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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: START-Ed initiative meeting | UNECE

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    WP.6 recommends Governments to encourage education establishments to introduce standardization into their curricula and particularly within universities for students studying law, economics and management.

    WP.6 established the initiative on Education on standardization (START-Ed) at its twenty-second session in November 2012. This initiative groups together experts from academia to promote good practices and to share national experience.

    START-Ed Group has elaborated a model programme on education on standardization and relevant teaching materials; a number of universities in the UNECE region already used these tools and have started teaching standardization to their students.

    During the regular meetings of the initiative there are invited guest speakers from academic institutions elaborating on their work and discussing and progressing START-Ed work items. All WP.6 START-Ed members and interested experts are welcome to join these meetings.

    Draft Agenda

    Time

    Agenda item

    Moderator/Speakers

    14:00 – 14:02

    Welcome and approval of the agenda

    WP.6 Secretariat

    Tauno Kangur

    14:02 – 14:07

    Reminder or WP.6 procedures

    WP.6 Secretariat

    14:07 – 14:37

    Invited guest speaker: Prof. Vladislav Fomin (Vilnius University) – 30 minutes (15 minutes presentation followed by discussion / QA)

    Prof. Vladislav Fomin,

    participants

    14:37 – 15:07

    Invited guest speaker: Prof. Philippe le Coustumer (Université de Bordeaux, expert AFNOR/ISO) – 30 minutes (15 minutes presentation followed by discussion / QA)

    Prof. Philippe le Coustumer, participants

    15:07 – 15:37

    Invited guest speaker: Prof. Sandra Feliciano (Porto Polytechnic) – 30 minutes (15 minutes presentation followed by discussion / QA)

    Prof. Sandra Feliciano, participants

    15:37 – 15:52

    Future activities of START-Ed

    Coordinator, Secretariat, meeting participants

    15:52 – 15:57

    Any other business

    Coordinator

    Secretariat

    15:57

    Next meeting

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shenzhou-18 mission returns samples for extraterrestrial habitation research

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

    BEIJING, Nov. 4 — The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft has returned to Earth with 34.6 kilograms of space station experimental samples, encompassing microorganisms, alloy materials and nanomaterials that are difficult to prepare on Earth, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Monday.

    The retrieved samples are poised to advance the development of space fiber lasers, facilitate the creation of extraterrestrial materials and explore the prospects of Earth life spreading through the cosmos.

    The Shenzhou-18’s return capsule, carrying three Chinese astronauts, returned to Earth in the early morning on Monday, after completing a six-month space station mission.

    The scientific experimental samples brought back by the spacecraft included a total of 55 types, spanning 28 science projects across areas such as space life sciences, space materials science and microgravity combustion science.

    The life science specimens comprise methane-generating archaea, radiation-resistant microbes and microorganisms that inhabit rocks. These are anticipated to lay the scientific groundwork for investigating the potential habitability of extraterrestrial environments and to assess the capacity of microorganisms to adapt to the challenges of outer space.

    Part of the returned samples are high-temperature resistant alloys, fiber optics and optical coatings. These innovative materials hold the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing of next-generation aerospace turbine blades, space-adapted fiber lasers and precision medical repairs.

    The spacecraft also returned nanoparticles derived from methane combustion, which are intended to facilitate the future synthesis of critical particulate materials for extraterrestrial environments.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Main venue for 7th CIIE

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



    Main venue for 7th CIIE

    Updated: November 4, 2024 17:24 Xinhua
    An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai. The 7th CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Exhibitors prepare for products display at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A volunteer poses for photos at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows a view of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A volunteer poses for photos at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Volunteers pose for photos at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Business “ready to support” UK with £500m investment following Chancellor’s first budget

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    US firm confirms £500m investment in biomedical research, supporting government’s plan to attract private investment and grow the UK economy.

    • New biomedical hubs will create over 2000 new jobs and boost scientific discoveries which will save lives
    • Expansion of world-leading research laboratories in Cambridge set to inject millions of pounds into British economy every year

    A US firm has announced a £500 million investment into a UK research campus following the Chancellor’s first budget, supporting government plans to attract private investment and its industrial strategy.

    The investment from San Francisco-based developer Prologis will create thousands of jobs, spearhead lifesaving biomedical breakthroughs and generate millions of pounds for the British economy every year. It comes just two days after the Budget pledged to unleash private investment to kickstart economic growth.

    The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has welcomed the vote of confidence from business, which will expand a centre of excellence for medical research in Cambridge.

    The Prologis investment funds a 115,000 square ft expansion to Cambridge Biomedical Campus – a world-leading biomedical cluster which currently generates £4.2 billion each year for the UK economy.

    The new development will house high-tech labs, supporting clinical trials and diagnostic services. It will inject millions into the British economy every year and create over 2,120 highly-skilled jobs – in roles from research to diagnostic.

    The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is a world-leading life sciences cluster for biomedical research, healthcare, and education, which combines collaborations among academia, industry, and healthcare.

    Research conducted at Cambridge Biomedical Campus addresses the most pressing global healthcare challenges, including developing techniques for spotting cancer early and understanding dementia – while contributing significantly to the economy and currently employing over 22,000 staff, many of whom are in highly-skilled roles.

    Today’s announcement from Prologis also builds on the £63 billion worth of investments secured at government’s record breaking International Investment Summit last month – creating 38,000 jobs in the UK.

    Securing investment is central to the government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    This investment from Prologis – just two days after this government’s first Budget – is a vote of confidence in our plan for the UK economy.

    After also attracting £63bn at the International Investment Summit, it’s clear Britain is back in business. Economic growth is my number one mission, and unleashing private investment will play a major role in kickstarting it.

    Paul Weston, Regional Head at Prologis UK, said:

    There is a lot riding on this pivotal first Budget and strong support from the private sector to follow through on investment pledges will be critical. The government’s commitment to unlock Foreign Direct Investment matches our own focus on partnering with public and private stakeholders to invest and deliver the infrastructure needed for sustainable, long-term growth. 

    Steps already taken through the launch of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Green Paper for the Industrial Strategy are paving the way for a stronger, more resilient industrial base. These initiatives will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of industrial innovation and Prologis are ready to support the government’s ambitions, providing the spaces that can unlock growth and development.   

    We look forward to furthering our collaboration and investment activity, ensuring the UK continues to lead on a global stage.

    Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said:

    The UK’s life sciences sector is central to our ambitions for the UK – from driving economic growth through to saving and improving lives through better treatments. 

    Major investments like this from Prologis, bringing the sector’s largest global companies under one roof in Cambridge, is another vote of confidence in the UK’s approach to long-term growth.

    Coming just days after the Chancellor raised public funding for R&D to record levels, this underlines how this Government is in lockstep with business in our joint ambition to make sure everyone in the UK benefits from advances in science and technology.

    The government is delivering its growth mission by prioritising stability, investment, and reform to drive prosperity across the UK. The Budget takes the difficult decisions to put the public finances on a sustainable path to create the conditions for growth, and to create a stable economic environment for businesses to invest.

    Supported by the new fiscal framework, the Budget increases public investment by more than £100 billion over the next five years to boost growth and help crowd in private investment in the long run. This includes investing in transport, kickstarting the delivery of 1.5 million homes, supporting new industries and job creation, and protecting record R&D funding through a record £20.4 billion investment.

    The government will also work in partnership with the private sector to further increase investment. The government has created the National Wealth Fund to catalyse over £70 billion of private investment, set out plans for a modern Industrial Strategy to support investment in growth-driving sectors.

    The government has also published a Corporate Tax Roadmap to provide businesses the certainty they have called for. This confirms our commitment to cap the rate of Corporation Tax at 25% – the lowest in the G7 – for the duration of this parliament while maintaining full expensing and the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance and keeping the current rates of research and development reliefs, to drive innovation. 

    The Chancellor also set out how this government will transform the way it delivers infrastructure, including publishing a 10-year infrastructure strategy, establishing the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, delivering ambitious planning reform. 

    At last month’s investment summit, the Prime Minister also committed to get rid of regulation that needlessly holds back investment and to upgrade the UK’s regulatory regime to make it fit for the modern age and ensure it’s not acting as a barrier for growth.

    The Budget has set out a clear plan to fix the foundations of the economy and begin a decade of national renewal by protecting working people, fixing the NHS, and boosting investment to deliver growth and prosperity for all parts of the country.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dons player delivers refurbished football boots to Northfield Academy

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Aberdeen Football Club player Angus MacDonald and Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT) visited pupils at Northfield Academy to deliver refurbished football boots on Thursday 31 October. The visit was a part of a CIF initiative called Re-Kicks that aims to provide ‘free kicks’ to budding young players in Aberdeen helping them to feel pitch ready.

