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DNA Synthesis Market to hit USD 20.5 Bn by 2032, says Global Market Insights Inc. – GlobeNewswire

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Selbyville, Delaware, April 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DNA Synthesis Market size is expected to reach a remuneration of USD 20.5 billion by 2032. Rising advancements in biotechnology and genetic engineering across various research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications will augment the industry growth.

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With the rise of precision medicine and personalized healthcare, there is a growing need for custom-designed DNA sequences tailored to specific research objectives or patient requirements. For instance, in March 2024, global genomics solutions provider Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) expanded its gene synthesis offerings by introducing a new custom vector onboarding tool. The advancing fields of synthetic biology and gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9 have further propelled the demand for DNA synthesis, as researchers seek to engineer novel organisms and develop innovative therapies for various diseases.

Collaborations between academic institutions, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical firms are also facilitating the development of cutting-edge technologies and streamlined workflows in DNA synthesis. These partnerships foster innovation and knowledge exchange, driving advancements in the methodologies while expanding the repertoire of available synthetic DNA products. Furthermore, the increasing affordability and accessibility of DNA synthesis services, coupled with improvements in synthesis throughput and scalability are democratizing access to synthesized DNA for researchers worldwide.

Rising usage for diagnostics

DNA synthesis market share from the therapeutic application segment is slated to gain momentum through 2024-2032. This is driven by the increasing adoption of molecular diagnostics for disease detection and personalized treatment approaches. Custom-designed DNA sequences help in the development of molecular diagnostic tests, enabling precise detection of genetic mutations and biomarkers associated with various diseases. The advent of targeted therapies and gene editing technologies has also fueled the demand for synthesized DNA in therapeutic applications.

CRO segment to gain traction

The DNA synthesis market from the contract research organization (CRO) segment is expected to expand exponentially up to 2032. This is driven by specialized expertise and infrastructure for DNA synthesis services for catering to the diverse needs of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research institutions. These organizations possess state-of-the-art facilities equipped with high-throughput synthesis platforms and experienced scientific teams capable of delivering custom-designed DNA sequences with precision and efficiency. CROs also provide end-to-end solutions, including gene synthesis, cloning, and sequence verification, allowing clients to focus on their core research objectives while entrusting the synthesis process to specialized professionals.

Asia Pacific to emerge as a prominent industry

Asia Pacific DNA synthesis market is estimated to record significant valuation by 2032, attributed to the increasing investment in genomics research and biotechnology initiatives by governments and private enterprises across countries like China, Japan, and India. The rising prevalence of genetic disorders and infectious diseases in the region has spurred the demand for customized DNA sequences for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Advancements in healthcare infrastructure and the growing adoption of precision medicine will further stimulate the regional industry growth.

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DNA Synthesis Industry Players

Some of the prominent DNA synthesis market players include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., ELISA experts, Twist Bioscience, BOSTER antibody, Bioneer Corporation, ProteoGenix, Eton Bioscience, BIOMATIK, LGC Biosearch Technologies, ProMab Biotechnologies, IBA GmbH, Eurogentec, Eurofins Scientific, Quintara Biosciences OriGene Technologies, Inc., Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.and GenScript Biotech Corporation.

These firms are focusing on partnership ventures and innovations to proliferate their product portfolio and customer base. To cite an instance, in August 2023, Genscript Biotech formed a strategic collaboration agreement with T-MAXIMUM Biotech to develop CAR-T cell therapy.

Partial Table of Contents (ToC) of the report:

Chapter 2Executive Summary

2.1 Global DNA synthesis market 360 synopsis, 2018 2032 2.1.1 Business trends 2.1.2 Regional trends 2.1.3 Service trends 2.1.4 Method trends 2.1.5 Application trends 2.1.6 End-use trends Chapter 3DNA Synthesis Industry Insights 3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.2 Industry impact forces 3.2.1 Growth drivers 3.2.1.1Growing prevalence of diseases globally 3.2.1.2Rapid technology advancements in the field of synthetic biology 3.2.1.3Rising investments towards research and development(R&D) activities 3.2.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.2.2.1Stringent government regulations and guidelines 3.2.2.2High cost, potential biosafety,biosecurity and ethical issues 3.3 Growth potential analysis 3.3.1 By service 3.3.2 By method 3.3.3 By application 3.3.4 By end use 3.4 COVID- 19 impact analysis 3.5 Regulatory landscape 3.5.1 U.S. 3.5.2 Europe 3.6 Porter's analysis 3.7 PESTEL analysis

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About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.

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DNA Synthesis Market to hit USD 20.5 Bn by 2032, says Global Market Insights Inc. - GlobeNewswire

Europe’s A.I. ‘Champion’ Sets Sights on Tech Giants in U.S. – The New York Times

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Arthur Mensch, tall and lean with a flop of unkempt hair, arrived for a speech last month at a sprawling tech hub in Paris wearing jeans and carrying a bicycle helmet. He had an unassuming look for a person European officials are counting on to help propel the region into a high-stakes match with the United States and China over artificial intelligence.

Mr. Mensch, 31, is the chief executive and a founder of Mistral, considered by many to be one of the most promising challengers to OpenAI and Google. You have become the poster child for A.I. in France, Matt Clifford, a British investor, told him onstage.

A lot is riding on Mr. Mensch, whose company has shot into the spotlight just a year after he founded it in Paris with two college friends. As Europe scrambles to get a foothold in the A.I. revolution, the French government has singled out Mistral as its best hope to create a standard-bearer, and has lobbied European Union policymakers to help ensure the firms success.

Artificial intelligence will be built rapidly into the global economy in the coming decade, and policymakers and business leaders in Europe fear that growth and competitiveness will suffer if the region does not keep up. Behind their worries is a conviction that A.I. should not be dominated by tech giants, like Microsoft and Google, that might forge global standards at odds with the culture and politics of other countries. At stake is the bigger question of which artificial intelligence models will wind up influencing the world, and how they should be regulated.

The issue with not having a European champion is that the road map gets set by the United States, said Mr. Mensch, who just 18 months ago was working as an engineer at Googles DeepMind lab in Paris, building A.I. models. His co-founders, Timothe Lacroix and Guillaume Lample, also in their 30s, held similar positions at Meta.

In an interview at Mistrals spartan, whitewashed offices facing the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, Mr. Mensch said it wasnt safe to trust U.S. tech giants to set ground rules for a powerful new technology that would affect millions of lives.

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Why is Elon Musk suing Open AI and Sam Altman? In a word: Microsoft. – Morningstar

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By Jurica Dujmovic

Potential ramifications extend far beyond the courtroom

In a striking turn of events, Elon Musk, Tesla's (TSLA) CEO, has initiated legal action against OpenAI and its leadership, alleging that the organization he helped found has moved from its original altruistic mission toward a profit-driven approach, particularly after partnering with Microsoft (MSFT).

The lawsuit accentuates Musk's deep-seated concerns that OpenAI has deviated from its foundational manifesto of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the betterment of humanity, choosing instead to prioritize financial gains. But is that really so, or is there something else at hand?

Musk was deeply involved with OpenAI since its inception in 2015, as his concerns about AI's potential risks and the vision to advance AI in a way that benefits humanity aligned with OpenAI's original ethos as a non-profit organization.

In 2018, however, Musk became disillusioned with OpenAI because, in his view, it no longer operated as a nonprofit and was building technology that took sides in political and social debates. The recent OpenAI drama that culminated with a series of significant changes in OpenAI's structure and ethos, as well as a what can only be seen as Microsoft's power grab, seems to have sparked Musk's discontent.

To understand his reasoning, it helps to remember that Microsoft is a company with a long history of litigation. Over the years, Microsoft has faced numerous high-profile legal battles related to its market practices.

Here are some prominent cases to illustrate the issue:

-- In the United States v. Microsoft Corp. case, which began in 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice accused Microsoft of holding a monopolistic position in the PC operating-systems market and taking actions to crush threats to that monopoly. In April 2000, the case resulted in a verdict that Microsoft had engaged in monopolization and attempted monopolization in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

-- In Europe, Microsoft has faced significant fines for abusing its dominant market position. In 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft 497.2 million euros, the largest sum it had ever imposed on a single company at the time??. In 2008, Microsoft was fined an additional 899 million euros for failing to comply with the 2004 antitrust order.

-- In 2013, the European Commission levied a 561 million euro fine against Microsoft for failing to comply with a 2009 settlement agreement to offer Windows users a choice of internet browsers instead of defaulting to Internet Explorer.

In light of these past litigations, it's much easier to understand why OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman's brief departure from the company and subsequent return late last year - which culminated in a significant shift in the organization's governance and its relationship with Microsoft - was the straw that likely broke Musk's back.

After Altman was reinstated, Microsoft solidified its influence over OpenAI by securing a permanent position on its board. Furthermore, the restructuring of OpenAI's board to include business-oriented members, rather than AI experts or ethicists, signaled a permanent shift in the organization's priorities and marked a pivotal turn toward a profit-driven model underpinned by corporate governance.

The consequences of this power grab are plain to see: Microsoft is already implementing various AI models designed by the company in its various products while none of the code is being released to the public. These models also include a specific political and ideological bias that makes them problematic from an ethical point of view. This too, is an issue that cannot be addressed due to the closed-source nature of AI models generated and shaped under the watchful eye of Microsoft.

Musk's own ventures, like xAI and Neuralink, suggest he's still deeply invested in the AI space, albeit in a way he has more control over, presumably to ensure that the technology develops according to his vision for the future of humanity.

On the other hand, proponents of Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI emphasize strategic and mutually-beneficial aspects. Microsoft's $1 billion investment in OpenAI is viewed as a significant step in advancing artificial-intelligence technology as it allows OpenAI to utilize Microsoft's Azure cloud services to train and run its AI software. Additionally, the collaboration is positioned as a way for Microsoft to stay competitive against other tech giants by integrating AI into its cloud services and developing more sophisticated AI models????.

Proponents say Microsoft's involvement with OpenAI is a strategic business decision aimed at promoting Azure's AI capabilities and securing a leading position in the industry. The partnership is framed as a move to democratize AI technology while ensuring AI safety, which aligns with broader industry goals of responsible and ethical AI development. It is also seen as a way for OpenAI to access necessary resources and expertise to further its research, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the partnership rather than a mere financial transaction??.

Hard truths and consequences

While many point out that Musk winning the case is extremely unlikely, it's still worth looking into potential consequences. Such a verdict could mandate that OpenAI returns to a non-profit status or open-source its technology, significantly impacting its business model, revenue generation and future collaborations. It could also affect Microsoft's investment in OpenAI, particularly if the court determines that the latter has strayed from its founding mission, influencing the tech giant's ability to protect its investment and realize expected returns.

The lawsuit's outcome might influence public and market perceptions of OpenAI and Microsoft, possibly affecting customer trust and market share, with Musk potentially seen as an advocate for ethical AI development. Additionally, the case could drive the direction of AI development, balancing between open-source and proprietary models, and possibly accelerating innovation while raising concerns about controlling and misusing advanced AI technologies.

The scrutiny from this lawsuit might lead to more cautious approaches in contractual relationships within the tech sector, focusing on partnerships and intellectual property. Furthermore, the case could draw regulatory attention, possibly leading to increased oversight or regulation of AI companies, particularly concerning transparency, data privacy and ethical considerations in AI development. While Musk's quest might seem like a longshot to some legal experts, the potential ramifications of this lawsuit extend far beyond the courtroom.

More: Here's what an AI chatbot thinks of Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman

Also read: Microsoft hasn't been worth this much more than Apple since 2003

-Jurica Dujmovic

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-09-24 1003ET

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Why is Elon Musk suing Open AI and Sam Altman? In a word: Microsoft. - Morningstar

GE Aerospace to Allocate $650M for Manufacturing Facility Upgrades, Supply Chain Support – ExecutiveBiz

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GE Aerospace intends to invest $650 million this year to upgrade its manufacturing facilities and strengthen its supply chain.

The General Electric operating unit said Tuesday that, of that total, $450 million will be allocated for the enhancement of 22 facilities across the U.S., an effort that includes the acquisition of additive manufacturing equipment and other machines and tools that will be used to assemble, test and produce engines for military and commercial aircraft.

Inspection equipment, building upgrades and safety enhancements will be covered as well.

The company will also invest in its international sites in North America, Europe and India. Approximately $100 million will be allocated for this purpose.

The remaining $100 million will be used to support company suppliers in the U.S.

Regarding the investment plan, GE Aerospace Supply Chain Vice President Mike Kauffman said the effort will help ensure the companys ability to deliver quality engines and services while meeting customer demand.

For his part, H. Lawrence Culp Jr., the CEO of GE Aerospace and chairman and CEO of parent company GE, placed the investment plan within the context of GE Aerospace becoming a standalone company in spring, saying, These investments are part of the next chapter for GE Aerospace, supporting cutting-edge equipment and safety enhancements that will help us meet our customers growing needs.

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GE Aerospace to Allocate $650M for Manufacturing Facility Upgrades, Supply Chain Support - ExecutiveBiz

Oceania Cruises Announces 2026 World Voyages Aboard Vista – Porthole Cruise and Travel

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Oceania Cruises is launching its newest ship,Vista,for a 180-day Around the World voyage in 2026. This voyage will visit 101 ports across 43 countries, setting a new standard for global exploration. Bookings will officially open on March 13, 2024!

After the remarkable success of our most recent world cruises, we have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to present travelers with an even more extraordinary experience for our 2026 voyage, said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. With that, we are excited to announce thatVista, Oceania Cruises pinnacle of luxury and newest ship, will circumnavigate the globe artfully intertwining diverse continents, enriching cultures, and mouthwatering cuisines, creating an unforgettable tapestry of exploration for our guests. With this new voyage, we are excited to offer a rare chance to experience the world from an entirely new perspective and further forward the future of global cruising.

Vistawill depart from Miami on January 6, crossing three oceans and 18 seas to explore Southeast Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, Europe, and South America. The journey will include exploring continental coastlines, experiencing local cultures, trying new foods, and discovering natural wonders in off-the-beaten-path locations and popular cities.

Vistaoffers 11 onboard culinary venues, including the new Aquamar Kitchen, The Bakery at Baristas, and Ember. The ship, at 791 feet long and over 67,000 tons, maintains a high staffing ratio. Guests will enjoy gourmet experiences curated by Oceania Cruises Master Chefs of France, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale and opportunities for Culinary Discovery Tours and cooking classes. Vista provides a variety of onboard activities, such as bars, lounges, and entertainment venues like the Founders Bar, Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, and Aquamar Spa Terrace.

The World Odyssey and Global Wanderlust voyages are available in addition to the 180-day Around the World cruise onVista. These cruises provide flexibility with a 120-day voyage from San Diego to Miami and a 197-day cruise from Los Angeles to Miami. Vistas luxurious ambiance and spacious staterooms offer guests a comfortable home at sea to relax and rejuvenate during their journey.

Head to their website for more information on Oceania Cruises 2026 Around the World journeys!

Oceania Cruises provides simply MORE, which includes all-inclusive features in the voyage fare, such as free roundtrip airfare, airport transfers, a shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom, and a beverage package available during lunch and dinner.

Will you be sailing around the world with Oceania Cruises? Let us know in the comments!

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Oceania Cruises Announces 2026 World Voyages Aboard Vista - Porthole Cruise and Travel

MWC 2024: Microsoft to open up access to its AI models to allow countries to build own AI economies – Euronews

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Monday was a big day for announcements from tech giant Microsoft, unveiling new guiding principles for AI governance and a multi-year deal with Mistral AI.

Tech behemoth Microsoft has unveiled a new set of guiding principles on how it will govern its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, effectively further opening up access to its technology to developers.

The announcement came at the Mobile World Congress tech fair in Barcelona on Monday where AI is a key theme of this years event.

One of the key planks of its newly-published "AI Access Principles" is the democratisation of AI through the companys open source models.

The company said it plans to do this by expanding access to its cloud computing AI infrastructure.

Speaking to Euronews Next in Barcelona, Brad Smith, Microsofts vice chair and president, also said the company wanted to make its AI models and development tools more widely available to developers around the world, allowing countries to build their own AI economies.

"I think it's extremely important because we're investing enormous amounts of money, frankly, more than any government on the planet, to build out the AI data centres so that in every country people can use this technology," Smith said.

"They can create their AI software, their applications, they can use them for companies, for consumer services and the like".

The "AI Access Principles" underscore the company's commitment to open source models. Open source means that the source code is available to everyone in the public domain to use, modify, and distribute.

"Fundamentally, it [the principles] says we are not just building this for ourselves. We are making it accessible for companies around the world to use so that they can invest in their own AI inventions," Smith told Euronews Next.

"Second, we have a set of principles. It's very important, I think, that we treat people fairly. Yes, that as they use this technology, they understand how we're making available the building blocks so they know it, they can use it," he added.

"We're not going to take the data that they're developing for themselves and access it to compete against them. We're not going to try to require them to reach consumers or their customers only through an app store where we exact control".

The announcement of its AI governance guidelines comes as the Big Tech company struck a deal with Mistral AI, the French company revealed on Monday, signalling Microsofts intent to branch out in the burgeoning AI market beyond its current involvement with OpenAI.

Microsoft has already heavily invested in OpenAI, the creator of wildly popular AI chatbot ChatGPT. Its $13 billion (11.9 billion) investment, however, is currently under review by regulators in the EU, the UK and the US.

Widely cited as a growing rival for OpenAI, 10-month-old Mistral reached unicorn status in December after being valued at more than 2 billion, far surpassing the 1 billion threshold to be considered one.

The new multi-year partnership will see Microsoft giving Mistral access to its Azure cloud platform to help bring its large language model (LLM) called Mistral Large.

LLMs are AI programmes that recogise and generate text and are commonly used to power generative AI like chatbots.

"Their [Mistral's] commitment to fostering the open-source community and achieving exceptional performance aligns harmoniously with Microsofts commitment to develop trustworthy, scalable, and responsible AI solutions," Eric Boyd, Corporate Vice President, Azure AI Platform at Microsoft, wrote in a blog post.

The move is in keeping with Microsoft's commitment to open up its cloud-based AI infrastructure.

In the past week, as well as its partnership with Mistral AI, Microsoft has committed to investing billions of euros over two years in its AI infrastructure in Europe, including 1.9 billion in Spain and 3.2 billion in Germany.

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MWC 2024: Microsoft to open up access to its AI models to allow countries to build own AI economies - Euronews

Confidential Computing and Cloud Sovereignty in Europe – The New Stack

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Confidential computing is emerging as a potential game-changer in the cloud landscape, especially in Europe, where data sovereignty and privacy concerns take center stage. Will confidential computing be the future of cloud in Europe? Does it solve cloud sovereignty issues and adequately address privacy concerns?

At its core, confidential computing empowers organizations to safeguard their sensitive data even while its being processed. Unlike traditional security measures that focus on securing data at rest or in transit, confidential computing ensures end-to-end protection, including during computation. This is achieved by creating secure enclaves isolated areas within a computers memory where sensitive data can be processed without exposure to the broader system.

Cloud sovereignty, or the idea of retaining control and ownership over data within a country or region, is gaining traction as a critical aspect of digital autonomy. Europe, in its pursuit of technological independence, is embracing confidential computing as a cornerstone in building a robust cloud infrastructure that aligns with its values of privacy and security.

While the promise of confidential computing is monumental, challenges such as widespread adoption, standardization and education need to be addressed. Collaborative efforts between governments, industries and technology providers will be crucial in overcoming these challenges and unlocking the full potential of this transformative technology.

As Europe marches toward a future where data is not just a commodity but a sacred trust, confidential computing emerges as the key to unlocking the full spectrum of possibilities. By combining robust security measures with the principles of cloud sovereignty, Europe is poised to become a global leader in shaping a trustworthy and resilient digital future.

The era of confidential computing calls, and Europe stands prepared to respond. Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissions executive vice president for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age.

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Britain to send 20,000 troops to NATO training – Yahoo News

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The UK is planning to send 20,000 military personnel to participate in a large-scale NATO training exercise that will take place across Europe in the first half of this year, news agency Reuters reported on Jan. 15.

Read also: UK weighing contingency to deploy forces to Ukraine if Russia greatly escalates war

Britain will send military personnel, ships and aircraft to Europe as part of NATO Steadfast Defender 24, aimed at practicing the defense of its eastern flank.

The deployment includes 16,000 British Army personnel based in Eastern Europe from February to June, and an aircraft carrier strike group. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and reconnaissance aircraft will also be involved.

"I can announce today that UK will be sending some 20,000 personnel to take part in one of NATO's largest deployments since the end of the Cold War," said UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps.

The military will join forces with colleagues from 30 NATO countries and Sweden, providing a crucial deterrent against the threat from Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Shapps added.

Read also: UK, Ukraine sign 10-year security deal

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Britain to send 20,000 troops to NATO training - Yahoo News

UK to send 20000 troops in biggest NATO deployment in 40 years, says defence secretary – The Derby Informer

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The UK is to deploy 20,000 troops and lead a NATO exercise that is designed to deter Vladimir Putin from threatening countries in Europe, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said.He told GB News: This will be the biggest deployments of UK troops to NATO for about 40 years.This is an operation which is designed to essentially allow NATO to test our approach in what isa much more dangerous world, given the conflicts in Europe, conflicts in the Middle East, but also the sort of intent of people like Putin to really disrupt the world order and our way of life, and so we'll be leading that NATO exercise which will be about 40,000 people overall.In a discussion during Breakfast with Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster, he continued: We've seen what Putin is capable of, we know that he's walked into a democratic neighbour in Ukraine and caused mayhem.And sometimes it's tempting to think, well, what's this got to do with us, but we saw last year, didnt we, with that enormous spike in energy prices and the incredible cost to households here.What happens over there really does matter here as well and we know that Putin has the intent so this very large military exercise involving 30 countries - 31, because it involves Sweden who are not yet in NATO - is designed to make sure that we are ready and we've tested our approach to anything that Putin might throw our way or anyone else in the future.Asked about polling indicating that the Tories are heading for 1997-style defeat at the next General Election, he said: While we have a plan that we're working to and that plan has started as see inflation really plummeting, the economy growing, we've seen tax cuts which now in January have come through and are worth about 450 pounds for somebody on the average salary.And I hope we can do more in that direction. In other words, we have a plan. It's working and it's starting to work.We'd be going right back to square one if we got Keir Starmer and Labour in now.WATCH ABOVE.

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UK to send 20000 troops in biggest NATO deployment in 40 years, says defence secretary - The Derby Informer

Putin will only trigger World War Three if he feels Nato are unprepared, ex-commander of US forces in Europe warns – LBC

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16 January 2024, 06:59 | Updated: 16 January 2024, 07:04

Vladimir Putin will do the unthinkable if he feels Nato are unprepared, a former commander of US forces in Europe has warned.

Ben Hodges, who was commander of the US army in Europe between 2014 and 2018, said another world war would only happen if Russia felt Nato was not prepared or united.

He said plans leaked from the German Ministry of Defence may seem "scary" but it shows the threat is being taken "seriously".

The documents, which emerged on Monday, show how Nato could respond to World War Three, with a step-by-step plan showing how the West would resist aggression launched by Putin.

"[Russia] only respect strength. If they sense any weakness then they will continue to move forward," Mr Hodges said, according to the Mail.

"If they did it, it would be because they made the assessment that we were not ready or unified inside the alliance or that we did not have adequate ammunition or the ability to move fast enough.

"But if we are prepared, they still have a long way to go."

Read more: Cyber attacks, riots and lies: Leaked documents show step-by-step plan for how Putin could trigger World War Three

Read more: UK to send hundreds of air defence missiles to Ukraine as Sunak condemns Putin's revenge attack

Mr Hodges went on to say the best way to prevent a war is to "be prepared for it".

"The UK has always been aware of the threat from Russia but now Germany are realising that this is something thats only going to get worse if theyre not prepared," he said.

"So readiness - with all the right equipment and capabilities - is exactly what nations should be doing. And Germany is doing that."

The ex-commander added: "If the civilian leadership doesnt think theres a threat, they wont be able to move quickly enough. Our leaders should talk to us like adults.

"It doesnt mean you're a scaremongerer, it means you're taking precaution, which is exactly what we should be doing."

The "Alliance Defence 2025" plans are not an early warning of how events will go - but a hypothetical scenario for decision-makers to consider.

The scenario looks at Russia mobilising 200,000 more men as its forces are bogged down in Ukraine.

Putin uses them to launch a spring offensive, winning the war in June in a nightmare scenario for Europe.

Hybrid attacks are then launched on the West, before Russia builds up forces on the border with Nato countries Poland and Lithuania.

After stirring up tensions in the Baltics, Nato deploys 300,000 soldiers east on "Day X" as they stare down Russian forces over the Suwalki gap, the region between Moscow's satellite Belarus and its Kaliningrad enclave.

A spokesperson for the ministry said: "Basically, I can tell you that considering different scenarios, even if they are extremely unlikely, is part of everyday military business, especially in training."

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Putin will only trigger World War Three if he feels Nato are unprepared, ex-commander of US forces in Europe warns - LBC

A Self Cloning Invasive Species Could Soon Take Over Texas – klaq.com

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Who knew that one little crayfish could cause such a big problem? In Texas, this self-cloning aquatic species could soon take over!

Recently, the Texas Parks and Wildlife department sent out a warning on social media alerting all Texans about this possible invasive species called The Marbled Crayfish.

Look at that little fella! This lady is the real definition of "she don't need no man!" because TPWD say these all female crayfish can reproduce without males by cloning! The seriously crazy part, as the organization puts it, is that "the release of a single individual could start an entire invasive population".

TPWD is warning Texans if you have these critters as pets in your aquarium DO NOT release them into the wild! First of all, I didn't know that you could get crayfish and keep them as pets! My next question would be- can you eat them? Which, apparently you can, but I digress.

Now, I didn't think these little crayfish could do so much damage, they're so tiny! But apparently they can, and they have! They have previously spread through Europe and Africa and even appeared in Japan!

As for the science behind why they can self-clone? Well, I think this guy can explain it better than me!

Now the topic of banning the sale of marbled crayfish has come up; to which the TPWD responded by saying:

TPWD did consider prohibiting possession/sale of this species. But, Marbled Crayfish are directly descended via a mutation in aquaculture from the Georgia/Florida native Slough Crayfish, which are also sold in the aquarium trade but arenot self-cloning and so pose much less of a threat. There is no way to tell them apart other than genetic testing.

This would make enforcement of such a ban extremely difficult unless both species were banned and regulations must be enforceable.

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A Self Cloning Invasive Species Could Soon Take Over Texas - klaq.com