Chinese rocket startup Deep Blue Aerospace recently announced that it plans to carry out commercial suborbital flights in 2027, projecting a ticket price of about 1.5 million yuan (210,674 U.S. dollars).
The suborbital flights will last approximately 12 minutes, during which time the spacecraft will fly to an altitude of 100 kilometers, but will not enter orbit, according to Deep Blue.
The manned spacecraft has six panoramic windows, can accommodate up to six passengers, and is designed to be used over 50 times, the company said.
The spacecraft is approximately 4 meters tall, with a maximum diameter of 3.5 meters and a takeoff weight of 7.9 tonnes. It is expected to ascend to altitudes between 100 kilometers and 150 kilometers, providing a zero-gravity experience that will last up to five minutes, according to Deep Blue.
The company pre-sold two tickets for its 2027 suborbital flights during an e-commerce livestream activity on Thursday, with each ticket charged at a discounted price of 1 million yuan.
The successful purchasers have paid a deposit of 50,000 yuan per ticket, but Deep Blue requires interested customers to sign contracts offline and visit the company before making their final payment.
The startup plans to subject its Nebula-1 rocket to multiple recovery and reuse tests in 2025, and complete dozens of tests on its manned spacecraft and rocket combination in 2026.
The oxygen and kerosene-fueled Nebula-1 is Deep Blue’s first reusable launch vehicle. It completed 10 of its 11 key verification tasks during its first high-altitude vertical recovery flight test last month, but experienced an anomaly in the final landing phase, leading to a fracture in the body of the rocket.
Despite these imperfect results, Zhao Ya, executive president of Deep Blue, says that the test has provided valuable data and experience to help the company identify problems and deficiencies, and to improve the performance and reliability of the rocket.
Deep Blue has said that its decision to sell tickets three years in advance stems from a deep awareness of the complexities and risks involved in rocket technology. The company is dedicated to rigorous research and development, extensive testing and performance optimization to ensure its rocket meets the highest safety standards.
Aucklanders will see a greater Police presence on public transport services to boost safety and reassure public transport workers and passengers, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say.
“Minister Brown and I are working together, alongside Police and Auckland Transport in response to the horrific attack that took place in Onehunga,” Mr Mitchell says.
“I want to acknowledge the outstanding Police work in identifying, locating and arresting the alleged offender.
“This attack has shaken Aucklanders, and particularly public transport users. The Government utterly condemns this senseless and horrific loss of life, and is taking action to make public transport safer for workers and passengers alike,” Mr Mitchell says.
To increase safety and provide reassurance to public transport workers and users, Police have increased staff presence and visibility across public transport modes in the city.
“Kiwis deserve to be able to get on a bus, train or ferry and be safe doing so. That is why the Government is determined to create a safer environment for everyone on public transport.”
Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says he will be asking the Justice Select Committee to explore if changes are needed to the Sentencing (Reform) Amendment Bill for an expansion of aggravating factors to include offences to all public transport users
“An expansion could include making offences against all public transport users an aggravating factor, ensuring greater protection for those who rely on buses, trains, and ferries. The Bill already provides for a new aggravating factor for offences against public transport workers.
“This is about making sure that public transport remains safe for everyone, whether you are a worker or a passenger. It sends a clear message that violence and abuse in these spaces will not be tolerated,” Mr Brown says.
In addition, the Government will ensure that the $15 million in Budget 2024 funding for bus driver safety and work conditions is provided to Public Transport Authorities by the end of 2024. This funding will be used for safety improvements, including retrofitted safety screens and real-time CCTV monitoring.
“Our Government is committed to delivering practical, long-term improvements to ensure safer and more secure conditions for public transport workers and passengers. Whether it’s tougher sentencing or immediate safety upgrades, we are working to ensure that everyone who uses or works in public transport can do so with confidence,” Mr Brown says.
The Ministry of Transport and NZTA are also working together to ensure there is a consistent policy across New Zealand for how public transport workers can address anti-social or violent behaviour aboard public transport services.
Discussions will continue with Police and Public Transport Authorities about other measures may be needed for Kiwis to have greater assurance to use public transport.
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (TSXV:CMC; OTC PINK:CWSFF) (“Cielo” or the “Company”), a company fueling renewable change, wishes to remind its shareholders that its forthcoming Annual General Meeting of shareholders (the “AGM”) will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 10 a.m. MT. As the AGM will be held virtually, shareholders will not be able to attend in person.
To attend the AGM, shareholders will have to access the following link online: https://teams.microsoft.com/CieloAGM2024 (meeting ID 218 185 286 033, passcode 5A4kx6). Shareholders will have an equal opportunity to participate at the AGM by video conference regardless of their geographic location. Additional details related to the AGM, including the method of attending the AGM virtually, are described in the Company’s meeting materials, which are available on SEDAR+ (http://www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company’s website (http://www.cielows.com/investors).
Proxy Deadline
In addition, the Company has elected to extend the deadline for submission of proxies related to the AGM to Monday, October 28, 2024, at 2 p.m. MT, to allow shareholders additional time for voting. Management encourages voting in advance of the AGM by proxy to allow for a more efficient AGM. Those who vote in advance of the AGM by proxy will still have an opportunity to participate in the AGM, including during the planned question and answer period.
ABOUT CIELO
Cielo is fueling renewable change with a mission to be a leader in the wood by-product-to-fuels industry by using environmentally friendly, economically sustainable and market-ready technologies. We are proud to advance our non-food derived model based on our exclusive licence in Canada for patented Enhanced Biomass to Liquids (EBTL™) and Biomass Gas to Liquids (BGTL™) technologies and related intellectual property, along with an exclusive licence in the US for creosote and treated wood waste, including abundant railway tie feedstock. We have assembled a diverse portfolio of projects across geographic regions and secured the ability to leverage the expertise of proven industry leaders. Cielo is committed to helping society ‘change the fuel, not the vehicle’, which we believe will contribute to generating positive returns for shareholders. Cielo shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “CMC,” as well as on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol “CWSFF.”
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should” or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes.
Forward-looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements and information are based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and are subject to certain factors and assumptions. Cielo is making forward-looking statements, with respect to, but not limited to: the AGM, including timing and the proxy deadline.
Investors should continue to review and consider information disseminated through news releases and filed by the Company on SEDAR+. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.
New Zealand will contribute $20 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters have announced.