    A call for old football boots was shared at the end of last season with a range of sizes being generously donated to the cause which were then sent to CIF to repair. The boots are cleaned and regenerated into match-ready pairs and sent back to organisations that are included in the initiative. Thanks to CIF, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust received 50 pairs of boots to send out to partner schools.

    During his visit to the academy, Angus MacDonald got a chance to see the project in full swing with the Northfield pupils playing a football match. Following the football match, the pupils then had an opportunity to ask the centre-back about his footballing career. The questions ranged from childhood stories to experiencing the atmosphere at Aberdeen FC’s home, Pittodrie Stadium.

    Councillor Martin Greig, the Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Research has shown that young people feel more confident when they are wearing the right kit, and the refurbished football boots will enable more young people at Northfield Academy to enjoy football. Who knows, it might even lead a pupil going on to become a future international footballer, like former Northfield Academy pupils Martin Boyle and Rachael Boyle (nee Small).”

    AFCCT is grateful for the opportunity from CIF to give the gift of football to partner schools with this Re-Kicks project. A huge thank you to CIF for their continued support on this initiative.

    To find out more information, contact AFCCT at: info@afcct.org 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: One month after the tragic school bus crash in Khu Khot, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety to promote and launch the UN-JCDecaux campaign for road safety in Thailand

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, is visiting Bangkok from 30 October to 6 November 2024. During his visit, he will meet with the Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, key government officials, representatives of the international community, private, and public sectors to promote road safety initiatives and advocate for enhanced measures, particularly on wearing quality helmets. His visit will be also the occasion to launch the UN-JCDecaux campaign #MakeASafetyStatement in the country.  The Special Envoy will also speak at the UNESCAP/Alliance française Road Safety Seminar on 4 November.  This aligns with the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, aiming to halve road fatalities by 2030.

    The visit of the Special envoy comes one month after the tragic bus road crash which caught fire while travelling on an outbound lane in Khu Khot in the Pathum Thani Province, resulting in 23 deaths of which were mainly school students.

    The silent pandemic

    Every year, the staggering toll of road-related fatalities claims the lives of 1.19 million people, leaving countless others with severe injuries. This silent pandemic overwhelmingly affects developing nations, where over 90% of the road traffic fatalities occur. Furthermore, road crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29 years.  

    According to the World Health Organization, road crashes kill 18,218 people in Thailand each year, representing a road traffic fatality rate of 25/100,000 population, while the rate is in 15.7/100,000 in South-East Asia and 6.5/100,000 in Europe (WHO 2021). Despite the recent efforts of the country, Thailand is still ranked on the top worst countries in term of road fatalities.  This is therefore urgent to act for increasing road safety in the country.

    “Every life lost to preventable road accidents is a tragedy that reverberates through our communities and our country. This recent tragedy has reminded us of the urgent need for effective and sustained action. Road safety is not merely a matter of law enforcement but a shared societal responsibility. We owe it to our citizens, especially our children, to make our roads safer“, stated the new Prime Minister, H.E. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

    Road crashes have a significant social and economic burden, particularly in Thailand.  “In addition to the human tragedy, road crashes trap countries into a vicious circle of poverty, costing till 6% of the GDP. Given their social and economic cost, road crashes are jeopardizing the entire sustainable development agenda. Now is the time for change, and I am looking forward to working with the Government of Thailand to stop the carnage on the roads.” stressed the UNSG’s Special Envoy Todt.

    Wearing a safe helmet

    If the causes of road crashes are multiple such as the non-reliability of the vehicles and of the road’s infrastructure and design, the lack of post-crashes services, weaknesses in the road safety management, a dangerous road user’s behavior is still one of the main reasons costing lives on the road. On the mitigation of the risk factors for the road users, wearing a helmet responding to the UN standards is definitively a game changer. Wearing a quality helmet can reduce the risk of injuries by 69%.

    Knowing that Thailand has the highest rate of motorcycle-related deaths in the world, representing more than 70% of the road traffic fatalities in the country, wearing a safe helmet is an absolute emergency.              

    #MakeASafetyStatement

    During his visit in Thailand, the Special Envoy will launch the UN Global Road Safety Campaign, which aims to raise awareness of life-saving road safety measures. Launched globally in cooperation with JCDecaux Global under the motto #MakeASafetyStatement, it will run through 2025 in over 80 countries in the world.   

    The campaign seeks to reduce risk factors, especially in urban areas, enabling people to walk, live, and enjoy their environment safely.  Sixteen global, and dozens of national, celebrities have joined forces to advocate for simple and effective road safety rules.  Key messages include wearing a seat belt, driving safely, wearing a helmet, not texting and driving, not driving under the influence or while tired, and respecting pedestrians.

    Participating celebrities in the campaign include Football Legend Mr. Didier Drogba, F1 Driver Mr. Charles Leclerc, Oscar-winning actress and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Ms. Michelle Yeoh, Tennis Legend Mr. Novak Djokovic, Musician Ms. Kylie Minogue, Motorcycle racer Mr. Marc Marquez, Supermodel Ms. Naomi Campbell, Actor Mr. Patrick Dempsey, Musician and Inspirational leader Mr. Youssou N’Dour, Actress Ms. Julie Gayet, Actor Mr. Michael Fassbender, Football icon Mr. Ousmane Dembélé, Double Olympic Champion Ms. Faith Kipyegon, F1 Driver Mr. Mick Schumacher, Actor Jean Reno and Cyclist Champion Tadej Podacar.

    Risk factors that are too often neglected                                                                                                                 

    Only seven countries in the world (France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden) have laws that comply with WHO best practices for all the risk factors – speeding, drink driving, UN-standard motorbike helmet use, seatbelts and child restraint systems.

    Media representatives are cordially invited to cover the launch of the campaign, mission and Memorandum of Agreement on Road Safety Cooperation between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Public Health at the press conference on 6 November 2024 at 1.30 PM at the Ministry of Transport (Ratcharotsamosorn Assembly Hall) in Bangkok, with:

    • Mr. Suriya Jungroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport
    • Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health
    • Mr. Jean Todt, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for road safety,   
    • Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey, UN Resident Coordinator to Thailand, presents the work of the UN in road safety in Thailand.
    • Mr. Arnaud de Ruffray, President of JCDecaux Thailand presents the UN-JCDecaux campaign for road safety in Thailand.
    • Ms. Saisunee Jana, Paralympic gold Medalist

     

    About the Special Envoy

    The former United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, appointed in 2015 Jean Todt as his Special Envoy for Road Safety. He was reconfirmed in this role by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in 2017 and in 2021. In 2018, together with 14 UN organizations, the Special Envoy launched the UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF). The Special Envoy contributes, among other things, to mobilize sustained political commitment to make road safety a priority; to advocate and raise awareness of UN legal instruments on road safety; to share established good practices in this area; to strive to generate adequate funding through strategic partnerships between the public, private and non-governmental sectors. Special Envoy brochure and X account.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Princess Margaret Hospital

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Princess Margaret Hospital
    Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Princess Margaret Hospital
    **********************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital made the following update today (November 4):      Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, an 83-year-old male in a Medicine and Geriatrics ward, was identified as a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now being treated in isolation and is in stable condition.      The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures: 

    Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
    Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
    Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned.

          The hospital has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up and will continue to closely monitor the situation.

