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Austal Team Trimaran LCS Design (click to enlarge) Exploit simplicity, numbers, the pace of technology development in electronics and robotics, and fast reconfiguration. That was the US Navy’s idea for the low-end backbone of its future surface combatant fleet. Inspired by successful experiments like Denmark’s Standard Flex ships, the US Navy’s $35+ billion “Littoral Combat Ship” program was intended to create a new generation of affordable surface combatants that could operate in dangerous shallow and near-shore environments, while remaining affordable and capable throughout their lifetimes. It hasn’t worked that way. In practice, the Navy hasn’t been able to reconcile what they wanted with the capabilities needed to perform primary naval missions, or with what could be delivered for the sums available. The LCS program has changed its fundamental acquisition plan 4 times since 2005, and canceled contracts with both competing teams during this period, without escaping any of its fundamental issues. Now, the program looks set to end early. This public-access FOCUS article offer a wealth of research material, alongside looks at the LCS program’s designs, industry teams procurement plans, military controversies, budgets and contracts. LCS: Concept & Needs LCS-I missions (click to view full) Ultimately, the US Navy is […]

L'extrême droite croate n'est pas difficile. Elle soutient à la fois le parti serbe pro-russe Dveri, qui rêve de reconquérir les territoires croates, et le parti irrédentiste de Giorgia Meloni. Tous fraternisent dans les mêmes réseaux pour promouvoir leurs idées radicales au niveau mondial.

- Articles / Novosti, Croatie droitisation, Croatie, Extrême-droite Balkans, Politique, Questions européennes, Relations régionales, Vucic, Serbie

Americas The US Coast Guard has taken delivery of its 57th Sentinel-class fast response cutter from Bollinger Shipyards in Key West, Florida. The USCGC Florence Finch (WPC-1157) is part of a US Department of Defense effort begun in 2008 to replace the service’s Island class commissioned in the 1980s. WPC-1157 will sail as the second of three Sentinel ships to be homeported in Sector Columbia River, a coast guard division responsible for security, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and rescue along the Oregon Coast.   Top Aces Inc., a leading provider of advanced adversary air (ADAIR) training, has successfully completed its first training mission in Canada utilizing the newly introduced A-4 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF). This milestone marks the official commencement of AAF service delivery under an amendment to Top Aces’ Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) contract with the Canadian government, announced in December 2023. Middle East & Africa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday the country needs ammunition from the United States in “the war for its existence,” directly addressing the White House after it criticized him for complaining about arms deliveries related to the Gaza war. “I am prepared to suffer personal attacks provided that Israel receives the […]

Death of Judge Marko Ilešič

Death of Judge Marko Ilešič

Inaugurée en grande pompe en 2023, la Pyramide de Tirana se targuait de devenir le plus important centre numérique des Balkans pour les jeunes. Un an plus tard, force est de constater que le bâtiment s'est transformé en centre commercial, bien loin de la révolution promise par le maire de la capitale.

- Articles / Albanie, PS Albanie, Culture et éducation, Economie

« Mort aux Serbes », tel est le slogan haineux qu'ont scandé à l'unisson des supporteurs croates et albanais lors du match Croatie-Albanie à l'Euro de football, le 19 juin. La Serbie réclame des sanctions à l'UEFA et menace de quitter la compétition.

- Le fil de l'Info / Albanie, Croatie, Serbie, Courrier des Balkans, Sports

« Mort aux Serbes », tel est le slogan haineux qu'ont scandé à l'unisson des supporteurs croates et albanais lors du match Croatie-Albanie à l'Euro de football, le 19 juin. La Serbie réclame des sanctions à l'UEFA et menace de quitter la compétition.