“The Pacific Islands region faces severe challenges from natural disasters and climate change impacts and New Zealand is committed to doing its part to help meet them,” Mr Luxon says.
“We’re joining with other countries in helping to progress the Pacific Resilience Facility, which will encourage public and private sector investment in preparedness for natural disasters and resilience to the effects of climate change.”
Mr Peters says the Pacific Resilience Facility will help ensure Pacific Island countries have access to the climate finance they need.
“We urge more countries to join us in making it a reality. The Facility’s focus on community-level projects will ensure practical benefits for Pacific Island communities. It is also a demonstration of what our region can achieve collectively.
“As we head into COP29 next month, where a new global climate finance goal will be agreed, it’s important to emphasise small island states and their communities need climate finance that they can actually access.”
Mr Luxon and Mr Peters made the announcement today while in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the remarks made by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at a media session after attending a radio interview this morning (October 26):
Reporter: Regarding the “1+” mechanism, how do you see the figures that five new drugs getting approved since the implementation last November? And it will also be expanded to cover all new drugs starting this November, how significant the move is to patients in Hong Kong, as well as the pharmaceutical companies? What are the responses from the pharmaceutical companies so far? Could you also share with us the timeline of the comprehensive review on (inaudiable)? When does the Bureau aim to complete the review?
Secretary for Health: The “1+” mechanism for drug registration and approval started in November last year. Over the last one year, we are very happy and encouraged to see that the pharmaceutical (companies) are very interested. We have received enquiries from over 80 companies for over 260 drug entities. We are quite encouraged to see that five drugs have already been approved under this new mechanism, particularly with a CAR-T therapy for cancer patients, which has been incorporated into the Hospital Authority Drug Formulary. We can see that the industry is very interested. But of course, it is a process. It takes time for the Drug Office under the Department of Health to streamline all the processes, guidelines and procedures.
In addition, it also takes time for the pharmaceutical industry to get used to this new mechanism. Remember that in the past, we have the “secondary evaluation”, meaning that many pharmaceutical companies in Hong Kong are not used to provide objective clinical trial data, as well as applications for approval and registration, so all these pharmaceutical companies will also need to learn and prepare a new office for R&D (research and development) and registration and approval in Hong Kong. I am sure that with our new policy initiative to extend this “1+” mechanism to cover for all new chemical entities in November this year, there will be more and more interest in it. Now, any new chemical entity will be able to be registered in Hong Kong through this new “1+” mechanism. I want to highlight the fact that this also includes vaccines as well as advanced therapy products. Advanced therapy products mean not just drugs in the usual sense, but self-therapy or gene therapy which involve the processing of patients’ own blood for treatment of very advanced cancers or diseases. This is very important. We anticipate that with more and more drug companies aware of this, we are able to allow patients in Hong Kong, and even in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), to enjoy more advanced therapy products or new drugs of the most advanced one, and thus elevating and improving the healthcare standard in the whole area.
And secondly, with more choices of drugs, the cost of these new treatments, drugs or new advanced therapy products will be lowered. Thirdly, it will promote the development of R&D, research and development, in the area . This will be very important for the development of the R&D in the whole GBA. Remember we have the special drug and medical devices’ connect measure in the GBA, which allows drugs and medical devices which have not yet been registered in the Mainland but already registered and used in Hong Kong to be used in specific healthcare institutions in the GBA. This is very attractive for pharmaceutical companies because once the drugs or medical devices are approved and registered in Hong Kong and used in the public hospitals, these drugs and devices will be able to have a “green channel” for use in the 68 million-population in the GBA.
About the review, we have received the report from the review committee of the Hospital Authority on October 8. Our team is reviewing it. We will ensure that the Hospital Authority will be able to follow, enforce and implement all those measures. We are looking into the details of how to implement and monitor the progress, and we will announce the results as soon as possible. Thank you.
Two people were killed and four others injured after a fire broke out in a residential building in Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, on Friday afternoon. The fire occurred in a seven-story building in the city’s Nangang District at about 1 p.m., according to city authorities. Six people were rushed to hospital. Two died after medical treatment failed, and four continue to receive treatment, officials have said. The fire has been extinguished and an investigation into its cause is ongoing.
“Hanging lanterns and tying colored ribbons with joy, everyone sings the victory song. From cities to villages, Taiwan’s liberation must not be forgotten,” a joyful and triumphant song written in 1946 was sung by hundreds of people wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas in the public square in front of the Taipei Zhongshan Hall on Friday morning. Braving the autumn drizzle, they gathered in Taipei to mark the 79th anniversary of Taiwan’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule and its return to the motherland. In 1895, the Qing government, defeated in a war launched by Japan against China, was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. On Oct. 25, 1945, it was right in the Taipei Zhongshan Hall where the ceremony to accept Japan’s surrender in Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held. From that point on, China recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto through a host of documents with international legal effect. “Our ancestors once stood here and witnessed Taiwan’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, and the 6 million people of Taiwan were ecstatic,” said Chi Chia-lin, chairman of the Reunification Alliance Party in Taiwan, in his speech. He recalled how even cigarette boxes at the time bore the word “motherland,” reflecting the strong national identity felt by the people of Taiwan. Recalling Taiwan’s anti-Japanese struggles during the colonial period, Lan Bo-chow, a renowned writer, said that Taiwan people had maintained a strong sense of national identity despite forced separation. “People of Taiwan fought bravely against the Japanese on the island, while thousands went to the mainland to join the resistance movements against Japan. We hope that more young people in Taiwan will learn about this history and not be misled by ‘Taiwan independence’ narratives,” he said. Oct. 25 was a public holiday in Taiwan until it was canceled in 2001 by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities. Since the DPP took office again in 2016, the authorities have stopped organizing commemorative activities, contributing to the gradual fading of public memory, especially among younger generations in Taiwan. “Taiwan’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule and China’s resumption of sovereignty over Taiwan are historical facts that cannot be erased,” said Chi. “We are here today to honor this memory and voice our desire for peaceful reunification under a single China.” The DPP authorities are brainwashing young people in Taiwan with a separatist historical narrative that whitewashed Japanese colonial rule and with their efforts to sever historical ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, said Wu Jung-yuan, chairman of the Labor Party in Taiwan. “We should not tolerate ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists compromising the future of Taiwan and our children,” he said. The gathering was jointly organized by more than 60 political parties and civil groups in Taiwan. Though the drizzle grew into a downpour as the event progressed, the participants’ enthusiasm remained undiminished. Groups arrived from central and southern Taiwan, adding to the crowd. After the speeches, attendees paid their respects with three bows and laid flowers at a red-stone monument in the square marking the victory of the war against Japanese aggression and the restoration of Taiwan. Later, a procession of nearly 1,000 people departed from the square, chanting slogans such as “oppose Taiwan independence” and “peaceful unification” as they marched toward Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the regional leader’s office building. As the procession passed, many people stopped to watch or take photos, while others waved and gave the marchers a thumbs-up. On the same day, the New Party organized a motorcade in Taipei, calling on Japan to apologize for wartime atrocities committed in Taiwan, including the forced recruitment of “comfort women” during World War II, while reaffirming that Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China. “Born and raised in Taiwan, I didn’t know that Oct. 25 used to be a public holiday,” said a young man surnamed Deng, who attended the gathering out of curiosity. “We, the younger generation, need to learn this missed lesson. Distorting history is disgraceful, but forgetting it is even more tragic.”
While drone swarms have been an area of technological development for many years, their practical applications have only recently gained significant momentum, particularly following increased attention during the Russia-Ukraine war, as reflected in Google search trends. The rapid advancement in AI technologies has further accelerated drone swarm control capabilities, enabling the integration of computer vision algorithms and geospatial data to recognize patterns and automate previously impossible operations. This evolution has led to drone swarms finding diverse applications across multiple industries, earning recognition as a high-impact innovation, according to Technology Foresights, an innovation intelligence platform by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
The latest advancement in drone swarm technology significantly enhances operational efficiency by eliminating the traditional requirement of one operator per drone. This breakthrough achieves advanced autonomy through onboard intelligent agents, developed using human-in-loop and trustworthy AI systems. These agents can independently assess their surroundings, exchange target data with other drones, and make mission-priority decisions without requiring constant communication with the control station. This innovation addresses a critical weakness in swarm-based warfare systems, where electronic warfare tactics frequently overwhelm communication systems and disrupt the data connection between drones and their control stations.
Sourabh Nyalkalkar, Practice Head of Innovation Products at GlobalData, comments: “In an era marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, drone warfare has emerged as a pivotal element in modern military operations, with armed forces globally embracing unmanned aerial vehicles for a diverse range of tactical and reconnaissance missions. In a significant development, defense industry major Thales recently showcased a full-scale demonstration of drone swarm deployment, featuring multiple autonomy levels that significantly reduce operator cognitive burden. The company’s expertise in this domain has not gone unnoticed, as Thales has been recognized as one of the leaders in drone swarm control innovation, according to Technology Foresights.”
In response to the current geopolitical climate and growing military demand for advanced drone capabilities, drone swarm control technology is expected to experience significant growth. Patent analysis reveals that over 50% of technology patents in this field have been granted within the past three years, with major corporations holding the majority share.
Though smaller in proportion, startup-owned patents are rapidly increasing, accompanied by growing investment activity in the sector. Recent developments highlight this trend, as demonstrated by Ukrainian startup Swarmer securing $2.7mn in funding for the development and commercialization of its AI-based swarm control technology, Styx, while another US-based startup, EchelonAI, entered into M&A with Skyfire.
Nyalkalkar continues: “The innovation landscape in drone swarm control technologies extends well beyond the defense sector, with significant developments emerging from the communications and networking industry. Telecommunication companies are rapidly adopting drone swarms for various applications, including network optimization, infrastructure monitoring, and emergency coverage deployment in critical areas.”
The technology’s development ecosystem is diverse and competitive, with over 100 companies actively innovating in this space. While defense industry leaders like Thales, RTX, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems continue to advance military applications, specialized drone manufacturers such as SZ DJI, Skydio, and Tevel are making significant contributions.
Additionally, major telecommunications players including Qualcomm, Ericsson, Verizon, and AT&T are developing their own drone swarm solutions, while geospatial solution providers like Here and Geofrenzy are expanding the technology’s capabilities.
Nyalkalkar concludes: “The rapid advancement of AI technology has catalyzed unprecedented growth in drone swarm applications across diverse sectors. Retail and logistics giants such as Amazon, Walmart, and UPS are developing autonomous master-slave drone networks for last-mile delivery, while agritech companies such as Nileworks are creating innovative solutions for crop monitoring.
“As drone swarm control technologies continue to evolve beyond traditional entertainment and light shows, this dynamic field promises exciting developments and transformative applications across multiple industries in the coming years.”
At the 2024 MedTech Conference in Toronto, Canada, a central theme emerged in discussions on the future of healthcare delivery: the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize operations and improve patient outcomes. The integration of AI is poised to transform how healthcare professionals work, potentially alleviating physician burnout and creating a more patient-centric experience, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Joselia Carlos, Senior Medical Device Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Approximately 30% of the world’s data is created within hospitals, but an alarming 90% of this data goes unused, which is resulting in healthcare providers missing the opportunity to harness insights that could lead to more efficient operations and improved patient care. Hospitals are data-rich environments, and leveraging AI algorithms to process and analyze this information can pave the way for enhanced patient care and operational efficiencies.”
At the MedTech Conference, Vaughn Schouten, global head of medtech advisory and innovation at Salesforce, mentioned that inefficiencies cost medtech companies an estimated 4% of their revenue annually. These inefficiencies are linked not just to lost productivity but also to physician burnout—a growing crisis in the healthcare sector. Burdened with administrative tasks and paperwork, physicians find themselves spending less time with patients, impacting the critical patient-doctor relationship at the heart of effective care.
Carlos continues: “AI solutions have the potential to automate repetitive administrative tasks and optimize workflows, thereby reducing the strain on physicians. This, in turn, would enable them to focus on what they do best—developing the patient-doctor bond and providing quality healthcare service.”
According to GlobalData’s Thematic Intelligence report on AI in Healthcare, the healthcare sector is poised to be a major driver of the AI market’s explosive growth by 2030. Valued at $103 billion in 2023, the AI market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 39%, surpassing $1 trillion by 2030. From automating data entry and real-time documentation to leveraging predictive analytics for resource allocation, AI has the potential to significantly enhance operational efficiency, freeing up physicians to focus on direct patient care. By alleviating administrative burdens, AI can lead to higher job satisfaction among healthcare professionals and improved patient outcomes.
Carlos concludes: “The integration of AI in healthcare delivery is not just about automation but it is also about creating a more human-centered approach to medicine. When physicians are liberated from routine tasks, they can spend more meaningful time with patients, which ultimately results in better diagnoses, treatment plans, and patient satisfaction.”
The UK furniture and floorcoverings market is set to return to growth in Q4 2024 after six quarters of decline as the October Budget should remove a dampener on consumer confidence, and the 10.9% uplift in housing transactions between April and August 2024 and real wage growth filter through. This presents an opportunity for retailers with shorter lead times, such as IKEA, Argos, and John Lewis, and those who have invested in domestic manufacturing, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Matt Walton, Senior Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Furniture and floorcoverings has had a challenging 2024 as shoppers have prioritized essentials and consumer confidence has been brittle. Future consumer sentiment has taken a sharp downturn recently, after a recovery in H1 2024, mainly due to concerns about how the Budget will affect shoppers’ finances. However, should its impact be marginal, the recovery in consumer confidence will boost spend on big-ticket categories.”
An increase in housing transactions since April 2024 and a full year of real wage growth will also help release pent-up demand. There are signs of this release starting, with DFS reporting year-on-year order growth since July and figures from GlobalData’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker showing that a greater proportion of shoppers will spend more on furniture and floorcoverings over the next six months on a year-on-year basis, with a particular uplift since July 2024. However, weak consumer confidence is currently inhibiting spend.
Walton continues: “Once the Budget has been announced and consumers can gauge their financial position, the current pent-up demand will start to be released. IKEA, Argos and John Lewis are among the retailers who will benefit from this. The Budget will occur after the deadline for Christmas delivery has passed for many furniture specialists, so retailers with shorter lead times will benefit initially from the recovery. Retailers who have invested in domestic manufacturing, such as DFS, Bensons for Beds and Dreams, will also benefit as they can circumnavigate the current Red Sea disruption.
Walton concludes: “Retailers with shorter lead times, like John Lewis, will be among the main beneficiaries from the improving conditions in Q4, and it will also benefit from Marks & Spencer exiting furniture, the return of Never Knowingly Undersold and the launch of new upholstery ranges.”
The UK non-food online market is set to grow by 2.9% to reach £106m in 2024, with online penetration forecast to climb to 39%, marking an improvement for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. GlobalData anticipates the non-food online market growth will outpace the total retail market, which is expected to increase by 2.1% in 2024.
Tash Van Boxel, Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Retailers must diversify online capabilities to take advantage of increased online demand. Enhancing online services will be essential, such as implementing AI powered tools to strengthen apps and websites and improving fulfilment services. Not doing so will expose retailers to fluctuations in footfall, impacting offline demand. A strong online proposition can help retailers convert online browsers to purchase through services such as Click & Collect.”
As online growth is set to continue, retailers must ensure that delivery services provide good value for money and high efficiency. 85% of frequent online shoppers* would switch away from their favourite online retailer if they could find faster delivery for the same item elsewhere, according to GlobalData’s September 2024 Consumer Views survey**. A further 60% of frequent online shoppers stated that the delivery experience impacts whether they shop at the retailer again.
Van Boxel continues: “Online shoppers value the delivery experience and will switch away to competitors if the experience goes sour. Prioritising cost-effective delivery methods is crucial for retailers to retain customers, ensuring shoppers have options, such as next-day delivery and nominated-day delivery at reasonable prices. Retailers must also be cautious about which couriers they partner with, as shoppers will look elsewhere if the only available courier has proved to be unreliable in the past.”
Social media will play a vital role in the growth of the non-food online market, as consumers increasingly shop directly through social media platforms. 49.0% of UK consumers use Instagram, and 30.9% use TikTok, according to GlobalData’s October 2024 survey. Usage is highest among Gen Z consumers, with 88% using Instagram and 74% using TikTok.
Van Boxel concludes: “Social media is growing as a retail channel, but given the variation in usage among the generations, retailers need to cater their content on each platform to reach their target audience. As younger consumers utilise Instagram and TikTok more than their older counterparts, retailers must tailor content to this demographic. For example, collaborations with content creators are more likely to resonate with younger consumers who are more trusting of social media reviews than sponsored posts announcing new product launches, which may capture all age groups. Personalising marketing campaigns and content will be key to growing retailers’ customer bases and bolstering online traffic.”
*A frequent shopper is defined as a consumer who shops online every few days or once a week
**GlobalData’s October 2024 and September 2024 monthly surveys were conducted with 2,000 respondents
Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region has spent a total of 320 million yuan (about 45 million U.S. dollars) in recent years on 56 projects for the protection of movable cultural heritage, according to the regional cultural heritage bureau on Friday.
Xu Shaoguo, deputy director of the bureau, highlighted the progress that has been made in the preventive conservation of movable relics.
Xizang has launched several key digital preservation projects, including projects digitizing ancient manuscripts such as the palm-leaf manuscripts of the Potala Palace. These projects facilitate the comprehensive viewing, archiving and management of movable cultural relics.
It has also prioritized the restoration of movable relics, forming partnerships between regional cultural authorities and national institutions.
Xizang’s museum system has seen continuous expansion and now has a network of 43 museums, including state-owned institutions, private institutions, memorial halls, and relic exhibition halls in monasteries. These museums have reported a steady rise in visitor numbers, surpassing 3.66 million visitors in 2023 and topping 3.25 million in the first nine months of 2024.
Data shows that Xizang is home to 2,373 protected cultural heritage sites, over 1,000 of which house registered movable relics. In total, more than 510,000 individual or sets of movable cultural relics have been documented across the region.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China has discovered and reported a number of large-scale confirmed mineral resources, including gold, copper, phosphorus as well as other minerals in the first three quarters of this year, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced on Friday.
Tang Zhengguo, an official of the geological exploration management department of the ministry, said that the uncovered mineral resources are distributed across five provinces and autonomous regions.
These discoveries include 57.8 tons of gold, 3.83 million tons of copper and 137,000 tons of molybdenum in Heilongjiang province; new phosphate resources amounting to 367.5 million tons in Sichuan province; a new phosphate resource quantity of 78.86 million tons in Guizhou province; an increase of 5.89 million tons in fluorite resources in Inner Mongolia autonomous region and a newly added fluorite resource of more than 1 million tons in Zhejiang province.
Regarding solid mineral resources, from January to June this year, 138 prospective mining areas were outlined, 374 mining target areas were identified and 50 new mineral deposits were discovered, according to Tang.
Moreover, in terms of oil and gas mineral resources, two deep coal bed gas reserves of billion-cubic-meter scale have been discovered, Tang said.
Presidential Office thanks Biden administration for announcing its 17th military sale to Taiwan Presidential Office thanks Biden administration for announcing its 17th military sale to Taiwan 2024-10-26
On October 25 (US EST), the United States government announced that it had notified Congress of the US$1.988 billion sale to Taiwan of three military packages, including an advanced surface-to-air missile system and two upgrade packages for L-band and non-L-band radar systems. Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) on October 26 stated that strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities is the foundation for maintaining regional stability. The spokesperson said that the Presidential Office is grateful to the US government for continuing to provide Taiwan with the weaponry it needs in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. Spokesperson Kuo stated that this marks the 17th military sale to Taiwan announced during the Biden administration since 2021, as well as the largest single military sale since President Biden took office, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of the US government to the security of Taiwan. She emphasized that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities as it works to maintain the rules-based international order, ensuring the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged efforts to enhance inclusive public services for the people. In a recent instruction on civil affairs work, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasized the need to strengthen public services aimed at meeting the essential needs of the people and ensuring basic living standards for those facing difficulties.
The powerful explosions heard around Iran’s capital, Tehran, early Saturday were linked to air defense responses against attempted Israeli airstrikes on three locations outside the city, according to state-run IRIB TV.
The dimensions and details of the air defense responses are under investigation, according to a statement by the Tehran Province Air Defense’s public relations, as reported by IRIB TV.
The source of the blasts has not yet been identified and seemed to have originated in the suburbs of Tehran, said IRIB TV.
The TV quoted security sources as saying that some of the explosions pertained to the activities of the air defense systems deployed near the capital.
The situation remains normal in the capital, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency report.
Israel confirmed it had launched “precise strikes on military targets in Iran” early Saturday morning local time, with the Israel Defense Forces saying that the strikes were in response to “months of continuous attacks” from Iran.
The Israeli military said later that it had completed its “targeted” attacks against military targets in Iran after three waves of strikes.
On Oct. 1, Iran fired approximately 180 missiles at Israeli targets, describing the action as retaliation for the assassinations of several leaders of regional resistance groups, among other grievances.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran had made a “grave mistake” and vowed retaliation.
Iran’s aviation authority announced that it had suspended all flights until further notice. The air defense headquarters of Iran said that it had successfully countered the Israeli attack, with only “limited damage” to some areas, according to Tasnim news agency.
Hungary’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar speaks during an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of Hungary-China diplomatic relations in Budapest, Hungary on Oct. 24, 2024. [Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua]
Hungary’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar stressed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with China during an event on Thursday celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
In an interview with Xinhua during the event, Magyar reflected on the development of Hungary-China relations and their significance. He highlighted Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy, initiated over a decade ago to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with Eastern countries, particularly China.
Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao speaks during an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of Hungary-China diplomatic relations in Budapest, Hungary on Oct. 24, 2024. [Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua]
Magyar said that Hungary is committed to seizing opportunities to collaborate with China, highlighting cooperation across business, culture, and infrastructure, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He described the last decade as a “very successful period of confirmed and determined relationship building,” with current ties stronger than ever.
Chinese investment has played a key role in this partnership, he said, noting that China ranks among the largest investors in Hungary, particularly in sectors such as the battery industry. This has established Hungary as a critical link between Western and Eastern economic interests, he added.
Artists perform during an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of Hungary-China diplomatic relations in Budapest, Hungary on Oct. 24, 2024. [Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua]
Commending China-Hungary ties as a model for international relations, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao emphasized China’s willingness to work with Hungary to enhance the well-being of the two peoples and promote world peace and development.
The celebration included cultural performances, featuring piano, guitar, and guzheng recitals, as well as Hungarian folk dances.
Israel has completed what it called a retaliatory attack on military targets in Iran, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) early Saturday morning.
The IDF launched “precise and targeted” air strikes on targets in several areas in Iran, in response to the attacks from Iran in recent months, it said in a statement.
The IDF statement was issued about three and a half hours after it announced the start of the operation.
Israeli aircraft struck missile manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air missile arrays, and additional Iranian aerial capabilities, according to the statement.
Israel’s state-owned Kan TV News reported that dozens of jets, including F35, F16 and F15, attacked 20 military targets in Iran.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video statement that the operation has foiled immediate threats to Israel, warning Iran against further response if there’s a new round of escalation.
Iranian eyewitnesses said early Saturday that big explosions were heard around the country’s capital Tehran. Shortly afterward, Iranian state-run IRIB TV reported that Iran’s air defense was engaged against Israeli strike attempts.
On Oct. 1, Iran fired approximately 180 missiles at Israeli targets, describing the action as retaliation for the assassinations of several leaders of regional resistance groups, among other grievances.
The Syrian Defense Ministry reported early Saturday that Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes against military sites in Syria’s southern and central regions.
The strikes, reportedly carried out around 2:00 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Friday), involved missiles launched from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Lebanese airspace.
According to the ministry, Syrian air defenses intercepted and downed several missiles, and efforts to assess the full impact of the strikes were ongoing.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported that Israeli aircraft entered Syrian airspace to target locations linked to Iran. The monitor added that while Syrian air defenses attempted to intercept the jets, they were unable to prevent them from reaching their targets.
Also on Saturday, Israel announced it launched “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran and the operation had concluded. Iran reported it had successfully countered the attack, with initial reports from local media indicating there was limited damage to some areas.
The China-Aid Project of Improving School Environment and Educational Facilities in Cambodia (CPISEEF) was inaugurated in southeast Kampong Cham province.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin presided over the inauguration ceremony held at the Hun Sen Peam Chi Kang High School in Kang Meas district, with more than 1,000 participants.
The project had constructed school buildings, resource buildings, dorms for teachers, sanitary facilities, wells, football pitches, basketball courts, fences, roads and sewage at 26 high schools and the Hun Sen Kandal Regional Teacher Training Center, located in the capital Phnom Penh, Kandal province and Kampong Cham province, Hun Manet said.
Besides helping develop hard infrastructure, the China-aid project has also supported the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development project for education in Cambodia.
The Cambodian prime minister said these achievements are a new testament to excellent ties and close cooperation between Cambodia and China, particularly in the education sector.
“This China-aid project has significantly contributed to improving the quality of education in Cambodia, benefiting both teachers and students,” he said.
Ambassador Wang was confident that the CPISEEF would importantly contribute to improving the quality of high school education in the Southeast Asian country.
“Youth represent the future. Investing in the education sector of Cambodia is investing in the future of the China-Cambodia relations,” he said.
Wang added that the alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy would help deepen cooperation in the education sector between the two countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 16th BRICS Summit from Tuesday to Thursday in Kazan, where he also had in-depth exchanges with world leaders on BRICS cooperation, bilateral relations and the current international situation.
The following are some of the highlights of Xi’s remarks and statements.
On Global South
— The collective rise of the Global South is a distinctive feature of the great transformation across the world. Global South countries marching together toward modernization is monumental in world history and unprecedented in human civilization.
— Standing at the forefront of the Global South, we should use our collective wisdom and strength, and stand up to our responsibility for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
— We should strengthen global security governance, and explore solutions to address both symptoms and roots of hotspot issues.
— The Global South emerges for development and prospers through development. We should make ourselves the main driving force for common development.
— We should play an active and leading role in the global economic governance reform, and make development the core of international economic and trade agenda.
— Diversity of civilization is the innate quality of the world. We should be advocates for exchanges among civilizations.
— China will coordinate with others to form a Global South Think Tanks Alliance to promote people-to-people exchanges and experience-sharing in governance.
— No matter how the international landscape evolves, we in China will always keep the Global South in our heart, and maintain our roots in the Global South.
— We support more Global South countries in joining the cause of BRICS as full members, partner countries or in the “BRICS Plus” format so that we can combine the great strength of the Global South to build together a community with a shared future for mankind.
On China-India relations
— China and India should strengthen communication and cooperation, enhance strategic mutual trust, and facilitate each other’s pursuit of development aspirations.
— China-India relations are essentially a question of how the two large developing countries and neighbors, each with a 1.4-billion-strong population, treat each other.
— The two sides should continue to uphold their important understandings, including that China and India are each other’s development opportunity rather than threat, and cooperation partner rather than competitor.
— The two countries should maintain a sound strategic perception of each other, and work together to find the right and bright path for big, neighboring countries to live in harmony and develop side by side.
On China-Iran relations
— No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will unswervingly develop friendly cooperation with Iran.
— The Chinese side supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and national dignity, steadily advancing its own economic and social development, and improving and deepening good-neighborly and friendly relations with neighboring countries.
— China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Iran within BRICS and other multilateral frameworks, further volume up the influence and voice of the Global South, and push forward the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.
On China-Egypt relations
— China is willing to be a sincere friend that looks out for each other and a close partner for joint development with Egypt.
— The two sides should continue to firmly support each other, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, jointly build the Belt and Road with high quality, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and push bilateral relations toward the goal of building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era.
— China appreciates Egypt’s efforts to promote a ceasefire and end of war, and stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Egypt to jointly push for an early end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the easing of the regional situation.
Twenty-three of the 35 students injured in an explosion inside a school in the Chilean capital on Wednesday are still hospitalized, the Ministry of Health said on Friday.
Of the injured, two remain in a state of “extreme gravity” and eight are in “critical condition,” the ministry said in a news bulletin.
The ministry said there were no deaths in connection with the detonation.
Nicolas Cataldo, the minister of education, told the local press that 12 students were discharged on Friday.
Cataldo ruled out that the incident was an “isolated event,” as head of the school Maria Alejandra Benavides previously told the press.
According to local police, a group of students from the Barros Arana National Boarding School, located in the historic center of Santiago, were making preparations on Wednesday to launch explosive devices on public roads. However, the explosion of the devices occurred in a bathroom under unknown circumstances.
An investigation continues following a stabbing in Dagenham.
Police were called at approximately 17:35hrs on Friday, 25 October to reports of three people injured in First Avenue, Dagenham.
Officers, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended.
A woman, believed to be aged in her 30s, and two children, a girl believed aged eight and a boy believed aged two, were found suffering stab injuries – they were all taken to hospital for treatment where they remain.
None of their injuries are thought to be life threatening.
A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. He was also taken to hospital after being taken unwell. After being assessed he has been discharged into police custody.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, responsible for policing in Barking and Dagenham, said:
“This is a truly shocking attack and I want to thank local residents for their assistance and patience while we deal with this incident.
“At this early stage, we believe those involved were known to each other and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
“A crime scene will remain in place for some time while our officers carry out vital work and you will see an increased policing presence in the area over the coming days. If you have any concerns or information that could assist police then please speak to an officer or call police on 101.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD5931/25Oct. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
European Commission Press release Washington, DC, 26 Oct 2024 The Commission welcomes the consensus reached by the EU and G7 partners to collectively provide loans for €45 billion to support Ukraine’s urgent needs, facilitated by the EU’s creation of the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism.
Police have staged the first inter-departmental tabletop exercise for the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), aimed at ensuring the park’s smooth operation when it is officially commissioned in the first quarter of 2025.
Over 150 representatives from various government departments and related organisations participated in the exercise. Codenamed WINGEDTIGER, it was held yesterday at the force’s Kowloon East Regional Headquarters.
The exercise simulated a series of potential incidents during concerts and international football matches, seeking to ensure that all stakeholders can respond to emergencies within the park effectively.
Stakeholders were required to allocate manpower, adopt contingency measures, and co-ordinate actions with other units in response to different emergencies in real-time. Experts were invited to share their professional knowledge after the exercise.
Police said the exercise not only strengthened communication and co-operation among various organisations, but also improved overall crowd management, collaboration, and responsiveness when handling large-scale incidents.
It served as a rehearsal for various test events and on-site drills scheduled that will be carried out between now the first quarter of next year, the force added.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
The Budget will deliver more affordable housing, ensure social housing is available for those who need it and turbocharge the delivery of 1.5 million homes.
A housing package announced today will deliver up to 5,000 new affordable social homes with £500 million in new funding for the Affordable Homes Programme. This brings total investment in housing supply to over £5 billion and supports the delivery of 33,000 new homes through £128 million for housing projects across the country.
Meanwhile, the stock of social housing will be increased through a new 5-year social housing rent settlement that will give the sector more long-term certainty on funding and allow them to invest in tens of thousands of new homes. The existing stock will also be protected by reducing Right to Buy discounts so that thousands more council homes remain in the sector.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:
We need to fix the housing crisis in this country. It’s created a generation locked out of the property market, torn apart communities and put the brakes on economic growth.
We are rebuilding Britain by ramping up housebuilding and delivering the 1.5 million new homes we so badly need.
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:
We have inherited a housing system which is broken, with not enough homes being built and even fewer that families can afford.
This is a further significant step in our plan to get Britain building again, backing the sector, so they can help us deliver a social and affordable housing boom, supporting millions of people up and down the country into a safe, affordable and decent home they can be proud of.
The £500 million to deliver thousands of new social and affordable homes is a top-up to the existing Affordable Homes Programme and comes ahead of the Government’s Housing Strategy due in the Spring.
The Government will set out details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme at the Spending Review. This will lay the foundations for the manifesto commitment to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, and to support councils and housing associations to build their capacity and make a greater contribution to affordable housing supply.
It will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and home-ownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for Social Rent.
The Government will also consult on a new 5-year social housing rent settlement, which caps the rents social housing providers can charge their tenants, to provide the sector with the certainty it needs to invest in new social housing. The intention would be for this to increase with Consumer Price Index inflation figures and an additional 1%. The consultation will also seek views on other potential options to give greater certainty, such as providing a 10-year settlement.
These measures to increase affordable housing come alongside changes to the Right to Buy scheme, which will protect existing social housing stock to meet housing need and deliver a fairer and more sustainable scheme.
England’s existing social housing supply is depleted every year by the scheme while also disincentivising councils to build new social housing.
Discounts will be reduced alongside greater protections for newly-built social housing and councils will be able to keep 100% of the receipts generated by a Right to Buy sale. This will enable councils to scale-up delivery of much needed social housing whilst still enabling longstanding tenants to buy their own homes.
The £128 million will support the delivery of new housing projects – including up to 28,000 new builds currently blocked by river pollution – cleaning up our rivers in the process – 3,000 energy efficient homes across the country and 2,000 new homes in North Liverpool.
Meanwhile the £56 million investment at Liverpool Central Docks will also deliver office, retail, leisure and hotel facilities alongside the new homes. As well as demonstrating our brownfield-first approach, it will transform Liverpool’s former docklands into a thriving waterfront neighbourhood.
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, says:
We strongly welcome the £500m top-up to the affordable homes programme. This vital injection of funding, which we’ve been urgently calling for, will support housing associations to continue to deliver much needed affordable homes in the immediate term and prevent a collapse in delivery.
We share the government’s ambition to build 1.5million homes over this parliament and stand ready to deliver the social homes needed, which is why we welcome a consultation on a new rent settlement. This will provide both transparency for residents and long term certainty and financial stability for social housing providers. We also support the government’s decision to review right to buy discounts.
To achieve the affordable homes needed across the country, alongside this short term top-up, we look forward to a new long term housing strategy announced at the next spending review, including a significant boost in funding for social housing.
Charlie Nunn, Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group, said:
As the biggest supporter of social housing in the UK, we welcome the announcement of the funding boost for the Affordable Homes Programme and the plans to consult on a long-term social housing rent settlement.
A safe and lasting home is the foundation for so many essential needs and strong socio-economic outcomes. We need greater provision of housing which is both sustainable and genuinely affordable to enable our communities to thrive.
Councillor Louise Gittins, LGA Chair, said:
We are pleased the Government has acted on our call to increase Affordable Homes Programme funding. We have made the case for councils to be empowered to build more affordable, good quality homes quickly and at scale and this will boost councils’ ability to build desperately-needed affordable housing for local communities.
It has become increasingly impossible for councils to replace homes as quickly as they’re being sold through the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme. The LGA has long-called for reform to RTB and these positive measures will support the replacement of sold homes and to stem the continued loss of existing stock.
A 5-year rent settlement is a step in the right direction in providing certainty for councils on rental income, but to really strengthen and provide stability to Housing Revenue Accounts, a minimum 10-year rent settlement is needed, alongside restoration of lost revenue due to the rent cap and a review of the self-financing settlement of 2012. This would better support long-term business planning to ensure councils can deliver high quality homes and associated support for their tenants.
Councils stand ready to work with the Government to increase affordable housing and help people on council housing waiting lists and record numbers stuck in temporary accommodation.
Additional information
The government is confirming £128 million of funding to deliver the following projects which will deliver much-needed new homes at complex brownfield sites as well provide long-term solutions to improve the supply of homes:
Confirmation of a £56 million investment at Liverpool Central Docks which is expected to deliver 2,000 homes in North Liverpool, along with office, retail, leisure, and hotel facilities. This will transform Liverpool’s former dockland into a thriving waterfront neighbourhood.
A £25 million investment in a joint venture to establish a new fund with Muse Places Limited and Pension Insurance Corporation to deliver 3,000 energy-efficient new homes across the country, with a target of 100% of these being affordable.
The confirmation of £47 million to local authorities to tackle pollution in our rivers, which has halted housebuilding in highly polluted areas. This funding could support the delivery of an estimated 28,000 homes that cannot be built currently due to these restrictions. This funding will not only unlock much needed new housing but also clean up our rivers in the process.
China and the European Union(EU) have reiterated willingness to solve the dispute over EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles through dialogue.
The two sides have decided to continue to make price commitment as the solution to the case, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Commerce after a talk held via video link on Friday between China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
There are strong calls and high expectations from various sectors in China and Europe for the proper handling of the case, said Wang.
Since Sept. 20, intensive negotiations have been conducted between the two sides regarding the price commitment, with some positive progress made in certain aspects, but significant differences still exist on issues of core concern to the business communities in China and Europe, he said.
Wang noted that China will unswervingly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises. He also expressed the hope that both sides will continue to advance negotiations based on the previous stage of consultations, and achieve substantive breakthroughs as soon as possible.
In the next stage of price commitment negotiations, consultations should be conducted based on mutual consideration of core concerns, and in accordance with the principles of pragmatism and balance, said Wang, adding that both the effectiveness of the agreement and the core interests of enterprises should be taken into account.
A bilateral communication mechanism should be established for the implementation and supervision of price commitment on the basis of mutual trust, he explained.
The European side has put forward specific suggestions regarding the price commitment plan and proposed that technical teams from both sides engage in video consultations on this matter. The Chinese side agrees to immediately start the next stage of negotiations and welcomes the European technical team to come to China as soon as feasible.
The two sides also exchanged views on the trade remedy investigations initiated by China against certain EU goods, such as brandy, pork and dairy products.
The Chinese side emphasized that these investigations were initiated at the request of domestic industries, in full compliance with the rules of the World Trade Organization, as well as Chinese laws and regulations.
China will continue to conduct the investigations in accordance with the law and regulations, and fully safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all parties involved, according to the ministry.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SJ to visit Singapore SJ to visit Singapore *********************
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will depart for Singapore tomorrow (October 27) afternoon to attend the 14th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference and related events. Mr Lam will speak at a plenary session of the conference. As a member of the Chinese delegation, he will attend bilateral meetings between the delegation and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Accompanying Mr Lam on the visit will include the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Maggie Yang, and government counsel. Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on October 30. During Mr Lam’s absence, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice.
Ends/Saturday, October 26, 2024Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Update on cluster of Rhinovirus/Enterovirus cases in Tuen Mun Hospital Update on cluster of Rhinovirus/Enterovirus cases in Tuen Mun Hospital **********************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients with Rhinovirus/Enterovirus in a paediatrics and adolescent ward, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) gave the following update today (October 26): One more patient, a 11-month-old male, in the ward concerned presented with respiratory symptoms since October 24. Appropriate testing was arranged for him and his test result was positive for Rhinovirus/Enterovirus. He is now being treated under isolation and in stable condition. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the wards are under close surveillance. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Saturday, October 26, 2024Issued at HKT 17:00
France has been criticised for the “alarming” death toll in New Caledonia during recent protests and its “cold shower” approach to decolonisation by experts of the UN Human Rights Committee.
The UN committee met this week in Geneva for France’s five-yearly human rights review with a focus on its Pacific territory, after peaceful protests over electoral changes turned violent leaving 13 people dead since May.
French delegates at the hearing defended the country’s actions and rejected the jurisdiction of the UN decolonisation process, saying the country “no longer has any international obligations”.
Almost 7000 security personnel with armoured vehicles have been deployed from France to New Caledonia to quell further unrest.
“The means used and the intensity of their response and the gravity of the violence reported, as well as the amount of dead and wounded, are particularly alarming,” said committee member Jose Santo Pais, assistant Prosecutor-General of the Portuguese Constitutional Court.
“There have been numerous allegations regarding an excessive use of force and that would have led to numerous deaths among the Kanak people and law enforcement,” the committee’s vice-chair said on Wednesday.
Months of protests Violence erupted after months of protests over a unilateral attempt by President Emmanuel Macron to “unfreeze” the territory’s electoral roll. Indigenous Kanaks feared the move would dilute their voting power and any chance of success at another independence referendum.
Eleven Kanaks and two French police have died. The committee heard 169 people were wounded and 2658 arrested in the past five months.
New Caledonia’s economy is in ruins with hundreds of businesses destroyed, tens-of-thousands left jobless and the local government seeking 4 billion euros (US$4.33 billion) in recovery funds from France.
Santos Pais questioned France’s commitment to the UN Declaration on Indigenous People and the “sufficient dialogue” required under the Nouméa Accord, a peace agreement signed in 1998 to politically empower Kanak people, that enabled the decolonisation process.
“It would seem that current violence in the territory is linked to the lack of progress in decolonisation,” said Santos Pais.
Last week, the new French Prime Minister announced controversial electoral changes that sparked the protests had been abandoned. Local elections, due to be held this year, will now take place at the end of 2025.
Pacific mission Tomorrow, Tonga’s prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni will lead a Pacific “observational” mission to New Caledonia of fellow leaders from Cook Islands, Fiji and Solomon Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs, together known as the “Troika-Plus”.
The PIF leaders’ three-day visit to the capital Nouméa will see them meet with local political parties, youth and community groups, private sector and public service providers.
“Our thoughts have always been with the people of New Caledonia since the unrest earlier this year, and we continue to offer our support,” Sovaleni said in a statement on Friday.
The UN committee is a treaty body composed of 18 experts that regularly reviews compliance by 173 member states with their human rights obligations and is separate from the Human Rights Council, a political body composed of states.
Serbian committee member Tijana Surlan asked France for an update on investigations into injuries and fatalities “related to alleged excessive use of force” in New Caledonia. She asked if police firearms use would be reviewed “to strike a better balance with the principles of absolute necessity and strict proportionality.”
France’s delegation responded saying it was “committed to renewing dialogue” in New Caledonia and to striking a balance between the right to demonstrate and protecting people and property with the “principle of proportionality.”
Alleged intimidation by French authorities of at least five journalists covering the unrest in New Caledonia was highlighted by committee member Kobauyah Tchamdja Kapatcha from Togo. France responded saying it guarantees freedom of the press.
French Ambassador for Human Rights Isabelle Rome addresses the UN Human Rights Committee meeting in Geneva, pictured on 23 October 2024. Image: UNTV
France rejects ‘obligations’ The French delegation led by Ambassador for Human Rights Isabelle Rome added it “no longer administers a non-self-governing territory.”
France “no longer has any international obligations in this regard linked to its membership in the United Nations”, she told the committee on Thursday.
New Caledonia voted by modest majorities to remain part of France in referendums held in 2018 and 2020 under a UN-mandated decolonisation process. Three referendums were part of the Nouméa Accord to increase Kanaks’ political power following deadly violence in the 1980s.
A contentious final referendum in 2021 was overwhelmingly in favor of continuing with the status quo. Supporters of independence rejected its legitimacy due to a very low turnout — it was boycotted by Kanak political parties — and because it was held during a serious phase of the covid-19 pandemic, which restricted campaigning.
“France, through the referendum of September [2021], has therefore completed the process of decolonisation of its former colonies,” ambassador Rome said. She added that New Caledonia was one of the most advanced examples of the French government recognising indigenous rights, with a shared governance framework.
Another of its Pacific territories — French Polynesia — was re-inscribed on the UN decolonisation list in 2013 but France refuses to recognise its jurisdiction.
No change in policy After a decade, France began attending General Assembly Decolonisation Committee meetings in 2023 to “promote dialogue” and that it was not a “change in [policy] direction”, Rome said.
“There is no process between the French state and the Polynesian territory that reserves a role for the United Nations,” she added.
Santos Pais responded saying, “what a cold shower”.
“The General Assembly will certainly have a completely different view from the one that was presented to us,” he said.