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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Catch up clinics to offer children free flu vaccinations

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    All children from Reception to Year 11 are eligible for the free vaccination in school given by healthcare professionals from Vaccination UK. Each school in Wolverhampton is being visited twice, giving children who may have been off the first time around a second chance to get vaccinated.

    Parents and guardians of children who may have either missed both dates in school, or who would prefer their child to receive it in a clinic, are invited to book an appointment at one of the catch-up clinics, taking place as follows: 

    • Saturday 9 November, 9am to 2pm, Bingley Family Hub, Norfolk Road WV3 0JE 
    • Saturday 23 November, 9am to 2pm, Dove Family Hub, Grangefield Close, Ryefield WV8 1XF 
    • Saturday 30 November, 9am to 2pm, Whitmore Reans Family Hub, Lansdowne Road WV1 4AL 
    • Saturday 11 January, 10am to 2pm, Biz Space, Planetary Road, WV13 3SW

    Appointments must be booked in advance by contacting Vaccination UK on 01902 200077. There are also clinics taking place in Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall – call Vaccination UK for more details of these.

    For the majority of children, the vaccine can be given via a nasal spray. For children who require a pork gelatine free alternative, or who are unable to have the nasal spray for medical reasons, an injectable vaccination is available on request.

    John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “Flu can be deadly and easily spread by children and adults. The free vaccine is the best way to protect your children and other family members, particularly more vulnerable relatives like grandparents or those with underlying health conditions, from becoming ill because of the flu.

    “The vaccination is quick and safe and it’s also needle free for most children because it can be given via a nasal spray, rather than via injection. If your child has missed out on their vaccination in school, or you’d rather take them to a clinic, please book an appointment at one of the catch up clinics being held in the coming weeks.”

    Children aged 2 and 3, and children with some long term health conditions, are also eligible for the nasal spray, with their vaccinations given at their local GP surgery. Parents and carers are encouraged to contact their GP if they haven’t yet received an invitation.

    To find out more about the flu vaccine for children, read the answers to frequently asked questions and enjoy the four exciting Flu Fighters stories for children, Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty, Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, Flu Fighters in Close Encounters of the Germed Kind and Flu Fighters on a Vacc-tastic Voyage, please visit Bugbusters.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Bill to improve charity lotteries passes third reading

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries run by charities such as Pet Refuge and the Heart Foundation can now operate and advertise online permanently.

    “Temporary legislation that allowed lotteries for non-commercial to operate online was due to expire at the end of October, which would have forced charities who use these lotteries to return to selling tickets in person or by post, and to take down any digital advertising”, says Ms van Velden.

    “In an increasingly digital world this would have had significant negative impacts on the ability of charities to fundraise. There are additional operational costs involved with selling tickets in person and a reduced ability to reach customers, decreasing the revenue that can be put towards vital work in our communities.”

    “This Government has taken quick action to allow these lotteries to operate online permanently, so they can continue to fundraise in an efficient and effective way. I have heard from many well-loved Kiwi charities about the significant difference this change will have for them, including Pet Refuge and the Heart Foundation.”

    “We know these charities make a difference in the lives of New Zealanders and their families every day, and I am pleased that this change will allow them to continue to do so.

    “My Bill to make this permanent change passed its third reading last night, providing certainty to non-profit organisations that they can continue to promote their lotteries without worrying about falling outside of the law by doing so.

    “I give my thanks to all those who submitted on the Bill during select committee, and the many community organisations in New Zealand for their service to local communities.”

    There are currently 46 organisations licensed to offer these charitable lotteries, from well-known charities like the Coastguard and Auckland Rescue Helicopter through to small community sport clubs in Dunedin and Whangārei.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s finance ministry to issue 5 bln yuan of treasury bonds in Macao

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Oct. 23 — China’s Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday it will issue 5 billion yuan (about 702 million U.S. dollars) of yuan-denominated treasury bonds in the Macao Special Administrative Region on Oct. 30.

    This year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. The issuance demonstrates the central government’s support for the region to develop modern finance and promote appropriate economic diversification, the ministry said.

    This will be the central government’s third consecutive year of issuing yuan-denominated bonds in Macao, which is beneficial for further improving the regular issuance mechanism, consolidating the foundation of Macao’s bond market, and providing investors with stable and secure investment options.

    It also has a positive effect on continuously optimizing the infrastructure of the Macao bond market, further expanding the range of investors, and accelerating its integration with international markets, according to the ministry.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Bank “RUSSIA” is among the most reliable credit organizations

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Bank “ROSSIA” Russia Bank –

    Press Releases and Events

    10/23/2024

    Bank “RUSSIA” is among the most reliable credit organizations

    In October, Bank “ROSSIYA” took 13th place in the rating of the most reliable credit organizations in the country, according to a study by the financial service “Bankiros”.

    When compiling rating Analysts take into account the volume and quality of assets, deposits, loans and capital. Liquidity and long-term creditworthiness indicators of banks are also taken into account.

    The study is conducted based on data from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The main criterion for evaluation is the ability of a specific institution to fully fulfill its obligations to both individuals and legal entities.

    The reliability of Bank “ROSSIYA” is supported by assessments of authoritative rating agencies. In 2024, the Bank received confirmation of credit ratings from Expert RA at the ruAA level and from ACRA at the AA- (RU) level with a stable outlook.

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    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://abr.ru/about/nevs/13756/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dialogue of power engineers: a strategic session with Rosatom State Corporation was held at the Polytechnic University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    A strategic session on interaction with the State Corporation Rosatom was held at the Institute of Power Engineering of SPbPU. Its participants — representatives of the university, scientific institutions and industrial enterprises — discussed promising areas in power engineering, mechanical engineering and digital technologies.

    Acting Vice-Rector for Prospective Projects of SPbPU Maria Vrublevskaya gave a welcoming speech. She spoke about the successful model of interaction between the university and industrial partners, which allows training unique personnel and creating developments necessary for the technological sovereignty of the country.

    Serious, large-scale tasks now really require a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, which our university can provide, – says Maria Vrublevskaya. – The Polytechnic University has many areas, opportunities, a solid material base, equipment. We cooperate with a huge number of research institutes and departments, and also maintain contacts with industry. We know where to get resources, so the main thing for us is trust and tasks from the industry, for which we are ready to assemble teams and competencies, and solve interesting cases.

    Director of the Department for Support of New Businesses of Rosatom State Corporation Dmitry Baidarov expressed hope that the results of the strategic session will be able to present specific tasks and ways to solve them for both parties.

    Rosatom is a geographically distributed company that requires a large personnel reserve both in cities of federal significance and in other regions of the country, – noted Dmitry Baydarov. – Our goal is not only to hire graduates of Rosatom’s flagship universities, but also to ensure that those specialists come to us who want and can realize themselves with us. Another area that is interesting and necessary for Rosatom: we simply must have our own technologies that ensure our energy and resource security and technological sovereignty. This is required to solve the problems set before the nuclear industry.

    Director of the Institute of Power Engineering Viktor Barskov introduced the guests to the work of the departments, the implemented projects of the Priority 2030 program, and educational solutions. It is planned to create design bureaus, new educational products, and expand the laboratory and technical base of the institute. All activities are closely related to the needs of the industry: the university develops unique solutions due to its flexibility and multidisciplinary nature.

    The section “Digital Solutions in Energy and Engineering” featured reports from representatives of leading energy and engineering companies JSC TVEL, JSC Consyst-OS and JSC NPO KIS. Modern technologies for improving the efficiency of energy equipment and promising areas of IT in nuclear energy were discussed.

    At the section “Reliability and durability of equipment”, representatives of the companies “AEM-technologies” and “OKBM Afrikantov” presented reports on extending the service life of unique designs, as well as on training engineering personnel for the implementation of high-tech projects.

    The section “Nuclear Medicine” was devoted to the possibilities of cooperation between SPbPU and the V. G. Khlopin Radium Institute in the field of scientific and technological developments for medical applications of nuclear technologies.

    Participants of the section “Reliability and Durability. Power Engineering” discussed scientific and technological solutions for upgrading equipment and increasing its reliability with the participation of specialists from JSC NPO CNIITMASH and JSC Atomenergomash. During the discussion, several areas of interest to representatives of both Polytechnic University and Rosatom were identified: joint work on standards, additive technologies, and the development of domestic software. In the educational area, participants discussed joint laboratories, basic departments, and the Digital Engineering PISH. The moderator of the section, Director of the Higher School of Power Engineering Alena Aleshina, summing up the results, emphasized that the leitmotif of the meeting was the issue of personnel: training young specialists, developing the infrastructure for their training, and additional education to improve their qualifications.

    Participants in the “Electric Power Industry” section, moderated by the Director of the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Power Engineering Alexander Kalyutik, highlighted several topics related to digitalization in the energy sector: digital technologies and digital modeling, their use in the design, operation and optimization of energy facilities, and the integration of digital models into existing solutions of Rosatom State Corporation.

    Associate Professor of the Higher School of Atomic Energy and Technical Establishment Irina Anikin summarized the results of the section, noting the existing problems in her report and proposing their solutions. For example, the insufficient competence of operating personnel in the field of digital technologies can be improved with the help of training simulators, and the low awareness of students and teachers about the software products of the Rosatom State Corporation – by introducing them into the educational process.

    Participants in the section “Electrical Equipment. Testing and Engineering” moderated by Professor of the Higher School of High-Voltage Power Engineering Vasily Titkov highlighted several topics in communication with industrial partners: adaptation of educational programs to the goals and objectives of Rosatom State Corporation enterprises and import substitution of power electrical equipment and software.

    According to the participants, the solution to the problem of the gap between the results of the university’s research and the lack of effective mechanisms for their commercialization could be the organization of an application campaign to search for and select ideas and projects for IE and their subsequent examination at the Institute for Technology Transfer of JSC Rosatom RDS, which will certainly increase the efficiency of technology transfer and developments.

    Understanding the demands of the industry helps to adjust the direction of work in the educational and scientific spheres, – Director of the Institute of Energy Viktor Barskov is sure. – The development of innovative solutions is possible only with constant dialogue, which was proven by today’s event. The solutions presented in various sections today can be implemented tomorrow, since such a pace is set by the constantly developing industry in the era of digitalization.

    Read more about the session aton the website of the Institute of Energy.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​Maritime Silk Road festival opens in Guangzhou

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Maritime Silk Road Cultural and Tourism Week launched in Guangzhou’s Yuexiu district on Oct. 16, offering residents and tourists an array of cultural activities.

    Dancers perform during the Maritime Silk Road Cultural and Tourism Week opening ceremony in Guangzhou, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/China.org.cn] 

    The event showcased Guangzhou’s 2,000-year history of cultural and commercial development through Maritime Silk Road-themed performances, exhibitions and trade activities. Visitors experienced traditional dances, opera performances, magic shows and cultural displays at various exhibitions and unique stalls.

    A digital exhibition on Guangzhou’s history featured modern technology, including foldable LED screens, AI photography and 3D cabinets for digital cultural artifacts, creating an immersive experience for visitors.

    Visitors browse ornaments at a market stall during the Maritime Silk Road Cultural and Tourism Week in Guangzhou, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/China.org.cn] 

    Master craftspeople were invited to the event, creating a number of traditional artworks featuring ships. In addition, Guangzhou-style clocks and local violin-making techniques, among other intangible cultural heritages, were also showcased at the event.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​1st Tianwen sci-fi awards announce winners

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The inaugural Tianwen Chinese Science Fiction Literature Contest handed out trophies to respective winners over the weekend in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

    Author Liu Yang gives his acceptance speech for Best Novel on stage during the Tianwen Chinese Science Fiction Literature Contest’s award ceremony held in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Oct. 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Tianwen Chinese Science Fiction Literature Contest Organizing Committee]

    During the award ceremony, ten main awards were handed out, which included Liu Yang winning Best Novel for “A City in the Well,” Fractal Orange being awarded Best Novelette for “Descartes’ Evil Genius” and Hai Ya’s “Spring Outside the Earthen Building” taking home Best Short Story.

    Other award winners included “Honor of Kings – Amber Era” for Best Science Fiction Video Game Script and “The Wandering Earth II,” which won Best Sci-fi Film and Television Script. “The Three-Body Problem, Part One,” a comic book adaptation of Liu Cixin’s sci-fi trilogy, won Best Sci-fi Comic Book. Writers He Shan, Liu Ziheng, Pang Yujie, Long Teng and Ren Keye all received the award for best young sci-fi writers. Science Fiction World magazine was named the best sci-fi literature organization. The award for best new sci-fi writer was won by Liu Maijia.

    Ten international sci-fi works were also honored at the ceremony with the Tianwen Special Award. These international works included Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” Arthur C. Clarke’s “Rendezvous with Rama,” Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Found and the Lost” and Robert L. Forward’s “Dragon’s Egg: A Novel,” and represented the top translated works in China over the past decade, as voted by members of last year’s World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) in Chengdu and this year’s Tianwen members.

    Supported by the China Writers Association and hosted by the Chengdu municipal government, the contest received 1,162 submissions from both domestic and international sci-fi writers and practitioners, with submissions ranging from novels, short stories and comic books to films, TV series and games. The jury stated that the first Tianwen Chinese Science Fiction Literature Contest advocated for diverse and widespread participation. 

    “Last year at Worldcon, we launched the Tianwen Program to inspire sci-fi creators and stimulate the creation of high-quality works, promoting the exchange and integration of Chinese-language sci-fi with the rest of the world,” said Shi Zhanjun, a secretary of the secretariat of the Chinese Writers Association. “The launch of the Tianwen Program and this contest aim to foster cross-disciplinary integration in sci-fi literature, leading to a more fascinating and diverse sci-fi world.”

