentators, now looks like a misleading blip.

    A takeaway is to be cautious in interpreting the less-comprehensive monthly indicator, as is the Reserve Bank, which puts it in small print at the top of its website under the quarterly index, which it headlines in big print.

    For what it’s worth, I am expecting the quarterly index to show annual inflation of 2.8% in the year to September, down from 3.8% for the June quarter.

    Governor Bullock isn’t impressed

    Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock says that at the moment she is paying more attention to the “underlying” rate of inflation, which looks through temporary measures such as subsidies.

    But the Reserve Bank’s preferred measure of underlying inflation, the so-called trimmed mean, also fell in August, to 3.4%, down from 3.8% in July.

    Australia’s weak economy – right now it’s the weakest outside of a recession – means the underlying measure of inflation is likely to continue to fall, unless the tax cuts that started in July have a big effect.

    Why do we target 2-3% anyway?

    Reserve Bank set its target of 2-3% inflation in the early 1990s without a lot of science. It was about where inflation was, close to the targets adopted by other countries, and was a range rather than a specific number in order to give the authorities some flexibility.

    But it happens to be a sensible target, as last year’s independent review of the Reserve Bank confirmed.

    The bank wants to target an inflation rate low enough to not be noticed much and to not much distort decisions.

    Evidence from Google searches suggests that when inflation is around the 2-3% range, people don’t much notice it, but when it climbs up to 4% or 5%, they notice it a lot and search for the word a lot.

    Although zero is (literally) a round number, zero inflation would be too low a target. It would mean deflation (prices falling) as often as not to balance out the prices that were climbing. Deflation is associated with recessions and poor economic performance.

    An inflation rate of 2-3% also allows some real wages to fall (because they can increase by less than the inflation rate), which can be useful in encouraging workers out of declining industries into ones that are expanding.

    In particularly bad times, the Reserve Bank might want to push interest rates down below the inflation rate. This is hard to do if the inflation rate is zero.

    In theory, there is a case for increasing Australia’s inflation target to about where inflation is at the moment, but if that happened, Australia’s inflation target and future inflation targets would have less credibility.

    And in any event, we are moving quickly back towards the target, and on Wednesday’s measure have already hit it.



    Read more:
    No RBA rate cut yet, but Governor Bullock is about to find the pressure overwhelming

    John Hawkins was formerly a senior economist and forecaster in the Reserve Bank and the Australian Treasury.

    – ref. At 2.7%, Australian inflation is back within the RBA zone. Here’s why that matters – https://theconversation.com/at-2-7-australian-inflation-is-back-within-the-rba-zone-heres-why-that-matters-237650

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met knife arch operation seeks to combat violence in Barking and Dagenham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met officers from Barking carried out knife sweeps and a community engagement operation alongside the local council and charities, including the Ben Kinsella Trust, in the town centre to address serious violence and knife crime last week.

    Officers set up a knife arch at Barking train station – the metal detector allows individuals to walk through and can identify concealed knives or other weapons. By using this approach alongside stop and search, officers aim to deter crime and ensure a safer environment for everyone in the community.

    Superintendent David Rhodes, leading the operation, said:

    “Collaborating with local partners is essential in our fight against knife crime. We are committed to enhancing the safety of our community by actively implementing strategies aimed at reducing knife- related incidents. Our initiatives include the installation of knife detection arches, conducting weapon sweeps, setting up information stall to raise public awareness, and increasing police visibility in our neighbourhoods.

    “As a result of these concentrated efforts, we have achieved a remarkable 20% reduction in serious violence and a 38% decrease in robbery over the past year”.

    Barking and Dagenham Council promoted their ‘Lost Hours’ campaign which raises awareness to parents around the risks of youth violence and knife crime as well as showcasing the range of positive activities available for young people to get involved in. The council also share information on their Safe Haven scheme which provides safe places, through local businesses, for residents seeking assistance.

    And a second engagement stall was set up at the Asda superstore in Barking, where bleed kits aimed at providing emergency first aid were donated by the Liam Taylor Legacy and the Daniel Baird Foundation.

    Key council figures such as Deputy Leader of Barking and Dagenham council Saima Ashraf, the Operational Director of Enforcement Regulatory Services, Gary Jones and Julia Kanji, Head of Regulatory Services joined the day.

    The Met is committed to enhancing the safety of London’s streets through its A New Met for London plan, which prioritises working with the community to reduce knife crime. This plan involves forming partnerships with public, private and charitable organisations to create long-term improvements in safety.

    By collaborating with local groups and stakeholders, the Met is rolling out educational programmes and outreach activities that aim to tackle the underlying issues of violence. The emphasis on community involvement is central to the Met’s strategy, ensuring that efforts to address neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and serious violence are proactive and consistent across all boroughs.

    Inspector of Barking and Dagenham Neighbourhood Policing team Carroll Weeden, also said:

    “To effectively tackle knife crime, we must focus on three key pillars enforcement, education and engagement. It’s essential that our officers engage at the grassroots level, fostering positive conversations within the community. The success of initiatives like the knife arch deployments demonstrate the power of collaboration with the local council and charity partners.

    “By honouring the legacies of individuals like Liam Taylor, Daniel Baird and Ben Kinsella, we can create a united front against violence and build a safer environment for everyone.”

    Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community in Barking and Dagenham said:

    “Effective collaboration between the council and the police in Barking and Dagenham underpins our efforts to tackle and make our borough safer to live and work in.

    “This day of action showed this united front. Youth violence and knife crime must stop. This is what sits behind the councils Lost Hours campaign, which was designed with local parents, to raise awareness of things they need to look out for, but also highlighting the many positive opportunities for young people in Barking and Dagenham.”

    Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, said:

    “In a recent survey conducted by the Ben Kinsella Trust, it has become evident that the fears young people have about knife crime in Barking and Dagenham are genuine. While the actual risk may be lower than their perceptions suggest, these concerns cannot be dismissed.

    “The Ben Kinsella Trust is dedicated to empowering our youth and working tirelessly to ensure they feel safer and more supported in their communities.”

    If you’ve seen or experienced a crime that is not an emergency, we encourage you to report it to us.

    The Met is committed to collaborating with community partners to reduce violence rates, especially those related to knife crime. Your input is vital in this initiative, we encourage anyone with information, regardless of how insignificant it may appear, to contact Crimestoppersanonymously.

    For non-emergency situations, please call 101, and in case of an emergency, dial 999.

    Notes to Editors:

    For further details on how the council and our charity partners are working towards a safe environment for our youth, please explore the websites below.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man jailed for posting and sharing terrorist content online after Counter Terrorism investigation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A 21-year-old man has been jailed for posting and sharing terrorist content online, as a result of a proactive Met Police Counter Terrorism investigation.

    An investigation led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command exposed how Ayoub Nacir, 21 (26.07.03) of south-west London, was posting terrorist material on various social media accounts and platforms during the course of 2022 and 2023.

    Nacir was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, 24 September, to six years and nine months’ imprisonment.

    Acting Commander Gareth Rees, of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “We’re aware of the significant impact that spreading online terrorist material can have on vulnerable individuals may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism. The work that went into this investigation shows how seriously we take online terrorism, and we will continue to identify those individuals who spread this material online”.

    Online material promoting terrorism or extremism can be reported anonymously via www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

    When officers became aware that Nacir was distributing terrorist-related material online, it led to his arrest and seizure of electronic devices in October, 2023 at his home in south-west London. Officers examined Nacir’s devices, and they found that he had not only shared material that was promoting the terrorist group Daesh, but he also had documents that were likely to be useful to someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

    In particular, detectives found he was in possession of documents containing instructions on how to make poisonous or noxious substances capable of endangering health, as well as other files containing practical guidance and advice for people interested in potentially preparing and carrying out terrorist acts.

    Nacir was charged on 27 October, 2023 with five counts of dissemination of a terrorist publication, contrary to section 2 of the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006, which related to videos he shared. He was also charged with five counts of possession of a document or record for terrorist purposes, contrary to section 58 TACT 2000, which related to various digital documents and files found on his devices.

    Nacir pleaded guilty to eight of the ten counts and was sentenced as above on Tuesday, 24 September. Two counts of dissemination of terrorist publication, will lie on file.

    + Communities defeat terrorism, and information from the public is vital to counter terrorism investigations. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious and think someone may be engaging in terrorist activity, trust your instincts and act by reporting it in confidence at www.gov.uk/act or call police direct on 0800 789 321.

    In an emergency, dial 999.

    Visit the ACT Early website – www.actearly.uk – to find out how you can seek help and support for anyone who you suspect may be being radicalised.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS meets Spanish business leaders

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Continuing his visit to Madrid, Spain, Financial Secretary Paul Chan yesterday spoke at a business lunch, met Spanish officials and visited local enterprises.

    Delivering a keynote speech at a lunch with about 150 leaders from Spain’s business, financial, and innovation and technology sectors, Mr Chan stressed that Hong Kong has restored its global connections following the COVID-19 pandemic, and is eager to deepen co-operation with Spain to deliver mutual benefits.

    With the advantages brought by “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong is solidifying its role as a super-connector, and welcomes Spanish enterprises to use the city as a springboard to tap into the vast markets of the Greater Bay Area, the Mainland, and Asia more broadly, he said.

    He added that through its mutual access schemes with the Mainland’s capital markets, Hong Kong provides a channel through which Spanish companies can easily attract funds.

    Furthermore, as Hong Kong’s green standards are compatible with those of the European Union, green projects in Europe can leverage Hong Kong as a fund-raising platform. Mr Chan elaborated that Hong Kong can also collaborate with Spain’s tech ecosystem across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, and new energy and new materials.

    In the afternoon, the finance chief met Spanish Secretary of State for Trade Amparo López Senovilla and briefed her on economic developments in Hong Kong. The two officials also held in-depth exchanges on the promotion of economic and trade co-operation and mutual investment.

    Additionally, Mr Chan led a delegation of Hong Kong tech startups on a visit to IMPACT, a Spanish startup accelerator, for an exchange of views on entrepreneurial strategies in the innovation and technology sector. He and the delegation also visited the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica to learn about its development strategies in 5G telecommunications, the Internet of Things and Web3.0.

    The Financial Secretary was due to continue his stay in Madrid this morning before heading to London in the afternoon.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: RIBER: 2024 first-half earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    2024 first-half earnings

    • Solid half-year revenues growth (+13%)
    • Gross margin up by 21% and operating income at breakeven
    • Net profit of €0.2m despite the lower seasonal revenues
    • Strong increase in order book at June 30, 2024 (+18%), reaching €36.0m
    • Outlook confirmed: revenues exceeding €40m with growth in earnings expected for the full year

    Bezons, September 25, 2024 – 8:00am – RIBER, a global market leader for semiconductor industry equipment, is releasing its earnings for the first half of 2024.

