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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Natural colors and panoramic loggias: a house under the renovation program was put into operation on Kedrova Street

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A 12-section residential building was put into operation in the Akademichesky District under the renovation program. It is located at the address: Kedrova Street, Building 16, Block 3. This was reported by the Chairman of the State Construction Supervision Committee Anton Slobodchikov.

    “The new building of variable number of storeys with a total area of 65.6 thousand square meters with underground parking for 223 cars was erected in a well-maintained area with well-developed infrastructure. The building houses 581 apartments, three of which are adapted for people with disabilities. Each room has been given an improved finish in accordance with the renovation standards approved by the Moscow Government Resolution,” the head of the department said.

    The facade of the house was finished with fiber cement panels of natural colors – from light beige to terracotta brown. The first floors were decorated in dark gray shades, the loggias were made panoramic and glazed. The building was equipped with 20 elevators with a lifting capacity of 400 and 1,000 kilograms.

    A barrier-free environment was created in the new building and around it. Paths with anti-slip surfaces were made in the courtyard. Residents also had recreation areas, four children’s playgrounds and two sports grounds.

    On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, special attention is being paid to residential buildings that are being built under the renovation program.

    “The house on Kedrova Street was built in three years. The committee’s inspectors conducted 14 on-site inspections at all stages of construction. Employees of the subordinate Expertise Center performed a set of laboratory and instrumental studies to assess the quality of work, structures and materials,” added Anton Slobodchikov.

    Based on the results of the final inspection, Mosgosstroynadzor issued a conclusion on the facility’s compliance with the requirements of the design documentation, and then issued a permit for the building to be put into operation.

    “In total, six residential complexes have been built in the Akademichesky District under the renovation program, five of which have already been handed over for occupancy. They have provided new modern apartments to residents of 14 old housing stock buildings,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy

    Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    More than 16 thousand city residents have begun resettling under the renovation program since the beginning of the yearThe first stage of the renovation program has been completed in 47 districts of Moscow

    Renovation program approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. In 2023 alone, 59 new buildings in the capital were handed over for settlement and the relocation of over 47 thousand people was ensured. Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin ordered to increase the pace of implementation of the renovation program has doubled.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction rates and volumes. Over the past few years, within the framework of the federal project “Housing” of the national project “Housing and Urban Environment” the volume of residential construction and commissioning in the capital has doubled – from three to five to seven million square meters per year. More information about this and other national projects being implemented in Moscow can be found on the website.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145368073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Mayor orders tightening control over construction waste removal

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A decision has been made to tighten control over the removal of construction and demolition waste. This primarily concerns private investors and carriers. The corresponding resolution was signed by Sergei Sobyanin.

    Waste haulers will be required to equip dump trucks with GPS/GLONASS trackers, as well as sensors for monitoring the condition of the body with data transmission to the automated information system “Regulation of the movement of construction, demolition waste and soils”. The requirements for the equipment used will be established by the relevant executive authorities of the city of Moscow.

    In addition, it is envisaged that it will be possible to control the movement of construction waste using road cameras of the Moscow intelligent transport system.

    The new regulation will increase the transparency of construction and demolition waste removal processes and reduce the likelihood of violations in this area. In addition, it will help improve the environmental situation in the capital and neighboring regions of the Central Federal District.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11905050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Doctors at Moscow clinics have made over 17 million diagnoses using artificial intelligence

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    More than 17 million preliminary and final diagnoses have been made by general practitioners and physicians using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, according to Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

    “The service for making final diagnoses was trained on an unprecedentedly large volume of data – on records of 30 million patient visits over two years. When developing it, the expert opinion of Moscow doctors was also taken into account. Today, the service has been used in all adult Moscow clinics for a year, and we continue to regularly monitor its reliability and accuracy, including with the involvement of experts – our doctors. This is a standard practice for monitoring all artificial intelligence products operating in the city. Thus, based on the results of a year of work, additional training of the model was required for a number of diagnoses. Now doctors are using an updated service with a diagnosis accuracy of over 80 percent, for some diagnoses it already exceeds 90 percent,” said Anastasia Rakova.

    She also noted that the service helps to establish the most common diseases among Muscovites during an appointment, which most often require dispensary observation. In particular, these are diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, asthma, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis and others.

    When the patient visits the doctor again, the diagnostic assistant analyzes all data from the electronic medical record for the last two years, including the date of the appointment, the results of laboratory and instrumental studies, discharge summaries and protocols of specialist examinations.

    “To date, therapists and general practitioners have made about three million final diagnoses using the service. Together with SberMedII and Sber’s AI lab, we also developed and implemented another service four years ago, which helped make more than 14.4 million preliminary diagnoses,” the deputy mayor added.

    The diagnostic assistant works as follows: the doctor determines the final diagnosis, the AI simultaneously analyzes the patient’s data and also forms a diagnosis. If it coincides with the doctor’s opinion, the service informs that it supports the specialist in his decision. If the diagnosis differs from the one made by the doctor, the system signals this and offers its own option.

    The city has been digitalizing its healthcare system for over 10 years. Its foundation is a single digital platform, which is being developed jointly by the Moscow Social Development Complex and the city Department of Information TechnologyIt allows for personalized care of each patient at all stages – from diagnosis and treatment to follow-up.

    Four more regions have joined the Moscow platform with medical AI servicesThe first neural network for detecting and assessing vertebral displacement has become available to Moscow doctors

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145399073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: How to get there, where to buy a ticket and what to take with you: instructions for guests of the Moskino cinema park

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Moskino Cinema Park is a new point on the tourist map of Moscow. Here you can visit real film sets with decorations, take part in master classes and attend film screenings. Every weekend, a rich entertainment program and excursions are organized for guests, which also take place on weekends.

    Despite its growing popularity, many city residents and visitors have not yet been to this place. You can learn about the journey into the world of cinema in service Rosspas.

    How to get there

    The Moskino Cinema Park is located 27 kilometers from the Moscow Ring Road. You can get to the site by your own or public transport, one of the four express routes E142, E143, E144 and E148 from the Teply Stan and Olkhovaya metro stations. Travel time is about 35 minutes. The territory has a parking lot, a restaurant, a food court and the Moskino Cinema Park cinema.

    Visiting rules

    There are several, and they are simple: keep the area clean, leave large pets at home (entry is only possible with dogs no taller than 35 centimeters), do not use flammable items, do not smoke or drink alcohol, do not damage the infrastructure. It is forbidden to drive a car, bicycle, scooter or roller skate on the territory – guests leave all means of transportation in the parking lot. If desired, you can go on a trip on special transport as part of excursion programs, the option is available only on weekdays.

    Select and book an excursion

    Guides tell in detail the history of the creation of famous films and their sets, introduce the biographies of famous actors and actresses, and take guests around sites that recreate the atmosphere of different eras.

    For children aged 10 and over, there is a quest excursion “Stop! Cut!” — a detective game, the participants of which must identify and find the criminal, figure out how to move around different worlds using chromakey. Young scouts will need 2.5 hours to complete the task.

    For visitors over 18 years old, a guided tour with a demonstration master class on make-up is suitable. “World of Cinema”. During this tour, participants will learn about the main tools on the set. The route lasts 2.5 hours.

    Schoolchildren will learn about the professions of director, director of photography, producer, script supervisor and prop master during the excursion “Camera! Action!”Children aged 10 and over are invited to participate. The excursion lasts 2.5 hours.

    The universal route “Cinema Expedition” is suitable for both adults and children from 10 years old. Viewers will get to the natural sites and see a real Tu-154 aircraft, the streets of Berlin, Moscow of the 1940s and much more. The walk lasts 1.5 hours. On weekends, guests purchase tickets for an excursion on the territory of the cinema park. Payment is made by QR code, cash payment is not allowed. On weekdays, you can sign up for excursions using cinema platforms “Moskino” or service Rosspas.

    Think about clothes

    Tour participants are advised to choose comfortable clothes and shoes for the walk and to prepare for the vagaries of the weather: take an umbrella in case of rain or sunglasses on a clear day.

    Have a camera ready

    During the tour, guests of the cinema park will be offered to take a photo with a clapperboard or in the director’s chair or against the background of unusual decorations that transport them to another era. At the end of the route, the guide breaks a special plaster plate, the fragments of which guests can take with them as a souvenir.

    In addition, to the left of the entrance to the cinema park there is a small grove with three picturesque gazebos. You can have an amateur romantic photo shoot or relax there.

    Be careful

    Participants of the excursions “Camera! Action!” and “Film Expedition” visit the props and costume center “Firebird”, where filming costumes and props are stored – from Soviet telephones to crystal services. Many of these exhibits can be touched, but it is not recommended to enter the premises with backpacks and other bulky items.

    Relax after a walk

    The film park’s educational center has a restaurant where you can have lunch and relax after a tour or event, as well as a food court.

    There is also a modern cinema chain “Moskino” where films, including animated films, are regularly shown.

    Follow the poster

    The cinema park periodically hosts festivals, historical reconstructions and quests. This summer, for the first time, it was made one of the venues for the historical festival “Times and Epochs”. On City Day, a large-scale opening with shows, castings and immersive entertainment took place here. In the future, the cinema park will take an even more active part in city events. You can follow them on the website Russpass service.

    Find out more about Moscow in cinema

    The capital is called one big film set: it is difficult to find a district where no filming has ever taken place. To learn more about this side of the city’s life, you can follow the route “Moscow from the Cinema”, and see the places where legendary films were shot. The Moskino cinema park was also part of this route.

    Cinema Park ceremoniously opened September 7. At the moment, 18 natural sites and four pavilions have been built in it, including the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “Partisan Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and others.

    The cinema park is part of the Moscow cinema cluster, which unites infrastructure facilities, services and services for filmmakers, which are being developed within the framework of Sergei Sobyanin’s project “Moscow — the city of cinema”. The structure of the cinema cluster also includes the Gorky Film Studio (sites onRyazansky Prospect, Sergei Eisenstein Street and in Valdai passage), the Moskino cinema chain, the Moskino film commission and film platform.

    The current schedule of events at the cinema park can be found atplatform “Moskino”. On weekdays, you can visit the cinema park in excursion groups. You can also find out more about the site and buy a ticket for the excursion on the website tourist service Russpass.

    Historical authenticity and the magic of immersion: what filming locations does the Moskino cinema park offer?

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145263073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: KC Man Pleads Guilty to Three Fentanyl Overdose Deaths

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing fentanyl, which resulted in three overdose deaths in Belton and Raymore, Mo., as part of a drug-trafficking conspiracy.

    Tiger Dean Draggoo, 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and three counts of distributing fentanyl resulting in death.

    By pleading guilty today, Draggoo admitted that he distributed fentanyl on Sept. 3, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person. Draggoo admitted that he distributed fentanyl between Aug. 22 and Sept. 13, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person. Draggoo admitted that he distributed fentanyl between Dec. 7 and 20, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person.