    During the award ceremony, a camp for young sci-fi writers was also initiated under the Tianwen brand as an important component to the Tianwen Program. The camp aims to provide a series of professional creative training sessions for young writers with potential.

    Launched last year during the 81st Worldcon in Chengdu, the Tianwen Program is named after a poem composed over 2,300 years ago by the esteemed poet Qu Yuan that explores the principles of the cosmos and probes the origins of the universe. In English, the Chinese term “Tianwen” means “questions to heaven.”

    “‘Tianwen’ embodies traditional Chinese culture and a modern exploratory spirit, which is about how we advance into the universe and explore the future of humanity,” said Qiu Huadong, vice chairman and a secretary of the secretariat of the China Writers Association at the award ceremony for the Tianwen Chinese Science Fiction Literature Contest. “As a foundation for sci-fi films and television, launching superior sci-fi literary works is crucial. With these high-quality works, the growth of sci-fi animation, film, television and other adaptations will flourish.”

    Award winners and performers pose for a group photo during the Tianwen Chinese Science Fiction Literature Contest award ceremony held in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Oct. 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Tianwen Chinese Science Fiction Literature Contest Organizing Committee]

    In the past year, the national sci-fi industry has advanced from the “ten billion level” to the “hundred billion level,” achieving a revenue of 113.29 billion yuan ($15.94 billion), according to the 2024 China Science Fiction Industry Report.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Waikato wetland fire #9

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    The large vegetation fire near Meremere is now under control.
    Fire and Emergency was able to stand down its air operations around 5pm with the fire now contained and controlled.
    The fire remains at 1024 hectares with a 15-kilometre perimeter.
    Incident Controller Mark Tinworth praised his crews for their efforts to get the fire to this point.
    “This is a significant milestone for us as we do not expect the fire to grow any larger in size.
    “We will have drones operating overnight to keep an eye out for reignition of the fire and to identify and monitor hotspots and flareups. 
    “We will continue to have a presence at the site tomorrow as this fire will take some time to fully extinguish due to where it is burning in peat and wetland.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: 26th OLAF Digital Forensics and Analysts training

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is pleased to inform you that the 26th OLAF Digital Forensics and Analysts training session is taking place between 25-29 November in Prague, Czech Republic.

    This training is financed by the European Union Anti-Fraud Programme (UAFP) (2021-2027). This programme is implemented by the European Commission (OLAF). It was established to promote activities to combat fraud affecting the EU’s financial interests.

    120 applicants working for Law Enforcement Agencies in Member States, acceding and candidate countries, EFTA/EEA countries, countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy and certain countries with which the European Union has concluded an agreement on mutual assistance in customs matters, were selected to participate in this event.

    The following trainings will be delivered:

    1. Linux Forensics Intermediate 

    2. Live Data Forensics 

    3. Cloud Forensics 

    4. Mobile Phone Forensics Intermediate 

    5. Magnet Axiom Examinations AX200

    6. Open Source Intelligence Analytics

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Federal Council adopts second voluntary report on international humanitarian law implementation by Switzerland

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Council in English

    At its meeting on 23 October 2024, the Federal Council adopted Switzerland’s second voluntary report on its implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL), against a very different global backdrop from when the first report was published. The implementation of IHL is essential in order to preserve a minimum of humanity in armed conflicts. Switzerland’s commitment to IHL remains steadfast despite today’s changing world.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s video message to the UN Inter-Agency Games

    Source: United Nations – English

    strong>Download the video:  https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+10+Sept+24/3253185_MSG+SG+INTER-AGENCY+GAMES+10+SEP+24.mp4

    I send my warm greetings to all participants and supporters at the United Nations Inter-Agency Games.

    I am happy to see our UN family gather in beautiful Lloret del Mar.

    These Games are more than a demonstration of your athletic abilities.
     
    They embody the values of the United Nations – teamwork, integrity, and solidarity.

    They showcase the diversity and camaraderie of our staff.

    They inspire us to always give our best.

    As the games begin, let us resolve to bring these qualities to our work to champion peace, human rights and sustainable development – for all.

    Thank you, and I wish every success to the participants.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Becoming a rural animal technician the aim for EIT student | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    42 seconds ago

    Ella Cooke, 19, is currently studying Year One of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing.

    A love for animals and a desire to work as a rural animal technician is what is driving an EIT student to succeed.

    Ella Cooke, 19, is currently studying year one of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing. She has grown up with animals and currently lives on an orchard outside Hastings with her parents.

    She attended Iona College last year and came into EIT with a number of scholarships. One was a Year-13 Scholarship from EIT, which is offered annually, and covers one year of tuition fees. The Scholarship supports school leavers across the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti regions to study any one of EIT’s degrees or selected level 5 diploma programmes that lead into a degree by providing one year FREE study.

    She also won a scholarship from Vet Services Hawke’s Bay, as well as a Prime Minister’s Vocational Excellence Award.

    “I just love animals and love to care for animals and I’ve had four dogs and a cat in my life.”

    Ella says that she is loving the programme, especially the hands-on work with animals.

    “It is not just about attending lectures, but we also actually get to work with animals. We get to learn how to handle the animals properly.”

    “I want to get my qualification, and then I eventually want to work with large animals – livestock – and visit farms.”

    One of the things that Ella loves about EIT, is that it is close to home and she did not have to move out of Hawke’s Bay to achieve her tertiary education dreams.

    Work experience is an important part of the programme, and Ella is due to return to Vet Services in Hastings, where she has been before.

    Emma Martin, EIT’s Veterinary Nursing Programme Co-ordinator said: “Ella has been a pleasure to have in the programme this year. She has come out of her shell, taking full advantage of every learning opportunity and making the most of her experiences. “

    “Ella has received excellent feedback from her clinical placement at Vet Services in Hastings, where she has impressed with her skills and professionalism. She works exceptionally well in a team and has built a strong network of classmates, combining fun with learning experiences. We are excited to see what the future holds for Ella as we continue to support her in reaching her final goals.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Mental Health Bill passes first reading

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A bill that will repeal the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

    “As New Zealand’s first Mental Health Minister I am very pleased to introduce this Bill to the House. This Bill will modernise compulsory mental health care, improve the effectiveness of mental health and addiction support and will put people at the centre of decision-making about their own care,” Mr Doocey says. 

    The legislation will support care being delivered in a way that minimises coercion and is responsive to individual needs. It introduces far greater protections and safeguards, ensuring people understand what is happening to them and what they are entitled to when they are under the legislation.

    In 2018 the He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction recognised the Act was out of date and recommended new legislation that reflects a human rights-based approach, promotes supported decision-making, aligns with the recovery and wellbeing model of mental health, and provides measures to minimise compulsory or coercive treatment.

    “I am very pleased to introduce this Bill to the House and to be taking the next step in fulfilling the Inquiry’s recommendations.

    The legislation will also contribute to an important part of the Government’s response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

    “We are committed to delivering a considered and comprehensive response the Inquiry’s final report. This Bill will contribute to a number of the recommendations, the majority relate to care safety.

