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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Escalating cyber threats demand stronger global defense and cooperation

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Escalating cyber threats demand stronger global defense and cooperation

    Microsoft customers face more than 600 million cybercriminal and nation-state attacks every day, ranging from ransomware to phishing to identity attacks. Once again, nation-state affiliated threat actors demonstrated that cyber operations—whether for espionage, destruction, or influence—play a persistent supporting role in broader geopolitical conflicts. Also fueling the escalation in cyberattacks, we are seeing increasing evidence of the collusion of cybercrime gangs with nation-state groups sharing tools and techniques.  

    We must find a way to stem the tide of this malicious cyber activity. That includes continuing to harden our digital domains to protect our networks, data, and people at all levels. However, this challenge will not be accomplished solely by executing a checklist of cyber hygiene measures but only through a focus on and commitment to the foundations of cyber defense from the individual user to the corporate executive and to government leaders.

    These are some of the insights from the fifth annual Microsoft Digital Defense Report, which covers trends between July 2023 and June 2024. 

    State-affiliated actors increasingly are using cybercriminals and their tools.  

    Over the last year, Microsoft observed nation state actors conduct operations for financial gain, enlist cybercriminals to collect intelligence, particularly on the Ukrainian military, and make use of the same infostealers, command and control frameworks, and other tools favored by the cybercriminal community. Specifically:  

    • Russian threat actors appear to have outsourced some of their cyberespionage operations to criminal groups, especially operations targeting Ukraine. In June 2024, a suspected cybercrime group used commodity malware to compromise at least 50 Ukrainian military devices.  
    • Iranian nation state actors used ransomware in a cyber-enabled influence operation, marketing stolen Israeli dating website data. They offered to remove specific individual profiles from their data repository for a fee. 
    • North Korea is getting into the ransomware game. A newly-identified North Korean actor developed a custom ransomware variant called FakePenny, which it deployed at organizations in aerospace and defense after exfiltrating data from the impacted networks—demonstrating both intelligence gathering and monetization motivations.  

    Nation state activity was heavily concentrated around sites of active military conflict or regional tension 

    Aside from the United States and the United Kingdom, most of the nation-state-affiliated cyber threat activity we observed was concentrated around Israel, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan. In addition, Iran and Russia have used both the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict to spread divisive and misleading messages through propaganda campaigns that extend their influence beyond the geographical boundaries of the conflict zones, demonstrating the globalized nature of hybrid warfare.  

    • Approximately 75% of Russian targets were in Ukraine or a NATO member state, as Moscow seeks to collect intelligence on the West’s policies on the war. 
    • Chinese threat actors’ targeting efforts remain similar to the last few years in terms of geographies targeted—Taiwan being a focus, as well as countries within Southeast Asia—and intensity of targeting per location. 
    • Iran placed significant focus on Israel, especially after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Iranian actors continued to target the US and Gulf countries, including the UAE and Bahrain, in part because of their normalization of ties with Israel and Tehran’s perception that they are both enabling Israel’s war efforts. 
    Example of Iran’s targeting shift following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

    Russia, Iran, and China focus in on the U.S. election 

    Russia, Iran, and China have all used ongoing geopolitical matters to drive discord on sensitive domestic issues leading up to the U.S. election, seeking to sway audiences in the U.S. to one party or candidate over another, or to degrade confidence in elections as a foundation of democracy. As we’ve reported, Iran and Russia have been the most active, and we expect this activity to continue to accelerate over the next two weeks ahead of the U.S. election.  

    In addition, Microsoft has observed a surge in election-related homoglyph domains—or spoofed links—delivering phishing and malware payloads. We believe these domains are examples both of cybercriminal activity driven by profit and of reconnaissance by nation-state threat actors in pursuit of political goals. At present, we are monitoring over 10,000 homoglyphs to detect possible impersonations. Our objective is to ensure Microsoft is not hosting malicious infrastructure and inform customers who might be victims of such impersonation threats.  

    Financially motivated cybercrime and fraud remain a persistent threat  

    While nation-state attacks continue to be a concern, so are financially motivated cyberattacks. In the past year Microsoft observed:   

    • A 2.75x increase year over year in ransomware attacks. Importantly, however, there was a threefold decrease in ransom attacks reaching the encryption stage. The most prevalent initial access techniques continue to be social engineering—specifically email phishing, SMS phishing, and voice phishing—but also identity compromise and exploiting vulnerabilities in public facing applications or unpatched operating systems. 
    • Tech scams skyrocketed 400% since 2022. In the past year, Microsoft observed a significant uptick in tech scam traffic with daily frequency surging from 7,000 in 2023 to 100,000 in 2024. Over 70% of malicious infrastructure was active for less than two hours, meaning they may be gone before they’re even detected. This rapid turnover rate underscores the need for more agile and effective cybersecurity measures. 

    Threat actors are experimenting with generative AI 

    Last year, we started to see threat actors—both cybercriminals and nation states—experimenting with AI. Just as AI is increasingly used to help people be more efficient, threat actors are learning how they can use AI efficiencies to target victims. With influence operations, China-affiliated actors favor AI-generated imagery, while Russia-affiliated actors use audio-focused AI across mediums. So far, we have not observed this content being effective in swaying audiences.  

    Nation-state adversarial use of AI in influence operations.

    But the story of AI and cybersecurity is also a potentially optimistic one. While still in its early days, AI has shown its benefits to cybersecurity professionals by acting as a tool to help respond in a fraction of the time it would take a person to manually process a multitude of alerts, malicious code files, and corresponding impact analysis. We continue to innovate our technology to find new ways that AI can benefit and strengthen cybersecurity.   

    Collaboration remains crucial to strengthening cybersecurity. 

    With more than 600 million attacks per day targeting Microsoft customers alone, there must be countervailing pressure to reduce the overall number of attacks online. Effective deterrence can be achieved in two ways: by denial of intrusions or by imposing consequences for malicious behavior. Microsoft continues to do our part to reduce intrusions and has committed to taking steps to protect ourselves and our customers through our Secure Future Initiative. 

    While the industry must do more to deny the efforts of attackers via better cybersecurity, this needs to be paired with government action to impose consequences that further discourage the most harmful cyberattacks. Success can only be achieved by combining defense with deterrence. In recent years, a great deal of attention has been given to the development of international norms of conduct in cyberspace. However, those norms so far lack meaningful consequence for their violation, and nation-state attacks have been undeterred, increasing in volume and aggression. To shift the playing field, it will take conscientiousness and commitment by both the public and private sectors so that attackers no longer have the advantage.  

    Microsoft continues to share important threat intelligence with the community, including our recent Cyber Signals research looking at cyber risks in the education sector. 

    Tags: AI, artificial intelligence, China, cyberattacks, cybercrime, cybersecurity, election, elections, generative ai, Hamas, homoglyphs, Iran, Israel, malware, Microsoft Digital Defense Report, NATO, North Korea, phishing, Russia, Secure Future Initiative, Tech scams, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar to Detroit News: “News” Article Gave CCP a Pass

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar to Detroit News: “News” Article Gave CCP a Pass

    By Congressman John Moolenaar

    Chad Livengood’s recent article on electric vehicles ignored serious issues regarding the Chinese Communist Party, supply chain security, and human rights abuses while offering a case for increasing the involvement of Chinese companies in America’s auto industry that was far too optimistic. The article was also condescending to the common-sense concerns of Michigan residents. These issues affect all of us in Michigan, whether we work for an automaker or simply pay our taxes.

    The Chinese Communist Party seeks to increase America’s dependance on China as a way of controlling our country. In April 2020, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said, “we must tighten international production chains’ dependence on China.” Additionally, the CCP has identified battery technology as a “major technical domain” that it would like to dominate for years to come.

    Tragically, the EV supply chains controlled by the CCP are intertwined with human rights abuses and its genocide of a minority group known as the Uyghurs. Uyghurs are Muslims living in northwest China and the CCP has put millions of them into internment camps where they are forced into slave labor. One of the companies tied to this genocide is Gotion High-Tech, whose subsidiary wants to build a facility in the Big Rapids area. The company is receiving $715 million in state subsidies and tax breaks. 

    Michigan residents are not misguided in their concerns about CCP-affiliated companies, and having political leaders bring a spotlight to these issues is not wrong, as Livengood seemed to suggest. In fact, more journalistic skepticism of these companies would help all Michigan residents. In the case of Gotion, for example, Livengood wrote the company will bring “2,350 jobs averaging about $51,000 a year” to Mecosta County. This contradicts his paper’s reporting from April 2023, when “Gotion has said in its application for a property tax exemption, it expects an annual average wage at the facility of $61,995.”  So far, not one media outlet – including the News – has bothered to ask Gotion why it is now offering average wages $11,000 less than it promised the state legislature a year ago. CCP-affiliated companies are always changing their story, but their goal remains the same: further the CCP’s agenda and increase America’s dependence on China.

    The U.S. and our allies must compete to win. Our country invented the battery technology that China has and let it get away. Now we must develop better technology once again.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Grand Bay-Westfield — RCMP seeking public’s help in connection with copper wire thefts

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP is seeking the public’s help in connection with a rise in copper wire thefts along Highways 1 and 7, near Grand Bay-Westfield.

    Since 2022, there has been a significant increase in reports of copper wire thefts across the province, posing a significant risk to public safety as it can limit access to 911 and other critical infrastructure.

    The RCMP encourages everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, for example:

    • All-Terrain vehicles in unusual areas, especially near utility poles or cell phone towers.
    • Flashlights or unusual movement around utility or cell phone towers, particularly at night.
    • Unmarked vehicles parked in areas where copper wire or metal might be stored or transported.
    • Individuals handling or transporting large amounts of copper or large industrial batteries without reason.
    • Thick black smoke as a result of melting down the wire

    The RCMP is also warning the public of the dangers of stealing copper wire. Power lines and electrical substations can contain very high voltages of electricity, which should only be handled with the right training and equipment. Vandalizing electrical equipment poses a significant safety risk, and can cause serious injuries, including death.

    Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity, or who has information related to these crimes is asked to contact their local police department. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at http://www.crimenb.ca.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: People displaced by hurricanes face anxiety and a long road to recovery, US census surveys show − smarter, targeted policies could help

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Trevor Memmott, Assistant Professor of Policy and Public Affairs, UMass Boston

    Hurricane Helene flooded homes with water and mud in Marshall, N.C. Many people will be out of their homes for months or longer. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

    The trauma of natural disasters doesn’t end when the storm or wildfire is gone, or even when communities are being put back together and homes have been rebuilt.

    For many people, being displaced by a disaster has long-term consequences that often aren’t obvious or considered in disaster aid decisions.

    We study public policy and disaster response. To get a better understanding of the ongoing challenges disaster victims face – and how officials can respond more effectively – we analyzed U.S. Census Bureau surveys that ask people nationwide about their disaster displacement experiences, as well as their stress and anxiety.

    The results show how recovery from disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and flooding involves more than rebuilding, and how already vulnerable groups are at the greatest risk of harm.

    Millions are displaced every year

    The Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey has been continually collecting data on people’s social and economic experiences since 2020. Since late 2022, it has specifically asked respondents whether they had been displaced from their homes because of natural disasters.

    Nearly 1.4% of the U.S. adult population reported being displaced in the previous year, equating to more than 3 million Americans. The most common cause of those displacements was hurricanes, responsible for nearly one-third of the displacements.

    Some groups faced a higher chance of being displaced by a natural disaster than others.

    The likelihood of displacement was above average for people with incomes of less than $50,000 (1.9% of that population was displaced), disabled people (2.7%), African Americans (2.3%) and Latinos/Hispanics (1.8%), as well as for those who identified their sexual orientation as gay/lesbian, bisexual, something else, or said that they don’t know (2.2%).

    The problems of displacement go beyond immediate evacuation. People may have to stay in temporary shelters such as stadiums, churches or disaster relief areas. During this time, they are likely unable to work and earn income. Others with nowhere else to go may return to still-damaged homes after the storm passes.

    Many people who were displaced by a hurricane faced weeks without power or lacked access to enough food, clean water or other basic necessities. After being displaced, 64% of adults said they lacked electricity some or all of the time, 37% lacked enough food, 29% lacked drinkable water, and 25% indicated that they experienced unsanitary conditions some or all of the time.

    Going without enough clean water or electricity can expose people to diseases and other health risks, on top of the stress of dealing with the damage, displacement and uncertainty about the future.

    About 36% of those displaced were out of their homes for more than one month. Nearly 16% of them indicated that they never were able to return. Vulnerable groups, especially people of color and disabled people, were least likely to return home quickly.

    Impacts on health

    Being displaced also piles on stress and creates instability. People displaced by storms may bounce among family members’ houses, hotel rooms or even vehicles as they wait to return to a home that has been damaged. They may have lost jobs or be unable to find temporary housing nearby, creating feelings of uncertainty about the future.

    People who feel that their safety or security is threatened are more likely to experience mental stress and, potentially, post-traumatic stress disorder. The effects can accumulate over time and have long-term health consequences. Chronic stress can contribute to hypertension and heart disease and make rebuilding lives even harder as people struggle with more than just the damage around them.

    The Household Pulse Survey also collects information on the symptoms of anxiety and depression that individuals experience.

    Among those who have been displaced by a hurricane, 38% indicated experiencing generalized anxiety, a much higher percentage than the 23% of the population who did not experience displacement.

    Similarly, 33% of those who were displaced experienced symptoms of major depressive disorder compared with 18% of the population who did not face displacement.

    Better policies for long-term recovery

    The survey results highlight the need to restore water and power to homes quickly after disasters. The results also point to prioritizing communities that are least able to afford being displaced.

    Studies have shown that low-income communities often wait longest for power to be restored after hurricanes. The survey shows that these communities and other disadvantaged groups also face higher levels of displacement after disasters.

    Beyond the immediate responses to a disaster, the survey suggests that federal, state and local policymakers will have to consider long-term assistance for both housing recovery and for health care.

    A young man stares at what is left of his family’s homes after Hurricane Helene flooded parts of Hendersonville, N.C., in September 2024.
    AP Photo/Brittany Peterson

    Currently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency primarily focuses on providing short-term disaster relief. The large majority of its disaster funding goes toward evacuation, temporary shelter for people displaced, emergency supplies, insurance and rebuilding community infrastructure. While other federal programs provide rebuilding assistance for individuals, they don’t sufficiently address the long-term challenges, in our view.

    Some ways government could help include providing targeted cash transfers to ensure vulnerable households can rebuild, investing in affordable and climate-resilient housing that can limit losses in future disasters, and funding long-term mental health services for disaster survivors at free or reduced cost.

    As the climate warms, extreme storms are becoming more common in every region of the country. That’s raising the risks and the need for policymakers to prepare communities to limit harm from disasters and recover afterward. We believe rebuilding lives will require support long term, both for building more resilient homes and infrastructure and for recovering from the trauma.