- Le fil de l'Info / Albanie, Croatie, Serbie, Courrier des Balkans, Sports

Americas Lockheed Martin has achieved a significant milestone in tactical airlift with the delivery of the 2,700th C-130 Hercules aircraft. This landmark aircraft, a KC-130J Super Hercules tanker variant, joins the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Notably, this delivery coincides with the C-130’s 70th anniversary of first flight this year, further highlighting the enduring legacy of this versatile military transport aircraft. The C-130 Hercules, first introduced in 1954, has become a ubiquitous workhorse in military aviation circles. Renowned for its unmatched versatility and rugged performance, the C-130 operates in over 70 countries, supporting a diverse array of missions ranging from troop transport and cargo delivery to aerial assault and medical evacuation. The US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is asking industry partners to provide a kinetic defeat solution for medium-sized hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS).  According to a solicitation published earlier this week, the expected counter-UAS solution should integrate with various naval platforms to support expeditious deployment. It should also be compatible with existing sensors and combat systems onboard US Navy vessels. Middle East & Africa The White House has convinced two key Democrats on Capitol Hill to […]

The European Centre for Manual Neutralisation Capabilities (ECMAN) has successfully concluded an intense two-week exercise dedicated specifically for MNT (Manual Neutralization Techniques) operators. The EUROPEAN GUARDIAN 2024 exercise gathered 14 MNT operators from the army, air force, navy and special police units from Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland and Italy.

Manual neutralisation techniques are the most advanced improvised device disposal proficiencies, which enable experienced and specially trained operators to access, diagnose, and manually dispose of hazardous material. These tactics, techniques and procedures need to be applied where the use of regular explosive ordnance procedures or of energetic weapons are inappropriate, and manual improvised explosive devices’ neutralisation capabilities are the last resort.

During the two-week course, operators were confronted with sophisticated improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These IEDs were embedded in realistic scenarios based on past, current and potential operations at home and abroad, including minor CBRN incidents. The aim of this Field Training, which culminated in a live exercise was to maintain and further improve the skills and techniques of the trained operators and thereby meet the national and international requirements of the participating nations in dealing with complex IEDs, which may also contain CBRN payloads.

Distinguished Visitor’s Day – Staying one step ahead

The Commander of the Austrian Logistics School, Brigadier General Stefan Lampl, and the Director ECMAN, Colonel Jürgen Pirolt, welcomed all guests and invited them to experience first-hand what an MNT operator is capable of, during the distinguished visitor’s day on June 4 in Vienna.

EDA, which is responsible for the ECMAN project, was represented by the Director of the Capabilities, Armament and Planning Directorate, Stefano Cont, who took the opportunity to share his thoughts on the ECMAN project with the participating guests. In particular, he emphasised that “ECMAN is a visible product of each country's commitment to multinational cooperation. It enhances operational capability through training in the procedures and techniques used in the manual neutralization of complex IEDs.”

Looking at lessons from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Director Cont stated that C-IEDs are more relevant than ever in recent history and encouraged the Director ECMAN, on behalf of the entire project, to continue all efforts to train these sophisticated MNT operators and explore new techniques and procedures to always stay one step ahead.

• Learn more about EDA’s efforts in Counter-IED in this article Synchronized Counter-IED Threat in Europe,Counter-IED Report Spring-Summer 2024 by Delta Business Media Limited - Issuu

Une forte explosion a eu lieu dans le centre de Cetinje. Deux personnes ont été tuées et plusieurs autres blessées. La police avance le cas d'un règlement de compte entre deux puissants gangs criminels.

- Le fil de l'Info / Monténégro, Courrier des Balkans, Défense, police et justice, armes

Staatssecretaris van Justitie en Veiligheid
Entsandte ukrainische Arbeitnehmer: Der Mitgliedstaat, in dem die Arbeiten durchgeführt werden, darf die Einholung einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis vorschreiben

Staatssecretaris van Justitie en Veiligheid
Posted Ukrainian workers: the Member State in which the works are carried out may impose an obligation to obtain a residence permit

dm-drogerie markt
Rechtsangleichung
Werbung für Biozidprodukte: Das Unionsrecht verbietet die Verwendung der Bezeichnung "hautfreundlich"

dm-drogerie markt
Approximation of laws
Advertising for biocidal products: EU law prohibits use of the indication ‘skin friendly’

L'accord de Prespa a mis fin en juin 2018 au vieux contentieux entre la Grèce et la Macédoine – devenue « du Nord ». Alors que cet accord est désormais remis en cause, ses deux artisans, Alexis Tsipras et Zoran Zaev, tirent la sonnette d'alarme.

