Welcome to Issue 20 of our PM Nerd newsletter, packed with this weeks project updates! We’re thrilled to share the latest highlights with you. Furthermore, we’ve streamlined the process to become a part of our community. Just forward this email to your friends and family; they can then use the “Sign Up” button to join our group. Without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s news… In Today’s Newsletter
Let’s go ahead and get started. Commençons! Project FocusSunak Scraps High Speed 2 Rail Line |
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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced the cancellation of the northern leg of the HS2 high-speed rail project, citing ballooning costs as the reason. Instead, the government plans to reinvest £36 billion in a series of road and rail schemes across the country, with a focus on the North and Midlands regions. This decision has sparked criticism, with some arguing that it betrays the government’s levelling up agenda. Critics also argue that it could make it harder to build consensus for future long-term projects. However, supporters of the decision see it as a good compromise, and it could help fend off a rebellion by red wall Tory MPs. Comtech Wins Contract for Satellite Modems
Comtech Telecommunications has been awarded a $48.6 million contract by the U.S. Army to develop a versatile satellite modem, known as the Enterprise Digital Intermediate Frequency Multi-Carrier (EDIM) modem, capable of connecting to multiple networks. The EDIM modem will support various satellite providers and enable digitised hybrid satellite network architectures, allowing military users to access different carriers and enhance communication resilience. The Army and other services will determine the modem’s production quantities and schedule, with plans to replace both fixed-site and tactical system modems.
Quiz QuestionThe focus today is on project initiation. How well-informed are you about this aspect of project management? Question: What is the primary objective of project initiation? A) Defining the project’s scope and objectives B) Executing project tasks C) Monitoring project progress D) Closing out the project Keep scrolling to find the answer! Middle East NewsJeddah’s Historic District to be Transformed
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia has partnered with Al Balad Development Company (BDC) with the goal of transforming Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district into an economic and cultural hub, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. BDC will enhance infrastructure, restore historic buildings, and develop residential, commercial, hotel, and office spaces within the district, covering 2.5 million square meters. Sustainability and heritage preservation are priorities, aiming to make Al Balad a top global tourist destination while offering investment opportunities and enhancing residents’ quality of life.
ROSHN First to Achieve Major Smart City Certification
Roshn Group, a leading national real estate developer in Saudi Arabia and a PIF-funded giga-project, has been awarded the BSI (British Standards Institution) Kitemark for Smart Cities, becoming the first company in the India, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (IMETA) region to achieve this certification. The Kitemark incorporates two ISO standards, focusing on sustainable development in communities and smart city operating models. Roshn’s commitment to sustainability and smart community principles, as well as its use of technology and innovation in its developments, has earned the prestigious international recognition. The achievement underscores Roshn’s leadership in setting new standards for sustainable planning and development in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals.
Other NewsAn emergency flood warning has been issued in Victoria’s Gippsland region after heavy rainfall in the state’s east, with multiple flood alerts ranging from advice to emergency levels. Communities along the Macalister River, downstream of Lake Glenmaggie, including Tinamba, Tinamba West, Newry, Bellbird Corner, and Riverslea, have been urged to evacuate as flooding is expected. The river catchment has received approximately 174 millimetres of rain since 9 am on Tuesday, and planned dam releases will keep the river above major flood levels. The heavy rain has provided relief to areas threatened by recent bushfires.
The 2023 Nobel Prize in chemistry has been awarded to Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Alexei Ekimov for their groundbreaking work in discovering and developing quantum dots used in LED lights, TV screens, and medical diagnostics. The scientists were praised for their pioneering work in exploring the nanoworld, where matter is measured in millionths of a millimetre, leading to the development of quantum dots consisting of just a few thousand atoms. They are now widely used in TVs for vibrant colours and energy efficiency and in medical diagnostics to illuminate molecules binding to cancer tumours. The Nobel committee mistakenly leaked the laureates’ names before the official announcement but later confirmed their selection.
Kevin McCarthy ousted from his top House leadership post in a historic vote, will not seek re-election as speaker, creating uncertainty among House Republicans. The House must now elect a new speaker, but no clear alternative has emerged yet. This move intensifies the turmoil within the House GOP, following McCarthy’s successful bipartisan effort to avert a government shutdown just days prior. The effort to oust McCarthy was led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, with eight Republicans voting for his removal. House Democrats signalled their intent to vote against McCarthy, citing distrust and anger towards his actions as speaker and the House GOP agenda.
SportWorld Cup 2030 to be hosted by 6 Countries
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted across three continents, with Morocco, Portugal, and Spain winning the bid to host the 48-team tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host the opening three matches. This decision is unprecedented, as the World Cup has never been played on multiple continents before. The tournament will involve teams playing in six countries, each of which will qualify automatically. The announcement came after a virtual meeting of the FIFA council, and it is subject to confirmation by all 211 FIFA members in the final months of the following year. This decision followed extensive speculation and political negotiations between continental confederations over hosting rights. Blog – 10 Post-Pandemic PM SkillsAre you eager to advance your career in project management? Explore our latest article for valuable insights. Discover key areas to concentrate on, guiding you towards the next level of your professional growth.
Newsletters That We LikeBelow are some newsletters that we follow, and you should as well! The Average Joe – The “IKEA instructions for investing” to help you become a better investor. Market trends & insights that are simple, concise, and impactful. Life-changing Concepts – Mental models that give founders an unfair advantage in business. Get a summary of 20 useful mental models when you join. It’s free. The New Money’s Partner Program – Discover what’s next. The New Money features the world’s top stories from early-stage public companies, crypto, and startups. The Morning Brew – Morning Brew covers the latest business, tech, finance & more news in a quick-to-read daily newsletter perfect for busy professionals. AnswerThe correct answer to the Quiz Question: A) Defining the project’s scope and objectives That’s it for now See you next week! Do you have some feedback or want to collaborate with the newsletter? Then email me at glen@projectmangementnerd.com |
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