    Draggoo also admitted that the government’s evidence of the total amount of drugs he is responsible for distributing or possessing is at least 22,364 pills that contained a total of 2,460 grams of fentanyl.

    Victim #1 Fatality

    On Sept. 4, 2022, Cass County, Mo., sheriff’s deputies found a juvenile, identified in court documents as “Victim #1,” deceased in her bedroom. An autopsy report identified “Fentanyl Intoxication” as the cause of death. Investigators determined that Draggoo was selling fentanyl pills to the victim and had supplied her with fentanyl pills on the evening of Sept. 3, 2022.

    Victim #2 Fatality

    On Sept. 13, 2022, a deceased person, identified in court documents as “Victim #2,” was found in the Belton residence where she lived with her mother. A blue pill was found in her bedroom, which was tested and determined to contain fentanyl. An autopsy report identified the cause of death as “Acute Fentanyl Toxicity.” Investigators learned that Draggoo was selling fentanyl pills to Victim #2. Draggoo typically would drop off pills near midnight at Victim #2’s bedroom window, and cell phone GPS information indicated Draggoo was in the area of Victim #2’s residence at approximately 12:20 a.m on Sept. 13, 2022.

    Attempted Arrest of Draggoo

    On Sept. 22, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of Draggoo’s apartment and attempted to arrest him. Draggoo got into a Jeep Renegade driven by his brother, co-defendant Colt Justin Draggoo, 21, of Kansas City, Mo. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle, but the vehicle fled. Tiger and Colt Draggoo later returned to the apartment complex, but when an officer drove into the parking lot, Tiger Draggoo ran into the apartment building and was able to escape.

    Colt Draggoo was arrested. Officers found a loaded Springfield Armory 9mm handgun sitting on the driver’s seat of the Jeep. A laundry bag in the back seat contained two fire safes that had a total of $184,500 in cash. Colt Draggoo has pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

    Officers searched Tiger Draggoo’s apartment and found 17 firearms, including two machine guns, ammunition of various calibers, $246,769 in cash, a ballistic vest with plates, a money counter, numerous pills that contained fentanyl, eight suspected LSD tabs, and marijuana. The 17 firearms included a Del-Ton 5.56-caliber rifle (converted into a machine gun), a Glock switch (used to convert a Glock pistol into a machine gun), three Marlin .22-caliber rifles, a Norinco 7.62-caliber rifle, a Mosin-Nagant rifle, an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 .223-caliber rifle, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, an Armscorp USA .308-caliber rifle, a Century Arms 7.62-caliber rifle, a Herbert Schmidt .22-caliber revolver, a New England Firearms .22-caliber revolver, a Kimber 9mm pistol, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol, and a Metro Arms .45-caliber pistol.

    Victim #3 Fatality

    On Dec. 20, 2022, Raymore police officers were dispatched to a residence in Raymore regarding a non-breathing female, identified in court documents as Victim #3. Victim #3 was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. A small jewelry box in Victim #3’s bedroom contained three broken segments of a blue pill that were tested and determined to contain fentanyl. An autopsy report identified the cause of death as “Acute Fentanyl Toxicity.” Investigators learned that Tiger Draggoo had been selling fentanyl to Victim #3 since as early as May 31, 2022. The last Facebook Messengers conversation between Tiger Draggoo and Victim #3 occurred on Dec. 7, 2022, when they agreed to meet and an amount of $50 was agreed upon.

    Arrest of Draggoo

    Tiger Draggoo was arrested at his residence on Jan. 20, 2023. Tiger Draggoo was in possession of almost $2,000 in cash in his billfold and pockets. Officers searched Tiger Draggoo’s apartment and recovered pills from the toilet. Officers also found suspected psilocybin mushrooms, 144 grams of yellow THC wax, and more than $62,000 in additional cash. Officers searched Tiger Draggoo’s Honda Accord and found three handguns, a Palmetto State Armory multi-caliber rifle, an unregistered short-barreled 12-gauge shotgun, and $1,250 in cash. Officers searched his girlfriend’s Jeep Renegade, which was located at the apartment complex, and found a backpack that contained more than $82,000 in cash.

    Under federal statutes, Tiger Draggoo is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Raymore, Mo., Police Department, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transport – Trucking operators support Government’s targeted actions on road safety

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    Road freight peak body Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s release of targeted actions to improve road safety, focussing on road policing and enforcement and safer roading infrastructure. Minister Simeon Brown today announced four key actions to improve safety outcomes:
    – Increased alcohol breath testing and introducing roadside drug testing
    – Reviewing penalties for traffic offences
    – Identifying opportunities to improve the driver licensing system
    – Building and maintaining our road network to a safe standard
    Transporting New Zealand Board Member and freight company general manager Scott Johnstone says that the Government’s announcement shows it is prioritising action to improve the safety of New Zealanders.
    “Cracking down on alcohol and drug impairment on the roads is essential to reducing deaths and injuries on our roads. 48.4 percent of fatal crashes involving driver alcohol/drugs as a contributing factor in 2022.”
    “The road freight industry sees the terrible impact of these crashes up close, so we’re highly supportive of increasing the number of alcohol breath tests, enabling roadside drug testing, and higher visibility policing of all road users.”
    Johnstone is also particularly supportive of the Government’s commitment to building safer, modern roads, including through the Roads of National Significance and Roads of Regional Significance programmes.
    “We know that newer roads are safer for all motorists. A 2023 Study by the AA Research Foundation found that eight new stretches of highway or expressway around the country had resulted in a 37 percent reduction in deaths and serious injuries.
    “Projects like Ōtaki to north of Levin Highway in Greater Wellington, Manawatū Tararua Highway, and Belfast to Pegasus motorway in Canterbury will substantially improve safety, as well as efficiency.”
    “As a general manager, I will feel a lot better knowing that our drivers and their families are operating on safer, modern roads with effective policing of alcohol and drug impaired drivers.”
    For further information , contact Dom Kalasih, interim chief executive, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, 027 441 4309, who can refer inquiries to Board Member and Freight Company General Manager Scott Johnstone.
    About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
     New Zealand’s road freight transport industry employs 33,000 people (1.2% of the total workforce), and has a gross annual turnover in the order of $6 billion. This is part of a wider transport sector that employs 108,000 people and contributes 4.8 percent of New Zealand’s GDP.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hartford Woman Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Gunpoint Robbery

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VALERIE MENESES, 24, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for her role in a gunpoint robbery of a victim who was selling an iPhone on Facebook Marketplace.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, ATF, the Hartford Police Department, and the Middletown Police Departments investigated a series of gunpoint robberies of individuals who advertised items for sale on internet marketplaces, such as Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.  At an arranged meeting place to sell their items, which included cell phones and luxury sneakers and accessories, the purported purchaser would brandish a firearm, force the victim to hand over the luxury goods, and flee.  The investigation revealed that in August and September 2022, Meneses’ brother, John Villegas, also known as “Kirby,” committed five armed robberies in Hartford with Jalen Lasalle, and one armed robbery with Meneses in Middletown.

    Meneses used a Facebook account to arrange the purported purchase of an iPhone from a victim who advertised its sale on Facebook Marketplace.  On August 20, 2022, Meneses traveled with Villegas to meet the victim at a restaurant parking lot in Middletown.  When the victim arrived at the meeting location, Villegas entered the victim’s car, inspected the iPhone, pulled out a firearm, and told the victim he was “out of luck.” Villegas also attempted to grab the victim’s personal cellphone and threatened to shoot him, before running to his waiting vehicle and fleeing with Meneses.

    Judge Nagala ordered Meneses to pay $1,000 in restitution to the victim.

    Meneses was arrested on October 5, 2023.  On May 15, 2024, she pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), and carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

    Meneses, who is released on a $25,000 bond, is required to report to prison on December 15.

    Villegas and Lasalle, both of Hartford, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

    This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Hartford Police Department, and the Middletown Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and A. Reed Durham.

    U.S. Attorney Avery encouraged those who sell and purchase items online, and need to meet an individual in person to complete the sale, to use a visible, monitored location.  Contact your local police department to see if it offers a monitored meeting location, or search online for a nearby monitored location.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than 1.6 million square meters of industrial space to be built in Moscow under preferential investment lending program

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Thanks to the program of preferential investment lending, more than 1.6 million square meters of new industrial space will be built in the capital. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

    “On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, from 2022

    Moscow Foundation for Support of Industry and Entrepreneurshipis implementing a program to subsidize interest rates on preferential investment loans at three percent up to three billion rubles for the development of production for a period of three years. According to the contracts concluded since the instrument was put into effect, more than 1.6 million square meters of production space will be built in the capital, and more than 27.5 thousand new jobs will be created,” said Maxim Liksutov.

    New production facilities will appear in the city, where they will produce medical products, medicines, food products, microelectronics, building materials and much more.

    “In just nine months of 2024, thanks to the mechanism of preferential investment lending, Moscow enterprises attracted funds for the construction of more than 781 thousand square meters of industrial space, where 12.5 thousand jobs will be created,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Investment and Industrial Policy

    Anatoly Garbuzov.

    In particular, the Itelma enterprise, which produces electronics for transport, will be able to attract three billion rubles for the construction of a new industrial facility. Its area will be 84.6 thousand square meters. Research and development, information technology and electronics centers will be located inside.

    The tea and spice manufacturer Ekom Company has acquired industrial infrastructure with an area of almost six thousand square meters and more than 50 units of equipment. For these purposes, the organization was able to attract 710 million rubles. The new facility will be commissioned in the second or third quarter of 2025.

    Under the preferential investment lending program, the capital’s Alfa company attracted 500 million rubles. The funds will be used to build a new plant for the production of reinforced concrete structures and commercial concrete. The area of the facility will be almost 14 thousand square meters. After expansion, the enterprise will increase the output of products used in the construction of residential buildings and significant social and infrastructure facilities. When the project is completed, the city will receive 60 jobs. The plant is planned to be commissioned in 2025.

    The Ankom-med company, which produces medical equipment, was able to attract 150 million rubles to purchase a production site with an area of 1.5 thousand square meters. Thanks to this, the enterprise will increase the volume of manufactured products.

    To receive funds at a preferential rate, you must first enter into a loan agreement and then contact the Moscow Fund for Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship. After the application is approved, you must sign a financial support agreement to compensate for part of the costs of paying interest on the loan. After that, the required amount will be transferred to the company’s account at the bank where the loan is opened. Detailed information can be found on the foundation’s website.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145384073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A basic department of “Agrophysical engineering” opened at SPbPU

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On October 16, a ceremonial signing of the agreement on the establishment of the basic department of “Agrophysical Engineering” in the Civil Engineering Institute on the basis of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Agrophysical Research Institute” (AFI) took place. The event was attended by the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy and the director of the Civil Engineering Institute Marina Petrochenko. AFI was represented by the director Yury Chesnokov and the leading researcher Tatyana Danilova.

