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  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbGASU to create a “single window” for student families

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Meeting of Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Marina Malyutina (center) with representatives of student families

    The Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering will have a “single window” system for student families. This was announced at a meeting with representatives of such families by Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Marina Malyutina.

    The meeting took place on October 10 in a hybrid format: some students joined it online. Together with the vice-rector, the constructive dialogue was attended by the head of the youth policy department Irina Nuryeva, deputy head of the youth policy department Yulia Romanova, and deputy deans for educational work.

    Marina Malyutina reported that a wide range of measures to support student families is being implemented in St. Petersburg. In order to better know their rights, student parents should carefully study local regulations, in particular, a number of articles of the Social Code of St. Petersburg dated November 22, 2011.

    Yulia Romanova informed about the support measures for student families at various levels, including those provided by SPbGASU. Thus, students of our university can receive a one-time financial aid upon the birth of a child; advisory assistance on family issues and child-rearing issues; individual consultations with a psychologist. In addition, SPbGASU will allocate and equip special-purpose rooms for parents and their preschool-aged children, intended for feeding, changing the child, organizing his rest and leisure. For women who gave birth during the period of study, there is an opportunity to transfer from paid to free education. For students with children under three years old, there is an opportunity to transfer to an individual curriculum. Also among the support measures are New Year’s parties and gifts for children, assistance in employment for women who gave birth during the period of study.

    The “single window” system will allow young parents to quickly resolve any problem. Students learned how exactly this system will be implemented: first, they should contact the employee responsible for working with student families with a request, and he, in turn, will address the request to the relevant departments and coordinate their actions.

    The “single window” system involves the dean’s offices, the department of organization of educational activities, the department of economics, the center for psychological support of students, the center for student entrepreneurship and career. “They are informed about the importance of the task set by our president and the government, and are charged with the result. Our university is joining in solving demographic problems on an equal basis with everyone else,” said Marina Malyutina.

    During the meeting, students received answers to questions about what a student family is and how it differs from a young family, whether studying for a master’s degree is considered obtaining a first higher education, etc. They will receive information materials in the form of a mailing list.

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.spbgasu.ru/nevs-and-events/nevs/in-spbgasu-they will create a single-window-for-student-families/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: The deposit auction of the Moscow Small Business Lending Assistance Fund will take place on 15.10.2024

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n73981

    Category24-7, MIL-AXIS, Moscow, Moskov Stotsk Exchange, Russians Savings, Russian Federation, Russians Language, Russian economy

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    Date of the deposit auction 10/15/2024
    Placement currency RUB
    Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency) 200,000,000.00
    Placement period, days 97
    Date of deposit 10/15/2024
    Refund date 01/20/2025
    Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 21.00
    Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special Urgent
    Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency) 200,000,000.00
    Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1
    Auction form, open or closed Open
    Basis of the Treaty General Agreement
     
    Schedule (Moscow time)
    Preliminary applications from 11:00 to 11:10
    Applications in competition mode from 11:10 to 11:15
    Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 11:25
       
    Additional terms Placement of funds with the possibility of early withdrawal of the entire deposit amount and payment of interest accrued on the deposit amount at the rate established by the deposit transaction, in the event of non-compliance of the Bank with the requirements established by clause 2.1. of the Regulation “On the procedure for selecting banks for placing funds of the Moscow Small Business Lending Assistance Fund in deposits (deposits) under the GDS” (as amended on the date of the deposit transaction), early withdrawal at the “on demand” rate, interest payment monthly, on the last business day of the month, without replenishment

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On 15.10.2024, the deposit auction of the Moscow Small Business Lending Assistance Fund will take place(2)

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n73983

    Category24-7, MIL-AXIS, Moscow, Moskov Stotsk Exchange, Russians Savings, Russian Federation, Russians Language, Russian economy

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    Archives

    Archives Privations of the Police Proudly would trust WordPress

    Parameters
    Date of the deposit auction 10/15/2024
    Placement currency RUB
    Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency) 45,000,000.00
    Placement period, days 10
    Date of deposit 10/15/2024
    Refund date 10/25/2024
    Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 19.60
    Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special Urgent
    Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency) 45,000,000.00
    Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1
    Auction form, open or closed Open
    Basis of the Treaty General Agreement
     
    Schedule (Moscow time)
    Preliminary applications from 12:30 to 12:40
    Applications in competition mode from 12:40 to 12:45
    Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 12:55
       
    Additional terms Placement of funds with the possibility of early withdrawal of the entire deposit amount and payment of interest accrued on the deposit amount at the rate established by the deposit transaction, in the event of non-compliance of the Bank with the requirements established by clause 2.1. of the Regulation “On the procedure for selecting banks for placing funds of the Moscow Small Business Lending Assistance Fund in deposits (deposits) under the GDS” (as amended on the date of the deposit transaction), early withdrawal at the “on demand” rate, payment of interest at the end of the term, without replenishment

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Gartner Survey Finds Leader and Manager Development Tops HR Leaders’ List of 2025 Priorities for Third Consecutive Year

    Source: Gartner – IT Research

    Headline: Gartner Survey Finds Leader and Manager Development Tops HR Leaders’ List of 2025 Priorities for Third Consecutive Year

    Leader and manager development remains the No. 1 priority in 2025 for HR leaders for the third consecutive year, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc. The continued focus on manager development comes as managers report feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Liverpool Welcomes Ground-breaking Black British Ballet Exhibition

    Source: City of Liverpool

    A special exhibition and premiere showcasing the inspiring pioneers of Black British ballet is coming to Liverpool.

    The City’s Central Library is to host the exhibition, from 31st October to 30th November, which will be one of the showpiece events of Liverpool’s Black History Month celebrations.

    The groundbreaking exhibition is based on the research of Dr Sandie Bourne, a dancer, choreographer and academic, who brings together archival photographs, films and interviews to explore the under-representation of Black artists in British ballet.

    The touring exhibition, funded by a £245,500 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will visit 25 libraries across the UK, with Liverpool Central Library being one of the key stops.

    The celebration of Black dancers kicks off with Island Movements, an original Windrush-themed ballet.

    This free event will be staged at Discover in Central Library on Friday 18 October at 4pm

    Island Movements tells the powerful story of a family from the Windrush generation, beginning with a young Caribbean soldier during WWII and following the family’s experiences throughout their life in the UK.

    After the performance there will be a Q&A with the dancers and creators, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this special piece.

    This moving ballet will open the wider exhibition, celebrating the rich yet often overlooked contributions of Black British ballet dancers from the 1940s to today.

    Pioneers like Brenda Garratt-Glassman, the first Black British student at the Royal Ballet Upper School, and Darren Panton, the first Black British student at the Royal Ballet boarding school, are among the trailblazers featured.

    Throughout November, Liverpool Central Library is inviting people to take part in dance, writing, and photography workshops, panel discussions and a virtual reality experience as part of the exhibition’s activities.

    For more information and to book your place for performances and workshops please visit: https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/bhm/

    Cllr Harry Doyle Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing & Culture:“We’re incredibly excited to bring this exhibition to Liverpool Central Library during Black History Month. This event is a wonderful opportunity for everyone, not just for ballet lovers. It offers an interactive experience that invites all visitors to explore the inspiring stories and rich heritage of Black British dancers who have helped shape the world of ballet. Whether you’re a long-time fan, or new to ballet, these emotionally compelling performances and workshops are the perfect introduction.”

    Marsha Lowe, Director of Oxygen Arts, said: “This exhibition is an important step in giving our Black British pioneers the recognition they deserve, bringing their challenges and achievements to a much wider audience. But we want to go further, to change the perception of ballet by diversifying ballet audiences and encouraging the next generation of young Black dancers to see ballet is ‘for them’.”

    Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South – at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support this project, which thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep. Heritage has a huge role to play in instilling pride in communities and boosting local economies, and this project is a fantastic example of achieving those aims.”

    Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, said: “Public libraries, with their diverse audience base and commitment to democratising culture, are the perfect venue for this ground breaking exhibition. There has never been a better time to celebrate the achievements of these Black British pioneers; it’s hugely exciting to see their stories brought to life in this way.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Development Blog: Five Sustainable Solutions to Drive Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace Initiative

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative offers a vision of peace and stability through improved infrastructure and trade. It is also a great opportunity to build sustainable infrastructure, improve customs clearance, and promote green trade. Key reforms in road safety and foreign direct investment are essential for long-term success, positioning Armenia as a strategic hub for regional trade.

    Armenia, located in the South Caucasus between Europe and Asia, holds a strategic geographic position as a natural crossroads for east-west and north-south trade routes. 

    Despite closed borders with neighbors to the east and west, Armenia has outlined a vision of open borders through its “Crossroads of Peace” initiative. 

    Supported by investments in road, rail, and border checkpoints, the initiative envisions economic ties and peaceful relations with all neighbors. While improved rail networks and modern roads are a key focus, the initiative must address several factors to ensure long-term success: 

    Make the infrastructure sustainable. The infrastructure investments under the initiative represent a remarkable opportunity to incorporate sustainable infrastructure. Doing so would set a standard for future developments in Armenia and position the country as an early adopter of sustainable infrastructure in the region.

    This can be done through implementing green building standards in the roads, bridges, and related infrastructure, through the use of sustainable, recycled, or low-carbon materials along with enforcing emissions standards for equipment used in construction and maintenance.  

    LED streetlights, which last longer and reduce energy consumption, could be used. Border points can be built or refurbished to meet energy efficient standards and equipped with power supplied from renewable sources.  

    These interventions would limit the carbon footprint of the Crossroads initiative while, in the long run, reducing the overall costs for its implementation.   

    Streamline customs clearance processes. Freight typically follows the least time-consuming and cost-efficient way.  While better roads and rail networks are attractive for transit trade, customs processes need to be streamlined to truly deliver on the desired objective.

    Digitization is the backbone of modern logistics.  For customs processes, it reduces paperwork, corruption, and can drastically cut border wait times. Armenia’s adoption of the Electronic International Road Transport system is a needed advancement that would immediately improve customs clearance efficiency.  

    As Armenia’s neighbors have adopted the system as well, its geographic position along with digitally integrated customs procedures would make it the natural choice for freight movement. And with much of the legal framework agreed and a gap analysis already prepared by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, this would seem to be low-hanging fruit on the list to improve logistics and promote regional trade. 

    Armenia is at a critical point in its development trajectory and the Crossroads initiative could be the mechanism to propel it into a regional hub for trade and logistics.

    Promote Green Trade. The Crossroads initiative could be an enabler for Armenia to become an advocate for green trade to yield benefits to future generations. 

    This could be achieved through developing green logistics frameworks that incentivize low-emission transportation assets and eco-friendly packaging for goods. 

    Local campaigns to raise awareness of the benefits of green products and sustainable consumption can help instill these practices in Armenia, while eco-friendly labels on products can help consumers make smart choices when purchasing goods and services.

    Armenia has already renewed its commitment to the Paris Agreement and the government has demonstrated it takes the climate agenda seriously.  Promoting green trade will be another mark on the road to greater sustainability, competitiveness, export diversification, and generally improved value addition.   

    Become an enabling environment for foreign direct investment.  With open borders the Crossroads initiative can attract greater foreign direct investment, which would have sweeping benefits including job creation, greater productivity, increased government revenue, human capital development, and general technological advancements. 

    The regional stability offered by the initiative could be the trigger that entices foreign investors to consider Armenia as a new frontier for opportunity.

    Armenia has shown steady improvements in attracting new businesses, suggesting its legal and regulatory frameworks have become more attractive to foreign investors.  However, Armenia faces stiff regional competition in the South Caucasus from Georgia and will need to accelerate these reforms to redirect investment in the region. 

    The creation of more special economic zones is an important lever for the government to attract investment. Given the integral nature of transport and logistics to the initiative, more zones designed to support better logistics and simplified trade would be a meaningful step to attract the right firms and needed capacity to execute on the increased demand the Crossroads will bring to the region. 

    Create a culture of road safety. With significant investments in road infrastructure, the Crossroads initiative will offer drivers smoother and faster road surfaces. However, without stronger measures to promote a culture of road safety and enforced safety laws, improved conditions could lead to an increase in accidents. 

    Armenia has taken positive steps enacting legislation that requires seat belts and motorcycle helmets, yet on the road it is common to see drivers without either.  The legislation also does not specify restraints for child safety and children are allowed to be seated in the front, both drastically increasing the chances of injury or death in case of accident. 

    A coordinated countrywide awareness-raising campaign on the benefits of seat belts, helmets, and child restraints is necessary, along with legislative actions to identify standards and improve enforcement. 

    Armenia is at a critical point in its development trajectory and the Crossroads initiative could be the mechanism to propel it into a regional hub for trade and logistics.  However, it should not only be framed around building roads, rail, and bridges. It should also deliver on its broader ambitions and create lasting benefits for society.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Himax Achieves Mass Production of In-Cell Touch TDDI Technology for Leading AI Laptop Brands

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAINAN, Taiwan, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX), an industry leader in fabless display driver ICs and other semiconductors, today announced the successful mass production of its cutting-edge In-Cell Touch TDDI (Touch and Display Driver Integration) solution, the HX83132, for high-end LCD AI laptops. The HX83132 has already been adopted by several leading panel makers across the board. By entering mass production during the third quarter of 2024, this marks a significant milestone for the first-of-its-kind, innovative product. As notebook brand customers increasingly prioritize product differentiation and value enhancement, the integration of touch functionality into displays of high-end laptops and AI PCs has emerged as a key trend. Himax HX83132 is featured in one marquee brand’s first AI laptops, which boasts a 15.3-inch, 2.8K high-resolution touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, significantly enhancing both interactivity and visual experience for seamless, intuitive user operations.

    In-cell TDDI has become a mainstream technology for LCD displays, characterized by the seamless integration of touch functionality with display driver ICs. This integration not only simplifies the supply chain but also provides substantial cost benefits to panel manufacturers. Having pioneered the mass production of In-cell TDDI technology for mid-sized tablets and automotive displays in 2019, Himax has established itself as the industry leader by introducing an industry-first touch display solution supporting screen sizes of up to 45 inches for ultra-large automotive applications. The newly launched HX83132 series further expands the application of In-cell TDDI technology to laptops, boasting a unique design architecture that pairs seamlessly with timing controller (Tcon) chips supporting various eDP specifications which make it suitable for both mainstream and high-end LCD laptops. This TDDI and Tcon configuration effectively minimizes the need for supporting components, resulting in a more compact PCB size and narrower bezel design. The HX83132 series offers precise touch sensitivity, ensuring smooth human-machine interaction, significantly enhancing user experience and improving productivity.

    The industry-leading HX83132 In-cell TDDI solution offers the following key features:

    • Flexible support for diverse panel sizes and resolutions: The advanced chip architecture can interconnect up to 6 chips, accommodating a wide range of laptop display needs with support for screen sizes up to 16 inches and resolutions up to 4K
    • Optimized and streamlined module architecture design: The HX83132 solution outperforms competition by providing more display and touch channels at the same resolution while utilizing fewer ICs. Additionally, the integrated microprocessor and level shifter minimize the need for external components, resulting in a smaller PCB size and enhanced design efficiency
    • Leveraging existing architecture for rapid In-cell Touch upgrades: The HX83132 features a state-of-the-art, integrated proprietary display driver and touch controller architecture. From a display perspective, it utilizes a standard Tcon architecture, which enables pure display panels, without the need for a dedicated Tcon for the In-cell touch functionality. Meanwhile, the TDDI integrates an in-house proprietary distributed touch microprocessor architecture, specifically designed to handle the high computational demands of touch data processing, effectively reducing development time
    • Comprehensive support for various power-saving operation scenarios: The HX83132 is compatible with eDP 1.4 and eDP 1.5 Tcons, and supports multiple power-saving features, including Panel Self Refresh (PSR) and User-Based Refresh Rate (UBRR), optimizing energy efficiency across different usage scenarios

    About Himax Technologies, Inc.

    Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global fabless semiconductor solution provider dedicated to display imaging processing technologies. The Company’s display driver ICs and timing controllers have been adopted at scale across multiple industries worldwide including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the Company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional driver ICs, advanced in-cell Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI), local dimming timing controllers (Local Dimming Tcon), Large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and optical technology related fields. The Company’s industry-leading WiseEyeTM Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology which incorporates Himax proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely deployed in consumer electronics and AIoT related applications. Himax optics technologies, such as diffractive wafer level optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are critical for facilitating emerging AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and provides touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for diverse display application coverage. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs around 2,200 people from three Taiwan-based offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei and country offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. Himax has 2,683 patents granted and 390 patents pending approval worldwide as of September 30, 2024.

    http://www.himax.com.tw

    Forward Looking Statements

    Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this conference call include, but are not limited to, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company’s business; general business and economic conditions and the state of the semiconductor industry; market acceptance and competitiveness of the driver and non-driver products developed by the Company; demand for end-use applications products; reliance on a small group of principal customers; the uncertainty of continued success in technological innovations; our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures including declines in average selling prices; changes in customer order patterns; changes in estimated full-year effective tax rate; shortage in supply of key components; changes in environmental laws and regulations; changes in export license regulated by Export Administration Regulations (EAR); exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory approvals for further investments in our subsidiaries; our ability to collect accounts receivable and manage inventory and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including those risks identified in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC, as may be amended.

    Company Contacts:

    Eric Li, Chief IR/PR Officer
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Tel: +886-6-505-0880
    Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
    Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
    http://www.himax.com.tw
      
    Karen Tiao, Investor Relations
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Tel: +886-2-2370-3999
    Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
    Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
    http://www.himax.com.tw

    Mark Schwalenberg, Director
    Investor Relations – US Representative
    MZ North America
    Tel: +1-312-261-6430
    Email: HIMX@mzgroup.us
    http://www.mzgroup.us

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTIONS – Ordinary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 International Distribution Services PLC  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 14 October 2024  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/a  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: 1p ordinary (GB00BDVZYZ77)  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 22,210,999 2.32 %      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 22,210,999 * 2.32 %      
    * Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 128,333 shares that are included in the total above.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    1p ordinary (GB00BDVZYZ77) Purchase 3,520 3.4220 GBP  
    There was a Transfer In of 203,756 shares of 1p ordinary  
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (c) Attachments  
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 15 October 2024  
    Contact name Thomas Hone  
    Telephone number +44 20 3033 3419  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HPH Announces Change to the Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The board of directors (the “Board”) of Highest Performances Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: HPH) (“HPH” or the “Company”), today announces that the office of Mr. Peh Chin Hua as Director has been vacated, effective immediately.

    Following the foregoing changes, our board of directors consists of seven directors, three of which are independent directors. Our current directors as of the date of this press release are as follows:

    Name   Position
    Hang Suong Nguyen   Chairwoman of the Board
    Yinan Hu   Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    Youjie Kong   Director
    Yong Ren   Director
    Lihong Zhai   Independent Director and the Chairman of Audit Committee
    Min Zhou   Independent Director and the Chairwoman of Nominating and Governance Committee
    Yingying Li   Independent Director and the Chairwoman of Compensation Committee
         

    Forward-looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When HPH uses words such as “may”, “will”, “intend”, “should”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from HPH’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: HPH’s ability to obtain proceeds from the Agreement; HPH’s goals and strategies; HPH’s future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of the third-party wealth management industry in China; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets HPH serves and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by HPH with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in HPH’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at http://www.sec.gov. HPH undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

    Highest Performances Holdings Inc.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – HARGREAVES LANSDOWN PLC – Ordinary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Hargreaves Lansdown PLC  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 14 October 2024  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/a  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: 0.4p ordinary (GB00B1VZ0M25)  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 5,901,303 1.24 %      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 5,901,303 * 1.24 %      
    * Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 183,277 shares that are included in the total above.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    0.4p ordinary (GB00B1VZ0M25) Purchase 1,580 10.8600 GBP  
    There was a Transfer In of 23,577 shares of 0.4p ordinary  
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (c) Attachments  
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 15 October 2024  
    Contact name Thomas Hone  
    Telephone number +44 20 3033 3419  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Intelligence Community Veteran Michael Widener Joins Synergy ECP Board of Advisors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synergy ECP, a leading provider of mission critical, highly technical solutions for the Defense and Intelligence Communities, is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Widener to its Board of Advisors. Synergy ECP is a portfolio company of Falfurrias Management Partners.

    Michael Widener, a former Senior Intelligence Service executive at the Central Intelligence Agency and four-time Chief of Station/Base, brings decades of experience to Synergy ECP’s Board of Advisors through his leadership of historically large and complex CIA programs in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Michael also led CIA efforts related to understanding the impact of advanced computing, microelectronics, next-generation communications, and other emerging technologies on US national security by harnessing expertise from the US private sector and worldwide venture capital ecosystem to deliver new capabilities into the Intelligence Community.

    “We are honored to welcome Michael Widener to our Board of Advisors,” said Bruce Howard, CEO of Synergy ECP. “Michael’s extensive experience at the intersection of emerging technologies, the private sector, and policymakers will support Synergy ECP’s efforts as we deliver technical solutions in areas such as signals intelligence, cyber operations, critical infrastructure resiliency, zero trust methodologies, and next generation 5G capabilities. Additionally, his mission understanding, developed through years of leading human intelligence and covert action programs, will ensure Synergy ECP stays on the leading edge of emerging technical requirements within our intelligence community.”

    “I am honored to join the Board of Advisors at Synergy ECP,” said Mr. Widener. “Our Intelligence Community faces significant challenges in understanding the national security implications of emerging technology areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cyber. I look forward to supporting Synergy ECP as they advance on their mission of solving the toughest national security challenges for tip of the spear customers leading our Nation’s cyber and signals intelligence operations.”

    About Synergy ECP
    Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Synergy ECP is a leading provider of cybersecurity, software and systems engineering and IT services to the U.S. intelligence and defense communities. The company leverages its expertise in data transport solutions, software and systems engineering, and other solutions to deliver critical and innovative capabilities to high-level decision makers that enhance our nation’s security. For more information, visit http://www.synergyecp.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: #synod24 – Presentation of His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., general rapporteur of the Synod of the Second Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops

    Source: The Holy See

    #synod24 – Presentation of His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., general rapporteur of the Synod of the Second Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, 15.10.2024
    The following is the presentation of Part III of the Instrumentum laboris dedicated to “Places”, delivered by His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., general rapporteur of the Synod, in the presence of the Holy Father this morning at the beginning of the session:

    Presentation of His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J.
    Good morning and welcome. Let us resume our work. If we look at the calendar, we will discover that we have arrived at the tenth session of the Circuli minores. Tomorrow morning, we will also hold the tenth General Congregation: the two methods of our work proceed at the same pace, which we are trying to maintain without giving in to fatigue.
    The calendar also tells us that we have arrived at Part III of the Instrumentum laboris, namely the final chapter of the book. Let us confront it with the same decisiveness and energy of the previous ones, because it is no less important. Last but not least, as we say in English. As the title of the section tells us, we take on “the perspective of the places that are the tangible contexts for our embodied relationships, marked by their variety, plurality and interconnection, and rooted in the foundation of the profession of faith, resisting human temptations to abstract universalism” (IL2, Introduction).
    Talking about places means restoring to the centre of attention the fact that “the Church cannot be understood without being rooted in a place and a culture” (IL2, 80). This “does not mean giving in to particularism or relativism but enhancing the concreteness in which, in space and time, a shared experience of adherence to the manifestation of the Triune God who saves takes shape” (ibid.). The first paragraph of this Section, entitled “Areas of shared journeying”, invites us to focus on how, in our time, people live the dimension of rootedness in a context. Many factors, which I will not summarize here, ensure that today this experience has a far less marked spatial and geographical connotation than in the past. We always have a need to belong, but this need finds an answer in networks of relationships “more dynamic and mobile than in the past”, up to the borderline case of the digital environment. What does this mean for the fulfilment of our mission to proclaim the Gospel? In what way must we rethink our institutions “in the logic of missionary service” (IL2, 87), which takes place in a different context compared to the past? What institutional and organizational forms need to be changed, and how?
    In the Church, talking about local contexts has however also meant taking into consideration “the relationships established between places and cultures”. Places and cultures are not different planets, but rather they are always in relation with each other. Even more so are the Churches that inhabit them, on account of the bond of communion that binds them in the unity of the entire Church, of which the Bishop of Rome has visible primacy. These Churches, which are all represented in this Hall, at different levels and in various ways, maintain between themselves and with the Church as a whole a rich range of relationships, which are made tangible in an exchange of gifts. There are the Eastern Ecclesiae sui iuris alongside the Latin Church. In turn, each one of these Churches presents dioceses or eparchies, which maintain a variety of relationships, also institutional, between themselves and with the entire Church, starting from those which give rise to groupings of Churches. Finally, communion also presides in the internal life of each local Church, in the various forms in which the faithful participate, especially in the bodies provided for this purpose. This is dealt with in the second and third paragraphs of Part III of the Instrumentum laboris, entitled respectively “Local Churches in the one and unique Catholic Church” and “The bonds that shape the unity of the Church”.
    Lastly, the final paragraph focuses on “The service to unity of the Bishop of Rome”. I think I am able to interpret the mens of the Holy Father by reiterating the invitation to confront the work and exchange on this paragraph in a spirit of parrhesia. The Holy Father has summoned us here to listen to our advice also on the way in which his service and that of the Roman Curia can be made more effective today. He has the right to know what we really think, starting from the life and needs of the People of God and the places from which we originate.
    At first sight, many of the themes we are dealing with in this Module may appear technical, for insiders, far removed from the daily life of the vast majority of the People of God. I am sure that the theological-pastoral Forums we will experience tomorrow afternoon will help us dispel this impression, highlighting the relevance of these themes for the mission of the Church in today’s world.
    Above all, I think that this Module too, like and perhaps even more than the previous one, encounters and questions the lived experience of those of us who are here. It seems to me that this is the most correct perspective in which to place ourselves to face the work ahead of us.
    In order to be aware of this, I invite each of us to take a minute to look around, first of all casting our eyes over the people sitting at our own table. [BRIEF PAUSE].
    And then I invite everyone to widen their gaze, embracing the whole room. I admit that for me, from this raised table, it is easier [BRIEF PAUSE].
    In this very tangible place, the Paul VI Hall, we have spent almost two months of our life now. In this place we have made the relationships between us grow, in a network that is not limited by these walls, but which truly embraces the whole Church and the entire world. In this place we have lived a rich and intense experience. As in any synodal encounter, but in an even more special way, we have experienced that the encounter between brothers and sisters in faith is not without hardships and difficulties, but leads to the encounter with the Lord and brings forth the joy of the Gospel.
    If we were to keep this treasure only for ourselves, we would transform it into a privilege. This Module thus offers us the opportunity to ask ourselves what methods and organizational and institutional forms can make the wealth of the experience we have lived here, in this place, become accessible to the entire People of God, and not only through our narrative, but through the renewal of our Churches. It will not be possible to bring all the Baptized into the Paul VI Hall, but this is not the point: it is not necessary to come here to enter into the dynamism of the synodal Church. The purpose of our work in the coming days is to propose tools that make it easier.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – DS SMITH PLC – Ordinary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 DS Smith PLC  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 14 October 2024  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 YES
    International Paper Co    		  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: 10p ordinary (GB0008220112)  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 28,934,543 2.10 %      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 28,934,543 * 2.10 %      
    * Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 537,794 shares that are included in the total above.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    10p ordinary (GB0008220112) Purchase 5,290 4.7000 GBP  
    There was a Transfer In of 86,972 shares of 10p ordinary  
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (c) Attachments  
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 15 October 2024  
    Contact name Thomas Hone  
    Telephone number +44 20 3033 3419  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Analysis: UN peacekeepers at risk in southern Lebanon

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported a series of incidents over the past few days in which they have been endangered by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as Israel continues its incursion into southern Lebanon. From bearing witness to sheltering the local population, the UN Unifil mission has a vital role to play in Lebanon, but at what cost?

    Read the analysis by experts Chiara Ruffa, Professor in political science at Sciences Po Center for International Studies (CERI), and Vanessa Newby, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University, initially published by our partner The Conversation.

    United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported a series of incidents over the past few days in which they have been endangered by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as Israel continues its incursion into southern Lebanon.

    Two members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) were wounded on October 10 when an Israeli tank fired its weapon at Unifil’s headquarters in the city of Naqoura. They are reported to be receiving treatment in hospital for minor injuries.

    This follows a series of other reports of IDF troops firing on other Unifil positions in recent days. A Unifil statement called on the IDF “and all actors to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times”.

    For 44 years the presence of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon has provided a much-needed measure of predictability and stability on an international fault line that has the potential to trigger a larger war in the Middle East. Its value has often been to shine an international spotlight on events on the ground and to provide humanitarian assistance to the local population.

    The Unifil peacekeeping mission is in an area of southern Lebanon that stretches from the de facto Lebanese border with Israel about 18 miles northwards up to the Litani River. In violation of UN security council resolution 1701, which was issued in 2006 and was designed to bring to an end the 33-day war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli tanks have been advancing into southern Lebanon since September 30. Hezbollah is fighting back – and casualties are mounting.

    On October 5, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pressed the Unifil Irish Battalion, stationed south-east of Marun al-Ras, to leave its position to allow the IDF to proceed with their invasion. On October 6, Unifil force commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz denied the request. A Unifil statement said: “Peacekeepers remain in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly.”

    The IDF reportedly ceased their military operations in the area on October 8. This is most likely because their military goals have changed. The rapidly unfolding Israeli military action in Lebanon has now deployed an additional 15,000 troops. This raises questions about the “limited” nature of the IDF’s incursion and its goals.

    Since 1978, Unifil has provided medical services, electricity, generators, language courses, financial aid and water to local communities. The peacekeeping force has also helped to clear millions of square meters of land from anti-personal mines and cluster bombs, releasing farmland for cultivation and preventing injuries or deaths since the 2006 war.

    In 2006, the Unifil mission adopted a new mandate under UN Resolution 1701. Like all newer UN peacekeeping mandates, it contained a protection of civilians clause which authorises Unifil to “protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence”.

    Israel contends that Hezbollah missile attacks into northern Israel are an indication that Unifil has never fully implemented 1701 – hence the need to invade and destroy the militant group. But protection of civilians is central to Unifil’s mandate. While the IDF claims it is targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and leadership, thousands of civilian lives in southern Lebanon remain at risk.

    It has recently been reported that more than 2,000 civilians have died in the latest Israeli incursion, with more than 9,000 injured and over 608,000 displaced. So, implementation of this protection clause has never been more important.

    Unifil must not become collateral damage

    Unifil’s ability to protect civilians during Israeli incursions has often been challenged because the IDF refused to guarantee the safety of fleeing civilians, either in convoys out of the villages, or in UN compounds.

    The most notorious incident was the Qana incident of 1996, when 106 civilians died while sheltering in the Fijian UN compound. In July 2006, the IDF used a precision guided aerial bomb on a Unifil post. The attack killed four international unarmed military observers working under Unifil operational control, despite repeated verbal warnings from Unifil headquarters to avoid the post. The IDF has also damaged Unifil positions in times of peace. In January 2005 an unarmed French UN observer was killed by IDF tank fire. In January 2015 IDF artillery killed a Spanish peacekeeper.

    So the challenge for Unifil has always been that if they allow civilians to take shelter in their compounds, they risk becoming part of the IDF’s collateral damage.

    Similarly, Hezbollah is also no friend of Unifil. In December 2022, Hezbollah supporters killed an Irish peacekeeper who ventured accidentally into a village just outside the area of operation.

    International witness

    Despite these challenges, Unifil still has a powerful role to play in southern Lebanon. As the fog of war engulfs all the protagonists, Unifil has the ability to bring the world’s attention to the current conflict which may help constrain the parties. It is critical at this time to have an international force bear witness to events on the ground and provide basic humanitarian assistance, monitor and report potential violations and guarantee shelter to the local population whenever possible to help the displaced people that remain within the Unifil area of operation.

    On October 7, the US State Department warned the IDF that it did not want to see military action taken against Unifil or for the peacekeepers to be put in danger in any way. This warning is welcome given the recent disregard for the UN demonstrated by Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. who, when speaking to the UN general assembly on September 27, labelled the UN “contemptible in the eyes of decent people everywhere”. On October 2, the Israeli government barred UN secretary general António Guterres from entering Israel.

    Israel’s allies must increase the pressure for the IDF to allow Unifil to exercise the protection of civilians clause contained in its mandate. This would mean allowing the peacekeeping force the freedom of movement in south Lebanon to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The IDF must also guarantee the safety of civilians escaping with Unifil’s assistance from the villages. And the IDF must allow Unifil to establish safe zones for civilians trapped in the conflict, to compensate for the absence of air raid shelters and bunkers in Lebanon.

    While Unifil may not be able to prevent the bloodshed, for now it can continue help to stem the flow, just as it always has.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: African Development Bank and Absa unveil multi-billion rand financial package to expand sustainable capital markets, boost economic growth for women and youth

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

    JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 15, 2024/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and Absa Group, one of Africa’s leading financial services providers, today celebrated a landmark agreement to mark the execution of a transformative financial package aimed at increasing funding for underserved segments, across South Africa and the continent. The target audience includes women-owned businesses, youth entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    In addition to enhancing Absa’s regulatory capital, the facility will promote access to finance, deepen domestic capital markets, and ensure continued access to global supply chains for issuing banks in regional member countries, including low-income and fragile states.

    The financial package includes:

    • A subordinated sustainability-linked (Tier 2) loan amounting to R1.7 billion, complemented by a non-financial support package of R18 million for capacity building and technical assistance targeted at SMEs, youth, and women-owned enterprises.
    • Subscription of R1 billion into Absa’s inaugural social (Tier 2) bond issuance, with proceeds earmarked for providing affordable housing loans to female homeowners.
    • A trade finance Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) facility valued at $150 million, designed to underwrite the risks of trade transactions originated by African issuing banks, reinforcing Absa’s role as a regional bank.

    Several components of the package have already been executed, including the successful issuance of Absa’s first Tier 2 social bond on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in July 2024. The R1 billion proceeds from this bond will be allocated towards affordable housing loans specifically targeting women, empowering them as first-time homeowners in low-income segments.

    Leila Mokaddem, Director General of the African Development Bank’s Southern Africa Region, stated: “This partnership with Absa Group underscores our commitment to driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth across Africa. Through this financial package, we are not only fortifying Absa’s capital base but also ensuring that essential funding reaches women, youth, and entrepreneurs, fostering a more equitable and prosperous continent. This collaboration aligns seamlessly with our strategic priorities of supporting Africa’s industrialization and enhancing the quality of life for its people. “

    Absa has secured a R1.7 billion sustainability-linked Tier 2 loan aimed at general corporate business purposes while incentivizing the extension of finance products to women-owned SMEs as a key performance indicator. As part of this agreement, Absa is collaborating with the African Development Bank to enhance skills among both Absa staff and women business owners. A capacity-building training program has been launched to address the unique challenges faced by female and youth entrepreneurs, by providing mentorship and financial solutions.

    Charles Russon, Absa Group interim CEO designate remarked: “The finalisation of this package concludes a three-year process that significantly enhances our capacity to fund social initiatives aligned with our commitment to being a force for good. This partnership enables us to increase funding for women and youth in South Africa while facilitating greater trade opportunities across the continent. “

    “This partnership aligns with the African Development Bank’s strategic objectives of advancing green, social, and sustainability instruments in the domestic capital markets, supporting African capital market development and regional financial integration,” said Ahmed Attout, Director of the Financial Sector Development Department at the African Development Bank. He emphasised that it is designed to empower Absa to effectively disburse funds for highly impactful social and sustainable economic development initiatives.

    The $150 million trade finance facility will drive trade support across Africa, addressing the continent’s annual trade finance gap of over $100 billion. This initiative will enhance access to financing for key sectors such as agriculture, transport, and manufacturing, while fostering financial sector development and regional integration.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Lands Department releases figures on registered lease modifications, land exchanges, private treaty grants and lot extensions in third quarter of 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Lands Department releases figures on registered lease modifications, land exchanges, private treaty grants and lot extensions in third quarter of 2024
    Lands Department releases figures on registered lease modifications, land exchanges, private treaty grants and lot extensions in third quarter of 2024
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (October 15) that it registered 22 lease modifications and two land exchanges in the Land Registry during the quarter ending September 2024, of which five were modifications of a technical nature involving nil premium.     Among these 24 land transactions, six are located on Hong Kong Island, 14 are in Kowloon and four are in the New Territories. The transactions exclude Small House cases.     There were no private treaty grants and lot extensions registered during the quarter.     The above land transactions realised a total land premium of about $1,886.525 million.     Transaction records of the lease modifications, land exchanges, private treaty grants and lot extensions, including those registered recently, are uploaded to the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/land-disposal-transaction/land-transaction.html) on a monthly basis. Details of the transactions may be obtained by searching the registered documents in the Land Registry.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, October 15, 2024Issued at HKT 17:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese state councilor meets UNICEF chief

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 15 — Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin met with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell in Beijing on Monday.

    Shen, also president of the All-China Women’s Federation, said that China has vigorously developed the cause of children, actively implemented the Convention on the Rights of the Child, constantly improved the well-being of children and promoted their all-round development.

    China is willing to deepen cooperation with UNICEF in the fields of basic education, health care, rural revitalization, care and protection for children, and make greater contributions to the global cause of children, she added.

    Russell spoke highly of China’s great achievements in the field of children’s development and expressed willingness to maintain close relations and carry out more in-depth cooperation with China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 136th Canton Fair set to open with 138,000 overseas buyers registered

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

    Nearly 140,000 overseas buyers from 209 countries and regions have pre-registered for the 136th session of the China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair.

    The fair will be held in three phases in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, from October 15 to November 4.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 136th Canton Fair kicks off, bringing broader market opportunities to trade partners

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

    136th Canton Fair kicks off, bringing broader market opportunities to trade partners

    GUANGZHOU, Oct. 15 — The 136th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, kicked off in Guangzhou, the capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, on Tuesday.

    Themed “Serving high-quality development, promoting high-level opening-up,” this edition of the fair features more than 30,000 exhibitors showcasing 1.15 million new products.

    Many new companies, products, technologies and business models are making their debut, attracting 147,000 overseas buyers who have pre-registered for the fair.

    According to Chu Shijia, head of the China Foreign Trade Center, over 8,000 exhibitors have been recognized as national high-tech enterprises, “little giants” specializing in niche industries, or manufacturing champions, representing a more than 40 percent increase from the previous edition of the Canton Fair.

    Around 390,000 digital and smart products will be showcased, a 300 percent surge compared to the 135th Canton Fair, while the number of green and low-carbon products will rise by 130 percent to 1.04 million.

    A survey conducted by the organizers ahead of the fair indicated that 94 percent of exhibitors would bring in new products, and 64.8 percent would showcase products with independent intellectual property rights. More than 1 million new items and products with intellectual property rights are on display, alongside a range of humanoid robots, smart devices and unmanned products making their debut at the fair.

    The online platform for the 136th Canton Fair has been further optimized, featuring a virtual digital host and a dedicated Canton Fair app.

    The scale of the online exhibition has expanded significantly, with around 48,000 companies uploading approximately 3.75 million products to the platform, an increase of 60 percent and 50 percent, respectively, compared to the previous fair, both of which are historic highs.

    As of Monday, buyers from 209 countries and regions had pre-registered for the event. Additionally, 241 of the world’s top 250 retailers and leading multinational corporations are participating in the fair.

    “Based on indicators such as pre-registrations, hotel bookings and flight reservations, improved attendance of overseas buyers at the 136th Canton Fair is expected,” Chu said.

    The fair highlights the high-quality development of Chinese products and brands, and China is confident in its ability to offer more and better products — both “made in China” and “created in China” — to the world, Chu noted.

    The fair will be held in three phases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 4 and is set to include 55 exhibition areas covering 1.55 million square meters. The first phase, running from Oct. 15 to 19, will introduce new topics such as hydrogen energy and feature a dedicated area for energy storage products, attracting over 110 new energy companies.

    Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the Canton Fair is considered a major gauge of China’s foreign trade.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​Liu Cixin opens sci-fi museum, wishes Musk success on Mars mission

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    An opening ceremony for a museum dedicated to the established sci-fi writer Liu Cixin was part of the first-day activities for the second Liu Cixin Hometown Science Fiction Culture Week in Yangquan, Shanxi province. 

    A photo captures the Liu Cixin Sci-Fi Museum. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Held from Oct. 13 to Oct.16 and in the writer’s hometown, the four-day cultural event includes an array of activities and events such as writers presenting lectures at local schools, a sci-fi and popular science writers’ symposium, a sci-fi literature writing contest, sci-fi artwork exhibitions as well as the opening ceremony for the Liu Cixin Sci-Fi Museum.

    The museum chronicles the award-winning writer’s life and growth, showcases his creative journey and literary achievements, and spotlights the various adaptations his literary works have received since their initial publications. Liu has penned seven novels and over 40 short stories and novellas, including “The Three-Body Problem” and “The Wandering Earth,” in Yangquan.

    During the ceremony, Liu expressed his hope that the museum, the first sci-fi museum focusing on a single sci-fi writer in China, would spark the public’s interest in science fiction literature, saying: “I hope that science fiction can bring readers more joy and awe, allowing them to touch the stars with their imaginations and embrace the future.”

    According to the 2024 China Science Fiction Industry Report, the total revenue of China’s sci-fi industry reached 113.29 billion yuan ($15.94 billion) in 2023, exceeding 100 billion yuan for the first time. A part of this is from adaptations of Liu’s works, with “The Wandering Earth” movies grossing billions of yuan in China’s film market and his Hugo Award-winning novel “The Three-Body Problem” generating influence and contributing to various industries’ profits. 

    However, Liu remained sober in his assessment: “Sci-fi literature has moved from a marginal existence into the spotlight in China, but the current state of this genre is not as flourishing as people might imagine. The popularity of ‘The Three-Body Problem’ was somewhat by chance; Chinese sci-fi literature still needs further, greater development.”

    Liu Cixin (left) announces with local and literature officials the grand opening of the Liu Cixin Sci-Fi Museum in Yangquan, Shanxi province, Oct. 13, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Yangquan Federation of Literary and Art Circles]

    Besides the museum’s opening ceremony on Oct. 13, Liu also attended other activities, such as a panel discussion where he stated that he greatly admires Elon Musk, whose spacecraft manufacturing company SpaceX successfully launched a test flight of Starship on the same day. 

    Back in September, Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, announced on X, formerly known as Twitter and now owned by Musk, that the Starship mega-rocket would begin missions to Mars in two years, launching uncrewed flights to test the safeness of landings. If successful, crewed missions would follow within four years. Musk also stated that flight frequency would then be increased exponentially, aiming to build a self-sustaining city on Mars within 20 years.

    “Although the Mars colonization project may face many difficulties, I still hope he can succeed,” Liu said. When asked whether he would be willing to move to Mars, Liu laughed, responding that: “If it’s a round trip, I would be very willing to go, but if it’s a one-way trip, then it would be very difficult for me. I still have a lot of work to do on Earth, and there’s also my family.”

    Besides looking at how to inhabit the Red Planet, Musk’s business endeavors have also started speculating about technological advancements on the Earth. On Oct. 10, at the Tesla Cybercab robotaxi event, Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, shared his vision of a future filled with self-driving cars without steering wheels, parking lots transformed into parks and robots walking among humans. 

    “Musk is like someone who has jumped out of a science fiction novel, turning many things from our science fiction novels into reality,” Liu remarked during the panel discussion.

    Sci-fi writers Chao Xia, Zhu Yuqing and Liu Cixin (left to right) participated on a panel to discuss the theme of “Sci-Fi Literature Empowering New Quality Productive Forces” in Yangquan, Shanxi province, on Oct. 13, 2024. The others who participated in the panel discussion were Li Xiaodong (center), the event host and an official with the China Writers Association; Yu Haichun, a research fellow of the Management Committee of Shijingshan Park in Zhongguancun Science Park; and Wang Weiying, head of the sci-fi division at China Science and Technology Press and director general of the Beijing Yuanyu Science Fiction and Future Technology Research Institute. [Photo courtesy of Yangquan Federation of Literary and Art Circles]

    “The technology for autonomous driving has already reached a very mature stage, but the obstacles to its development may lie not in the technology itself, but at the societal level,” Liu stated. He also acknowledged that, though he has not yet taken a ride in a self-driving vehicle, he frequently sees autonomous delivery vehicles navigating the Yangquan’s streets. Yangquan was the first prefecture-level city in China to fully embrace autonomous driving with autonomous taxis, buses and delivery vehicles. 

    Liu added: “When a new technology replaces an old one, some fluctuations occur. For example, the Luddite Movement of the 19th century involved large-scale worker-led machine destruction. We may now be facing such a historical juncture again, and if the right choices are made, we could usher in a brand-new era of new quality productive forces.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese medical peacekeepers to Lebanon complete emergency defense drill 2024-10-14 20:27:33 Recently, the 22nd Chinese Peacekeeping Level-1+ Hospital to the UNIFIL successfully completed the “Blue Porcupine 2024” emergency defense drill organized by the UNIFIL Sector East amid the ongoing conflicts in the mission area.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      By Zeng Dele, Cheng Lu and Zhuang Xiaohao

      BEIRUT, Oct. 15 — Recently, the 22nd Chinese Peacekeeping Level-1+ Hospital to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) successfully completed the “Blue Porcupine 2024” emergency defense drill organized by the UNIFIL Sector East amid the ongoing conflicts in the mission area. The drill has examined and enhanced the emergency response capabilities of the Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent.

      After the drill began, the Chinese peacekeepers immediately put on their protective gear. The emergency combat team quickly collected weapons and ammunition, occupied a favorable position and stayed alert to the surrounding situation, while the rest of the personnel went to the designated bunker on standby.

      During the drill, the Chinese peacekeepers conducted medical treatment training. They provided emergency treatment for the wounded and then transferred them to the resuscitation room for fluid replacement and anti-shock therapy while monitoring the vital signs all the time.

      The UNIFIL Sector East sent special inspectors to verify the personnel composition, weapons and equipment, medical supplies and daily necessities in the two bunkers of the Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent. The inspectors used the communication facilities in the bunker to communicate with the UNIFIL Sector East and reported that the Chinese peacekeeping contingent fully met the exercise standards.

      In addition, the Chinese medical contingent conducted combat rescue knowledge and skills training for peacekeeping detachments and military observers from multiple countries, with a focus on several key subjects such as battlefield triage, spinal injury rescue, bleeding control, bandaging and fixation, airway management and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in a bid to help friendly peacekeeping forces and military observers master the basic operational methods of self-rescue and mutual rescue.

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 136th Canton Fair kicks off

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The 136th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, kicked off in Guangzhou, the capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, on Tuesday.

    Themed “Serving high-quality development, promoting high-level opening-up,” this edition of the fair features more than 30,000 exhibitors showcasing 1.15 million new products.

    Many new companies, products, technologies and business models are making their debut, attracting 147,000 overseas buyers who have pre-registered for the fair.

    According to Chu Shijia, head of the China Foreign Trade Center, over 8,000 exhibitors have been recognized as national high-tech enterprises, “little giants” specializing in niche industries, or manufacturing champions, representing a more than 40 percent increase from the previous edition of the Canton Fair.

    Around 390,000 digital and smart products will be showcased, a 300 percent surge compared to the 135th Canton Fair, while the number of green and low-carbon products will rise by 130 percent to 1.04 million.

    A survey conducted by the organizers ahead of the fair indicated that 94 percent of exhibitors would bring in new products, and 64.8 percent would showcase products with independent intellectual property rights. More than 1 million new items and products with intellectual property rights are on display, alongside a range of humanoid robots, smart devices and unmanned products making their debut at the fair.

    The online platform for the 136th Canton Fair has been further optimized, featuring a virtual digital host and a dedicated Canton Fair app.

    The scale of the online exhibition has expanded significantly, with around 48,000 companies uploading approximately 3.75 million products to the platform, an increase of 60 percent and 50 percent, respectively, compared to the previous fair, both of which are historic highs.

    As of Monday, buyers from 209 countries and regions had pre-registered for the event. Additionally, 241 of the world’s top 250 retailers and leading multinational corporations are participating in the fair.

    “Based on indicators such as pre-registrations, hotel bookings and flight reservations, improved attendance of overseas buyers at the 136th Canton Fair is expected,” Chu said.

    The fair highlights the high-quality development of Chinese products and brands, and China is confident in its ability to offer more and better products — both “made in China” and “created in China” — to the world, Chu noted.

    The fair will be held in three phases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 4 and is set to include 55 exhibition areas covering 1.55 million square meters. The first phase, running from Oct. 15 to 19, will introduce new topics such as hydrogen energy and feature a dedicated area for energy storage products, attracting over 110 new energy companies.

    Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the Canton Fair is considered a major gauge of China’s foreign trade.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: First batch of 10 ETFs tracking CSI A500 starts trading

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The first batch of 10 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking the CSI A500 started trading on Tuesday, with five on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the rest on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

    The new stock index, CSI A500, was formally released by the China Securities Index Co., Ltd. on Sept. 23, while the 10 ETFs tracking this index was launched on Sept. 10.

    The index tracks 500 securities with large market values to reflect the overall stock performance of listed companies most representative of China’s various industries.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: This is the way we brush our teeth…

    Source: Mayor of London

    A quarter (25.8 per cent) of 5-year-olds in London have tooth decay.1

    Since 2012, local authorities have been responsible for improving health in local areas, including oral health.
    In 2014, Public Health England stated that “local authorities are statutorily required to provide or commission oral health promotion programmes to improve the health of the local population, to an extent that they consider appropriate in their areas”.

    London Boroughs commission a range of oral health prevention programmes for both adults and children, including supervised toothbrushing in schools. The London Borough of Brent commissions Whittington Health NHS Trust to deliver these programmes, including the following initiatives: 

    • Supporting a number of education (early years & school) settings to promote good oral health such as the supervised tooth-brushing programme. 
    • Providing dental health support to families with children under 5 years who are at high risk of developing tooth decay (dental caries). 
    • Family Wellbeing Centres, who support parents from the moment they know they’re expecting, through pregnancy and birth, until the child is 18 years old.

    Tomorrow, Members of the London Assembly Health Committee will visit Brentfield Primary School, where they will observe supervised toothbrushing, an initiative to reduce tooth decay in young children. 

    The meeting will include teachers, Brent Public Health and the NHS. The visit will form part of the Committee’s investigation into Dentistry in London.

    MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS FILMING/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

    Location: Brentfield Primary School, NW10 0SL 

    Date:  Wednesday 16 October 2024

    Time: 12-1pm  

    Interviewees will include:

    • Krupesh Hirani AM, Chair of the Health Committee
    • Emma Best AM, Deputy Chairman of the Health Committee
    • Somebi Anwunah, Principal Public Health Strategist · Brent Council 
    • Erinna Proudfoot, Oral health promoter, Whittington Health, NHS Trust 
    • Debbie Edwards, Class Teacher and EYFS Leader 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Early estimates suggest an average cereal harvest

    Source: Scottish Government

    An Accredited Official Statistics Publication

    Early estimates predict a total cereal harvest of around 3.1 million tonnes, just above the ten-year average. Despite challenging weather at crucial times of the season.

    Average production results are predicted for winter barley, oilseed rape and wheat. Mostly as a result of decreased area and yield. Some very good yields are predicted for oats and spring barley. But a late harvest this year makes oats predictions less reliable.

    The report includes provisional 2024 crop area estimates. The total area of cereals grown in Scotland is predicted to be just lower than in 2023. With decreases in the area of winter barley, wheat and oilseed rape grown and increases in sown area of spring barley and oats.

    Background

    The full statistical publication is available with a visual summary and supporting data tables at: Cereal and oilseed rape harvest – first estimates: 2024

    Estimates are based on first soundings of the 2024 harvest at the end of September. Final results will be released in December after the harvest is complete.

    Estimates are based on harvest yields given by a panel of experts at a Crop Report Meeting and provisional land use areas from the June Agricultural Census. Final land use areas will be published in the Results of the June Agricultural Census.

    Official statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Finding Future Advanced Electronics and Electromechanical Devices

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    DASA and AWE seek novel technologies in the space domain to enhance the UK’s Defence and Commercial Space Systems resilience and reliability

    • DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: AWE – Advanced Electronics and Electromechanical Devices
    • This competition is funded by AWE
    • The total possible funding available for Phase 1 of this competition is £4 million across two years (including VAT)
    • Competition closes midday on Tuesday 10th December 2024 (GMT)

    The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called AWE – Advanced Electronics and Electromechanical Devices. DASA, in conjunction with AWE, is seeking innovative ideas to approach the following four challenge areas in novel ways:

    1. Power and data transfer across closed metal barriers.
    2. Robust semi-conductor switching for high-voltage applications.
    3. Low delta-T thermo-electric generation.
    4. Low drift inertial sensors.

    Read the full competition document to learn more.

    Key dates and funding

    The total possible funding available for Phase 1 of this competition is £4 million across two years (including VAT). A number of proposals may be funded.

    The deadline to submit a proposal is midday on Tuesday 10th of December 2024 (GMT). Submit via the DASA Online Submission Service for which you will require an account.

    Do you have a relevant solution? Read the full competition document and submit a proposal.

    Background

    The space domain has been identified by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) as one of the UK’s critical national infrastructure sectors. The need to increase and assure resilience and reliability of operation, particularly within the space domain in times of tension, is self-evident. Many technology developments are accelerated from the defence sector into the commercial sector. AWE is interested in further enhancing UK-sovereign, resilient, demonstrable capabilities for the space and air domains. Maintaining and developing a UK-sovereign capability is critical to the UK security and prosperity.

    Sourcing and supporting innovation is crucially important to the security of our nation. This competition represents the next step in DASA’s collaboration with AWE and we look forward to seeing what novel innovations the competition finds to address AWE’s challenges in the space domain.

    Anita Friend, Head of DASA

    This competition will enhance AWE’s capability in UK defence, security and commercial air and space domains, helping to keep our nation safe while investing in UK business.

    Lucy, Group Leader Engineering at AWE

    Learn more about the competition and submit a proposal here.

    Supporting events

    Launch Webinar –

    A dial-in session on Tuesday 22 October, providing further detail on the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page here.

    1-2-1 –

    A series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions across Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 October, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions. Booking is on a first come first served basis. If you would like to participate, please register on the relevant Eventbrite page linked below:

    Book for Monday 28 October

    Book for Tuesday 29 October

    Submit a proposal

    We want novel ideas to benefit end-users working in UK Defence, Security and Commercial air and space domains. If you can provide this, submit a proposal to this competition.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Research programme to ensure UK economy uses AI to grow safely

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Researchers to be supported in boosting defences against societal risks such as deepfakes and cyber-attacks.

    • Support unveiled for researchers to boost defences against societal risks including deepfakes and cyber-attacks 
    • First phase of AI Safety Institute scheme to provide researchers with up to £200,000 in grants launches 
    • Programme dedicated to ‘systemic AI safety’ to boost public trust as technology is rolled out across the economy

    Researchers focused on boosting society’s resilience against AI risks such as deepfakes, misinformation, and cyber-attacks, can now access government grants to drive forward their work which will help ensure the safety of AI, as the UK taps into its potential to spark economic growth and improvements to public services.

    The scheme launched today (Tuesday 15th October), in partnership with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is focused on how society can be protected from the potential risks of AI. It will also support research to tackle the threat of AI systems failing unexpectedly, for example in the financial sector. 

    Tackling these risks head on will boost public confidence in the technology which holds enormous potential to spark long-term growth, while keeping the UK at the heart of research into responsible and trustworthy AI development. Ensuring public confidence in AI is central to the government’s plans for seizing its potential, as the UK harnesses the technology to drive up productivity and deliver public services which are fit for the future.

    To ensure the UK can continue to harness the enormous opportunities of AI, the government has also committed to introduce highly-targeted legislation for the handful of companies developing the most powerful AI models, ensuring a proportionate approach to regulation rather than new blanket rules on its use.

    Systemic AI safety is focused on the systems and infrastructure where AI is being deployed across different sectors. The programme launched today hopes to spark a broad range of research to identify the critical risks of frontier AI adoption in critical sectors like healthcare and energy services, identifying potential solutions which can then be transformed into long-term tools which tackle potential AI risks in these areas.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle said: 

    My focus is on speeding up the adoption of AI across the country so that we can kickstart growth and improve public services. Central to that plan though is boosting public trust in the innovations which are already delivering real change.

    That’s where this grants programme comes in. By tapping into a wide range of expertise from industry to academia, we are supporting the research which will make sure that as we roll AI systems out across our economy, they can be safe and trustworthy at the point of delivery.

    Launching the formal opening of its Systemic Safety Grants Programme, the UK’s AI Safety Institute is looking to back around 20 projects with funding of up to £200,000 each over the course of its first phase, worth £4 million. In total the fund is worth £8.5 million, first announced at May’s AI Seoul Summit, with the additional cash to become available in due course as further phases are launched. 

    Applicants will be assessed on the potential issues their research could solve and what risks it addresses, having until 26th of November to submit their proposals. 

    AI Safety Institute Chair Ian Hogarth, said:

    This grants programme allows us to advance broader understanding on the emerging topic of systemic AI safety. It will focus on identifying and mitigating risks associated with AI deployment in specific sectors which could impact society, whether that’s in areas like deepfakes or the potential for AI systems to fail unexpectedly.

    By bringing together researcher from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds into this process of contributing to a broader base of AI research, we’re building up empirical evidence of where AI models could pose risks so we can develop a rounded approach to AI safety for the global public good.

    The AI Safety Institute’s work in evaluating the safety of AI models is just one part of its mission, and the grants programme is set to deliver new research which will ultimately help societies across the world to better manage changes the technology could bring.  

    UK-based organisations are eligible to apply for grant funding via a dedicated website, and the programme’s opening phase will aim to deepen understandings over what challenges AI is likely to pose to society in the near future. Projects can also include international partners, boosting collaboration between developers and the AI research community while strengthening the shared global approach to the safe deployment and development of the technology.  

    Successful applicants will be confirmed in the end of January 2025, with the first round of grants then set to be awarded in February.

    Notes to editors

    Visit AI Safety Institute website for:

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: MINISTER MACPHERSON TO ANNOUNCE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STEPS TO TURBOCHARGE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

    MINISTER MACPHERSON TO ANNOUNCE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STEPS TO TURBOCHARGE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TO ACHIEVE 1.5% ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CREATE JOBS

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDAC8udTSuk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s unity government won’t dent poverty and inequality if it follows the same old policies – sociologist

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Roger Southall, Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand

    A recent poll by the Social Research Foundation, a think thank, found that 60% of South Africans thought the government of national unity was working well. It also reported that support for the unity government’s anchor political parties, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), had risen since 29 May 2024 when elections were held.

    The poll results came out at the same time as the business press was reporting increased collaboration between business and government, fostered by the unity government. Corporations have reportedly pledged up to R250 million (about US$14.3 million to assist the state to address various logistics crises and help the National Prosecuting Authority prosecute corruption.

    Although we should be cautious about taking such news at face value, it is worth noting that the arrival of the unity government has been accompanied by other good news. For example:

    This adds up to new shoots which suggest a better harvest to come.

    Read more: South Africa has a huge gap between the rich and poor – 4 urgent reasons to tackle inequality

    Still, it is wise not to get too excited unless any upturn in the economy benefits the majority of South Africans. As Frans Cronje, director of the Social Research Foundation, has observed, while the unity government may be good for the middle class, there is no sign yet that it is addressing the needs of the poor and the people on the periphery of the economy.

    Unless its benefits become socially inclusive, it might well collapse. We need to take Cronje’s reservations seriously. Note, however, that although the unity government is a coalition, it is led by the African National Congress. And, while all parties agree that they need to put the economy back on track and promote growth, there is little evidence yet that the government is pursuing distinctively new policies.

    Beware complacency

    We are often told that “a rising tide lifts all boats”.

    But this claim owes more to ideology than careful analysis of economic data. In any case, it is a catchphrase which condones inequality. It suggests that as long as living standards increase for the poor, it does not matter if the wealthy gain even more. Indeed, one version is that the more the well-off benefit, the more likely they are to spend and invest their money – that is, to create wealth for others.

    Such complacency is dangerous. Apart from being contentious economically, it poses risks to both democracy and political stability. This is particularly the case in South Africa, which is widely recognised as the most unequal country in the world.

    • High rates of inequality erode social cohesion and trust in democracy. In the May general election, the lowest level of voter turnout since 1994 reflected a worrying decline in support for democracy: from 72% in 2011 to just 43% by 2023.

    • Extremes of inequality are unlikely to lead to the formation of governing coalitions committed to pursuing developmental strategies of benefit to all. As a result, populist parties that tout simplistic solutions may find it easier to win support. As suggested by the unheralded performance of Jacob Zuma’s umKhonto we Sizwe Party in the 2024 election, this is a particular danger in South Africa. Here, the poorer black majority possess potential political power in an economy which remains largely controlled and owned by a richer, white minority. The French economist Thomas Piketty in his latest blockbuster, Capital and Ideology, warns that in such situations, the dangers of a lurch towards authoritarianism are much increased.

    Read more: South Africa’s unity government could see a continuation of the ANC’s political dominance – and hurt the DA

    Little prospect of reduction of inequality

    The issue is not whether the unity government is blind to these dangers, but whether the policies it is pursuing are likely to make a dent in the staggering level of inequality.

    If investment and growth do occur, there will be good news down the line – possibly the creation of some 2 million jobs and more financial room for the government to fund social benefits for the poor. But it’s unlikely to have a marked effect on the level of inequality.

    First, the unity government is not promising any great change from policies that have been pursued since 1994, only more efficient implementation. Those policies have somewhat decreased racial disparities, notably by promoting a black middle class, but they have not reduced the overall level of inequality. Indeed, as Piketty shows, this has increased, not decreased, since 1994.

    Second, the unity government’s policies may continue to focus on the reduction of poverty. But this is unlikely to shift the proportions of income between the different classes. As Cronje has hinted, the new government is underpinned by a middle-class coalition, and for this to hang together, the middle class will want to reap its reward.

    Read more: South Africa’s new unity government must draw on the country’s greatest asset: its constitution

    Third, history doesn’t offer much hope. Former settler colonies stand out for their exceptionally high levels of inequality. In South Africa, white people always dominated the top earners before 1994. Now they have been joined by high-earning black people, many of them public officials. The top decile’s share of total earning has increased since the end of apartheid. Today it is close to 70%, compared with around 35% in Europe.

    Fourth, we live in an age which Piketty describes as “hyper-capitalism”, in which money and ultra-rich elites are highly mobile. This makes it hard for national governments to tax the rich more. They can leave, or threaten to withdraw their investments to earn higher returns elsewhere. South Africa has already been leaking its millionaires. The unity government will not want to scare any more of them away. So, it’s unlikely to adopt aggressive tax policies in the cause of narrowing inequality.

    The unity government may well promote high growth and if successful, may ameliorate poverty, but it seems unlikely that it will either attempt or succeed in reducing inequality. It may be good for the elite and middle class, but not necessarily for the health of democracy.

    – South Africa’s unity government won’t dent poverty and inequality if it follows the same old policies – sociologist
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-unity-government-wont-dent-poverty-and-inequality-if-it-follows-the-same-old-policies-sociologist-240697

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – CENTAMIN PLC – Ordinary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Centamin PLC  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 14 October 2024  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 YES
    Anglogold Ashanti Plc    		  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: Ordinary NPV (JE00B5TT1872)  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 59,725,834 5.14 %      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 59,725,834 * 5.14 %      
    * Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 41,005 shares that are included in the total above.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    Ordinary NPV (JE00B5TT1872) Purchase 2,030 1.5270 GBP  
    There was a Transfer In of 132,138 shares of Ordinary NPV  
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (c) Attachments  
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 15 October 2024  
    Contact name Thomas Hone  
    Telephone number +44 20 3033 3419  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –