Jun122017

Press release: Wales’ National Rugby team shows its support for Wales’ Armed Forces

HM Government
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With just under two weeks to go, towns and cities across Wales are preparing to mobilise to show their appreciation for the UK’s Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Day (24 June) is an opportunity to say thank you to the entire Armed Forces community for the outstanding work they do; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and women, both Regulars and Reservists, Cadets and veterans.

In its ninth year, Armed Forces Day is the national day dedicated to honouring the work of the Armed Forces. From fighting Daesh in the Middle East, to guarding the UK’s skies and seas, the UK’s Armed Forces will be saluted at a record number events across the UK and at the National Event, which this year takes place in Liverpool.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns will join thousands of people at the South Wales celebrations in Caerphilly (Saturday 24 June) to honour the work and dedication of our brave Servicemen and women deployed around the world. Armed Forces Day will be marked in North Wales on 17 June during a Drumhead Service in the shadows of Caernarfon Castle. The day will start with a military parade through the town centre, and will include representatives from all the Armed Forces plus Standard Bearers, Veterans and youth organisations.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

Armed Forces Day is a special occasion when we gather together to recognise the dedication of those who work tirelessly to secure our nation’s security.

These are extraordinary men and women who risk their lives at home and overseas to protect our way of life. The exciting programme of events planned right across the country provide great opportunities for us to show our appreciation to those directly and indirectly involved in conflict. I hope to see thousands of people all over Wales joining in with the celebrations.

In the build-up to Armed Forces Day, rugby-mad Servicemen and women from Wales met up with members of the Welsh Rugby Union Squad ahead of their summer tour fixtures against Tonga and Samoa. Star players such as Alex Cuthbert joined representatives from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy to encourage people to go out and enjoy Armed Forces Day events.

Colonel Lance Patterson, Deputy Commander 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales in Brecon and RAF Corporal Kelly Veryard, 27, from Mynachdy, Cardiff and were among the personnel who met members of the Welsh squad at their elite training base in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Colonel Lance Patterson said:

For more than three and a half centuries men and women from across Wales have served their nation in what we would recognise as the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces in Wales continue to play a major part in Welsh society and are amongst the largest employers in Wales with individuals employed in both the Regular and Reserve organisations from the Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force.

There are also a considerable number of dependents along with a significant veterans’ community. The cadet organisations are also very important with nearly 5,000 in Wales, supported by more than 1,000 adult volunteers.

The Armed Forces are proud to be recognised throughout Wales and truly appreciate the support shown. This is always evident but especially at events such as Armed Forces Day which provides a valuable opportunity to celebrate that bond between the Armed Forces and Welsh society.

I know that all Welsh men and women serving in the Armed Forces, either in Wales, elsewhere in the UK or across the globe are grateful for the support and recognition that Armed Forces Day brings.

Corporal Kelly Veryard said:

I’m a massive rugby fan and it was a real pleasure to meet the team before they flew off on their summer tour. As members of the Armed Forces we appreciate so much the support we get from the public and that recognition from our national rugby team is also very special indeed.

I’m delighted to see people across the United Kingdom coming together to mark Armed Forces Day. The day is a chance for people to say thank you to the extraordinary men and women, stationed across the globe who dedicate their lives to defending their country and keeping British people safe.

UK Armed Forces are currently involved in over 20 Operations in more than 25 countries, from South Sudan to Iraq. But many of those back at home will be in attendance at events across the country.

Also present will be many veterans that make-up the estimated 2.56 million Armed Forces veteran community living in the UK. Young Cadets will be present too; together the Sea, Army, and Air cadet forces have almost 100,000 members, many of which will be at events up and down the country.

Notes to Editors:

To find local events in Wales, please click here

Further information on Armed Forces Day, including a full list of events, can be found on the dedicated website

Jun122017

Daily News 12 / 06 / 2017

EU
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Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Qualcomm’s proposed acquisition of NXP

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of NXP by Qualcomm under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission has concerns that the transaction could lead to higher prices, less choice and reduced innovation in the semiconductor industry. The Commission’s initial market investigation raised several issues relating in particular to semiconductors used in mobile devices, such as smartphones, and in the automotive industry. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “We use our electronic devices every day – mobile phones or tablets. As semiconductors are used in practically every electronic device, we are dependent on them in those devices. With this investigation, we want to ensure that consumers will continue to benefit from secure and innovative products at competitive prices.” The transaction was notified to the Commission on 28 April 2017. The Commission now has 90 working days, until 17 October 2017, to take a decision. The full press release is available online in EN, FR, DE and NL. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