    The purpose of creating the basic department is the integration of educational and research activities in priority areas of science and technology: “Rational Nature Management”, “Technologies for Monitoring and Forecasting the State of the Environment, Prevention and Elimination of Pollution”, “Technologies for the Prevention and Elimination of Natural and Man-Made Emergencies”. Including in-depth training of students in the following areas of training: “Construction”, “Technosphere Safety”, “Urban Planning”, “Geoecology”. The development of the main research areas of activity are defined by the “Doctrine of Food Security of the Russian Federation”, “Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation”, “Ecological Doctrine of the Russian Federation”, as well as the provisions of the “Doctrine of the Development of Russian Science”.

    In the near future, the main areas of activity of the basic department of “Agrophysical Engineering” will be the following scientific and educational projects:

    development and launch of an open online course “Engineering Land Reclamation” within the framework of the “National Open Education Platform” project; implementation of additional professional education programs in the field of agrophysical engineering and hydromelioration; development of methods for cleaning, restoration and restoration of the functionality of tubular subsurface drainage; use of unmanned aerial vehicles to restore drainage systems; assessment of the quality of drainage systems using remote methods; use of digital technologies in mathematical modeling and computer calculations in land reclamation in hydromelioration; improvement of the quality and fertility of agricultural lands through hydromelioration measures.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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

    https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/education/a basic-department-of-agrophysical-engineering was opened in-spbpo/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government will finance the repair of hydraulic structures, as well as the clearing of a section of the Kalmius River in the Donetsk People’s Republic

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Order dated October 14, 2024 No. 2835-r

    Document

    Order dated October 14, 2024 No. 2835-r

    About 270 million rubles will be allocated to a number of regions for the repair and maintenance of hydraulic structures and the improvement of the ecological state of rivers. The order on the redistribution of funding for these purposes was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    Almost 240 million rubles are intended for work on 177 hydraulic structures in a number of regions. After the spring floods of 2024, in particular, it is necessary to restore damaged soil slopes of dams and canals, clean water drainage channels from silt deposits, eliminate cracks on the surface of concrete structures and restore anti-corrosion protection.

    Federal funding will help improve hydraulic structures that protect 223 cities and towns with a total population of more than 1.1 million people.

    In addition, 30 million rubles will be spent on clearing a 9-kilometer section of the Kalmius River in the Donetsk People’s Republic. This will improve the ecological state of the river within the boundaries of the settlements of Larino, Pavlogradskoye, Pridorozhnoye and others.

    The work is being carried out within the framework of the federal project “Preservation of Unique Water Bodies”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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

    http://government.ru/nevs/53014/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: WOO Innovation Hub and Almanak Partner to Drive AI-Powered Optimization in DeFi

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As part of the broader WOO Ecosystem, which includes the WOOFi protocol, a leading decentralized exchange, and WOO X, a global centralized exchange, the WOO Innovation Hub is excited to announce a new strategic partnership with Almanak, an agent-centric platform that allows users to develop, optimize, and deploy financial strategies using AI agents. This collaboration brings cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science technologies to the forefront of decentralized finance (DeFi) development.

    Almanak is at the forefront of AI innovation in DeFi, providing AI agent-based tools that allow users to navigate the complexities of financial markets with unparalleled accuracy and speed. Their platform is designed to equip both institutional and retail users with intelligent agents capable of autonomously managing and growing portfolios while adapting to real-time market conditions. Whether optimizing yield, managing risk, or developing entirely new strategies, Almanak’s mission is to empower users with personalized financial superintelligences that transform how individuals and institutions interact with DeFi.

    Through this partnership, WOOFi is bringing the power of Almanak’s AI-driven technology directly to its community, providing developers, traders, and liquidity providers with access to tools that will help them excel in the competitive DeFi landscape.

    Abby Huang, WOO Innovation Hub Lead, said: “This partnership with Almanak underscores our commitment to integrating the most advanced AI and machine learning technologies available today. Together, we are providing the tools needed to ensure that our community stays ahead in the fast-evolving DeFi ecosystem.”

    Michael Herzyk, Almanak CEO stated: “We’re thrilled to partner with WOOFi and bring our AI agents into such a thriving DeFi ecosystem. Our agents are designed to optimize financial strategies, and with WOOFi’s extensive user base and liquidity pools, we believe this collaboration will unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation in decentralized finance.”

    Contact Us: ecosystem@woo.network

    About WOOFi
    WOOFi is a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) with over $42B in cumulative trading volume and more than 250k monthly active users. It supports 11 blockchains and offers a diverse range of products, including earn vaults, simple swaps, cross-chain swaps, and perpetual futures. The native token of WOOFi, WOO, can be staked to share 80% of all protocol fees.

    About Almanak: Almanak is an agent-centric platform that allows users to develop, optimize, and deploy financial strategies using AI-driven agents. Its platform equips users with the tools to create autonomous, self-improving agents that can manage and grow portfolios by adapting to changing market conditions in real-time. Built by experts from tech & finance, and backed by top VCs, Almanak leverages state-of-the-art machine learning models and reinforcement learning techniques to provide continuous optimization of financial strategies. Users that wish to learn more and get early exposure to Almanak – related opportunities, can already sign-up for an Almanak early access waitlist.

    Disclaimer

    The content above is neither a recommendation for investment and trading strategies nor does it constitute an investment offer, solicitation, or recommendation of any product or service. The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or professional advice of any kind.

    Cryptocurrencies involve significant risk and are NOT suitable for the majority of investors. The value of digital currencies can be extremely volatile, and you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite before participating in any staking or investment activities. We strongly recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional before making any investment or financial decisions related to cryptocurrencies. We shall in NO case be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article.

    The collaboration between WOO and Almanak highlighted in the content above does not indicate in any way that WOO provides, or will provide financial service. WOO does NOT endorse, guarantee or provide advice for any products or services of its business partners. This cooperation shall in no event be interpreted as an assurance or guarantee for the listing of any tokens, whether presently existing or to be generated in the future, on WOO X or any associated exchange platforms, nor does it imply any commitment from WOO X to list any tokens on its platforms or others. The decision to list any tokens is governed by and subject to a series of separate criteria and procedures, independent of this cooperation or business partnership.

    Nothing in this article or any related content shall be construed to create or suggest the existence of a partnership, joint venture, agency relationship, or any form of legal association between WOO and Almanak. Each party is an independent entity, acting solely in its own capacity, and is responsible for its own actions, decisions, and associated risks. The collaboration mentioned does not imply any form of shared liability or financial obligation, and each party will bear its own risks and responsibilities. Furthermore, this article should not be interpreted as providing any guarantees regarding the outcome of any business ventures or collaborations mentioned, nor shall be an indication of guaranteed success or profitability for either WOOFi, WOO X or Almanak, or any of their business partners.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02d9029a-02bc-4e0f-ad8c-287d7b4120ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Integrates AI to Simplify and Accelerate Bank and Insurance Risk Calculations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Market volatility and regulatory requirements are driving increasingly complex and computationally intensive risk calculations

    XVA sensitivity analysis can require over 1 trillion calculations per day, requiring substantial physical infrastructure

    Nasdaq incorporates AI-based machine learning to process risk calculations up to 100 times faster

    NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced it has developed an innovative new methodology to conduct investment portfolio risk calculations and produce predictive analytics, based on advanced machine learning capability. The functionality will be integrated into Nasdaq’s Calypso platform, which is used by banks, insurers, and other financial institutions globally to access capital markets, process front-to-back office treasury workflows, manage risk, and meet regulatory reporting obligations.

    XVA is a family of Value Adjustments made to derivative values to reflect the impact of risk, funding, capital, and other costs associated with trading OTC derivatives. A well-known example is a Credit Valuation Adjustment where changes are made to reflect counterparty credit risk inherent in bilateral transactions. This process has been critical to help banks manage risks since the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-8.

    Alongside the development of structured products, financial engineering has led to highly complex derivative pricing models, demanding more sophisticated internal risk modelling alongside greater regulatory oversight. Collectively, this has placed a substantial and costly computational requirement on the industry.

    Nasdaq’s machine learning technology is combined with a sophisticated form of mathematical modelling that can significantly improve the efficiency of conducting the most complex trading and regulatory risk calculations. It transforms the time taken to price financial instruments across millions of scenarios, processing the most complex products up to 100 times faster whilst maintaining high levels of accuracy. It can also significantly reduce the amount of physical infrastructure required to run those calculations.

    Gil Guillaumey, Senior Vice President and Head of Capital Markets Technology at Nasdaq, said: “All financial institutions trading OTC derivatives are required to perform increasingly complex calculations to meet internal risk controls and regulatory mandates. Maintaining the necessary infrastructure and systems can be outrageously expensive, inefficient, and increasingly impractical regardless of cloud elasticity strategies. The sheer scale of computing power required to meet the most demanding regulations, alongside the strategic benefits of more accurate real-time analytics, is driving a profound rethink about how we can leverage AI to reduce the cost of compliance.”

    Industry-wide rise in risk analytics

    The ability to accurately model risk across asset classes is essential for optimal trading decisions, accurate accounting of risk profiles, and calculating capital requirements. Risk functions within financial institutions are therefore consistently enhancing their own internal framework, while regulators also recognize the benefits of increasing the volume and frequency of risk calculations such as XVA and Value-at-Risk.

    For example, The Standardized Approach for XVA under Basel III Endgame introduces a more complex and granular series of calculations across firms’ trading portfolios. The regulation is aligned to best practice risk management controls, with some banks already performing intraday calculations; however, others do not have the system capability and have to accept the costs charged by their counterparty.

    Today, a typical Credit Value Adjustment computation involves millions of Monte Carlo simulations over a series of points in time to produce up to 10 billion revaluations. Firms are also increasingly required to run sensitivity analysis on those calculations for risk management purposes, which can result in up to 1 trillion calculations per day for a typical portfolio, requiring a huge amount of computational power and physical infrastructure.

    Nasdaq’s XVA Accelerator

    Called the XVA Accelerator, Nasdaq’s innovative technology uses a mathematical approach known as Chebyshev Tensors, drawing on a patented technique and modelling expertise from MoCaX Intelligence. It incorporates a breakthrough mathematical theorem by Sergei Bernstein that allows users to identify groups of scenarios that are highly likely to converge at an exponential speed toward the target result. This will allow very accurate approximations for an extensive range of scenarios, whilst requiring substantially fewer calculations than the original method.

    The Chebyshev Tensors in the XVA Accelerator are calibrated in a dynamic manner each time an XVA calculation is launched. As a result, it adapts immediately to changing market conditions, which can prove particularly valuable in moments of market disruption.