    “This Government is focused on delivering an effective mental health and addiction continuum that puts people at the centre of their care. Making sure we have legislation that can support people who are experiencing the most acute mental distress is a key part of that.”

    Note to editors:
    The recommendations the Mental Health Bill will contribute towards include:
    •    Recommendation 39: Principles for preventing and responding to abuse and neglect in care
    •    Recommendation 46: reviewing legislation relating to the care of children, young people, and adults in care to identify and address any inconsistencies, gaps or lack of coherence in the relevant statutory regimes
    •    Recommendations 65: Complaints are responded to effectively
    •    Recommendation, 73, 74: Institutional environments and practices to be minimised and ultimately eliminated
    •    Recommendations 76, 78 and 80: People in care are empowered and supported
    •    Recommendation 114: Communities are empowered to minimise the need for out of whānau care
    •    Recommendation 118: Giving effect to te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Depts, ICAC tackle corruption cases

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Labour Department (LD) and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) indicated today that they have taken actions following the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)’s recent arrests for suspected corruption cases in relation to training courses and working experience proof.

    The LD emphasised in a press release that it is highly concerned about suspected illegal acts involving the offer and acceptance of benefits to assist unqualified people in enrolling in training courses for Experienced Operators of Excavator.

    It pointed out that it has initiated an investigation to examine whether the training course providers and their staff have strictly complied with the approval conditions for operating Mandatory Safety Training courses.

    It will follow up seriously if violations are found, the LD stressed.

    In response to the ICAC’s actions, the LD announced the revocation of 100 certificates for excavator operators involved in the case.

    According to the Factories & Industrial Undertakings (Loadshifting Machinery) Regulation, people operating an excavator must have successfully completed the relevant safety training courses and obtained the corresponding certificates.

    The LD added that it is reviewing the admission mechanism for training course providers. With reference from the ICAC’s advice, it will also further enhance the mechanism, including improving current admission procedures and ensuring that training course providers strictly adhere to the approval conditions for operating the courses.

    Separately, regarding the ICAC’s arrest operation concerning the suspected forgery of working experience proof to apply for registration as Grade A electrical workers, the EMSD said that it launched an investigation in accordance with the Electricity Ordinance.

    After it was found that some registrants obtained their registration through improper means, the EMSD cancelled the registration of the Grade A electrical workers concerned.

    Furthermore, it made it clear that to register as a Grade A electrical worker, an applicant must possess relevant qualifications and working experience.

    Upon learning of this case, the EMSD specified that it has strengthened the vetting and approval procedures, including deploying officers to the issuing organisation’s office to carry out a check on each applicant’s working experience.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST expresses sorrow over passing of Mr Michael Suen

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (October 23) expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of Mr Michael Suen.

         Mr Yeung said, “Mr Suen joined the Government in 1966 and had served in a number of government bureaux and departments. He became one of the Principal Officials in 1997 and made immense contributions to the implementation of various policy measures until 2012. I am deeply saddened by Mr Suen’s passing. I extend my sincere condolences to his family.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ15: Making good use of counselling professionals to support mental health services

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ15: Making good use of counselling professionals to support mental health services
    LCQ15: Making good use of counselling professionals to support mental health services
    *************************************************************************************

         Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):Question:     It has been reported that according to the information of the Department of Health, both the proportions of students in Hong Kong who planned to commit suicide and who attempted suicide in the 2022-2023 school year hit a record high for the past five years, reflecting the severe challenges faced by Hong Kong’s mental health services and support system. There are views that as there are now only some 460 psychiatric specialists in Hong Kong, and people in need may not be able to receive timely support given such limited manpower, Hong Kong can make good use of counselling professionals to share and support its work on mental health services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of subsidised programmes related to the counselling profession offered by tertiary institutions in Hong Kong;(2) whether it knows the number of graduates with qualifications related to counselling in each of the past five years and, among them, the number of those who joined the counselling profession after graduation;(3) whether it has compiled statistics on public and subsidised mental health service items currently provided by counselling professionals in Hong Kong (set out by public and subsidised services);(4) whether it has compiled statistics on the respective numbers of counselling professionals that need to be employed and have been employed by public organisations in Hong Kong at present;(5) of the community support services provided to new patients on the waiting list for psychiatric specialist services in public hospitals, and whether the authorities will consider providing additional support to patients with longer waiting time, such as arranging counselling professionals to provide services (including emotional counselling and service referrals) for patients with mild symptoms; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;(6) whether the authorities will consider setting up a registration system and the relevant qualifications framework for counselling professionals in Hong Kong, as well as drawing up related professional standards and formulating codes of professional conduct, so as to regulate the relevant profession; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and(7) of the authorities’ future planning to make good use of counselling professionals to support mental health services in Hong Kong, as well as the details of the relevant work?Reply:President,     Student suicide is a complex social problem involving multiple risk and protective factors which should not be addressed solely through mental health factors or from a medical perspective, and issues on relevant supporting manpower should be tackled through co-ordination between different professionals and supporting personnel.     In consultation with the Education Bureau (EDB), the Hospital Authority (HA), the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the consolidated reply in response to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan is as follows:(1) and (2) The eight University Grants Committee-funded universities do not offer publicly-funded counselling degree programmes at present. As regards the self-financing post-secondary education sector, various post-secondary institutions offer a total of 14 locally-accredited self-financing post-secondary programmes that are relevant to the counselling profession in the 2024/25 academic year, including two sub-degree, one undergraduate and 11 taught postgraduate programmes. The number of graduates of relevant programmes in the past five academic years are set out in the table below. 

    Level of Study
    Academic Year

    2018/19
    2019/20
    2020/21
    2021/22
    2022/23

    Sub-degree
    104
    84
    59
    37
    110

    Undergraduate
    92
    103
    90
    97
    90

    Taught Postgraduate
    313
    378
    426
    407
    466

    Note 1: The table above includes programmes with English titles involving the keywords “Counsel” / “Guidance”.Note 2: Sub-degree programmes cover full-time Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programmes.Note 3: Undergraduate programmes cover full-time first-year-first-degree and top-up degree programmes.Note 4: Taught postgraduate programmes cover both full-time and part-time Postgraduate Certificate with a minimum duration of one year, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programmes.Note 5: Information on the number of graduates for the 2023/24 academic year is not yet available from relevant institutions.     Apart from providing mental health support, counselling staff also provide appropriate counselling services in other service units, such as family services, schools and the workplace, according to the needs of the service targets.     The EDB does not collect information on the graduates of the abovementioned programmes who have joined the counselling profession.  (3) and (4) Mental health service providers within the structure of the Government and the HA such as doctors, nurses, clinical and educational psychologists and social workers, will consider whether to incorporate the element of counselling in the course of service delivery according to the needs of the service targets. Relevant organisations and the HA will also arrange training for relevant personnel to enhance their counselling skills.      Apart from the aforementioned professional grade staff members, schools and social welfare organisations may employ counselling personnel on a need basis. For welfare service units, subject to their compliance with the requirements of the Funding and Service Agreement as well as the relevant statutory staffing requirements, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) subvented by the SWD may flexibly deploy resources to arrange appropriate personnel, including employing counselling personnel or purchasing counselling services to meet the operational and service targets’ needs. For example, Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs) may employ counselling personnel according to their needs to provide services to persons with mental health needs. For schools, the EDB provides comprehensive student guidance services through multi-disciplinary collaboration and the “Whole School Approach”. Apart from teachers, school social workers and school-based educational psychologists, schools can also employ additional student guidance personnel or procure related services from organisations according to students’ needs, flexibly deploying grants provided by the Government or pooling together other school resources to strengthen the support for students.(5) The HA has specifically set an additional target for psychiatric specialist out-patient clinics (SOPCs) last year, that is, the overall median waiting time for urgent and semi-urgent new cases should be no more than one week and four weeks respectively. The relevant target has already been achieved, ensuring that patients with urgent needs can receive treatment within a reasonable time. The HA will continue to strengthen its psychiatric SOPC services and improve the waiting time for urgent and semi-urgent new cases, including increasing consultation quotas. The HA will also take care of more psychiatric patients in need by strengthening its manpower and through the Public-Private Partnership Programme, as well as enhancing the services of psychiatric nurse clinics to allow patients to receive follow-up while waiting for SOPC services or follow-up appointments. If there is any change in the mental conditions of patients, they may return to their respective psychiatric SOPCs for re-assessment to determine whether they need to advance their consultation or seek treatment from the accident and emergency services.     The Health Bureau launched the Pilot Scheme on New Service Protocol for Child and Adolescent with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbidity to provide multi-disciplinary assessment, treatment and support services to children and adolescents with or suspected to have Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbidities while they are waiting for HA services. In addition, the SWD provides subvention to NGOs to operate ICCMWs across the city. Following the Chief Executive’s announcement in the 2024 Policy Address that an additional ICCMW will be set up in the first quarter of 2026, the total number of ICCMWs across the city will increase to 25, providing community support services to persons with mental health needs.(6) and (7) Mental health encompasses various levels and aspects such as social service, school education, community support and medical care. Not all individuals with mental health problems need to seek treatment from psychiatrists. In recent years, mental health services introduced by the Government have, in varying degrees, implemented the concept of stepped care model, under which members of the public are referred to different levels of mental health services according to their mental health needs and severity. For example, the Student Mental Health Support Scheme launched in the 2016/17 academic year has applied the stepped care model to provide multi-disciplinary support services to students with mental health needs in schools through tripartite collaboration among the medical, education and social sectors.      The 2024 Policy Address announced that the Government will extend integrated services based on a medical-educational-social collaboration model to promote mental health. The Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) will formulate a stepped care model for mental health, through developing a multi-disciplinary framework with tiers from dealing with general emotional problems in the frontline to handling cases requiring follow-up and more serious mental illnesses cases. The framework sets out the roles of different professionals (such as teaching staff, social workers and healthcare workers, along with other supporting personnel and services providers) and their division of work in the provision of mental health services for cases in each tier, enabling them to work together and perform their respective roles smoothly, with a view to making good use of multi-disciplinary staff to assist in handling various types of cases with mental health needs in a systematic manner.     To ensure the quality and standard of services, the Government will review the appropriate training qualifications and quality assurance requirements for different professionals and support staff according to risk-based needs during the formulation of the stepped care model for mental health. In the process, the Government will also review the relevant personnel providing counselling services. A working group on the stepped care model for mental health has been established under the ACMH to take forward the work and is expected to submit a report by end???2025.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 15:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: COMLOG WESTPAC Holds Award Ceremony, October 3, 2024 [Image 2 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (October 3, 2024) Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC), left, presents a Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal to Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class John Zhu, assigned to COMLOG WESTPAC, during an awards ceremony on Sembawang Naval Installation (SNI), Oct. 3, 2024. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 10.02.2024
    Date Posted: 10.09.2024 02:07
    Photo ID: 8686906
    VIRIN: 241003-N-ED646-1064
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    Location: SG
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  • MIL-OSI Security: The Honorable Ms. Laura L. Updegrove Visits COMLOGWESTPAC, October 16, 2024 [Image 1 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (October 16, 2024) Ms. Laura L. Updegrove, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, signs a guest book during a scheduled visit to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOGWESTPAC/CTF 73), Oct. 16, 2024. COMLOGWESTPAC supports deployed maritime forces, along with regional Allies and partners, to sustain Western Pacific operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 10.15.2024
    Date Posted: 10.23.2024 03:42
    Photo ID: 8713176
    VIRIN: 241016-N-ED646-1028
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  • MIL-OSI Security: The Honorable Ms. Laura L. Updegrove Visits COMLOGWESTPAC, October 16, 2024 [Image 2 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (October 16, 2024) Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOGWESTPAC/CTF 73), right, and Ms. Laura L. Updegrove, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, pose for a photo during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation (SNI), Oct. 16, 2024. COMLOGWESTPAC supports deployed maritime forces, along with regional Allies and partners, to sustain Western Pacific operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 10.15.2024
    Date Posted: 10.23.2024 03:42
    Photo ID: 8713177
    VIRIN: 241016-N-ED646-1022
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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – The 2024 Māori business leaders shaping Aotearoa’s future – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    Aotearoa’s best and brightest Māori business leaders were honoured at the 2024 Ngā Tohu Kaiārahi Pakihi Māori o Aotearoa | Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards.

    Whakatō te kākano, marotiritiri ai te māra, ka māea ngā hua | Plant the seed, cultivate the garden, reap the benefits.

    A macadamia pioneer, sustainable fisheries champions and a plastic waste-to-product business, were among those honoured at the 2024 Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards.

    The event, held on 23 October and hosted by the University of Auckland Business School, celebrated the remarkable contributions of the Māori entrepreneurs, leaders and organisations shaping Aotearoa’s business landscape.

    Six awards were presented, acknowledging the unique and powerful contributions of Māori leaders, each with their own inspiring story and unique approach to business.

    Vanessa Hayes, founder of kaupapa Māori business Torere Macadamias, won the Entrepreneurial Māori Business Leader award.

    Vanessa and her team are growing the New Zealand macadamia industry, which has historically relied on imported macadamias.

    Torere Macadamias is working with Plant and Food Research, expanding its nursery and encouraging other growers and grower collectives by providing training, workshops and supplying plants from their nursery.

    The company’s orchard produces around 20 tonnes of macadamias annually. And recently, Vanessa and the Torere team celebrated a milestone, winning a contract to supply Air New Zealand on their long haul and business class flights.

    Moana New Zealand was honoured with the Kaitiaki Business Leader award for their dedication to sustainable fisheries management. The seafood company is a 100 percent iwi-owned organisation with a deep sense of responsibility and respect for New Zealand’s fisheries.

    Māori Women’s Development Inc., a charitable trust formed, managed and operated by Māori women, earned the Mānuka Henare award for its continued support of Māori women in business, offering loans and wrap-around support.

    Traci Houpapa, chair of the Federation of Māori Authorities, won the Māori Governance Leader award for her extensive leadership in business and governance, shaping the Māori business landscape. She holds a number of directorships and Ministerial appointments, including Chiefs Rugby and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

    The Outstanding Māori Business Leader award went to Harry Burkhardt, co-founder and managing director of Replas Ltd, an innovative company transforming waste plastic into valuable products.

    Meanwhile, the Dame Mira Szászy Alumni Award went to Karleen Everitt, a University of Auckland Business School graduate who has had a stellar career and is currently leading Te Ao Māori Strategy at ANZ Bank.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ7: Combating vaping of “space oil”

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Lam So-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):

    Question:

         “Space oil” is a kind of liquid to which harmful substances have been illegally added. Usually, its main ingredient is etomidate, an anaesthetic that can only be prescribed by a doctor according to the law. Anyone who illegally possesses and uses the substance commits an offence. It has been reported that space oil, often vaped through e-cigarettes, can produce transient euphoria and cause addiction, and has gained popularity amongst youth communities since last year, with some sellers even blatantly putting space oil up for sale on social media platforms. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the respective numbers of persons arrested for illegal sale and possession of space oil in the past three years, together with a tabulated breakdown by age;

    (2) whether it will bring etomidate under the control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) whether the authorities have put in place measures to prevent members of the public (especially young people) from vaping space oil by, for example, stepping up education and proactively taking law enforcement actions such as decoy operations; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         “Space oil” is a kind of liquid to which harmful substances have been illegally added and is often inhaled through electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). There is no standard formula for “space oil”, but its main ingredient is usually etomidate, an anaesthetic which can only be prescribed by a doctor according to the law. Etomidate is regulated as Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A). Illegal supply or use of etomidate is liable to imprisonment upon conviction. Abuse of “space oil” will cause harm to one’s health and lead to addiction. It will also lure abusers to try other kinds of drugs. Taking “space oil” is equivalent to taking drugs.

         â€‹My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Lam So-wai is as follows:

    (1) Frontline anti-drug workers noticed an emergence of “space oil” in Hong Kong in 2023 after the COVID-19 pandemic, and it had begun to gain traction among local young people and some of them even started taking it. Records of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have reflected the same trend. In 2023, we started to observe persons arrested for offences involving “space oil” containing etomidate by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department. The number of persons arrested in the past three years by age groups are set out at Annex.
         
    (2) To ensure that the LEAs can effectively respond to the drug abuse situation and enhance deterrence, it is indicated in the Supplement to “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” published last week that the Government will step up control on etomidate. Specifically, we propose bringing etomidate under control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). We have already consulted the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and relevant stakeholders, with a view to listing etomidate as a dangerous drug in the first half of 2025. By then, illegal possession or smoking, inhaling, ingesting and injecting “space oil” containing etomidate is liable to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million. Trafficking or illegal import of such a substance is liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
       
    (3) The Government has all along been closely monitoring the trend of emerging drugs. Apart from strengthening the control on etomidate by way of legislation, the Government has taken prompt actions to combat “space oil” through reducing demand and intercepting supply.

         Preventive publicity and education is the backbone of demand reduction and forms the first line of defense for our anti-drug work. Targeting the emergence of “space oil” among the youth, we have started with the school sector. First, earlier this year, the Commissioner for Narcotics from the Security Bureau (SB) wrote to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong alerting them to the problem of “space oil” inhaling through e‑cigarettes. In addition, the Narcotics Division (ND) of the SB is in the course of including information on the harmful effects of “space oil” in its anti-drug educational talks and interactive drama for schools. 

         To further enhance the vigilance against and responsiveness to “space oil” among the school sector and anti-drug community, the ND in collaboration with the Hong Kong Poison Control Centre of the Hospital Authority and a frontline social service organisation organised two seminars on the issue of “space oil” abuse in August and October with a total attendance of nearly 500 people. At the seminars, different professionals, anti-drug workers, social workers, and teaching staff from over 100 primary and secondary schools shared their observations of the abuse situation of “space oil” among young people and the related harms. There were also exchanges of views on how to prevent “space oil” abuse and handle abusers. After the seminars, the Narcotics Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force distributed an infographic to all schools in Hong Kong. As young people often inhale “space oil” through e-cigarettes, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health also gave a presentation on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes in one of the aforementioned seminars. 

         As regards publicity, to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of “space oil”, a new zone dedicated to “space oil” was set up at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre in mid-September with promotional videos, publications and exhibition panels showing the harms of “space oil” on display. Since the middle of this year, the ND has been starting to publish social media posts and has launched an animated video on the harmful effects of “space oil”. They serve to alert the public, in particular young people, to the harms of “space oil”. The animated video has been uploaded onto the ND’s website and social media platforms, and schools and anti-drug organisations have been encouraged to show it often. We will continue to work with ACAN, other departments and various sectors of the community to step up preventive education and publicity efforts in view of the “space oil” abuse situation.

         To intercept the supply of “space oil”, the LEAs have stepped up various inspections including cyber patrol and carried out intelligence-based law enforcement actions. For example, the Police seized 2.17 kilograms of a substance claimed to be “space oil” during the past summer. More recently in mid-October, the Police raided a residential unit in Tai Kok Tsui, which was used as a drug storage and distribution centre, resulting in the seizure of “space oil” and other drugs. Upon the commencement of control of etomidate under the DDO (Cap. 134), the LEAs will definitely step up their enforcement against all etomidate-related offences.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Quarantine period for pet cats/dogs entering Hong Kong from Mainland

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):

    Question:

         It is learnt that in recent years, more members of the public exit or enter the territory carrying pet cats/dogs. On the other hand, for the sake of preventing the spread of rabies into Hong Kong, pet cats/dogs carried by members of the public back to Hong Kong from Group III places (including the Mainland) as specified by the Government are required to comply with the quarantine procedures prescribed by law, including a quarantine period of at least 120 days. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the number of cases applying for quarantine of pet cats/dogs entering the territory that were received by the Government in each month of the past three years; among these cases, the respective numbers of cats and dogs which had fallen sick and died during the quarantine period and the reasons for that;

    (2) whether it will increase the number of quarantine institutions and quarantine centres as well as the number of animals that can be quarantined, so as to meet the immigration needs of pet cats/dogs; if so, of the plans and timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) as information shows that some advanced regions in Asia adopt more lenient quarantine requirements on pets entering the territory than Hong Kong, such as the seven-day and 30-day quarantine periods adopted respectively by Taiwan and Singapore, whether the Government will make reference to the practice of those regions and shorten the present quarantine period for pet cats/dogs brought into the territory from Group III places; if so, of the specific arrangements and the earliest possible date of implementation; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         Rabies is a contagious disease that can cause fatality to mammals (including humans). No specific treatment is available at present and rabies is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear, and nearly 60 000 people die of rabies globally every year. To safeguard public health, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) currently regulates the import of live animals through a permit system, and controls the import of cats and dogs under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), aiming to prevent the transmission of animal diseases including rabies into Hong Kong. Under effective control measures, Hong Kong has long been widely recognised as a rabies-free place; therefore, animals of Hong Kong residents generally face less stringent quarantine requirements when entering other places, for example places with strictest quarantine requirements like Australia and New Zealand permit the entry of cats and dogs from Hong Kong.

         For importation of cats and dogs, the AFCD classifies places into three groups according to different risk of rabies, with reference to information about the surveillance of animal diseases from the World Organisation for Animal Health. Group I includes rabies-free places (i.e. where rabies has been absent for a long time); Group II includes places where rabies cases are few and under effective control; and Group III includes places where rabies cases are reported and not under effective control. In general, places that do not meet the requirements of Group I or II (or their situations cannot be determined) will be included in Group III.

         Since Groups I and II places are considered of lower risk of rabies, cats and dogs imported from these places are exempted from quarantine upon fulfilling relevant requirements (such as providing Animal Health Certificate, Residence Certificate, Anti-rabies Vaccination Certificate, etc.). For Group III places, the risk of rabies is higher or uncertain. Since the incubation period of rabies can be up to several months, to prevent the transmission of rabies into Hong Kong, the AFCD requires a quarantine period of no less than 120 days for the cats and dogs imported from Group III places.

         On the questions raised by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng, I would like to reply to the question as follows:

    (1) The AFCD will immediately arrange to send cats and dogs imported from Group III places upon arrival in Hong Kong to its Animal Management Centre for quarantine. If an animal falls ill during quarantine, the AFCD will inform the animal owner to take the animal to a vet clinic under the escort of the AFCD, or arrange a vet to the quarantine centre for treatment. If an animal shows an urgent health problem and the AFCD is unable to contact the animal owner, the AFCD will arrange for the pet to be examined by a vet as soon as possible. Over the past three years, a total of three animals (including two cats and one dog) passed away during quarantine, due to their own severe health issues such as kidney failure. In the past three years, the number of applications received by the AFCD for reserving a quarantine space for importing cats and dogs, the number of cats and dogs which received veterinary treatment during the quarantine period, and the number of cats and dogs deceased during the quarantine period are at the Annex.

    (2) and (3) The AFCD is actively adopting a two-pronged approach to facilitate animal owners from Group III places in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong. On the one hand, the AFCD is increasing the number of quarantine facilities; on the other hand, the AFCD is exploring ways to refine the quarantine requirements for cats and dogs.

         Regarding quarantine facilities, two Animal Management Centres (i.e. Kowloon Animal Management Centre and Hong Kong Animal Management Centre) operated by the AFCD provide quarantine services for cats and dogs imported from Group III places. The two centres provide a total of 20 spaces for cats and dogs respectively. The Kowloon Animal Management Centre is currently undergoing works by the AFCD to increase the number of quarantine facilities, with the works expected to be completed in the first half of next year. Upon completion, the total number of quarantine facilities for cats and dogs in the two centres will increase to 34 and 30 respectively. To further increase the number of facilities, the AFCD is actively exploring the feasibility of operating and providing some of the cats and dogs quarantine facility by the private sector. Organisations are required to obtain a licence from the AFCD to operate a quarantine centre under the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), and the relevant quarantine facility is a designated project under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) which requires obtaining an environmental permit. The Government is now discussing with the private sector about the relevant arrangements and is providing assistance, and is striving to implement a pilot scheme in the first half of next year.

         For the refinement of quarantine requirements for cats and dogs from Group III places, different places conduct their own risk assessments and establish import requirements based on their acceptable level of risk. The risk of rabies transmission is influenced by various factors, including the number of imported cats and dogs, whether the importing places can take effective control measures to prevent the introduction of rabies, the rabies immunisation status of the importing places, the rabies situation of neighbouring places, etc. As biotechnology has developed in recent years, the AFCD has earlier conducted a risk assessment, and considered that the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from some Group III places (including the Mainland and Macao) could be shortened by measures such as rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titer testing. The AFCD is discussing the proposed arrangements with the places concerned to finalise the implementation details. The AFCD will announce the details of the arrangements once the discussion is completed. With the gradual implementation of the revised measures, the waiting time of quarantine facilities would decrease, thereby further facilitating animal owners from Group III places in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Man Group PLC : Form 8.3 – International Paper Co

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: Man Group PLC
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 International Paper Company
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 22/10/2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 YES / NO / N/A
    Offeree – Smith (DS) plc

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: common stock
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 300,124.00 0.09 486,649 0.14
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:     1,758,811 0.51
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 300,124.00 0.09 2,245,460 0.65

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    common stock Sale 700 47.530 USD
    common stock Sale 1 47.540 USD

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 23/10/2024
    Contact name: Matthew Irwin
    Telephone number: +442071447255

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Despite overwhelming hype, Jabra research finds only 26% of office workers use AI in daily work

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Workplaces believe in the power of AI, with 84% of leaders saying AI can enhance work, but 82% are unprepared for integration of the tech into the workplace
    • 90% of knowledge workers wouldn’t trust AI for tasks that require human judgement or creativity
    • Workers are equally not using AI in their personal lives, with only 26% reporting regular use

    LOWELL, Mass., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jabra, a global leader in enterprise audio and video solutions, released a new report, Great ExpectAItions – Work in the Age of AI, which reveals that while many business decision-makers (84%) express high levels of trust in AI, very few office workers (26%) are using it in their daily roles due to a variety of perceived challenges. This disconnect suggests that even though leadership is optimistic about AI’s potential, they may yet lack the necessary vision or skills to effectively implement it across the workforce.

    The study, conducted among 1,800 AI decision makers surveyed across 6 countries and 4,200 employees from 14 countries, highlights that despite strong enthusiasm for AI, there is a clear disconnect between trust in the technology and its actual use in the workplace. While 85% of decision-makers express high interest in AI, the vast majority (82%) acknowledge they need to better understand how AI can improve workplace efficiency.

    Additionally, although 54% of employees believe AI can improve their work and 54% feel confident in their ability to collaborate successfully with AI, there’s still a significant gap in actual adoption in regular use at work. Jabra’s data found this appears due to several perceived challenges and demographic considerations:

    • 90% of employees wouldn’t trust AI for tasks that require creativity and innovation. This reluctance isn’t just about trust, it’s also about the satisfaction that comes from being personally involved in these more meaningful tasks.
    • There’s a clear generational divide in AI adoption, with 47% of Millennials and 37% of Gen Z indicating they feel positive about AI versus only 15% of Boomers. Adoption wise, 28% of Millennials and Gen Z use AI day to day at work, versus just 15% of Boomers.
    • AI decision-makers are relatively young – 58% are between the ages of 18 and 39 – and 71% are not from the IT department.

    Paul Sephton, Head of Brand Communications at Jabra, said: “We see many organizations eager to jump on the AI wave, but some are still dancing in the dark when it comes to effective implementation and meaningful use. As tools rapidly shift toward voice-driven input rather than text alone, it’s crucial for organizations to recognize how this evolution will change our interactions with AI and enhance productivity.”

    “To avoid what we call ‘AI-washing’ – simply jumping on the AI bandwagon – organizations must carefully evaluate the productivity gains that AI can offer and actively involve their employees in this journey. At Jabra, we believe in harnessing the power of AI not just to enhance productivity, but to foster a more connected and capable workforce, driving innovation and collaboration at every level.”

    Read more and download full report here:

    https://www.jabra.com/thought-leadership/ai-at-work

    Note to Editors
    The Great ExpectAItions – Work in the Age of AI Report leveraged two quantitative surveys conducted in August 2024. The first surveyed 1800 AI decision-makers from six countries (300 per country) – USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and India. The second surveyed 4200 knowledge workers from 14 countries (300 per country) – USA, UK, France, Germany, Poland, UAE, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, India, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong.

    PR contact
    Hayley Minardi
    Manager, PR & Communications, Jabra
    hminardi@jabra.com

    About Jabra

    Jabra is a world leading brand in audio, video and collaboration solutions – engineered to empower consumers and businesses. Proudly part of GN Group, we are committed to bringing people closer to one another and to what is important to them. Jabra engineering excellence leads the way, building on over 150 years of pioneering work within GN. This allows us to create integrated tools for contact centers, offices, and collaboration to help professionals work more productively from anywhere; and true wireless headphones and earbuds that let consumers better enjoy calls, music, and media. http://www.jabra.com

    Founded in 1869, GN Group employs more than 7,000 people and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (GN.CO). GN’s solutions are sold in 100 countries across the world. Visit our homepage GN.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

    © 2024 GN Audio A/S. All rights reserved. Jabra® is a registered trademark of GN Audio A/S. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners (design and specifications are subject to change without notice).

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/70547059-e2bb-4ea5-866f-e1e9f844fb5b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WithSecure to host an Investor Day on 22 November 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     WithSecure Corporation, Press Release 22 October 2024 at 11.00 EEST

    WithSecure to host an Investor Day on 22 November 2024

    WithSecure invites investors and analysts to an Investor Day on 22 November 2024 at 9:00 EET. During the day WithSecure’s management will present the company’s future strategic priorities and financial targets. In addition, WithSecure will present how the company will move forward in each business area considering the new strategic priorities and financial targets.

    Preliminary agenda for the Investor Day (Finnish time, EET):

    • 8:30-9:00 Registration and breakfast
    • 9:00-12:30 Presentations (with a coffee break)
    • 12:30-13.30 Lunch and 1-on-1 discussions

    Venue: WithSecure’s headquarters in Wood City, Välimerenkatu 1, 00180 Helsinki, Finland.

    On-site participants are requested to register by Friday 15 November 2024 by sending an email to: investor-relations@withsecure.com.

    In addition to the physical event, there will a live webcast of the presentations, starting at 9:00 EET. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions online via the chat function on the webcast platform. The webcast link will be available closer to the event on the company website.

    A recording of the event and the presentation materials will be available after the event on: Materials | Investor Relations | WithSecure™

    We warmly welcome you to WithSecure’s Investor Day 2024!

    For more information, please contact

    Laura Viita,
    Vice President, Controlling, investor relations and sustainability
    WithSecure Corporation
    +358 50 487 1044
    investor-relations@withsecure.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: 6 trapped in coal mine cave-in in north China

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Six mine workers were trapped after a coal mine collapsed early Wednesday in north China’s Hebei Province, the mining company said.
    The cave-in happened at 4:37 a.m. in the Qianjiaying mining subsidiary of Kailuan (Group) Limited Liability Corporation, a major state-owned coal mining company in Hebei, the group said in a statement on its official WeChat account.
    The Qianjiaying subsidiary is located in Fengnan District in the city of Tangshan.
    Rescuers are racing against the time to reach the trapped miners.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Switzerland at 2024 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings and G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Finance

    Federal Councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin, accompanied by Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 23 to 25 October 2024. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors will also take place during the Annual Meetings. The Swiss delegation will additionally use the event for bilateral talks.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has expanded the list of sports tournaments, victory in which guarantees admission to a university without exams

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Order dated October 19, 2024 No. 2930-r

    Document

    Order dated October 19, 2024 No. 2930-r

    Winners of the CIS Games, BRICS Sports Games and the CIS Spartakiad among children with disabilities have received the right to enter universities in sports specialties without entrance exams. The order to this effect was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    Athletes who win the three named tournaments will be able to apply for budget places in state universities without competitive tests, and also become students of non-state universities. Bachelor’s and specialist’s degree programs are available to them.

    Until now, the right to enter universities without exams for sports specialties was enjoyed by champions and prize winners of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Deaflympic Games, as well as world champions and European champions.

    The signed order was prepared to implement the new provisions of the federal law “On Education in the Russian Federation”, which were adopted in June 2024.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff in Honor of Wethersfield Firefighter Robert Sharkevich

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of Robert Sharkevich Sr., a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and former member of the Hartford Fire Department who died in the line of duty while responding to a brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin.

    Flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full staff.

    “I am very heartbroken to learn the news of the tragic loss of Firefighter Sharkevich, who died while bravely and courageously responding to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin,” Governor Lamont said. “His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing less than heroic. On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for the service he has provided to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department.”

    “This is a tragic reminder of the sacrifice and risk that our professional and volunteer firefighters face day in and day out when they put on their uniforms,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Firefighter Sharkevich bravely answered the call to assist the area’s fire crews in responding to this brush fire, and he will forever be remembered as a hero. My heart breaks for his loved ones and the members of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Hartford Fire Department, and Connecticut’s whole firefighting community. I am keeping each of them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”

    In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Man Group PLC : Form 8.3 – Centamin plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: Man Group PLC
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Centamin plc
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 22/10/2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 YES / NO / N/A
    Offeror: AngloGold Ashanti plc

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: Ordinary NPV
      Interests  
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 7,185,959 0.62    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives: 2,318,734 0.20    
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 9,504,693 0.82    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    Ordinary NPV Sale 17,429 1.72 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 99,657 1.739 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 34,859 1.74 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 31,373 1.732 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 20,915 1.73 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 4,920 1.732 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 6,557 1.751 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 32,845 1.747 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 461,000 1.728 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 370,597 1.73 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 287,060 1.728 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 33,796 1.733 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 287,060 1.742 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 743,846 1.739 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 53,998 1.751 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 270,478 1.747 GBP

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 11,289 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 5,282 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 159,702 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 12,192 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 1,812 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 52,613 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 21,882 1.743 GBP

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 23/10/2024
    Contact name: Matthew Irwin
    Telephone number: +442071447255

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –