Source: Switzerland – Department of Finance
The Federal Council was informed about the current extrapolation on 23 October 2024. The Confederation is reckoning on a financing deficit of CHF 900 million for this year. The expected deficit is thus likely to be lower than forecast in the June extrapolation (-1.6 bn) and in the budget (-2.6 bn), as a result of lower expenditure and the deferral to next year of the extraordinary capital contribution to SBB.
Source: Mayor of London
Two years on from a review which identified institutional misogyny, racism and issues in handling mental health, what progress has the London Fire Brigade (LFB) made in tackling its cultural problems?
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Fire Committee will ask academics, unions, and women in the fire service about how much progress has been made since the review and what work can still be done.
Members will closely examine whether the LFB’s recently launched Professional Standards Unit and its External Complaints Service are working effectively to drive up standards in the service, and will learn more about the challenges of the delivery of complex cultural change in other institutions.
The guests are:
Panel 1: 10am-10.45am
Panel 2: 10.55am-12.15pm
The meeting will take place on Thursday 24 October from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments 2
Self Assessment customers encouraged to prepare and file their tax return early as 31 January deadline is in sight.
The countdown clock has begun as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reminds customers they have 100 days to file and pay their Self Assessment tax return before the 31 January deadline.
Anyone who is yet to start, can access information and guidance on GOV.UK to help them complete their tax return.
More than 3.5 million have already beaten the clock and submitted their returns. HMRC is reminding others that starting their Self Assessment early means they are more likely to complete an accurate tax return, avoid any last-minute panic plus they will know what they owe sooner and can budget.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
The countdown to the Self Assessment deadline has begun but there is still time to thoroughly prepare and file an accurate tax return by 31 January. You can access online help and support to help you file. Search ‘help with Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more.
More than 12 million people need to file a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year and pay any tax owed by the 31 January 2025 deadline.
HMRC has produced a series of YouTube videos to help people complete their return and a step-by-step guide to check what customers need to do to file their first tax return.
Customers who are unsure if they need to file a tax return can visit GOV.UK to check if they need to send a Self Assessment tax return.
Anyone who is new to Self Assessment needs to register to receive their Unique Taxpayer Reference before they can send a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year.
People who no longer need to file a tax return should tell HMRC as soon as possible to avoid any penalties. HMRC has produced 2 videos explaining how customers can go online and stop Self Assessment if they are self-employed and those who are not self-employed.
How to go online and stop Self Assessment if you’re self-employed
How to go online and stop Self Assessment if you’re not self-employed
HMRC recommends that anyone who regularly sell goods or provides a service through an online platform to find out more about selling online and paying taxes. The information on GOV.UK will help them decide if their activity should be treated as a trade and if they need to complete a Self Assessment tax return.
Criminals use emails, phone calls and texts to try to steal information and money from taxpayers. Before sharing their personal or financial details, people should search ‘HMRC tax scams’ on GOV.UK to access a checklist to help them decide if the contact they have received is a scam
People should never share their HMRC login information with anyone. Someone could use them to steal from them or claim benefits or a refund in their name.
More information on Self Assessment
The deadlines for tax returns for 2023 to 2024 tax year are 31 October 2024 for paper returns and 31 January 2025 for online returns.
More than 97% of Self Assessment returns are filed online.
People can use the HMRC app to find out how to register for Self Assessment, check their Unique Taxpayer Reference, get their National Insurance number and employment income and history and pay their tax bill.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (October 23) expressed sorrow over the passing of Mr Michael Suen, and extended her sincere condolences to his family.
Mr Suen served as Secretary for Home Affairs from November 1991 to March 1997 and was the first Secretary for Home Affairs from July to early August 1997 after Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
“With decades of service in the Government, Mr Suen was dedicated to serving the Government and the people of Hong Kong. He made significant contributions when he took charge of matters in relation to home affairs in the period following Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. I am saddened by the passing of Mr Suen and would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family,” Miss Mak said.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government welcomed the passage of the Rating (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Legislative Council today (October 23). The Bill gives effect to the progressive rating system for domestic tenements, which will take effect from the fourth quarter of this financial year (i.e. January to March 2025), to uphold the principle of “affordable users pay”.
Starting from the fourth quarter of this financial year, for domestic tenements with a rateable value (RV) of $550,000 or below, rates will continue to be charged at 5 per cent of the RV. For domestic tenements with an RV exceeding $550,000, rates will be charged at the same rate of 5 per cent for the first $550,000, 8 per cent for the next $250,000, and 12 per cent for the remaining RV.
Non-domestic tenements, including tenements used for business activities or social services, e.g. commercial building, industrial building, shop, hotel, nursery, home for the elderly, youth hostel, holiday camp, etc, will not be subject to the progressive rating system.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “The progressive rating system endeavours to strike a balance between upholding the ‘affordable users pay’ principle and minimising the number of ratepayers affected. In formulating the progressive rating system, the Government has taken into account a basket of factors, including the affordability of ratepayers of domestic tenements, the market rentals as reflected in the RV, the number of affected ratepayers and the amount of additional rates to be paid, the estimated increase in revenue from rates, as well as the fundamental principle of maintaining a simple rating system. The progressive rating system is part of the Government’s comprehensive fiscal consolidation programme. It is expected that government revenue will increase by about $820 million each year. The affected domestic tenements account for about 1.9 per cent of the total number of private domestic tenements in Hong Kong.”
The Bill will be gazetted on November 1. The Rating and Valuation Department will inform the affected ratepayers. The quarterly demands to be issued in the fourth quarter of this financial year will reflect the progressive rates for applicable cases.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Last week, the Speaker of the House of Commons welcomed Members, House staff and special guests to Speaker’s House to mark Black History Month.
This month offers an opportunity to unite in reflection but also to learn about the culture and history of those in the community, past and present. Thank you to the cast of ‘Just My Imagination’ – The Temptations tribute act, showcasing some of the best of British performing arts.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
A team of teachers from the State University of Management took part in the program “Voice of a Generation. Vice-Rectors Teachers”, held with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
Representatives of more than 50 universities of our country gathered at the Mashuk Knowledge Center in Pyatigorsk.
This year, the main topic of the meeting was educational work, which was examined from different points of view: psychology, law, neurobiology.
The delegation of the State University of Management included: Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics and Finance for educational work Valeria Ivanova, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies and the Bureau of Culture Svetlana Grishaeva, Deputy Director of the Institute of Information Systems for educational work Kirill Putilov, Deputy Head of the Department of Management in the Sphere of Culture, Cinema, Television and Entertainment Industry Anna Akopyan and Lecturer of the Department of Marketing Alina Gorchakova.
The forum’s guests of honor were Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova and Advisor to the Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Madeleine Baturina.
The forum program included not only the usual presentations by speakers, master classes and seminars, but also other formats of work: quiz, business games, round tables, reflection and an immersive game with immersion, where teachers together decided what the future world will be like in terms of values, specialties and what the student of the future will be like.
During four days of intensive work, the team from each university had the opportunity not only to reconsider their views on the educational process at the university, but also to plan specific actions applicable in their work, as well as to exchange experiences with colleagues from other universities and even make their own proposals for changing the points of the educational work program at their university.
At the end of the final evening, all participating teams had to formulate a phrase describing the main insight after completing the program.
The quote from the GUU team is: “The happiness of discovering yourself through discovering others.”
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 23.10.2024
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Minister Catherine West gave a keynote speech to the South China Sea conference in Ha Long, Vietnam.
Good morning everybody, and it’s lovely to be here on such a perfect morning with those beautiful mountains and sea in front of us.
As we’ve heard from Dr Dung and Vice Minister Viet, thank you to our local government partners who’ve put on such a beautiful event for us. And thank you to our Indonesian collaborator who spoke first, it was so good to hear from him.
In the UK we have a relatively new government, elected in July this year…
… and many people have asked me as the new Minister for the Indo-Pacific, “how do we know that the UK is committed to the Indo-Pacific?”.
After three weeks my boss, David Lammy, who is the Foreign Secretary, visited Vientiane as part of the ASEAN discussions and this is my third country in the region to visit since July.
So we know that working together with European partners and with others in the region, we can be allies with all of the partners in ASEAN and we can join together to have a very good discussion about peace and security.
On Monday, I will go to Manila for the Women, Peace and Security conference, which will I think create a really deep understanding for myself as a new Minister as to the challenges in the region. And also the importance of promoting women’s leadership around this area of partnerships, rooted in respect and mutual trust.
Positioning the UK as a long-term reliable partner of the Indo-Pacific, underpinned by a shared respect for ASEAN leadership and centrality. And after that conference I will return to the UK, bringing back news of the conference and your thoughts.
Because we know that after nearly 25 years of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325,…
…in which the UK played a leading role,…
…I will underline that our commitment to advancing participation in conflict prevention, reduction and resolution is unwavering, both in ASEAN but also globally.
And it is in the same spirit that I join you here today, to set out the UK’s support for collective efforts to maintain regional security and uphold international law.
Let me begin by stating unambiguously that the UK wants a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Because put simply, our collective global prosperity hinges on keeping the vital sea-lanes in the South China Sea open. Or the East Sea, as I believe in Vietnam you call it.
Our shared security interests also demand that we stand-up for principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity…
…through the international legal framework that protects these principles,…
…for example, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – or UNCLOS as we call it.
But it’s not just the Indo-Pacific.
