Aug252017

China to regulate online comments

East Asia

China’s cyberspace authority has issued a document regulating online publicly posted comments.

In a regulation released by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) Friday, the authority told website operators to better manage online comments with more effort to review content, conduct regular checks and formulate emergency response plans.

The regulation applies to information on public online platforms and only illegal information will be removed, ruling out privacy and free speech concerns, according to sources with the CAC.

While online comments were an important channel for Internet users to express opinions and conduct supervision, a number of problems, such as spreading rumors, obscene content and illegal information, still existed, the CAC sources said.

The regulation bans the selective deleting or recommending of online comments to seek illegal profits or promote improper values.

Software or the payment of people to post fake comments to promote certain information is also banned under the regulation.

On-screen comments on “bullet screen” video websites must be placed under proper management, according to the regulation.

Cyberspace administrations at national and provincial level should carry out checks on operators on a regular basis and a blacklist will be established for violators, it said.

The new regulation will take effect from October.

Aug252017

‘Fair Shares for Wales’ – Economy Secretary issues call for new UK investment in Welsh industry

Welsh Government

Releasing the Welsh Government’s response to the UK Industrial Strategy,  the Economy Secretary said there were a host of world class projects for the UK Government to get behind and called for the Welsh Government to receive its rightful share of UK Government funding for industrial support.

The Economy Secretary also set out a number of areas where the UK Government could work with the Welsh Government to make early progress but expressed continued disappointment over the UK Government’s recent decision to renege on its promise of electrification of the mainline to Swansea. He stressed that  a fair share of funding was crucial if Welsh industry was to maximise its potential.

Ken Skates said:

“I’ve always been a huge champion of Welsh industry and the fantastic potential that it has to drive economic growth in Wales.  

“From world class aerospace manufacturing on Deeside, to the international nuclear expertise on Anglesey and the fantastic potential of the new semiconductor cluster in South East Wales, there is cutting edge industry, technology and skills in Wales that could be the powerhouse of UK growth going forward.  

“But maximising that opportunity requires investment and support – and whilst the Welsh Government has done its part by helping to support 150,000 jobs in the last Assembly term, too often Wales has been marginalised and forgotten by  the UK Government.  The recent cancellation of rail electrification to Swansea was one of the most short sighted and damaging decisions we have seen in recent times.

“As we have made clear in the detail of our response, the UK Industrial Strategy, with fair shares of the funding associated with it, provides an opportunity for the UK Government to begin to undo that damage and work with us to support some of our truly world class projects and people.

“From a decision on Swansea Tidal Lagoon to devolution of Air Passenger Duty, there are a range of immediate measures that the UK Government could take to support growth in Wales.

“There are also other measures UK Government could take to support our key strategic industries to modernise and thrive.  On steel for example, jobs have been protected through fast action by the Welsh Government, but the UK Government needs to do its bit too.  Their support for lower energy prices and backing for a National Steel Innovation Centre located in Wales would put the industry on a stronger footing for the future.

“And on automotive, UK Government support for next generation low-emission and connected vehicles or investment in R&D for new battery technology located in Wales could open up huge opportunities for new, productive growth.”

“Our response clearly shows that we are keen to work productively with the UK Government on this Industrial Strategy but for our part we need a  UK partner that can bring its weight to the table, while respecting the devolution settlement and providing the fair share of funding we need.”

Aug252017

Ken Skates announces £2.8m local transport network funding to help boost bus travel

Welsh Government

This year’s funding primarily focuses on improving bus reliability and reducing journey times by improving accessibility, congestion and integration between modes of transport.

Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates said:

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support these schemes, which will see improvements to bus journeys on strategic Welsh Government and local authority routes across Wales.

“Today’s announcement includes funding for a range of proposed interventions including bus priority measures, junction improvements and technical based solutions to further support the bus industry and widen the appeal of buses as an attractive, reliable mode of transport.

“I look forward to seeing these projects underway at the earliest possible opportunity, with communities able to soon feel the benefits of the improvements.”

The projects which will receive 2017-18 Local Transport Network Fund

  • £100,000 for Developments for Passenger Growth on the B5129 strategic bus corridor
  • £617,000 for an Integrated Transport Package in Neath Port Talbot£425,000 for TrawsCymru Corridor Passenger Enhancements through improved Accessibility in Powys
  • £600,000 for A4119 & A4059 Bus Corridor Improvements in Rhondda Cynon Taf
  • £1,000,000 for Strategic Bus Corridors & Public Transport Hubs in Swansea
  • £15,500 for junction improvements at Union Street / Broad Street, Abersychan.

The funds will be made available immediately to the local authorities.

Aug252017

News story: Low carbon vehicles: innovations on display at LCV2017

HM Government

Delegates at Cenex-LCV will get the chance to see some of the best low carbon vehicle (LCV) technologies to emerge from the last decade and learn about what’s to come.

Representatives from Innovate UK will be at the event to highlight the latest innovations from the automotive sector. It is taking place on 6 and 7 September 2017 at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire. You can find us in the Government Pavilion, Hall 3.

10 for 10

For the tenth anniversary, we will be showcasing 10 projects from the last 10 years. This includes exhibits from:

  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • Oxis Energy
  • Nissan/Infiniti
  • Ricardo
  • GKN
  • Dearman Engines
  • Gordon Murray Design
  • Ariel Motors
  • Yasa Motors

You will have the chance to learn about the low carbon technologies developed by these leading manufacturers and how they are changing the automotive landscape.

Gordon Murray Design: the future of car manufacture

See our work in manufacturing and materials.

What to look out for

In addition to looking back, we’ll also be sharing the results of recent projects that have the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of low carbon vehicles.

This includes:

  • the unveiling of Ariel Motor’s HIPERCAR project, developed with Innovate UK funding. This is an electric sports car that will have 1,180 horsepower and a top speed of 160mph. It uses four electric motors to go from 0-60 in 2.4 seconds
  • the latest from AMPLiFII, a consortium headed by the University of Warwick that includes Jaguar Land Rover, JCB, HORIBA MIRA, The University of Oxford and others. The project is developing the next generation of traction batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. It has been funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV)

Innovation funding available

You will also be able to learn about current and upcoming funding opportunities, including the Faraday Challenge. This is part of government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to support the development of the next generation of batteries for electric vehicles.

Other opportunities from Innovate UK funding are with partners, Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and OLEV.

Aug252017

Press release: Minister for the Middle East visits the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel

HM Government

On his first visit to the region since being re-appointed as an Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister, Mr Burt laid a wreath at a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Gaza and heard from Gazans about current humanitarian challenges, before visiting Susiya village in Area C of the West Bank and Hebron to understand recent developments on the ground. While in Ramallah Mr Burt met with a number of representatives from the Palestinian Authority including Foreign Minister Malki and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the working with the Palestinian leadership to achieve a two-state solution.

Summary of Minister Burt’s visit to the West Bank and Gaza

UK commitment to Middle East peace

Speaking after his visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories Minister Burt said:

I was delighted to return to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) following my re-appointment to the Foreign Office as Minister of State for the Middle East.

I came to see and hear what has changed since my last official visit in 2013 and to reaffirm the UK’s strong support for a two-state solution to secure peace and prosperity for both Palestinians and Israelis.

I am grateful for the hospitality and warmth shown to me across the OPTs, in Gaza, Susiya, Hebron, Jerusalem and Ramallah, and for very constructive meetings with Foreign Minister Malki, Finance Minister Bishara, Education Minister Saidam and PLO Chief Negotiator Erekat.

The UK will continue to support efforts to improve conditions on the ground for ordinary people and to enable negotiations to resume. I look forward to working with the parties and the wider international community, including the UN and the US, to make progress in the months ahead.

Minister Burt then travelled to Jerusalem and met a number of government officials and political figures to discuss wide-ranging issues affecting the UK’s relations with Israel. He emphasised the UK’s strong relationship with Israel and its commitment to the Middle East Peace Process.

He also attended the launch ceremony of El Al Airlines’ first Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane at Ben Gurion Airport. El Al’s new fleet of Dreamliners is equipped with British-made Rolls Royce engines, a result of the biggest-ever trade deal between the 2 countries, signed in 2016. Mr Burt went on to meet young tech developers and see first-hand how a London-based initiative, the free coding school Founders & Coders, is expanding to Israel through a successful branch in the city of Nazareth.

Minister Burt attends the launch of El Al Airlines Dreamliner plane

UK Israel trade and tech partnership

Speaking in Tel Aviv Minister Burt said:

The UK is a great friend of Israel and during this visit I have reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. We will continue to work with and support those in Israel and beyond who want to achieve a viable solution.

We have a longstanding relationship with Israel and I have witnessed first-hand the strength of this partnership in many areas from trade and investment to technology and innovation. This relationship will continue to grow and benefit both of our nations.