    With this technology, the Nasdaq Calypso risk analytics suite can rapidly adjust during periods of heightened volatility, or fluctuating interest rates, by identifying a smaller number of ‘smart’ scenarios to provide more timely risk analytics. The model can transparently detail how it has arrived at each assumption and lower the energy requirements, or carbon footprint, associated with conducting computationally intensive calculations.

    Ultimately, this approach can significantly improve execution times, reduce costs, and empower financial institutions to more effectively manage risk.

    As a scaled platform partner, Nasdaq draws on deep industry experience, technology expertise and cloud managed service services to help 3,500+ banks, brokers, regulators, financial infrastructure operators, and buy-side firms solve their toughest operational challenges while advancing industrywide modernization.

    About Nasdaq

    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at http://www.nasdaq.com.

    Media Contact:

    Andrew Hughes
    +44 (0)7443 100896
    Andrew.Hughes@nasdaq.com

    Camille Stafford
    +1 (234) 934 9513
    Camille.Stafford@nasdaq.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: 

    Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “can”, “will”, and other words and terms of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the benefits of AI within Nasdaq’s Calypso solution. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in Nasdaq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on Nasdaq’s investor relations website at http://ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

    NDAQG 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government sets up Task Group on New Medical School

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government announced today (October 17) the establishment of the Task Group on New Medical School responsible for devising the direction and parameters for a new medical school. The Task Group intends to extend invitation of proposals within this year to local universities interested in establishing the new medical school, so as to select a suitable university for setting up the third medical school.
           
         The Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address 2024 that the Government supports the establishment of the third medical school by a local university, with a view to nurturing more talented medical practitioners in support of the local healthcare system to provide quality service, while at the same time driving Hong Kong’s development into an international medical training, research and innovation hub.

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “The establishment of the third medical school is an important project in developing medical education in Hong Kong to drive the pursuit of excellence in medical teaching and research in Hong Kong. Echoing the plan to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, I hope that the new medical school could pursue an innovative strategic position complementarity with the two existing ones, in areas such as the medical curriculum, sources of students and research projects, with a view to promoting diversified development in local medical education and research as well as attracting more local, Mainland and overseas medical talent to take up teaching and research duties.

         “We attach significant importance to the establishment of the new medical school. To that end, we have in particular invited seasoned local, Mainland and overseas academics for medical teaching and university management, professionals, the President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine and the Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong, together with relevant Directors of Bureaux and Heads of Departments of the Government, to form the Task Group on New Medical School. The Task Group will holistically examine various factors when considering proposals submitted by universities, including the strategic position of the medical school, curriculum design, student recruitment arrangement, demand and supply of teaching and training manpower, facilities, and financial resources required. I sincerely look forward to working closely with all members of the Task Group to start a new chapter for medical education in Hong Kong. Our first target is to extend invitation of proposals within this year to local universities interested in setting up the new medical school.”

         The terms of reference of the Task Group on New Medical School are as follows:
     

    To devise directions and parameters for the establishment of a new medical school with the aim of supporting the local healthcare system in providing quality medical services and fostering the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for medical training, research and innovation, and the criteria for assessing proposals for a new medical school from local universities.
    To liaise with interested local universities, invite and assess proposals from them for a new medical school, to handle related matters (including but not limited to funding arrangements, programme accreditation, teaching hospital and research support), and to formulate recommendations on the establishment of a new medical school and related arrangements for decision by the Chief Executive in Council; and
    To liaise with the university selected for the establishment of the new medical school on its implementation plan (including but not limited to funding arrangements, programme accreditation, teaching hospital and research support), and to provide facilitation on the interim and long-term arrangements for a designated school campus and teaching hospital in consultation with the relevant government bureaux/departments.

    　　
         The membership of the Task Group on New Medical School is as follows (see Annex for brief biographies of expert advisors of the Task Group):

    Co-chairmen
    ————
    Secretary for Education
    Secretary for Health

    Alternate Co-Chairmen
    ——————
    Permanent Secretary for Education / Under Secretary for Education
    Permanent Secretary for Health / Under Secretary for Health

    Expert Advisors
    ————
    Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong
    President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (or representative)
    Professor Nivritti Gajanan Patil
    Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu
    Professor Zhao Yupei
    Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung

    Official Members
    ————
    Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) (or representative)
    Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (or representative)
    Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee (or representative)
    Director of Health (or representative)
    Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (or representative)
    Deputy Secretary for Education (1)
    Deputy Secretary for Health 3
    Commissioner for Primary Healthcare (or representative)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: WHO – Despite health gains, urgent action needed to meet health-related Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific Region

    SOURCE: World Health Organization (WHO)

    Manila, Philippines, 17 October 2024 – According to a new report released today, countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region experienced the smallest decline in life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other WHO regions. Life expectancy in the Western Pacific fell by only 0.07 years during 2020-21, a minimal drop compared to the global average decline of 1.7 years. The Western Pacific now has the highest life expectancy among WHO’s six regions, rising from 72.0 years in 2000 to 77.4 years in 2021.

    However, despite this progress, the Region – comprising 37 countries and areas across Asia and the Pacific – is still grappling with critical challenges and is off-track in achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are the global goals adopted by world leaders to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity by 2030. The new WHO report, Health statistics in the Western Pacific Region 2023: Monitoring health for the SDGs, highlights advancements made across the Region while also emphasizing the urgent need for action. The report shows that while the COVID-19 pandemic may have done less damage to life expectancy in the Western Pacific than other regions, it nevertheless exacerbated health inequalities and disrupted progress in other areas.

    Noncommunicable diseases on the rise

    While infectious diseases and injuries were previously major causes of illness and death in the Western Pacific, the Region is undergoing a significant epidemiological shift. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer now account for nearly nine in 10 deaths. While the probability of premature death from NCDs has declined in the Region by over 25% since 2000, major challenges remain. Moreover, the Region is experiencing rapid population ageing. There are now more than 245 million people aged 65 and older in the Region – a number that is projected to double by 2050. And many older people are living with NCDs.

    A major risk factor for NCDs is alcohol and tobacco use. Consumption of alcohol in the Region has risen by 40% since 2000. Despite a decline from 7.2 litres per capita per year in 2015 to 6.1 litres in 2019, the overall increase highlights an ongoing concern for public health. Similarly, although tobacco use declined from 28.0% of adults smoking in 2000 to 22.5% in 2022, this was still above the global average of 20.9%.

    Mental health issues are also taking their toll on the population, with alarmingly high suicide rates in some countries of the Western Pacific Region, influenced by factors such as stigma, limited access to mental health services and socioeconomic challenges.

    Climate- and environment-related health concerns are yet another major challenge. While air pollution in urban areas of the Region was found to have decreased from 2010 to 2019, air quality levels are still much worse than the WHO-recommended levels. Populations living in urban areas are therefore continuing to breathe unhealthy air.

    Mixed progress towards universal health coverage

    Universal health coverage (UHC) is another important SDG target for which the Western Pacific Region has had mixed progress. The UHC service coverage index measures access to essential health services such as reproductive, maternal, newborn and child care, and prevention and treatment services for both NCDs and infectious diseases. Over the past 20 years, the overall UHC service coverage index in the Western Pacific increased impressively, from 49 to 79 points out of 100 between 2000 and 2021. However, people’s ability to access health-care services varies greatly across the Region. In some countries, the UHC service coverage index score is as low as 30, meaning many people struggle to access basic health care, while in others, it exceeds 80, indicating a much higher level of service availability and coverage. Despite these advancements, progress has slowed and stagnated since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, and particularly since 2019.

    Despite the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, access to essential health services for NCDs did not improve significantly, increasing only slightly from 52 points in 2000 to 58 points in 2010. Even more troubling, there has been no further progress since 2010, and access to services remains low, particularly in Pacific island countries and areas.

    In contrast, access to services for infectious diseases improved significantly, rising from just 18 points in 2000 to 82 points in 2021. Immunization coverage for the WHO-recommended three doses against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, or DTP3, showed mixed results from 2000 to 2023: coverage increased in 15 countries, while four countries experienced no change and eight saw a decrease.

    In the Western Pacific Region, average health spending has increased substantially, tripling from around US$ 383 per person in 2000 to US$ 1336 in 2021. On average, health spending accounted for 6.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) at country level in 2000, and rose to 8.2% by 2021. However, despite efforts to increase public spending for health, the proportion of people in the Western Pacific experiencing catastrophic health expenditure − defined as spending more than 10% of their income on health-care − has nevertheless doubled, rising from 9.9% in 2000 to 19.8% in 2019.

    Critical action needed to achieve SDGs

    “While we celebrate the significant health gains that the Western Pacific Region has achieved, we must also acknowledge urgent challenges in sustaining progress,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “We are living longer than ever, and more than any other region of the world, but this isn’t enough. We’re off-track to meet many of the SDG targets, and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated health disparities. Now is the time for concerted action to address these issues. We look forward to working with health leaders from across the Region next week to finalize our new vision to weave health for families, communities and societies.”

    New vision for health in the Region

    Ministers of health and other senior officials are preparing for discussions at the seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila on 21−25 October 2024. The meeting will focus on the most pressing health needs in the Region and chart a course to address them.

    Weaving health for families, communities and societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025-2029): Working together to improve health, well-being and save lives is the proposed new vision for the Region. The vision centres on the analogy of weaving a mat – a traditional activity across Asia and the Pacific – symbolizing the collaborative efforts required by WHO, governments and partners to improve population health and well-being. The vision centres on five vertical strands of action led by governments interwoven with three horizontal strands of action by WHO.

    The five vertical strands of action led by governments, working with WHO and other stakeholders include:

    Transformative primary health care for UHC
    Climate-resilient health systems
    Resilient communities, societies and systems for health security
    Healthier people throughout the life course
    Technology and innovation for future health equity.

    The three horizontal strands of action by WHO are:

    Country offices equipped with skills for scaling up and innovation
    Nimble support teams in the Regional Office
    Effective communication for public health.

    These strands reflect the reality that the Western Pacific Region faces complex health challenges that cannot be addressed by the health sector alone. Achieving the goals of SDG 3 − Good health and well-being – will require a concerted effort from multiple sectors. Social determinants of health, including education, housing, employment, social protection, gender equality and the environment, significantly impact health outcomes. Therefore, collaboration between the health, education, urban planning, agriculture and environmental sectors, to name but a few, is crucial. Collaboration can create synergies and co-benefits for all these sectors while accelerating progress towards achieving SDG 3.

    “The commitment of governments, WHO and partners to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 is a commitment to health and well-being for all,” added Dr Piukala. “We must work together to ensure that no one is left behind as we weave a healthier future.”

    In addition to the vision, the Regional Committee will also consider new regional action frameworks on digital health and on health financing to achieve UHC and sustainable development. There will be panel discussions on climate-resilient health-care facilities, transformative primary health care and oral health, as well as a special event on the Investment Round to resource WHO’s work for 2025–2028.

    Notes:

    The seventy-fifth session of the Western Pacific Regional Committee will run from Monday, 21 October through Friday, 25 October, at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines. The Agenda and timetable are available online. A livestream of proceedings, all other official documents, as well as fact sheets and videos on the issues to be addressed can be accessed here. For real-time updates, follow @WHOWPRO on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube and the hashtag #RCM75.

    Working with 194 Member States across six regions, WHO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for public health. Each WHO region has its regional committee – a governing body composed of ministers of health and senior officials from Member States. Each regional committee meets annually to agree on health actions and to chart priorities for WHO’s work.

    The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than 1.9 billion people across 37 countries and areas: American Samoa (United States of America), Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (France), Guam (United States of America), Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Kiribati, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Macao SAR (China), Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, New Caledonia (France), New Zealand, Niue, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States of America), Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Pitcairn Islands (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Viet Nam, Wallis and Futuna (France).

    Related links:

    Health statistics in the Western Pacific Region 2023: Monitoring health for the SDGs
    Draft vision Weaving health for families, communities and societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025−2029): Working together to improve health and well-being and save lives
    WHO data on progress towards universal health coverage (UHC)
    Other WHO data which can be searched by country.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy – Equinor’s third quarter 2024 safety results

    Source: Equinor

    Equinor’s overall long-term safety trend continues to move in a positive direction, but the total number of injuries has increased somewhat by the end of the third quarter, measured over the previous twelve months.

    At the end of the third quarter of 2024 the serious incident frequency per million hours worked (SIF) was 0.3, on par with the level in the second quarter. Serious injuries are also included in the serious incident statistics.

    Seven oil and gas leaks have been registered over the last 12 months. These leaks are classified according to the degree of severity in relation to the discharge rate.

    “We’re still headed in the right direction as regards major accident potential, hydrocarbon leaks and serious incidents. We’re seeing a low incident frequency and it’s important to ensure that we’re also learning from what’s going well,” says Jannicke Nilsson, Equinor’s executive vice president for safety, security and sustainability.

    The total recordable injury frequency per million hours worked (TRIF) as of the third quarter is 2.4 for the last 12 months, up from 2.2 at the end of the second quarter.

    “Our employees and suppliers are working well together to bolster safety, but we have not achieved the desired improvement for the injury trend. This is a challenge that we must solve together,” says Nilsson.

    Through the “Always Safe” annual wheel, Equinor is working with other operating companies and suppliers to enhance the understanding of which factors can get in the way of safe work performance. The focus in the “Always Safe” learning package for the fourth quarter is on health and working environment.

    “The trend shows that an increasing number of users are accessing the “Always Safe” packages. This is positive and shows an interest in sharing lessons learned and focusing on shared safety topics across our industry,” Nilsson says.

    Equinor is continuing its work to prevent major accidents through extra efforts within management training and e-learning courses that are also available to the company’s suppliers.

    There have been no incidents with major accident potential or serious well control incidents in the third quarter.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Betazone: Precisely Where Needed

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Whether it is the discovery of treatments and prevention of lifestyle or genetic diseases, precision medicine has only scratched the surface of its full potential to push the innovation boundaries in health and healthcare.

    What roles are technological advances, scientific knowledge and multistakeholder collaboration playing in shaping an equitable and effective future for precision medicine?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTFRGXEtoD0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Up to $41 billion in World Bank climate finance unaccounted for, Oxfam finds

    Source: Oxfam –

    Up to $41 billion in World Bank climate finance —nearly 40 percent of all climate funds disbursed by the Bank over the past seven years— is unaccounted for due to poor record-keeping practices, reveals a new Oxfam report published today ahead of the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.

    An Oxfam audit of the World Bank’s 2017-2023 climate finance portfolio found that between $21 billion and $41 billion in climate finance went unaccounted for between the time projects were approved and when they closed.

    There is no clear public record showing where this money went or how it was used, which makes any assessment of its impacts impossible. It also remains unclear whether these funds were even spent on climate-related initiatives intended to help low- and middle-income countries protect people from the impacts of the climate crisis and invest in clean energy.

    “The Bank is quick to brag about its climate finance billions —but these numbers are based on what it plans to spend, not on what it actually spends once a project gets rolling,” said Kate Donald, Head of Oxfam International’s Washington D.C. Office. “This is like asking your doctor to assess your diet only by looking at your grocery list, without ever checking what actually ends up in your fridge.”

    The Bank is the largest multilateral provider of climate finance, accounting for 52 percent of the total flow from all multilateral development banks combined.

    The issue of climate finance will take center stage at this year’s COP in Azerbaijan, where countries are set to negotiate a new global climate finance goal, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). Climate activists are demanding the Global North provide at least $5 trillion a year in public finance to the Global South to pay for climate adaptation, the loss and damage caused by the impacts of climate breakdown, and a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Oxfam warns that the lack of traceable spending could undermine trust in global climate finance efforts at this critical juncture.

    “Climate finance is scarce, and yes, we know it’s hard to deliver. But not tracking how or where the money actually gets spent? That’s not just some bureaucratic oversight —it’s a fundamental breach of trust that risks derailing the progress we need to make at COP this year. The Bank needs to act like our future depends on tackling the climate crisis, because it does,” said Donald.

    Oxfam’s investigation revealed that obtaining even basic information on how the World Bank is using climate finance was painstaking and difficult.

    “We had to sift through layers of complex and incomplete reports, and even then, the data was full of gaps and inconsistencies. The fact that this information is so hard to access and understand is alarming —it shouldn’t take a team of professional researchers to figure out how billions of dollars meant for climate action are being spent. This should be transparent and accessible to everyone, most importantly communities who are meant to benefit from climate finance,” said Donald.
     

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IKEA Foundation supports MSF in Sudan crisis scale-up

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    The war in Sudan, now 550 days in, has triggered one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in decades. According to the UN, one in five people has been displaced, and half of the country’s people face acute food insecurity. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), with over 1,000 staff running 15 hospitals, 9 health centres, and mobile clinics in Sudan, is scaling up the response thanks to €35 million from the IKEA Foundation. Despite these efforts, the needs of people remain overwhelming and a collective increase in aid is urgently required.

    “This life-changing gift will allow us to respond to the medical needs, providing access to free health care services, and giving displaced people the opportunity to be treated and live a healthy life,” says Alaa Ahmed, an MSF nurse working in Sudan.

    “The Sudan war is a massive, underreported emergency”, says Stephen Cornish, Director General of MSF’s Operational Centre in Geneva. “We are grateful to the IKEA Foundation and other donors who have stepped up for the people of Sudan. We are determined to deliver more lifesaving treatment for those in need.”

    In response to this escalating crisis, the IKEA Foundation—a long-standing partner of MSF, as part of the Foundation’s focus on underreported emergencies—has committed €35 million to help MSF scale up efforts.

    “This is now one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world,” says Jessica Anderen, CEO of the IKEA Foundation. “We are humbled by the work MSF is doing to support the Sudanese people and encourage other funders to join us in supporting their efforts.”

    “This devastating situation is not getting the attention or funding it deserves. More needs to be done to provide critical support for those impacted,” says Hayley Kornblum, Programme Manager at the IKEA Foundation. “We are so encouraged to see other private sector organisations, like Mastercard Foundation, taking strong action through donations to UNHCR, but much more is required from both government and the private sector.”

    The war in Sudan has displaced over 10 million people within the country and driven nearly three million more to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, such as Chad and South Sudan. Over half of Sudan’s population—around 25.6 million people—are now facing critical levels of food insecurity, according to the UN.

    MSF is scaling up relief and lifesaving activities, focusing on treating severely malnourished children, and addressing the needs of displaced people and refugees. In addition, MSF is providing water and sanitation services, and ensuring the delivery of essential aid in refugee camps, like Adré transit camp in Chad, where MSF teams provide over one million litres of water per day.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Brevard County Felon Sentenced To More Than 17 Years In Federal Prison For Drug And Firearm Offenses

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Shawndell Johnson (32, Melbourne) to 17 years and 7 months in federal prison for distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court also ordered Johnson to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used in the offenses. Johnson entered a guilty plea on June 7, 2024. 

    According to court documents, Johnson twice distributed fentanyl to a confidential source in September 2022. Following his arrest on state fentanyl distribution charges in March 2023, a search of Johnson’s residence uncovered more than 600 grams of fentanyl, over 400 grams of pure methamphetamine, and over 500 grams of cocaine. Additionally, agents located two loaded firearms. At the time of the search, Johnson had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including murder in the third-degree without design and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As a previously convicted felon, Johnson is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. 

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Rockledge Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grave of lost World War Two soldier located in Italy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The grave of a Royal Tank Regiment soldier who lost his life in Italy during World War Two has been identified 81 years after his death.

    Padre David Anderson leads the service for Tpr Stobart (Crown Copyright)

    The rededication service for Trooper (Tpr) Frederick Stobart was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’. 

    The service was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Bolsena War Cemetery in Italy this afternoon (16 October). 

    Frederick Stobart was born in Sunderland in 1916. He lived with his maternal grandparents for some of his childhood, but no records exist to tell us about his young life or schooling.  

    He joined the Army in 1935, listing his previous occupation as a steel grinder. He served at home, and in India during the years immediately before war broke out in 1939, and then joined the British Expeditionary Force in May 1940. By August 1940 he was in the Middle East, and he remained there until June 1943, when he was sent to take part in the invasion of Italy. He appears to have been captured around Tobruk in North Africa in late June 1943 and to have become a prisoner of the Italians at Camp 54 at Fara in Sabina, in the Lazio region of Italy.   

    In September 1943 when Italy capitulated, many prisoners found themselves without guards and took the opportunity to escape, Stobart was one of these. He travelled north, with fellow escapee, Pte Robert Quinn of the Durham Light Infantry, into the hills where they relied on local people for help. Unfortunately, their freedom was short-lived, and they were recaptured by the Germans within a few days.  According to contemporary reports, both men were shot whilst trying to escape from a transport taking them to a new camp. Quinn was hospitalised but Stobart died.  

    Stobart was buried in a civilian cemetery at Monte Libretto by two German soldiers, a local policeman and four other prisoners. The notes recorded on the grave register show that there were no documents or means of identifying the body, and that the other prisoners burying him did not seem to know him. After the war Stobart’s remains were recovered and moved to the war cemetery at Bolsena where he was buried as an unknown casualty of the 1939 – 45 war, with a date of death in September 1943. 

    Recently an independent researcher submitted evidence to the CWGC hoping to have located the final resting place of Tpr Stobart. The research included excerpts from a Red Cross interview with Stobart’s fellow escapee Pte Quinn which was conducted whilst he was a POW in hospital. Quinn had described the escape and what had happened to his Stobart, without naming him. It was his testimony along with other supporting documents which were crucial in proving this case. The researcher’s evidence was reviewed and extra work conducted by the National Army Museum and  JCCC which concluded that now, 80 years after his death, it is possible to clearly identify where Tpr Stobart is buried. 

    The military party, representatives of the CWGC, and the researcher who submitted the original identification case for Tpr Stobart, stand behind his headstone (Crown Copyright)

    JCCC Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said: 

    It has been a privilege for me to have been involved in restoring Tpr Stobart’s name to him,  and to have organised the service of rededication for him today. I am grateful to the researcher who submitted the original evidence and thus started this process off, and to Tpr Stobart’s military family for attending today to honour his sacrifice. 

    Director for Central and Southern Europe at the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, said:  

    We are honoured to now be able to commemorate, by name, Trooper Stobart. It is a privilege to care for his grave and all those that lie here at Bolsena War Cemetery, in perpetuity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grave of missing World War Two soldier identified in Italy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The grave of a Scottish soldier who lost his life in Italy during World War Two has been identified and rededicated 80 years after his death.

    A bugler and piper from the Royal Regiment of Scotland at Bolsena War Cemetery (Crown Copyright)

    Today’s service for Private (Pte) George Alister Walker Ewan was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’. 

    The service was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Bolsena War Cemetery in Italy. 

    George Alister Walker Ewan was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1915 to Scottish parents Thomas Ewan, a farmer, and his wife Christina Walker Alister. George was their second, and youngest child – having a sister called Catherine, who was five years older than him.  

    The family returned to Scotland in the summer of 1916, living initially in Dollar with Thomas’ mother. Sadly, Christina died in 1919 and following this the family were separated for a time with George and Catherine living away from their father.

    George Ewan joined the army in June 1940 and spent two years on home defence duties with a Territorial battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. In late 1941 he was transferred to the 8th Battalion and embarked with them for North Africa in October 1942. He was posted as missing in November 1942 during the second battle of El Alamein but was able to rejoin his battalion a few weeks later.   

    Padre David Anderson leads the service for Pte George Ewan at Bolsena War Cemetery (Crown Copyright)

    Pte Ewan was wounded in an action in the Vaiano area in late June 1944, he was initially posted as missing, but this was later revised to record that he was presumed to have died of his wounds on or soon after 21 June 1944.  He was buried at the civilian cemetery at Castiglione del Largo, possibly by the German army or by local civilians though the records are not clear. Either way, his name was not recorded, and he was listed in the cemetery records as an unknown British soldier.  

    Following the war, his remains were recovered from Castiglione del Largo and moved to the war cemetery at Bolsena, his cap badge showed that he had been a member of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, but no other identifying artefacts were found. 

    Recently an independent researcher submitted evidence to the CWGC hoping to have located the final resting place of Pte Ewan. This research was reviewed, and extra work was conducted by the National Army Museum and the JCCC which concluded that now, 80 years after his death, it was possible to clearly identify where Pte Ewan was buried and notify his family that he had been found. Pte Ewan’s cousins were in attendance at the service. 

    Pte Ewan’s cousins stand at his graveside with members of the military party (Crown Copyright)

    JCCC Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said: 

    I am grateful to the researcher who submitted this case. Their work has led us to recognise the final resting place of Pte Ewan, to restore his name to him and to allow his family to honour his sacrifice. It has been a privilege for me to have contributed to this case and to have organised the service for the rededication of Pte Ewan’s grave today. 

     Director for Central and Southern Europe at the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, said:  

    We are grateful to everyone involved in identifying the grave of this brave soldier, who died 80 years ago today. It is our duty – and privilege – to care for the grave of Private Ewan, in perpetuity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Cross-examining cybercrime: GITEX GLOBAL 2024 sheds light on the innovation-igniting conundrum challenging industries worldwide

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

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 17, 2024/APO Group/ —

    • “Cybersecurity Day” marks GITEX GLOBAL’s halfway stage as enlightening agenda reveals the challenges, threats and opportunities for international tech community
    • “AI is changing the game” – H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government​

    After an action-packed two days where GITEX GLOBAL 2024 (www.GITEX.com) presented exhilarating events and exhibitions across technology’s new frontiers, Wednesday witnessed another incredible programme as audiences examined the existing and future cybersecurity landscapes with the world’s foremost experts. 

    Taking place from 14-18 October at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), GITEX GLOBAL is the world’s largest and best-rated tech event. It presents a record-breaking 44th edition in 2024 – welcoming over 6,500 exhibitors, 1,800 startups, 1,200 investors alongside governments from more than 180 countries.

    As GITEX GLOBAL’s biggest-ever international edition reached the halfway stage, “Cybersecurity Day” headlined the Wednesday schedule. An enlightening series of keynote speeches, fireside chats, and specialist panels cast a unique spotlight on the urgent challenges, emerging threats, and innovative opportunities facing individuals, enterprises, industries, and nations worldwide.

    Cross-examining the cybercrime conundrum

    With global cybercrime damaged projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, the international tech community is determined to ignite a paradigm shift through reinvigorated determination. This universal attitude was on full display at GITEX GLOBAL as top CISOs, CIOs, and GRC leaders converged with a unified mission: establish the foremost line of defence globally.

    In 2024, finance industry AI-driven fraud has surged by 40%, posing unprecedented challenges for incumbents. One of Wednesday’s must-attend conference sessions – ‘AI-Driven Digital Fraud: Safeguarding the Finance Industry’s Future’ – examined how emerging technologies are being harnessed to overcome the evolving threat.  

    H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, revealed that the country has dispelled millions of threats this year alone while endorsing AI as a “gamechanger” in leading the industry’s cyber resurgence. He said to GITEX Tech Waves Podcast (https://apo-opa.co/3Y8w33V): “Cyber awareness is crucial – and AI is changing the game. The UAE is a financial hub that faced 71 million attacks in Q1 2024. We are resilient and thwarted these with early threat detection through AI. It’s a hugely beneficial technology alongside our great partnerships with the world.”

    Todd Conklin also weighed in on the positive impact of AI. While acknowledging the potential repercussions of AI’s power when utilised by malicious actors, the Chief AI Officer & Deputy Assistant Secretary, Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure Protection at the US Department of the Treasury, added: “The US Treasury runs the largest payments ecosystem in the entire world. We’ve leveraged AI models to reduce fraud by almost $600 million in the last six months. It’s becoming increasingly critical in the counter-fraud space.”

    Unveiling a new world of limitless possibilities and potential

    In a week where 88% of exhibiting startups are GITEX GLOBAL debutants and no fewer than 230 new partnerships have been finalised between local, regional, and international entities and enterprises, the event is again fulfilling its pledge as a global cooperation and collaboration catalyst. Heading into Wednesday, over 13,000 pre-arranged concierge meetings had already taken place across GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star – the world’s largest startup and investment event – with many more a certainty as companies exhibit transformative solutions that could change the world.

    Huawei shed light on its critical infrastructure and cloud tech solutions with Dr. Aloysius Cheang, Chief Security Officer for the Middle East & Central Asia at Huawei, revealing the staggering rate of cyber attacks worldwide. While calling on enterprises to ensure stringent security postures, he said: “Huawei is attacked 12 billion times a day on average. This is why cybersecurity is positioned as a very strategic asset within our company. Organisations must build a cybersecurity culture through a security-first, privacy-first approach – and their solutions must serve their purpose of protecting digital assets.”

    Cybersecurity and anti-virus provider Kaspersky also showcased its pioneering Cyber Immunity approach and advanced threat intelligence solutions on Wednesday as US cyber firm Fortinet highlighted products and services part of its cybersecurity platform portfolio. solutions by stc also introduced visitors to the emerging technologies utilised to deliver new value to customers.

    Elsewhere on day three at GITEX Global 2024, a host of activations, showcases, and conferences took place at GITEX Cyber Valley (https://apo-opa.co/4eDbPq1), this year’s most anticipated cybersecurity exhibition and programme hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council. An unmissable session saw audiences hear from Brett Johnson – once America’s Most Wanted, now a leading global cybercrime and identity theft expert. During ‘Scamming the scammer: Inside the Mind of a Cybercriminal’, he revealed the extent of the virtual underworld while sharing his life story.

    Live Hacks also headlined the GITEX Cyber Valley’s Dark Stage as ethical hackers showcased live demonstrations on AI-powered hacks. Visitors also got exclusive insights from Santiago Lopez, the world’s first million-dollar hacker, on how to turn hacking skills into a lucrative career during another special session – ‘Face to Face with 1# Million Dollar Hacker: Who wants to be a hacking millionaire?’.

    What next at GITEX GLOBAL 2024?

    GITEX GLOBAL 2024 continues Thursday as “Data Centres Universe” welcomes an ensemble cast of thought leaders and experts to discuss the future of data management and infrastructure. Sessions throughout the day’s schedule will explore the latest data technology and sustainable energy solutions alongside data centres’ pivotal role in supporting the exponential growth of digital services.

    Future Mobility (https://apo-opa.co/3Yctvlv) will explore the shifting paradigms of the global auto tech industry with the World Future Economy Digital Leaders Summit (https://apo-opa.co/3YcBoai) and Global DevSlam (https://GlobalDevSlam.com) among the many day four highlights.

    More information on GITEX GLOBAL, please visit http://www.GITEX.com

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities are playing out in the Horn – the risk of new proxy wars is high

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Endalcachew Bayeh, Lecturer and Researcher, Bahir Dar University

    Egypt recently deepened its involvement in the war-weary Horn of Africa by arming Somalia and deploying its troops in the embattled country. To Ethiopia’s growing alarm, Egypt is also set to join the multinational force supporting the Somali army against the jihadist threat by al-Shabaab. Egypt’s potentially destabilising presence in the region is seen a direct consequence of Ethiopia’s port agreement with breakaway Somaliland, which Somalia took as a direct affront. Endalcachew Bayeh, a political scholar with a focus on the Horn of Africa, sets out the risks and the path to de-escalation.

    What do we know about Egypt’s entry into Somalia and the theatre of conflict in the Horn?

    Egypt’s arrival in the Horn of Africa can be traced back to Ethiopia’s quest for a dedicated port under its control. Ethiopia is the world’s largest landlocked country by population and has relied exclusively on the port of Djibouti since the outbreak of the Ethiopia-Eritrea war (1998-2000).

    Ethiopia has been exploring alternative access points. This led to the announcement on 1 January 2024 that it had struck a port deal with Somaliland. Ethiopia agreed to recognise the breakaway republic in exchange for a naval base on Somaliland’s coast.

    The announcement sparked a diplomatic rift with Somalia, which viewed the deal as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somalia still considers self-declared Somaliland part of its territory.

    Amid the turmoil, Somalia courted Egypt as a regional patron to counter Ethiopia. This aligned well with Egypt’s increasing interest in finding a military partner along Ethiopia’s border.

    Egypt is a longstanding rival of Ethiopia. Recently, it threatened to go to war over Ethiopia’s massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which it sees as a threat to its survival.

    Egypt deployed military forces in Somalia following its defence deal with Mogadishu in August 2024. It also plans to deploy 5,000 soldiers as part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia. The mission is set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, in which Ethiopia is a main player.

    Ethiopia’s agreement to recognise Somaliland and the friction with Somalia have brought its old enemy, Egypt, to its doorstep.

    How have Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities added to regional tensions?

    Soon after Egypt’s deployment in Somalia, Ethiopia formalised its recognition of Somaliland. It also sent an ambassador to the capital, Hargeisa. This made it the first nation to officially acknowledge Somaliland’s independence. The two are also rushing to turn their memorandum of understanding into a binding bilateral treaty.

    Somaliland ordered the closure of the Egyptian Cultural Library in Hargeisa.

    Eritrea, for a time a key ally of Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed in the fight against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, is now at odds with Addis Ababa. And, in response to the recent tensions in the region, Eritrea is strengthening its ties with Egypt and Somalia. A recent meeting of the three has created a united front against Ethiopia.

    In Somalia, Ethiopia plays a stabilising role. Somalia now demands that Ethiopia should end its involvement. That could open the way for militant groups and keep Somalia unstable. This is even more likely to happen if Egypt focuses on its competition with Ethiopia rather than Somalia’s stability.

    In addition, Somalis have longstanding territorial claims over parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. Instability can create fertile ground for groups like Al-Shabaab, which aims to include these territories in an Islamic state.

    Finally, tensions have risen between Djibouti and Somaliland over the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal. This is because the agreement will almost certainly be bad for Djibouti’s economy. Djibouti relies heavily on port revenues that are almost entirely generated from Ethiopia.

    What are the risks for the region?

    Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland and Egypt’s presence in Somalia come at a time of multiple regional crises. These include the strained Ethiopia-Eritrea relations, the Ethiopia-Sudan dispute over Al-Fashaga border region, and instability in Ethiopia.

    This volatile environment increases the likelihood of proxy wars.

    Key areas to watch are:

    Sudan and Egypt: These two countries align on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue. Egypt has enhanced its security cooperation with Sudan through military support and joint exercises. Although Sudan is in turmoil, the Al-Fashaga dispute with Ethiopia remains a potential flashpoint. Egypt may take advantage of this dispute and its support for the Sudanese Armed Forces against the Rapid Support Forces to further its interests.

    Instability in Ethiopia: In several regions, the government is engaged in active conflict with non-state forces. This instability creates fertile ground for Egypt to potentially support proxies against the Ethiopian government. Egypt and Somalia have already expressed the possibility of using proxy forces.

    Egypt’s main motivation for intervening in the region is to control the Nile’s source or hinder Ethiopia’s use of the water. As a result, Ethiopia perceives Egypt’s presence at its doorstep as a direct security threat. This increases tensions between Egypt, Somalia and Ethiopia.

    Any further destabilisation of Ethiopia would disrupt the entire region, as it shares porous borders with almost all countries in the Horn.

    What are the potential avenues for de-escalation?

    A promising pathway for reducing tensions in Somalia and the broader region is for the two regional powers to reconsider their strategies and exercise restraint.

    Ethiopia can access the sea through Somaliland without formal recognition. This could ease tensions and would not encourage separatist movements.

    For Egypt, a more constructive approach would be to limit its direct involvement in the Horn of Africa. Instead, it should address its concerns about the Ethiopian mega-dam through the United Nations, the African Union and other platforms. Historically, its unilateral actions have often been sources of tensions rather than solutions in the region.

    The African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development must ensure that the regional states themselves address regional issues. States must make wise decisions now to calm tensions, as no state will be spared from the spillover effects.

    – Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities are playing out in the Horn – the risk of new proxy wars is high
    – https://theconversation.com/egypt-ethiopia-hostilities-are-playing-out-in-the-horn-the-risk-of-new-proxy-wars-is-high-241402

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Pål Jonson attends NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Pål Jonson attends NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels – Government.se

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    Press release from Ministry of Defence

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    On 17–18 October, Sweden’s Minister for Defence Pål Jonson will meet with his colleagues from other NATO member countries in Brussels. Part of the meeting will also be attended for the first time by the defence ministers of Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand – NATO’s partners known as the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4).

    The agenda includes discussions on continuing and deepening NATO’s cooperation with the IP4.

    At the meeting in Brussels, the NATO defence ministers will also discuss deeper cooperation between NATO and the EU, and reinforcements of NATO’s deterrence and defence capabilities.

    They will also discuss continued support to Ukraine and the support being provided to Russia by Iran, China and North Korea.

    This is the first NATO ministerial meeting led by new Secretary General Mark Rutte. 

    Press contact

    More about the Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers on 17–18 October

    More information about the Meeting of Defence Ministers on 17–18 October is available on the NATO website. Images and video material from the meeting will also be published on the website as they become available.

    About the North Atlantic Council (NAC)

    The North Atlantic Council (NAC) is the principal political decision-making body within NATO. For the NAC’s day-to-day work, member countries are represented by their NATO Ambassadors.

    The NAC meets a number of times a year at the levels of defence ministers, foreign ministers and heads of state and government. Normally, one NATO summit, two meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs and three meetings of NATO Defence Ministers are held each year. The NATO Secretary General chairs the NAC.

    About Sweden in NATO

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Opening address by President Viola Amherd at the Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

    Bern, 17.10.2024 – Opening address by President Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), at the Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024, Lausanne, Thursday, 17 October 2024.

    Check against delivery

    Prime Minister,
    Excellencies,
    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    It is an honour to welcome you, Mr Prime Minister, to Lausanne today, and to open this conference with you.

    The next two days will be dedicated to one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time: humanitarian demining.

    Mines, cluster munitions and explosive remnants of war have a devastating impact: they claim thousands of lives every year, make land impassable, resources inaccessible and hamper economic development.

    Every improvised explosive device that we defuse is a step towards security, progress and a better life – this is the conviction that lies at the heart of our efforts.

    Today, humanitarian mine action is faced with major challenges.

    The Ottawa Convention bans anti-personnel mines, because they kill and maim indiscriminately. While the initial success of the Convention inspired optimism, in recent years this has given way to a certain disillusionment.

    Since 2014, the number of victims has started to rise again. Ongoing armed conflicts, such as Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, bring new contamination from mines and other weapons. The effects of urban warfare and the use of improvised explosive devices are particularly severe.

    These developments reflect the global situation, which is marked by growing geopolitical tensions.

    This makes it all the more important, especially in view of the rising number of victims, to continue our efforts to improve the protection of the civilian population from the dangers of mines and other remnants of war.

    Humanitarian demining is not only a matter of safety, but also a precondition for recovery, in particular for the resumption of agricultural production and the education of children.

    I call on all states to join the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and to support them to the best of their abilities.
     
    Excellencies,
    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Four months ago, the international community met on the Bürgenstock for the Summit on Peace in Ukraine. At the opening, I spoke of our goal to set in motion a process that will lead to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

    The current conference follows on from this, because living in peace also means being free from the fear of mines and remnants of war.
    Switzerland has been committed to humanitarian demining for over 30 years. We support projects in affected countries and deploy specialist military personnel.

    We are also committed to the diplomatic, legal and practical implementation of the relevant conventions around the world.

    We are determined to continue to do our part in Ukraine as well.

    Almost a quarter of Ukraine’s territory is contaminated with explosive ordnance.
    Last year we decided to make one hundred million francs available for humanitarian mine action in Ukraine (from 2024 to 2027).

    The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD) are primarily responsible for implementing this programme.

    Projects will be developed in close cooperation with Ukraine’s civilian authorities. They will include mine and explosive ordnance clearance, the promotion of standards and quality in mine clearance, training, and operational and material support.

    Last year, provided the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) with a remote-controlled demining machine from the Digger Foundation.

    This year, we will deliver three more machines from Global Clearance Solutions and provide local training and support.

    This will enable Ukraine to carry out effective and safe demining operations independently in the future.

    Excellencies,
    Ladies and gentlemen,

    For today’s Ukraine Mine Action Conference here in Lausanne, we have set ourselves the following goals:

    –    We aim to raise awareness of the importance of humanitarian mine action in Ukraine and worldwide.
    –    Stimulate further support going forward, based on the Ukrainian Mine Action Strategy, which provides guidance for current and future partnerships.
    –    And showcase innovative solutions that will make mine clearance safer and more effective worldwide.

    Three thematic areas were defined in the run-up to the Ukraine Mine Action Conference: people, partners and progress.

    First, the people: In the face of the immense suffering and lasting damage caused by mines, cluster munitions and explosive remnants of war, we must act decisively.

    Contamination in conflict areas also affects many countries not involved in the conflict. For example, food prices are rising in many countries because Ukrainian land cannot be used safely and productively.

    Then, the partners: Our aim is for other countries that are also affected by mines or that are providing aid to share their experiences with Ukraine and its partners.
     
    For mine action to be effective, governments, international organisations, NGOs, the private sector and the scientific community must work closely together – and they are all gathered here in Lausanne today.

    And finally, progress: We must work continuously to make humanitarian mine action safer and more effective.

    We need to find innovative solutions, for example by combining the use of artificial intelligence, powerful drones and robots.
     
    The resources we use to clear mines in Ukraine today are also an investment to improve humanitarian demining globally in the future.

    Excellences,
    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Humanitarian demining is part of Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition. We want to help alleviate suffering and enable sustainable development.

    That is also the aim of this conference, which we have organised together with Ukraine.

    In closing, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you for your dedication and commitment.

    Your presence here underscores the crucial support that is so urgently needed and that the people living in mine-affected countries deserve.

    Thank you very much.

    Address for enquiries

    DDPS Communication
    Federal Palace East
    CH-3003 Bern

    Publisher

    Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
    http://www.vbs.admin.ch

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delivering a skills passport for the Clean Energy Transition

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Joint letter from Secretary of State and Gillian Martin MSP to the Chief Executives of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and Renewable UK on the department’s involvement in the Energy Skills Passport project.

    Documents

    Energy Skills Passport: joint ministerial letter

    PDF, 209 KB, 2 pages

    Details

    A joint letter from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Scottish Government to David Whitehouse, Chief Executive of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and Dan McGrail, Chief Executive of Renewable UK announcing that the department will be coming onboard to assist with the industry-led Energy Skills Passport project.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

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  • MIL-OSI Global: Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities are playing out in the Horn – the risk of new proxy wars is high

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Endalcachew Bayeh, Lecturer and Researcher, Bahir Dar University

    Egypt recently deepened its involvement in the war-weary Horn of Africa by arming Somalia and deploying its troops in the embattled country. To Ethiopia’s growing alarm, Egypt is also set to join the multinational force supporting the Somali army against the jihadist threat by al-Shabaab. Egypt’s potentially destabilising presence in the region is seen a direct consequence of Ethiopia’s port agreement with breakaway Somaliland, which Somalia took as a direct affront. Endalcachew Bayeh, a political scholar with a focus on the Horn of Africa, sets out the risks and the path to de-escalation.

    What do we know about Egypt’s entry into Somalia and the theatre of conflict in the Horn?

    Egypt’s arrival in the Horn of Africa can be traced back to Ethiopia’s quest for a dedicated port under its control. Ethiopia is the world’s largest landlocked country by population and has relied exclusively on the port of Djibouti since the outbreak of the Ethiopia-Eritrea war (1998-2000).

    Ethiopia has been exploring alternative access points. This led to the announcement on 1 January 2024 that it had struck a port deal with Somaliland. Ethiopia agreed to recognise the breakaway republic in exchange for a naval base on Somaliland’s coast.

    The announcement sparked a diplomatic rift with Somalia, which viewed the deal as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somalia still considers self-declared Somaliland part of its territory.

    Amid the turmoil, Somalia courted Egypt as a regional patron to counter Ethiopia. This aligned well with Egypt’s increasing interest in finding a military partner along Ethiopia’s border.

    Egypt is a longstanding rival of Ethiopia. Recently, it threatened to go to war over Ethiopia’s massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which it sees as a threat to its survival.

    Egypt deployed military forces in Somalia following its defence deal with Mogadishu in August 2024. It also plans to deploy 5,000 soldiers as part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia. The mission is set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, in which Ethiopia is a main player.

    Ethiopia’s agreement to recognise Somaliland and the friction with Somalia have brought its old enemy, Egypt, to its doorstep.

    How have Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities added to regional tensions?

    Soon after Egypt’s deployment in Somalia, Ethiopia formalised its recognition of Somaliland. It also sent an ambassador to the capital, Hargeisa. This made it the first nation to officially acknowledge Somaliland’s independence. The two are also rushing to turn their memorandum of understanding into a binding bilateral treaty.

    Somaliland ordered the closure of the Egyptian Cultural Library in Hargeisa.

    Eritrea, for a time a key ally of Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed in the fight against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, is now at odds with Addis Ababa. And, in response to the recent tensions in the region, Eritrea is strengthening its ties with Egypt and Somalia. A recent meeting of the three has created a united front against Ethiopia.

    In Somalia, Ethiopia plays a stabilising role. Somalia now demands that Ethiopia should end its involvement. That could open the way for militant groups and keep Somalia unstable. This is even more likely to happen if Egypt focuses on its competition with Ethiopia rather than Somalia’s stability.

    In addition, Somalis have longstanding territorial claims over parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. Instability can create fertile ground for groups like Al-Shabaab, which aims to include these territories in an Islamic state.

    Finally, tensions have risen between Djibouti and Somaliland over the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal. This is because the agreement will almost certainly be bad for Djibouti’s economy. Djibouti relies heavily on port revenues that are almost entirely generated from Ethiopia.

    What are the risks for the region?

    Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland and Egypt’s presence in Somalia come at a time of multiple regional crises. These include the strained Ethiopia-Eritrea relations, the Ethiopia-Sudan dispute over Al-Fashaga border region, and instability in Ethiopia.

    This volatile environment increases the likelihood of proxy wars.

    Key areas to watch are:

    Sudan and Egypt: These two countries align on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue. Egypt has enhanced its security cooperation with Sudan through military support and joint exercises. Although Sudan is in turmoil, the Al-Fashaga dispute with Ethiopia remains a potential flashpoint. Egypt may take advantage of this dispute and its support for the Sudanese Armed Forces against the Rapid Support Forces to further its interests.

    Instability in Ethiopia: In several regions, the government is engaged in active conflict with non-state forces. This instability creates fertile ground for Egypt to potentially support proxies against the Ethiopian government. Egypt and Somalia have already expressed the possibility of using proxy forces.

    Egypt’s main motivation for intervening in the region is to control the Nile’s source or hinder Ethiopia’s use of the water. As a result, Ethiopia perceives Egypt’s presence at its doorstep as a direct security threat. This increases tensions between Egypt, Somalia and Ethiopia.

    Any further destabilisation of Ethiopia would disrupt the entire region, as it shares porous borders with almost all countries in the Horn.

    What are the potential avenues for de-escalation?

    A promising pathway for reducing tensions in Somalia and the broader region is for the two regional powers to reconsider their strategies and exercise restraint.

    Ethiopia can access the sea through Somaliland without formal recognition. This could ease tensions and would not encourage separatist movements.

    For Egypt, a more constructive approach would be to limit its direct involvement in the Horn of Africa. Instead, it should address its concerns about the Ethiopian mega-dam through the United Nations, the African Union and other platforms. Historically, its unilateral actions have often been sources of tensions rather than solutions in the region.

    The African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development must ensure that the regional states themselves address regional issues. States must make wise decisions now to calm tensions, as no state will be spared from the spillover effects.

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

    – ref. Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities are playing out in the Horn – the risk of new proxy wars is high – https://theconversation.com/egypt-ethiopia-hostilities-are-playing-out-in-the-horn-the-risk-of-new-proxy-wars-is-high-241402

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Wheelyboat 123 report published

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Capsize of a recreational craft on Roadford Lake, Devon with the loss of two lives.

    Today, we have published our accident investigation report into the capsize of Wheelyboat 123 on Roadford Lake, Devon, England on 8 June 2022, resulting in two fatalities.

    Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said:

    Trips on the wheelyboat were beneficial for the continuing wellbeing and therapy of the residents of the care home; however, no-one had taken time to properly consider the risks associated with taking the wheelchair users afloat, either before the accident or on the day itself.

    The condition of the wheelyboat had been allowed to deteriorate so water could enter it, and on the day no-one recognised the implications of carrying vulnerable people who were strapped into heavy motorised wheelchairs around a lake in an open boat. In short, no-one had their eye on the risk, and tragically Alison Tilsley and Alex Wood lost their lives.

    As well as the catalogue of failings highlighted by the report, the investigation has also uncovered a worrying lack of oversight which must be seen as an impetus for urgent action. Charitable activities such as this seem to fall into a grey zone with no organisation or authority in a position of oversight. This meant that no-one stepped in to question what had become custom and practice. Addressing this is not simple and may only be possible with a change in the law; however, the current situation is not something that should be tolerated.

    The report, available via this link, contains details of what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations.

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    Published 17 October 2024

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and New Zealand agree blueprint for satellite removal and servicing missions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and New Zealand space agencies have signed a blueprint for the removal and servicing of operational satellites that are very close together or making contact with one another.

    Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data, processed by ESA

    The arrangement, signed at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, is designed to support missions in the fast-growing areas of in-orbit servicing, space debris removal and satellite refuelling, known as ‘rendezvous and proximity’ operations.  

    Modern society is increasingly reliant on satellite technology and the Earth’s orbits are more crowded than ever before. There is an urgent need to invest in new technologies that can help remove debris from space and keep satellites operating for longer.  

    However, these complex missions involve moving spacecraft close to one another, and the novel nature of these missions raises difficult questions around the application of international rules and guidelines, particularly if launched and operated by more than one nation. Given the importance of improving space sustainability, New Zealand and the UK have been exploring ways to reduce the legal, policy, and regulatory barriers, and uncertainty associated with multistate rendezvous and proximity missions. 

    The work between the UK and New Zealand is designed to demonstrate how international corporation in this area can keep space sustainable for current and future generations. It provides a set of principles for allocating liability between different states involved in the different stages of these missions. It does this within the framework set out in the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (the ‘Liability Convention’), as well as principles around licensing and information sharing.  

    As the Liability Convention was established in 1972, when most space missions were led by governments rather than companies, the UK and New Zealand are hoping to make its application to the current space age easier to navigate, reducing barriers for industry to carry out these important mission types.    

    Iain Cossar, Head of the New Zealand Space Agency and Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency sign the arrangement at IAC 2024 in Milan.

    Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency said:  

    As space leaders from across the world gather in Milan this week, we’re pleased to agree with our partners in New Zealand a world-first arrangement to help ease the way for future missions that can help keep space sustainable.  

    In-orbit servicing and manufacturing and space debris removal are high-growth areas for the global space sector, and we hope our work with New Zealand can act as a blueprint for other nations to follow and benefit from.

    Iain Cossar, Head of the New Zealand Space Agency said: 

    We place a lot of importance on space sustainability in New Zealand, and this agreement with the UK demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our space environment is safe and sustainable.  

    The arrangement outlines how we will cooperate on active debris removal and in-orbit servicing missions.  

    The principles and guidance we have developed could apply more broadly to other states, and like the UK, we hope this work can serve as a blueprint to enable these important activities internationally as we look to address the challenges posed by orbital debris.

    New Zealand is home to the world’s first private spaceport which has conducted 49 launches to date. The UK is due to host its first vertical orbital launches from spaceports in Scotland in 2025, following the first horizontal launch attempt from Spaceport Cornwall last year.  

    Independent research published in 2022 estimates the global market for In-Orbit Services and Manufacturing to be $14.3 billion. A 2023 report from the UKspace trade association puts the opportunity for the UK at £2.7 billion.

    Joanne Wheeler, Managing Director of the Earth & Space Sustainability Initiative, said:

    This agreement between the UK and New Zealand space agencies for the removal and servicing of satellites shows real leadership in this important area of space sustainability and is an excellent example of the all-important international collaboration that is vital to the sustainability of space.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Five young people arrested in relation to serious incidents, Christchurch

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Superintendent Lane Todd, Canterbury Metro Area Commander:

    Five young people have been apprehended this afternoon and face charges relating to serious offences over the past 48 hours.

    About 5pm, Police were called to Linwood Avenue after a report of a group of young people stealing a vehicle.

    Units immediately responded and identified that the suspects involved were wanted in relation to a number of offences, including a vehicle theft in Wigram, several instances of threatening members of the public, allegedly intending to rob them, as well as a burglary.

    The vehicle was lost sight of, however about 5.45pm Police were notified of another vehicle theft on Port Hills Road, Hillsborough, and attending officers then identified the occupants as the same group. The earlier vehicle was located abandoned.

    Police monitored the vehicle, including by air with the use of a private helicopter contracted to assist.

    While Police were positioning themselves to stop the vehicle, it was seen driving dangerously several times around the city before being abandoned on Lichfield Street, where the group fled on foot.

    They were all apprehended a short time later and taken into custody.

    Charges are now being considered for a range of alleged offences.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

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