Undermining international law in any situation, in any context…
… has the potential to corrode the wider system of global governance that protects security and prosperity.
Take for example the sustainable development goals.
We can hardly hope to achieve those goals without peace and security spurring on economic growth.
And all of that relies heavily on having stable seas where the rule of law is upheld.
And this year we’ve seen a serious and sustained series of incidents,…
…representing one of the sharpest spikes in tensions over recent years.
The use of water cannons, blocking, and ramming manoeuvres have interfered…
…with Philippine rights and freedom of navigation.
These actions, and the responses they may incite, raise the risk of serious miscalculation…
…as well as posing a direct threat to international law.
And last month Chinese law enforcement attacked Vietnamese fishermen, leaving them seriously injured.
The grave risk of instability and escalation that these incidents pose is a significant concern for the international community.
Not just because of the impact it could have on global prosperity and security, but also on livelihoods and local biodiversity.
That is why the UK has and will continue to protest any action which threatens peace and stability…
…or seeks to undermine the primacy of UNCLOS.
Keeping the South China Sea safe is our priority.
And the only way we can achieve that is by working together with partners including those represented here today.
Now another crucial element to our security and prosperity is climate and nature.
After this session I will be going to visit some of the areas affected by Typhoon Yagi, to understand more deeply how the Red Cross is working to mitigate those terrible floods and hear from local people as to how they’re managing about those floods.
We were among the first countries to sign the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement…
…and we remain focussed on its ratification.
Home to over a third of world’s coral reefs – this region is critical…
…to halting and reversing the loss of the natural ecosystem.
Rising sea levels risk leading to worsening maritime disputes.
And we cannot tackle the various risks unless we understand them well.
So the UK is using its expertise to help.
For example, the UK Met Office is studying how changes in sea surface temperature affect migratory fish and coastal ecosystems,…
…playing a role not just on food security but also on addressing the poor environmental impact of rising temperatures.
Back home, we have also set a landmark goal – to be the first major economy to deliver clean energy power by 2030.
But acting alone is not a solution.
That is why we want to work with you and partners across the world to accelerate the clean energy transition.
So we are boosting progress by building on existing programmes.
Such as the Just Energy Transition Partnerships – JETP – in Indonesia and Vietnam,…
…supporting innovative clean energy…
…and the expansion of grids and storage.
Technology also plays a key role…
…and is something the UK is keen to harness to help solve global challenges.
Modern maritime ecosystems is becoming increasingly interconnected and digital in its nature.
And more and more sophisticated technology supports improved port operations across the globe,…
…the development of Autonomous Surface Ships will reduce the number of seafarers needed to operate a vessel.
We know how essential undersea telecoms cables are.
And they will only grow in importance with the use of AI becoming more widespread.
That is why the UK is working transparently with partners to develop inclusive global norms and standards…
…for the responsible and ethical use of technology and AI, including in maritime contexts.
Finally, we know that we live in a rapidly changing world where the more closely we work, the stronger we are.
Next year, the UK will hold its third Regional Maritime Security Symposium in Southeast Asia to discuss collaboration on a range of maritime issues.
It’s so encouraging to be here today and to work with Asia-Pacific partners, and as I speak, HMS Spey and HMS Tamar, our two Offshore Patrol Vessels, continue their operations in the Indo-Pacific,…
…exercising with partners,…
…responding to humanitarian disasters,…
…and tackling maritime challenges.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak today, and I look forward to questions afterwards.
Thank you.
Source: Press Release Service – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: HazardCo takes its leading health and safety system to the UK
HazardCo is proud to announce its expansion into the UK market, marking a significant milestone in its journey as a New Zealand-born tech company. With its roots in New Zealand and a proven track record in Australia, HazardCo is ready to help UK builders feel confident in their compliance and focus on delivering high-quality projects.
The post HazardCo takes its leading health and safety system to the UK first appeared on PR.co.nz.
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out a repatriation operation today (October 23). A total of 19 Vietnamese illegal immigrants were repatriated to Vietnam. The persons removed comprised seven men and 12 women, all of whom were unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment.
The ImmD has been committed to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest. Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.
The ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process to repatriate illegal immigrants and overstayers from Hong Kong as soon as practicable according to the actual situation through appropriate measures as necessary.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Following is a question by the Hon Jimmy Ng and a reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):
Question:
At present, the Lands Department allows owners of industrial building (IB) units to put their units to uses other than those permitted under the land leases through applications for waivers to temporarily relax the restrictions under the land leases. However, some owners have relayed to me that the fee for a waiver application is very high, and the original amount of the fee must be paid in the first place even if the appeal lodged by the owner against the amount of the fee is yet to be concluded. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of waiver applications in respect of IB land leases received, approved and rejected by the Government in each of the past five years; the number of approved applications for which waiver fees had been paid, as well as the respective amounts and floor areas involved; the respective numbers of appeals lodged against the amount of the waiver fee and successful appeals;
(2) whether it will enhance the mechanism of appeal against the amount of the waiver fee to allow owners to pay the fee only after the appeal has been concluded; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) given that at present, the Government has put in place an arrangement for relaxing waiver application in respect of IB land leases, under which owners are allowed to put their units to specific non-industrial uses without applying for a waiver, and such arrangement will expire on January 31, next year, whether the Government will extend or regularise the arrangement and expand the scope of the relevant specific non-industrial uses; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Under land leases granted in earlier years, many existing industrial buildings (IB) may only be used for industrial use. In general, if owners wish to convert all or part of the units in such IBs for non-industrial uses, applications for waivers must first be made to the Lands Department (LandsD), subject to payment of a waiver fee and an administrative fee.
With a view to encouraging the transformation of aged IBs, and making good use of the floor space of IBs in the urban area to meet the needs of economic development, the Government has rolled out concessionary measures, through exemption of waiver fees, to encourage owners to carry out wholesale conversion of IBs aged 15 years or above and situated in designated planning zones for non-industrial uses.
If owners simply convert individual IB units for non-industrial uses, subject to compliance with the regulations of land planning and fire safety, the Government has also put in place measures to facilitate approval currently, including:
Under the policy support of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, if some units in an IB are converted for the use of operating data centres or testing and calibration laboratories, the LandsD would exempt the waiver fees payable for such units;
If the individual IB units are used for some common non-industrial uses such as office, information technology and telecommunication premises, offices for professionals, etc (Note), the LandsD has since 2003 promulgated standard rates for waiver fees for those designated uses , so as to expedite the approval process. The LandsD would make reference to market information to review and adjust the standard rates annually so as to reflect the changes in market rent;
As for those cases where the abovementioned waiver fee exemption or standard rates are not applicable, the relevant waiver fees would be assessed and determined on a case-by-case basis under the conventional assessment mechanism. If applicants do not agree with the fees proposed by the LandsD, they may lodge an appeal with the LandsD.
In this policy context, my reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Ng is as follows:
(1) In the past three years, the LandsD received 198 applications for waivers relating to individual IB units. Setting aside those rejected or withdrawn cases, there are 154 cases approved or under processing, over half of which, or some 80 cases, are exempted from waiver fees or are subject to calculation of waiver fees at standard rates. Among the 87 approved cases in the past three years, 31 cases are subject to individual assessment for waiver fees, including three cases in respect of which appeal on the fees have been lodged and are under processing. Details of the relevant figures are set out at Annex. Given the time constraint, the LandsD could only provide the figures for the past three years.
(2) As I mentioned earlier, the LandsD promulgates the standard rates for waiver applications for designated uses. The merit of the standard rates is to allow the applicants to know the fee calculation method upfront and decide whether to make the applications. This would help shorten the processing time. Therefore, applications calculated at standard rates are not subject to appeal.
As for other cases under the conventional assessment mechanism, applicants may lodge an appeal against the fees assessed by the LandsD, which would consider the justifications received to make a decision. If the premises has not yet been used for the proposed non-industrial uses at the time of application, applicants do not need to pay the waiver fees immediately during the appeal period.
If the premises has already been used for non-industrial uses at the time of application, which means that the use has already changed before the application is approved, the relevant use is indeed in breach of the user restriction of industrial use under the lease. Before accepting the appeal on waiver fees for handling, the LandsD would request the applicants to pay upfront the administrative fee and the fees already assessed by the LandsD, so as to avoid the continuation of non-compliant uses without any payment by the applicant through making an appeal. Subject to the review result, if the applicants have overpaid, the relevant amount would be deducted accordingly in the next quarter.
Even though the above mechanism operates relatively smoothly, the Development Bureau and the LandsD would conduct a review, covering whether there is room for applying standard rates to more uses under waiver applications, and whether standards and targets can be set for the appeal procedures in terms of processing time, so as to optimise and expedite the approval procedures for facilitating businesses.
(3) To continue encouraging redevelopment and wholesale conversion of aged IBs, the Policy Address delivered last week announced the extension of an array of measures under the revitalisation scheme for IBs to end-2027, including the measures of concern to the Hon Ng as cited in the question, i.e. the conversion of individual units into the non-industrial uses designated by the Government without the need for applying for waivers in the case of those IBs that may not have been able to undergo wholesale conversion due to multiple ownership. The Government has introduced this measure (waiver measure) since 2019, permitting these units to be used for the following uses, including (a) Art Studio; (b) Office (Audio-visual Recording Studio); (c) Office (Design and Media Production); (d) Office (used by “specified creative industries” only); and (e) Research, Design and Development Centre. As no waiver application is required, no waiver fee is payable. For public safety, the designated non-industrial uses under the waiver measure should not involve any uses or activities with direct provision of services or goods, to prevent attracting the public to visit buildings that still have industrial activities..