    Christian Weller is affiliated with the Center for American Progress (Senior Fellow)

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

    – ref. People displaced by hurricanes face anxiety and a long road to recovery, US census surveys show − smarter, targeted policies could help – https://theconversation.com/people-displaced-by-hurricanes-face-anxiety-and-a-long-road-to-recovery-us-census-surveys-show-smarter-targeted-policies-could-help-241189

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple introduces powerful new iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple introduces powerful new iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence

    October 15, 2024

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple introduces powerful new iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence

    The ultraportable iPad mini is more capable and versatile than ever with the powerful A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Pencil Pro

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today introduced the new iPad mini, supercharged by the A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence, the easy-to-use personal intelligence system that understands personal context to deliver intelligence that is helpful and relevant while protecting user privacy. With a beloved ultraportable design, the new iPad mini is available in four gorgeous finishes, including a new blue and purple, and features the brilliant 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display. A17 Pro delivers a huge performance boost for even the most demanding tasks, with a faster CPU and GPU, a 2x faster Neural Engine than the previous-generation iPad mini,1 and support for Apple Intelligence. The versatility and advanced capabilities of the new iPad mini are taken to a whole new level with support for Apple Pencil Pro, opening up entirely new ways to be even more productive and creative. The 12MP wide back camera supports Smart HDR 4 for natural-looking photos with increased dynamic range, and uses machine learning to detect and scan documents right in the Camera app.

    The new iPad mini features all-day battery life and brand-new experiences with iPadOS 18. Starting at just $499 with 128GB — double the storage of the previous generation — the new iPad mini delivers incredible value and the full iPad experience in an ultraportable design. Customers can pre-order the new iPad mini today, with availability beginning Wednesday, October 23.

    “There is no other device in the world like iPad mini, beloved for its combination of powerful performance and versatility in our most ultraportable design. iPad mini appeals to a wide range of users and has been built for Apple Intelligence, delivering intelligent new features that are powerful, personal, and private,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With the powerful A17 Pro chip, faster connectivity, and support for Apple Pencil Pro, the new iPad mini delivers the full iPad experience in our most portable design at an incredible value.”

    A17 Pro Unlocks Powerful Performance

    The new iPad mini gets a major update with A17 Pro, delivering incredible performance and power efficiency in an ultraportable design. A17 Pro is a powerful chip that unlocks a number of improvements over A15 Bionic in the previous-generation iPad mini. With a 6-core CPU — two performance cores and four efficiency cores — A17 Pro delivers a 30 percent boost in CPU performance.1 A17 Pro also brings a boost in graphics performance with a 5-core GPU, delivering a 25 percent jump over the previous generation.1 A17 Pro brings entirely new experiences — including pro apps used by designers, pilots, doctors, and others — and makes it faster than ever for users to edit photos, dive into more immersive AR applications, and more. The new iPad mini brings true-to-life gaming with hardware-accelerated ray tracing — which is 4x faster than software-based ray tracing — as well as support for Dynamic Caching and hardware-accelerated mesh shading. From creating engaging content faster than ever in Affinity Designer, to playing demanding, graphics-intensive AAA games like Zenless Zone Zero, users can take the powerful performance and ultraportable iPad mini anywhere.

    Built for Apple Intelligence

    With the power of the A17 Pro chip, the new iPad mini delivers support for Apple Intelligence. Deeply integrated into iPadOS 18, Apple Intelligence harnesses the power of Apple silicon and Apple-built generative models to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks. Many of the models that power Apple Intelligence run entirely on device, and Private Cloud Compute offers the ability to flex and scale computational capacity between on-device processing and larger, server-based models that run on dedicated Apple silicon servers.

    The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in U.S. English this month through a free software update with iPadOS 18.1, and available for iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later. Apple Intelligence delivers experiences that are delightful, intuitive, easy to use, and specially designed to help users do the things that matter most to them:2

    • With Writing Tools, users can refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.
    • Siri becomes more deeply integrated into the system experience and gets a new design with an elegant glowing light that wraps around the edge of the screen when active on iPad. With richer language-understanding capabilities, communicating with Siri is more natural and flexible. Siri can follow along when users stumble over their words, can maintain context from one request to the next, and now, users can type to Siri. Siri also has extensive product knowledge to answer questions about features on iPad and other Apple devices.
    • In Photos, the Memories feature now enables users to create the movies they want to see by simply typing a description, and with the new Clean Up tool, they can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo — without accidentally altering the subject.

    Additional Apple Intelligence features will be rolling out over the next several months:

    • Image Playground allows users to create playful images in moments.
    • Image Wand is a new tool in the Apple Pencil tool palette that can transform a rough sketch into a polished image.
    • Emoji will be taken to an entirely new level with the ability to create original Genmoji by simply typing a description, or by selecting a photo of a friend or family member.
    • Siri will be able to draw on a user’s personal context to deliver intelligence that is tailored to them. It will also gain onscreen awareness to understand and take action with users’ content, as well as take hundreds of new actions in and across Apple and third-party apps.
    • With ChatGPT integrated into experiences within iPadOS 18, users have the option to access its expertise, as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities, within Siri and Writing Tools without needing to jump between tools. And privacy protections are built in so a user’s IP address is obscured, and OpenAI won’t store requests. Users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and ChatGPT’s data-use policies apply for those who choose to connect their account.

    Even Faster Connectivity

    With faster wireless and wired connectivity, users can do even more on iPad mini while on the go. The new iPad mini supports Wi-Fi 6E, which delivers up to twice the performance than the previous generation,3 so users can download files, play games online, and stream movies even faster. Wi-Fi + Cellular models with 5G allow users to access their files, communicate with peers, and back up their data in a snap while on the go. Cellular models of the new iPad mini are activated with eSIM, a more secure alternative to a physical SIM card, allowing users to quickly connect and transfer their existing plans digitally, and store multiple cellular plans on a single device. Customers can easily get connected to wireless data plans on the new iPad mini in over 190 countries and regions around the world without needing to get a physical SIM card from a local carrier. The USB-C port is now up to 2x faster than the previous generation, with data transfers up to 10Gbps, so importing large photos and videos is even quicker.

    Incredible Camera Experience

    Great cameras, along with the incredibly portable form factor of iPad mini, enable powerful mobile workflows. The 12MP wide back camera delivers gorgeous photos, and with Smart HDR 4, they will be even more detailed and vivid. Utilizing the powerful 16-core Neural Engine, the new iPad mini uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically identify documents right in the Camera app and can use the new True Tone flash to remove shadows from the document. The 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera in portrait orientation, with support for Center Stage, is great for all the ways customers use iPad mini.

    Magical Capabilities with Apple Pencil Pro

    Apple Pencil Pro unlocks magical capabilities and powerful interactions, turning iPad mini into a sketchbook users can take anywhere. Apple Pencil Pro can sense a user’s squeeze, bringing up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors, all without interrupting the creative process. A custom haptic engine delivers a light tap that provides confirmation when users squeeze, double-tap, or snap to a Smart Shape for a remarkably intuitive experience. Users can roll Apple Pencil Pro for precise control of the tool they’re using. Rotating the barrel changes the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools, just like pen and paper, and with Apple Pencil hover, users can visualize the exact orientation of a tool before making a mark. Apple Pencil Pro features support for Find My, and pairs, charges, and is stored through a new magnetic interface on the new iPad mini. iPad mini also supports Apple Pencil (USB-C), ideal for note taking, sketching, annotating, journaling, and more, at a great value.

    iPadOS 18 Brings Powerful and Intelligent New Features

    In addition to the groundbreaking capabilities of Apple Intelligence, iPadOS 18 brings powerful features that enhance the iPad experience, making it more versatile and intelligent than ever. iPadOS also has advanced frameworks like Core ML that make it easy for developers to tap into the Neural Engine to deliver powerful AI features right on device.

    • Designed for the unique capabilities of iPad, Calculator delivers an entirely new way to use Apple Pencil to solve expressions, as well as basic and scientific calculators with a new history function and unit conversions. With Math Notes, users are now able to type mathematical expressions or write them out to see them instantly solved in handwriting like their own. They can also create and use variables, and add an equation to insert a graph. Users can also access their Math Notes in the Notes app, and use all of the math functionality in any of their other notes.
    • In the Notes app, handwritten notes become more fluid, flexible, and easy to read with Smart Script and the power of Apple Pencil. Smart Script unleashes powerful new capabilities for users editing handwritten text, allowing them to easily add space, or even paste typed text in their own handwriting. And as users write with Apple Pencil, their handwriting will be automatically refined in real time to be smoother, straighter, and more legible.
    • With new Audio Recording and Transcription, iPad can capture a lecture or conversation, and transcripts are synced with the audio, so users can search for an exact moment in the recording.
    • New levels of customization come to iPad, and users have even more options to express themselves through the Home Screen with app icons and widgets that can be placed in any open position. App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make them appear larger to create the experience that is perfect for them. Control Center has been redesigned to provide easier access to many of the things users do every day, delivering quick access to new groups of a user’s most-utilized controls. Users can even organize new controls from third-party apps in the redesigned Control Center.
    • The Photos app receives its biggest update ever, bringing users powerful new tools that make it easier to find what they are looking for with a simplified and customizable app layout that takes advantage of the larger display on iPad and helps users browse by themes without having to organize content into albums.
    • Users have new ways to stay connected and express themselves in Messages, with all-new animated text effects, redesigned Tapbacks, and the ability to schedule messages to send at a later time.

    Better for the Environment

    The new iPad mini is designed with the environment in mind, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure, 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, and 100 percent recycled gold plating and tin soldering in multiple printed circuit boards. The new iPad mini meets Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency, and is free of mercury, brominated flame retardants, and PVC. The packaging is 100 percent fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal to remove plastic from all packaging by 2025.

    Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations and, as part of its ambitious Apple 2030 goal, plans to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade.

    Pricing and Availability

    • Customers can pre-order the new iPad mini starting today, October 15, on apple.com/store, and in the Apple Store app in 29 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, October 23.
    • Available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, the new iPad mini starts at $499 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $649 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
    • The new iPad mini starts with 128GB of storage — double the storage of the previous generation. The new iPad mini is also available in 256GB and 512GB configurations.
    • For education, the new iPad mini starts at $449 (U.S.). Education pricing is available to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and home-school teachers of all grade levels. For more information, visit apple.com/us-hed/shop.
    • Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the new iPad mini. It is available for $129 (U.S.), and $119 (U.S.) for education. Apple Pencil (USB-C) is available for $79 (U.S.), and $69 (U.S.) for education.
    • The new Smart Folio, available in charcoal gray, light violet, denim, and sage, is $59 (U.S.).
    • Apple offers great ways to save on the latest iPad. Customers can trade in their current iPad and get credit toward a new one by visiting the Apple Store online, the Apple Store app, or an Apple Store location. To see what their device is worth and for terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.
    • Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all up front. More information — including details on eligibility, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — is available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.
    • AppleCare+ for iPad provides unparalleled service and support. This includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage, battery service coverage, and 24/7 support from the people who know iPad best.
    • Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk customers through setup, or focus on features that help them make the most of their new device.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Testing conducted by Apple in September 2024 using preproduction iPad mini (A17 Pro) and production iPad mini (6th generation) units. Tested with Affinity Photo 2 v2.5.5.2636 using the built-in benchmark version 25000. Performance tests are conducted using specific iPad units and reflect the approximate performance of iPad mini.
    2. Apple Intelligence will be available as a free software update for iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later with device and Siri language set to U.S. English. The first set of features will be available in beta this month with iPadOS 18.1 with more features rolling out in the months to come. Later this year, Apple Intelligence will add support for localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. In the coming year, Apple Intelligence will expand to more languages, like Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and others.
    3. Wi‑Fi 6E available in countries and regions where supported.

    Press Contacts

    Tara Courtney

    Apple

    tcourtney@apple.com

    Skylar Eisenhart

    Apple

    s_eisenhart@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Advancements in robotics continue to transform oil and gas operations, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Advancements in robotics continue to transform oil and gas operations, says GlobalData

    Posted in Oil & Gas

    With the applications of robotics continuously evolving, the oil and gas industry has emerged as a significant adopter of the technology to improve safety and efficiency of operations. Robots equipped with advanced technologies are yielding increasingly positive results, bringing a continued transformation in the operations of oil and gas companies, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company,

    GlobalData’s thematic report, “Robotics in Oil and Gas,” provides an overview of robotics technology and its applications in the oil and gas industry. It also highlights the role of major oil and gas companies, such as ADNOC, BP, Eni, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Repsol, Rosneft, Shell, and TotalEnergies in the development and adoption of robotics to enhance safety and productivity on the field.

    Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Robots are proving invaluable to execute complex tasks at production facilities, thereby protecting workers from hazardous environments and reducing the likelihood of costly shutdowns. As a result, companies such as Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Shell are deploying them to work alongside humans on offshore sites. For instance, robotic automation can manage remote operations, such as those conducted on Equinor’s Oseberg H platform in the North Sea. Their ability to perform repetitive and mundane tasks with minimal errors is saving time and internal resources for companies. Furthermore, it allows them to deploy field technicians on more critical issues.”

    Oil and gas operations are labor-intensive and involve numerous repetitive tasks, many of which occur in hazardous environments and face various obstacles. Robotics presents an excellent solution to many challenges within the industry, as they can handle more strenuous tasks and complex procedures more effectively than humans.

    Puranik continues: “Robots provide greater reliability and efficiency in completing assigned tasks while also enhancing operational safety. The integration of terrestrial, aerial, and underwater robots is already playing a crucial role in several high-stakes oil and gas projects throughout the value chain. French oil major TotalEnergies, in collaboration with Oceaneering, recently conducted a pilot inspection of subsea pipelines in the North Sea using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).”

    Robots can access hard-to-reach areas, carry out tasks beyond human capabilities, and operate continuously without needing breaks. Hence, they are being utilized as effective solutions for conducting inspections in difficult or hazardous environments, thereby avoiding preventing human exposure to such sites. Recently, cleaning of storage tanks is emerging as another prominent use case for robotics with companies, such as Saudi Aramco, Woodside, SK Innovation, and Indian Oil Corp, exploring the potential of robotic crawlers in this application.

    Puranik concludes: “Advancements in technology have equipped robots to effectively replace field personnel on oil rigs. Additionally, there is an increase in collaboration between oil and gas companies and technology vendors, enabling the diversification of robotic use cases with the integration of AI, IoT, cloud, and edge computing. These developments are anticipated to drive future growth in robotics within the oil and gas sector, reducing risks to human workers who operate alongside heavy machinery in often remote and challenging environments.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Former SECDEF Panetta Shared Concerns, Insights During Guest Lecture at NPS

    Source: United States Navy

    With decades of public service, Panetta offered frank advice and lessons learned to the more than 1,300 students, faculty and staff gathered in the packed NPS King Hall auditorium.  

    “Fundamental to everything our democracy stands for is leadership, and that requires character, integrity, and courage,” said Panetta. “Those qualities are abundant in this room, and being selected to come to NPS further sets you apart. When you graduate, you will carry the additional obligation to do more, take risks, make hard decisions and lead solutions to complex national defense challenges if we’re going to remain the world’s strongest democracy.”

    In his opening comments, Panetta stressed the importance of alliances in addressing today’s conflicts, and terrorism instigated and supported by a growing axis of autocracies lead by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

    “Our adversaries are actively working to undermine trust,” Panetta remarked. “When our nation is distracted, tyrants will fill the void. The leader’s job is not to point fingers, but to point out falsehoods and elevate reality so we can agree on the problem, then work together to address it.  Across the aisle, or across alliances, that’s how leaders get things done. That’s how we win.”

    The “Fireside Chat” was moderated by retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Eric Wendt, a former Special Forces Green Beret and current professor of practice in the school’s Department of Defense Analysis, and an NPS distinguished alumnus. When asked the one thing he would do to improve DOD today, Panetta responded, “There are many things, but the one thing I am most concerned about is speed.”

    “We need DOD bureaucracy to move at the speed of technology,” added Panetta. “I’m concerned that we can’t act swiftly enough to ensure our advantage by leveraging and learning about cutting edge technologies. Industry is setting the pace, and much of it is American innovation, but we need to apply innovative thinking to how we acquire, adapt and adopt technology to meet capability needs. I believe NPS and the future Naval Innovation Center at NPS are parts of the solution.”

    During his visit, Panetta also spoke with Defense Analysis students in the DA 3900 Command and Leadership course taught by Wendt, where he further encouraged students to apply their operational experience, NPS education and research to solving the most vexing challenges facing DOD.

    Before leading the DOD, Panetta served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, director of the Office of Management and Budget, White House Chief of Staff, and as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

    Today, Panetta co-directs with his wife, Sylvia, the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, based at California State University, Monterey Bay. The Institute is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit center that seeks to instill in young men and women the virtues and values of public service.

    • For more information on the Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture program at NPS, and to watch past lectures, visit https://nps.edu/sgls

    Learn more about the NPS Department of Defense Analysis at https://nps.edu/web/da

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Vietnam debit card payments market to surpass $65 billion in 2028, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Vietnam debit card payments market to surpass $65 billion in 2028, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    The Vietnamese debit card payments market is forecast to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2024 and 2028 to reach VND1,559.6 trillion ($65.6 billion) in 2028, supported by rise in banked and card penetration as well as constant consumer shift towards electronic payments, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s Payment Cards Analytics reveals that card payment value in Vietnam registered a growth of 46.2% in 2022, driven by a rise in consumer spending. The value grew further to register a growth of 18.4% to reach VND804.2 trillion ($33.8 billion) in 2023.

    Ravi Sharma, Lead Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Cash continues to dominate the payment market in Vietnam, but the tide is slowly turning as the government and regulatory authorities introduce initiatives to boost non-cash payments and enhance access to banking services thereby benefiting card payments.”

    To drive debit card adoption, the government and commercial banks have taken steps such as launching financial literacy programs and the introduction of remote banking options. Although debit cards are traditionally used for cash withdrawals, they are gradually being embraced for payments—especially low-value transactions. This has been driven by rising consumer awareness, the introduction of contactless debit cards, and the expansion of the country’s POS network.

    The availability of basic bank accounts and a focus on financial inclusion have contributed to the strong penetration of debit cards in the country. This is supported by the country’s growing banked population, which rose from 34.9% in 2019 to 58.8% in 2024. Debit cards are generally offered as a complementary product when consumers open a bank account. In line with the government’s financial inclusion initiatives, banks are expanding their services to remote locations.

    Debit cards are the preferred card type for payments market in Vietnam, accounting for 66.3% of total card payments value in 2023. Despite high share, their usage remains mostly limited to cash withdrawals with debit cards’ frequency for payments standing at just 4.2 transactions per card as of 2024, with more needs to be done to encourage debit card usage for payments both at merchant and consumer level.

    Vietnam and the central bank took steps to promote digital payments in the country. In October 2021, the government approved the Project for the Development of Non-Cash Payments for 2021-25. The project is aimed at achieving various goals by 2025, including boosting the value of non-cash payments, expanding the number of establishments that accept non-cash payments, and raising the proportion of individuals aged 15 and above who hold transaction accounts at banks to 80%.

    Sharma concludes: “Vietnam’s payment market is slowly transitioning from a cash-dominated society to one that embraces electronic payments. With the increasing number of digital-only banks, the emergence of payment card technologies, and the development of payment infrastructure, the debit card payment market in Vietnam is set to expand significantly in the coming years. The market is forecast to grow by 16.1% to reach VND934 trillion ($39.3 billion) in 2024.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Bullish Sentiments High on Gold Trends as Mining Operations Continue to Ramp Up

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – In an recent article published by Skilliing.com regarding current Gold trends: “From ancient civilizations to modern-day investors, gold has consistently been sought after for its perceived stability and hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. This enduring appeal has led to significant price movements over the years, with gold prices often mirroring broader economic trends. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting future gold price movements and making informed investment decisions. According to experts, the gold price in October 2024 is expected to be influenced by several key factors. The ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are likely to keep gold prices elevated. Additionally, the anticipation of US rate cuts in the third and fourth quarters of 2024 could further boost gold prices. With the current record already at $2,431.85, the next milestone to watch is $2,500 per ounce. The bullish setup of gold’s chart and its leading indicators suggest that gold could move close to the $2,550 area in 2024. This prediction is supported by the recent rally in gold prices, which has already surpassed many predictions for the year. The combination of geopolitical concerns and the potential for rate cuts makes a further rally in gold prices plausible.” Active mining companies in the markets this week include RUA GOLD Inc. (OTCQB: NZAUF) (TSX-V: RUA), Mawson Gold Limited (OTCPK: MWSNF), Founders Metals Inc. (OTCQX: FDMIF), SNOWLINE GOLD CORP (OTCQB: SNWGF) (TSX-V: SGD), Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM).

    Skilliing.com added: “In the context of broader economic trends, the gold price prediction for October 2024 is also influenced by the strength of the dollar and the overall economic landscape. As interest rates start to fall, gold prices could hit fresh records. The average price target for gold in the final quarter of 2024 is around $2,175 per ounce, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. This suggests a continued upward trajectory for gold prices in the latter half of 2024. 2025 Outlook: The outlook for 2025 is more uncertain. Some experts expect gold prices to stabilize around $2,350 per ounce in early 2025, with a potential decline to $2,175 later in the year, depending on the pace of U.S. central bank rate cuts. HSBC predicts a 12% drop in gold prices in 2025 due to rising real interest rates, while other analysts remain bullish, suggesting prices could exceed $3,000. 2030 Outlook: By 2030, some forecasts suggest gold could reach $7,000 per ounce, driven by low real interest rates, rising inflation, and demographic shifts that fuel demand for gold as a secure asset. Central bank demand will likely play a key role in supporting long-term growth.”

    RUA GOLD’s (TSXV:RUA) (OTCQB:NZAUF) Drill Program Intersects Near Surface Gold at The Reefton Project – RUA GOLD Inc. (WKN: A4010V) (“RUA GOLD” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update from the drilling campaign underway at the Reefton Project on the South Island of New Zealand.    The Company commenced its near mine drill program on the Murray Creek targets in July. A second drill rig was introduced in September to test the Capleston vein system. These historic mines collectively produced ~700koz of gold at 25.2g/t within a radius of ~20 kilometers.

    Robert Eckford, CEO of RUA GOLD commented: “Our five years of meticulous surface exploration work over the Reefton project is paying dividends from the outset of this drill program. Both of the initial drill holes have confirmed we are in right area and are locating these lodes. The near surface intercepts on Capleston are encouraging and makes for compelling economic ounces, it supports our thesis that the surface veins are continuous past the old workings. Despite the initial drill hole at Murray Creek hitting old workings, it is extremely encouraging that we have identified the dip angle of the Victoria lode and we have even more confidence with the subsequent hole that is underway now, and results from this will be ready in the next few weeks.”

    Capleston – On the second drill rig, which was introduced to test the Capleston vein system, the Company targeted an undeveloped and near-surface vein at the southern end of the two kilometer long historic Capleston project, the highest-grade producer of the Reefton Goldfield historically. Near surface targets lend themselves to early development and are the closest to transportation and infrastructure, providing low-cost operational advantages.

    The first diamond drill hole, DD_REF_043, intersected a 12m zone of quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite in the hanging wall, with a 1m quartz vein from 31m to 32m @ 3.86 g.t Au.   A legacy drill hole intercepted the southern lode at 33m downhole, with 1m @ 24g/t Au followed by 1m @ 2.5g/t Au1. Mapping has recorded historical waste samples up to 32.0g/t Au in the vicinity, and a strong soil anomaly enveloping the vein (up to 410ppb Au).

    Murray Creek – RUA GOLD reports the completion of the first hole testing the down-dip extension of the Victoria lode, DD_VIC_041, which is being evaluated by the team. This intersected the targeted reef at 344m down hole and encountered historical underground workings over a 4m length. It then exited out to the footwall before drilling on for an additional 20m.

    This confirms that the lode extension is accurate and, with the precise location confirmed, a second hole is underway that is 50m deeper down dip from the initial drill hole. The Company anticipates an intersection into an un-mined portion of the reef at around 350m. Results from this testing will be available in the coming weeks.    CONTINUED… Read this full press release and more news for RUA GOLD at:   https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-rua/

    Other recent developments in the mining industry of note include:

    Mawson Gold Limited (OTCPK: MWSNF) recently announced that further to its news releases dated June 10, 2024 and July 30, 2024, Mawson has entered into an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with SUA Holdings Ltd. (“SUA”), a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Mawson, pursuant to which the Company proposes to spin-out its uranium assets in Sweden (the “Uranium Assets”) to SUA in consideration for common shares of SUA (“SUA Common Shares”) and distribute 100% of the SUA Common Shares it then holds to the Mawson shareholders on a pro rata basis. As a result, following completion of the Arrangement, the Mawson shareholders (other than any dissenting shareholders) will also become shareholders of SUA and SUA will no longer be a subsidiary of Mawson.

    In connection with the Arrangement, Mawson has subscribed for additional SUA Common Shares for aggregate consideration of $600,000 to provide working capital to SUA. Such additional SUA Common Shares will also be distributed to the Mawson shareholders under the Arrangement.

    Founders Metals Inc. (OTCQX: FDMIF) recently announced that, further to the press release dated October 10, 2024, it has entered into an agreement with B2Gold Corp (“B2Gold”) for a C$12.1 million investment (the “Strategic Investment”) at a price of C$2.75 per common share (each, a “Share”). Together with the previously announced bought deal private placement of C$20M (the “Brokered Offering”), the Company will raise a total of C$32.1 million, fully funding the planned 2025 budget. Upon completion of the Strategic Investment and the Brokered Offering, B2Gold will own 5.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis.

    Colin Padget, Founders’ President & CEO commented, “We are very pleased with B2Gold’s investment in Founders along with the support and validation it brings to our Antino Gold Project. We look forward to drawing on B2Gold’s experience in exploring for, and developing, world-class mining assets in similar geological environments. This broader financing package leaves Founders well positioned to ramp up exploration at Antino, fully funding our planned 2025 exploration budget and the near-term addition of a fourth diamond drill.”

    SNOWLINE GOLD CORP (OTCQB: SNWGF) (TSX-V: SGD) recently announced additional analytical results from its 2024 Valley deposit drilling campaign on the Rogue Project in Canada’s Yukon Territory alongside updates on its regional activities. Holes V-24-081 and V-24-084 returned strong, consistent gold grades from near-surface along the southwestern edge of the Valley deposit, outperforming the model used for the Company’s initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) earlier this year. In addition, Snowline has completed the first phase of a reclamation program at the Plata mining camp near the Rogue Project, organizing and inventorying debris and abandoned equipment from historical mining activities in the region for future demobilisation. The Company awaits analytical results from the majority of its 2024 exploration campaign, including >24,600 m of drilling in 44 holes across 5 different targets.

    “It is a testament to the consistency of mineralization at Valley that results like today’s have become almost commonplace,” said Scott Berdahl, CEO & Director of Snowline. “Nonetheless, they further demonstrate the strength of the system near surface, and key holes V-24-081 and V-24-084 outperform our model along the southwest margin of the deposit.

    Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM) recently announced that it has filed an updated technical report for the Detour Lake mine in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

    The technical report is available on SEDAR+ (http://www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company’s website (http://www.agnicoeagle.com).   Agnico Eagle is a Canadian based and led senior gold mining company and the third largest gold producer in the world, producing precious metals from operations in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at http://www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #pressrelease #tickertaggingpressreleases

    Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia

    Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup

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    DISCLAIMER:  FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels.  FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein.  FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.  FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities.  The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material.  All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks.  All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release.  FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers.  Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks.  For current services performed FNM was compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by RUA GOLD Inc. by a non-affiliated third party.  FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact
    email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com
    +1(561)325-8757 

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP PLC – 14 10 2024] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

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

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 14 OCTOBER 2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 0.375p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 10,096,008 1.2745    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 10,096,008 1.2745    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

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

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

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

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    0.375p ORDINARY SALE 10,600 92.7p
    0.375p ORDINARY SALE 1,075 92.705p
    0.375p ORDINARY SALE 5,000 92.715p
    0.375p ORDINARY PURCHASE 3,843 93.0171p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 15 OCTOBER 2024
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [ECKOH PLC – 14 10 2024] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

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

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 ECKOH PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 14 OCTOBER 2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 10p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 20,765,401 7.1465    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 20,765,401 7.1465    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

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

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

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

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    10p ORDINARY SALE 121,200 44.51p
    10p ORDINARY SALE 23,290 44.633p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 15 OCTOBER 2024
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USS New York Arrives in Larnaca, Cyprus for Port Visit

    Source: United States Navy

    LARNACA, CYPRUS – The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC) arrived in Larnaca, Cyprus for a regularly scheduled port visit, October 14, 2024.

    “Our Sailors and Marines are eager to experience the vibrant Cypriot culture, food, and history while continuing to forge and strengthen the ties between the two partners,” said Cmdr. David Pagan, New York’s executive officer. “The opportunity to experience the world-class hospitality of the Cypriot people is something our crew is exceptionally excited for and we sincerely appreciate their support as we deepen our bond with them as military ambassadors for the United States.”

    While in the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, New York will support U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, to continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression. The presence of an integrated Navy-Marine Corps team provides flexibility and enhanced capability to NAVEUR-NAVAF and U.S. 6th Fleet.

    New York departed Norfolk, Virginia on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations on May 22.

    The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG) consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), New York, Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC).

    The 24th MEU (SOC) is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) providing strategic speed and agility, ensuring our Marines are prepared to respond and protect U.S. national security interests around the globe. The MEU can respond rapidly from longer ranges with greater capabilities across the spectrum of military conflict.

    You can follow USS New York’s adventures on Facebook and Instagram (@uss_newyork).

    To learn more about WSP ARG and 24th MEU (SOC) “Team of Teams,” visit their DVIDS feature page at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/wasparg24thmeu.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Nimitz Passes Final Evaluation Problem

    Source: United States Navy

    PACIFIC OCEAN – The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) took one more step toward returning to a deployment-ready state, completing its first post planned incremental availability exercise while underway in the Pacific Ocean Sept. 27.

    The culmination of the training evolution was a Final Evaluation Problem (FEP), a command assessment tailored to the unique training portfolio and requirements of Nimitz, as well as the ship’s upcoming deployment. Passing the FEP moves Nimitz into the pre-deployment phase, beginning the ship’s preparation for the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), and eventual deployment.

    “We’ve overcome the first major hurdle of Nimitz’s pre-deployment training and evaluation process,” said Capt. Douglas Graber, Nimitz commanding officer. “It was difficult evolution, but the long hours of training and preparation we put in really paid off. I couldn’t be more proud of our crew and their performance throughout the evaluation process.”

    For more information please contact the USS Nimitz Public Affairs Officer at pao@cvn68.navy.mil.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Truman Strike Group Transits Strait of Dover for the North Sea

    Source: United States Navy

    NORTH SEA – The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) transited through the Strait of Dover for the North Sea, Oct. 14.

    The strike group will conduct operations in the North Sea with Allies and partners from several countries in the region, demonstrating the warfighting interoperability and strategic relationships built over the past eighty years.

    “Storied in world history, our transit through the Strait of Dover to operate with our Allies in the North Sea underscores our commitment to maritime security and the NATO Alliance,” said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the HSTCSG. “We will operate with our NATO Allies and partners to strengthen our collective readiness, defense, and deterrence. No nation can confront today’s challenges alone, and we look forward to showcasing our interoperability.”

    The Strait of Dover, historically known as the Dover Narrows, is the narrowest part of the English Channel and separates Great Britain from mainland Europe. The channel also separates the Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea, a strategically important area where the carrier strike group will conduct various bilateral operations with Allies and partners. The strike group last operated in the North Sea during a deployment in 2018, including time operating above the Arctic Circle in the Norwegian Sea for the NATO exercise Trident Juncture.

    “I’m excited to operate in the North Sea again,” said Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer of USS Harry S. Truman and former executive officer during the 2018 deployment. “With its unique geographical and environmental characteristics, every time we operate in this region we increase our proficiency and showcase our inherent flexibility to operate anywhere in the world.”

    The HSTCSG will support U.S. Naval Forces Europe’s maritime operations and theater security cooperation missions, working alongside Allies and partners to maintain maritime safety, security, and stability. The Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) operated in the North Sea in 2023 and was the first aircraft carrier to visit Oslo, Norway, for a port of call since 1958.

    Before entering the Strait of Dover, the strike group operated off the Azores and Northern Africa for a series of warfighting training scenarios between the strike group’s ships and air wing before heading North for the English Channel.

    “It feels like the world has their eyes on us, speculating where we’ll go and what we’ll do next,” said Lt. Adam Biethman, a reactor department officer onboard Harry S. Truman. “I love the flexibility of our strike group, and it’s great to know we’ll be operating and learning from our Allies in the North Sea.”

    The carrier strike group consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 with nine embarked aviation squadrons; staffs from CSG-8, CVW-1, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).

    HSTCSG’s mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea and remain the cornerstone of the Navy’s forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities. You can find them on DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN75.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fresno Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Series of Vehicle Pipe-Bombings

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    FRESNO, Calif. — Scott Eric Anderson, 46, of Fresno, was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for conspiracy to destroy property, malicious destruction by means of an explosive device and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, between November 2022 and February 2023, Anderson committed a series of pipe-bombings on unoccupied vehicles and property in Fresno. The bombings damaged vehicles belonging to two auto-related businesses on Clinton Avenue in Fresno. On Feb. 19, 2023, a bomb heavily damaged a vehicle used by a home health care business on Fallbrook Avenue in Fresno. Anderson sometimes recorded his crimes by video. Law enforcement also recovered a pistol in Anderson’s bedroom. Anderson was previously convicted of carrying a loaded and concealed weapon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Tierney prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dan Corry appointed to lead Defra regulation review

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Defra announces internal regulatory review led by economist Dan Corry

    The economist Dan Corry has been appointed to carry out an internal review into the regulation and regulators at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

    The review will examine whether the inherited regulatory landscape is fit for purpose and develop recommendations to ensure that regulation across the Department is driving economic growth while protecting the environment.

    The review will explore:

    • Whether Defra regulators are equipped to drive economic growth, secure private sector investment and protect the environment
    • The customer and stakeholder experience of regulation, including the impact on those who are regulated.
    • The efficiency of regulation, in particular whether the current regulatory landscape involves any duplication and/or contradiction, and whether there are opportunities to make improvements.

    The review is part of wider work to position Defra as a key economic growth department with regulatory reform to:

    • Boost private sector investment into the water sector, creating tens of thousands of jobs and speeding up the delivery of infrastructure to clean up water pollution and enable economic growth. 
    • Transform regional economies across the country through the development of a circular economy by reusing more existing materials, driving down waste across key sectors such as construction and packaging, reducing import costs for businesses and cutting carbon emissions.
    • Develop pragmatic solutions that are needed to build the homes and infrastructure this country needs, while protecting and improving environmental outcomes.
    • Strengthen economic resilience in communities that need better flood defences.
    • Drive rural economic growth by cutting red tape for farmers and boosting Britain’s food security.

    Dan Corry brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Head of the No10 Policy Unit under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and adviser in many Government departments where he was involved in regulatory reform. 

    It comes as yesterday (14 October) the government hosted the International Investment Summit with 300 industry leaders, where the Prime Minister set out billions worth of investment deals, as well as plans to tackle unnecessary regulation. This is part of the government’s growth mission to create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Double Double: October 15th Canada Carbon Rebate delivers boost for rural families

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, visited community members at a local coffee shop in Gananoque, Ontario, to announce the latest quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate payments are being delivered to their bank accounts and mailboxes, with a one-time “double double” rural top-up

    October 15, 2024 – Gananoque, Ontario

    Today, families across Canada will receive their Canada Carbon Rebate, a payment that is making life more affordable for Canadians. The Canada Carbon Rebate—alongside measures like dental care, child care, and others—contribute to the Government of Canada’s plan to help Canadian families get ahead while ensuring big polluters pay their fair share.

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, visited community members at a local coffee shop in Gananoque, Ontario, to announce the latest quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate payments are being delivered to their bank accounts and mailboxes, with a one-time “double double” rural top-up.

    The “double double” rural top-up

    In Budget 2024, the Government of Canada doubled the rural top-up from 10 percent to 20 percent of the Canada Carbon Rebate base amount, to better support Canadians who live in rural areas and small communities, since they often drive longer distances and have higher energy needs. Given the delayed passage of the Budget, today families are receiving an added one-time 20 percent to make up retroactively for the doubling of the rural top-up on the April 15 and July 15 payments, effectively adding a one-time 40 percent top-up to the base amount of this quarter’s Canada Carbon Rebate. For a family of four in Gananoque, Ontario, this means receiving a payment of $392 today, and a total of $1,344 from Canada Carbon Rebates this fiscal year.

    The Canada Carbon Rebate and the rural supplement are part of a broader government effort to ease financial pressures on Canadians while simultaneously supporting the Government of Canada’s plan to combat climate change.

    Canada’s price on pollution is working. When it comes to meeting Canada’s goals, pollution pricing alone is delivering at least a third of the reductions needed, while delivering clean air and incentivizing job-creating greener investments in communities. As of today, emissions are trending down, while the economy grows and wages for Canadians are increasing.

    Hermine Landry
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    873-455-3714
    Hermine.Landry@ec.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Environment and Climate Change Canada
    819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
    media@ec.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana’s informal settlements are not all the same – social networks make a difference in community development

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Seth Asare Okyere, PhD, Visiting lecturer, University of Pittsburg and Adjunct Associate Professor, Osaka University, University of Pittsburgh

    Informal settlements in Africa are diverse. Across regions and even in the same city, socioeconomic and physical conditions vary. One thing is common though: upgrading them is a challenge.

    Among the challenges are issues of including people, having enough funding and sustaining improvements. That’s why attention is shifting to community driven development. This concept refers to local interventions that are started or led by community groups with support from the local government, private or civil society organisations.

    Community driven development has gained support from international agencies such as the World Bank. The World Bank Group is estimated to have invested about US$30 billion in projects like this across 94 countries.

    These initiatives are considered more affordable, efficient and durable. Communities often contribute local resources and labour, and residents can learn skills from service providers which enable them to manage projects in the long term. When residents work together it can also strengthen bonds and build social capital. Social capital generally refers to the ties, bonds, relationships and trust found in a community. It is an important resource in informal settlements.

    We are a group of urban and development planners who examined the role of social capital in community driven development in urban Ghana.

    We conducted our study in the Abese Quarter (La township) and Old Tulaku communities, in the Greater Accra metropolitan area. These are both informal settlements but have different social characters.

    Our findings highlight the need for local governments to tailor development to the social context of informal settlements. Development planning institutions should use the networks already present in communities, as well as providing external help and resources.

    The research

    Our analysis was based on questionnaire responses from 300 residents of informal settlements in Greater Accra. Abese Quarter is what we call an indigenous settlement. It it composed of residents from the local Ga ethnic group with similar cultural practices. Old Tulaku is a migrant settlement. It includes a mix of residents originally from other regions in Ghana who moved to Accra in search of economic opportunities.

    We observed community water and sanitation projects planned and carried out by local residents.

    In doing so, we considered the role of two types of social capital: bonding and bridging.

    Bonding social capital deals with the personal relationships between individuals based on shared identity. It’s about family, close companionship, culture and ethnicity. Bridging social capital refers to the connection between people and external groups.

    In the indigenous settlement, bonding social capital had a positive influence on community driven development. Bridging social capital showed a negative relationship with it. For example, the public toilet in the community was in a deplorable state. This seemed to be explained by an inability to build wider connections outside the community to get the support needed. We reason that socially homogeneous communities tend to generate inward-looking networks that limit access to resources from beyond the group. Overemphasis on social ties can impede long-term community development.

    In the migrant informal settlement, our research revealed the opposite. Without shared identities (like ethnicity, language and social norms), migrant residents drew on shared challenges and goals. They organised and built connections to get support from businesses and donors for community projects.

    Our research reinforces the argument that the relationship between social capital and community-driven development of informal settlements is not straightforward. The social character of the settlement, be it indigenous or migrant, produces different outcomes.

    Bonding and bridging social capital

    Informal settlements are often neglected by local government and planning authorities. In such poor conditions, social connections influence the local capacity to carry out improvement projects.

    Typically, high levels of bonding social capital are seen to promote collective action in communities that share similar social and cultural norms and practices. However, the long term benefits of such projects may require building partnerships with external support organisations and service providers.

    Bridging social capital goes beyond shared identities. It fosters connection between people and external organisations.

    Generally, community-driven development success is greatest when both forms of social capital are high and used together. For instance, in the Ubungo Darajani informal settlement in Kinondoni Municipality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, landholders relied on both to secure land for community development.

    What next?

    Local government and community-based organisations should harness the different forms of social capital for development.

    Policymakers can learn from the creative and innovative ways that informal communities solve problems. This could help improve informal settlements equitably and sustainably.

    Beatrice Eyram Afi Ziorklui, a registered valuer and auditor at the Performance and Special Audit Department of the Ghana Audit Service, was part of the research team and contributed to this article.

    – Ghana’s informal settlements are not all the same – social networks make a difference in community development
    – https://theconversation.com/ghanas-informal-settlements-are-not-all-the-same-social-networks-make-a-difference-in-community-development-239133

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada Carbon Rebate rural top-up, 2024 and 2025

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Backgrounder

    Ensuring carbon pollution pricing helps make life more affordable

    A price on pollution is widely recognized as the most efficient means to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to the more intense wildfires, droughts, and floods caused by climate change. Canada’s approach to pollution pricing is also designed to put money back into people’s pockets.

    Putting a price on pollution is a cornerstone of Canada’s plan, which is working to tackle climate change.

    Quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate for individuals—increased rural top-up

    The climate crisis is affecting all of Canada, but especially rural and small communities. They frequently face environmental, social, economic, cultural, and health impacts from climate change that are more intense than those in urban areas. Despite these challenges, these communities show remarkable resilience and often lead the way in adaptation efforts across Canada.

    Canadians living in rural and small communities are on the front lines of climate change, witnessing firsthand the devastating impacts of intensified wildfires, droughts, and floods. A price on pollution is found to be one of the most efficient ways that Canada is reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute significantly to the frequency and severity of these impacts caused by climate change. The Canada Carbon Rebate both puts money back into people’s pockets and also stimulates investment in clean alternatives.

    In provinces where the federal fuel charge applies, most households get back more than they pay through the Canada Carbon Rebate for individuals, as a result of the federal carbon pollution pricing system, with lower- and middle-income households benefitting the most.

    To further recognize rural Canadians’ higher energy needs, particularly for home-heating and transportation, the Government of Canada has doubled the rural top-up available for households in rural areas and smaller communities from 10 percent to 20 percent of their Canada Carbon Rebate base amount, as of April 2024.

    This October, eligible Canadians will receive the enhanced rural top-up for the first time. The increase will be retroactive to April 1, 2024, so those households can expect an increased top-up amount for October 2024 with a one-time boost due to the increased top-up amounts for April and July.

    The top-up will apply to residents of provinces where the federal fuel charge applies, that is, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia whose primary residence is outside a Census Metropolitan Area, as defined by Statistics Canada. All rebate recipients in Prince Edward Island are eligible for the rural top-up, and it is included in their base amount. Determine if you qualify for the rural top-up.

    The table below shows the amount a family of four can expect to receive each quarter in 2024–2025. As all proceeds are returned in the province they were collected in, the rebate amount varies between provinces. It is higher in provinces with more consumption of fossil fuels.

    Table 1

    Quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for families of four for 2024 and 2025
    Province Family of four Rural
    Alberta $450.00 $540.00
    Manitoba $300.00 $360.00
    Ontario $280.00 $336.00
    Saskatchewan $376.00 $451.20
    New Brunswick $190.00 $228.00
    Nova Scotia $206.00 $247.20
    Prince Edward Island* $220.00 $220.00
    Newfoundland and Labrador $298.00 $357.60

    *As all residents of Prince Edward Island are eligible for the 20 percent rural top-up, it is reflected in the base amount for that province.

    Table 2

    Annual Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for families of four for 2024 and 2025
    Province Family of four Rural
    Alberta $1,800.00 $2,160.00
    Manitoba $1,200.00 $1,440.00
    Ontario $1,120.00 $1,344.00
    Saskatchewan $1,504.00 $1,804.80
    New Brunswick $760.00 $912.00
    Nova Scotia $824.00 $988.80
    Prince Edward Island* $880.00 $880.00
    Newfoundland and Labrador $1,192.00 $1,430.40

    *As all residents of Prince Edward Island are eligible for the 20 percent rural top-up, it is reflected in the base amount for that province.

    Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses

    Canada’s small- and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy and the heart of our communities. Across the country, they keep main streets flourishing, create good jobs, and deliver on the dream of entrepreneurship. Through the new Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses, the Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to return proceeds from the price on pollution directly to small- and medium-sized businesses with employees in the provinces where the federal fuel charge applies.

    This accelerated and automated return process will deliver over $2.5 billion directly to an estimated 600,000 small- and medium-sized businesses with employees in provinces where the pollution pricing system applies through a refundable tax credit. By receiving direct payments from the Canada Revenue Agency, separate from tax refunds, this simple process for returning fuel charge proceeds will help eligible small- and medium-sized businesses to focus on what matters most—driving their businesses forward.

    The Canada Revenue Agency plans to issue the rebate to eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) that filed their 2023 tax return no later than July 15, 2024, by the end of the calendar year. Most businesses should receive their payment by:

    • December 16, 2024, if registered for direct deposit
    • December 31, 2024, if receiving payment by cheque

    On October 1, 2024, the Government of Canada specified payment rates, on a per employee basis, for the 2019–2020 to 2023–2024 fuel charge years, and the designated provinces in which these payment rates will apply.

    Table 3

    Specified payment rates per employee for the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses, 2019 and 2020 to 2023 and 2024
    – 2019 to 2020 2020 to 2021 2021 to 2022 2022 to 2023 2023 to 2024
    Alberta* n/a $147 $123 $140 $181
    Saskatchewan $110 $271 $244 $298 $233
    Manitoba $48 $99 $77 $89 $168
    Ontario $26 $68 $75 $86 $146
    New Brunswick* n/a n/a n/a n/a $87
    Nova Scotia* n/a n/a n/a n/a $119
    Prince Edward Island* n/a n/a n/a n/a $82
    Newfoundland and Labrador* n/a n/a n/a n/a $179

    *As the federal fuel charge only came into effect as of January 1, 2020, in Alberta, and as of July 1, 2023, in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, small businesses in these provinces will receive payments for proceeds collected as of those respective dates.

    Table 4

    Example payment amounts for businesses, by number of employees, 2019 to 2023
    – 10 employees 25 employees 50 employees 100 employees 499 employees
    Alberta* $5,910 $14,775 $29,550 $59,100 $294,909
    Saskatchewan $11,560 $28,900 $57,800 $115,600 $576,844
    Manitoba $4,810 $12,025 $24,050 $48,100 $240,019
    Ontario $4,010 $10,025 $20,050 $40,100 $200,099
    New Brunswick* $870 $2,175 $4,350 $8,700 $43,413
    Nova Scotia* $1,190 $2,975 $5,950 $11,900 $59,381
    Prince Edward Island* $820 $2,050 $4,100 $8,200 $40,918
    Newfoundland and Labrador* $1,790 $4,475 $8,950 $17,900 $89,321

    *As the federal fuel charge only came into effect as of January 1, 2020, in Alberta, and as of July 1, 2023, in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, small businesses in these provinces will receive payments for proceeds assessed after those respective dates.

    Additionally, to allow more businesses to receive a payment, it is also being proposed that corporations that file their tax return for 2023 after July 15, 2024, and on or before December 31, 2024, would be eligible for a payment. Legislation enacting these changes requires Royal Assent before payments can be issued to businesses filing after the initial July 15 deadline.

    More information on the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses payment amounts from 2019 and 2020 to 2023 and 2024 has been published by Finance Canada.

    Pollution pricing relief for farmers and fishers

    Farmers are on the frontlines of climate change, facing ever-increasing risks of floods, droughts, and storms to their operations. Canada’s approach to pollution pricing offers targeted support to farmers, who are also investing to deploy cost-saving and job-creating clean technology solutions. Farmers generally do not pay the fuel charge for gasoline and light fuel oil (diesel) used in eligible farming machinery on farms. Additionally, biological emissions are not priced under this federal system, totalling roughly 97 percent of on-farm emissions.

    Greenhouse operators also receive upfront relief of 80 percent of the fuel charge on propane and marketable natural gas used to heat an eligible greenhouse or to supplement carbon dioxide in eligible greenhouses to grow or produce plants.

    Additionally, farm businesses that operate in provinces where the federal fuel charge is in place can generally receive a refundable tax credit, the purpose of which is to return fuel charge proceeds related to farm use of natural gas and propane in heating and drying activities in those provinces to help farmers transition to lower-carbon ways of farming.

    Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System also provides an economic incentive for farmers to undertake innovative greenhouse gas reduction and removal projects.

    As part of the strengthened climate plan and the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, the Government of Canada committed over $1.5 billion to accelerate the agricultural sector’s progress on reducing emissions while remaining a global leader in sustainable agriculture. This includes $470.7 million for the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program to create an enabling environment for developing and adopting clean technology. This will help drive the changes required to achieve a low-carbon economy and promote sustainable growth in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

    Fishers are also provided with relief from paying the federal fuel charge on gasoline and light fuel oil (diesel) used in fishing vessels for eligible fishing activities.

    Industrial pollution pricing system

    Industrial pollution pricing systems are designed to ensure there is a price incentive for industrial emitters to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and spur innovation while remaining competitive. Not only does pollution pricing ensure big polluters pay their fair share, it is also helping Canada attract new major projects that are creating good paying jobs.

    Canada’s approach to pollution pricing gives major heavy industries certainty on the price they pay for the pollution they generate, helping to bring forward investments in job-creating cleaner alternatives to meet their business needs. This helps them make informed decisions and is also designed to protect against the risk of industrial facilities moving to another region to avoid paying a price on carbon pollution.

    All proceeds generated from the federal industrial pollution pricing system in backstop jurisdictions are returned in the jurisdiction of origin to support industrial projects in cutting emissions and using new, cleaner technologies and processes.

    The Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) Proceeds Fund returns proceeds collected under the federal OBPS and is comprised of two streams: the Decarbonization Incentive Program and the Future Electricity Fund. Further information on projects being funded by federal industrial pollution pricing proceeds has been published on the Open Government Portal.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bring photo ID if voting in the Harpenden North & Rural by-election

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date:

    Voters in the Harpenden North & Rural ward are reminded to bring approved photo ID to their polling station for a by-election on Thursday 17 October.

    They are required to present the ID or a Voter Authority Certificate in order to vote in the by-election for a vacant seat on St Albans City and District Council.

    Approved ID includes a UK passport or driver’s licence, a Government-funded bus pass for older or disabled people, and a PASS card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram.

    Documents must be originals but they can be current or expired if the photo still bears a true likeness of the voter. 

    Full details of approved ID are available on the Electoral Commission’s website here. 

    Voters are asked to check their poll cards to see which polling station they should attend as it may be different to where they usually vote.

    A list of the candidates for the by-election, together with other information, is available here.

    Amanda Foley, Returning Officer for St Albans City and District, said:

    Approved photo ID is now established as a requirement for people voting at a polling station.

    We are just reminding the voters of Harpenden North & Rural to bring approved ID along. If they do not have it, they will not be able to vote.

    The by-election was called following the resignation of former District Councillor Beth Fisher.

    Votes will be counted overnight on Thursday 17 October and the elected District Council candidate will serve until May 2028.

    Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council: 01727-919533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Restart a Heart Day 202414 October 2024 ​​​Staff from the States of Jersey Ambulance Service and members of the Health and Community Services Resuscitation Service will be teaching CPR and defibrillation techniques to members of the public for… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    14 October 2024

    ​​​
    Staff from the States of Jersey Ambulance Service and members of the Health and Community Services Resuscitation Service will be teaching CPR and defibrillation techniques to members of the public for Restart a Heart Day, this coming Wednesday (16 October).

    ​Restart a Heart Day is an annual initiative, led by the Resuscitation Council (UK) to help people to learn CPR, and raise awareness and confidence in dealing with out of hospital cardiac arrest.

    UK statistics show that whereas only one in 25 victims of a cardiac arrest is likely to survive without receiving CPR, their chances increase to one in four where CPR takes place. 

    A stall will be set up next to the fountain on Broad Street between 09:00-14:00, to teach as many people as possible CPR and defibrillation skills.

    The event offers the chance for members of the public to try their hand at CPR, get to grips with a ‘defib’ and become more comfortable with what is involved, should they encounter someone who’s had a cardiac arrest. It takes just three minutes before damage to the brain can commence, and CPR can keep the blood flowing.

    Katie Campbell, Clinical Tutor for the States of Jersey Ambulance Service said: “Early CPR and defibrillation can double the chances of survival for someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest, so it is important as many people as possible know what to do in an emergency.

    “Restart a Heart Day is a brilliant initiative that spreads awareness and builds confidence to do the right thing in an emergency.”

    ​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bring photo ID if voting in the Harpenden North & Rural by-election

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date:

    Voters in the Harpenden North & Rural ward are reminded to bring approved photo ID to their polling station for a by-election on Thursday 17 October.

    They are required to present the ID or a Voter Authority Certificate in order to vote in the by-election for a vacant seat on St Albans City and District Council.

    Approved ID includes a UK passport or driver’s licence, a Government-funded bus pass for older or disabled people, and a PASS card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram.

    Documents must be originals but they can be current or expired if the photo still bears a true likeness of the voter. 

    Full details of approved ID are available on the Electoral Commission’s website here. 

    Voters are asked to check their poll cards to see which polling station they should attend as it may be different to where they usually vote.

    A list of the candidates for the by-election, together with other information, is available here.

    Amanda Foley, Returning Officer for St Albans City and District, said:

    Approved photo ID is now established as a requirement for people voting at a polling station.

    We are just reminding the voters of Harpenden North & Rural to bring approved ID along. If they do not have it, they will not be able to vote.

    The by-election was called following the resignation of former District Councillor Beth Fisher.

    Votes will be counted overnight on Thursday 17 October and the elected District Council candidate will serve until May 2028.

    Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council: 01727-919533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Four Stoke-on-Trent shops closed as part of a raid on illegal cigarettes and vapes

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Monday, 14th October 2024

    Four shops in Stoke-on-Trent have been issued with closure orders after an operation by trading standards found illegal cigarettes and vapes being sold.

    Four shops in Stoke-on-Trent have been issued with closure orders after an operation by trading standards found illegal cigarettes and vapes being sold. This follows several months of investigation and test purchasing, including under age test purchasing, and a co-ordinated joint trading standards and police operation last week to target illegal cigarettes and vapes in the City. The officers were also supported by a tobacco detection team including sniffer dog, from Wagtail UK.

    The raids, linked to Operation CeCe, a national initiative which aims to tackle the supply of illegal tobacco, resulted in the seizure of  563 illegal vapes (£7319), 4.5kg of fake hand-rolling tobacco (retail value of £4300, street value £825 and £3000 of evaded duty), 17,600 illegal cigarettes (retail value of £11,000, street value £4000 and £8000 of evaded duty), and 40 packs of illegal shisha (estimated value £700) from the shop premises and one car which was also searched. 

    The council has now used its powers to issue four of the premises with a 48-hour closure notice and last week, Newcastle Magistrates Court made a closure order for each of the premises extending the 48 hours to three months. The city council will now work with the landlords of the premises to re-purpose them.

    Councillor Amjid Wazir OBE, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability advised: “Another great result by the trading standards team. Premises found to be selling items illegally will face the consequences.
    “I encourage any resident to report any suspicious activity relating to the sale of illegal vapes, tobacco, underage sales and anything related.
    “We want Stoke-on-Trent to be a safe, thriving place, and this type of activity undermines the hard work of residents and legitimate businesses.”

    “When we have the evidence, we will continue to take action like this against businesses who sell illegal goods in Stoke-on-Trent.”

    Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 46 million illegal cigarettes, 12,600kg of hand rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, Operation CeCe, the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.” 

    Anyone who wants to report a similar issue to trading standards can call the Trading Standards Hotline 01782 238444 or visit stoke.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Speech: PM International Investment Summit Speech: 14 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a speech at the International Investment Summit 2024.

    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    And thanks to all you for being here…

    It’s fantastic to stand here and look out and see so many of you here…

    And I’m really grateful that you have made the effort, and you are here. It means a huge amount to me and my government…

    And welcome to this Government’s first International Investment summit.

    And some of you I know have come a very long way to be here…

    You have flown in from a great distance, some of you will be going straight back out again afterwards.

    You have made a huge effort to share with us the precious gift of your time…

    And we are really, really grateful for that.

    And welcome to the Guild Hall…

    London’s ancient Town Hall…

    Isn’t it a fantastic building, it’s really breathtaking this Guild Hall.

    Not of course to be confused with the nearby Guildhall school of music…

    Where I once pursued a fleeting ambition to play the flute professionally. I kid you not…

    Complete with then long hair and very, very flared jeans. 

    All photographic evidence has been destroyed.

    But today we are pursuing a different ambition…

    A shared ambition…

    Growth.

    You have to grow your business.

    And I have to grow my country.

    I’ll leave it to you to decide if you think voters or shareholders are the more forgiving audience…

    But without growth – let’s just agree it’s a difficult conversation…

    And that therefore, growth is a cause that binds us together.

    The shared endeavour of prosperity.

    It’s why we’ve made it the number one test of this government…

    I am determined to do everything in my power to galvanise growth…

    Determined for this country to be the highest growing economy in the G7…

    That is our most important national mission.

    Because it’s the only way to deliver the mandate for change that we won.

    Growth is higher wages.

    Growth is more vibrant high streets.

    Growth is public services back on their feet.

    It’s less poverty, more opportunity, more meals out, more holidays, more precious moments with your family, more cash in your pocket.

    And of course, for any business…

    It means a bigger market.

    Higher demand…

    A more secure and prosperous future…

    Your effort and enterprise – rewarded in profit.

    But it’s much more important, even than all that. 

    We live in an age when political fires rage across the world.

    Conflict. Insecurity. A populist mood that rails against the open values so many of us hold dear.

    Values which, as you know…

    Are so crucial for making business easy to do.

    And yet – at the same time…

    Look around the world…

    Look at the investments you and others are making.

    This is an age of great possibility, as well. 

    Huge revolutions in digital technology, clean energy, medicine, life sciences…

    Each – with the potential to fundamentally change the way we live and the way that we work…

    Each – with the possibility to transform the lives of working people for the better.

    And so, in times like this…

    Economic growth is vital – as it always has been…

    If we are to steer our way through a great period of insecurity and change…

    And on to calmer waters. 

    Because when working people benefit from that growth…

    When every community enjoys the fruits of wealth creation…

    It stops a country turning in on itself and against the world.

    And that in turn, helps provides a stable foundation…

    Breathing space… 

    For a country to take advantage of those opportunities for a better future.

    To put it more simply…

    It’s not just that stability leads to growth – though we all recognise that. 

    It’s also that growth leads to stability…

    Growth leads to country that is better equipped to come together…

    And get its future back.

    That’s why it’s always been so critical to my political project.

    The key ingredient of that ‘Great Moderation’ we became accustomed to before the financial crash…

    But which together, in partnership…

    We now have to earn again. 

    Every one of you here today…

    Has been invited for that reason.

    It’s not just that you lead some of the most important businesses in the world.

    It’s also because you are pivotal to this great cause of our times. 

    And the reason we are focusing so much on investment…

    Is because the mission of growth, in this country in particular…

    Demands it.

    Private sector investment is the way we rebuild our country…

    And pay our way in the world.

    And make no mistake – this is a great moment to back Britain…

    This is great moment to back England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. 

    We have an amazing education system that produces some of the best talent in the world.

    The largest tech sector in Europe.

    Leading positions in some of those great industries of the future…

    Artificial Intelligence, Life Sciences, Clean energy, the creative industries.

    We’re a country where businesses thrive – small and large alike…

    With clear regulatory frameworks and protections…

    A legal system that sets high standards around the globe…

    A location which means we can speak to our colleagues in the Americas or Asia in the same day…

    A high ranking in the Global Innovation index, every year…

    Our wonderful global language…

    Our world-renowned sport and culture… 

    This great modern city…

    And all around us…

    A heritage steeped in commerce and trade…

    A set of shared values – centuries-long…

    For being a country that is open for business.

    You can’t put a price on any of this.

    Now we have our problems – of course we do.

    As I’ve said – our public services need urgent care… 

    And our public finances need the tough love of prudence…

    Challenges we cannot ignore. 

    Because, we know – just as every leader here knows…

    That those early weeks and months are precious.

    And, no matter how many people advise you to ignore it…

    That you must run towards the fire to put it out…

    Not let it spread further.

    So we will fix our public services…

    We will stabilise our economy… 

    And we will do it quickly.

    Because we don’t want any of those problems associated with our inheritance…

    Misting up the shop window of Britain…

    Distracting you – from all those assets I just listed.

    Assets that may feel more intangible…

    But are more valuable…

    More enduring…

    Deeper in the bones of this nation.

    And which are ready to be unlocked…

    If we take firm and decisive action on policy – which we can and we will…

    To give you total confidence that this is the moment to back Britain.  

    So let me quickly run through four crucial areas in our pitch for Britain.

    I know – it’s a kind of CEO heresy to have a list of four not three…

    So I apologise!

    But please indulge me.

    First – stability.

    We have a golden opportunity to use our mandate…

    To end the culture of chop and change…

    The policy churn…

    The sticking plaster politics…

    That makes it so hard for investors to assess the value of any proposition.

    Now, you may think – well every government says that…

    But the stability that comes with a large majority in our system…

    That is a unique advantage.

    And we have the determination…

    The focus on clear long-term ends…

    A mission-led mindset that thinks in years…

    Not the days or hours of the news grid…

    Needed to unlock that potential. 

    And don’t doubt that.

    Second – strategy.

    We are building a more strategic architecture for growth. 

    A way for investors to have a much steadier hand on the tiller.

    That’s why we’ve announced a new National Wealth Fund…

    And switched on Great British Energy…

    Which will accelerate investment in clean power and future technologies.

    Like Carbon Capture and Storage, for example…

    Which we just backed – alongside BP, Equinor and Eni

    And which shows the hard-headed approach we will bring to industrial policy.

    A partnership – sharing the risk with the private sector…

    Ambitious – absolutely. 

    But also unsentimental.

    Guided by the market…

    Focused, at all times…

    On the real potential for comparative advantage in this country.

    You know – this is the point I would always make about our Modern Industrial Strategy. 

    In this country, there has been a long rather arcane political debate about “picking winners”.

    Well, we’re not in the business of individual picking winners.

    But we are in the business of building on our strengths.

    Mowing the grass on the pitch…

    Making sure the changing rooms are clean and comfortable…

    That the training ground is good.

    So that when our businesses compete…

    They are match fit…

    That, to put it simply…

    We give the businesses of this country the best conditions to succeed.

    I don’t know why that’s sometimes controversial in this country…

    Industrial policy seems fairly commonplace elsewhere around the world.

    But it is fundamental to the way we see our job on growth…

    And our relationship with a room like this.

    Third – Britain’s global standing.

    We’re determined to improve it.

    Determined – to repair…

    Britain’s brand as an open, outward-looking, confident, trading nation.

    Look – I see this as a diplomatic necessity…

    And I think it’s clear how much priority I have given it in the first 100 days of government.

    All around the world…

    Whether it’s countries, or investors…

    People want to know that Britain can be a stable, trusted, rule-abiding partner.

    As we always have been…

    But that somehow, during the whole circus that followed Brexit… 

    The last Government made a few people less sure about. 

    Needlessly insulting our closest allies…

    And of course a few choice Anglo-Saxon phrases for business. 

    Well – no more.

    We have turned the page on that – decisively…

    And we will use that reset for growth. 

    Finally fourth – regulation

    Now, I don’t see regulation as good or bad.

    That seems simplistic to me.

    Some regulation is life-saving…

    We have seen that in recent weeks here, with the report on the tragedy of Grenfell Tower.

    But across our public sector…

    I would say the previous Government hid behind regulators.

    Deferred decisions to them because it was either too weak or indecisive…

    Or simply not committed enough to growth. 

    Planning is a very real example of that…

    Or – for our friends from across the pond…

    ‘Permitting’ is a really clear example of that… 

    The global language…

    But anyway – the key test for me on regulation…

    Is of course – growth. 

    Is this going to make our economy more dynamic?

    Is this going to inhibit or unlock investment?

    Is it something that enables the builders not the blockers?

    Now – I know some people may be wondering about our labour market policies introduced last week.

    Let me be clear – they are pro-growth.

    Workers with more security at work…

    With higher wages…

    That is a better growth model for this country.

    It will lead to more dynamism in our labour market.

    And seriously – we have to think differently about this…

    A nation’s position in the world is changing all the time…

    As must its growth model. 

    So while I know this is a room full of businesses who take investing in their human capital seriously…

    When I look at the British economy as a whole…

    It does seem as if sometimes, we are more comfortable hiring people to work in low paid, insecure contracts…

    Than we are investing in the new technology that delivers for workers, for productivity and for our country.

    And so we’ve got to break out of that trap.

    But we’ve also got to look at regulation – across the piece. 

    And where it is needlessly holding back the investment we need to take our country forward…

    Where it is stopping us building the homes…

    The data centres, the warehouses, grid connectors, roads,  trainlines, you name it…

    Then mark my words – we will get rid of it.

    Take the East Anglia 2 wind farm.

    A £4 billion investment.

    One Gigawatt of clean energy.

    An important project – absolutely.

    But also the sort of thing a country as committed to clean energy as we are…

    Needs to replicate again and again.

    Now regulators demanded over four thousand planning documents for that project…

    Not 4000 pages – 4000 documents.

    And then six weeks after finally receiving planning consent…

    It was held up for a further two years by judicial review.

    I mean – as an investor…

    When you see this inertia…

    You just don’t bother do you?

    And that – in a nutshell…

    Is the biggest supply-side problem we have in our country.

    So it’s time to upgrade the regulatory regime…

    Make it fit for the modern age..

    Harness every opportunity available to Britain.

    We will rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment…

    We will march through the institutions…

    And we will make sure that every regulator in this country…

    Especially our economic and competition regulators…

    Takes growth as seriously as this room does.

    And look – tell us about your frustrations on this. 

    Speak to my team…

    Speak to me, to Rachel, to Jonny, to Ed…

    And our new Minister for Investment, Poppy. 

    Any leader knows the importance of a good team – and we’ve got one here.

    We are united behind growth…

    Our door is open…

    And the work of change has already begun.

    We’re reforming the planning system…

    The onshore wind ban has gone… 

    New projects in solar, wind, tidal energy…

    Carbon Capture and Storage…

    Tax relief for the creative industries…

    Investment from the world’s leading companies…

    Blackstone, Amazon…

    A new partnership with Cyrus One to build data centres in Didcot…

    Finally grasping the nettle on airport expansion…

    A new £1 billion commitment from Manchester Airport Group to expand Stansted…

    Opening up new routes to work and holiday destinations…

    The first of tens of billions worth of inward investment deals we will sign today.

    Because we are determined to lead the way on growth. 

    Determined to get Britain building…

    Determined to get our economy moving…

    Through the shock and awe of investment.

    That’s the message to take home today.

    When the big decisions are made…

    When you go back to your board rooms and ask…

    Where does our money go…

    Where do our jobs go…

    Where does our investment in a better future go?

    Let me offer you a new answer…

    It’s time to back Britain.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £1.1 billion investment to expand Stansted Airport welcomed by ministers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Funding will expand Stanstead Airport terminal by one-third, helping to support UK businesses and the aviation sector.

    • 5,000 jobs expected from £1.1 billion investment in London Stansted Airport 
    • expansion will double the airport’s annual economic contribution to the UK to £2 billon
    • latest boost for the government’s core mission to grow the British economy and boost opportunities

    More than 5,000 jobs will be created as a result of a 5-year, £1.1 billion investment in London Stansted Airport, welcomed today (14 October 2024) by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. 

    The plans were unveiled by the Prime Minister at the flagship International Investment Summit in London and will see Stansted unlock the potential of its runway through the extension of its existing terminal.

    The funding will expand the existing terminal by a third, securing new air routes to key business and holiday destinations – boosting local supply chains and further cementing the UK’s place on the international stage.

    The investment consists of £600 million for the terminal extension, alongside another £500 million to improve the existing terminal and wider airport estate.

    It will also deliver Stansted’s 14.3 megawatt on-site solar farm, which will support the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands. It follows the recent creation of a new electric vehicle charging forecourt at the airport.

    Manchester Airports Group (MAG), owner of London Stansted, is in the final stages of the procurement process, with construction expected to begin in 2025. The project will take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

    This scheme will significantly improve passengers’ experience at each stage of their journey from check-in to immigration. It will deliver a larger security hall, an airfield taxiway upgrade and an overhaul of gate rooms, boosting capacity and comfort for passengers before boarding.

    The expansion plans already have planning permissions to begin construction and are in line with previously agreed passenger and flight numbers.

    Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:

    We have been steadfast in our commitment to help British businesses grow and in turn boost the UK’s economy. This announcement is a clear signal that Britain is open for business. 

    Transport is central to this government’s core mission of growing the economy. This is about giving companies like Manchester Airports Group the confidence to invest, boosting regional and national economic growth and supporting the aviation sector while also meeting our existing environmental obligations.

    Ken O’Toole, Chief Executive Officer of MAG – which owns London Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands Airports, said:

    By investing more than £1 billion in Stansted over the next 5 years, we will be able to connect people and businesses in London and the east of England to even more global destinations, while welcoming millions more visitors to the UK.

    We are proud to be investing in our infrastructure in a way that will create jobs and stimulate trade, investment and tourism. 

    Aviation is an essential enabler of the success of the UK’s key high-value industries, and we look forward to helping the government achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7 through the sustainable growth of our airports.

    Cath Bowtell, IFM Investors Chair, said: 

    As co-owners of MAG, our commitment to this exciting new Stansted project reflects our confidence in the airport’s future growth story. 

    As one of the world’s largest infrastructure investors, IFM invests over decades to enhance the value to customers of the UK infrastructure we own and operate. 

    MAG goes from strength to strength under the long-term stable co-ownership of IFM alongside Manchester and Greater Manchester local authorities.

    Aviation, Europe and technology media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM International Investment Summit Speech: 14 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a speech at the International Investment Summit 2024.

    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    And thanks to all you for being here…

    It’s fantastic to stand here and look out and see so many of you here…

    And I’m really grateful that you have made the effort, and you are here. It means a huge amount to me and my government…

    And welcome to this Government’s first International Investment summit.

    And some of you I know have come a very long way to be here…

    You have flown in from a great distance, some of you will be going straight back out again afterwards.

    You have made a huge effort to share with us the precious gift of your time…

    And we are really, really grateful for that.

    And welcome to the Guild Hall…

    London’s ancient Town Hall…

    Isn’t it a fantastic building, it’s really breathtaking this Guild Hall.

    Not of course to be confused with the nearby Guildhall school of music…

    Where I once pursued a fleeting ambition to play the flute professionally. I kid you not…

    Complete with then long hair and very, very flared jeans. 

    All photographic evidence has been destroyed.

    But today we are pursuing a different ambition…

    A shared ambition…

    Growth.

    You have to grow your business.

    And I have to grow my country.

    I’ll leave it to you to decide if you think voters or shareholders are the more forgiving audience…

    But without growth – let’s just agree it’s a difficult conversation…

    And that therefore, growth is a cause that binds us together.

    The shared endeavour of prosperity.

    It’s why we’ve made it the number one test of this government…

    I am determined to do everything in my power to galvanise growth…

    Determined for this country to be the highest growing economy in the G7…

    That is our most important national mission.

    Because it’s the only way to deliver the mandate for change that we won.

    Growth is higher wages.

    Growth is more vibrant high streets.

    Growth is public services back on their feet.

    It’s less poverty, more opportunity, more meals out, more holidays, more precious moments with your family, more cash in your pocket.

    And of course, for any business…

    It means a bigger market.

    Higher demand…

    A more secure and prosperous future…

    Your effort and enterprise – rewarded in profit.

    But it’s much more important, even than all that. 

    We live in an age when political fires rage across the world.

    Conflict. Insecurity. A populist mood that rails against the open values so many of us hold dear.

    Values which, as you know…

    Are so crucial for making business easy to do.

    And yet – at the same time…

    Look around the world…

    Look at the investments you and others are making.

    This is an age of great possibility, as well. 

    Huge revolutions in digital technology, clean energy, medicine, life sciences…

    Each – with the potential to fundamentally change the way we live and the way that we work…

    Each – with the possibility to transform the lives of working people for the better.

    And so, in times like this…

    Economic growth is vital – as it always has been…

    If we are to steer our way through a great period of insecurity and change…

    And on to calmer waters. 

    Because when working people benefit from that growth…

    When every community enjoys the fruits of wealth creation…

    It stops a country turning in on itself and against the world.

    And that in turn, helps provides a stable foundation…

    Breathing space… 

    For a country to take advantage of those opportunities for a better future.

    To put it more simply…

    It’s not just that stability leads to growth – though we all recognise that. 

    It’s also that growth leads to stability…

    Growth leads to country that is better equipped to come together…

    And get its future back.

    That’s why it’s always been so critical to my political project.

    The key ingredient of that ‘Great Moderation’ we became accustomed to before the financial crash…

    But which together, in partnership…

    We now have to earn again. 

    Every one of you here today…

    Has been invited for that reason.

    It’s not just that you lead some of the most important businesses in the world.

    It’s also because you are pivotal to this great cause of our times. 

    And the reason we are focusing so much on investment…

    Is because the mission of growth, in this country in particular…

    Demands it.

    Private sector investment is the way we rebuild our country…

    And pay our way in the world.

    And make no mistake – this is a great moment to back Britain…

    This is great moment to back England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. 

    We have an amazing education system that produces some of the best talent in the world.

    The largest tech sector in Europe.

    Leading positions in some of those great industries of the future…

    Artificial Intelligence, Life Sciences, Clean energy, the creative industries.

    We’re a country where businesses thrive – small and large alike…

    With clear regulatory frameworks and protections…

    A legal system that sets high standards around the globe…

    A location which means we can speak to our colleagues in the Americas or Asia in the same day…

    A high ranking in the Global Innovation index, every year…

    Our wonderful global language…

    Our world-renowned sport and culture… 

    This great modern city…

    And all around us…

    A heritage steeped in commerce and trade…

    A set of shared values – centuries-long…

    For being a country that is open for business.

    You can’t put a price on any of this.

    Now we have our problems – of course we do.

    As I’ve said – our public services need urgent care… 

    And our public finances need the tough love of prudence…

    Challenges we cannot ignore. 

    Because, we know – just as every leader here knows…

    That those early weeks and months are precious.

    And, no matter how many people advise you to ignore it…

    That you must run towards the fire to put it out…

    Not let it spread further.

    So we will fix our public services…

    We will stabilise our economy… 

    And we will do it quickly.

    Because we don’t want any of those problems associated with our inheritance…

    Misting up the shop window of Britain…

    Distracting you – from all those assets I just listed.

    Assets that may feel more intangible…

    But are more valuable…

    More enduring…

    Deeper in the bones of this nation.

    And which are ready to be unlocked…

    If we take firm and decisive action on policy – which we can and we will…

    To give you total confidence that this is the moment to back Britain.  

    So let me quickly run through four crucial areas in our pitch for Britain.

    I know – it’s a kind of CEO heresy to have a list of four not three…

    So I apologise!

    But please indulge me.

    First – stability.

    We have a golden opportunity to use our mandate…

    To end the culture of chop and change…

    The policy churn…

    The sticking plaster politics…

    That makes it so hard for investors to assess the value of any proposition.

    Now, you may think – well every government says that…

    But the stability that comes with a large majority in our system…

    That is a unique advantage.

    And we have the determination…

    The focus on clear long-term ends…

    A mission-led mindset that thinks in years…

    Not the days or hours of the news grid…

    Needed to unlock that potential. 

    And don’t doubt that.

    Second – strategy.

    We are building a more strategic architecture for growth. 

    A way for investors to have a much steadier hand on the tiller.

    That’s why we’ve announced a new National Wealth Fund…

    And switched on Great British Energy…

    Which will accelerate investment in clean power and future technologies.

    Like Carbon Capture and Storage, for example…

    Which we just backed – alongside BP, Equinor and Eni

    And which shows the hard-headed approach we will bring to industrial policy.

    A partnership – sharing the risk with the private sector…

    Ambitious – absolutely. 

    But also unsentimental.

    Guided by the market…

    Focused, at all times…

    On the real potential for comparative advantage in this country.

    You know – this is the point I would always make about our Modern Industrial Strategy. 

    In this country, there has been a long rather arcane political debate about “picking winners”.

    Well, we’re not in the business of individual picking winners.

    But we are in the business of building on our strengths.

    Mowing the grass on the pitch…

    Making sure the changing rooms are clean and comfortable…

    That the training ground is good.

    So that when our businesses compete…

    They are match fit…

    That, to put it simply…

    We give the businesses of this country the best conditions to succeed.

    I don’t know why that’s sometimes controversial in this country…

    Industrial policy seems fairly commonplace elsewhere around the world.

    But it is fundamental to the way we see our job on growth…

    And our relationship with a room like this.

    Third – Britain’s global standing.

    We’re determined to improve it.

    Determined – to repair…

    Britain’s brand as an open, outward-looking, confident, trading nation.

    Look – I see this as a diplomatic necessity…

    And I think it’s clear how much priority I have given it in the first 100 days of government.

    All around the world…

    Whether it’s countries, or investors…

    People want to know that Britain can be a stable, trusted, rule-abiding partner.

    As we always have been…

    But that somehow, during the whole circus that followed Brexit… 

    The last Government made a few people less sure about. 

    Needlessly insulting our closest allies…

    And of course a few choice Anglo-Saxon phrases for business. 

    Well – no more.

    We have turned the page on that – decisively…

    And we will use that reset for growth. 

    Finally fourth – regulation

    Now, I don’t see regulation as good or bad.

    That seems simplistic to me.

    Some regulation is life-saving…

    We have seen that in recent weeks here, with the report on the tragedy of Grenfell Tower.

    But across our public sector…

    I would say the previous Government hid behind regulators.

    Deferred decisions to them because it was either too weak or indecisive…

    Or simply not committed enough to growth. 

    Planning is a very real example of that…

    Or – for our friends from across the pond…

    ‘Permitting’ is a really clear example of that… 

    The global language…

    But anyway – the key test for me on regulation…

    Is of course – growth. 

    Is this going to make our economy more dynamic?

    Is this going to inhibit or unlock investment?

    Is it something that enables the builders not the blockers?

    Now – I know some people may be wondering about our labour market policies introduced last week.

    Let me be clear – they are pro-growth.

    Workers with more security at work…

    With higher wages…

    That is a better growth model for this country.

    It will lead to more dynamism in our labour market.

    And seriously – we have to think differently about this…

    A nation’s position in the world is changing all the time…

    As must its growth model. 

    So while I know this is a room full of businesses who take investing in their human capital seriously…

    When I look at the British economy as a whole…

    It does seem as if sometimes, we are more comfortable hiring people to work in low paid, insecure contracts…

    Than we are investing in the new technology that delivers for workers, for productivity and for our country.

    And so we’ve got to break out of that trap.

    But we’ve also got to look at regulation – across the piece. 

    And where it is needlessly holding back the investment we need to take our country forward…

    Where it is stopping us building the homes…

    The data centres, the warehouses, grid connectors, roads,  trainlines, you name it…

    Then mark my words – we will get rid of it.

    Take the East Anglia 2 wind farm.

    A £4 billion investment.

    One Gigawatt of clean energy.

    An important project – absolutely.

    But also the sort of thing a country as committed to clean energy as we are…

    Needs to replicate again and again.

    Now regulators demanded over four thousand planning documents for that project…

    Not 4000 pages – 4000 documents.

    And then six weeks after finally receiving planning consent…

    It was held up for a further two years by judicial review.

    I mean – as an investor…

    When you see this inertia…

    You just don’t bother do you?

    And that – in a nutshell…

    Is the biggest supply-side problem we have in our country.

    So it’s time to upgrade the regulatory regime…

    Make it fit for the modern age..

    Harness every opportunity available to Britain.

    We will rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment…

    We will march through the institutions…

    And we will make sure that every regulator in this country…

    Especially our economic and competition regulators…

    Takes growth as seriously as this room does.

    And look – tell us about your frustrations on this. 

    Speak to my team…

    Speak to me, to Rachel, to Jonny, to Ed…

    And our new Minister for Investment, Poppy. 

    Any leader knows the importance of a good team – and we’ve got one here.

    We are united behind growth…

    Our door is open…

    And the work of change has already begun.

    We’re reforming the planning system…

    The onshore wind ban has gone… 

    New projects in solar, wind, tidal energy…

    Carbon Capture and Storage…

    Tax relief for the creative industries…

    Investment from the world’s leading companies…

    Blackstone, Amazon…

    A new partnership with Cyrus One to build data centres in Didcot…

    Finally grasping the nettle on airport expansion…

    A new £1 billion commitment from Manchester Airport Group to expand Stansted…

    Opening up new routes to work and holiday destinations…

    The first of tens of billions worth of inward investment deals we will sign today.

    Because we are determined to lead the way on growth. 

    Determined to get Britain building…

    Determined to get our economy moving…

    Through the shock and awe of investment.

    That’s the message to take home today.

    When the big decisions are made…

    When you go back to your board rooms and ask…

    Where does our money go…

    Where do our jobs go…

    Where does our investment in a better future go?

    Let me offer you a new answer…

    It’s time to back Britain.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Spotlight: Felipe Valdez, an Inspiring Engineer

    Source: NASA

    Felipe Valdez is someone who took advantage of every possible opportunity at NASA, working his way from undergraduate intern to his current job as a flight controls engineer. 
    Born in the United States but raised in Mexico, Valdez faced significant challenges growing up.  
    “My mom worked long hours, my dad battled addiction, and eventually, school became unaffordable,” Valdez said. 
    Determined to continue his education, Valdez made the difficult choice to leave his family and return to the U.S. But as a teenager, learning English and adapting to a new environment was a culture shock for him. Despite these changes, his curiosity for subjects such as math and science never wavered.  
    “As a kid, I’d always been good with numbers and fascinated by how things worked. Engineering combined both,” Valdez said. “This sparked my interest.”  
    While he pursued an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from California State University, Sacramento, guidance from his professor, Jose Granda, proved to be pivotal.  
    “He encouraged me to apply for a NASA internship,” Valdez said. “He’d actually been a Spanish-language spokesperson for a [space] shuttle mission, so hearing about someone with my background succeed gave me the confidence I needed to take that step.”  
    Valdez’s hard work paid off – he was selected as a NASA Office of STEM Engagement intern at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. There, he worked on software development for vehicle dynamics, actuators, and controller models for a space capsule in computer simulations. 
    “I couldn’t believe it,” Valdez said. “Getting that opportunity changed everything.”  
    This internship opened the door to a second with NASA this time at the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. He had the chance to work on flight computer development for the Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Lower Drag, an experimental flying wing design. 
    After these experiences, he was later accepted as an intern for NASA’s Pathways Program, a work-study program that offers the possibly of full-time employment at NASA after graduation. 
    “That was the start of my career at NASA, where my passion for aeronautics really took off,” he said.  
    Valdez was the first in his family to pursue higher education, earning his bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State and his master’s in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of California, Davis. 
    Today, he works as a NASA flight controls engineer under the Dynamics and Controls branch at Armstrong. Most of his experience has focused on flight simulation development and flight control design, particularly for distributed electric propulsion aircraft. 
    “It’s rewarding to be part of a group that’s focused on making aviation faster, quieter, and more sustainable,” Valdez said. “As a controls engineer, working on advanced aircraft concepts like distributed electric propulsion allows me design algorithms to directly control multiple motors, enhancing safety, controllability, and stability, while enabling cleaner, and quieter operations that push the boundaries of sustainable aviation.”  
    Throughout his career, Valdez has remained proud of his heritage.   “I feel a strong sense of pride knowing that inclusion is one of our core values, opportunities are within reach for anyone at NASA.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Kenya’s presidents have a long history of falling out with their deputies – Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment would be no surprise

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gabrielle Lynch, Professor of Comparative Politics, University of Warwick

    The process of removing Kenya’s deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is part of a long history, dating back to independence, of fallouts between the president and his deputy. The difference this time around is the process.

    Historically, presidents have fired their deputies. But the adoption of a new constitution in 2010, saw the introduction of a process for impeachment – for both the president and the deputy – that’s run by the legislature. This is the first time it’s been used.

    On 8 October 2024, members of Kenya’s national assembly voted to impeach Gachagua on grounds that included corruption, insubordination and ethnically divisive politics. The case now moves to the senate where members will hear the charges – and Gachagua’s defence – and vote.

    If at least two-thirds of senate accept the charges, and Gachagua’s legal challenges fail, then Gachagua will make history as Kenya’s first deputy leader to be impeached.

    So far, President William Ruto has stayed silent on the matter, but the process would not be proceeding without his blessing.

    Amid the novelty of the impeachment process, it’s easy to forget that it is the norm for Kenyan presidents to fall out with their deputies. As a political scientist interested in Kenya’s ethnic politics and democratisation, I argue that this is because of how deputies are selected in the first place.

    Deputies are initially selected largely on pragmatic grounds as people who bring something useful to a political alliance. This could be resources, a support base or a reputation for being a good technocrat or administrator.

    They’re not usually people with whom the president has a strong and continuous personal relationship or someone with whom they share a clear political ideology. Neither are they usually someone who has made their way up through a political party.

    This has brought about a long history of tensions and fallout between Kenya’s presidents and their deputies.

    History of fallouts

    Independent Kenya’s first vice president, Oginga Odinga, saw his ministerial portfolio gradually reduced by President Jomo Kenyatta. Kenyatta then replaced Odinga as vice president of the ruling Kenya African National Union (Kanu) in 1966 further undermining his powers. Soon after, Odinga joined the opposition Kenya’s People’s Union.

    His successor, Joseph Murumbi, resigned within months. The official reason given was ill health, but it is widely believed that Murumbi was troubled by corruption and authoritarianism within the Kenyatta regime.

    Kenya’s second president, Daniel arap Moi, elected Mwai Kibaki as his first deputy. Kibaki was dropped after a decade. He went on to form an opposition party as soon as Kenya shifted to multi-party politics in 1992.

    Moi’s second vice president, Josephat Karanja, resigned after a year to avoid a vote of no confidence for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.

    Moi’s third deputy, George Saitoti was sidelined to pave way for Uhuru Kenyatta’s nomination as the party flagbearer in 2002. Moi’s final deputy, Musalia Mudavadi, fell with the rest of the Kanu government in the 2002 elections.

    As Kenya’s third president, Kibaki similarly oversaw a regular change of guard. His first deputy, Michael Wamalwa, died after a few months in office. His second, Moody Awori, lost his seat in the 2007 election.

    Kibaki’s third deputy, Kalonzo Musyoka, joined the president during Kenya’s post-election violence of 2007-08. He left at the end of his term in 2013 to run with Raila Odinga in the 2013, 2017 and 2022 presidential elections.

    Kenya’s fourth president, Uhuru Kenyatta, was the only leader to have the same deputy, William Ruto, for his full term as president – from 2013 to 2022. However, relations between Kenyatta and Ruto were hardly rosy. The two fell out after the 2017 elections as Kenyatta teamed up with long-standing opposition leader, Raila Odinga. Ruto beat Odinga, Kenyatta’s favoured candidate in the 2022 elections.

    Lessons to learn

    Because deputies are selected for their practical value, the person who made a good deputy at one point in time can come to be seen as a liability or threat as the political context changes.

    For example, at independence, Oginga Odinga made an excellent ally for Jomo Kenyatta. He had some resources and was a proven mobiliser. He brought a support base. However, within a few years, Odinga became a problem for the president as a more radical faction within the ruling party coalesced around him.

    Similarly, Ruto made an excellent ally for Uhuru Kenyatta when they both faced charges for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. The two fell out once Kenyatta had won his second and final term, and Kenyatta turned to his succession.

    Gachagua was useful to Ruto in 2022. He had personal wealth, was an effective mobiliser and hailed from central Kenya where the election looked to be won or lost. However, once elected, Gachagua’s populist statements and reputation for ethnic bias became more of a liability.

    Second, as contexts change, someone else can soon come to be seen as more useful as second in command.

    For Jomo Kenyatta, Moi had shown his utility and loyalty during the “little general elections” of 1966, which effectively sidelined the Kenya People’s Union and Oginga Odinga.

    Kithure Kindiki, Kenya’s interior cabinet secretary, is the current frontrunner to replace Gachagua. He is seen as better able to negotiate with the international community, especially during a critical economic period for Kenya as it seeks new International Monetary Fund loans.

    Third, being the country’s vice or deputy president comes with a lot of opportunities to network. These interactions have often led individuals to be seen as a growing threat, or as actively plotting against the president. They may also be seen as a future challenger.

    History has shown that there is no ideal way of dealing with such a potential challenger, leading subsequent presidents to try different approaches.

    Current context

    Ruto and Gachagua have clearly fallen out. Their differences became apparent soon after the 2022 elections. However, they came into sharp relief in the face of anti-tax protests in June 2024. There were subsequent allegations that Gachagua and some of his allies had helped to finance the protests.

    The question, therefore, isn’t why they have fallen out but why Gachagua is being impeached now.

    Ultimately the answer to this can only be known by a few individuals. But perhaps an indication of the answer lies in the emotions the fallout has stirred: a desire to distract the public and show that the government is taking action to deal with Kenya’s ongoing economic crisis. There may also be a desire to undercut Gachagua before he can build national networks.

    Ruto has the numbers in the senate to see the impeachment process through. But this is a dangerous game. Those sidelined have a habit of coming back to haunt their former allies.

    At the moment, most Kenyans are supportive of the impeachment process, but many also feel that Gachagua is being unfairly targeted especially in central Kenya, where a majority oppose the process.

    While a successful impeachment might see Gachagua barred from holding public office, this wouldn’t necessarily mean an end to his career as an effective political mobiliser.

    The next few months – and the narratives that emerge about why Ruto and Gachagua fell out – will be critical in determining both their futures.

    Gabrielle Lynch 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. Kenya’s presidents have a long history of falling out with their deputies – Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment would be no surprise – https://theconversation.com/kenyas-presidents-have-a-long-history-of-falling-out-with-their-deputies-rigathi-gachaguas-impeachment-would-be-no-surprise-241139

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Remembering our colleagues killed in Gaza

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    We mourn the tragic loss of our colleagues who have been killed since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023. We are outraged that many of these people were killed while providing care for patients or sheltering with their families. We remain deeply concerned for the safety of all our staff members and patients living under fire and siege.

    Nowhere in Gaza is safe. Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked health workers and medical facilities, making it nearly impossible for us to continue to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance. MSF is calling for an end to attacks on health workers and health facilities. We are also demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

    Mohammed Al Ahel

    MSF lab technician killed on 6 November 2023.

    Mohammed Al Ahel was at his home in Al Shati refugee camp on 6 November  when the area was bombed and his building collapsed, reportedly killing dozens of people, including Mohammed and several members of his family. He was a laboratory technician and had been working with MSF for two years.

    Alaa Al Shawa

    MSF volunteer nurse supporting MSF teams at Al-Shifa hospital; killed 18 November 2023.

    Alaa was killed during an attack on an MSF convoy on 18 November while it was en route to southern Gaza to reach a safer place. “We arrived at the clinic and started to try to give Alaa life support, trying to stop the bleeding from his head,” said an anonymous MSF staff member present during the convoy attack. “We couldn’t do anything. He died while we were trying to save his life.”

    MSF had informed both parties to the conflict of the evacuation. The convoy followed the itinerary indicated by the Israeli army and reached Salah Al-Deen Street along with other civilians trying to leave the area. The convoy reached the last checkpoint near Wadi Gaza, which was overcrowded at that time due to extensive screenings of Palestinians by Israeli forces. Despite prior authorization from Israeli authorities, the MSF convoy wasn’t allowed to cross the checkpoint and was left waiting for hours. Shots were later heard by our staff, who out of fear decided to head back to the MSF premises, around four and a half miles north of the checkpoint.  

    On their way back, between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. local time, the convoy was attacked on Al-Wahida Street near its junction with Said Al-A’as Street, close to MSF’s office. Two of the MSF cars were deliberately hit, killing Alaa and injuring a family member of another staff member, who later also died from his wound.

    “We stood up, just shocked by his death and all that had happened to us,” said another MSF staff member present that day. “I was speechless and just not able to think. My kids were crying and people were discussing how to bury our colleague.”

    Dr Ahmad Al Sahar.
    MSF

    Dr Ahmad Al Sahar

    MSF doctor killed on 21 November 2023.

    Dr Ahmad Al Sahar was killed in the 21 November strike on Al-Awda hospital that also killed MSF’s Dr Abu Nujaila and another doctor, Dr Ziad Al-Tatari. Dr Al Sahar and Dr Abu Nujaila were working when the hospital’s third and fourth floors were hit. MSF has regularly shared information about Al-Awda, including making it clear to warring parties that it is a functioning hospital with medical staff.

    Dr Mahmoud Abu Nujaila.
    MSF

    Dr Mahmoud Abu Nujaila

    MSF doctor killed on 21 November 2023.
     

    Dr Mahmoud Abu Nujaila was killed in a strike on Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza on November 21, along with MSF’s Dr Ahmad Al Sahar and another doctor, Dr Ziad Al-Tarari. Before his death, Dr. Abu Nujaila wrote a message on a whiteboard in the hospital normally used for planning surgeries: “Whoever stays until the end will tell the story. We did what we could. Remember us.”

    Reem Abu Lebdeh.
    Tetiana Gaviuk/MSF

    Reem Abu Lebdeh

    MSF physiotherapist and MSF UK board member killed in December 2023.

    Though the exact circumstances and date of Reem Abu Lebdeh’s death remain unclear, we believe she was killed along with members of her family at their home in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Some members of her family remain unaccounted for.

    When the Israeli military campaign moved more extensively into Khan Younis over two months ago, we knew Reem was sheltering with her parents and siblings. Regrettably, contact with Reem was lost shortly thereafter and all attempts to regain it failed due to telecommunications networks being cut off.

    However, news of Reem’s death and that of her family members gradually emerged in the following weeks. To this day, the zone around their house, which was heavily bombarded by Israeli forces, remains too dangerous to approach.

    Reem worked as a physiotherapist for MSF in Gaza from 2018 until 2022, and last year was appointed as an associate trustee of the MSF UK Board.

    Fadi Al-Wadiya.
    MSF

    Fadi Al Wadiya

    MSF physiotherapist, killed 25 June 2024.

    Fadi Al-Wadiya was killed on June 25 along with five other people, including three children, near an MSF clinic in Gaza City. He was cycling to work at the time, on his way to provide medical care to others who had been injured. Fadi was a 33-year-old physiotherapist and father of three who joined MSF in 2018.

    On 26 June, Israeli authorities shared several posts on social media accusing Fadi of involvement in military activities in Gaza. MSF is deeply concerned by these allegations and is taking them very seriously.

    MSF has reached out to Israeli authorities asking for clarifications about the circumstances of Fadi’s killing. Only an independent investigation can establish the facts.

    Our colleague Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif Al Shalfouh.

    Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif Al Shalfouh

    MSF driver, killed 10 October 2024

    Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif Al Shalfouh died on 10 October after sustaining shrapnel injuries to his legs and chest on 8 October in Jabalia, north Gaza. Since 7 October, Jabalia was under relentless attacks by Israeli forces, and people were trapped, unable to flee. After being injured, Nasser first received emergency care at Al Awda hospital, Jabalia in north Gaza, and was later transferred to Kamal Adwan hospital. He is survived by his wife and two children.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Kenya’s presidents have a long history of falling out with their deputies – Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment would be no surprise

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gabrielle Lynch, Professor of Comparative Politics, University of Warwick

    The process of removing Kenya’s deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is part of a long history, dating back to independence, of fallouts between the president and his deputy. The difference this time around is the process.

    Historically, presidents have fired their deputies. But the adoption of a new constitution in 2010, saw the introduction of a process for impeachment – for both the president and the deputy – that’s run by the legislature. This is the first time it’s been used.

    On 8 October 2024, members of Kenya’s national assembly voted to impeach Gachagua on grounds that included corruption, insubordination and ethnically divisive politics. The case now moves to the senate where members will hear the charges – and Gachagua’s defence – and vote.

    If at least two-thirds of senate accept the charges, and Gachagua’s legal challenges fail, then Gachagua will make history as Kenya’s first deputy leader to be impeached.

    So far, President William Ruto has stayed silent on the matter, but the process would not be proceeding without his blessing.

    Amid the novelty of the impeachment process, it’s easy to forget that it is the norm for Kenyan presidents to fall out with their deputies. As a political scientist interested in Kenya’s ethnic politics and democratisation, I argue that this is because of how deputies are selected in the first place.

    Deputies are initially selected largely on pragmatic grounds as people who bring something useful to a political alliance. This could be resources, a support base or a reputation for being a good technocrat or administrator.

    They’re not usually people with whom the president has a strong and continuous personal relationship or someone with whom they share a clear political ideology. Neither are they usually someone who has made their way up through a political party.

    This has brought about a long history of tensions and fallout between Kenya’s presidents and their deputies.

    History of fallouts

    Independent Kenya’s first vice president, Oginga Odinga, saw his ministerial portfolio gradually reduced by President Jomo Kenyatta. Kenyatta then replaced Odinga as vice president of the ruling Kenya African National Union (Kanu) in 1966 further undermining his powers. Soon after, Odinga joined the opposition Kenya’s People’s Union.

    His successor, Joseph Murumbi, resigned within months. The official reason given was ill health, but it is widely believed that Murumbi was troubled by corruption and authoritarianism within the Kenyatta regime.

    Kenya’s second president, Daniel arap Moi, elected Mwai Kibaki as his first deputy. Kibaki was dropped after a decade. He went on to form an opposition party as soon as Kenya shifted to multi-party politics in 1992.

    Moi’s second vice president, Josephat Karanja, resigned after a year to avoid a vote of no confidence for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.

    Moi’s third deputy, George Saitoti was sidelined to pave way for Uhuru Kenyatta’s nomination as the party flagbearer in 2002. Moi’s final deputy, Musalia Mudavadi, fell with the rest of the Kanu government in the 2002 elections.

    As Kenya’s third president, Kibaki similarly oversaw a regular change of guard. His first deputy, Michael Wamalwa, died after a few months in office. His second, Moody Awori, lost his seat in the 2007 election.

    Kibaki’s third deputy, Kalonzo Musyoka, joined the president during Kenya’s post-election violence of 2007-08. He left at the end of his term in 2013 to run with Raila Odinga in the 2013, 2017 and 2022 presidential elections.

    Kenya’s fourth president, Uhuru Kenyatta, was the only leader to have the same deputy, William Ruto, for his full term as president – from 2013 to 2022. However, relations between Kenyatta and Ruto were hardly rosy. The two fell out after the 2017 elections as Kenyatta teamed up with long-standing opposition leader, Raila Odinga. Ruto beat Odinga, Kenyatta’s favoured candidate in the 2022 elections.

    Lessons to learn

    Because deputies are selected for their practical value, the person who made a good deputy at one point in time can come to be seen as a liability or threat as the political context changes.

    For example, at independence, Oginga Odinga made an excellent ally for Jomo Kenyatta. He had some resources and was a proven mobiliser. He brought a support base. However, within a few years, Odinga became a problem for the president as a more radical faction within the ruling party coalesced around him.

    Similarly, Ruto made an excellent ally for Uhuru Kenyatta when they both faced charges for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. The two fell out once Kenyatta had won his second and final term, and Kenyatta turned to his succession.

    Gachagua was useful to Ruto in 2022. He had personal wealth, was an effective mobiliser and hailed from central Kenya where the election looked to be won or lost. However, once elected, Gachagua’s populist statements and reputation for ethnic bias became more of a liability.

    Second, as contexts change, someone else can soon come to be seen as more useful as second in command.

    For Jomo Kenyatta, Moi had shown his utility and loyalty during the “little general elections” of 1966, which effectively sidelined the Kenya People’s Union and Oginga Odinga.

    Kithure Kindiki, Kenya’s interior cabinet secretary, is the current frontrunner to replace Gachagua. He is seen as better able to negotiate with the international community, especially during a critical economic period for Kenya as it seeks new International Monetary Fund loans.

    Third, being the country’s vice or deputy president comes with a lot of opportunities to network. These interactions have often led individuals to be seen as a growing threat, or as actively plotting against the president. They may also be seen as a future challenger.

    History has shown that there is no ideal way of dealing with such a potential challenger, leading subsequent presidents to try different approaches.

    Current context

    Ruto and Gachagua have clearly fallen out. Their differences became apparent soon after the 2022 elections. However, they came into sharp relief in the face of anti-tax protests in June 2024. There were subsequent allegations that Gachagua and some of his allies had helped to finance the protests.

    The question, therefore, isn’t why they have fallen out but why Gachagua is being impeached now.

    Ultimately the answer to this can only be known by a few individuals. But perhaps an indication of the answer lies in the emotions the fallout has stirred: a desire to distract the public and show that the government is taking action to deal with Kenya’s ongoing economic crisis. There may also be a desire to undercut Gachagua before he can build national networks.

    Ruto has the numbers in the senate to see the impeachment process through. But this is a dangerous game. Those sidelined have a habit of coming back to haunt their former allies.

    At the moment, most Kenyans are supportive of the impeachment process, but many also feel that Gachagua is being unfairly targeted especially in central Kenya, where a majority oppose the process.

    While a successful impeachment might see Gachagua barred from holding public office, this wouldn’t necessarily mean an end to his career as an effective political mobiliser.

    The next few months – and the narratives that emerge about why Ruto and Gachagua fell out – will be critical in determining both their futures.

    – Kenya’s presidents have a long history of falling out with their deputies – Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment would be no surprise
    – https://theconversation.com/kenyas-presidents-have-a-long-history-of-falling-out-with-their-deputies-rigathi-gachaguas-impeachment-would-be-no-surprise-241139

    MIL OSI Africa –