     
    Ends/Monday, November 4, 2024Issued at HKT 18:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo to debate motion on further enhancing housing ladder

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LegCo to debate motion on further enhancing housing ladder
    LegCo to debate motion on further enhancing housing ladder
    **********************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:       The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (November 6) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on further enhancing the housing ladder. The motion, moved by Mr Vincent Cheng, is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Louis Loong, Mr Leung Man-kwong, Ms Joephy Chan, Dr Wendy Hong, Mr Kenneth Leung and Dr So Cheung-wing will move separate amendments to Mr Cheng’s motion.       Ms Doreen Kong will also move a motion on implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and earnestly addressing people’s concerns and difficulties in daily life. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Johnny Ng, Dr So Cheung-wing, Dr Hoey Simon Lee and Professor Priscilla Leung will move separate amendments to Ms Kong’s motion.       Meanwhile, Mr Ma Fung-kwok will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 3.       Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.            The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     
    Ends/Monday, November 4, 2024Issued at HKT 18:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by DSJ at Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024 (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following are the closing remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024 under Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 today (November 4):Professor Ignacio Tirado (Professor Ignacio Tirado, Secretary-General of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,      It is a great honour for me to deliver the closing remarks of the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024, a remarkable event co-organised by UNIDROIT and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.      I am especially delighted to see Ignacio and Anna (the Deputy Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, Professor Anna Veneziano) again in person today. It brings back my memories of my visit to UNIDROIT’s Secretariat in the beautiful city of Rome last year, where I attended an insightful conference co-organised by UNIDROIT and the Chinese Embassy in Italy. I still recall the generous hospitality extended to me by Ignacio and Anna during my visit. I sincerely hope that we have been able to reciprocate that same warmth and hospitality during your time here in Hong Kong.     Today’s Summit has been nothing short of inspiring. We have been privileged to hear insightful presentations from distinguished officials, industry players and experts from Hong Kong and overseas, including high-level officials from several renowned international organisations of UNIDROIT, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. We are also honoured to have had a senior official from Mongolia to share her insights, which have further enriched our discussions.     The quality and depth of these presentations have been commendable, addressing critical issues pertinent to the evolving landscape of international private law. The topics explored by our expert panellists are both timely and relevant not only to Hong Kong, but also to the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. I am confident that the insights shared today will contribute significantly to ongoing discussions within our legal communities and other stakeholders.      As we reflect on today’s Summit, one overarching theme has particularly stood out, that is the importance of legal certainty and predictability. In an increasingly globalised world, where cross-border transactions are growing in volume and complexity, the harmonisation and modernisation of private law are more important and essential than ever. Reducing legal uncertainties is not merely an academic or technical exercise. It directly benefits businesses by enabling them to operate with greater confidence and facilitating smooth cross-border commercial activities. Legal certainty and predictability fostered by international private law will therefore be a “springboard to opportunities” for the Asia-Pacific region, as encapsulated in the theme of today’s Summit. Panel 1: Harnessing Opportunities from Digital Assets, Tokenisation and Carbon Credits      In our first panel, we delved into the need for a consistent approach to the legal treatment of digital assets across jurisdictions.      The advent of technologies such as distributed ledgers has paved the way for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, which are now integral to various sectors of our economy and financial markets.     In order to unlock the potential of the digital economy, a clear and certain legal framework is vital. Such clarity instils trust in technology, ensures platform resilience and protects the rights of consumers and businesses alike. In this context, the UNIDROIT Principle on Digital Assets and Private Law which provides a common framework addressing legal issues related to the holding, transfer and use of digital assets, are particularly relevant to Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific.      Today’s discussion offered much to consider about integrating international principles with local laws in each jurisdiction to achieve harmonisation and consistency. As an international financial hub, Hong Kong is committed to promoting the integration of real economy and digital economy, and fostering the development of the digital economy.Panel 2: Unleashing Economic Potential Through Secured Transaction Law Reform in the Asia-Pacific Region     The benefits and role of harmonised secured transactions law in promoting economic growth across the Asia-Pacific region was discussed in Panel 2.      Secured transactions are essential for businesses seeking access to credit and working capacity. As a leading international trading hub with a robust legal system, Hong Kong is the prime destination for Mainland and overseas enterprises establishing their international headquarters to manage offshore trading and supply chain operations. In fact, Hong Kong ranks at the top globally in terms of international trade and business legislation according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024 by the International Management Development Institute.      Our experts in Panel 2 examined the importance of international instruments supporting secured transactions, while exploring UNIDROIT’s contribution to secured transactions law, such as the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its various Protocols, as well as the recent adopted Model Law on Factoring. Such efforts are crucial for enhancing access to credit for businesses across the Asia-Pacific Region to unleash our economic potential. Panel 3: Gateway to International Investment and Sustainability     The experts at Panel 3 brought our attention to the need for reducing legal uncertainties surrounding international investment contracts for both states and private investors.      In this regard, the panel introduced the UNIDROIT’s ongoing international investment project, which seeks to modernise, harmonise and standardise international investment contracts by developing clear guidance to foster consistency in these vital agreements. It also addresses recent developments in international investment law, such as the increasing focus on corporate social responsibility and sustainability.      These topics are of particular relevance to Hong Kong, given its role as an important gateway between China and the global markets. Hong Kong’s unique arrangements with Mainland China enhance its appeal as a jurisdiction for international investment and arbitration. Investments from Hong Kong into Mainland China enjoy the substantive protections offered by the investment agreement under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. Moreover, we are the first common law jurisdiction where parties involved in arbitrations seated in Hong Kong can seek interim measures from Mainland courts, such as asset preservation.     This synergy between Hong Kong’s legal infrastructure and its strategic relationship with Mainland China not only bolsters investor confidence but also further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services within the Asia-Pacific region.Panel 4: Building Bridges by Strengthening Engagement in the Asia-Pacific Region     Finally, Panel 4 discussed building bridges to strengthen engagement and capacity building has been identified as a key to strengthening engagement in the Asia-Pacific region. This involves not only improving legal infrastructure but also developing skilled professionals capable of handling the complexities of international private law.      The Panel highlighted the significance of legal co-operation and legal talents development. Capacity building initiatives among international organisations and Asia-Pacific economies are crucial in equipping our region’s government officials, practitioners and other stakeholders with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complex international legal landscape. Amid the growing demand for legal expertise driven by increasing international trade, these initiatives foster collaboration and nurture skilled legal professionals, thereby improving access to justice regionally and beyond.      Hong Kong is deeply committed to enhancing its status as a regional hub for capacity building. With a strong pool of legal and dispute resolution professionals who possess extensive international experience, the Department of Justice has been actively involved in organising and supporting various training and development programmes across different areas of law and practice. For example, we have co-organised or supported multiple editions of the Investment Law and Investor-State Mediator Training and the China-AALCO Exchange and Research Program on International Law in Hong Kong.      As noted by our Secretary for Justice during his opening remarks, the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy will be officially launched this Friday, and we warmly invite all of you to join us to witness this significant moment. Building on our strong foundation in capacity-building and our close collaboration with UNIDROIT and other international organisations, the Academy will regularly offer practical training courses, seminars and international exchange programmes aimed at promoting collaboration among legal professionals, judges and government officials throughout Asia Pacific and beyond. Already in the pipeline for the Academy is to support the organisation of the Second Edition of The Hague Academy of International Law’s Advanced Course in Hong Kong.Conclusion      Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce that we have successfully concluded the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024. The success of this Summit is a testament to the collective efforts and dedication of UNIDROIT, my colleagues at the Department of Justice, and your active participation. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this Summit a resounding success.      As we wrap up today’s event, we also mark the end of the first day of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2024. We warmly welcome you all to participate in the exciting events we have prepared for you throughout this week.     Thank you once again! I wish you all an enriching experience throughout the Hong Kong Legal Week 2024. For those visiting abroad, I hope you enjoy your time in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei Releases Antenna Digitalization White Paper, Opening a New Chapter for the Antenna Industry Nov 04, 2024

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei Releases Antenna Digitalization White Paper, Opening a New Chapter for the Antenna Industry
    Nov 04, 2024

    [Istanbul, Türkiye, November 4, 2024] At the Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2024 (MBBF 2024), Huawei released its Antenna Digitalization White Paper. The white paper explores new trends and key innovation directions in antenna digitalization and envisions the key role of the antenna industry in the mobile AI era.
    Andy Sun, President of Huawei Antenna Business Unit, delivering a keynote speech

    AI is driving a new wave of technological transformations in many sectors, including wireless networks. For networks to become more intelligent, further innovation is needed in wireless network infrastructure. Antennas are a crucial component of wireless networks, and their digitalization will play a key role in the future.
    The white paper states that network intelligence and automation require building digital capabilities for remote management and multidimensional adjustment of antennas.
    Remote management requires antennas to be capable of providing real-time, accurate information to network systems, including engineering parameters and beam shapes. This will help building comprehensive data models to support intelligent networks, providing all necessary information for intelligent optimization.
    Multidimensional adjustment means that antenna parameters, such as signal radiation directions and radiation beam shapes, can be remotely adjusted in real time. This enables greater flexibility and expanded possibilities for intelligent network optimization.
    The Antenna Digitalization White Paper explores Huawei’s latest innovations in antennas. Andy Sun, President of Huawei Antenna Business Unit, remarked: “This white paper reflects the collective vision and insights of our partners, industry scholars, and Huawei’s own experts. It integrates our in-depth analysis and prospects of the antenna industry in the mobile AI era. Antenna digitalization is an inevitable foundation for intelligent networks. Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to work with industry partners worldwide to promote antenna digitalization through innovation, and contribute to the construction of even more intelligent and efficient wireless networks.”
    For more information, click to download the Antenna Digitalization White Paper.
    The 15th Global Mobile Broadband Forum, with a tagline of ‘5.5G Leads Mobile AI Era’, runs from October 30 to 31 in Istanbul, Türkiye. It will be hosted by Huawei with support from our industry partners GSMA and GTI. Together with operators, vertical industry leaders, and ecosystem partners, we will share the industry’s latest advancements and explore new opportunities. Industry stakeholders will discuss how to achieve 5.5G business success in the Mobile AI era, and leverage the success of 5G to attain even greater achievements with 5.5G. For more information, please visit MBBF2024 at: https://www.huawei.com/en/events/mbbf2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei Releases Antenna Digitalization White Paper, Opening a New Chapter for the Antenna Industry