- Le fil de l'Info / Macédoine du Nord, Grèce, Courrier des Balkans, Nom de la Macédoine, Relations régionales

The European Defence Agency (EDA) is delighted to announce the three winners of its Research, Technology, and Innovation Papers Award 2024. This year, the competition focused on innovative technologies, processes, and applications for enhanced future defence capabilities. The three winners were presented with their awards at Eurosatory in Paris by EDA Research, Technology and Innovation Director, Nathalie Guichard. 

EDA’s award seeks to increase the visibility and impact of tomorrows innovators and aims to promote and support the work of early career researchers by introducing their work to the defence community, stimulate engagement of innovators to widen their access to emerging and potentially disruptive research, and identify areas in which additional investment is needed to address future defence capability needs. Each of the three prize presented their papers at a dedicated EDA event hosted at the Eurosatory Innovation Lab, which is the dedicated area of the exhibition dedicated to start-ups and young innovators. 

“With this initiative EDA supports young talents with the aim to retain unique skills in the defence and security sectors”, said Nathalie Guichard at the event. “This is the second edition of this award, set up in the context of the Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI), and we have seen an increasing interest from academia in competing at European level which is a sign of the thriving R&T ecosystem in Europe.”

And the winners are:

- Michele MAESTRINI from the POLITECNICO DI MILANO for a paper titled “SPACEGUARD: How space law enforcement can enhance space security through comprehensive monitoring and response to threats” - award collected by co-author Niccolo’ FARACO. 

- Isabel CARNOTO AMAT, from the University Carlos III of Madrid for a paper titled “Towards small object detection in space: photonic integrated quantum illumination”.

- Giulio MEUCCI from the National Inter-University Consortium for Telecommunications for a paper titled “AI-generated threats to maritime navigation using deceptive ISAR images”. 

Abstracts

SpaceGuard: How Space Law Enforcement can Enhance Space Security through Comprehensive Monitoring and Response to Threats

"SpaceGuard: How Space Law Enforcement can Enhance Space Security through Comprehensive Monitoring and Response to Threats" by Michele Maestrini and colleagues proposes an innovative solution for space law enforcement. 

The paper addresses the need for robust monitoring and response capabilities to manage the growing threats from unknown and potentially hostile space objects. SpaceGuard integrates guidance, navigation, and capabilities identification modules to inspect and characterize these objects autonomously. 

The approach leverages existing technologies from Active Debris Removal (ADR) and On-Orbit Servicing (OOS), aiming to enhance space security and resilience. The dual-use nature of the technology also opens commercial opportunities, potentially positioning the EU as a leader in space security and commercial space services   


AI-Generated Threats to Maritime Navigation using Deceptive ISAR Images
The paper "AI-Generated Threats to Maritime Navigation using Deceptive ISAR Images" by Giulio Meucci, Francesco Mancuso, and Alessandro Cantelli-Forti explores the vulnerabilities of ship radar systems to cyber-attacks. Specifically, it examines how Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) can be used to create fake Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) images that closely resemble real targets. 

This technique can manipulate radar data, causing navigational problems such as collisions or delays by presenting false images of ships or objects. The study highlights the significant risks posed by such cyber threats, especially by Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), which are sophisticated, long-term attacks often backed by state actors. 

The research underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures in maritime operations to counter these potential threats.
 
Towards Small Object Detection in Space: Photonic Integrated Quantum Illumination
In "Towards Small Object Detection in Space: Photonic Integrated Quantum Illumination," Isabel Carnoto Amat and her colleagues present a novel approach for detecting faint space debris and small satellites using quantum illumination. 

The proposed system leverages a Photonic Integrated whispering gallery mode resonator utilising thin film lithium niobate technology. This resonator serves as an entanglement source and frequency upconversion stage, designed for space applications due to its reduced size, weight, and power consumption. 

The paper discusses the potential of quantum technologies to enhance detection capabilities by improving sensitivity and reducing noise levels. Although the technology is not yet mature for immediate deployment, the authors emphasize its promising future in providing comprehensive coverage and increased reliability for space debris detection.
 
About HEDI 
The EDA Research, Technology, and Innovation Papers Award is done under the ‘’umbrella’’ of HEDI (Hub for EU Defence Innovation), which is the new platform for innovation, led by EDA, that was established in March 2022 as an action derived from "Strategic Compass for EU Defence and Security’’.

HEDI has the objective of fostering innovative technological solutions following a systemic approach towards cutting-edge military capabilities. Furthermore, HEDI serves as a platform to stimulate and facilitate cooperation on defence innovation while ensuring synergies with related European Commission activities, notably the EU defence innovation scheme, coherence of output with NATO innovation and other EU Defence Innovation organizations.
 

 

 

 

Le Kosovo n'est pas prêt d'autoriser la procréation médicalement assistée (PMA) pour tou.te.s : au contraire, députés de la majorité comme de l'opposition font bloc pour dénoncer le « danger » que représenteraient les femmes non mariées. Chronique d'une offensive réactionnaire.

- Articles / Kosovo, Femmes violences, Kosovo 2.0, Société

Americas Progeny Systems won an $11.9 million modification to exercise options to provide engineering and technical support including modernizing Virginia Class Block I/II submarines to include the common weapon launcher. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by July 2026. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have introduced the product of their year-long collaboration: the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS). Unveiled at Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, the highly-mobile missile artillery system leverages Rheinmetall’s renowned HX 8×8 truck and Lockheed’s two-pod multiple rocket launcher. It can fire a variety of combat-proven weapons, such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of munitions, the long-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Middle East & Africa Missiles launched by Hezbollah hit an Israeli defense factory last week, according to the Lebanon-based militant group. The Plasan firm makes vehicle-protection products and components, and it also operates factories in France and the United States. The company reports that a large majority of its wares are exported to the US military. Middle East & Africa The Kingdom of Belgium has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to […]

Event Video 
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If the average global temperature rise is to be limited in line with the 2015 Paris agreement, climate finance will need to increase to about $9 trillion a year globally by 2030, up from just under $1.3 trillion in 2021–2022. To identify ways forward, IPI hosted a virtual panel discussion on June 18th on “Mobilizing Finance for Climate, Inequality, and Sustainable Development: New Taxes and Levies.”

Countries are converging around the idea of new global taxes to fund action to address a wide variety of needs, including inequality, poverty, and climate action. Levies on shipping, fossil fuel production and subsidies, air travel, and financial transactions feature prominently in agendas to reform the international financial architecture. Barbados, France, and Kenya have launched an International Tax Task Force on climate-related levies to judge the viability of these and other options for global taxes. Brazil, in its chairmanship of the G20, has promoted the idea of a “billionaire tax” on extreme wealth.

Such ideas are hardly new, but they are newly relevant given recent progress on international tax cooperation. Since 2021, when OECD countries agreed to impose a minimum effective rate of 15% on corporate profits, 140 countries have signed on to this policy. Tax reform efforts in the UN have also picked up speed. Following a historic breakthrough at the UN General Assembly in November 2023, the UN has now started negotiations on the terms of reference for a new Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.

Some of the questions under discussion included:

• The Marshall Islands are on the frontlines of climate change impacts, particularly the rise of sea levels. It is also on the frontlines of efforts in the International Maritime Organization for a global levy on shipping. Why is this levy important?
• What is the International Tax Task Force’s mandate, and what do they hope to achieve?
• Global taxes and levies for climate change are not new ideas. Indeed, we’ve been talking about carbon pricing for decades. Why is this time different?
• Brazil is hosting the G20 this year and COP30 next year, so it is well-poised for leadership. What does the wealth tax mean for Brazil’s climate and development efforts, at home and abroad?
• How are International Climate Solidarity Levies (ICSLs) distinct from other global tax initiatives?

Welcoming Remarks:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute

Speakers:
Benito Müller, Managing Director, Oxford Climate Policy
Tina Stege, Climate Envoy for the Marshall Islands
Laura Carvalho, Global Director of Equity, Open Society Foundations, and Associate Professor of Economics, University of São Paulo
Pascal Saint-Amans, Adviser to International Tax Task Force
Michael Franczak, Research Fellow, International Peace Institute

Moderator:
Jimena Leiva Roesch, Director of Global Initiatives, International Peace Institute

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