    (€m) H1 2024 H1 2023 Change
    Revenues
    Systems revenues
    Services and accessories revenues    		 13.7
    9.4
    4.3    		 12.2
    8.5
    3.6    		 +13 %
    +10 %
    +19 %
    Gross margin
    % of revenues    		 4.8
    34.8 %    		 3.9
    32.3 %    		 +21 %
    +2,5 pts
    Operating income
    % of revenues    		 (0.0)
    (0.2 %)    		 (1.1)
    (9.3 %)    		 +97 %
    +9,1 pts
    Net income
    % of revenues    		 0.2
    1.2 %    		 (1.2)
    (10.2 %)    		 +113 %
    +11,4 pts

    Key developments

    In the first half of 2024, despite an uncertain macroeconomic environment, RIBER achieved solid business growth. This performance reflects its strong position in the MBE market, driven by a sharp rise in orders during the first half, with 8 systems ordered for both research and industrial production. Additionally, the services and accessories business saw a significant upturn compared to a favourable base.

    Revenues

    In this context, revenues for the first half of 2024 came to €13.7m, up +13% compared with the first half of 2023. Systems revenues increased by +10% to €9.4m, while services and accessories revenues were up by +19% to €4.3m.

    Earnings

    The company points out that first-half earnings cannot be extrapolated over the full year due to the lower seasonality of revenues in the first half.

    The first-half gross margin was €4.8m, representing 34.8% of revenues, compared to 32.3% for the first half of 2023.

    Operating profit improved by €1.1m, reaching breakeven in the first half of 2024.

    Net income was positive at €0.2m, compared to a loss of €1.2m for the first half of 2023. This includes net financial income of €0.2m.

    Cash flow and balance sheet

    At the end of June 2024, the cash position was positive at €7.1m, compared to €9.7m at December 31, 2023, and €8.3m at June 30, 2023.

    Shareholders’ equity at end-June 2024 totaled €19.6m, compared to €21.2m at December 31, 2023, primarily taking into account the half-year earnings and the distribution to shareholders from the issue premium paid out in June.

    Order book

    The order book at June 30, 2024 totaled €36.0m, up +18% compared with June 30, 2023. System orders, amounted to €30.2m (+27%), based on 12 machines, including 7 production machines. Orders for services and accessories (€5.8m) are down -14%.
    This order book does not include the order announced in August 2024 for 1 research machine.

    Outlook

    Given the current orders scheduled for delivery in 2024 and the opportunities for its systems, services and accessories, RIBER expects full-year revenues exceeding €40m, along with further improvements in earnings.

    In a semiconductor market driven by innovation, the company expects new orders in the fourth quarter.

    Next date: 2024 third-quarter revenues on October 30, 2024, before start of trading.

    The condensed consolidated half-year accounts have not been subject to an audit or a limited review by the statutory auditors. They were approved by the Board of Directors on September 24, 2024. The half-year financial report is available in French on the company website (www.riber.com).

    About RIBER

    Founded in 1964, RIBER is the global market leader for MBE – molecular beam epitaxy – equipment. It designs and produces equipment for the semiconductor industry, and provides scientific and technical support for its clients (hardware and software), maintaining their equipment and optimizing their performance and output levels.
    Accelerating the performance of electronics, RIBER’s equipment performs an essential role in the development of advanced semiconductor systems that are used in numerous applications, from information technologies to photonics (lasers, sensors, etc.), 5G telecommunications networks and research, including quantum computing.

    RIBER is a BPI France-approved innovative company and is listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market (ISIN: FR0000075954).
    www.riber.com

    Contacts

    RIBER : Annie Geoffroy| tel: +33 (0)1 39 96 65 00 | invest@riber.com

    CALYPTUS : Cyril Combe | tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 68 68 | cyril.combe@calyptus.net

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Revealed: the two faces of a Scottish Labour MP

    Source: Scottish National Party

    The hypocrisy of Scottish Labour has been put on full display in the party’s latest humiliation.

    Numerous Labour MPs from Scotland – including the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray – have been exposed as bitterly opposing Tory policies towards pensioners in winter, before axing the winter fuel payment with their first move in the new parliament.

    The guilty MPs also include Labour Party darling Michael Shanks, who has purveyed misleading information and was feted for saying he would vote for a ceasefire in Gaza and the abolition of the two child cap – before backtracking on both once he was elected.

    Here’s a start on the growing list of Scottish Labour MPs whose volte face is showing exactly why they can’t be trusted.

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray (Edinburgh South)

    The Secretary of State for Scotland is known for capitalising on a media opportunity and has regularly taken to the airwaves to rail against Conservative policies – at times trying to draw bizarre parallels with the SNP’s record in Scotland, which couldn’t be further from the plans of the Conservative Party.

    In a particularly feisty intervention, the Scottish Secretary claimed pensioners were daily “freezing to death” under the Conservatives.

    Which makes it even more puzzling that among his first moves as a senior government minister – entitled to a salary of over £160,000 plus expenses – was a vote to axe winter fuel payments for pensioners across the UK. Presumably his Labour government will take their share of responsibility for any pensioners “freezing to death” as a result of their policy.

    Ex-Better Together chief Blair McDougall (East Renfrewshire)

    McDougall was head strategist for the Better Together campaign, and has unsuccessfully sought elected office before.

    Since his entry into politics as a student, he backed the failed leadership campaigns of both David Miliband and Jess Phillips while retaining senior status among the ranks of Scottish Labour.

    He has vehemently defended Labour’s time in government and listed the winter fuel payment as among its top achievements. Unfortunately, his senior status in Scottish Labour didn’t warrant any consideration from Sir Keir – and when the call came, he trooped through the voting lobbies to strip pensioners of that same winter fuel payment along with all the other Scottish Labour MPs.

    Imogen Walker (Hamilton and Clyde Valley)

    A former longtime London councillor, Walker is the wife of Starmer’s chief spin doctor Morgan McSweeney and the couple are high flyers among Labour’s Westminster leadership. She was parachuted into the Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency in the hope that it would be a winnable seat for Labour – a stark sign that the party was taking local voters for granted before a single ballot had even been cast.