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei Releases Antenna Digitalization White Paper, Opening a New Chapter for the Antenna Industry

    [Istanbul, Türkiye, November 4, 2024] At the Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2024 (MBBF 2024), Huawei released its Antenna Digitalization White Paper. The white paper explores new trends and key innovation directions in antenna digitalization and envisions the key role of the antenna industry in the mobile AI era.
    Andy Sun, President of Huawei Antenna Business Unit, delivering a keynote speech

    AI is driving a new wave of technological transformations in many sectors, including wireless networks. For networks to become more intelligent, further innovation is needed in wireless network infrastructure. Antennas are a crucial component of wireless networks, and their digitalization will play a key role in the future.
    The white paper states that network intelligence and automation require building digital capabilities for remote management and multidimensional adjustment of antennas.
    Remote management requires antennas to be capable of providing real-time, accurate information to network systems, including engineering parameters and beam shapes. This will help building comprehensive data models to support intelligent networks, providing all necessary information for intelligent optimization.
    Multidimensional adjustment means that antenna parameters, such as signal radiation directions and radiation beam shapes, can be remotely adjusted in real time. This enables greater flexibility and expanded possibilities for intelligent network optimization.
    The Antenna Digitalization White Paper explores Huawei’s latest innovations in antennas. Andy Sun, President of Huawei Antenna Business Unit, remarked: “This white paper reflects the collective vision and insights of our partners, industry scholars, and Huawei’s own experts. It integrates our in-depth analysis and prospects of the antenna industry in the mobile AI era. Antenna digitalization is an inevitable foundation for intelligent networks. Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to work with industry partners worldwide to promote antenna digitalization through innovation, and contribute to the construction of even more intelligent and efficient wireless networks.”
    For more information, click to download the Antenna Digitalization White Paper.
    The 15th Global Mobile Broadband Forum, with a tagline of ‘5.5G Leads Mobile AI Era’, runs from October 30 to 31 in Istanbul, Türkiye. It will be hosted by Huawei with support from our industry partners GSMA and GTI. Together with operators, vertical industry leaders, and ecosystem partners, we will share the industry’s latest advancements and explore new opportunities. Industry stakeholders will discuss how to achieve 5.5G business success in the Mobile AI era, and leverage the success of 5G to attain even greater achievements with 5.5G. For more information, please visit MBBF2024 at: https://www.huawei.com/en/events/mbbf2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Do one thing – get on the HMRC app

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    HMRC is reminding people to download the HMRC app to access HMRC services such as Child Benefit and their National Insurance number.

    Apple and the Apple Logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.

    • Talk Money Week is an annual awareness initiative – the theme this year is “Do One Thing”
    • 1.7 million customers use the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) app every month, with 29 million sessions launched between July and September 2024 and 711,000 new users in the same period
    • HMRC has today launched a new advertising campaign promoting the app, aimed at 18-34-year-olds

    This Talk Money Week (4 – 8 November), taxpayers are being urged to “Do One Thing” and get on the HMRC app to save time and simplify managing their money and tax.

    More than 1.7 million people are already using the HMRC app every month, which enables users to access services such as making a Child Benefit claim, finding their National Insurance number and a tax calculator to estimate their take-home pay.

    Between July and September 2024, 711,382 new users downloaded the app, and there was a 39% increase in app activity compared to the same period last year – up from 20.93 million sessions to 29.22 million. And nearly £300 million has been paid to HMRC via the app so far this financial year.

    HMRC is encouraging anyone who hasn’t yet downloaded the free and secure HMRC app, one of the UK’s top-rated finance apps, to do one thing and get on it today.

    The most popular features used on the app between July and September this year were:

    • check State Pension contributions– 1.9 million sessions
    • manage Child Benefit – 1.6 million sessions
    • view annual tax summaries – 1.4 million sessions

    Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

    One of the main priorities for HMRC is improving its customer services and this incredibly useful and user-friendly app is a great example of how tax can be made much easier for people.

    Whether you’re a student looking for your National Insurance number or a new parent wanting to claim Child Benefit, the HMRC app has a range of tools for you, at your fingertips. I urge everyone to download it today.

    The HMRC app is rated 4.7/5 and 4.8/5 respectively on the Google Play and Apple Store and ranks among both of their top 10 finance apps.

    HMRC has launched a new advertising campaign today aimed at 18-34-year-olds to “get on it” with the app, showcasing how it can help them remain in control of their tax affairs and finances amidst their busy daily lives. This includes an attention-grabbing new advert streaming on multiple video on demand channels that can also be viewed on the HMRC YouTube channel.

    You’re on it – Download the HMRC app

    Further information

    Download the app from Google Play or Apple Store

    The HMRC app is bilingual and available in Welsh.

    You can use the HMRC app to:

    • check your tax code, National Insurance number, and income and employment history from the past five years
    • view and manage Child Benefit, Tax Credits, and your State Pension forecast
    • access tax details, including your Unique Taxpayer Reference and income information
    • use tools like the tax calculator to estimate take-home pay, and check for National Insurance contribution gaps
    • make payments for Self Assessment, Simple Assessment, and even set payment reminders
    • access your Help to Save account and claim refunds if you’ve overpaid tax
    • track forms and correspondence with HMRC
    • update personal information like your name and address
    • save your National Insurance number to a digital wallet and opt for electronic communications from HMRC
    • use HMRC’s digital assistant for guidance and support

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKHSA issues health advice following the half-term break

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding parents of the simple steps they can take to reduce the spread of stomach bugs and winter illnesses.

    As children across the country return to their classrooms after the half term break, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding parents of the simple steps they can take to reduce the spread of stomach bugs and winter illnesses to ensure they stay healthy this term and keep strong this winter.   

    We are now beginning to see cases of flu and norovirus increasing as we head into the winter months, with norovirus activity in the past two weeks more than double the 5-season average for the same 2-week period and flu steadily increasing over the past few weeks.

    Teaching good hygiene habits

    Parents are urged to encourage good hygiene habits in their families, such as handwashing and using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes. Regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser when convenient, is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs.

    Knowing when to keep your child at home and when to send them to school

    Children are encouraged to stay in school or nursery with symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough (if otherwise well and do not have a high temperature), but should stay home if they’re displaying symptoms such as having a fever (they should stay home until the fever has passed and they are well enough to attend) or diarrhoea and vomiting (children should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms clear up).

    Stopping the spread of stomach bugs

    Stomach bugs spread easily in schools and nurseries. If you or your child have diarrhoea and vomiting, washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading. Don’t prepare food for others if you have such symptoms or for 48 hours after symptoms stop. If you are unwell, you should also avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection to those more vulnerable. It’s important that all children are given the opportunity to start the year in good health, which is why it’s important not to return to school, nursery or work until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

    Getting vaccinated

    Infections such as flu, which see a seasonal increase in winter, are easily protected against with vaccination. All primary school age children, those aged 2 years (who have turned 2 years old before the  1 September 2024) and all 3 year olds (and secondary school children from Year 7 to Year 11) are eligible for the flu vaccine, which beyond protecting the children themselves and the school community, will also protect elderly relatives.

    It’s also important to ensure your children are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, which protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and polio. UKHSA is continuing to see cases of measles, which is easily prevented with vaccination. If parents are unsure of their child’s vaccination status, they can check their child’s red book or contact their local GP.  

    Dr Richard Pebody, Director, Clinical & Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said:

    As children return to school after the half term holidays, it’s important that they get off to the best start possible ahead of winter. Staying healthy and taking simple steps to reduce the spread of illness will ensure children and their families experience less disruption at this important time of year.

    Each winter, we see an increase in acute respiratory and gastro-intestinal illnesses, however it only takes simple steps to reduce the spread of most of these infections. By following advice on good hygiene habits, knowing when to keep your child off school and taking up the opportunity to get vaccinated, parents are protecting their children and the wider school community.

    UKHSA’s e-bug resources for all ages can help you to explain and discuss hygiene habits and their importance, to your child or teenager.

