Latest news with #DOI
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Council plans to repair damage to lighting column
Marks and cracks on a recently installed illuminated sculpture in the Manx capital will be repaired after the TT festival, Douglas Council has said. The 20ft (6.3m) Three Legs of Mann bracket, mounted on a 39ft triangular column, was put up last month on a roundabout in front of the Sea Terminal. A spokesperson for Douglas Council, which commissioned the £36,000 project, said marks on the lighting column had been due to both wear and tear from parts being in storage for a "few years", and the installation process. The council said it planned to repair the marks and cracks, as well as re-paint the column, once the capital's roads were less busy after TT. The council spokesperson said the illuminated sculpture was part of the Douglas Promenade regeneration scheme which had also involved the Department of Infrastructure (DOI). Douglas Council said it paid to install the feature due to the wider project not being completed. BBC News has contacted the DOI for comment. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Three Legs of Mann lighting column complete for TT Triskelion lighting column to welcome visitors Douglas City Council
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore and France expand defence cooperation with three new agreements
Singapore and France expand defence cooperation with three new agreements SINGAPORE – Singapore and France have signed three defence agreements to deepen cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced defence technologies. They were sealed during French President Emmanuel Macron's s tate v isit to Singapore on May 30, in conjunction with the two countries upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The three agreements are : a Declaration of Intent (DOI) on Enhanced Defence Cooperation, a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Defence Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, and an amendment to the existing Administrative Arrangement on Defence Technology Cooperation (AADTC). The DOI sets out the two countries' commitment to deepen and expand their defence relationship across multiple domains of mutual interest and shared expertise, including in digital defence. It also forms the foundation for both sides to explore new areas of collaboration, such as in critical and emerging technologies, while recognising the support both countries have provided for each other's military activities, said Mindef in a statement. The LOI aims to expand the work of a joint laboratory that Singapore and France set up in April 2023. The laboratory, which focuses on the use of AI in military applications, exemplifies both sides' shared goal of involving operational users and industry partners to co-develop solutions to meet battlefield needs and emerging security threats. Mindef said use cases that both sides have identified include data analysis, countering misinformation and disinformation, autonomous systems, and checking that AI systems work as intended and are safe to use. The final agreement updates a longstanding framework that both sides use to work on the research and development of emerging and advanced areas of defence technology. The original AADTC was signed in November 2003 and last updated in April 2016. The latest agreement adds new areas for cooperation, including in quantum, microelectronics and supply chain resilience, said Mindef. The signings, by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing and French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, were witnessed by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Macron. The defence agreements are part of a broader effort by the two countries to strengthen mutual cooperation as part of their upgraded partnership . The CSP upgrade, announced during President Macron's visit, aims to build cooperation in other areas as well, such as education , digital policy and green energy. The CSP is Singapore's first with a European country, following similar arrangements with Australia and Vietnam. At a press conference during the visit, PM Wong said defence has always been a 'pillar' of the relationship between the two countries, and that it will be buttressed going forward. 'Under the new partnership, we will enhance cooperation in other areas, including deployment of defence technology and critical and emerging technologies,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Axios
6 days ago
- Business
- Axios
How South32 Hermosa could strengthen the U.S. critical mineral supply
South32's Hermosa project is the country's only advanced mine development designed to produce two minerals essential for powering the nation's energy future. In a recent interview, Pat Risner, president of South32 Hermosa, details the company's plans to help the U.S. compete in the global critical mineral economy. First things first: What is the Hermosa project, and how does it fit into the current administration's emphasis on minerals and domestic mining? Risner: South32 is developing a critical minerals district in southern Arizona's Patagonia Mountains. Our Hermosa project would produce manganese and zinc, which are on the DOI's critical minerals list. The project uses state-of-the-art technology that we believe will be safer, more efficient and less impactful on the environment. In February 2024, our board announced a $2.16 billion investment to take the project into first production of zinc by 2027. We are also the first and currently only covered project under the federal government's FAST-41 permitting program. Why it's important: Why does the project focus on zinc, in particular? Risner: Zinc is a critical mineral that hasn't received enough attention. Zinc is used to galvanize steel, so it's very important for infrastructure and all forms of energy — including battery storage and other defense applications. By 2034, there will be a 4 million-ton gap between global zinc supply and demand. To close the gap, you'd have to develop three projects the size of Hermosa every year between now and 2034. Ours is the world's only zinc discovery of this scale in the last 10 to 15 years. The background: You've said that Hermosa is designed to be a "next-generation" mine. What does this mean? Risner: When we began this project about six years ago, our ambition was to create a mine that sets a new standard for sustainable mining and benefits a socioeconomically disadvantaged region at the same time. We have a road map for Hermosa to be a net-zero mining operation. We've placed the largest order in industry history for battery electric equipment fleets, which will be used underground. We've designed our mine to minimize disturbance, which is often a big challenge for the industry. We will only disturb 750 acres throughout the mine's life; your average open-pit mine spans 10,000-plus acres. We use 90% less water than typical mines in the region around us. We're committed to having 80% of our workforce from the local community. We will also train them. The challenge: How has South32 Hermosa navigated challenges around the permitting process? Risner: The heart of that issue is often around stakeholder and social license issues. Our industry has a history of waiting to engage [local] Tribes for regulatory processes. Long before we filed a permit application, we did cultural work on an area 40 times the size of our footprint and engaged transparently with up to 14 different tribes. We are also developing what we typically call a "good neighbor agreement" — or, a Community Protection and Benefits Agreement with local communities and government to help memorialize long-term social investment. Our goal is to help the area realize its long-term vision beyond mining while committing to environmental protection measures. Here's what else: South32 Hermosa is the first, and currently only, covered project in the federal government's FAST-41 permitting program. How has this affected your initiative? Risner: We're seeing much more improved timelines. The permitting council that oversees FAST-41 projects works to zero in on administrative delays. As a result, there's better inter-agency coordination and more resources. There is a collective will to complete this process within a determined timeline. Also, the Forest Service just published our Draft Environmental Statements (EIS), and we'll have a Final EIS decision next July. This milestone will happen about two years into a process that typically takes six or seven years. Looking ahead: What role can the federal government play in supporting mining projects like South32 Hermosa? Risner: There are a lot of opportunities to [advance] policies around market development and tax incentives. I also believe strengthening relationships with Mexico and Canada is important. Many refining and downstream processing issues can be resolved via partnerships in those countries. Lastly, there's a lot of opportunity around byproducts.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Traffic lights to give emergency vehicles priority
Temporary traffic lights to allow priority to be given to emergency vehicles have begun operating on an access road linking the inside and outside of the TT course. The route runs along the heritage trail between Douglas and Braddan, allowing access to Noble's Hospital and some homes on the inside of the course. The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) said the measure was needed as it was the only route available for vehicles to the hospital and outside of the course during road closures. The public has also been reminded that pedestrians are banned from the route when it is open to traffic during TT sessions. The route is restricted to bikes, motorbikes, cars and small vans with a weight under 3.5 tonnes, and under 10.9ft (3.35m) in height. The DOI had carried out repairs, line marking and safety-critical verge management on the route prior to the start of the event on Monday. the department said during race and practice sessions its staff would be stationed at either side of the route to activate the traffic lights to "ensure uninterrupted emergency services access to and from the hospital". "While being stopped from entering the access road can be frustrating, we ask for your patience and understanding whilst our team members assist the emergency services," it added Additional signage has been put in place this year to advise road-users that traffic may be stopped. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Extra staffing to support hospitals during TT Qualifying for Isle of Man TT gets under way Marshalling is like becoming part of 'big family' 'The Isle of Man TT is our Christmas,' clerk says Mountain Road closure extended for repairs Cost of TT access road improvement 'huge' Isle of Man Government - Infrastructure Isle of Man TT
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYPD shutting down dozens of its social media accounts after barely policing them: officials
The NYPD is shutting down dozens of its own social media accounts in the wake of a city watchdog agency's report that it wasn't policing its use of the platforms closely enough, The Post has learned. The department plans to do away with 58 Instagram and X accounts — some which showcase good arrests or advertise turkey giveaways — according to a May 12 memo titled 'Official Department Use of Social Media.' 'The Department is implementing new social media policies in response to a report by the Department of Investigation,' the memo reads. 'As a result of the new policies, the following social media accounts will be deactivated.' The accounts to be shuttered include some of those run by the offices of Professional Development, Employee Relations, Equity and Inclusion, Community Affairs and the Personnel and Training bureaus, according to the memo. The DOI report, which found the NYPD had 142 X accounts, most of them associated with local precincts, recommended the NYPD assign officers to all of its social media accounts. It's unclear how many Instagram accounts or other social media platforms the NYPD uses. The city requires all of its social media accounts be registered with the mayor's office, but not all of the NYPD's accounts were registered, the DOI report said. The January DOI report was prompted by aggressive social media posts on the official accounts of some NYPD execs, including Chief John Chell, who came under fire for disparaging left wing City Councilwoman Tiffany Caban over her post about the NYPD's handling of protests at Columbia University last year. Despite the high profile posts, most of the accounts slated for shutdown track daily events held by units inside police headquarters at One Police Plaza in Manhattan and elsewhere around the city, such as retirements, turkey giveaways and sports events with teens. Others run by precincts and housings bureaus in NYCHA developments advertise the good work of their officers — such as gun arrests — and post photos of suspects to try to get help solving crimes. 'This is not a fortune 500 company,' said a police officer with more than 20 years on the job . 'This is the NYPD. We should be able to put out information to let the public know what's going on. She's trying to run this place with an iron fist.' But a department spokeswoman said closing the accounts wouldn't affect the flow of information. 'We appreciate DOI's report, and we have accepted all of their recommendations,' she said. 'This new social media policy ensures that the NYPD can continue communicating with New Yorkers about public safety and inform them about what's happening in their communities.'
