Latest news with #Integration
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco: A groundbreaking study on the integration of migrant women and minors
The result of several years of research, the collective work Women and Minors in Migration – Journeys, Resistance, Integration has just been published by La Croisée des chemins, in partnership with the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME). Coordinated by Fatima Ait Ben Lmadani and Hicham Hafid, the book explores «a little-known reality in Morocco, despite the debates—and even stigmatization—it provokes beyond our borders». With contributions from Rachid Benlabbah, Khalid Chegraoui, and El Mouassaoui El Ajlaoui, the book examines «the impact of Morocco's immigration policy on reducing the vulnerability of Sub-Saharan women and minors and facilitating their integration into Moroccan society». The authors address issues such as housing, employment, healthcare, education, and cultural rights, as highlighted by the publisher and the coordinators. The book also delves into «the role of both institutional and non-institutional actors, with a focus on how Sub-Saharan migrants navigate integration mechanisms and assert their capacity to negotiate». What sets this study apart is its long-term perspective, a deliberate choice that enabled the researchers to «closely track this population, the evolution of their needs, and the public authorities' responses over time». In other words, the authors seek to explore «the integration process of women and minors through the lens of migrants as active participants in shaping these policies». This focus builds on the findings of a previous study by the research group on the regularization of Sub-Saharan migrants. The study combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches, including «individual interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires conducted along the Casablanca–Rabat–Salé and Tangier–Nador–Oujda corridors». This is further complemented by an analysis of legal and administrative documents, as well as «statistical, demographic, and economic data».
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Former North Cork TB sanitorium for sale for €300k
A sprawling Cork former hospital complex that failed to sell when it first came to market for €350,000 five years ago has had the guide price slashed by €50,000 following a change of agency. Heatherside Hospital, set on more than 20 acres in the Ballyhoura Hills, near Buttevant, was built in 1909 as a sanitorium for tuberculosis (TB) patients at a time when death rates from the disease were spiking in Ireland. It later served as a 180-bed geriatric unit, as well as an overflow facility for the Cork Mental Hospital, before closing permanently in 2010. The complex first came to market at the end of 2020 and generated good interest, but was withdrawn after a short period. More recently, it was the site of protests after reports surfaced that the Government was considering using it to house international protection applicants. However, the move was ruled out last month after it was deemed 'not suitable' by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth. It's back on the market now for €300,000, less than the cost of an average country bungalow, and for that the buyer will get a collection of buildings with a combined floor area of approximately 5,081sq m (54,691sq ft) on a private level site of about 8.32ha (20.55ac). Its potential for development as an outdoor activity centre, hostel, or as a facility for the scouts or girl guides are among the possibilities put forward by selling agents Sherry FitzGerald. 'The property is situated in the Ballyhoura Hills, known for outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and fishing,' said agent David McCarthy. 'Potential purchasers might include forestry businesses, outdoor activity operators, tourism entrepreneurs, or those looking to establish a spiritual, yoga, or religious retreat,' the agent added. Coillte owns land adjoining the site. However, it has so far not expressed interest. It falls under the stronger rural area zoning in the Cork County Development Plan 2022-2028. The complex, in a secluded cul-de-sac setting about 9km north of Buttevant in the townland of Streamhill West, is 19km north of Mallow and 55km north of Cork City. The buildings include a two-storey hospital dating to 1909 and several ancillary structures, including a church and a house from the 1930s. While some buildings feature in the National Inventory of Buildings of Ireland, they are not listed as protected structures. They've fallen into considerable disrepair since the hospital closed permanently in 2010, and returning them to use would require substantial investment. From a design perspective, the former hospital is an interesting building. It is curved with various projections and numerous rooms opening at ground and first-floor level to terraces and balconies, as befitted a sanatorium, where fresh air and rest were considered the route to recovery for consumptive patients. In fact, the bracing Ballyhoura outdoor setting, reached at the end of a long avenue, was one of the reasons the site was selected for a sanitorium in the first place. It's isolation was another. Built after years of rampant TB, the need for the medical facility was recognised by the wife of the Earl of Aberdeen, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, after a trip abroad brought home to her how much higher the TB death rate was in Ireland compared to other countries. In 1910, the sanitary authorities of County Cork combined with Cork Corporation to establish Heatherside Sanitorium. Access to the site is through a gated entrance along its southern boundary. The property is just a 10- minute drive from the main N20 Cork-Limerick national road and 7km north of Doneraile and the popular Doneraile Wildlife Park. The complex was deemed surplus to HSE requirements in 2024, and licensed by the HSE to the Department of Integration. The department handed it back after deeming it unsuitable for asylum seeker accommodation. It's back on the market now and agents are seeking expressions of interest 'in the region of €300,000'. The property is for sale by tender and the deadline is noon on Thursday, July 3. DETAILS: Sherry FitzGerald Commercial T: 0214270099; E:
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Microsoft Unveils GitHub AI Agent That Can Write, Fix and Update Code
At the recently concluded Build 2025 developer conference in Seattle, Microsoft unveiled a significant advancement in AI-driven software development—a new GitHub AI agent capable of independently writing, debugging, and updating code. This move signals Microsoft's intent to further embed artificial intelligence into the heart of modern development workflows. The new AI assistant, part of the GitHub Copilot suite, differs from earlier tools by taking on complete programming tasks once assigned, rather than merely offering code suggestions. Developers can now assign the agent jobs such as fixing bugs, refactoring code, or adding new features, and it will carry them out autonomously. However, Microsoft has included a vital checkpoint: before any code changes are pushed through Continuous Integration (CI) or Continuous Delivery (CD) workflows, a human must approve the agent's pull requests, ensuring that developers retain final control over deployments. 'What sets this Copilot AI agent apart is its autonomy,' explained GitHub during the announcement. 'It notifies the developer upon task completion, summarises what was done, and creates new files where necessary.' The agent is currently in preview mode, with Microsoft actively seeking developer feedback before a wider rollout. According to GitHub, it's particularly suited for low to medium complexity work within stable, well-tested codebases. The goal is to eliminate the burden of repetitive tasks and free up developers to focus on higher-level, creative problem-solving. The AI's brainpower comes from Claude 3.7 Sonnet, the latest large language model from Anthropic. This advanced model allows the agent to better understand coding tasks, follow context, and produce more accurate outputs. Developers can interact with it just like a teammate—assigning tasks and reviewing results, all within the GitHub environment. Beyond code writing and bug fixing, the AI can improve documentation and handle task notifications, acting like a reliable team member. It's also seen as Microsoft's strategic response to rising competitors like Cursor and Windsurf, which generate code from simple prompts. While those tools are geared toward starting new projects, GitHub's AI agent is aimed at ongoing project management and maintenance, where developers often need the most assistance. Since Microsoft acquired GitHub in 2018, the platform has grown exponentially. GitHub now brings in more than $2 billion in annual revenue, with user adoption of GitHub Copilot soaring to over 15 million, a fourfold increase in just a year, according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. For those wondering about access, GitHub offers a free Copilot tier with basic features for individual users. However, the new AI coding agent is part of the Copilot Pro+ subscription for developers and the Copilot Enterprise plan for organisations. These plans provide expanded capabilities, including the new AI agent, and are designed to support more complex workflows at scale. So, what does this mean for software developers? The arrival of GitHub's AI agent could mark a turning point in how development teams operate. It won't replace human coders, but it has the potential to dramatically speed up routine tasks and reduce manual workloads. Developers may find themselves shifting focus—from writing every line of code to overseeing tasks, reviewing outputs, and applying creative thinking to more complex problems. By automating the more repetitive elements of coding, Microsoft is reshaping the software development landscape, inviting a future where AI and humans collaborate more closely than ever.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BrahMos unit in Lucknow will strengthen India's self-reliance in defence sector: Rajnath Singh
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre would strengthen India's efforts towards aatma-nirbharta (self-reliance) in the defence sector. He made the remarks after virtually inaugurating the Lucknow-based facility from Delhi. Terming the BrahMos facility in Lucknow as a matter of pride for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Singh stated that it has already created around 500 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs. He added that BrahMos is the confluence of top defence technologies of India and Russia. Singh commended chief minister Yogi Adityanath for completing the project in a record 40 months. He lauded efforts of the scientists, engineers, and the state government, stating that his dream of seeing Lucknow contribute meaningfully to India's defence infrastructure was finally being realised. On the progress of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor project, Singh said: 'A total of 180 MoUs have, so far, been signed with a proposed investment of ₹34,000 crore. Investment of ₹4,000 crore has already been made.' Singh quoted the Missile Man of India and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who had said, 'Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us.' In this world, fear has no place, only strength respects strength, the defence minister said. He emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's vision of setting-up the corridor rests on its goal of developing the state as the world's top defence production and export destination. Speaking on the significance of the day, Singh termed the inauguration of the BrahMos Aerospace facility on National Technology Day (May 11) as historic. He recalled the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests, conducted under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which marked India's emergence as a strategic power. 'On this day in 1998, under the leadership of respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, our scientists showed India's strength to the world by conducting nuclear tests in Pokhran.' The highlight of the project is that the participation of both public and the private sector is being witnessed. In Lucknow itself, titanium and super alloy material plants are being started by PTC Industries Limited, Singh added. 'In addition, the foundation of seven additional critical projects is being laid. This would accelerate the pace of India's self-reliance in the defence sector,' asserted Singh. The defence minister reiterated the government's vision of 'Make-in-India, Make-for-the-World', stressing that self-reliance not only means catering to India's own security needs, but it also envisages making the country a key exporter of defence equipment to the global market. Citing a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which said that global military expenditure has risen to $2,718 billion in 2024, Singh stated that such a massive market is an opportunity India must seize. 'The launch of the BrahMos facility is a firm stride towards making India a significant player in the world's defence production ecosystem,' he said. He added that Kanpur, which was known as Manchester of East in the past, will regain its lost glory due to the Defence Corridor project. Kanpur is one of the six nodes of the defence corridor in UP.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BrahMos not just a weapon but a message of Indian armed forces' strength: Rajnath
1 2 Lucknow: Terming the BrahMos facility in Lucknow as a matter of pride for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), defence minister Rajnath Singh said the missile is a confluence of top defence technologies of India and Russia."BrahMos is not just one of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missiles, but a message of the strength of the Indian Armed Forces , a message of deterrence to adversaries, and a message of the nation's unwavering commitment to safeguarding its borders," he added."The inauguration of the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility coincides with National Technology Day. On this day in 1998, under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's leadership, India demonstrated its capabilities through nuclear tests in Pokhran, which was achieved through dedicated efforts of scientists, engineers, and defence personnel," Rajnath Lucknow MP said, "The inauguration of the facility holds personal significance as it fulfils my vision of Lucknow's contribution to India's defence sector. Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor The project completed in 40 months by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's regime is commendable."Rajnath said that the facility has already created around 500 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs, reflecting the state's growing stature as a defence manufacturing over 200 acres, the Lucknow facility will roll out existing BrahMos missiles to meet increased demand, but its specific purpose is to manufacture BrahMos NG (next generation) missiles. On an average 70-100 missiles will be produced per year. The Lucknow facility will become a major integration centre for the missile and will require a robust supply chain. Tier 1, 2 & 3 suppliers are expected to move operations to Lucknow and join the defence corridor. Industries such as the PTC industry, and many more are expected to join. These industries are spread over Noida, Greater Noida, Kanpur and other places. The facility will create employment for at least 25,000 people over five years."BrahMos facility will strengthen India's efforts towards self-reliance in defence and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region by generating significant direct & indirect employment," Rajnath the Missile Man of India and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who had said, "Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us; in this world, fear has no place, only strength respects strength", Rajnath said that India is one of the most powerful nations today and the facility will help in further strengthening India's power."A total of 180 MoUs have, so far, been signed in UPDIC with a proposed investment of Rs 34,000 crore, and an investment of Rs 4,000 crore has already been made. Major investments have been made in aircraft manufacturing, UAVs, drones, ammunition, composite and critical materials, small arms, textile and parachute etc. The highlight is that the participation of both public sector and the private sectors are being witnessed. In Lucknow itself, titanium and super alloy material plants are being started by PTC Industries Limited. In addition, the foundation of seven additional critical projects is being laid. This would accelerate the pace of India's self-reliance in the defence sector," the defence minister a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which said that global military expenditure has risen to USD 2,718 billion in 2024, Rajnath said that such a massive market is an opportunity India must seize."The launch of the BrahMos facility is a firm stride towards making India a significant player in the world's defence production ecosystem," he said."Given the current circumstances, it is crucial that we continue to achieve our goals in a time-bound and efficient manner," he credited the state government for creating a strong development ecosystem and implementing initiatives such as setting-up of UPDIC, establishment of DRDO's Defence Technology & Test Centre in Lucknow and hosting DefExpo in 2020. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