    NHS UK also provides easily accessible guidance for parents to help manage winter illness at home.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study suggesting association between many pesticides and prostate cancer

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Wiley Cancer looks at an association between pesticides and prostate cancer incidence. 

    Prof Paul Pharoah, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said:

    “The epidemiological design used to evaluate the association between pesticides and prostate cancer incidence and mortality in this study is called an ecological study.  In an ecological study the unit of analysis is the population in a given area, and so the correlation studied is that between pesticide levels in a given area and prostate cancer rates in the same area.  It is important to note that pesticide exposures and prostate cancer occurrence in individuals was not studied.

    “Ecological studies are very prone to bias and can give rise to the ecological fallacy – the assumption that group level correlation also applies to individuals.  Ecological studies are generally regarded as hypothesis generating rather than hypothesis testing.  The well-known mantra that correlation does not mean causation is particularly applicable to ecological studies.

    “While several associations were identified, no data to suggest that these associations are causal is presented.  It is notable that of the four pesticides associated with both incidence rates and mortality rates of prostate cancer three are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency of the USA as not likely to be carcinogenic or have evidence of non-carcinogenicity.”

    ‘Pesticides and prostate cancer incidence and mortality: An environment‐wide association study’ by Simon John Christoph Soerensen et al. was published in Wiley Cancer at 08:01 UK Time Monday 4 November 2024. 

    DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35572

    Declared interests

    Prof Paul Pharoah: I have previously provided expert testimony in for the defence in glyphosate and lymphoma litigation

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council’s autumn leaves sweep up will generate enough electricity to boil more than 5 million kettles | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    This autumn, Westminster Council, in partnership with Veolia, has extended its street cleaning service once again to accommodate the substantial leaf fall from the city’s 19,000 trees.   

    The peak period of leaf fall typically spans from October 1 to November 30, influenced by strong winds, rainfall, and cooler temperatures.  

    The council anticipates gathering approximately 1,000 tonnes of leaves, equivalent to around 200,000 bags, this autumn. This quantity is comparable to the weight of six London underground trains, or 80 double decker buses.

    Due to the presence of heavy metals resulting from traffic pollution, leaves collected in the city cannot be used for composting. But, to optimise the leaves as a resource, they are used to contribute to generating energy for heating homes.

    Approximately 1,000 tonnes of leaves can generate 530,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to power an estimated five million hours of television or boil 5.3 million kettles.

    During this period, the local authority and Veolia are employing 11 additional agency staff and utilizing two extra collection vehicles to bolster the street cleansing endeavour.  

    Manual street cleansing teams are work closely with the council’s new electric gully trucks to prevent leaves from obstructing drains and potentially causing floods.  

    Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality said:

    Falling autumn leaves make for a great Instagram picture and look spectacular in our parks, but they can make pavements slippery and pose a flood risk by blocking drains. Our street cleansing teams are working hard to prioritise leaf sweeping to keep our streets free from hazards for residents and visitors.” 

    Lee Mewett, Senior Contract Manager for Veolia Westminster, added:

    As Westminster City Council’s environmental services partner, we’re proud to play a crucial role in this autumn’s leaf clean-up initiative.

    Our commitment to ecological transformation drives us to find innovative solutions and I look forward to the deployment of new electric gully trucks this year as part of our ambition to transition all Westminster depots to be fully electric. This sustainable energy solution will reduce noise and increase the efficiency with which we address the challenges posed by the annual leaf fall.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pensioner Advice Events bring comfort and financial relief to Derby residents

    Source: City of Derby

    In a heartening series of community events throughout October, we have been able to deliver life-changing support to residents facing financial hardship, bringing peace of mind and practical assistance to individuals who need it most.

    At our Pensioner Advice Event on October 4 at The Council House, a local woman left with a brighter financial outlook, gaining £73 extra each week thanks to council-led advice on available benefits. Several other attendees also found they were eligible for Pension Credit. Although some who attended the event could not apply immediately due to a lack of required documents, home visits have been scheduled with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help them complete their applications.

    The events not only put more money in people’s pockets but also brought warmth and safety into their homes. An 84-year-old gentleman, who attended an event in New Zealand on October 25, learned for the first time that he qualified for Pension Credit. This discovery was a tremendous relief for him and his wife, who had been cutting back on heating and cooking hot meals to save on costs. The couple was also gifted a heated blanket and an air fryer, ensuring they can now stay warm and enjoy warm meals without worry.

    A woman from Mackworth walked away £36 per week better off after council advisors helped her identify unclaimed entitlements. Another attendee at a local event was also delighted to receive a heated blanket and air fryer, just as winter temperatures begin to set in. Another participant reported savings of £75 per week after connecting with council representatives.

    Councillor Sarah Chambers said:

    These events are here to make a real difference for Derby residents who may be struggling or unsure of the support available to them. I strongly encourage anyone who could benefit from extra help to attend. Our team is dedicated to connecting residents with resources to improve their quality of life, especially as costs rise and winter draws in. We’re here to help every step of the way.”

    There are upcoming events happening around Derby in the coming weeks. These include:

    • Mackworth – Thursday 24 October, 10am-12 noon, St Francis Church, Prince Charles Avenue, Mackworth, DE22 4FN
    • New Zealand – Friday 25 October, 10am-12 noon, Lonny Wilsoncroft Community Centre, Stepping Lane, Derby DE1 1GL
    • Chaddesden – Friday 1st November, 10am-12 noon, Age UK Building, Chaddesden Park, Chaddesden, DE21 6LN (There is free parking in the main car park off Maine Drive, Chaddesden)
    • Sinfin – Monday 4 November, 10am-12 noon, Sinfin Moor Church, Arleston Lane, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 3DH
    • Allenton – Wednesday 4 December, 2pm-4pm, Derby South Salvation Army, 24 Chellaston Road, Derby, DE24 9AE
    • Osmaston – Monday 10 December, 10am-12 noon, Moorways Sports Village, Moor Lane, Derby, DE24 9HY

    If you want to learn more about cost of living support, visit our cost of living webpage or visit Community Action Derby’s cost of living online hub.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: So, when will the next eruption at Yellowstone happen?

    Source: US Geological Survey

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

    People visit Yellowstone National Park every year to observe its wildlife and vast array of hydrothermal features. One question that lurks in the back of many visitors’ minds as they traverse through one of the world’s largest active volcanoes is: when is Yellowstone’s next eruption going to be? When a volcano is restless, this question can be addressed by examining trends in monitoring data, like seismicity, ground deformation, and gas emissions.  But what about dormant volcanoes, like Yellowstone, that are showing no signs of stirring anytime soon?

    Map of Yellowstone caldera showing the locations and ages of the most recent rhyolite eruptions at Yellowstone, the Central Plateau Member rhyolites. Unit boundaries are from Christiansen (2001). The West Thumb region of Yellowstone Lake is indicated because it is thought to be the location of an explosive eruption and the source vent for the Tuff of Bluff Point. The Central Plateau Member rhyolites are broken into five informal groups based on new 40Ar/39Ar eruption ages. Each informal eruption group is shown in the same color. Numbers on the map and legend are included to indicate the location of different lava flows. Group mean ages and their 95% confidence intervals are included next to the list of units.

    For currently dormant volcanoes, we don’t usually predict the dates of future eruptions, but rather the probability that an eruption will occur during some time frame (for example, over the next year or next 10 years). This is sort of like long-term weather forecasts—for example, estimating the probability that the upcoming hurricane season will have more hurricanes than an average year.

    To an extent, forecasts of volcanic eruptions rely upon knowledge of the frequency at which eruptions occur at a given volcano. As an analogy, let’s say that you live next to a baseball field, and you want to get an idea of the next time a baseball will be hit into your yard. One way to forecast this would be to calculate an average recurrence rate by dividing the number baseballs in your yard by the duration of your observation period (let’s say, 1 year), to derive the number of baseballs in your yard per year. This average recurrence rate can then be turned into a probability of a baseball being hit into your yard over the next day, week, month, etc. Similarly, forecasting volcanic eruptions requires knowing the number of eruptions that have occurred over time. Geologists achieve this by combining geologic mapping with geochronology to determine a volcano’s eruptive history.

    Knowing the average rate of volcanic eruptions is only the start. Geologists also need to understand if volcanic eruptions are one-off events that happen independent of other eruptions, or if they occur in groups as part of a bigger volcanic event. Going back to the baseball analogy, because baseball is played during only parts of the year, it is much more likely that baseballs will be hit into your yard during the baseball season rather than in the off-season. Recent research has shown that many volcanic systems, including Yellowstone, work in a similar way, with multiple eruptions occurring in rapid succession, separated by long periods with few to no eruptions. To accurately forecast volcanic eruptions, this “grouping” of eruptions needs to be well-characterized.

    Schematic summary of rhyolite eruptions in the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field over the past 1.3 million years. Smaller rhyolite eruptions are known intracaldera eruptions, meaning they occurred within existing caldera structures. Additional rhyolite eruptions that occurred outside the caldera are not included in the figure.

    Determining the rate and pattern of volcanic eruptions is only part of the job. Once the history of volcanic eruptions through time is known, the next task is to try to understand where the volcano currently stands in terms of its life cycle. Returning to the baseball analogy one last time, this is like trying to figure out if it is currently the baseball season or the off-season. The difficulty with places like Yellowstone is that they produce large but infrequent eruptions, with thousands to hundreds of thousands of years between eruptive episodes (where an episode could include one or more eruptions). This means there are few observations upon which to base our forecast, and there are (fortunately) not many opportunities to test these forecasts. For example, no eruptions have occurred in Yellowstone National Park during the past 70,000 years. From 160,000 years ago to 70,000 years ago, however rhyolite lava flows (or groups of lava flows) were erupting approximately every 20,000 years on average. Does this mean we are currently in the volcanic off-season? Or does it mean we are “due” for an eruption (which, by the way, is never really true)? The reality is that we cannot say for sure based on statistical forecasting methods alone. Instead, we must combine these types of forecasts with real-time monitoring of the volcano to assess the state of the volcanic system.

    Based on our current knowledge of Yellowstone’s eruptive history, the annual probability of a volcanic eruption is on the order of 0.001%, but even this low number is probably an overestimate for the short term. There are no signs of an impending volcanic eruption based on monitoring data, and we know that the magmatic system beneath Yellowstone is mostly solid. But one day, perhaps thousands or tens of thousands of years from now, the volcanic off-season in Yellowstone may end, and volcanologists will be watching for signs of incoming baseballs.

    Panoramic of the West Yellowstone rhyolite lava flow taken along Highway 20 (between the West entrance of Yellowstone National Park and Madison Junction). The flow is approximately 111,000 years old and has a volume of about 41 km3 (10 mi3). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Indonesia’s proposed nutrient labeling system holds potential to transform domestic F&B industry, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Indonesia’s proposed nutrient labeling system holds potential to transform domestic F&B industry, says GlobalData

    Posted in Consumer

    Indonesia is set to introduce a nutrition grading system akin to Singapore’s Nutri-Grade to deliver more detailed information to consumers concerning the nutritional values present in food and drink products. A survey corroborates this trend, where 84% of Indonesian respondents stated that their product purchasing decisions are either extremely or quite influenced by the ability to access ingredients and nutritional information via a quick response (QR) code on the packaging*. As such, Indonesia’s proposed labeling system, Nutri-Level, holds potential to play a pivotal role in transforming its domestic food and beverage (F&B) industry, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Mani Bhushan Shukla, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The purpose of nutrition labeling systems, including daily intake guidelines, warning indicators, traffic light systems, star ratings, and nutrition scores, is to facilitate informed consumer choices and encourage a shift towards healthier food selections. These systems classify food and beverages by assessing their sugar, fat, sodium, and energy levels in their compositions.

    “The use of standardized grading systems featuring colors, symbols, and vectors enhances readability for consumers, offering a clearer understanding than the detailed ingredient lists on product packaging. In addition, as these gradings/rankings are defined, they are more straightforward than the myriad of health and natural claims that food manufacturers often use. Some of these claims can be deceptive; for instance, a product labeled as ‘no-added sugar’ may still contain ingredients high in natural sugars like fructose.”

    Deepak Nautiyal, Consumer and Retail Commercial Director, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, GlobalData, adds: “The prevalence of diet-related diseases, particularly diabetes and hypertension, is notably high in Indonesia, which underscores the potential benefits of the Nutri-Level system for public health. The 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) reveals that diabetes prevalence stands at 10.9%, while hypertension affects 34.1% of the population. Nutri-Level in Indonesia will implement a rating label that evaluates sugar, saturated fat, and various nutritional components. The finalization of the draft regulation is anticipated to occur by the end of 2024.”

    Shukla notes: “By encouraging manufacturers to innovate and craft healthier products that do not sacrifice flavor, it can effectively respond to the rising consumer preference for nutritious choices. This transition towards healthier alternatives can significantly benefit public health and bolster the industry’s reputation and market share.”

    Nautiyal continues: “Despite the promising outlook of the Nutri-Level system, the Indonesian population may encounter various obstacles. Resistance from the F&B industry poses a notable obstacle to the implementation of this regulation. Large manufacturers may perceive the regulation as a threat, especially since many of their products are high in sugar and saturated fats, which could lead to negative ratings. Thus, it is imperative for the government and industry to collaborate in order to reach a solution that serves both interests.

    “An additional challenge lies in educating and socializing the public regarding this rating system. A large portion of the population may still be unfamiliar with it. Consequently, it is essential for the government to effectively promote Nutri-Level, ensuring that the public comprehends and can utilize the information from this nutrition label to make healthier choices.

    “The successful implementation of Nutri-Level relies heavily on collaboration among the government, industry, and community. The government has a role in providing effective regulations and education, the industry must adapt and innovate accordingly, and the community needs to accept and utilize the system to create a substantial positive effect on public health. In Singapore, the Nutri-Grade nutrient labeling system is in place, while both Malaysia and Thailand have implemented a voluntary Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) label along with the Healthier Choice Logo. Conversely, the Philippines has chosen to adopt only the voluntary GDA system.”

    Shukla concludes: “Efforts are underway by authorities to rectify the shortcomings in the rating systems, especially regarding the complexities involved in comparing different product categories across each system. The F&B industry may push back against these measures, as the presence of multiple nutrient labeling systems across borders will likely lead to increased expenditures in procurement, research and development, and production. Standardizing regulations across the Asia-Pacific region will drive F&B manufacturers to optimize their operations, allowing them to offset higher costs through economies of scale.”

    *GlobalData Q4 2023 Consumer Survey­ – Indonesia, published in December 2023, with 531 respondents

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: US accounts for over half of high-value VC deals announced globally during Q1-Q3 2024, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    US accounts for over half of high-value VC deals announced globally during Q1-Q3 2024, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    The US continues to remain the top destination for venture capital (VC) investments globally. Moreover, it also outpaced peer countries by a significant margin for high-value* VC investments and accounted for more than half of deal volume as well as value of those investments during Q1-Q3 2024. The US accounted for 55.4% share of the total number of high-value VC deals announced globally during Q1-Q3 2024, while its share in terms of the corresponding value stood at 56.4%, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The US outpaced other nations in terms of both the volume and value of high-value VC deals by a substantial margin. The dominance of the US for high-value VC deals can also be understood from the fact that it was distantly followed by China, which held 12.7% and 16.6% share of high-value VC deal volume and value, respectively, during Q1-Q3 2024.”

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that the US saw announcement of 209 high-value VC deals during Q1-Q3 2024 with the total valued of these deals pegged at $48.4 billion. Meanwhile, a total of 48 high-value VC deals worth $14.2 billion in terms of disclosed funding value were announced in China during the same period.

    Bose adds: “Of the top 10 countries by high-value VC deals volume during Q1-Q3 2024, five were from Europe, three were from the Asia-Pacific region, and two countries were from the North American region.”

    The UK occupied the third spot in terms of the volume of high-value VC deals during Q1-Q3 2024, followed by Germany, India, Canada, France, Japan, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

    *Valued more than or equal to $100 million

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Secretary champions energy sector on visit to Norway

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ian Murray will make his first official overseas visit to Norway this week, as the UK strengthens its relationship with key international partner.

    On this trip Mr Murray will met energy investors to highlight Scotland’s world-leading energy sector and UK Government’s clean energy mission. This follows £125 million allocated in the Budget towards establishing Great British Energy in Aberdeen,

    Norway is a key partner for Scotland and the UK, in trade, defence, and energy. The Scottish Secretary’s visit will deepen these ties, to bring benefits to people and businesses in both Scotland and Norway.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer met the Prime Minister of Norway in July, where they discussed the importance of energy security and working together on green energy and renewables.

    Following on from this, the Secretary of State will meet a number of Norwegian companies who are investors in wind and low carbon projects. That includes Equinor who are a major supplier of energy to UK households and Operate the Hywind Scotland windfarm off the North East coast of Scotland.

    Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Murray said:

    We are committed to maximising Scotland’s influence abroad, and selling ‘Brand Scotland’ across the world. Norway and the UK are key partners in energy, trade and defence, and my visit will help strengthen those ties. Norway is an important provider of clean energy, and of course Scotland’s energy sector is world-leading.

    I look forward to meeting a number of energy companies to discuss our journey to clean energy by 2030, the role of GB Energy, and encourage their further investment in Scotland’s green clean future.

    Last week the Chancellor’s Budget demonstrated how the UK Government is investing in Scotland’s future and laying the foundations for economic growth across the UK – including through funding for Green Freeports, City and Growth Deals, GB Energy and hydrogen projects.

    The visit to Norway will also help cement relations with one of the UK’s most important strategic trade and defence allies. Mr Murray will meet Norwegian ministers, and visit Kongsberg, a world leading defence contractor part owned by the Norwegian Government. Kongsberg supports 3500 jobs in the UK, including in Aberdeen and Dunfermline.

    The Secretary of State for Scotland and the Norwegian Ambassador to the UK, Tore Hattrem, recently visited the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier. The carrier has recently taken part in Operation Strike Warrior – the biggest maritime training exercise in Europe, involving Norway and other NATO allies, operating under challenging conditions off the west coast of Scotland.

    Mr Murray will also meet the Norwegian government to discuss local economic growth, and support to remote communities.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Research and news relevance key factors driving the future of The Conversation – edition founder

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stephen Khan, Editor

    I took a walk through the beautiful campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island recently, as I was in the city for the annual gathering of the various editions of The Conversation.

    This project follows a devolved model, providing local leadership and engagement with the higher education and research sectors that support it in different parts of the world. Alongside me on this sunny stroll through one of the world’s great educational neighbourhoods was Alfred Hermida, Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Journalism.

    Alf and I don’t see a huge amount of each other, but when we do it tends to be pretty productive. We first met in July 2014 at an event at the University of Amsterdam, where I stood in for The Conversation founder Andrew Jaspan, and delivered a speech on the establishment of the project – then it only existed in Australia and the UK. Alf was pretty taken with the story, and the unique model. Less than a week later he was in our newsroom at City, University of London, talking to our editors about his research into social media and news.

    But something else was going on in Alf’s head – something about discussions he’d had previously with his colleague Professor Mary Lynn Young that Canada could have its own edition of The Conversation. And for the next couple of years he and Mary-Lynn together built the case within the country’s higher education sector for a membership-supported Conversation Canada. It launched in 2017 under the remarkable leadership of Scott White and now forms one of the most important and valued parts of the global network.

    So it was great to see Alf and note the edition’s success. But it was also fascinating to hear about his ongoing research and insights into the changing media landscape, both in Canada and internationally. Among the trends Alf and colleagues have noticed recently is that many students no longer arrive harboring ambitions of working for big media players. In part, he feels, this is down the decline of such full-career opportunities. But he also hears from students that they don’t see themselves reflected in the legacy news outlets. Instead it is the small independent players and even solo operations now excite many aspiring journalists more than traditional newsrooms.

    Brown university campus in Providence, Rhode Island.
    Author provided, CC BY

    “I have a global cohort of journalism students in class,” said Alf. “Many are driven by a sense of mission, looking to address the way journalism has historically marginalized or mispresented diverse communities. They look to journalism as a way of making the world a better place and are drawn to new journalism start-ups that are looking to reimagine what journalism is and could be.”

    Alf views the Conversation as part of this shift in how journalism is done. As I’ve written before, we are sometimes asked if what we do really is journalism. I’ve suggested that it may not matter, so long as our content is valuable, trusted and accessible. Alf goes further though, arguing that the production method deployed by The Conversation and pursuit of informed, evidence-based reporting
    that drives it, makes it fundamentally journalism, albeit of a different style to that which typified the newspaper era.

    Alf explained: “The scholars who write for The Conversation are taking on journalistic practices, guided and mentored by our team of professional journalists. While the authors are not journalists in the traditional sense, they are producing journalism that seeks to explain and interpret the world around us to help the public lead better lives. This is what journalism is all about.”

    As for the route ahead for The Conversation Canada, and the network more broadly, Alf, as you might expect (and hope), grounds some of his thoughts in research. Indeed, in research conducted by one of his graduate journalism students.

    Savannah Parsons considered traffic to The Conversation Canada late in 2023 as part of her study, and sought to ascertain what type of content drew readers in, and what kept them there. The picture is of course mixed, but there is a clear pattern that illustrates that expert engagement with news and events is a central factor in bringing readers to the website and our content more broadly. However, Parsons’ study also indicated that content we might traditionally describe as “more featurey”, that is, less tied to events, perhaps more narrative and perhaps even taking the form of audio rather than – or as well as – text, plays a vital role in building a loyal audience that will return to Conversation content, time after time.

    So, as was ever the case, there is a mix to be considered. And it will be for edition leads to decide exactly how that mix is deployed, and in what form, to suit individual markets. But it is clear to Alf, and I think to most of us at The Conversation, that news-relevance, timeliness and, of course, research, will be the central factors driving the project through its second decade.

    – ref. Research and news relevance key factors driving the future of The Conversation – edition founder – https://theconversation.com/research-and-news-relevance-key-factors-driving-the-future-of-the-conversation-edition-founder-242812

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission’s response in addressing social dumping following CJEU ruling on Mobility Package – P-002375/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    31.10.2024

    Priority question for written answer  P-002375/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Charlie Weimers (ECR), Beatrice Timgren (ECR), Dick Erixon (ECR)

    A recent judgment[1] by the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has upheld most provisions of the EU Mobility Package, but has annulled the ‘return of vehicle’ requirement, citing insufficient proportionality assessment[2][3]. This provision aimed to mitigate the issue of social dumping and unfair competition by ensuring that vehicles operating in other Member States return periodically to their home country.

    Studies indicate that thousands of foreign-registered vehicles operate permanently within Sweden. These operations are continuously ongoing and not of a temporary character at all, thus violating the very definition of cabotage and perpetuating social dumping practices[4].

    In light of this development:

    • 1.What action will the Commission take to ensure that social dumping is effectively curbed within the EU transport sector?
    • 2.Will the Commission propose legal changes to strengthen cabotage rules and protect local markets, ensuring fair competition and adherence to social standards?
    • 3.Does the Commission have any opinion on the fact that the CJEU cited insufficient preparatory work as a reason for invalidating the ‘return of vehicle’ rule?

    Submitted: 31.10.2024

    • [1] Judgment of the Court of Justice of 4 October 2024, Republic of Lithuania and Others v Parliament and Council, Joined Cases C-541/20 to C-555/20, ECLI:EU:C:2024:818.
    • [2] https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=290673&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=385475.
    • [3] https://www.europaportalen.se/notis/2024/10/eu-domstolen-godkanner-i-stort-nya-regler-lastbilstrafik-avvisar-krav-pa-atervandande.
    • [4] https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/trots-lagskarpning-hundratals-lastbilar-kor-illegala-transporter-i-sverige.
    Last updated: 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Horizon Europe: effective use of pre-financing – P-002367/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    31.10.2024

    Priority question for written answer  P-002367/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Ivars Ijabs (Renew)

    Pre-financing is an essential part of the efficient implementation of Horizon Europe. Its objective is to ensure the financial liquidity of projects. However, it also carries some financial risk for the beneficiaries given that the costs paid with pre-financing are checked ex post, and if an error was made by the beneficiary, the Commission can reclaim part of the money. That is why pre-financing is the exception, while the rule is the reimbursement of costs at the end of a reporting period. Against this background, can the Commission provide the following information:

    • 1.How often is additional pre-financing (i.e. pre-financing after the first tranche of pre-financing paid in the first 30 days) provided?
    • 2.What are the main reasons for providing additional pre-financing?
    • 3.How does the answer to question 1 compare to the use of additional pre-financing under the Horizon 2020 programme?

    Supporters[1]

    Submitted: 31.10.2024

    • [1] This question is supported by Members other than the author: Christian Ehler (PPE), Ondřej Krutílek (ECR)
    Last updated: 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The consequent steps to be taken by the EU with regard to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories – E-002219/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    22.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002219/2024
    to the Council
    Rule 144
    João Oliveira (The Left)

    On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice replied to questions from the UN General Assembly arising from Resolution A/RES/77/247 of 30 December 2022.