Note: Designated non-industrial/non-residential uses are: (1) headquarters or back-office operations; (2) offices for professional consultants, such as architects, engineers, surveyors, planning consultants, solicitors and accountants; (3) offices for business services, such as advertising agencies, management consultants, public relations agencies and interior/graphic designers; (4) information technology and telecommunications industries; (5) cargo handling and forwarding facilities; (6) recyclable collection centres; and (7) such other uses for non-industrial/non-residential purposes not involving direct provision of customer services or goods to the general public.
Source: NATO
During her long career at NATO, Hedwige Lauwaert served as the principal assistant to four NATO Spokespersons. In this behind-the-scenes role, she helped the Alliance communicate with thousands of international journalists – and witnessed turning points in NATO history, such as the accession of the first countries from the former Eastern Bloc in 1999, NATO’s operation Allied Force conducted in March 1999 to halt the humanitarian catastrophe that was then unfolding in Kosovo, and the invocation of Article 5 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States.
Hedwige was born in the Belgian city of Ninove in 1950, just a year after Belgium became a founding member of NATO. She studied modern languages and worked for 12 years in the private sector, for air transportation and engineering companies, before applying for a job at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
Hedwige’s journey at NATO started in 1984, when she joined the International Military Staff at the Allied Long Lines Agency (ALLA). ALLA’s mission was to ensure telecommunication services in times of conflict and peace, and to provide support to NATO and the Allies in commercial procurement.
After one year of working in ALLA, Hedwige transferred to a new role in NATO’s Office of Information and Press, where she was part of the team in charge of organising visits to NATO Headquarters and offering group briefings to students, opinion makers, government officials and academics in English, French and Dutch. Additionally, she assisted the Dutch Liaison Officer in organising visits and conferences for groups from the Netherlands.
“When I worked in the Visits Section, I realised how important communication was for NATO’s image. It was a difficult time for the Alliance because of the protests against the storage of cruise missiles on European military bases in the 1980s and nuclear activism demonstrations, so when I was offered the position of personal assistant to soon-to-be Spokesperson Jamie Shea at the Press Office, I accepted it immediately.”
From 1995 to 2011, Hedwige served as the principal assistant to the NATO Spokesperson, working with Jamie Shea, Yves Brodeur, James Appathurai and Oana Lungescu. Hedwige’s main role was to organise interviews for the Spokesperson, the NATO Secretary General and other NATO officials with journalists and media outlets from all over the world, and to accompany the Spokesperson to NATO summits and ministerial meetings abroad.
During her sixteen years working for the NATO Spokesperson, Hedwige witnessed key episodes in the Alliance’s history. One particularly challenging moment was the Kosovo crisis in 1999. The pace of work was relentless, with daily press conferences, non-stop calls, long working hours and a considerable amount of stress as Spokesperson Jamie Shea explained NATO’s intervention over a 78-day air campaign to halt the humanitarian catastrophe.
“The Kosovo crisis was probably the most intense period of my career at NATO. Every day felt like a summit day. At the time, our offices were located in the entrance hall of the press building, and journalists would constantly approach us until a Media Operations Centre was created in the secure zone.”
Another key event of 1999 was NATO’s 50th anniversary summit in Washington, D.C. – where the North Atlantic Treaty had been signed in 1949.
“I remember this meeting as being quite historical, because the Heads of State and Government of the new NATO members – Czechia, Hungary and Poland – were participating in their first NATO summit meeting,” Hedwige recalls. “This was also the time when I first visited the CNN studios, where I met my media contact for many years to come.”
The 9/11 terrorist attacks were a turning point in NATO’s history. Hedwige remembers the moment she learned about the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York City and the never-ending night when the crisis team scrambled to understand what had happened, with no sustenance other than leftover birthday cake.
“Then-Spokesperson Yves Brodeur had just briefed a group of Finnish journalists when he returned to the office and told me to turn on the TV to see the images of the plane impact. Essential staff were required to stay working that night while all catering facilities were closed on the premises. It also happened to be the birthday of Jamie Shea, at the time the Director of Information and Press, and his cake was the only thing to eat all evening and night, and it had to be shared with approximately 20 people.”
Over the following days and weeks, Hedwige supported the Spokesperson and the Secretary General as they communicated NATO’s response to the world – including the invocation of Article 5 for the first time in NATO’s history.
During her time as contact point for international journalists, Hedwige learned about some of the professional difficulties they faced, particularly when it came to covering NATO’s meetings abroad. For this reason, on the occasion of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Reykjavik in May 2002, Hedwige established a partnership with the Belgian Ministry of Defence that allowed her to use one of their planes as a means of transportation for journalists to such events. Hedwige’s creativity and innovation were commended by Secretary General Lord Robertson with NATO’s Award of Excellence, a recognition dedicated to honouring the professionalism of hard-working NATO staff members.
Hedwige retired from NATO in 2011 and currently lives in Provence, France. She has become a keen gardener and helps to organise visits to the gardens in the region for the organisation ‘Mediterranean Gardening France’.
Hedwige Lauwaert’s message for the Alliance’s 75th anniversary
“It is probably a cliché, but I hope that NATO will be around for another 75 years, and longer, to make sure that future generations will live in peace.
There have always been difficult periods in NATO’s history, and frequently its relevance was put into question, but in the current hostile world, NATO is the only guarantee to stability and hopefully peace.”
This article is part of the 75th anniversary #WeAreNATO series.
These interviews feature former NATO staff members who share their personal stories and first-hand experiences related to the Alliance’s key moments and historic turning points, such as the Cold War and 1989, the first out-of-area missions, partnerships, 9/11 and more.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 23, 2024/APO Group/ —
Despite the arrest of important operators in early 2024, Grandoreiro continues to be used by its partners in new campaigns. Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis team (GReAT) (www.Kaspersky.co.za) has discovered a new light version focused on Mexico targeting around 30 banks. These findings are to be highlighted at the Security Analyst Summit (SAS) 2024. Remaining one of the most active threats globally and targeting users of more than 1,700 banks, Grandoreiro variants account for around five percent of banking trojan attacks this year. Mexico is one of the most targeted countries by various Grandoreiro strains, including the new light version, seeing 51,000 recorded incidents this year.
Kaspersky data indicates Grandoreiro has been active since 2016. In 2024, the threat targets more than 1,700 financial institutions and 276 cryptocurrency wallets across 45 countries and territories, lastly adding Asia and Africa to the list of its targets, making it a truly global financial threat. Among countries affected in Africa are Algeria, Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda.
After assisting an INTERPOL-coordinated action, which has led to Brazilian authorities arresting (http://apo-opa.co/3BUqgrb) operators behind a Grandoreiro banking trojan operation, Kaspersky discovered that the group’s codebase has been split into lighter, fragmented versions of the trojan, to continue its attacks. Recent analysis has identified a specific light version focused primarily on Mexico, which has been used to target approximately 30 financial institutions. The creators likely have access to the source code and are launching new campaigns using the simplified legacy malware.
“All the recent developments underscore the evolving nature of the threat. Fragmented and lighter versions may represent a trend that could extend beyond Mexico and into other regions, including beyond Latin America. However, we believe that only some trusted affiliates have access to the malware source code to develop such lighter versions. Grandoreiro operates differently from the traditional ‘Malware-as-a-Service’ model we are accustomed to. You won’t find announcements on underground forums selling the Grandoreiro package; instead, access to it appears to be limited,” explains Fabio Assolini, head of the Latin American (GReAT) at Kaspersky.
Multiple variants of Grandoreiro, including the new light version and the primary malware, accounted for approximately five percent of global banking trojan attacks detected by Kaspersky in 2024, making it one of the most active threats worldwide. Kaspersky has also analysed the newer samples of the primary Grandoreiro from 2024, and observed new tactics. It records mouse activity to mimic real user patterns, aiming to evade detection by machine learning-based security systems that analyse behaviour. By replaying natural mouse movements, the malware aims to trick anti-fraud tools into seeing the activity as legitimate.
Additionally, Grandoreiro has adopted a cryptographic technique known as Ciphertext Stealing (CTS), which Kaspersky has never seen being used in malware. In this case, its aim is to encrypt the malicious code strings. “Grandoreiro has a large and complex structure, which would make it easier for security tools or analysts to detect if its strings were not encrypted. This is likely why they introduced this new technique – to complicate the detection and analysis of their attacks,” Fabio Assolini elaborated.
To protect from financial malware, Kaspersky security experts recommend organisations to:
While banks should educate its customers, individuals are advised to:
Read more on Securelist (http://apo-opa.co/3C4N5bD). The comprehensive Grandoreiro analysis and overview is to be presented by GReAT at Kaspersky’s sixteenth Security Analyst Summit (SAS) (http://apo-opa.co/3BPHtly), which takes place from October 22-25, 2024, in Bali.
Source: Amnesty International –
Widespread state repression has been enforced since the July 2021 protests, but a renewed effort to suppress dissent began this September
Félix Navarro, Dama de Blanco Sayli Navarro, Roberto Pérez Fonseca and Luis Robles have been named as prisoners of conscience
‘This is a recognition of the courage and resistance of the people of Cuba who … fighting for their rights and the rights of all people’ – Ana Piquer
Amnesty International has declared political dissident Félix Navarro, independent journalist Dama de Blanco Sayli Navarro, 11J protester Roberto Pérez Fonseca and activist Luis Robles as prisoners of conscience.
These designations come in the context of renewed repression by the Cuban authorities against activists, human rights defenders, journalists, intellectuals and independent media in the last weeks of September. This includes an alarming increase in ill-treatment, harassment, arbitrary detentions, new threats of criminalisation, denial of prison benefits and worrying reports of deterioration in the health and physical integrity of detainees.
Ana Piquer, Director of the Americas at Amnesty International, said:
“These designations are a recognition of the dozens of people who remain in prison in Cuba for peacefully exercising their rights, and of all those who live under constant surveillance, harassment and the threat of criminalisation. This is a recognition of the courage and resistance of the people of Cuba who are standing up to constant and generalised repression and fighting for their rights and the rights of all people.
“Following the widespread state repression unleashed by the July 2021 protests, and with many activists, political opponents and dissidents unjustly imprisoned, the Cuban state seems intent on eradicating any capacity for resistance within Cuban society, which now extends to projects, spaces and activism not linked to traditional political opposition or dissidence.
“It is imperative that the international community show solidarity and demand the immediate release of those imprisoned for exercising their rights, and an end to the repression and harassment of dissidents in Cuba.”
Prisoners of conscience
Félix and Sayli Navarro were sentenced in March 2022 to 9 and 8 years in prison respectively for events related to the protests of July 2021. Both were violently arrested on 12 July at their local police station in the town of Perico, Matanzas province, when they went to enquire about the situation of members of their movement who had been arrested during the protests the day before.
Climate of repression
Independent media organisations El Toque, Periodismo de Barrio and Cubanet have claimed in editorials and on social media that their contributors have received threats of criminalisation from the authorities in recent weeks. According to these reports, contributors have repeatedly been summoned by police and state security agents and informed of possible criminal prosecution for “mercenarism”. In addition, activists and independent media contributors reported on their social networks that they had received arbitrary summonses followed by interrogations by the authorities and state security agents about their journalistic work and their links to certain individuals or media outlets considered to be “counter-revolutionary”.
Amnesty has had access to the testimonies of at least 20 activists who have reported being threatened with imprisonment, forced to record themselves and sign declarations of self-incrimination, and deprived of their mobile phones and computers. Similarly, Cuban human rights organisations reported that at least three independent media contributors were forced to write public resignations on their social networks, expressing their intention not to work with independent media.
On 16 September, cultural magazine PM Magazine announced that it was closing down permanently due to increasing pressure and harassment against its director by state security agents.
Ana Piquer said:
“This climate of constant fear and intimidation adds to our concern at the continuing reports of the deteriorating health and ill-treatment of prisoners of conscience Loreto Hernández, Pedro Albert and José Daniel Ferrer, and the increasing and systematic harassment of journalist Carlos Michael Morales, and Damas de Blanco leader Berta Soler.”
Amnesty calls for the immediate and unconditional release of prisoners of conscience, and of all those unjustly imprisoned solely for exercising their human rights. The organisation also calls on the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel to respect human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, to repeal repressive legislation, and to end the repression of dissidents.
In order to determine whether a person is a prisoner of conscience, Amnesty uses the information available to it regarding the circumstances leading to their detention. By designating a particular person as a prisoner of conscience, Amnesty is affirming that this person must be immediately and unconditionally released but is not endorsing their past or present views or conduct.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eva A Sprecher, Research Fellow in Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, UCL
Playing On, CC BY
There are over 100,000 children and young people living in care in the UK, either with foster carers, in residential children’s homes or in other settings. Flock, currently playing at the Soho Theatre in London before embarking on a UK tour, follows the lives of two young people who have spent time in care, Robbie (Jamie Ankrah) and his older sister Cel (Gabriella Leonardi).
The play was written by Lin Coughlan and directed by Jim Pope after three years of development with Raising the Roof, a project working with young people aged 16-25 who have lived in care, to develop fictional narratives informed by their own lives.
The voices of young people who have lived in care give this play its beating heart. And they’re also vitally important for authentic representation of first-hand care-stories that are notably missing in mainstream media.
Historically, characters who have grown up in the care system tend to be represented as villains or criminals in popular culture. Think Paul Spector in The Fall, or Loki from the Marvel universe. Exceptions can be found in many heroes in the Marvel comics created by Stan Lee, like Spider-Man or Daredevil.
Researchers who have first-hand experience of the care system have commented on the prevalence of stigmatising narratives around “damage” and negative stereotypes associated with experience of care, alongside idealised “happy-ever-after” foundling stories.
Important work is being done to archive the work of creators with experience of the care system and to capture a variety of care stories. However, nuanced work taking into account the complexity of going through the care system is rare and public attitudes reflect harmful misconceptions about young people living in care.
In England, it’s estimated that at least one in three children who enter care are separated from their siblings. In Flock, Robbie is desperately waiting for his 18th birthday, when he hopes he will be able to live reunited with his sister Cel.
While Robbie and Cel are not living together, they find ways to connect – taking trips to McDonalds or going bowling. Maintaining connections with siblings, while sometimes complex, can make a big difference to supporting the sense of belonging, mental health and wellbeing experienced by young people in care.
Cel is one of the only people who shares Robbie’s memories of his nan and their valued moments with her before coming into care. There is evidence that sibling separation has a long-lasting impact for adults with experience of care, associated with complicated feelings of loss. However, when planning for young people’s living arrangements, sibling reunification or connection is not always prioritised.
Sibling reunification is not always easy. While Cel loves Robbie, she often feels more like his parent, and the responsibility of supporting him to manage his emotions while she is still a child weighs heavily on her. Cel might be described as a young carer, taking on daily tasks and personal care for her sibling when adults were not able to do so.
While young carers who have spent time caring for a sibling do often express feeling more resourceful, greater responsibility and prioritising their sibling’s needs can impact their own wellbeing. Cel dreams of going to university and the freedom of leaving her responsibility as an older sister, even as she loves Robbie and wants the best for him.
Cel is not the only person that Robbie can rely on. He also has a strong connection with his best friend Miko (Deshaye Gayle) and somewhat reluctantly meets with his personal advisor, Mrs Bosely (Jennifer Daley). As Robbie’s relationship with Cel comes under threat, these connections become especially important.
Coming into care can cause disruption to more than sibling relationships. Children often lose touch with family, friends and communities and often move school and neighbourhood. Most young people living in care, like Robbie, have had difficult and possibly traumatic early experiences before, during and after moving into care.
After difficult early experiences, some young people may experience changes to their brain and behaviour that allows them to survive loss, neglect or abuse. These adaptations may look like an increased alertness to danger or an unwillingness to trust others.
While these changes may help children stay safe when living in unsafe circumstances, they might also make it harder to maintain close relationships. This negative impact of these understandable adaptations on relationships is called “social thinning”. At moments, Robbie’s mistrust is clear – when he fears that Miko is only his friend out of pity or when he finds it hard to accept any support Bosely offers him. However, we also see that the consistent, warm and understanding support of Miko and Bosely helps Robbie to stay connected in his lowest moments.
This play represents both the very difficult experiences of young people living in care, alongside real moments of joy, strength, hope and connection. Flock provides a refreshing and much-needed story of the complex reality of the lives of young people living in care in the UK, putting real voices at its centre.
Flock is on at the Soho Theatre, London until November 2, when it embarks on a UK tour.
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Eva A Sprecher does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Flock is a refreshing play about the complex reality of growing up in care – https://theconversation.com/flock-is-a-refreshing-play-about-the-complex-reality-of-growing-up-in-care-241620
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dorje C. Brody, Professor of Mathematics, University of Surrey
“Talk about extreme.” That was the response of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris at September’s televised debate, after her rival, Donald Trump, made the baseless claim that migrants had been eating the dogs and cats of their neighbours in Springfield, Ohio.
Despite mounting criticism, Trump doubled down on the accusation. Likewise, during the more recent vice-presidential debate, Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, falsely claimed that the migrants in Springfield are illegal.
The arrival of hurricanes Milton and Helene then gave them more opportunities to disseminate disinformation. Trump’s team attacked the government over its response to the disaster, claiming that government money earmarked for disaster victims has been spent on migrants who crossed illegally into the US.
“Kamala spent all her Fema [Federal Emergency Management Agency] money – billions of dollars – on housing for illegal migrants”, Trump said at a rally in Michigan. This point was also repeated by Vance in an opinion piece on October 8 in the Wall Street Journal.
The claim is false. But does it make sense for Trump’s team to spread such extreme disinformation? Mathematical analysis suggests it can.
The positions of the candidates on the various issues, such as migration, can be represented on the political spectrum from the left to the right. It is fair to say that Trump places himself at the right end of the spectrum, while Harris sits at the centre.
If you are at the far end of the spectrum, left or right, then you want to move people as far in your direction as possible. So, given that these days, in the US at least, there appear to be no consequences for disseminating disinformation, you want your messages to be extreme.
By consistently hyping up the dangers of migrants, for example, more voters will start feeling that something needs to be done, even if they have never encountered an issue themselves.
Indeed, mathematical models show that the probability of a candidate positioned at the end of the spectrum winning an election can, at least theoretically, reach 100%, if the messages are nothing but extreme. The same does not apply to a candidate positioned in the middle.
We have seen this effect manifesting itself in the recent elections in Germany and France. Unless the public already has a strong appetite for the centre ground, which was the case for July’s general election in the UK, positions at the centre are often precarious.
The path to victory for Harris therefore remains steep. But there are means for an effective counteroffensive.
Political messages have two purposes: communicating where the candidate stands on the various issues, and making the voters feel that those positions are desirable. We can apply the mathematics of communication, which explains our cognitive response to digesting information, to infer the impact of political messages.
In particular, we can study how different messages on a given issue combine and interact. This, of course, only concerns voters who consume a variety of information sources, as opposed to those confined to an information echo chamber.
For those who consume both Democratic and Republican messages, the effect of combining them can be subtle. But, in many cases, they combine in an additive way with some weights on each message.
You can think of it as a weighted average of the two information sources. For example, if Harris says one thing and Trump says something opposite on a particular issue, then the net effect is each message muting the other slightly.
So, if Trump says the illegal Haitian migrants in Springfield are eating people’s pets, and Harris says the migrants are there legally and are not eating anyone’s pets, then people might come to the conclusion that, while there may be illegal Haitian migrants in Springfield, they may not be eating pets.
However, in some cases, one of the weights can take a negative value. This means that rather than adding them, the receiver of the two messages will subtract them. When this happens, the effect of that message is unexpectedly reversed.
For example, when clear and convincing evidence of the legal status of the migrants in Springfield is presented, the prevailing noise about their pet-eating habits will, in anything, strengthen people’s belief that the claim is false.
This can happen when the message from Harris is sufficiently loud and clear. Importantly, this does not mean Harris should loudly deny the disinformation. Provided that Harris sticks to her own messages in a clear and transparent manner, the mathematics of communication predicts that disinformation can turn itself against its spreader, for the following reasons.
The idea, roughly speaking, goes as follows. Suppose that a recipient of the messages is unaware of the prevalence of disinformation, and that there is a considerable gap between the unsubstantiated disinformation and reliable information, with the latter being communicated very clearly.
In this situation, communication theory shows that the receiver will dismiss disinformation more strongly than someone who is aware of the prevalence of disinformation.
It is reminiscent of the Japanese martial art judo where the ultimate aim is to use your opponent’s momentum, rather than your own force.
Disinformation should be challenged. And, indeed, both Harris and her predecessor Joe Biden have come out to condemn Trump’s “onslaught of lies” in relation to the two hurricanes.
But merely focusing on challenging disinformation is counterproductive. What is more important is for their own message to be communicated loud and clear.
No crystal ball can tell us whether the Democrats will retain the White House in November. But simply repeating the point that Trump is a threat to democracy, as Biden was prone to do, will not cut it.
Dorje C. Brody has received funding from UKRI.
– ref. Why Trump’s messaging is becoming more extreme, a mathematician explains – https://theconversation.com/why-trumps-messaging-is-becoming-more-extreme-a-mathematician-explains-239421
Source: Scottish Greens
Scottish Greens are calling for a range of revenue-increasing levies such as ‘mansion tax’ to protect people and planet from budget cuts.
The introduction of a ‘mansion tax’ on the sale of the most expensive homes is one of a number of property tax changes proposed by the Scottish Greens, with the money raised being used to protect public services from further cuts.
Scottish Greens finance spokesperson Ross Greer has called for the Scottish Government to use the upcoming budget to introduce a new band of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, set at 15% for the purchase of homes costing over £1 million.
Currently, the top rate of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax for residential properties is 12% on £750,000 and above. The Scottish Greens are proposing a new 12% rate starting at £650,000 and a 15% rate from £1 million.
Mr Greer said: “14 years of Tory cuts have left Scotland’s budget in a dire state. Sadly, the new Labour government shows every sign of going further and deeper with their own cuts to public services. We must use every tool available to us here in Scotland to protect people and planet from the damage these budget cuts would do.
“A mansion tax on the biggest and most luxurious houses is one of many ways we can raise more money to support services like the NHS while only impacting the very wealthiest people.
“There is more than enough wealth in Scotland to end child poverty tomorrow, but far too much of it is in the hands of a very small number of extremely rich people and big companies. The powers needed to tax them fairly mostly sit at Westminster rather than Holyrood, but we can use tools like Scottish property taxes to make sure the richest people in society pay a bit more when they are buying a new house.
“A mansion tax could be introduced by the SNP now. It would raise crucial funds we could use to tackle child poverty and the climate emergency.”
Mr Greer added: “The Scottish Greens have already delivered an income tax system for Scotland which raises £1.5 billion more every year for public services like our schools. If we want to protect these services though, we need to go further. That’s why we are proposing a range of options to the SNP.
“If they want Green votes to pass the government’s budget, they know that the price of our support is more funding to tackle child poverty and the climate crisis. We are being clear about where that money could be raised from.”
In 2023, the Scottish Greens delivered new powers to double Council Tax on second homes and increased the Additional Dwelling Supplement, which is paid by those purchasing a property which is not their primary home, such as “buy to let” landlords and those buying second homes. The purpose of these changes was to raise additional funds and to discourage the purchase of holiday homes in areas where they are causing acute housing shortages.
The Party also introduced the Housing Bill which is currently working its way through Parliament. If passed, this would provide permanent rent controls and protections for tenants.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 23 October 2024, approved a licence for the medicine donanemab (Kisunla) for use in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, following a thorough review of the benefits and risks.
Donanemab works by removing a sticky protein called beta-amyloid from the brain that is believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease, and in the trials conducted the medicine showed some evidence of efficacy in slowing its progression.
As for any new medicine, this decision was made with expert scientific advice on the benefit risk of donanemab from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the government’s independent advisory body.
Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director, Healthcare Quality and Access, said:
Licensing medicines which meet acceptable standards of safety, quality and efficacy is a key priority for us.
We’re assured that, together with the conditions of the licence approval, the appropriate regulatory standards for this medicine have been met.
As with all medical products, we will keep its safety under close review, and with a safety study to be undertaken after licensing, we will ensure that the benefit risk of donanemab is closely followed up post-authorisation.
Donanemab is approved to treat adults in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease who have one or no copies of the apolipoprotein E4 gene (ApoE4). A person can have no copies, one copy or two of this gene. Approximately 15% of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease have two copies of this gene, known as homozygous patients, and are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, while people with one copy also have an increased risk.
The patient’s doctor will perform testing to make sure that donanemab is right for them.
Donanemab was evaluated in a main study (Phase III Study TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2) involving 1,736 patients with early Alzheimer’s disease who had mild cognitive impairment, mild dementia and evidence of amyloid pathology. The patients in the study also had evidence of a protein called ‘tau’ in their brain which is involved in Alzheimer’s disease.
The study looked at changes in patients’ brain cognition and function, measured by clinical tools such as the integrated Alzheimer’s Disease Rating Scale (iADRS). Other tools used included the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale – Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB), ADAS-Cog13, and ADCS-iADL. These tools are used by doctors to measure Alzheimer’s disease and were measured at the start (baseline) and then throughout the study.
In this study, the patients received either 700 mg donanemab every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses, and then 1400 mg every 4 weeks (860 patients) or placebo (a dummy infusion, 876 patients) for up to 72 weeks.
At week 76 of the study, patients treated with donanemab had statistically significantly less clinical progression in their Alzheimer’s disease compared to patients that were treated with the placebo. This was assessed by change in iADRS score from baseline. Patients with low to medium levels of tau protein showed 35% slowing of clinical progression which equated to 4.4 months of delay in disease progression. In the overall population treated with donanemab, there was a 22% slowing of clinical progression, translating to a 1.4-month delay in disease progression.
Donanemab treatment in both carriers and non-carriers was associated with less decline on iADRS and CDR-SB scores and a significant reduction in amyloid plaque compared with placebo (this is consistent with previous data from phase 2 for carriers but not for non-carriers which previously were not seen to benefit). However, among carriers, the reduced decline in iADRS and CDR-SB was driven by those with one ApoE4 gene. Those with two ApoE4 genes did not demonstrate a significant slowing in decline. Reduction in amyloid plaque was observed regardless of the number of ApoE4 genes an individual had, but the reduction was smaller among those with two ApoE4 genes.
ApoE4 homozygous patients who received donanemab were also at higher risk of developing Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIAs), which are most commonly seen as temporary swelling in one or more areas of the brain (ARIA-E) or small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain (ARIA-H).
The CHM therefore advised that the risk benefit of donanemab was favourable in the patients who were ApoE4 non-carriers or heterozygous but not in the homozygous group, and that testing for the ApoE4 gene should be carried out before treatment.
Use of donanemab in patients who are on anticoagulants (blood thinners, including warfarin) or have been diagnosed with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) on MRI before starting treatment is contraindicated as the risks in these patients are considered to outweigh the benefits.
Donanemab is a monoclonal antibody which binds to a protein called amyloid beta in Alzheimer’s disease, where clumps of amyloid beta protein form plaques in the brain. Donanemab works by binding to these clumps and reducing them, therefore slowing the progression of the disease.
The recommended dose of donanemab is 1400mg, with the patient receiving this dose once every four weeks in a healthcare setting. When starting treatment, the patient will initially receive a 700mg dose every week for the first three rounds of treatment. Donanemab is administered intravenously, with each infusion lasting at least 30 minutes. The total duration of treatment should not exceed 18 months.
The most common side effects of the medicine are infusion-related reactions (which can cause fever and flu-like symptoms), headaches and ARIA.
In placebo-controlled studies, the incidence of ARIA was lower in non-carriers (24.1% donanemab vs 11.3% placebo) and heterozygotes (37.4% donanemab vs 13.4% placebo) than in homozygotes (58.3% donanemab vs 21.3% placebo).
Among patients treated with donanemab, symptomatic ARIA-E occurred in 4.1% of non-carriers and 6.1% of heterozygotes compared with 7.7% of homozygotes. Serious events of ARIA occurred in approximately 0.7% of non-carriers, 1.7% heterozygotes and 3% of homozygotes. Among patients treated with donanemab, the rate of severe radiographic ARIA-E was lower in non-carriers 1.0% (3/291) and heterozygotes 2.1% (11/522) compared to homozygotes 4.2% (7/168). The rate of severe radiographic ARIA-H was lower in non-carriers 4.5% (13/291) and heterozygotes 9.2% (48/522) compared to homozygotes 24.4% (41/168).
A full list of all side effects reported with this medicine is available in the patient information leaflet or from the product information published on the MHRA website.
As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of donanemab under close review. To promote safe and effective use and keep the safety and efficacy of donanemab under close review, initiation of treatment in any patients will be through a central registration system implemented as part of a controlled access programme.
A post-authorisation safety study will be conducted to investigate the safety and benefit-risk profile of donanemab in routine clinical practice, particularly in relation to incidence and severity of ARIAs and intracerebral haemorrhage, and long-term safety.
Additional risk minimisation activities will be implemented for donanemab. These activities include the following:
Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine should to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme website or via the Yellow Card app available on Google Play or Apple App stores.
ENDS
Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent
Published: Wednesday, 23rd October 2024
The city council held a Kids of Carers Celebration Day last weekend to thank all the children in Stoke-on-Trent who welcome children into their home.
It’s part of the city council celebrating The Fostering Network’s Children of Foster Carers Month, a UK-wide campaign to celebrate the significant contribution of children of foster carers to successful foster care. It marks the importance of the children of foster carers and the vital role they play in the lives of fostered children.
The Kids of Carers group offers support to foster carers’ own children and thanks them for all that they do. It recognises that being the child of a foster parents means sharing your home and family and welcoming another child into your life.
Lauren, aged 15, said: “I think Kids of Carers makes the kids of foster parents feel valued and appreciated and is also a good opportunity to speak with other people who understand what it like living in a fostering family with fostered children. It’s also nice to meet other people who are doing the same thing.”
Tia, aged 11, said: “I have been part of Kids of Carers for over 4 years now and I have enjoyed meeting other children that also foster and everybody is so friendly. I enjoy all the activities and know that there is always somebody I can talk too if I need too. I would encourage all children to and meet new friends and have a good time with people that understand fostering.”
Daisy aged 15, said: “I wanted to start Kids of Carers due to how much fun my older sister had when she was there. When dropping her off to all the fun activities, I was so excited when I was seven so I could join.
“When I first started I was scared but I was made to feel welcome and I really enjoyed it. I met so many amazing people who were in the same boat as me and understood what it was like fostering – something I had never experienced before and it was so lovely. I highly recommend everyone going, as I have been going for 8 years now and it is so good every time and if you join you will never regret it.”
Kole aged 13, said: “I enjoy Kids of Carers because you get to meet new people, and Marie and her team always make you feel special. We get to do fun things that are just for us.”
Kids of Carers thanks children for their support through activities and days out including:
… and much more.
New initiatives in the city like higher skills payments and grants for adaptations to home to make them suitable for fostering mean that more people in the city can now foster. Here, there is no typical foster carer and Stoke-on-Trent City Council fostering team is keen to hear from anyone who wants to find out more about opening their heart and home to a child.
We encourage applications from all people who want to make a difference to children regardless of age, gender, religious, or cultural background, sexual orientation or relationship status. We are looking for people from all walks of life whether you are interested in fostering full time, or can only offer short breaks or emergency care.
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services said: “I’d like to thank all the children and young people who welcome children into their homes. We know it’s not always easy to share your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles so we want to give you a huge thank you. We want to support you all as much as possible through things like our support group, Kids of Carers.
“We’re always on the look out for more foster carers to enable more children to be cared for locally in a supportive home environment. I’d urge anyone who has a spare bedroom and wants to make a difference to the lives of children in Stoke-on-Trent to consider fostering. As a city council we’re committed to reducing the number of children in care and finding children safe, loving homes.”
Anyone who would like to know more about becoming a foster carer in Stoke-on-Trent can visit https://fostering.stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 234555.
Source: Aisle of Wight
Work is underway on a new Community-Led Housing project in Ryde — one of the first of its kind on the Island.
The innovative development will offer a mix of studio and one-bedroom flats, available at truly affordable rents.
The scheme is the first to be funded under the Isle of Wight Council’s Community-Led Housing project and is due to welcome its first residents in June next year.
John Prickett, the council’s Community-Led Housing officer, has been supporting Aspire Ryde to purchase and re-purpose the charity’s High Street building.
Last month work started to convert the upper two floors into seven self-contained flats for Island people, including veterans, who would otherwise be in danger of homelessness.
The ARCH Community Hub and shop will be retained on the ground floor.
Aspire will support people with their tenancies with the view to their eventual move to a suitable permanent home.
Councillor Ian Stephens, the council’s Cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re excited that we’re finally able to start work on this important, Community-Led Housing project in partnership with Aspire Ryde.
“We recognise the issues facing the Island and remain absolutely committed to the delivery of affordable housing.
“We hope developments such as this will encourage more Community-Led Housing schemes to come forward and help us to provide the affordable homes we so desperately need for Islanders.”
Aspire has been able to fund the purchase and development of the project through a mix of specific Community-Led Housing funding from the Isle of Wight Council, and a long-term loan from Charity Bank.
Grants from Charity Bank, the Armed Forces Covenant Trust and the B&Q Foundation have also been secured to fund the finishes to the flats.
The designers for the project, who worked with Aspire through various re-designs, were local practice Arid Design (Ltd) and the building contractor is DN Associates Limited.
Trevor Nicholas, chief executive of Aspire Ryde, said: “We are thrilled to have got to this point with the project and are extremely grateful to John Prickett and the Isle of Wight Council, alongside Charity Bank and other grant funders for their support and commitment to providing homes for those in the greatest need.
“It is fantastic to see Community-Led Housing taking shape here and we hope that this will act as a catalyst for other projects across the Island. We are so looking forward to welcoming our first residents.”
Photo shows: JD Viette (project manager for Aspire), John Prickett, Trevor Nicholas and council Leader Councillor Phil Jordan.
Source: City of Oxford
ODS, in partnership with Oxford City Council, has launched a new recycling and waste management trial at some flat sites in Oxford to improve recycling and reduce contamination.
ODS, which manages domestic recycling and waste collections on behalf of Oxford City Council, is exploring a new approach to waste management at six blocks of Council flats across the city.
Blocks of flats typically share bin stores for recycling, rubbish, and food waste, often leading to high contamination rates. This trial aims to address these issues by testing new approaches.
The initiative is part of a six-month trial, which will see the Council and ODS trialing different approaches to waste management, to encourage increased participation in recycling efforts and reduce contamination, and identify which approach works best.
The Council and ODS have identified six blocks of flats that have recognised concerns around recycling contamination and overflowing waste. The blocks of flats that are participating in the trial are:
At the start of each trial, residents in participating blocks of flats were visited by Recycling Officers, and received a letter and informational leaflet detailing what can and cannot be disposed of in each bin. Signage located near the bins at each block has also been updated to reflect the trial.
ODS and the Council will be monitoring and reviewing feedback from residents as well as recycling and waste collection crews. Each approach will be assessed before making any decisions about permanent changes or expanding the new approaches across the city.
There will be no change for blocks of flats that are not participating in the trial, and these residents are encouraged to continue to follow their regular recycling and waste advice.
“We can all improve our recycling habits. We are committed to increasing recycling rates and reducing costly contamination, which is why we’re trialing these new approaches. We will be working closely with residents in the blocks of flats throughout the trial and will be asking for their feedback before making any permanent changes.”
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies (including ODS)
“We’re excited to launch a new recycling initiative aimed at tackling the unique challenges faced by residents in Oxford who use shared bins. Our pilot programme, starting at six flat sites, will trial innovative strategies to reduce fly-tipping, cut down on contamination, and make recycling easier. If successful, we would look to expand this approach to other flat sites across the city.”
Michelle Bradbury, Recycling Team Leader, ODS
Source: City of Lancaster
Lancaster City Council has adopted a pioneering new strategy that aims to shape future energy planning, reduce carbon emissions and support economic prosperity.
Front cover of the Local Area Energy Plan
On Tuesday (October 22) the council’s cabinet approved a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), which sets out a long-term vision for decarbonising the district by 2040 and looks beyond the council’s own 2030 target for its direct activities.
The LAEP sets out the changes required to transition the Lancaster district energy system and built environment to net zero while also addressing fuel poverty. It details what changes are required, where, when and by whom.
It also provides a high-level overview of the likely scale of investment that will be required to achieve net zero.
This includes:
Councillor Paul Stubbins, cabinet member with responsibility for climate action, said: “The city council set itself an ambitious target to decarbonise its services by 2030 and we are well on the way to delivering on that aim.
“The next step is to set out how the whole district can transition to a low carbon future, and that’s what the LAEP is all about. But it’s not just a blueprint for reducing emissions, it’s a vision for a sustainable future and supporting the local economy.
“The city council will need to collaborate closely with key local stakeholders along the way but this is an exciting start to delivering a net zero district.”
To find out more about the plan visit Lancaster.gov.uk/laep .
Last updated: 23 October 2024
Source: Ministers for Social Services
E&OE
Good evening everyone.
It’s my pleasure to be joining you tonight as we celebrate 70 years of Inclusion Australia.
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we meet, the Wurundjeri people, and pay my respects to elders past and present.
I would also like to acknowledge:
Tonight is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a nation to create a more inclusive society for people with intellectual disability, and Inclusion Australia’s critical role in this- but also to recognise how far we still have to go.
As an organisation whose focus is about increasing the voices of people with intellectual disability and supporting them to represent themselves – Inclusion Australia has, and continues, to play a critical role in this space.
Tonight is a night of celebration!
I would like to wish a very happy birthday to Inclusion Australia and congratulate you on 70 years of working alongside the disability community to amplify the voices of people with intellectual disability.
What began in 1954 as a group of family and friends of people with disability has since grown to become the national peak body for intellectual disability, and one of Australia’s longest-standing disability advocacy organisations.
What you have achieved over the past 7 decades has been nothing short of remarkable.
And what’s more is that you’ve ensured people with intellectual disability have been at the centre of everything you do.
From helping to steer the introduction of Australia’s first disability discrimination laws, to what you do now in advocating for inclusive education and employment and supported decision making, you’ve truly been pioneers and built strong relationships across communities and with Government to achieve change.
Tonight, I want to talk about the importance of the advocacy work organisations like Inclusion Australia do for our community.
Inclusion Australia has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the issues that are important to people with intellectual disability – ensuring that your perspectives and ideas are incorporated into Government policy responses.
Whether this is about making sure people with disability can make their own decisions with the right support, reducing the health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual disability, or making mainstream services and the broader community more inclusive and accessible – Inclusion Australia play a key role in educating the Government, organisations and businesses about the barriers people with intellectual disability can face.
But importantly, Inclusion Australia provide ideas and solutions to break down these barriers, challenge stereotypes and build the confidence of organisations and services to be truly inclusive.
And in undertaking your work, people with intellectual disability are at the centre of driving change – with people with intellectual disability leading Government and community engagement and education.
We know how important advocacy is in promoting the rights and freedoms of people with disability.
And that is why our Government has recognised Inclusion Australia as a standalone national peak organisation – and this does need to be recognised because you play a vital role to ensure people with intellectual disability have their needs met and can make choices about the way they want to live their lives.
In the past, people with intellectual disability have experienced really significant exclusion and exploitation and haven’t been included in conversations about the things that impact them – and unfortunately these experiences are still too common. As Minister for Social Services, I am committed to working alongside Inclusion Australia and people with intellectual disability to change this.
One of the ways our Government is supporting change is through increasing funding to Inclusion Australia as a Disability Representative Organisation.
But we also know that there are other important ways we can empower people with intellectual disability to self-advocate and support social connections.
I’ve heard many times how important peer support is for people with intellectual disability and that connecting with people like them to get advice and tips and ideas helps them to break down barriers that exist across society so they can live independently and fully participate in society.
I often hear it’s about the “I get you” factor that really makes a difference.
Everyone here knows how important lived experience is and that is why we are investing in peer support and self-advocacy activities for people with intellectual disability.
These programs are an important way we help people with disability and their families to build knowledge, skills and confidence and connect with their local communities.
Because we want to make Australia more inclusive and for each Australian with disability to be supported to reach their goals.
We know that change can only happen when the voices, perspectives and ideas of the people with intellectual disability are a part of the conversation.
And we will continue to listen to Inclusion Australia to understand how we can best work together to create a more inclusive society – because inclusion creates more opportunities and benefits everyone.
One area that for too long people with intellectual disability haven’t been given equal opportunities is in employment. For too long supported employment has been seen as the only option available.
And that is why creating more opportunities for people with disability in employment is a key area I have focused on since becoming Minister for Social Services.
And I share this focus with Inclusion Australia – who have worked consistently and constructively across the sector and with government to improve employment outcomes for people with intellectual disability and provide more opportunities in open employment and career progression.
As a Government we want to make sure people with disability, including those with intellectual disability understand the different employment options available to them and understand their rights at work.
We are doing this by providing employment-related advocacy and information through a new Disability Employment Advocacy and Information Program.
Advice about employment will be provided through group workshops and information sessions, and people will have access to individual advocacy for specific employment issues when it is needed.
We also want to make sure there a lots of different employment pathways available for people with intellectual disability, with more opportunities to move into open employment and build careers. Which is why we are investing in projects to evolve the supported employment sector.
And to make sure people with intellectual disability have more opportunities to succeed in employment of their choice, we have expanded eligibility under our new specialist disability employment program that starts in July next year so that volunteers and people who can work less than 8 hours per week can participate.
Because people deserve to be able to take advantage of a diverse range of opportunities and should not be excluded from our specialist disability employment program – because that is not inclusive and that’s why we are changing this.
And this is a key change I know that Inclusion Australia has been advocating for, for many years – as one of the ways to create more pathways and opportunities for open employment.
And I look forward to continuing to work with you as we reform the employment system for people with disability.
In all of these areas we have been working with Inclusion Australia and their member organisation, who have played a big role in creating change for people with intellectual disability in all parts of Australia.
I join with you in celebrating the work Inclusion Australia does to support people with intellectual disability to speak up and be heard.
Thank you for this critical work you do to create a better future for people with intellectual disability.
I look forward to the positive changes we will make together.
And I hope you all enjoy the rest of the evening, especially on the dancefloor.
Source: European Banking Authority
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today a draft technical package for version 4.0 of its reporting framework. This publication aims to provide an early version of the 4.0 release given that its reporting obligations will apply as of the first half of 2025. This package, whose final version will be released in December 2024, will facilitate a smoother transition to the new data point model (DPM) semantic glossary and the capabilities of the DPM 2.0 model.
The package provides the standard specifications that include the validation rules, the DPM and the XBRL taxonomies to support the following reporting obligations:
This draft technical package includes a version of the data dictionary contents in both formats the DPM 1.0 and the new format DPM 2.0.
The DPM Query Tool has also been updated to reflect the current release.
The final version of the technical package for the 4.0 reporting framework will be published in December and will include the changes suggested by the three ESAs in the Opinion, published on 15 October, on the European Commission’s (EC) rejection of the draft ITS on the registers of information under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). Together with this technical package the EBA is publishing a set of Q&As providing additional explanations, including on the next steps as well as on the package to be published in December.
The EBA published in June new Implementing Technical Standards specifying the reporting obligations under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCAR).
Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Wednesday, 23 October 2024
AB
Manama (Agenzia Fides) – “Mutual respect and coexistence are possible, even when the region is going through difficult times and inter-community tensions”, said the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., at the international congress ‘Finding Beauty in the Other: Inclusion and Humanitarian Service Among Believers’ just concluded at the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence in Manama, during which authorities from the institutional, academic, diplomatic and religious world discussed the theme of inclusion and dialogue in an era of conflict.“On the occasion of the 825th anniversary of the Rule of the Catholic Order of the Holy Trinity, O.SS.T., my appointment as Apostolic Vicar in this part of the Gulf, which includes Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, based on our history and the important documents of the past and the present time, we thought of organizing this International Congress highlighting a practice and a dialogue that has crossed the centuries,” said Bishop Berardi.Among the objectives of the congress, the speakers and participants presented the example of collaboration between Christians and Muslims that can help today in the search for sincere relationships between believers of different religions; as well as the proposal of a concrete commitment to dialogue and peace as well as cooperation between the congress itself and the various institutions that support dialogue and peaceful coexistence, such as the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence.“This – continues the Apostolic Vicar – is not another conference on interreligious dialogue, but an exchange that connects knowledge of the past, re-reads history and seeks to point out values for greater inclusive and concrete collaboration. The Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives, founded in a time of conflict and misunderstanding between civilizations, wanted to respond with a peaceful and dialogical practice. Violence cannot be responded to forever with violence, which leads to more violence, destruction and death. There are other possible paths. New paths to discover or inventBut it is necessary to have a peaceful heart and a mind open to dialogue. We must discover the beauty of the other and in the other. Inclusion and humanitarian service are possible among believers who are rooted in a vibrant tradition and deep spirituality. ”“The good relations maintained between the Apostolic Vicariate of North Arabia and the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence allowed the visit of Pope Francis to Bahrain but also mutual respect and excellent collaboration,” remarked Berardi.“In the light of history and the current situation, our Congress therefore seeks to identify the values that unite us, to detect what leads to hatred and rejection of the other, to promote a discourse of peace and respect that builds bridges between cultures and religions. A fraternal model is needed and can help in the education of the new generation. Everyone will contribute to the construction of the edifice which is intended to be the home of all.”Berardi insisted on making ideals and wishes concrete, moving from words to deeds, and proposing a project of common utility at the service of the good of the communities. “The Congress is the result of this collaboration and I would like to thank the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence for its support, logistics, professionalism and reflection.”“Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa El Khalifa, Bahrain has been and continues to be a witness to the possible dialogue between religions and philosophies. Through mutual respect for beliefs and mutual dialogue, we can build a more fraternal world where everyone can find their place in peace,” the Apostolic Vicar concluded.Key points of the Congress concluded yesterday, October 22, 2024, and proposed by Bishop Berardi last January on the occasion of a meeting of the Board of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence (see Fides, 31/1/2024), were the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain, signed by King Hamad on July 3, 2017, as a global document for religious freedoms, and the hosting by the Kingdom of many international conferences and events, the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, in 2019, the visit of Pope Francis in November 2022.As reported at the beginning, another highlight of the event was the celebration of the 825th anniversary of the birth of an Order of religious (1198 / 595H), non-military and completely unarmed, with the aim of freeing prisoners of holy wars: Christians from the hands of Muslims and Muslims from the handsChristians. As a rule of life, these redeemers had to invest a third of their income for the work of redeeming prisoners, a third for assisting the poor and had to live on only a third of their income. Another characteristic that shows their being completely unarmed is the obligation to use only donkeys as mounts. As well as the celebration of the 825th anniversary of the letter of Pope Innocent III sent to Abū ‘Abd Allāh Muḥammad al-Nāṣir, Amīr al-Mu’minīn, head of the Almohads, since this initiative was communicated at a diplomatic level to the emir of the Almohads on March 8, 1199/595H (March 8, 2024/ 27 Sha’ban 1445). With this letter of high diplomacy, the Pope presents the Trinitarian redeemers inflamed with the love of God and their work of redemption and liberation defined as a “work of common utility”.(AP) (Agenzia Fides, 23/10/2024)
AB
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Source: Te Whatanui Leka
A rally is planned at Government House in Auckland for Monday the 28th of October, protesting the construction of a sewerage pipeline through a sacred site near Rotorua.
Rotokākahi protectors and supporters will travel to the doorstep of the Governor General to demand the protection of Lake Rotokākahi.
With the controversial project still underway, mana i te whenua are imploring the Governor General to take action.
Rotokākahi Board of Control spokesperson Te Whatanui Leka Skipwith (Tūhourangi) explains:
“The Governor General has administrative responsibilities over Rotokākahi under the Māori Purposes Act.”
“But here in our struggle she has been absent.”
Construction of the pipeline commenced on Monday 19th August, and is being carried out by Fulton Hogan on behalf of the Rotorua Lakes District Council.
The pipeline has attracted criticism from mana i te whenua due to it being built next to Lake Rotokākahi in a location which is wāhi tapu (a sacred heritage site) and puts at risk a pristine ecological environment.
In response, mana i te whenua have been camped at the site for a number of weeks, in what has been described as “another Ihumatao; Te Arawa’s Ihumatao.”
As the project continues, mana whenua and supporters alike are demanding action from the Governor General.
“We have tried to message, we have tried to call and so far there has been no response, so we are coming to your doorstep.”
Sources:
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1931/0032/latest/DLM210349.html
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The “District Services & Community Care Teams – Scheme on Supporting Elderly & Carers”, currently implemented in Tsuen Wan and Southern District, will be rolled out citywide next year, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said today.
Replying to questions from legislator Tang Ka-piu in the Legislative Council, Mr Sun said that the Social Welfare Department – which has been piloting the scheme in the abovementioned districts since March – had assisted in training care teams to reach out to and identify elderly households, caregivers and people who are in need due to disabilities.
Over the past six months, the care teams have visited around 4,700 families and referred over 730 elderly cases to social welfare organisations for follow up. The 2024 Policy Address announced that the scheme will cover all 18 districts next year.
In September last year, the department also commissioned the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to launch a 24-hour designated hotline for carer support.
The hotline has so far received over 50,000 calls and referred about 850 cases to community support service units for service matching as appropriate. Of these, around 270 elderly households were referred to elderly service units or respite services. In addition, the hotline facilitated crisis handling in 56 cases.
Mr Sun said the Government will make use of different channels to enable early identification of elderly residents with potential service needs, and the provision of timely and effective support.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
23/10/2024
Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
ILIAD S.A
Post-stabilisation Period Announcement
NO STABILISATION CARRIED OUT
Further to the pre-stabilisation period announcement dated 22/10/2024 BNP Paribas (contact: Stanford Hartman telephone: 0207 595 8222) hereby gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2(d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014)) was undertaken by the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below in relation to the offer of the following securities.
Securities
| Issuer: | ILIAD S.A |
| Guarantor(s) (if any): | N/A |
| Aggregate nominal amount: | EUR 500mn |
| Description: | Long 5-Year Inaugural Green Bond |
| Offer price: | 99.424 |
Stabilisation Manager(s)
| Name(s): | BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole, MUFG, Natixis, SMBC |
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.
This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to above have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There has not been and will not be a public offer of the securities in the United States.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced that its subsidiary EngageLab, a leading global multi-channel user engagement solution provider, has established a strategic partnership with Tao Ji Yun, a new generation consolidated shipping platform in Hong Kong under Shenzhen Trans-Jiang Logistics Co., Ltd. The partnership will help Tao Ji Yun achieve millisecond omni-channel messaging, improve the efficiency of global customer engagement, and further strengthen its global competitiveness.
Tao Ji Yun has become one of the largest and most capable consolidated shipping companies in cross-border e-commerce logistics in Hong Kong. Known for its professional and efficient services, Tao Ji Yun is committed to providing convenient and cost-effective consolidated shipping services to Mainland China e-commerce sellers and Hong Kong buyers, optimizing logistics processes and reducing shipping costs to facilitate mutual benefits for both parties.
The immediate update and accurate delivery of logistics information is core to Tao Ji Yun’s global operations. EngageLab’s AppPush, which provides push notification services for apps, integrates push messaging channels from eight mobile brands and one self-built channel, ensuring that every logistics update from Tao Ji Yun can be quickly and accurately delivered to users around the world. Whether it’s logistics tracking, freight settlement or after-sales service, users can access the latest logistics information anytime, anywhere. This instant cross-regional messaging not only greatly enhances shopping experience and customer satisfaction, but also will provide a strong impetus to Tao Ji Yun’s global sales growth.
EngageLab’s AppPush has a global network with multiple channels and data nodes, enabling complementary channel messaging, real-time intelligent redispatch, and multi-point service backups. It can handle large volumes of messages worldwide, and comprehensively ensures message delivery in terms of technical architecture and infrastructure. AppPush processes tens of billions of messages globally every day, ensuring messaging with high concurrency, reliability, stability, security, and efficiency. It achieves millisecond message delivery and ensures smooth operation even during peak business hours. This exceptional performance will enable Tao Ji Yun to maintain accurate and efficient messaging even in the face of immense global business volumes, significantly reducing user reach costs and improving operational efficiency.
In the area of personalized services, AppPush offers seven message styles and ten user segmentation rules, enabling precise user targeting. It supports full lifecycle data tracking and multi-dimensional message funnels, helping to build user behavior profiles and providing Tao Ji Yun with global intelligent support. Based on messaging data, Tao Ji Yun can build refined user profiles to provide more personalized logistics services and product recommendations. For example, for Hong Kong buyers who frequently purchase bulk goods, Tao Ji Yun can push more favorable consolidated shipping options and freight discount information, further enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction and shaping its global brand reputation.
Improving service quality and optimizing customer experience are critical to maintaining a competitive edge in the global cross-border e-commerce logistics market. By working with EngageLab, Tao Ji Yun will not only improve the efficiency of customer engagement, but also accelerate its digital transformation and further strengthen its service capabilities. Going forward, Tao Ji Yun will continue to work with EngageLab, leveraging AppPush’s accurate, efficient, stable and secure push services as the foundation to continuously optimize logistics processes and improve customer engagement efficiency. This will provide global customers with more convenient and cost-effective consolidated shipping services. Meanwhile, Aurora Mobile will continue to support Tao Ji Yun to improve service quality, enhance corporate image, effectively promote its development, and jointly strive to create a more professional, efficient and convenient cross-border e-commerce logistics platform.
About EngageLab
As a leading provider of multi-channel user engagement solutions under Aurora Mobile, EngageLab is dedicated to delivering omnichannel messaging solutions to global enterprises and developers. These solutions enable more precise user outreach strategies, lower messaging costs, higher message delivery rates, and improved user conversion rates. EngageLab has steadily increased its market share and become an internationally recognized overseas messaging service platform. Currently, EngageLab has worked with hundreds of leading companies in 29 countries and regions worldwide and across various industries, including technology, internet, mobile, video, media, automotive and finance.
About Aurora Mobile Limited
Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.
For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
Aurora Mobile Limited
E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn
Christensen
In China
Ms. Xiaoyan Su
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com
In US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
23/10/2024
Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
ACCORINVEST GROUP S.A
Post-stabilisation Period Announcement
NO STABILISATION CARRIED OUT
[Further to the pre-stabilisation period announcement dated 22/10/2024 BNP Paribas (contact: Stanford Hartman telephone: 0207 595 8222) hereby gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2(d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014)) was undertaken by the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below in relation to the offer of the following securities.
Securities
| Issuer: | ACCORINVEST GROUP S.A |
| Guarantor(s) (if any): | N/A |
| Aggregate nominal amount: | EUR 650mn |
| Description: | SENIOR SECURED FIXED RATE NOTES |
| Offer price: | 100 |
Stabilisation Manager(s)
| Name(s): | BNP Paribas, BOFA, CACIB, Natixis, SG, MUFG, COMMERZBANK |
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.
This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to above have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There has not been and will not be a public offer of the securities in the United States.