    Her new constituents will be unsurprised to learn that she too was vocal about the energy crisis and a ‘long hard winter’. She even promised a Labour government would lower bills.

    Since Labour took office, Ofgem has announced it is once again lifting the price cap and bills are set to rise 10%.

    Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South)

    Another career politician, Baxter has unsuccessfully contested elections before and was previously a senior trade unionist and Labour NEC member.

    She urged her followers online to support a petition to create a national strategy for reducing excess winter deaths.

    The Labour Party’s own research has suggested its policy of cutting the Winter Fuel Payment could cause in excess of 4,000 deaths.

    Baxter, like other Scottish Labour MPs, voted to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment.

    Kirsty McNeill (Midlothian)

    Having unsuccessfully stood for election in London, McNeill turned her sights to what she thought might be a winnable seat in Scotland. Parachuted into the constituency and immediately appointed to the Scotland Office, McNeill has been silent about the devastating impact Starmer’s winter fuel cut on her new constituents.

    She wasn’t so silent in 2022, when she slammed the Conservative government’s decisions and said many families “are set to have a brutal winter.”

    We can only assume a cushy Scotland Office job is keeping her too busy to be just as vocal this time.

    Michael Shanks (Rutherglen)

    Shanks has unsuccessfully sought election three times before.

    Once elected to serve as MP for Rutherglen in last year, he quickly backtracked on promises he had made to constituents such as supporting a ceasefire in Gaza and campaigning for the abolition of the two child cap.

    Initially, he masqueraded as an MP who would be fighting for those struggling with punishing energy bills.

    But before long, Shanks was marching into the voting lobbies to support the winter fuel cut – it seems his position might have changed?

    Patricia Ferguson

    Ferguson was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, serving twice as a minister and even as Deputy Presiding Officer. Once she left office in 2016, she fought to be a local councillor before her run for the Westminster parliament.

    As part of the Labour group, she championed the Winter Fuel Allowance.

    After decades of public service, we’d have thought Ms Ferguson might have learnt the value of being true to her word – and the duty to be honest with the people who elected her.

    Instead, she managed to sideline her longtime support for the allowance, backing Starmer over Scotland.

    Scottish Labour’s most senior MPs have sold out

    They’ve sold out on their principles, their policies and most importantly – they’ve sold out Scottish communities who trusted Labour’s promise of change. And their support for Starmer’s fiscal plans is forcing our own government here in Scotland into some impossible decisions.

    This is just the beginning. For the next five years, Scottish Labour MPs will continue without fail to put Starmer before Scotland. It’s clear they’ve already forgotten who their real boss is – the Scottish people.

    That’s if they ever cared in the first place.

    The SNP can promise one thing – whoever you are and wherever you are in Scotland, we’ll stand up for you and your family.

    While Labour will spend the next five years taking Scotland for granted, we’ll be busy fighting for the change Scotland really needs.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New laws to be introduced to crack down on fraud

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The government will bring forward a new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill in this parliamentary session to crack down on fraud in the social security system.

    • Fraud, Error and Debt Bill brought forward to tackle fraud in social security system
    • New laws to give DWP more powers to catch fraudsters faster and prevent customers from getting into debt sooner
    • Bill to include measures to protect vulnerable customers and ensure support goes to those who need it most

    The Bill is expected to save £1.6 billion over the next five years and will extend and modernise DWP’s powers to stop fraud in its tracks, recover money lost to fraud and protect vulnerable customers from racking up debt.

    Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and since the pandemic a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been taken away from those who need it most. 

    The nature of fraud has also become more sophisticated, meaning without new legal powers, DWP cannot properly keep pace with the changing nature of fraud to tackle it robustly enough.

    This legislation will give DWP powers to:

    • Better investigate suspected fraud and new powers of search and seizure so DWP can take greater control investigations into criminal gangs defrauding the taxpayer.
    • Allow DWP to recover debts from individuals who can pay money back but have avoided doing so, bringing greater fairness to debt recoveries.
    • Require banks and financial institutions to share data that may show indications of potential benefit overpayments 

    The Bill will also include safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable customers. Staff will be trained to the highest standards on the appropriate use of any new powers, and we will introduce new oversight and reporting mechanisms, to monitor these new powers. DWP will not have access to people’s bank accounts and will not share their personal information with third parties. 

    We will also bring forward a Code of Practice which will be consulted on during the passage of the Bill to provide further assurance on the safe use of the powers. 

    This legislation delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to safeguard taxpayers’ money and demonstrates the government’s commitment to not tolerate fraud, error or waste anywhere in public services, including the social security system. 

    Further details on the scope of the legislation will be set out when the Bill is introduced.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nominations now open to thank Canterbury’s heroes

    Source: City of Canterbury

    Home  »  Latest News   »   Nominations now open to thank Canterbury’s heroes

    It’s time to get your nominations in for the 2024 Lord Mayor’s Award, which will see unsung heroes from the Canterbury district celebrated for their selfless dedication to helping others. 

    There are no age limits and nominations are welcome from all walks of life.  

    Nominees must live in Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable or a village in the district, but you don’t have to live in the district to nominate. 

    The deadline to put someone forward is Friday 1 November. 

    Entries will be judged by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Jean Butcher, and a representative from each of the political groups at the city council. The awards will be presented at a ceremony early next year. 

    Cllr Butcher said: “It is always wonderful to read the award nominations and hear about all the incredible people we have in the district supporting communities and making a real difference.  

    “Being able to shed light on their brilliant work each year through this award is a huge honour. 

    “You could make someone’s day, month or even year by simply taking a few minutes to nominate them, so please do get in touch if you know someone who deserves thanks for what they do.” 

    You can nominate online, or hard copy forms are available by calling the Lord Mayor’s office on 01227 862080 or by emailing lordmayor@canterbury.gov.uk. 

    Published: 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council and National Trust for Scotland in discussions over Dunkeld housing

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The National Trust for Scotland, the conservation charity which cares for and shares Scotland’s heritage, has been responsible for the management of the residential homes, an office and two commercial units in Dunkeld since the 1950s. The charity stepped in to save the 17th and 18th century buildings, which were at risk of demolition, taking ownership, restoring the buildings and then letting them to tenants, preserving the unique historic character of Dunkeld town centre which is widely regarded as one of the most attractive in Scotland.     

    The charity and Perth and Kinross Council have confirmed that they are now in talks about the properties transferring into the ownership of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account.

    Around 25 tenants will be affected by the change, which will see them become tenants of the Council with a range of associated benefits. The charity and Council are committed to making as smooth as possible for residents.

    Stuart Maxwell, Regional Director for Edinburgh & East said: “We have been reviewing our management approach to these properties and are now proposing to work in closer partnership with Perth and Kinross Council. We feel this in the interests of the continued long-term conservation of the buildings and their use as accommodation for local people, which we know is an important issue in this area.

    “Following consultation with our Board of Trustees, Perth and Kinross Council, and the Scottish Government, we have reached an agreement in principle for the local authority to take on ownership of these properties and most of our other buildings in Dunkeld, which, we feel will ensure the conservation of both the individual properties, the historic township and bring benefits for residents too.

    “Our priority for the next few weeks is to talk to our tenants and ensure that any transition would happen as smoothly as possible.”

    Housing and Social Wellbeing Convener, Councillor Tom McEwan said: “Perth and Kinross Council’s Housing Service is recognised as one of the best in Scotland, and this transfer will bring many benefits for the tenants who live in these properties.

    “We anticipate being able to offer tenants significantly lower levels of rent, as well as a secure tenancy that they can enjoy for as long as they want to, access to our excellent Repairs Service and regular investment to improve their homes to the highest standard possible.

    “The tenants in Dunkeld will have the support of our dedicated and highly-qualified Housing staff to help them in their tenancy, as well as access to a wide range of other quality services that our current tenants enjoy.”

    Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, said: “The Council will work closely with sitting tenants to answer any questions they might have as the transfer progresses and provide them with any support they need.  Measures will be implemented to ensure that when any vacancies arise in the properties in the future, they will be allocated to people with a local connection to the Dunkeld area. This is a positive for the community where local housing availability is a concern. I am delighted for the Community of Dunkeld.” 

    Local elected member for the Strathtay ward, Bailie Claire McLaren said: “This transfer will ensure that these homes are secured as valued affordable social housing in Dunkeld into the future. One of the key aims of the Housing Service is to provide high-quality additional homes for affordable rent for people right across Perth and Kinross.”

    Mr Maxwell continued: “The National Trust for Scotland has been proud to play a part in protecting Dunkeld for many decades. If this plan proceeds, we will still own land on the bank south of the River Tay, at Stanley Hill, so we will certainly still have an active role in ensuring that Dunkeld retains the nature, beauty and heritage that makes it so special.”

    Negotiations will continue between the National Trust for Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council with a joint meeting being held locally with all tenants on Wednesday 25 September. Housing staff from the Council will be in attendance along with representatives from the Trust to answer any questions.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Blockchain: new online training for businesses

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

    Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Geneva in French

    The State of Geneva is launching a new online training course for companies to enable them to better understand and identify blockchain opportunities. This new training course complements existing courses on artificial intelligence, cyber risks and RNE. These online courses are freely accessible and free of charge.

    This new online course around the blockchain presents the functioning of this technology, its usefulness and its potential applications within a company, particularly in the context of cryptocurrencies but also beyond.

    It is part of the training catalogue offered by the Department of Economy and Employment (DEE). These online courses include videos and testimonials in an offbeat tone in order to stimulate reflection and make the material easily accessible to everyone. The content of these training courses was developed by the cantonal office of economy and innovation (OCEI) with the help of specialists from the academic world. It is essential for Geneva companies to seize the opportunities offered by the evolution of digital technology in order to better understand the risks and potential of these technologies.

    These new online courses, also called MOOCs – “Massive Open Online Course” – last 25 minutes each.

    To access training modules and other content:

    Online training: Other resources:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Innofactor Plc: Managers’ Transactions – Anna Lindén

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Innofactor Plc Managers’ Transactions, on September 24, 2024, at 17:20 Finnish time

    Innofactor Oyj – Managers’ Transactions

    ____________________________________________

    Person subject to the notification requirement

    Name: Anna Lindén

    Position: Member of the Board/Deputy member

    Issuer: Innofactor Oyj

    LEI: 7437008OSKQFEDZYD835

    Notification type: INITIAL NOTIFICATION

    Reference number: 78673/5/4

    ____________________________________________

    Transaction date: 2024-09-19

    Venue: NASDAQ HELSINKI LTD (XHEL)

    Instrument type: SHARE

    ISIN: FI0009007637

    Nature of transaction: DISPOSAL

    Transaction details

    (1): Volume: 4500 Unit price: 1.68 EUR

    Aggregated transactions (1):

    Volume: 4500 Volume weighted average price: 1.68 EU

    Espoo, September 24, 2024

    INNOFACTOR PLC

    Eija Theis, General Counsel

    Additional information:
    Eija Theis, General Counsel
    Innofactor Plc
    Tel. +358 44 343 4278
    eija.theis@innofactor.com

    Distribution:
    NASDAQ Helsinki
    Main media
    www.innofactor.com

    Innofactor
    Innofactor is the leading driver of the modern digital organization in the Nordic Countries for its about 1,000 customers in commercial and public sector. Innofactor has the widest solution offering and leading know-how in the Microsoft ecosystem in the Nordics. Innofactor has about 600 enthusiastic and motivated top specialists in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The Innofactor Plc share is listed in the technology section of the main list of NASDAQ Helsinki Oy. www.innofactor.com
    #ModernDigitalOrganization #PeopleFirst #CreatingSmiles #BeTheRealYou

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Releases New Report, PBMs Welcome Lower List Prices for Ozempic and Wegovy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today released a new report uncovering how Novo Nordisk, as one health insurance plan described it, is using its “position of power” to “squeeze” plans, and “boost its corporate profits.”
    “Today, Novo Nordisk charges Americans with Type 2 diabetes $969 a month for Ozempic, while this same exact drug can be purchased for just $59 in Germany, $71 in France, $122 in Denmark, and $155 in Canada,” said Sanders. “There is only one reason they can justify charging Americans such outrageous prices for the drugs they need: Excessive corporate greed.”
    Novo Nordisk claims that PBMs and health insurance plans are the reason for high prices for Ozempic and Wegovy, and previously stated that PBMs failed to assure the company that its products would maintain formulary access if it lowered its list prices.
    Today, three major PBMs that help determine drug coverage for most of the nation – Cigna Group/Express Scripts, CVS Health/Caremark, UnitedHealth Group/Optum Rx – confirmed to Chair Sanders that a list price reduction would not negatively impact formulary placement for Ozempic and Wegovy, and affirmed that lower list prices would, in fact, make the drugs more widely available to patients in need.
    Cigna/Express Scripts said: “No, if Novo Nordisk lowered their list price for Ozempic and Wegovy tomorrow to a price that was the same or lower than current net cost, that change by itself would not result in less favorable formulary placement.” To support this claim, the company provided an example: It did not disfavor a competing weight-loss product, Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, even as it launched at a list price 20% lower than Wegovy.
    UnitedHealthGroup/Optum Rx said: “No. Assuming the net price remains the same or lower, lowering a medicine’s list price would not lead to less favorable formulary placement by Optum Rx – particularly for high-demand drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
    CVS Health/Caremark said: “The simple answer is no. In fact, we can point to recent history as a proof point. When Novo-Nordisk drastically reduced the price of their insulin, Novolog, in 2023, it did not result in a less favorable formulary placement with Caremark.”
    Novo Nordisk has also justified its astronomical prices by arguing a need to fund future research and development.
    However, since launching Ozempic in 2018, Novo Nordisk has spent twice as much on stock buybacks and dividends ($44 billion) as it has on research and development ($21 billion), according to financial filings.
    Novo Nordisk has also lavished cash and perks on health care providers, sending doctors on trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and Florida and paying for nearly 1.7 million meals and snacks to doctors to promote Ozempic and Wegovy, federal records show.
    The report can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens call for republic: Monarchy is increasingly ridiculous and unjustified

    Source: Scottish Greens

    24 Sep 2024 Scottish Independence For A Scottish Republic

    We will always stand for an independent Scottish republic.

    More in Scottish Independence

    The UK Monarchy is an increasingly ridiculous, costly and unjustified institution, says Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie, who has long called for an independent Scotland to be a republic.

    Mr Harvie’s comments follow a report by Republic, an anti-monarchy campaign group, which puts the “true cost” of the Monarchy at over £500m a year.

    Mr Harvie said: “The Monarchy is an increasingly ridiculous and unjustified institution. It represents a different and long gone era, and it is impossible to justify the eye watering sums that we spend on it.

    “Lavishing any family with huge privilege, power and wealth as a birthright is a fundamentally undemocratic idea, and it is particularly distasteful during a cost of living crisis which is seeing scandalous levels of child poverty, and pensioners across our country forced to choose between feeding themselves and heating their home.

    “We should always be able to elect or remove our rulers and heads of state at the ballot box. That is a key part of any democracy. If any of the Windsors want to represent the country then they should stand for election.

    “The Scotland I want to see is an independent republic where power rests with the people rather than being treated like a family heirloom.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Aberdeen to host Great British Energy HQ in UK-wide clean energy drive

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Great British Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen, with 2 smaller sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

    • Prime Minister confirms Great British Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen, a world-leader in engineering and infrastructure
    • Edinburgh and Glasgow will host 2 smaller sites, maximising skills and expertise across Scotland
    • the move will kickstart plans for the new publicly-owned company to drive investment in clean home-grown energy, creating jobs and supporting growth across the UK

    Aberdeen has today (24 September) been named the new home of Great British Energy, drawing on the city’s world-leading engineering expertise to kickstart a UK-wide clean energy revolution.

    As the location of the new headquarters, Aberdeen will be at the heart of the company’s plans to scale up clean homegrown power to boost energy independence, create skilled jobs across the UK and to support economic growth.

    Two additional sites will open in Edinburgh and Glasgow, once Great British Energy is up and running, to benefit from local skills and expertise. The company will be initially located in government buildings across the cities, while permanent bases are established.

    This marks the next step to kickstart Great British Energy, as part of its mission to become a clean energy superpower. An interim Chief Executive will soon to be appointed to take the lead on launching the new company and building its Aberdeen base – along with the start-up Chair Juergen Maier, former CEO of Siemens UK.

    Within the first weeks of the new government, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband took immediate action to introduce the Great British Energy Bill to Parliament and – along with the Prime Minister – confirm a new partnership with The Crown Estate, to help accelerate new offshore wind farms. The company – owned by the British people, for the British people – will attract private investment in the UK’s clean homegrown power, backed by £8.3 billion in government funding over this Parliament.

    The move forms part of the government’s plans to support clean energy in the North Sea, ensuring Aberdeen continues to thrive as Scotland’s clean energy capital. The government recently announced the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and continues to progress technologies like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen – as well as ensuring that oil and gas is used for decades to come as part of a fair and balanced transition away from fossil fuels.

    Notes to editors

    On 25 July, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published the founding statement for Great British Energy.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GB Energy giving more questions than answers for Aberdeen

    Source: Scottish Greens

    24 Sep 2024 Climate

    GB Energy must work in the public interest, not simply as a way to line private pockets

    More in Climate

    The UK government’s plans for GB Energy are leaving more questions than answers says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman, this follows confirmation from Sir Keir Starmer that it will be based in Aberdeen.

    Aberdeen has a unique role to play in driving our transition to a greener future, added Ms Chapman, who represents North East Scotland, including Aberdeen.

    Ms Chapman has called for greater collaboration between the Labour Government and the MSPs who represent the region, to ensure GB Energy lives up to the challenge of our climate crisis.

    Ms Chapman said: “If done properly, GB Energy could present an important opportunity for Aberdeen – with new jobs, investment, a focus away from the legacy of oil and gas. 

    “We want to be optimistic, but a lot of us are concerned that this will become an investor’s playpen, rather than a genuine driver of new renewables projects.

    “So far the UK government’s statement raises many more questions than answers.

    “It is time for Labour to be clear about its ambitions for this project, and what it will look like. GB Energy should be an organisation that resources the energy sector’s move towards genuine renewable energy, not an excuse for more warm words on oil, gas and nuclear.
     
    “An energy transition without justice for workers and affected communities is the last thing we need. Aberdeen has a unique role to play in driving forward our just transition. It can be the engine that drives the climate action and green economy that are so vital.

    “The UK Government must ensure that GB Energy works for public interests in the region and the sector, and is not simply a way to line private pockets. 

    “I would welcome greater collaboration between the Labour Government and the MSPs who represent the region, to ensure GB Energy lives up to the challenge of our climate crisis.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Ferrada attends the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Belém, Brazil

    Source: Government of Canada News

    As the main forum for cooperation among the world’s leading economies, the Group of 20 (G20) plays an important role in global governance, deepening cooperation between nations to address major global challenges.

    September 24, 2024 – Belém, Brazil

    As the main forum for cooperation among the world’s leading economies, the Group of 20 (G20) plays an important role in global governance, deepening cooperation between nations to address major global challenges. This includes a ministerial meeting that brings together tourism ministers from the G20 and other key nations.

    The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, recently concluded Canada’s successful participation in the 2024 G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Belém, Brazil.

    The G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting gives nations a venue to share best practices, foster international collaboration and use tourism to drive economic growth and cultural understanding. The fight against climate change was a major focus of this year’s meeting. Minister Ferrada shared Canada’s perspectives on climate change—from warm winters to wildfires—as an existential threat to tourism. The Minister also took part in extensive discussions on tourism sustainability and workforce challenges, like training and recruitment.

    Minister Ferrada also represented Canada during several other important activities surrounding the ministerial meeting. She participated in the World Travel & Tourism Council’s public-private sector dialogue, where participants shared their priorities and concerns and identified opportunities for mutual support and greater public-private partnership. Minister Ferrada spoke on behalf of Canada at the UN Tourism sustainability forum, which explored how nations can work together to build an inclusive and sustainable global tourism industry. Finally, the Minister held bilateral meetings with key allies and partners, including the United States, Japan, Germany and Italy.

    Alexander Cohen
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
    alexander.cohen@ised-isde.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
    media@ised-isde.gc.ca

    For easy access to government programs for businesses, download the Canada Business app.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Minister Ferrada participates in the G20 Tourism Ministers meeting in Belém, Brazil

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Press release

    September 24, 2024 – Belém (Brazil)

    As the leading forum for cooperation among major economies, the Group of Twenty (G20) plays an important role in global governance and strengthening multilateral cooperation to address major global challenges. The G20 Summit includes a ministerial meeting attended by tourism ministers from member countries and other key nations.

    The Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, recently participated in the successful 2024 G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in Belém, Brazil.

    Tourism ministers came together to share best practices, foster international collaboration, and drive economic growth and mutual cultural understanding through tourism. This year, addressing climate change was a major topic of discussion. Minister Ferrada shared Canada’s perspective on climate change, from mild winters to wildfires, which pose an existential threat to tourism. She also engaged in in-depth discussions on tourism sustainability and workforce challenges in the sector, including training and recruitment.

    Minister Ferrada represented Canada at several other events on the margins of the ministerial meeting. She notably took part in the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Public-Private Dialogue, where participants discussed priorities and concerns, identified opportunities for mutual support and strengthened public-private partnerships. Minister Ferrada spoke on behalf of Canada at the UN Tourism Sustainability Forum, which discussed how countries can work together to advance inclusive and sustainable tourism globally. Finally, the Minister held bilateral meetings with key partners and allies, including representatives from the United States, Japan, Germany and Italy.

    Quotes

    “Tourism brings people and nations together. This year, at the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, my counterparts and I reiterated our commitment to making tourism a sustainable and future-proof industry. To achieve this, we must develop tourism in an informed manner while combating climate change. Canada will continue to demonstrate leadership on the world stage and work with all other countries to make tourism a force for good.” – The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

    Related links

    Contact persons

    Alexander CohenDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebecalexander.cohen@ised-isde.gc.ca

    Media RelationsInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canadamedia@ised-isde.gc.ca

    Stay Connected

    Follow the Canada Business account on social mediaX (Twitter): @entreprisescan | Facebook: Canada Business | Instagram: @entreprisescdn

    Follow the Ministry on LinkedIn: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

    For easy access to government programs for businesses, download theCanada Business App.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: NNIT A/S: Reporting of transactions in NNIT’s shares made by person discharging managerial responsibilities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NNIT has pursuant to article 19 of the Market Abuse Regulation received notification of transactions by person with managerial responsibilities in NNIT.

    Reference is made to the attached table showing detailed information about the transactions.

    Contact for further information

    Carsten Ringius
    EVP & CFO
    Tel: +45 3077 8888
    carr@nnit.com

    Media relations
    Tina Joanne Hindsbo
    Media Relations Manager
    Tel: +45 3077 9578
    tnjh@nnit.com

    NNIT is a leading provider of IT solutions to life sciences internationally, and to the public and enterprise sectors in Denmark.

    We focus on high complexity industries and thrive in environments where regulatory demands and complexity are high.

    We advise and build sustainable digital solutions that work for the patients, citizens, employees, end users or customers.

    We strive to build unmatched excellence in the industries we serve, and we use our domain expertise to represent a business first approach – strongly supported by a selection of partner technologies, but always driven by business needs rather than technology.

    NNIT consists of group company NNIT A/S and subsidiaries SCALES, Excellis Health Solutions and SL Controls. Together, these companies employ more than 1,700 people in Europe, Asia and USA.

    Read more at www.nnit.com

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chancellor urged to deliver Budget of ‘investment and opportunity’

    Source: Scottish Government

    Pledge to work with UK Government to create ‘the change people need’.

    The UK Autumn Budget should focus on “investment and opportunity”, with more funding for public services, infrastructure and measures to eradicate child poverty, Finance Secretary Shona Robison has said.

    The Finance Secretary pledged to work with the UK Government and devolved administrations to ensure the Autumn Budget on October 30 “works for all four nations and delivers the change that people need”.

    She called for the Chancellor to:

    • change the rules around borrowing to allow for greater investment in public infrastructure and services
    • reverse the forecast cut to capital funding, enabling the Scottish Government to invest more in hospitals, schools and transport
    • abolish the two child limit
    • deliver an Essentials Guarantee providing basic necessities for those who need them most
    • take greater steps towards delivering net zero, including by reforming motoring taxation
    • ensure any changes to tax take account of Scotland’s distinct and devolved tax system

    Ms Robison said:

    “When I met with the Chancellor last month, we were in full agreement that we must put people first in all that we do. This principle must be at the heart of the decisions at the Autumn Budget.

    “I want to work with the Chancellor, and the governments in Wales and Northern Ireland, to ensure that we have a Budget that works for all four nations and delivers the change that people need.

    “It does not need to be another Budget of challenge and constraint. Instead it can be a Budget about investment and opportunity.

    “We’re calling for measures to tackle child poverty and grow our economy. We’d like to see new rules around borrowing that support investment in public services. We want the UK Government to work hand in hand with the devolved administrations to provide the funding to deliver on our priorities.

    “These are the choices I encourage the Chancellor to make.”

    Background

    UK Autumn Budget: Letter to UK Government – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

    The Finance Secretary also confirmed that the Scottish Budget, outlining the Scottish Government’s proposed tax and spending plans for 2025-26, will be delivered on 4 December.

    The two child limit restricts universal credit and child tax credits to the first two children in most households, if born after April 2017.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appeal to trace relatives of the late Gyorgy Czmor

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Gyorgy Czmor, who was 92, had been living in a care home in the Bilston area and may have originally been from Hungary.

    Anyone who is related to Mr Czmor, or has any information which may help trace his friends or relatives, is asked to call the Court of Protection Team’s Protection and Funerals Officer Elaine Thursfield on 07771 836846 or email her at elaine.thursfield@wolverhampton.gov.uk, or Diane Dore on 07919 626117. Alternatively, please email court.ofprotection@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work starts on Stoke sports facility

    Source: City of Plymouth

    (l-r) Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Sport; Anita Frier, Principal of Stoke Damerel Community College; Warren Phillips, Technical Project Manager at the Football Foundation, join students Moyosore, Kassim and Eonan on site at Stoke Damerel Community College as work gets underway

    Work to improve a community sports facility has officially kicked-off.

    As part of the city’s ongoing investment in sports facilities, Stoke Damerel Community College is set to become home to three multi-surfaced pitches, providing space for several different sports.

    Work will focus on a brand new, 2G sand pitch, which whilst primarily suitable for hockey, is a multi-sports surface and can be used for a number of other activities.

    Also in the plans is a smaller 3G pitch, specifically targeted at football and rugby use, which has been supported by a £250,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

    A renovation and upgrade of and existing grass pitch is also set to get underway.

    The new additions will be for both school and community use with modern flood lighting to ensure that they can be used all year round

    The plans complement the work already underway to transform the former Brickfields Sports Centre into a new community health and wellbeing hub that will be operated by the Argyle Community Trust.

    Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport, Leisure and HR, joined representatives from Stoke Damerel Community College and the Football Foundation to see work begin.

    Sue said: “It’s always exciting to see projects that have been long in the planning get to the construction stage.

    “I know that these facilities will be so well-received, not just by Stoke Damerel Community College students, but also by the city’s large sporting community.

    “I look forward to seeing work complete and pitches in use by students and residents alike.”

    Dan Cole, Senior Assistant Headteacher of Stoke Damerel Community College, said: “Our new sports facilities will elevate our sports programmes, offering our students and community first-rate resources to train, compete, and stay active.

    “This is a significant step in advancing our commitment to fostering well-rounded students by encouraging both academic achievement and physical development”

    Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.

    “Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.

    “We’re delighted that works are now underway to deliver the new 3G and grass pitches at Stoke Damerel Community College and we’re excited to see the new facilities in action.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –