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Category: Scandinavia

  • MIL-OSI Security: Joint Force Command Norfolk, U.S. Second Fleet Join 2024 Tri-Party in Halifax Focuses on Arctic Defense and Homeland Security

    Source: United States Navy (Fleet Command)

    08 October 2024

    NORFOLK, Va. – Vice Adm. Doug Perry, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F) and Joint Force Command Norfolk, joins leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Canadian Joint Task Force Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the 2024 Tri-Party Staff Talks.

    The Tri-Party Staff Talks, established in 2015, bring together key maritime forces to enhance collaboration and ensure interoperability between U.S. and Canadian forces. The discussions center on joint operations, intelligence sharing, and defense strategy, particularly in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

    As Second Fleet leads naval operations in the western Atlantic, Perry’s dual role with NATO adds further significance to the talks, underscoring the need for seamless coordination among Allied forces.

    “Our mission is clear, to safeguard the Atlantic and Arctic, maintain maritime security, and ensure free and open access to international waters,” said Perry. “These talks enhance our joint capabilities as we confront emerging challenges, including the protection of undersea infrastructure and rising competition in the Arctic.”

    This year’s talks will address several pressing issues. A primary focus is the growing importance of Arctic operations, as the region has increased activity. The Tri-Party will evaluate strategies for improving Arctic domain awareness, enhancing cold-weather capabilities, and refining joint responses to potential security threats.

    The 2024 Tri-Party staff talks also provide an opportunity to review joint exercises held earlier this year. Operation Nanook (OP NANOOK) 2024, conducted from August 15-27, brought together the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Danish Navy for exercise operations in the Arctic waters near Nuuk, Greenland. These exercises included maritime interdiction training, gunnery drills, and search-and-rescue simulations that tested the forces’ ability to operate in harsh Arctic conditions.

    “Operation Nanook proved that our joint forces are ready to meet the challenges of the Arctic environment,” said Perry. “It also strengthened our collaboration with Canada and other NATO partners. Second Fleet is a premier fighting force, and we will continue to demonstrate this to the world. We are adaptable, flexible and above all, ready to fight.”

    Additionally, Tri-Party members conducted Frontier Sentinel 2024 in June; a tabletop exercise focused on refining operational procedures for defending undersea infrastructure. These exercises highlight the need for enhanced communication and operational alignment among the Tri-Party forces.

    Royal Canadian Rear Adm. David Patchell, Vice Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, emphasized the growing strategic importance of the Arctic.

    “The arctic environment is dynamic, its maritime terrain changes every day, and it is essential that we prioritize Northern operations” said Patchell. “The ability for the Tri Party forces to operate together in this environment is essential to maintaining stability in the region. This year’s talks are focused on understanding our shared challenges and optimizing our joint training to ensure we’re ready for future challenges.”

    Perry noted the DoD’s 2024 Arctic Strategy has provided a framework for the Tri-Party partnership to further strengthen Arctic defense amongst the everchanging Arctic landscape.

    The 2024 Tri-Party staff talks reaffirm the enduring partnership between U.S. and Canadian maritime forces and their commitment to maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation in the Atlantic and Arctic. With joint exercises, enhanced interoperability, and shared strategic planning, the Tri-Party partnership remains prepared to protect North American interests and address future security challenges.

    For more information, please contact Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Blue, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Public Affairs, at 757-398-6608; Cmdr. Joe Hontz, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs, at 757-836-3605; or Lt. Cmdr. Len Hickey, Joint Task Force-Atlantic Public Affairs, at 902-427-0375.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: EMGS – Vessel activity and multi-client sales update for the third quarter 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (the “Company” or “EMGS”) releases information on vessel activity and multi-client sales during the quarter approximately 4-5 working days after the close of each quarter. The Company defines vessel utilisation as the percentage of the vessel charter period spent on proprietary or multi-client data acquisition. Downtime (technical or maritime), mobilisation, steaming, and some standby activities are not included in the utilisation rate.  

    At the end of the third quarter 2024 the Company had one vessel on charter, the Atlantic Guardian. The Atlantic Guardian completed transit from Brazil to Norway and commenced acquisition of previously announced prefunded multi-client projects including the OBN seismic survey.

    The utilization for the third quarter was 40% compared with 0% for the third quarter 2023. 

    EMGS had one vessel in operation and recorded 3.0 vessel months in the quarter. In the third quarter 2023, the Company recorded 3.0 vessel months.

    Multi-client revenues in the third quarter
     The Company expects to record approximately USD 0.5 million in late sale multi-client revenue in the third quarter of 2024. The revenue for the fully prefunded multi-client surveys, acquired in the third quarter, is expected to be recognized in the fourth quarter of this year upon final data delivery.   

    EMGS will publish its third quarter 2024 financial results on Thursday 7 November 2024 prior to 07:30 local time (Norway). A recorded presentation will also be made available over the Internet. To access the presentation, please go to the Company’s homepage (http://www.emgs.com) and follow the link.

    Contact
     Anders Eimstad, Chief Financial Officer, +47 948 25 836

    This information is published in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Trading Act § 5-12.

    About EMGS
     EMGS, the marine EM market leader, uses its proprietary electromagnetic (EM) technology to support oil and gas companies in their search for offshore hydrocarbons. EMGS supports each stage in the workflow, from survey design and data acquisition to processing and interpretation. The Company’s services enable the integration of EM data with seismic and other geophysical and geological information to give explorationists a clearer and more complete understanding of the subsurface. This improves exploration efficiency and reduces risks and the finding costs per barrel. CSEM technology can also be used to detect the presence of marine mineral deposits (primarily Seabed Massive Sulphides) and EMGS believes that the technology can also be used to estimate the mineral content of such deposits. The Company is undertaking early-stage initiatives to position itself in this future market.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Secretary General thanks President of Finland for contributions to NATO and Ukraine

    Source: NATO

    On Tuesday (8 October 2024), during his first meeting with an Allied leader since taking office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Finland’s many contributions to NATO and its strong support for Ukraine.

    “Since Finland became a NATO Ally eighteen months ago, the Alliance has become stronger and Finland has become safer. Finland has highly capable military forces and cutting edge capabilities, and you are investing more than 2% of GDP in defence,” said Mr Rutte, during a joint press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

    The Secretary General welcomed Finland’s decision to host a NATO battlegroup and a new headquarters to lead NATO land operations in the region, which will strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defence along the Eastern Flank and the High North.

    The Secretary General and President Stubb also discussed Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

    “NATO must and will do more to help Ukraine,” Mr Rutte said, adding that Ukraine could be facing its toughest winter since the full-scale Russian invasion began, and that Russia continues to carry out strikes against critical energy infrastructure.

    Mr Rutte noted that Finland has delivered more than 2 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine.

    “What Finland is doing helps save lives. And the more military support we give, the faster this war will end,” he said.

    While at NATO Headquarters, President Stubb also met with the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tackling the UK’s housing crisis means addressing one key problem: affordability

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Anand, Professor of Economics, The Open University

    Jevanto Productions/Shutterstock

    The UK government has serious ambition when it comes to solving England’s housing crisis. Shortly after the 2024 general election, it pledged to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.

    It’s a big plan which could help improve the quality of life of millions of people. But is such an ambitious target plausible? Or has the government created a rod for its own back, and embarked on an economic mission that is doomed to failure?

    For, at the heart of this mission is a political desire to shape the direction of the economy. And to succeed, this desire needs to be matched with a clear understanding of the economic reality at the heart of the UK’s housing crisis – a reality that is all about affordability.

    To be successful, housing policies aimed at helping those on lower incomes need to address this head on. But the government’s emphasis so far has been on “zoning” (allowing houses to be built on land which was previously protected), or speeding up the planning process and tackling nimbyism. All of these factors are distractions from the main and simple point – that too many people simply cannot afford to buy, or even rent, a decent home.

    And while there has been some suggestion that a bigger proportion of new housing projects need to be affordable, details have been scant.

    Instead, most of the talk has been about “greybelt zones”, where planning permission will be granted more easily and quickly to create new opportunities for house building. But it is far from clear this will help to bring down – or even stabilise – the costs of housing.

    Obtaining planning permission is a small fraction of that total cost. And when these permissions are granted, the value of land rises. The landowner makes money, but the hopeful future house buyer or tenant gains nothing, other than the fact there are extra houses on the market.

    Imposing a requirement for higher proportions of affordable housing from building companies might be the single most effective thing the government can do. However, those companies may then increase their margins on the larger houses they plan to sell. And higher prices for bigger homes raises demand – and then prices – for smaller ones.

    If the government wants to tackle the affordability issue by increasing supply, it should note that just over half the costs of new housing are down to expensive construction. The use of modern pre-fabricated methods to help reduce those costs is still relatively low in the UK.

    Sweden uses this approach for over 80% of its new house building, and a faster switch (with government persuasion) to more affordable building methods in the UK could be beneficial.

    An expensive business.
    Clare Louise Jackson/Shutterstock

    More new towns have also been promised. They’re not a bad idea, but building them takes a very long time, so any contribution they make to the housing crisis will take years (decades even) to be seen.

    Local knowledge

    The government has already announced a series of house-building targets for local areas as part of its five-year plan. But this adds a further complication, in a classic example of regional planning being done from Westminster instead of locally. How do they know that these houses will be built where people actually want to live?

    For a good sense of where people do want to live, the government could immediately turn to housing associations – private, non-profit making organisations that already provide low-cost housing to millions. There might be some mileage in seeking to boost their stock by encouraging – and even underwriting – further borrowing by them.

    Typically, housing associations charge significantly lower rents as they are not focused on making a return for shareholders, and their long-term stability attracts lower borrowing costs. If the government’s promised increase in the UK’s housing stock leads to an expansion in the housing association sector, this could make a meaningful contribution to limiting the rents paid by those on lower incomes – and enhancing the potential for them to eventually buy a genuinely affordable home.

    But for many others, the biggest hurdle over the coming years will be mortgage rates. Even if interest rates come down gradually over the next five years, this is unlikely to make much difference to those who cannot afford a mortgage. And it won’t happen quickly enough to conjure up 1.5 million new homeowners in five years.

    It seems doubtful then, that the government will reach its target, however laudible. But if it is to stand a chance, it needs to be thoughtful in its economics. Merely setting targets and expressing frustration when they are not met – as they are unlikely to be – is not enough.

    Paul Anand owns shares in Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon, Barratt Development and Rathbones Global Opportunity Fund.
    He is a professor at the Open University and research associate at Oxford University.

    – ref. Tackling the UK’s housing crisis means addressing one key problem: affordability – https://theconversation.com/tackling-the-uks-housing-crisis-means-addressing-one-key-problem-affordability-239051

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: A Proclamation on Leif Erikson Day,  2024

    Source: The White House

         On Leif Erikson Day, we celebrate the history and heritage of Nordic communities in the United States, whose contributions and cultures have helped shape our Nation.

         Many believe that roughly a millennium ago, Leif Erikson — a Norse explorer — and his crew were the first Europeans to reach the shores of North America.  His spirit of adventure, curiosity, and resilience would inspire generations of Danes, Finns, Icelanders, Norwegians, and Swedes to sail across an ocean and begin new lives in America.  These immigrants built bustling homes and enriched their communities, supporting and realizing the American Dream.  They fought for our freedoms in the military; built new churches, businesses, and schools; and spearheaded social movements.  Today, Nordic communities continue to enrich the fabric of the Nation. 

         Nordic-American communities in the United States are foundational to our partnership and friendship with our Nordic Allies and their people.  These nations share our vision for a world based on freedom, security, and opportunities for all.  Together, we are working in lockstep to tackle the climate crisis and pioneer the next generation of technology that will power everyone’s economies.  We are also standing with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal assault.  I am proud that the United States supported the ratification process for Finland to join NATO, which was the fastest ratification in history.  And I was honored to welcome Sweden as NATO’s 32nd Ally earlier this year.  Together, I know that we will continue to stand for freedom and democracy for generations to come.

         Today, may we celebrate the important contributions and vibrant cultures of Nordic Americans to our Nation.  And may we continue the work that so many Nordic communities in this country began:  ensuring every American has an opportunity to reach the American Dream.

         To honor Leif Erikson, son of Iceland and grandson of Norway, and to celebrate Nordic-American heritage, the Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 88-566) approved on September 2, 1964, has authorized the President of the United States to proclaim October 9 of each year as “Leif Erikson Day.”

         NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2024, as Leif Erikson Day.  I call upon all Americans to celebrate the contributions of Nordic Americans to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                                  JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Will the Earth warm by 2°C or 5.5°C? Either way it’s bad, and trying to narrow it down may be a distraction

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonny Williams, Climate Scientist, University of Reading

    Getty Images

    Climate change is usually discussed in terms of rising temperatures.

    But scientists often use a different measure, known as “equilibrium climate sensitivity”. This is defined as the global mean warming caused by a doubling of pre-industrial carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere.

    We use this measure to describe the range of potential temperature increases on longer timescales, and to compare how well climate models reproduce observed warming.

    But the predicted range of rising temperature has remained stubbornly wide, somewhere between 2°C and 5.5°C of warming, as assessed in several generations of reports issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This is despite concerted efforts to narrow it down.

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has assessed Earth’s climate sensitivity in each of its reports.
    IPCC, CC BY-SA

    Measuring long-term climate sensitivity is central to future predictions, but we are already seeing the effects of warming across the world with extremes in weather, even at the low end of the range. We argue efforts to boil down Earth’s response to climate change to one number may be unhelpful.

    The continued uncertainty could be seen as a failure of climate models to converge on the correct value. Using equilibrium climate sensitivity as a metric for “precisely” predicting the amount of warming expected from a given amount of greenhouse gases is, at best, ambiguous.

    History of climate sensitivity

    About a century before the first computational estimates of Earth’s climate sensitivity were published in 1967, the Swedish physicist and 1903 Nobel laureate Svante August Arrhenius was the first to estimate values at 4-6°C.

    Since the early efforts to model Earth systems, computer simulations have steadily increased in complexity. The first models only simulated the atmosphere, but they have evolved to include vegetation, processes in the ocean and sea ice.

    While undoubtedly beneficial to the understanding of fundamental science, each of these added processes has introduced uncertainties in the models’ warming response.

    Indeed, given the level of complexity (which differs between models) and resolution of some current models, it is not surprising the estimates of climate sensitivity differ so much.

    Self-enforcing feedbacks

    Climate feedbacks are central to our argument that equilibrium climate sensitivity is poorly defined. An example of this is the relationship between ice volume and reflectivity.

    As highly reflective ice melts on land or sea, the underlying surface is exposed and less sunlight reflected back into space. This increases the amount of warming for a given amount of greenhouse gases. It’s what scientists refer to as a positive feedback loop.

    Another such self-enforcing feedback concerns potentially large climate impacts from the release of methane from tropical wetlands and permafrost melt.

    Atmosphere models can’t account for this alone, and when they are coupled with an ice-sheet or sea-ice model, the estimate of climate sensitivity changes.

    Melting permafrost, such as seen here on Svalbard, represents a climate feedback loop, increasing the amount of warming for a given amount of greenhouse gases.
    Getty Images

    Overheated arguments

    It quickly became apparent when studying some recent climate model results that some simulations are producing equilibrium climate sensitivity ranges noticeably higher than before.

    In some models, this has been linked to larger self-enhancing cloud feedbacks and how aerosols are represented.

    There has been some hesitancy to trust the results produced by these models. They are considered “too hot”.

    But we feel these high equilibrium simulations still have value. While we are not arguing they are correct, they force us to consider the what-if situation of very high climate sensitivity, where a doubling of CO₂ would result in warming of 5°C or higher. We know the impact on our environment would be devastating.

    Some view high equilibrium climate sensitivity as more consistent with warmer climates in the past, but others have questioned this.

    There are several reasons why past climate sensitivity may differ from modern conditions. We may be in a different phase of Earth’s orbital cycles or the balance between volcanism and weathering.

    Of course, we should treat all scientific results with caution, but the potential insights gained for uncertain futures are of particular importance when climate change is already being felt across the globe.

    Where to from here?

    We are continually improving our understanding of the climate – how it has changed in the past and how we think it may change in the future. Equilibrium climate sensitivity has consequently become the single solution we are seeking from climate models, even though the precise value will arguably never be known.

    Equilibrium climate sensitivity is undoubtedly a convenient way of distilling future projections. However, it is important not to over-rely on an idealised quantity, because its utility as a useful comparative measure of climate models can give the false impression of a lack of progress in understanding.

    There is similarity with the common misconception of a 50% probability of rainfall in a weather forecast, which is often misinterpreted as forecasters not knowing whether it will rain or not.

    Communicating uncertainty in projections of future climate conditions is a “wicked” problem. But we risk losing perspective of Earth’s system response by focusing on the effort to make climate models agree on one measure. This is not the answer future generations need.

    Jonny Williams receives funding from the Deep South National Science Challenge.

    Georgia Rose Grant receives funding from MBIE Strategic Science Investment Fund.

    – ref. Will the Earth warm by 2°C or 5.5°C? Either way it’s bad, and trying to narrow it down may be a distraction – https://theconversation.com/will-the-earth-warm-by-2-c-or-5-5-c-either-way-its-bad-and-trying-to-narrow-it-down-may-be-a-distraction-229497

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 08.10.2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    8 October 2024 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 08.10.2024

    Espoo, Finland – On 8 October 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 1,654,395 3.98
    CEUX 694,799 3.98
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 2,349,194 3.98

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 25 January 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to return up to EUR 600 million of cash to shareholders in tranches over a period of two years. The first phase of the share buyback program started on 20 March 2024. On 19 July 2024, Nokia decided to accelerate the share buybacks by increasing the number of shares to be repurchased during the year 2024. The post-increase repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 22 July 2024 and end by 31 December 2024 with a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 600 million for all purchases during 2024.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 8 October 2024 was EUR 9,341,100. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 159,517,605 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 40 803 4080
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Protection of workers in extreme heat – E-001915/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001915/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE)

    The problem of workers being exposed to extreme temperatures is becoming increasingly serious in the EU as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heat waves. In 2020, over 80 000 people fell ill and 67 died from working in extreme heat. This represents an alarming increase of 42 % in heat-related deaths at work in the EU since the turn of the century, affecting not only southern countries but also cooler climes such as Iceland, Ireland, Denmark and Norway.

    Although the Commission has published guidance for employers, many of these measures are not being respected, which is putting the lives of workers at risk, especially in insecure and unregulated sectors. In the absence of clear legislation on maximum working temperatures, workers continue to be exposed to significant risks, with tragic consequences.

    Does the Commission intend to bring forward a directive setting maximum temperature limits for outdoor work and protecting workers’ rights in terms of stopping work in conditions of extreme heat?

    Submitted: 2.10.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Upsurge in violent incidents among young people – E-001929/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001929/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Eleonora Meleti (PPE)

    Europe is greatly saddened to see the serious problem of juvenile violence taking on increasingly worrying proportions. Every day, in every Member State, we see incidents of extreme violence where those involved – perpetrators and victims alike – are teenagers and young people who do not hold back from unthinkably brutal behaviour. Young people in Europe, in countries such as Greece, France, Germany, Sweden and many other Member States, seem in greater need of help and care than ever before.

    Knowing, as we all do, that we as adults should take responsibility for the young and act immediately to ensure their protection and healthy development, does the Commission:

    • 1.Intend to adopt measures to prevent, manage and combat this phenomenon and, if so, what are these measures?
    • 2.How does the Commission intend to protect and support juvenile victims and juvenile offenders?
    • 3.Does it intend to fund national bodies to create an action plan for providing information and preventing and managing juvenile violence through extensive educational programmes and related actions?

    Submitted: 2.10.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Equinor reports on Norwegian development projects

    Source: Equinor

    07 OCTOBER 202422:14(GMT+13) – Equinor is the operator of 19 projects currently under development in Norway. In the proposed National Budget for 2025, the Ministry of Energy listed the status of 13 Equinor-operated projects currently under development or recently completed.

    The projects in question have a total investment framework of 198 billion kroner, from commencement to commissioning.

    “Equinor has a good portfolio of profitable projects being developed in Norway, which will contribute to long-term security of supply of oil and gas to Europe. In 2023, our developments contributed to high activity and 25 billion kroner to the Norwegian supplier industry. Together with our partners and the industry, we have completed six projects during the past year,” says Trond Bokn, head of project development in Equinor.

    The reported projects have seen a cost increase of 6.5 billion 2024-NOK over the past year, which is about 3 per cent. The overall increase since the plans for development and operation (PDOs) is 32.9 billion 2024-NOK. Currency effects account for 12.4 billion of this. If the Johan Castberg project and currency effects are omitted, the cost increase for the reported projects is around 3 percent since PDOs.

    Two of the projects, Johan Castberg and Oseberg gas compression and partial electrification, have experienced a post-PDO increase of more than 20 percent, and are therefore mentioned specifically in the proposed national budget.

    Johan Castberg

    The production ship is now anchored at the field and Johan Castberg is on track for start-up towards the end of the year.

    The cost increase in the project is 2.2 billion 2024-NOK since last year. This is due to a longer stay than estimated at Aker Solutions at Stord, currency effects and a general cost increase. Of this, almost NOK 800 million is currency effects. Since the PDO, estimated costs have grown by 25.7 billion 2024-NOK. Currency effects account for 8.1 billion of this.

    Oseberg gas phase 2 and power from shore (OGP)

    OGP is composed of partial electrification of the Oseberg Field Centre and Oseberg sør, as well as installation of a new compressor module at the field centre.

    The cost increase over the past year is 1.2 billion 2024-NOK. Since the PDO, the cost increase is about NOK 2.5 billion in 2024-NOK. Since the PDO, estimated costs have grown by around 2.5 billion 2024-NOK. This is a result of longer delivery times for new transformers that were destroyed in a fire at Hitachi’s factory in Vaasa in 2023, as well as delays related to increased complexity. Planned commissioning has been postponed from 2026 to late 2027.

    Snøhvit Future

    Snøhvit Future encompasses onshore compression and electrification of Hammerfest LNG on Melkøya. Since the PDO, the cost increase is 1.9 billion 2024-NOK. More than 500 million of this relates to currency effects.

    One of the main reasons for the higher costs is the joint venture’s decision to change the design of an electric boiler as a result of safety considerations.

    Projects included in the National Budget overview

    Breidablikk
    Gina Krog alternative oil export
    Halten Øst
    Johan Castberg
    Kristin Sør phase 1
    Oseberg gas phase 2 and power from shore
    Sleipner power from shore
    Troll Vest electrification
    Irpa
    Verdande
    Snøhvit Future
    Njord Electrification
    Eirin

    Completed projects

    Breidablikk
    Sleipner power from shore
    Kristin Sør phase 1
    Troll Vest electrification
    Gina Krog alternative oil export
    Northern Lights.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine honors 2 scientists for discovering mircoRNA

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Portraits of the 2024 Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, are seen at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, on Oct. 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to two American scientists, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, for their discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

    MicroRNAs are a new class of tiny RNA molecules that are essential in gene regulation. It is now known that the human genome codes for over 1,000 microRNAs.

    The Nobel Assembly said that the pair’s surprising discovery revealed an entirely new dimension to gene regulation. “MicroRNAs are proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function,” the assembly added.

    The announcement marked the start of this year’s Nobel Prize award season. The Nobel announcements will proceed with the physics prize on Tuesday, followed by chemistry on Wednesday, and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed on Friday, and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be announced on Oct. 14.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Final result of the subsequent offer period of Onni Bidco Oy’s voluntary recommended public cash tender offer for all the shares in Innofactor Plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Innofactor Plc          Stock Exchange Release         October 8, 2024 at 8:35 a.m. (EEST)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE SECTION ENTITLED “IMPORTANT INFORMATION” BELOW.

    Final result of the subsequent offer period of Onni Bidco Oy’s voluntary recommended public cash tender offer for all the shares in Innofactor Plc

    As announced on July 22, 2024, CapMan Growth Equity Fund III Ky, a fund managed by CapMan Group affiliated companies, (“CapMan Growth”), Sami Ensio, the founder, CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Innofactor Plc, through the holding company Ensio Investment Group Oy controlled by him, and the co-investor Osprey Capital Oy (“Osprey Capital”) form a consortium (the “Consortium”) for the purposes of the voluntary recommended public cash tender offer for all the issued and outstanding shares in Innofactor Plc (“Innofactor” or the “Company”) that are not held by Innofactor or its subsidiaries (the “Shares”) (the “Tender Offer”), made by Onni Bidco Oy (the “Offeror”), a private limited liability company incorporated and existing under the laws of Finland. The Offeror has on August 2, 2024, published the tender offer document concerning the Tender Offer. The original offer period for the Tender Offer commenced on August 5, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. (Finnish time) and expired on September 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (Finnish time) (the “Original Offer Period”). The Offeror announced on September 19, 2024 in connection with the announcement of the final result of the Original Offer Period, that it will complete the Tender Offer and commence a subsequent offer period in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, which commenced  on September 19, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. (Finnish time) and expired on October 3, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (Finnish time) (the “Subsequent Offer Period”).

    Based on the final result of the Subsequent Offer Period, the 914,649 Shares tendered during the Subsequent Offer Period represent approximately 2.56 percent of the Shares and voting rights in Innofactor. Together with the Shares validly accepted during the Original Offer Period and the Shares otherwise acquired or to be acquired by the Offeror (comprising 148,127 Shares that Sami Ensio has received as board remuneration), the Shares tendered during the Subsequent Offer Period represent approximately 85.05 percent of the Shares and voting rights in Innofactor.

    The offer price will be paid on or about October 10, 2024, to shareholders who have validly accepted the Tender Offer during the Subsequent Offer Period in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. The offer price will be paid in accordance with the payment procedures described in the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. The actual time of receipt of the payment by each shareholder will depend on the schedule for payment transactions between financial institutions.

    The Offeror has reserved the right to acquire Shares on or after the date of this release in public trading on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (“Nasdaq Helsinki”) or otherwise to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.

    Investor and Media enquiries:

    Innofactor

    Iida Suominen (Innofactor), ir@innofactor.com, +358 40 716 7173

    Lasse Lautsuo (Innofactor), ir@innofactor.com, +358 50 480 1597

    For further information, please visit the dedicated website at https://www.innofactor.com/invest-in-us/onni-tender-offer/.

    The Consortium

    Antti Kummu, CapMan Growth

    +358 50 432 4486

    Media

    press.contact@miltton.com

    +358 45 788 51840

    For further information, please visit the dedicated website at: https://innofactor.tenderoffer.fi/en/pto/. The link does not redirect to Innofactor’s website, but to a website operated by the Offeror.

    Distribution:

    NASDAQ Helsinki
    Main media
    http://www.innofactor.com

    ABOUT THE CONSORTIUM

    CapMan Growth and Sami Ensio (through the holding company controlled by him) together with Osprey Capital form the Consortium for the purposes of the Tender Offer. As at the date of this release, the Offeror is indirectly owned by Onni Topco Oy, a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Finland. Onni Topco Oy was incorporated to be the holding company in the acquisition structure and is currently owned by CapMan Growth. Following the completion of the Tender Offer, CapMan Growth is expected to own approximately 52.4 percent, Ensio Investment Group Oy approximately 42.6 percent and Osprey Capital approximately 5.0 percent of the shares in Onni Topco Oy.

    ABOUT INNOFACTOR

    Innofactor is the leading promoter of the modern digital organization in the Nordic countries for its approximately 1,000 customers in the commercial and public sectors. Innofactor has the widest solution offering and leading know-how in the Microsoft ecosystem in the Nordics. Innofactor’s offering includes planning services for business-critical IT solutions, project deliveries, implementation support and maintenance services, as well as own software and services. Innofactor employs nearly 600 experts in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Innofactor’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki with the ticker symbol IFA1V.

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    THIS RELEASE MAY NOT BE RELEASED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

    THIS RELEASE IS NOT A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND AS SUCH DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO MAKE A SALES OFFER. IN PARTICULAR, THIS RELEASE IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND IS NOT AN EXTENSION OF THE TENDER OFFER, IN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA. INVESTORS SHALL ACCEPT THE TENDER OFFER FOR THE SHARES ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT. OFFERS WILL NOT BE MADE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE EITHER AN OFFER OR PARTICIPATION THEREIN IS PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR WHERE ANY TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT OR REGISTRATION OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS WOULD APPLY IN ADDITION TO THOSE UNDERTAKEN IN FINLAND.

    THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW AND, WHEN PUBLISHED, THE TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND RELATED ACCEPTANCE FORMS WILL NOT AND MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED, FORWARDED OR TRANSMITTED INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS. IN PARTICULAR, THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, OR BY USE OF THE POSTAL SERVICE OF, OR BY ANY MEANS OR INSTRUMENTALITY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION, TELEX, TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET) OF INTERSTATE OR FOREIGN COMMERCE OF, OR ANY FACILITIES OF A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA. THE TENDER OFFER CANNOT BE ACCEPTED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY ANY SUCH USE, MEANS OR INSTRUMENTALITY OR FROM WITHIN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA AND ANY PURPORTED ACCEPTANCE OF THE TENDER OFFER RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM A VIOLATION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS WILL BE INVALID.

    THIS RELEASE HAS BEEN PREPARED IN COMPLIANCE WITH FINNISH LAW, THE RULES OF NASDAQ HELSINKI AND THE HELSINKI TAKEOVER CODE AND THE INFORMATION DISCLOSED MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS THAT WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED IF THIS RELEASE HAD BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE OF FINLAND.

    Information for shareholders of Innofactor in the United States

    Shareholders of Innofactor in the United States are advised that the Shares are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that Innofactor is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) thereunder.

    The Tender Offer will be made for the issued and outstanding shares of Innofactor, which is domiciled in Finland, and is subject to Finnish disclosure and procedural requirements. The Tender Offer is made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act, subject to the exemption provided under Rule 14d-1(c) under the Exchange Act, for a Tier I tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the disclosure and procedural requirements of Finnish law, including with respect to the Tender Offer timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments, which are different from those of the United States. In particular, the financial information included in this stock exchange release has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in Finland, which may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of U.S. companies. The Tender Offer is made to Innofactor’s shareholders resident in the United States on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other shareholders of Innofactor to whom an offer is made. Any informational documents, including this stock exchange release, are being disseminated to U.S. shareholders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to Innofactor’s other shareholders.

    To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulations, the Offeror and its affiliates or its brokers and its brokers’ affiliates (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time after the date of this stock exchange release and during the pendency of the Tender Offer, and other than pursuant to the Tender Offer, directly or indirectly purchase or arrange to purchase Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for Shares. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Finland, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. shareholders of Innofactor of such information. In addition, the financial adviser to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Innofactor, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in Finland, any information about such purchases will be made public in Finland in the manner required by Finnish law.

    Neither the SEC nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Tender Offer, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Tender Offer, or passed any comment upon the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the disclosure in relation to the Tender Offer. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

    The receipt of cash pursuant to the Tender Offer by a U.S. holder of Shares may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each holder of Shares is urged to consult its independent professional advisers immediately regarding the tax and other consequences of accepting the Tender Offer.

    To the extent the Tender Offer is subject to U.S. securities laws, those laws only apply to U.S. holders of Shares and will not give rise to claims on the part of any other person. It may be difficult for Innofactor’s shareholders to enforce their rights and any claims they may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws, since the Offeror and Innofactor are located in non-U.S. jurisdictions and some or all of their respective officers and directors may be residents of non-U.S. jurisdictions. Innofactor shareholders may not be able to sue the Offeror or Innofactor or their respective officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may be difficult to compel the Offeror and Innofactor and their respective affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court’s judgment.

    Forward-looking statements

    This release contains statements that, to the extent they are not historical facts, constitute “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to financial position, future operations and development, business strategy and the trends in the industries and the political and legal environment and other information that is not historical information. In some instances, they can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, “intends”, “may”, “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or variations on comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as at the date of this release.

    Disclaimer

    Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ), which is authorised and supervised by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen), is acting through its Finland Branch (“Carnegie”). The Finland branch is authorised by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority and subject to limited supervision by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanssivalvonta). Carnegie is acting exclusively for the Offeror and no one else in connection with the Tender Offer and the matters set out in this release. Neither Carnegie nor its affiliates, nor their respective partners, directors, officers, employees or agents are responsible to anyone other than the Offeror for providing the protections afforded to clients of Carnegie, or for giving advice in connection with the Tender Offer or any matter or arrangement referred to in this release.

    Advium Corporate Finance Ltd. is acting exclusively on behalf of Innofactor and no one else in connection with the Tender Offer or other matters referred to in this release, does not consider any other person (whether the recipient of this release or not) as a client in connection to the Tender Offer, and is not responsible to anyone other than Innofactor for providing protection or providing advice in connection with the Tender Offer or any other transaction or arrangement referred to in this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: TGS Q3 2024 Operational Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OSLO, Norway (8 October 2024) – TGS, a leading global provider of energy data and intelligence routinely publishes a quarterly operational update six working days after quarter-end.

    The table below shows TGS’s normalized Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) crew count:  

       

    2022

    		  

    2023

    		  

    2024
    Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3
    Normalized crewcount1  

    2.9

    		  

    3.2

    		  

    3.2

    		  

    2.3

    		  

    2.6

    		  

    3.2

    		  

    3.2

    		  

    1.9

    		  

    1.9

    		  

    2.7

    		  

    3.8

    1) The table shows average number of crews in operation when assuming a normalized crew size. In Q3 2024 all crews were used for contract work. If crews are used for multi-client in the future that will be disclosed.
      
    The table below shows TGS’s streamer vessel allocation:

    Allocation of active seismic 3D vessel capacity2  

     

    2022

    		  

     

    2023

    		  

     

    2024
      Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3
    Contract 39% 41% 60% 63% 51% 34% 16% 25% 36% 28% 20%
    Multi-client 16% 24% 28% 12% 23% 41% 70% 31% 30% 36% 57%
    Steaming 8% 14% 8% 16% 11% 13% 6% 18% 7% 14% 6%
    Yard 6% 9% 3% 3% 2% 10% 4% 14% 6% 6% 2%
    Stacked/Standby 31% 12% 1% 6% 13% 2% 4% 12% 21% 16% 15%
    Number of vessels 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 6 6

    2) The statistics include only active seismic 3D vessels (capacity working on New Energy Solutions projects are excluded). The Ramform Victory was brought into operation in Q3 2023, and the Ramform Vanguard was converted to a dual-purpose seismic and offshore wind vessel in Q2 2024. The two cold-stacked vessels are excluded from the statistics.

    Based on a preliminary financial review TGS expects Q3 2024 multi-client investment to be approximately USD 132 million.

    The table below shows pro-forma multi-client investment:

    In USD million  

    2022

    		  

    2023

    		  

    2024
      Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3
    Multi-client investment  

    60

    		  

    70

    		  

    129

    		  

    90

    		  

    163

    		  

    125

    		  

    181

    		  

    106

    		  

    106

    		  

    92

    		  

    132

    Kristian Johansen, CEO at TGS, commented: “I am very pleased to see strong utilization of our OBN crews in Q3, where we had one crew in West Africa, two crews in the Gulf of Mexico and one crew in Europe. Demand for our OBN services continues to be strong and we achieved a solid order inflow during the quarter. Our seismic streamer vessel utilization in Q3 ended at 77%, a sequential increase, but still below the approximately 85% level we consider full utilization, when adjusting for steaming and yard time. Active tenders for streamer contract work have increased significantly over the summer. We expect that higher contract bidding activity in combination with the synergy effects of a larger multi-client project portfolio, will improve our streamer vessel utilization going forward.”

    TGS will release its Q3 2024 results at 07:00 a.m. CEST on 24 October 2024. CEO Kristian Johansen and CFO Sven Børre Larsen will present the results at 09:00 a.m. CEST during a live presentation and webcast. The presentation will take place at House of Oslo, Ruseløkkveien 34, 0251 Oslo and is open to the public.

    The webcast can be followed live via this link:
    https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20241024_5/

    For more information, visit TGS.com (http://www.tgs.com) or contact:

    Bård Stenberg, VP IR & Communication
    Tel.: +47 992 45 235
    E-mail: investor@tgs.com

    About TGS
    TGS provides advanced data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. With leading-edge technology and solutions spanning the entire energy value chain, TGS offers a comprehensive range of insights to help clients make better decisions. Our broad range of products and advanced data technologies, coupled with a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, make TGS a trusted partner in supporting the exploration and production of energy resources worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.tgs.com (https://www.tgs.com/).

    Forward Looking Statement
    All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. These factors include volatile market conditions, investment opportunities in new and existing markets, demand for licensing of data within the energy industry, operational challenges, and reliance on a cyclical industry and principal customers. Actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward- looking statements. TGS undertakes no responsibility or obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements for any reason.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 700 million plastic bottles: we worked out how much microplastic is in Queensland’s Moreton Bay

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elvis Okoffo, PhD candidate in Environmental Science, The University of Queensland

    M-Productions/Shutterstock

    When it rains heavily, plastic waste is washed off our streets into rivers, flowing out to the ocean. Most plastic is trapped in estuaries and coastal ecosystems, with a small fraction ending up offshore in the high seas.

    In the coastal ocean, waves and tides break down plastic waste into smaller and smaller bits. These micro and nanoplastics linger in the environment indefinitely, impacting the health of marine creatures from microorganisms all the way up to seabirds and whales, which mistake them for food.

    When we look at the scale of the problem of microplastics (smaller than 5mm) and nanoplastics (defined as 1 micrometer or less), we find something alarming. Our new research shows the shallow embayment of Moreton Bay, off Brisbane in Southeast Queensland now has roughly 7,000 tonnes of accumulated microplastics, the same as 700 million half-litre plastic bottles.

    This bay accumulates plastics fast, as the Brisbane River funnels the city’s waste into it, along with several other urban rivers. The research hasn’t yet been done, but we would expect similar rates of microplastics in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay and Sydney Harbour.

    Our research shows how much plastic waste from a big city makes it into its oceans.

    Brisbane’s Moreton Bay has mangroves and seagrass meadows as well as a port and many urban rivers.
    Ecopix/Shutterstock

    Plastic buildup in Moreton Bay

    What volume of microplastics does a large city accumulate offshore? It’s hard to measure this for cities built on open coastlines. That’s because sediments and microplastics are rapidly washed away from the original source by waves and currents.

    But Moreton Bay is different. The large sand islands, Moreton (Mugulpin) and North Stradbroke (Minjerribah) Islands largely protect the bay from the open ocean. This is why the bay is better described as an enclosed embayment. These restricted bays act as a trap for sediments and pollutants, as waves and currents have limited ability to wash them out. These bays make it possible to accurately measure a city’s microplastic build-up.

    The bay supports a range of marine habitats from mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs, as well as an internationally recognised wetland for migrating seabirds. Dugong and turtles have long grazed the seagrass in Moreton Bay’s shallow protected waters, while dolphins and whales are also present. But microplastic buildup may threaten their existence.

    Most types of plastic are denser than water, which means most microplastics in coastal seas will eventually sink to the seafloor and accumulate in sediment. Mangroves and seagrass ecosystems are particularly good at trapping sediment, which means they trap more microplastics.

    We wanted to determine whether Moreton Bay’s varying ecosystems had accumulated different amounts of plastics in the sediment.

    We measured the plastic stored in 50 samples of surface sediment (the top 10cm) from a range of different ecosystems across Moreton Bay, including mangroves, seagrass meadows and mud from the main tidal channels.

    The result? Microplastics were present in all our samples, but their concentrations varied hugely. We found no clear pattern in how plastics had built up. This suggests plastics were entering the bay from many sources.

    We tested for seven common plastics: polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

    Of these, the most abundant microplastic was polyethylene (PE). This plastic is widely used for single-use plastic items such as chip packets, plastic bags and plastic bottles. It’s the most commonly produced and used plastic in Australia and globally.

    In total, we estimate the bay now holds about 7,000 tonnes of microplastic in its surface sediments.

    In our follow-up paper we explored how rapidly these plastics had built up over time. We took two sediment cores from the central part of the bay, where sediment is accumulating. Cores like this act as an archive of sediment and environmental changes over time.

    The trend was clear. Before the 1970s, there were no microplastics in Moreton Bay. They began appearing over the next three decades. But from the early 2000s onwards, the rate rose exponentially. This is in line with the soaring rate of plastic production and use globally. Our analysis shows a direct link between microplastic concentration and population growth in Southeast Queensland.

    The challenge of measuring microplastics

    To date, we have had limited knowledge of how much plastic is piling up on shallow ocean floors. This is because measuring microplastics is challenging. Traditionally, we’ve used observation by microscope and a technique called absorption spectroscopy, in which we shine infrared light on samples to determine what it’s made up of. But these methods are time-consuming and can only spot plastic particles larger than 20 micrometres, meaning nanoplastics weren’t being measured.

    Our research team has been working to get better estimates of microplastic and nanoplastic using a different technique: pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Here, a sample is dissolved in a solvent and then heated until it vaporises. Once in vapour form, we can determine the concentration of plastic and what types of plastics are present.

    This method can be used to estimate how much plastic pollution is present in everything from water to seafood to biosolids and wastewater.

    What’s next?

    It’s very likely microplastics are building up rapidly in other restricted bays and harbours near large cities, both in Australia and globally.

    While we might think microplastics are safe once buried in sediment, they can be consumed by organisms that live in the sediments. Currents, tides and storms can also wash them out again, where marine creatures can eat them.

    This is not a problem that will solve itself. We’ll need clear management strategies and policies to cut plastic consumption and improve waste disposal. Doing nothing means microplastics will keep building up, and up, and up.

    Elvis Okoffo receives funding from the Goodman Foundation, The Australian Academy of Science and The Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies (HyTECH).

    Alistair Grinham has received funding from state and federal government, industry and NGOs. He has an honorary role at the University and works for environmental monitoring company Fluvio.

    Ben Tscharke receives funding from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Research Council.

    Helen Bostock receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Kevin Thomas receives funding from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Research Council, Goodman Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, National Health and Medical, Research Council, Queensland Corrective Services, Queensland Health and Research Council of Norway.

    – ref. 700 million plastic bottles: we worked out how much microplastic is in Queensland’s Moreton Bay – https://theconversation.com/700-million-plastic-bottles-we-worked-out-how-much-microplastic-is-in-queenslands-moreton-bay-238892

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Unchanged loan demand from private customers despite lower interest rates

    Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

    Lending survey

    Statistics period: 3rd quarter 2024

    Banks and mortgage institutions in Danmarks Nationalbank’s lending survey overall report unchanged loan demand from their existing private customers in the third quarter of 2024. This even though interest rates have fallen during the quarter as a result of the central banks’ interest rate cuts. However, roughly one out of four of the institutions surveyed expect loan demand to increase slightly in the 4th quarter. The expectation is justified, among other things with the lower interest rates, which can lead to greater conversion activity and more housing transactions. The remaining institutes expect unchanged loan demand in the 4th quarter. Some of these institutes estimate that interest rates have not fallen sufficiently to have a significant impact on the demand for loans from private customers.

    Change in loan demand from private customers

    Note:

    The Danmarks Nationalbank’s lending survey includes 20 of the largest banks and mortgage credit institutions in Denmark. The net figure is calculated based on the institutes’ response to the loan demand. The responses are based on a 5-point scale ranging from -100 to 100. -100 means “decreased significantly,” -50 is “decreased slightly,” 0 is “unchanged,” 50 is “increased slightly,” and 100 is “increased significantly.” The banks’ responses are weighted according to their respective market shares, resulting in a net figure for the response. Find chart data in the Statbank.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Mavenir 5G Core Powers ice Norway Network Slicing for Norwegian Armed Forces

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Commercial 5G Standalone
    • Enabling secure tailored end-to-end communications
    • Dedicated slices to meet specific needs of the Armed Forces
    • Extending strategic partnership with key customer

    OSLO, Norway, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, is delivering the full 5G core network for ice, Norway’s third largest mobile operator to enable a network slicing service.

    ice is utilising its new 5G standalone (SA) network to provide a dedicated network slice for the Norwegian Armed Forces, designed to deliver the specific service levels required by military communications. Essentially an isolated network-within-a-network, the Armed Forces will have exclusive use and control over their slice nationwide. It will be able to establish secure end-to-end communications across the network.

    Mavenir’s 5G mobile core is designed ready for network operators to enable network slicing for providing disruptive services to B2B, B2C or public organisations. Dedicated network slices can be designed to meet specified needs and applications, and quickly and easily deployed and managed, and used to deliver new and innovative services and applications. Mavenir’s cloud-native 5G SA network is fully containerised, runs on any cloud service and designed with a microservices approach, giving the flexibility to address evolving customer needs in a scalable way.

    “This deployment of network slicing is realising the true value of 5G,” said Tore Kristoffersen, VP Service delivery platforms for ice. “We now have myriad possible new business cases to present to our enterprise customers, which can be tailored to precise service level agreements, ensuring the best and most cost-effective use of resources. We are also testing solutions for use in Public Safety services, highlighting the value of 5G and its network slicing capabilities for secure critical communications.”

    “The flexibility of network slicing powered by 5G is a game-changer for mobile operators,” said Ashok Khuntia, President of Core Networks, Mavenir. “We are enabling 5G use cases in practice, proving that the long-promised monetisation of 5G is a reality. With security, reliability and low latency, 5G is a massive opportunity for the industry. We are delighted to be extending our strategic partnership with ice by supporting this first deployment in Norway.”

    Last year ice selected Mavenir’s Cloud-Native IMS and Messaging/VAS in a strategic project expansion, having already selected Mavenir’s Converged Packet Core solution to power its 4G and 5G network.

    Notes to editor:

    ice official Press Release – ice turns on “pure 5G”

    Mavenir’s 5G Core

    About Mavenir:

    Mavenir is building the future of networks today with cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions which are green by design, empowering operators to realize the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks. As the pioneer of Open RAN and a proven industry disruptor, Mavenir’s award-winning solutions are delivering automation and monetization across mobile networks globally, accelerating software network transformation for 300+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. For more information, please visit http://www.mavenir.com

    Mavenir PR Contacts:  
    Emmanuela Spiteri
    PR@mavenir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues a USD 1 billion green benchmark under its MTN programme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    8 October 2024 at 10:00 am (EEST)

    Municipality Finance issues a USD 1 billion green benchmark under its MTN programme

    Municipality Finance Plc issues a USD 1 billion green benchmark on 9 October 2024. The maturity date of the benchmark is 9 October 2029. The benchmark bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.625% per annum.

    The benchmark is issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and the final terms of the benchmark are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    MuniFin has applied for the benchmark to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki and London Stock Exchange. The public trading is expected to commence on 9 October 2024.

    BofA Securities Europe SA, Nomura International Plc, RBC Capital Markets LLC, TD Global Finance unlimited company act as the Joint Lead Managers for the issue of the benchmark.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the Republic of Finland. The Group’s balance sheet totals over EUR 50 billion.

    MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. Our customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, joint county authorities, corporate entities under the control of the above-mentioned organisations, and affordable social housing. Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Embassy of Sweden back in Beirut, Lebanon

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Embassy of Sweden back in Beirut, Lebanon – Government.se

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    Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs

    Published

    The Government decided on 2 October to resume embassy operations in Beirut, Lebanon. The Embassy is now in place.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Combating driving licence tourism – E-001896/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001896/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tomas Tobé (PPE)

    The Swedish Transport Agency says that thousands of people registered in Sweden are travelling to other European Economic Area (EEA) countries in order to have a third-country driving licence exchanged for an EEA licence in a way that is not possible in Sweden.[1]

    The Driving Licence Directive regulates how driving licences are exchanged and establishes that EEA driving licences can be exchanged for a national driving licence.[2] However, the legislation was never intended to be used by people from third countries to engage in ‘driving licence tourism’ by travelling to the country affording the most favourable conditions to have a driving licence from their home country converted into an EEA licence.[3]

    Abuse of the rules on exchanging driving licences within the EEA in this way has a major impact on road safety throughout the EU, as adequate driver skills can no longer be guaranteed. The growth of driving licence tourism shows the shortcomings of the current EU legislation and an inability to keep the Union’s roads free of driving licence fraudsters.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider that revision of the Driving Licence Directive, which is now at an advanced stage, adequately addresses the problems posed by driving licence tourism, or are additional initiatives needed?
    • 2.What action does the Commission intend to take to combat abuse of the current Driving Licence Directive before the new directive is implemented?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/globalassets/global/nyhetsarkiv/vag/rapport-granskning-utbyte-utlandska-korkort—korkortsturism.pdf
    • [2] Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
    • [3] https://www.ereg-association.eu/media/1126/final-report-ereg-topic-group-x-driving-licence-tourism.pdf
    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: A geomagnetic storm has hit Earth – a space scientist explains what causes them

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amoré Elsje Nel, Applied Geomagnetic Researcher, South African National Space Agency

    A geomagnetic storm lit up the night sky in parts of the US during the first weekend in October. South Africa’s National Space Agency (Sansa) told reporters that the storm had originated from a solar flare “that erupted from sunspot 3842 on October 3”. It said this was the strongest Earth-facing solar flare recorded by Sansa in the past seven years and that the eruption briefly affected high-frequency radio communications, “resulting in a total radio blackout over the African region which lasted for up to 20 minutes”.

    What is a geomagnetic storm? The Conversation Africa asked Sansa’s Amoré Nel, who researches geomagnetics, to explain.

    What is a geomagnetic storm and how common are they?

    A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar activity. There’s a reaction called nuclear fusion that occurs continuously deep within the Sun’s core. This generates massive amounts of energy. Some of the energy is released as light (sunlight), some as radiation (solar flares), and some as charged particles.

    The Sun also continuously emits a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind. Occasionally, the Sun releases larger bursts of energy, called coronal mass ejections. It sends clouds of these charged particles, or plasma, hurtling through space. I like to explain it to children this way: the Sun sometimes drinks a soda too fast and then burps. This “burp” is the cloud of plasma which then travels through space. These emissions don’t always hit us. But when they do, they collide with Earth’s magnetic field, disrupt it, and lead to a geomagnetic storm.

    Earth’s magnetic field is an invisible force that surrounds our planet, acting like a giant magnet with a north and south pole. It helps protect us from harmful solar radiation by deflecting charged particles from the Sun.

    The solar flare from 3842 emitted both X-flares (radiation) and a coronal mass ejection. X-flares are radiation; they travel at almost the speed of light and reach Earth within minutes. That’s what caused the brief communications disruption Sansa mentioned on 3 October. But the coronal mass ejection takes much longer to reach us. We’d predicted it would do so over the past weekend but in fact it only reached us on the morning of 8 October.

    Geomagnetic storms occur fairly often. Minor ones happen multiple times per year. The severity of a storm depends on how strong the solar event was that caused it. Larger, more intense storms are less common but can happen every few years. Solar events are closely tied to the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle, which has periods of high and low activity. During the peak of the cycle, called solar maximum, more sunspots and solar flares occur, increasing the likelihood of solar storms.

    We are now heading towards the peak of Solar Cycle 25, which will be in July 2025. Solar maxima usually last between two and three years.

    Are these storms dangerous? What damage can they cause?

    Geomagnetic storms are not typically harmful to humans directly, but they can pose risks to modern technology and infrastructure. One of the most notable dangers is to power grids. Powerful storms can induce electric currents in power lines, potentially overloading transformers and causing blackouts, as happened in Quebec, Canada, in 1989.

    Read more: Solar storm knocks out farmers’ high-tech tractors – an electrical engineer explains how a larger storm could take down the power grid and the internet

    Satellites in space are also vulnerable. A strong storm can damage electronics onboard, disrupt communication signals, and shorten the lifespan of the satellites themselves.

    In aviation, geomagnetic storms can disrupt radio communication and GPS signals, which are vital for aircraft navigation. This is especially important for flights that pass near the polar regions, where the effects of geomagnetic storms are more pronounced. Astronauts and spacecraft are also at risk – the extra radiation can be dangerous for equipment and human health.

    Are there any upsides to this phenomenon?

    Auroras are a visually stunning aspect of geomagnetic storms. These colourful displays in the night sky occur when charged particles from the Sun get captured in Earth’s magnetic field lines, and funnel down towards the poles. Here they interact with Earth’s atmosphere, releasing energy that produces shimmering lights.

    The northern lights are seen in the sky above Alta, Norway. Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Auroras can be seen at both the north and south pole, aptly named the northern and southern lights. If storms are big enough, it’s possible to see them in regions much further away from the poles. This happened in South Africa on 11 May 2024.

    Studying geomagnetic storms provides valuable insights into space weather. By understanding how the Sun’s activity affects Earth, scientists can better predict future storms and work to protect the technologies we rely on. The study of geomagnetic storms also contributes to our understanding of the Sun and space in general.

    Can monitoring the storms mitigate the risks?

    Geomagnetic storms are monitored using various instruments on Earth and in space. On Earth, magnetometers measure changes in the magnetic field, allowing scientists to track disturbances as they happen. Sansa operates a dense network of Global Navigation Satellite System receivers in Africa, and magnetometer stations in various parts of southern Africa, for this reason. The agency is currently setting up a magnetometer station in Ethiopia, too. This will improve our ability to monitor geomagnetic storms.

    In space, satellites equipped with sensors monitor the Sun’s activity and detect solar flares or coronal mass ejections before they reach Earth. This data feeds into prediction models used in space weather centres across the globe.

    Once a storm is detected, agencies like Sansa issue alerts and forecasts. These warnings help industries such as power grid operators, satellite companies and aviation authorities to prepare for a storm.

    For example, power companies can temporarily shut down or reconfigure parts of the grid to avoid overloading during a storm. Satellite operators can place their spacecraft into safer operating modes, such as switching off electronic components, and airlines can reroute flights away from high-risk areas.

    Monitoring alone can’t prevent all the damage caused by geomagnetic storms. But it can greatly reduce the risks. Thanks to early warning systems we can protect crucial infrastructure and minimise the effect these storms have on our daily lives.

    – A geomagnetic storm has hit Earth – a space scientist explains what causes them
    – https://theconversation.com/a-geomagnetic-storm-has-hit-earth-a-space-scientist-explains-what-causes-them-240737

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A geomagnetic storm has hit Earth – a space scientist explains what causes them

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amoré Elsje Nel, Applied Geomagnetic Researcher, South African National Space Agency

    Geomagnetic storms bring vibrant colours to life in some parts of the world. Christopher Mark Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images

    A geomagnetic storm lit up the night sky in parts of the US during the first weekend in October. South Africa’s National Space Agency (Sansa) told reporters that the storm had originated from a solar flare “that erupted from sunspot 3842 on October 3”. It said this was the strongest Earth-facing solar flare recorded by Sansa in the past seven years and that the eruption briefly affected high-frequency radio communications, “resulting in a total radio blackout over the African region which lasted for up to 20 minutes”.

    What is a geomagnetic storm? The Conversation Africa asked Sansa’s Amoré Nel, who researches geomagnetics, to explain.

    What is a geomagnetic storm and how common are they?

    A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar activity. There’s a reaction called nuclear fusion that occurs continuously deep within the Sun’s core. This generates massive amounts of energy. Some of the energy is released as light (sunlight), some as radiation (solar flares), and some as charged particles.

    The Sun also continuously emits a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind. Occasionally, the Sun releases larger bursts of energy, called coronal mass ejections. It sends clouds of these charged particles, or plasma, hurtling through space. I like to explain it to children this way: the Sun sometimes drinks a soda too fast and then burps. This “burp” is the cloud of plasma which then travels through space. These emissions don’t always hit us. But when they do, they collide with Earth’s magnetic field, disrupt it, and lead to a geomagnetic storm.

    Earth’s magnetic field is an invisible force that surrounds our planet, acting like a giant magnet with a north and south pole. It helps protect us from harmful solar radiation by deflecting charged particles from the Sun.

    The solar flare from 3842 emitted both X-flares (radiation) and a coronal mass ejection. X-flares are radiation; they travel at almost the speed of light and reach Earth within minutes. That’s what caused the brief communications disruption Sansa mentioned on 3 October. But the coronal mass ejection takes much longer to reach us. We’d predicted it would do so over the past weekend but in fact it only reached us on the morning of 8 October.

    Geomagnetic storms occur fairly often. Minor ones happen multiple times per year. The severity of a storm depends on how strong the solar event was that caused it. Larger, more intense storms are less common but can happen every few years. Solar events are closely tied to the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle, which has periods of high and low activity. During the peak of the cycle, called solar maximum, more sunspots and solar flares occur, increasing the likelihood of solar storms.

    We are now heading towards the peak of Solar Cycle 25, which will be in July 2025. Solar maxima usually last between two and three years.

    Are these storms dangerous? What damage can they cause?

    Geomagnetic storms are not typically harmful to humans directly, but they can pose risks to modern technology and infrastructure. One of the most notable dangers is to power grids. Powerful storms can induce electric currents in power lines, potentially overloading transformers and causing blackouts, as happened in Quebec, Canada, in 1989.



    Read more:
    Solar storm knocks out farmers’ high-tech tractors – an electrical engineer explains how a larger storm could take down the power grid and the internet

    Satellites in space are also vulnerable. A strong storm can damage electronics onboard, disrupt communication signals, and shorten the lifespan of the satellites themselves.

    In aviation, geomagnetic storms can disrupt radio communication and GPS signals, which are vital for aircraft navigation. This is especially important for flights that pass near the polar regions, where the effects of geomagnetic storms are more pronounced. Astronauts and spacecraft are also at risk – the extra radiation can be dangerous for equipment and human health.

    Are there any upsides to this phenomenon?

    Auroras are a visually stunning aspect of geomagnetic storms. These colourful displays in the night sky occur when charged particles from the Sun get captured in Earth’s magnetic field lines, and funnel down towards the poles. Here they interact with Earth’s atmosphere, releasing energy that produces shimmering lights.

    The northern lights are seen in the sky above Alta, Norway.
    Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Auroras can be seen at both the north and south pole, aptly named the northern and southern lights. If storms are big enough, it’s possible to see them in regions much further away from the poles. This happened in South Africa on 11 May 2024.

    Studying geomagnetic storms provides valuable insights into space weather. By understanding how the Sun’s activity affects Earth, scientists can better predict future storms and work to protect the technologies we rely on. The study of geomagnetic storms also contributes to our understanding of the Sun and space in general.

    Can monitoring the storms mitigate the risks?

    Geomagnetic storms are monitored using various instruments on Earth and in space. On Earth, magnetometers measure changes in the magnetic field, allowing scientists to track disturbances as they happen. Sansa operates a dense network of Global Navigation Satellite System receivers in Africa, and magnetometer stations in various parts of southern Africa, for this reason. The agency is currently setting up a magnetometer station in Ethiopia, too. This will improve our ability to monitor geomagnetic storms.

    In space, satellites equipped with sensors monitor the Sun’s activity and detect solar flares or coronal mass ejections before they reach Earth. This data feeds into prediction models used in space weather centres across the globe.

    Once a storm is detected, agencies like Sansa issue alerts and forecasts. These warnings help industries such as power grid operators, satellite companies and aviation authorities to prepare for a storm.

    For example, power companies can temporarily shut down or reconfigure parts of the grid to avoid overloading during a storm. Satellite operators can place their spacecraft into safer operating modes, such as switching off electronic components, and airlines can reroute flights away from high-risk areas.

    Monitoring alone can’t prevent all the damage caused by geomagnetic storms. But it can greatly reduce the risks. Thanks to early warning systems we can protect crucial infrastructure and minimise the effect these storms have on our daily lives.

    Amoré Elsje Nel works for the South African National Space Agency. She receives a Thuthuka Grant (TTK210406592410) from the National Research Foundation.

    – ref. A geomagnetic storm has hit Earth – a space scientist explains what causes them – https://theconversation.com/a-geomagnetic-storm-has-hit-earth-a-space-scientist-explains-what-causes-them-240737

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Focus on global health issues at UN General Assembly Session

    Source: Government of Sweden

    On 26 September, Ms Ankarberg Johansson took part in a High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR means that infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi) develop resistance to treatment.

    “Thanks to Sweden’s prominent work to counter antimicrobial resistance, we are well-equipped to contribute to global efforts. That’s why the General Assembly is a very important forum in which to participate and share Swedish experiences,” says Ms Ankarberg Johansson.

    The Meeting was the second of its kind, with the first having taken place in 2016. The Meeting included the ceremonial adoption of a political declaration on undertakings to counter AMR. Sweden was one of the most active EU countries during negotiations on the declaration, and many of Sweden’s priority issues have in some way been incorporated into the political declaration.

    Sweden’s AMR Ambassador Malin Grape also took part in the High-level Meeting.

    Swedish side event emphasises cooperation against AMR across borders

    On 25 September, the day before the High-level Meeting, Ms Ankarberg Johansson delivered the opening address at the side event Fostering Cross-Country Solidarity to Address Antimicrobial Resistance in the WHO European Region and Beyond. The event was organised by the Public Health Agency of Sweden together with the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). The starting point for discussions during the event was the roadmap to counteract AMR agreed upon by the WHO/Europe’s members at the end of 2023. During the event, participants discussed issues such as how support from WHO and cooperation with other countries work in practice.

    Along with Ms Ankarberg Johansson, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge were in attendance.

    In conjunction with the side event, Ms Ankarberg Johansson met bilaterally with Ukrainian First Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine Serhii Dubrov. During their meeting, Ms Ankarberg Johansson re-emphasised Sweden’s support to Ukraine’s health and medical care in light of Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion that began in February 2022.

    Panel discussion on measures to combat cervical cancer

    On 25 September, the American publication Foreign Policy organised a livestreamed panel discussion on cervical cancer, in which Ms Ankarberg Johansson took part. Cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) in approximately 98 per cent of all cases. Thanks to vaccination and screening against HPV, it is now possible to completely eradicate HPV and cervical cancer.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: UN political declaration focuses on efforts to counter antimicrobial resistance

    Source: Government of Sweden

    On 26 September, a High-level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was held during the United Nations General Assembly. The Meeting is the second of its type, with the first having been held in 2016. The meeting included the ceremonial adoption of a political declaration on global and national undertakings in efforts to counter AMR. Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson headed Sweden’s participation in the Meeting.

    “A global problem must be addressed at global level, because AMR does not respect national borders. Sweden welcomes that the world’s countries have agreed on a collective approach. That being said, the declaration is not the end of our work, but rather the beginning of a greater global and national responsibility to safeguard access to antibiotics for all,” says Ms Ankarberg Johansson.

    AMR and antibiotic resistance are a major and growing threat to people’s and animals’ health, and our food production. Access to effective antibiotics is a prerequisite for providing modern medical care and saving lives. Efforts to combat AMR have been one of the Government’s priorities for many years. Sweden is a global leader in efforts to counter antibiotic resistance through measures such as responsible use of antibiotics on people and animals, monitoring of prescriptions and resistance, infection prevention and control, and good animal husbandry practices.

    Political declaration advances global efforts

    The political declaration contains almost 50 undertakings towards combating AMR. This includes global goals, such as reducing the global number of deaths associated with AMR by 19 per cent by 2030. The declaration also includes undertakings by the member countries to set and follow up on national goals. The declaration includes a clear focus on both access to antibiotics and preventive measures such as vaccination, infection prevention and control, and access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

    Sweden was one of the most active EU countries during negotiations on the declaration, and many of Sweden’s priority issues have in some way been incorporated into the political declaration.

    Sweden’s AMR Ambassador Malin Grape also took part in the Meeting.

    “The next High-level Meeting will take place in five years–2029. The most important thing we can do, apart from implementing the undertakings in the declaration, is to continue to raise awareness about the problem, broaden the issue from an infection problem to a patient safety issue, expand the perspective from a health problem to a long-term socioeconomic problem, where several actors need to contribute more actively,” says Ms Grape.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: WTO initiates selection process for next Director-General

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The process will be led by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, the Chair of the General Council, in accordance with the WTO’s “Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General” (WT/L/509).

    Ambassador Ølberg issued a statement on 4 October, indicating that WTO members supported an early start of the process ahead of the originally planned schedule. The selection process will adhere to the established procedures, ensuring transparency, inclusiveness and alignment with the Organization’s best interests.

    WTO members have until 8 November to submit nominations. After nominations close, candidates will have a three-month window, ending on 8 February 2025, to engage with members and present their qualifications.

    A final two-month period, until 8 April 2025, will be devoted to a process of consultations to allow the General Council ultimately to arrive at its choice for appointment.  

    The incumbent, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who began her term in March 2021, has confirmed her intention to seek reappointment. Her current term is scheduled to conclude on 31 August 2025.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: iLearningEngines Aims to Serve European Insurtech Market with Enterprise AI Platform and Knowledge Cloud

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iLearningEngines, Inc. (Nasdaq: AILE) (“iLearningEngines” or “the Company”), a leader in AI-powered learning and work automation, today announced the launch of its Insurtech Enterprise AI Knowledge Cloud and hyper apps aiming to serve the European Insurtech industry. iLearningEngines aims to help private insurers and their industry associations adopt and scale their AI projects, particularly where telematics application development can be accelerated and hyper-automated. This will be achieved by leveraging Generative AI partners such as Genlab Venture Studio, a founding member of CoSAI (Coalition for Safe AI), and global cloud service providers, global systems integrators, assurance and audit partners.

    The decision to serve the European Insurtech market builds on the capabilities of the ILE’s Telematics Hyper-App, a cloud marketplace application that is now a cornerstone of the ILE Hyper-App portfolio. The company aims to introduce ILE’s Knowledge Cloud service to insurers across Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the UK – markets known for their mature digital ecosystems.

    Harish Chidambaran, CEO of iLearningEngines, commented: “The European Insurtech industry can now leverage iLearningEngines’ expertise in hyper-automation, AIOps, and AI model development to drive innovation and operational efficiency. Our AI solutions, which include telematics for industrial fleets and claims automation, can help insurers fast-track their digital transformation and deliver enhanced value to their customers.”

    Balakrishnan Arackal, President of iLearningEngines, added: “We are excited to formally introduce the iLearningEngines offering to Europe. Our strong digital transformation team, led by experts from leading tech companies, combined with our AI platform and marketplace partnerships, positions us uniquely to accelerate the hyper-automation journey of Europe’s top insurers.”

    About iLearningEngines

    iLearningEngines (Nasdaq: AILE) is a leading Applied AI platform for learning and work automation. iLearningEngines enables Enterprises to rapidly productize and deploy a wide range of AI applications and use cases (AI Engines) at scale. 

    iLearningEngines is powered by proprietary vertical specific AI models and data with a flexible No Code AI canvas to drive rapid out-of-the-box deployment while offering low latency and high levels of data security and compliance. Serving over 1,000 enterprise end customers, iLearningEngines is deployed globally into some of the most demanding vertical markets including Healthcare, Education, Insurance, Retail, Energy, Manufacturing and Public Sector to achieve mission critical outcomes.

    For more information about iLearningEngines, please visit: http://www.ilearningengines.com.

    About GenLab Venture Studio

    GenLab Studio is a venture studio focused on business models that leverage the impact, application, and growth of generative AI. By focusing on solid design principles and engaging a diverse community, GenLab Studio aims to create groundbreaking products that help build a more robust AI ecosystem. GenLab is also a founding sponsor of CoSAI.

    For more information about GenLab Studio, please visit: https://genlab.studio/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the Business Combination. Forward looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will, “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend”, “expect”, “should”, “would”, “plan”, “predict”, “potential”, “seem”, “seek”, “future”, “outlook”, the negative forms of these words and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the ability of iLearningEngines to help private insurers and their industry associations adopt and scale their AI projects and hyper-automate and scale their AI DevSecOps best practices; the ability of iLearningEngines’ and GenLab Ventures’ alliance to help to scale model development, AIOps, governance, risk management, and compliance; the potential benefits that iLearningEngines’ digital transformation expertise can provide to private European insurers and their industry association partners, including their ability to accelerate their most critical transformation initiatives, particularly in telematics for global industrial fleets, asset management and claims automation; iLearningEngines’ ability to help the European Insurtech industry achieve operational excellence across the region; and iLearningEngines’ ability to address market opportunities across artificial intelligence. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the iLearningEngines’ management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions this press release relies on. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of iLearningEngines. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal conditions; the outcome and findings of the ongoing special committee investigation of allegations raised by a recent short-seller report; iLearningEngines’ failure to realize the anticipated benefits of its recently completed business combination with Arrowroot Acquisition Corp.; risks related to the rollout of iLearningEngines’ business and the timing of expected business milestones; iLearningEngines’ dependence on a limited number of customers and partners; iLearningEngines’ ability to obtain sufficient financing to pay its expenses incurred in connection with the closing of the business combination; the ability of iLearningEngines to issue equity or equity-linked securities or obtain debt financing in the future; risks related to iLearningEngines’ need for substantial additional financing to implement its operating plans, which financing it may be unable to obtain, or unable to obtain on acceptable terms; iLearningEngines’ ability to maintain the listing of its securities on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange; the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of iLearningEngines; the effects of competition on iLearningEngines’ future business and the ability of iLearningEngines to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; risks related to political and macroeconomic uncertainty; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against iLearningEngines or any of their respective directors or officers, including litigation related to the business combination; the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on any of the foregoing risks; and those risks and uncertainties identified in the “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2024, and its other subsequent filings with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that iLearningEngines does not presently know, or that iLearningEngines does not currently believe are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect iLearningEngines’ expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. iLearningEngines anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause iLearningEngines’ assessments to change. However, while iLearningEngines may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, iLearningEngines specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing iLearningEngines’ assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

    For iLearningEngines Investors:
    iLearningEngines, investors@ilearningengines.com
    Kevin Hunt, iLearningEnginesIR@icrinc.com

    For iLearningEngines PR:
    Dan Brennan, ICR Inc., iLearningPR@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Euronext announces volumes for September 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Contacts Media Contact Investor Relations
    Amsterdam +31 20 721 4133 Brussels +32 2 620 15 50 +33 1 70 48 24 17
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    Euronext announces volumes for September 2024

    Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 7 October 2024 – Euronext, the leading pan-European market infrastructure, today announced trading volumes for September 2024.

    Monthly and historical volume tables are available at this address:

    https://euronext.com/investor-relations#monthly-volumes

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 07.10.2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    7 October 2024 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 07.10.2024

    Espoo, Finland – On 7 October 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 1,160,151 3.97
    CEUX 671,523 3.97
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 1,831,674 3.97

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 25 January 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to return up to EUR 600 million of cash to shareholders in tranches over a period of two years. The first phase of the share buyback program started on 20 March 2024. On 19 July 2024, Nokia decided to accelerate the share buybacks by increasing the number of shares to be repurchased during the year 2024. The post-increase repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 22 July 2024 and end by 31 December 2024 with a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 600 million for all purchases during 2024.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 7 October 2024 was EUR 7,277,973. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 157,168,411 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 40 803 4080
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Opens Eighty-Ninth Session

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this morning opened its eighty-ninth session, hearing a statement from the Representative of the Secretary-General, and adopting its agenda for the session, during which it will review the reports of Benin, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.

    Opening the session, Mahamane Cissé-Gouro, Director of the Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Representative of the Secretary-General, extended his congratulations to the Committee members who had been re-elected to serve on the Committee for another term from January 2025. 

    Mr. Cissé-Gouro said that at the Summit of the Future, the Heads of State and Government adopted an action-oriented Pact for the Future, including a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, which noted that none of the goals could be achieved without the full participation and representation of all women in political and economic life.  These principles were reflected in the Committee’s draft general recommendation no. 40 on the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems, which would be adopted and made public at the end of the session. Mr. Cissé-Gouro wished the Committee a successful and productive session. 

    Ana Peláez Narváez, Chairperson of the Committee, said that since the last session, the number of States parties that had ratified the Convention had remained at 189. The number of States parties that had accepted the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1 of the Convention concerning the meeting time of the Committee remained at 81.  Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Republic of Moldova and Syria had submitted their periodic reports and San Marino had submitted its combined initial to fifth periodic report to the Committee.

    The Committee adopted the agenda and programme of work of the session, and the Chair and Committee Experts then discussed the inter-sessional activities they had undertaken since the last session.

    Leticia Bonifaz Alfonzo, Committee Rapporteur, introduced the report of the pre-sessional working group for the eighty-ninth session, and Natasha Stott Despoja, Committee Rapporteur on follow-up to concluding observations, briefed the Committee on the status of the follow-up reports received in response to the Committee’s concluding observations.

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s eighty-ninth session is being held from 7 October to 25 October.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet at 3 p.m. this afternoon, Monday, 7 October, with representatives of national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations who will brief about the situation of women in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, whose reports will be reviewed this week.

    Opening Statement by the Representative of the Secretary-General

    MAHAMANE CISSÉ-GOURO, Director, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Representative of the Secretary-General, said he was encouraged by the fact that all the annual sessions of the treaty bodies could take place despite the current liquidity situation facing the United Nations.  He then extended congratulations to Committee members who had been re-elected to serve on the Committee for another term from January 2025, namely Corinne Dettmeijer-Vermeulen, Nahla Haidar, Bandana Rana and Natasha Stott Despoja.  The multiple challenges of today’s world, in particular conflicts and pushback against women’s rights, highlighted the importance of having a strong, productive and independent Committee. 

    The Summit of the Future, the major event of the year at the United Nations, took place on 22 and 23 September at the United Nations headquarters in New York.  At the Summit, the Heads of State and Government adopted an action-oriented Pact for the Future, including a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, which noted that none of the goals could be achieved without the full participation and representation of all women in political and economic life.  These principles were reflected in the Committee’s draft general recommendation no. 40 on the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems, which would be adopted and made public at the end of the session. 

    Mr. Cissé-Gouro congratulated the Committee on this innovative roadmap.  He was encouraged that the Committee took the opportunity to present the future general recommendation no. 40 and promote its synergies with the Pact for the Future at the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly’s Women Leaders Platform, in New York. 

    On 25 September, to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the Human Rights Council held a panel discussion on the implementation of States’ obligations under relevant provisions of international human rights law on the role of the family in supporting the protection and promotion of human rights of its members.  This year’s annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, held on 30 September, focused on the theme of enhancing gender integration in human rights investigations: a victim-centred perspective.  The outcome of the panel discussion could also inform the important work of the Committee on inquiries.  The Council would also adopt resolutions on the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, and on domestic violence.

    The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continued to actively support efforts to strengthen the treaty body system, which was the key topic at the thirty-sixth annual meeting of the treaty body Chairpersons in New York in June 2024. The Chairs reiterated the call for resources in their recent statement welcoming the adoption of the Pact for the Future. 

    In that regard, the upcoming General Assembly resolution on the human rights treaty body system would be an important opportunity for Member States to reiterate their commitment to strengthening the treaty bodies by addressing the remaining challenges, including those related to resources.  Mr. Cissé-Gouro said this was the last session for seven Committee members, whose terms would come to an end at the end of the year, namely Nicole Ameline, Marion Bethel, Leticia Bonifaz Alfonzo, Hilary Gbedemah, Dalia Leinarte, Rosario Manalo and Jie Xia.  He thanked them for their dedicated service, and concluded by wishing the Committee a successful and productive session.

    Statements by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert thanked Mr. Cissé-Gouro for his speech, congratulating the new members and those who were finishing their terms.  Technology, innovation and a gender equality strategy were vital and many organizations were already doing this.  As an international organization, the United Nations needed to adopt an internal general equality strategy. 

    The Committee then adopted its agenda and programme of work for the session.

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chairperson, paid homage to three experts who were absent due to health reasons and new responsibilities.  She congratulated the new experts and wished them every success. Since the last session, the number of States parties that had ratified the Convention remained at 189.  The number of States parties that had accepted the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1 of the Convention concerning the meeting time of the Committee, remained at 81.  Since the last session, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Republic of Moldova and Syria had submitted their periodic reports and San Marino submitted its combined initial to fifth periodic report to the Committee.  Since making the simplified reporting procedure the default procedure for States parties’ reporting to the Committee, the number of States parties that had indicated they wished to opt out and maintain the traditional procedure remained at 13. 

    Ms. Peláez Narváez and Committee Experts then discussed inter-sessional activities they had undertaken since the last session, which included attending the award of the Legion of Honour Medal to Committee Member Nicole Ameline, by President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris. 

    LETICIA BONIFAZ ALFONZO, Committee Rapporteur, introduced the report of the pre-sessional working group for the eighty-ninth session, which met from 19 to 23 February 2024 in Geneva.  The working group prepared lists of issues and questions in relation to the reports of Belize, Chad, Republic of Congo, Nepal and Viet Nam, in addition to lists of issues and questions prior to the submission of the reports of Cyprus and Saint Lucia under the simplified reporting procedure. 

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chairperson, said that, in light of the backlog of State party reports pending consideration by the Committee accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee had decided to postpone the consideration of the States parties referred to in the report of the pre-sessional working group to future sessions. 

    NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA, Committee Rapporteur on follow-up to concluding observations, briefed the Committee on the status of the follow-up reports received in response to the Committee’s concluding observations.  She said that at the end of the eighty-eighth session, follow-up letters outlining the outcome of assessments of follow-up reports were sent to the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan.  Reminder letters were sent to the Dominican Republic, Gabon, Lebanon, Panama, Peru, Senegal and Uganda.  A shortened version of the follow-up report of Sweden was received in mid-August 2024, with more than an eight-month delay.  The Committee had received follow-up reports from Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Morocco and Türkiye, all received on time; from Peru, with more than five months’ delay; and from South Africa, with an eight-month delay.  Reminders regarding follow-up reports should be sent to Mongolia, Namibia, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates. 

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CEDAW24.022E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on Enforced Disappearances Closes Twenty-Seventh Session after Adopting Concluding Observations on Morocco, Norway and Ukraine

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on Enforced Disappearances this afternoon closed its twenty-seventh session after adopting its concluding observations on the reports of Morocco, Norway and Ukraine.

    Juan Pablo Albán Alencastro, Committee Rapporteur, said the Committee held constructive dialogues with Morocco, Norway and Ukraine, and adopted concluding observations on their reports, which would be published next Tuesday.  In addition, the Committee adopted lists of issues in the absence of a report for Lesotho and Seychelles, as well as lists of themes on additional information for Belgium and Serbia. 

    The Rapporteur recalled that at the opening of the session, the Committee paid tribute to the victims of enforced disappearance, and heard the testimony of Ms. Shui-Meng Ng, wife of Sombath Somphone, disappeared in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.  During the session, the Committee held productive meetings with States parties, civil society organizations and victims.  It also held discussions on its methods of work and adopted several amendments to its Rules of Procedure.  It adopted its report on the urgent action mechanism.

    The Committee also adopted the final draft of the joint statement on short-term enforced disappearances, drafted with the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances; made the decision to initiate the process for the future adoption of a general comment on women and enforced disappearances; and continued planning the World Forum on Enforced Disappearances, to be held on 15 and 16 January 2025.

    Milica Kolakovic-Bojovic, Committee Vice-Chair, presented the illustrated Spanish version of the general comment on enforced disappearances in the context of migration, which was available to be downloaded and would soon be printed and distributed. 

    The Committee also screened a short extract of a documentary on international adoptions which had their roots in enforced disappearance, which would soon be aired on television.

    Olivier de Frouville, Committee Chairperson, in concluding remarks, expressed thanks to all those who had contributed to the twenty-seventh session, which had been very intense.  The Committee had opened the session under the banner of the multiplication of armed conflicts, and unfortunately was closing it in a situation that had become even worse, particularly in the Middle East. 

    During the session, the Committee had held a constructive dialogue with Ukraine. Today, thousands of families in Ukraine were searching for their loved ones. 

    The dialogue with Morocco had made it possible to highlight the weight of the past.  While the work of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission established the State’s responsibility for enforced disappearances committed between 1956 and 1999, and clarified the fate of many disappeared persons, the issue remained a matter of concern in Moroccan society. 

    The question of the past was also present in the dialogue with Norway.  In the contemporary period, many countries like Norway had to face the challenges posed by the disappearances of migrants, but also revelations related to illegal international adoptions, which in some cases could be caused by enforced disappearances. 

    Mr. de Frouville said the Committee had adopted its report on the urgent action procedure, which showed an increase in cases of disappearances with a transnational dimension and involving several States.  The Committee was particularly concerned that several authors had indicated that they no longer wished to follow up on an urgent action initiated by them, for fear of reprisals, or because the State concerned did not provide them with access to the file.  It was crucial that all perpetrators of urgent actions, as well as all persons cooperating with the Committee, were protected from all forms of reprisals and were able to participate fully in the search for the disappeared. 

    The World Congress on Enforced Disappearances would take place on 15 and 16 January 2025. The Committee invited all interested States, civil society actors and organizations of victims of enforced disappearances to attend.  Registration for the Conference was available online as of today. 

    All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage, where the concluding observations on the reports of Morocco, Norway and Ukraine will be available next Tuesday.  Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.

    The Committee’s twenty-eighth session is scheduled to be held from 17 March to 4 April 2025, during which the Committee will examine the reports of the Central African Republic, Malta and Sri Lanka.   It will also review responses provided by Argentina and Peru to its request for additional information and hold the official launch of the joint statement on so-called short-term enforced disappearances. 

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CED24.011E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese envoy urges Security Council to keep attention on probe of Nord Stream explosions

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A Chinese envoy on Friday called on the UN Security Council to keep its attention on the investigation of the Nord Stream pipelines explosions, refrain from allowing it to fade away, and put an end to double standards.

    Two years ago, the Nord Stream pipelines exploded in the Baltic Sea, which “has serious negative impact on global energy supplies, marine ecosystems, and the safety of maritime shipping,” said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, at the Security Council briefing on Nord Stream.

    Over the past two years, the international community has been following with great interests the progress of the investigation into the incident, he said, adding that the council has conducted numerous deliberations with many council members repeatedly calling for “objective, impartial, and professional investigations to establish facts as soon as possible” and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “Regrettably, we have not yet reached a definitive conclusion,” he said.

    “Two years later, the result is that Sweden and Denmark have announced the termination of their investigations one after another, yet the information they released is scant and lacking details,” said the ambassador, adding that the national investigation of Germany has so far produced no clear conclusion.

    He said the public can only obtain information and speculate based on media reports. “Was there a hidden agenda to the initial opposition to an international investigation? Has evidence been covered up and destroyed over the past two years or so? When will the trust and time we have given be rewarded with the truth about what happened?” Geng asked.

    The ambassador said China supports the draft presidential statement circulated by Russia on the Nord Stream pipeline explosions and welcomes the changes and adjustments Russia made to the draft in light of the comments of council members.

    Terming the draft as presenting facts objectively, reflecting the concerns of all parties, and “generally balanced in its content,” he expressed the hope that all parties will intensify consultations and reach agreement on the draft as soon as possible, so as to send a clear signal to the outside world.

    Geng also expressed the hope that Germany will announce the progress and results of the investigation through official channels as soon as possible, and the countries concerned will actively communicate and cooperate with Russia, the main party to the Nord Stream incident, and avoid politicizing the investigations.

    “We hope that the council will keep its attention on this matter, refrain from allowing it to fade away, and put an end to double standards,” he concluded. 

    MIL OSI China News –