 

Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Actelion by Johnson & Johnson, subject to conditions

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Actelion Pharmaceuticals by Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson and Actelion both develop and sell innovative pharmaceutical products. The Commission’s investigation focused on two areas where the medicinal products and research programmes of the two companies compete: (i) treatments for multiple sclerosis; and (ii) treatments for insomnia. The decision is subject to conditions ensuring that clinical development of their innovative insomnia drugs will not be adversely affected by the merger. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, responsible for competition policy commented: “Effective competition is important to stimulate research and development of innovative drugs, to the benefit of patients and our healthcare systems. Our decision makes sure that the development of innovative insomnia drugs will continue following the Johnson & Johnson and Actelion merger”. The full press release is available online in EN, FR, and DE. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l’acquisition d’un immeuble de bureaux situé en France par Ardian et LaSalle

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l’acquisition du contrôle en commun d’un immeuble de bureaux connu sous le nom de “Europa”, par Ardian France S.A., (“Ardian”) et LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”), tous trois basés en France. Europa est un immeuble de bureaux situé à Levallois-Perret en France. Ardian est une société d’investissement privé et de gestion d’actifs. LaSalle est un gestionnaire d’investissements immobiliers entièrement détenu par le groupe Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. La Commission a conclu que l’opération envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème concurrentiel compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure du marché. L’opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d’affaire M.8494. (Pour plus d’informations: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini travels to Norway for the Oslo Forum

On Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 June, the High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini will travel to Norway for a bilateral visit as well as to participate in the Oslo Forum. Ahead of the Forum, on Monday evening and Tuesday morning, the High Representative will have bilateral meetings with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister of Norway, Børge Brende, the former U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, and the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi. On Tuesday, the High Representative will participate in a joint press briefing at 9:15 before joining the Forum’s opening panel, which will be moderated by Foreign Minister Brende and comprise the Foreign Minister of Jordan, Ayman Al Safadi, Foreign Minister Zarif, Foreign Minister Marsudi, and former Secretary of State Kerry. The panellists will address the topic of “Peace-making in a new era of geopolitics”, and will reflect on the emergent set of challenges mediators face in responding to the changing face of conflict. While in Norway, the High Representative/Vice-President will also visit the island of Utøya in order to pay her respects to those who lost their lives in the attack of July 2011. Coverage of the visit will be available on EbS. More information on the European Union’s relations with Norway, Iran, and Indonesia can be found online. (For more information: Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570; Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359)

 

Commissioner Moscovici in Berlin

Commissioner Moscovici travels to Berlin this morning where he contributes to a panel discussion entitled “The Compact with Africa: Opportunities for long-term stability and growth” at the G20 Africa Partnership Conference which takes place today and tomorrow. This G20 initiative aims to support a reliable financial framework in order to increase investment opportunities, push for a more sustainable infrastructure as well as create jobs and employment in African countries, thereby contributing to the African Union Agenda 2063. While in Berlin, the Commissioner will also have meetings with Mr Sigmar Gabriel, Federal minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor of Germany and with Mr Martin Schulz, President of the Social Democratic Party. (For more information: Vanessa Mock – Tel.: +32 229 56194; Patrick McCullough – Tel.: +32 229 87183)

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)

Jun122017

Sharp fall in EU nurses coming to UK

Liberal Democrats
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There has been a sharp fall in nurses from EU countries registering to work in the NHS, new figures have revealed.

The Health Service Journal reports that monthly statistics show the number of EU nurses registering with the NMC to work in the UK peaked at 1,304 in July 2016, a month after the referendum, before falling to 344 in September 2016 and then to just 46 in April 2017.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb said: “These figures are profoundly worrying and the possible implications for the NHS and patients cannot be underestimated. The government has to face up to the impact their refusal to guarantee EU citizens to remain in the UK after Brexit is having. It is a political choice they have made and it is going to harm our services, in particular the NHS.

“The government must now change this decision. The result of the election last week gives them the opportunity to change their mind, and they now must. Liberal Democrats are clear that EU citizens whose lives are now rooted in the UK must have the right to stay”.