    In its reply, that court confirmed the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and concluded that Israel has an obligation to: end its illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; immediately cease all new settlement activities and evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and make good the damage caused to any natural or legal persons concerned in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    It further concluded that all States are under an obligation not to recognise as legal the situation arising from Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and not to provide aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    In light of this decision:

    • 1.What steps will the Council take to implement the decisions of the International Court of Justice?
    • 2.Will it order the immediate suspension of the supply of military or related material to Israel?
    • 3.What steps will it take to ensure that the sovereign rights of the Palestinian people over their resources are respected?

    Submitted: 22.10.2024

    Last updated: 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Public procurement contracts in the EU – E-002196/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    21.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002196/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Anderson (ESN), Marc Jongen (ESN)

    The EU requires that public invitations to tender comply with certain standards and transparency requirements, such as respect for equal opportunities, transparency, fair conditions of competition, minimum economic and financial requirements for bidders, as well as compliance with the ban on discrimination.

    • 1.Are these requirements implemented in a consistent and uniform manner in all Member States?
    • 2.Is there any evidence of any shortcomings in the implementation of such requirements, especially in countries that may have a less developed administrative tradition than, for example, Germany?
    • 3.If so, what measures is the Commission taking to ensure compliance with these requirements across the EU?

    Submitted: 21.10.2024

    Last updated: 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Promoting equal pay and the freedom to conclude contracts in the Finnish Government’s proposal for an Act on Mediation in Labour Disputes – P-002311/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    30.10.2024

    Priority question for written answer  P-002311/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE)

    The Parliament of Finland is debating a proposal for an Act on Mediation in Labour Disputes,[1] which in future would prevent the National Conciliator from issuing a proposal for a settlement that is higher than a pay agreement for export industries in labour disputes. From the perspective of the Constitution of Finland and international agreements (including ILO Conventions 87 and 98), the Act will restrict the freedom to conclude contracts and compromise the National Conciliator’s independence and impartiality. The Act will restrict pay adjustments in the public sector and female-dominated industries, which have lagged behind other sectors in terms of pay. This is incompatible with Article 28 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

    It is the view of Finland’s supreme guardian of the law, the Chancellor of Justice, that the proposal would impinge on the National Conciliator’s independence and impartiality, at least indirectly, thereby also having an indirect impact on the freedom to conclude agreements between parties. Finland’s Ombudsman for Equality is of the opinion that the Government’s proposal is at odds with the objectives of the Constitution and the Finnish Equality Act and predicts that it will increase the gender pay gap even more.

    Is the Commission aware of Finland’s intentions, and has the proposal for an Act been evaluated from the point of view of equal pay and transparency, and, if not, does the Commission intend to carry out such an evaluation? Does the Commission think that the Finnish Government has carried out an adequate assessment of its proposal, from the perspective of the freedom to conclude contracts and the freedom of association, for example? If the Finnish Government’s proposal violates these principles, the EU Charter and the European Convention on Human Rights, what will the Commission do about it?

    Submitted: 30.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.eduskunta.fi/FI/vaski/HallituksenEsitys/Sivut/HE_146+2024.aspx.
    Last updated: 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Italy: New EIB-CDP agreement to provide €1 billion in support for public sector

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • A €500 million EIB guarantee will enable Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to provide new loans totalling €1 billion to public sector bodies.
    • The two institutions further strengthen their partnership aimed at boosting the Italian economy via initiatives with positive environmental impact implemented by public sector organisations, particularly in central and southern Italy.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) have announced an agreement to strengthen their cooperation to promote public sector investment in key sectors of the Italian economy. Up to €1 billion in new funds will support sustainable regional growth and public sector investment in various sectors with a positive impact on environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and development in the south of the country.

    In concrete terms, the EIB will guarantee loans totalling up to €500 million granted by CDP to Italian regions, making it possible for Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to provide public sector bodies with loans up to double this amount (totalling up to €1 billion) over the next five years.

    The new funds will help foster economic development in central and southern Italy – including in the areas hit by the 2016 central Italian earthquake – and will support projects aiming to mitigate climate change, improve resilience to adverse weather events and promote social cohesion.

    This new agreement strengthens the already sound working relationship between the EIB and CDP to support the public sector. This is the second guarantee agreement between the EIB and CDP following that signed in 2022. The previous agreement aimed to promote economic growth and accelerate the green transition of public sector bodies on the ground.

    Background information

    European Investment Bank (EIB)

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It finances sound investments that can contribute to EU policy. EIB projects strengthen competitiveness, foster innovation, promote sustainable development and improve social and territorial cohesion while supporting a fair and rapid transition towards climate neutrality. In the past five years, the EIB Group has provided more than €58 billion in financing for projects in Italy.

    Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP)

    Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) is the national promotional institution that has supported the Italian economy since 1850. It is committed to accelerating the industrial and infrastructure development of the country in order to contribute to its economic and social growth. CDP’s core activity promotes sustainable regional development as well as the growth and innovation of Italian companies, including internationally. It partners with local authorities, providing funding and advisory services to build infrastructure and improve public utility services. It is also active in the field of international cooperation to implement projects in developing countries and emerging markets. Cassa Depositi e Prestiti is financed from entirely private resources via postal savings bonds and passbooks and through issues on the national and international financial markets.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Compulsory licensing of patents for crisis management – 04-11-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a resilient healthcare system but also for quick access to inventions and technologies in challenging situations. To address this need, in April 2023 the Commission submitted a proposal for a regulation on compulsory licensing for crisis management. The aim is to secure the rapid deployment of patent-protected inventions in times of crisis or emergency, without eroding patent protection as an incentive to innovate. The proposal lays down rules and procedures for granting Union compulsory licences and supervising the law’s implementation. Views on the proposal diverge. Civil society organisations support broad application of the compulsory licensing scheme, whereas industry organisations advocate narrow application. Opinions differ on: (i) the need for legislative intervention; (ii) the events justifying the use of compulsory licences; (iii) whether compulsory licensing should be conditional on failed prior negotiations for voluntary licences; (iv) whether the disclosure of know-how or trade secrets is warranted under certain circumstances; (v) at what level remuneration and sanctions should be capped; vi) how advisory bodies should be composed; and vii) what role potential licensees should play in initiating and engaging in the compulsory licensing procedure. On 13 March 2024, Parliament voted its first-reading position ahead of future trilogue negotiations. Parliament insists on empowering the Commission to mandate the disclosure of relevant trade secrets and know-how, and on significantly strengthening the position of rights-holders. In its position of 26 June 2024, the Council recommends a more industry-oriented approach. Third edition. The ‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Cooperation with EUROGENDFOR – P-002299/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    29.10.2024

    Priority question for written answer  P-002299/2024/rev.1
    to the Council
    Rule 144
    Özlem Demirel (The Left)

    The European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR) is an association comprising a number of European countries that have police forces with a ‘robust mandate’. Those forces can be deployed in war zones under the command of the military.

    • 1.What plans do the Council and its relevant working groups have to bring about closer cooperation with EUROGENDFOR? How will those plans be put into practice?
    • 2.What role could a liaison officer play, and where would such an officer be based?
    • 3.Does the Council believe that EUROGENDFOR could also be used in the context of EU measures in Ukraine, Moldova or Israeli-occupied Gaza, and in the Council’s view, which of those countries could be granted observer status in EUROGENDFOR?

    Submitted: 29.10.2024

    Last updated: 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Performance-based delivery of the Recovery and Resilience Facility: Blueprint for future EU spending instruments? – 04-11-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Union (EU) is committed to ensuring its budget delivers maximum value for citizens by focusing on results and performance. In 2018, as part of the shift towards performance-based budgeting, the EU revised the rules applicable to the general budget and introduced the possibility of financing that is not linked to cost (FNLC) in addition to the traditional ways of financing based on incurred costs (Article 125 of EU Regulation 2018/1046). Under this method, payments are based on results achieved, and are made if a beneficiary fulfils predefined conditions linked to progress in implementing or achieving the objectives of a project or programme. The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) – the EU’s ground-breaking instrument created to support the Member States’ post-pandemic economic recovery – is a key example of how this delivery method is applied. For the first time, disbursements to the Member States depend on achieving pre-defined milestones and targets relating to the implementation of reform and investment measures. Since the creation of the RRF, the EU has set up similar instruments in other policy areas. The Ukraine Facility (UF) and the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans (WBF), both launched in 2024, share some key features with the RRF delivery method. Along with the application of the FNLC principle for payments, other common features include the prominent role of the reform measures, using scoreboards to monitor implementation, and setting up special forums, known as ‘dialogues’, for the exchange of information and views with the European Parliament. Examining in detail this innovative way of funding as it applies to the three facilities helps to shed light on an emerging, performance-based modus operandi that is already being discussed as a possible blueprint for other spending tools under the post-2027 EU budget.

    MIL OSI Europe News –