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  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Honduras and Reaches Staff-Level Agreement

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    October 18, 2024

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and the Honduran authorities have reached staff level agreement on a set of comprehensive policies and reforms needed to complete the first and second reviews of Honduras’ program supported by the IMF.
    • The authorities have made important progress under their program. Fiscal policy remains prudent, public investment continues to expand, and the authorities have recently begun normalizing monetary and exchange rate policies.
    • Strengthened budget execution, energy sector reforms, including to reduce the public power company’s arrears, and further adjustments to monetary and exchange rate policies remain key to safeguard macroeconomic stability and promote inclusive and sustained growth.

    Tegucigalpa, Honduras: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Ricardo Llaudes visited Tegucigalpa during October 7-18, 2024. The mission was a continuation of presential and virtual discussions in recent months. At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Llaudes issued the following statement:

    “The Honduran authorities and the IMF team have reached staff level agreement on the economic policies necessary to complete the first and second reviews of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangements. The IMF’s Executive Board is expected to consider the case in the coming weeks.

    “The team and the authorities concurred that the Honduran economy remains broadly resilient despite a still-challenging global environment and the impact of the El Niño climate shock. Robust growth has continued this year—projected close to 4 percent—and inflation has stabilized between 4½ and 5 percent, within the tolerance range around the BCH’s inflation objective. On the external front, international reserves levels remain adequate but have continued to decline this year owing to a variety of factors, including the severe drought in the first half of the year—hindering agricultural exports and increasing energy imports—and lower-than-expected multilateral and bilateral financing support.

    “The authorities have reiterated their strong commitment to implement a prudent macroeconomic policy mix to strengthen economic stability and to take prompt actions on all critical aspects of their economic reform program supported by the IMF to ensure program objectives are met. Policy discussions and program reforms revolved around five key pillars.

    “First, continued budgetary discipline to preserve debt sustainability. As in 2023, fiscal performance this year is expected to overperform program objectives, supported by solid tax revenues and strengthened public financial management. The authorities are planning additional measures to further bolster the fiscal position, including enhancing transparency in budget execution, further strengthening the Treasury Single Account, and modernizing the public procurement framework. Timely adoption of the 2025 budget in line with program objectives is essential to support the authorities’ fiscal efforts and public investment program.

    “Second, strengthened social spending to protect the most vulnerable. The authorities have faced capacity constraints in disbursing social support. These constraints are now being lifted, and the authorities agreed on the need to roll out more decisively monetary transfers under the flagship program Red Solidaria, accelerate completion of the census of urban households in extreme poverty, and finalize the Single Social Sector Information System to facilitate the design, monitoring, and transparency of Honduras’ social programs.

    “Third, decisive implementation of monetary and exchange rate policies to keep inflation low and safeguard international reserves. Following the global shocks of 2020-2023—including the COVID-19 pandemic, global commodity shocks, and climate events—the authorities have recently begun normalizing monetary and exchange policies. Key recent measures include an increase in reserve requirements, adjustments to the monetary policy rate (TPM), and a higher rate of crawl of the Lempira, in line with the crawling band regime. There was agreement on the need for additional tightening of the TPM to support demand for Lempira assets and continued decisive implementation of the crawling band regime to achieve a healthy and sustainable external position. The authorities agreed to stand ready to further adjust these policies as needed to ensure achievement of program objectives. Strong communication with the public and markets on these measures will be key to strengthen their effectiveness.

    “Fourth, improved health of the energy sector. The team was encouraged by the recent downward trend in electricity losses by the public power company ENEE. That said, it was agreed that continued reforms will be vital to underpin ENEE’s financial health. In the short run, the authorities agreed that reducing ENEE’s payment arrears through domestic bond issuances and enhancing coordination across relevant official stakeholders to tackle ENEE’s challenges are a priority. These measures are also essential to attract needed investment to expand generation capacity and guarantee adequate provision of energy. In parallel, the authorities committed to continue other structural reforms, including integration of ENEE’s three distribution units and upgrading of its financial accounting to international standards.

    “Fifth, steadfast commitment to fight corruption. The recent establishment of an asset declaration system for public level officials and a National Observatory of Transparency and Anticorruption are welcome. Continuing efforts to strengthen the AML/CFT framework ahead of the evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2026 are essential, including approval of the Beneficial Ownership Law and creation of a corresponding firm registry including beneficial ownership information. The authorities also committed to ensure the adoption of the Honduran National Transparency and Anti-Corruption Strategy (ENTAH) and continue to strengthen the public dialogue and participation of civil society.

    “The IMF team would like to thank the authorities, the private sector, and civil society for their kind hospitality and candid discussions.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Rosa A Hernandez

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/19/pr24384-imf-concludes-visit-to-honduras-and-reaches-staff-level-agreement

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS George Washington transits to Japan

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SAN DIEGO  –  

     The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed the San Diego area for routine operations Oct. 8, beginning its transit to Yokosuka, Japan.

    George Washington assumed the role of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed carrier, replacing USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which operated out of Yokosuka for nearly nine years before departing Japan in May.

    “USS George Washington departed San Diego to begin the final phase of its redeployment to Japan, where it will once again serve as the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier,” said Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5. “It will take up station alongside the always-ready forces postured in the area of responsibility. George Washington, with all its capabilities, represents America’s commitment to stability in the region where it will sail and fly with our partner navies as we strive to move from interoperability to true interchangeability.”

    George Washington completed its midlife refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding in May 2023, conducted pre-deployment certifications and inspections over the course of 10 months, and departed Norfolk, Virginia, in April for its Southern Seas deployment around South America, arriving in San Diego in July.

    The forward-deployed Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, which recently completed training at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada, will embark George Washington to transit the Pacific Ocean and return to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.

    “I am incredibly proud of this team and everything they have accomplished this year,” said Capt. Timothy Waits, commanding officer of George Washington. “This crew, alongside Carrier Air Wing 5, is trained, tested, and ready to return to 7th Fleet as the Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier.”

    This marks the second time that George Washington has served as the Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Japan aircraft carrier. In 2008, it became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be forward-deployed to Japan before being relieved by Ronald Reagan in 2015.

    After operating in the U.S. 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operations, George Washington will arrive in Yokosuka in late fall.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Legacy of partnership: 25th FS hosts Buddy Squadron 25-1

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –  

    The 25th Fighter Squadron hosted two units from the Republic of Korea Air Force 8th Fighter Wing for Buddy Squadron 25-1 at Osan Air Base, ROK, Oct. 15-17, 2024.

    Unique to the ROK, Buddy Squadron is a tradition between the ROKAF and U.S. Air Force that started in the late 1990s and has grown over time. It is an opportunity to allow ROKAF and U.S. Air Force fighter pilots to share and practice flying concepts and tactics while also building and developing relationships between the Airmen.

    Today, all four U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons on the Korean peninsula participate in this training event on a semi-annual basis with their designated Buddy Squadron.

    “Being a fighter pilot in Korea can be very demanding both physically and emotionally,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Chase McCathern, 51st Operational Support Squadron current operations flight commander and project officer for Buddy Squadron 25-1. “These Buddy Squadron events help make those long days worth it.”

    Since its development in the ‘90s, the program continued to grow and thrive with eager participation from both the ROKAF and U.S. Air Force members. While the COVID-19 pandemic brought the training event to a halt for a few years; since its rebirth in 2022, the program has once again started to flourish.

    “This program has returned stronger than ever,” expressed McCathern. “I think that’s a testament to the relationships amongst the squadrons and to how much of a priority this is for us all.”

    As the most forward-deployed, permanently based fighter wing, Osan AB trains their Airmen to be ready to “Fight Tonight” and defend the peninsula at a moment’s notice. In order to accomplish this goal, integration and collaboration with our ROK military partners is paramount.

    “This level of interdependence while flying requires a deep level of trust, teamwork, communication, and skill,” explained McCathern. “ These things aren’t developed overnight and Buddy Squadron is an intentional method to build the relationships which are the foundation for all of them.”

    On top of the great training opportunity and tactical value Buddy Squadron provides, pilots assigned to the 25th FS also look forward to reconnecting with their counterparts, meeting new aviators, and taking the opportunity to repay the kindness of their ROKAF partners.

    “Our Buddy Squadron partners are notorious for the exceptional hospitality they always show us, and it’s a blessing for us to get the opportunity to have them here at Osan and to try and return the favor,” said McCathern.

    This iteration of Buddy Squadron included academics, knowledge exchange, social events and combined flying missions including the A-10 Thunderbolt II, FA-50 Golden Eagle and the KA-1 Woongbi. Many of the 25th FS “Draggins” look forward to Buddy Squadron for months as a refreshing, tangible reminder to why they fly in the first place – to defend the peninsula and the people who call it home.

    “Buddy Squadron is one of the things we are most excited about every year here,” said McCathern. “We always have a blast when we get together for these events, and the time I spend with our buddies always reminds me of my favorite Frank Sinatra quote: ‘If you don’t know the guy on the other side of the world, love him anyway because he’s just like you. He has the same dreams, same hopes and fears. It’s one world, pal. We’re all neighbors.’”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Announces $290,000 in New Funding to Fight Fentanyl Trafficking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    10.18.24
    Cantwell Announces $290,000 in New Funding to Fight Fentanyl Trafficking
    Funding goes to Northwest HIDTA, which successfully seized nearly 5 million illicit fentanyl pills last year in WA
    EDMONDS, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program will receive $290,000 in new funding.
    “With overdose deaths continuing to rise in our state, the federal government is stepping up to help,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Northwest HIDTA seized nearly 5 million illicit fentanyl pills last year, and this funding will aid their successful work with more than 75 federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies across 15 counties to disrupt drug traffickers. We must continue to support proven ways to address this crisis and keep this dangerous illicit drug out of our communities.”
    The funding comes from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and is in addition to $5,031,349 in base funding allocated to Northwest HIDTA earlier this year.
    The HIDTA Program coordinates and assists federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to address regional drug threats and reduce illicit drug production and trafficking.
    Sen. Cantwell has traveled across the State of Washington hearing from people in 10 communities on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis, including first responders, law enforcement, health care providers, and people with firsthand experience of fentanyl addiction. She’s using what she heard in those roundtables to craft and champion specific legislative solutions, including:
    The Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S. Transportation Networks Act, which would create first-ever inspection strategies to stop drug smuggling by commercial aircraft, railroads, vehicles, and ships. The legislation would boost state, local, and tribal local law enforcement resources,; deploy next generation non-intrusive detection technologies,  and increase inspections at ports of entry.
    The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act, which would which would direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to states, units of local government, law enforcement task forces, and tribes to adopt and implement an overdose data collection program.
    The Fatal Overdose Reduction Act, which would expand an evidence-based, low-barrier fentanyl treatment pilot program across the United States; and
    The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act, which would require that all pill presses be engraved with a serial number and impose penalties for the removal or alteration of the number.
    Sen. Cantwell’s other legislative actions to fight fentanyl include cosponsoring the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, a new law enacted earlier this year that will help U.S. government agencies disrupt opioid supply chains by imposing sanctions on traffickers and fighting money laundering.
    In addition, in March 2024, Sen. Cantwell voted for a series of federal funding bills allocating $1.69 billion to combat fentanyl and other illicit drugs coming into the United States, including an additional $385.2 million to increase security at U.S. ports of entry, with the goal of catching more illegal drugs like fentanyl before they make it across the border. Critical funding will go toward Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology at land and sea ports of entries. NII technologies—like large-scale X-ray and Gamma ray imaging systems, as well as a variety of portable and handheld technologies—allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help detect and prevent contraband from being smuggled into the country without disrupting flow at the border. The funding breakdown includes:
    $201 million for construction and infrastructure activities for drive-through NII deployment;
    $75.5 million for the Fentanyl Initiative for NII at ports of entry and for labs at eight ports of entry;
    $65.3 million to procure and deploy new NII detection devices;
    $14.4 million to procure advanced Computed Tomography scanners for deployment to mail and courier facilities;
    $12.6 million for artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities; and
    $12.1 million for system integration that brings together the use of the scanning, machine learning and other customs data.
    Sen. Cantwell also cosponsored and helped advance the TRANQ Research Act of 2023, which President Joe Biden signed into law last year. That measure will spur more research into xylazine and other novel synthetic drugs, by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology to tackle these issues.
    A full timeline of Sen. Cantwell’s actions to combat the fentanyl crisis is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Zambia develop matrix for implementing FOCAC agreements

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

    LUSAKA, Oct. 18 — The Chinese Embassy in Zambia said Friday that the two countries have developed a matrix for the implementation of agreements reached at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

    “All relevant Zambian authorities, including the Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, are working closely with the embassy to make sure that this matrix be translated into real changes on the ground at the end of the day,” Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing made this statement during a roundtable meeting aimed at assessing the opportunities presented by the FOCAC summit for enhancing China-Zambia relations.

    He emphasized that China values concrete action over empty rhetoric and is committed to collaborating with Zambian authorities to ensure the implementation of the FOCAC outcomes.

    The meeting, organized by the International Relations Association of Zambia, brought together experts from academia and think tanks to discuss and exchange views on the opportunities presented by the FOCAC summit.

    The Chinese ambassador noted that since its establishment in 2000, the FOCAC has become a primary platform for Sino-Africa cooperation and a symbol of South-South cooperation, adding that there was a lot of evidence to testify that Zambia has benefited from the FOCAC.

    He expressed confidence that the 2024 FOCAC summit will help boost Zambia’s development, noting that China was determined to support Zambia’s benefit from the FOCAC outcomes such as supporting the southern African nation to improve its business environment, cement its industrial foundation, and upgrade its industries.

    In the realm of infrastructure, the Chinese envoy said the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) will serve as a game changer for promoting regional connectivity, positioning Zambia as a land-linked and industrial hub. He further noted that many other infrastructure projects are in the pipeline to facilitate the unimpeded movement of goods and services.

    He further said that China would support Zambia in achieving green development following the signing of several cooperation documents during the FOCAC, aimed at ensuring a stable power supply and diversifying the energy mix in the country.

    China, he added, is working to bring more capacity building and vocational training in Zambia as part of efforts to promote innovation, which is the best way to achieve sustainable development towards modernization.

    Etambuyu Gundersen, permanent secretary for International Cooperation and Relations in Zambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the FOCAC has become an important mechanism for cooperation between China and Africa and a significant framework for South-South cooperation.

    Gundersen, who congratulated China for successfully hosting the summit, said China’s assistance under the FOCAC, spans a wide range of areas. She highlighted that Zambia’s priority within FOCAC has centered on economic cooperation, aligning with the country’s focus on projects designed to create jobs and sustain economic growth.

    Gundersen commended China for its longstanding support to Zambia, emphasizing that the nation remains indebted for this assistance. She also remarked that the two countries have enjoyed warm and cordial relations since establishing diplomatic ties, with their partnership continuing to strengthen over time.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Visa-free entries spur cross-border travel

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

    The number of foreigners entering China visa-free saw a surge in the third quarter as a result of the country’s continuous efforts to invigorate cross-border travel, the National Immigration Administration said.

    During the period, China saw more than 4.88 million visa-free entries by foreigners, a 78.6 percent year-on-year increase, Zhang Ning, a spokeswoman for the administration, said on Friday.

    The total number of foreigners entering China during the same period increased 48.8 percent to more than 8.18 million, Zhang said at a news conference.

    The country issued 807,000 visas for foreigners in the third quarter, which was 32.7 percent more than the same period last year.

    The rapid increases are a direct result of the country’s efforts to facilitate foreigners’ travel this year, Zhang said.

    The administration introduced a series of measures in the third quarter to streamline visa policies for foreign travelers.

    In a statement issued in late July, the administration said that tourists from countries that have diplomatic ties with China can enter Hainan province without a visa and stay there for up to 144 hours, if they arrive in a group which is organized by travel agencies registered in the Hong Kong or Macao special administrative regions.

    The statement came about two weeks after the administration granted the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to another three ports in Henan and Yunnan provinces, expanding the number of China’s ports of entry enjoying the policy to 37.

    As a result of the expansion, citizens of 54 countries are now able to stay in Henan for up to six days visa-free if they transit in the province through Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport.

    If they transit in Yunnan through Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and Mohan Railway Port, they can also enjoy a six-day visa-free stay in nine cities and prefectures of the Southwest China province.

    All these measures, “working together in synergy, have brought about multifaceted benefits”, Zhang said.

    The administration will continue to improve the visa-free transit policy and other policies, and work with relevant departments to make foreigners’ trips and their stays in China easier, Zhang said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: BRICS urged to enhance its solidarity

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

    Beijing has highlighted the need for BRICS to build on openness and solidarity among the Global South countries, as the Foreign Ministry announced that President Xi Jinping will attend the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, from Tuesday to Thursday.

    Analysts are closely following this year’s summit because they said it is the first to be held after the most recent historic expansion of BRICS, and it is also the first year of what its members have called “greater BRICS cooperation”.

    During the summit, Xi will attend small-group and large-group talks, as well as the BRICS Plus leaders’ dialogues, and deliver important speeches.

    He will have in-depth exchanges with leaders on the current international situation, BRICS practical cooperation, the development of the BRICS mechanism and important issues of common concern.

    “China stands ready to work with other parties to strive for the steady and sustained development of greater BRICS cooperation, open a new era for the Global South to seek strength through solidarity and jointly promote world peace and development,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

    Since the establishment of BRICS, member countries have always upheld the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, she told a regular news conference on Friday.

    These members have “remained true to its founding purpose of seeking strength through solidarity, stayed committed to upholding multilateralism and become a positive and stable force for good in international affairs”, she said.

    Experts and officials said the BRICS cooperation mechanism has grown to be an essential platform for emerging market countries and developing countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and safeguard common interests.

    After the most recent expansion, BRICS countries’ share of global trade has exceeded 20 percent, further expanding their international influence.

    In the first three quarters of this year, China’s imports and exports with the other BRICS member countries totaled 4.62 trillion yuan ($650.6 billion), a year-on-year increase of 5.1 percent, according to China’s General Administration of Customs.

    “Under the guidance of the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win, the big BRICS family has continued to achieve new fruits in trade and exchanges,” said Wang Lingjun, deputy director of the General Administration of Customs.

    In the industrial sector, China and other BRICS countries “have been complementing each other in fundamental sectors such as iron and steel, chemicals and textiles”, he said at a news conference on Monday.

    “In the first three quarters, China’s exports of intermediate goods such as integrated circuits, flat-panel display modules and aircraft parts to other BRICS countries all saw double-digit growth,” he added.

    With the first summit after the latest expansion ready to kick off, China’s economic and trade cooperation with the other BRICS countries “will also continue to go deeper and be more solid” in the future, he said.

    Speaking of the upcoming Kazan summit, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said Russia is an important BRICS partner of China. Beijing “is pleased with the progress made by Russia as the chair of BRICS”, and it will continue to support Russia as a good host to make the summit a success, he added.

    “The BRICS countries play an important role on the international stage,” Zhang told a Russian TV station last week.

    The ambassador also referred to the special summit of BRICS leaders on the Palestine-Israel issue held last year, as well as the BRICS countries’ joint efforts to defend the rights and interests of developing countries in multilateral mechanisms, such as the Group of 20.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mexico’s president says ties with China ‘very good’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday highlighted Mexico’s “very good relationship” with China and the broad opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

    “There is a very good relationship with China” in cultural matters, trade and other areas, she said during her daily press conference in response to a question from Xinhua.

    Sheinbaum added that one of the tasks facing the Mexican government is to meet with its Chinese counterparts to jointly assess and enhance the bilateral relationship.

    She also expressed her gratitude to China for its support after Hurricane Otis, which devastated the Pacific Coast resort of Acapulco in October last year.

    “Mexico is very grateful to the Chinese government for the goods arriving in Mexico after Otis in Acapulco,” said Sheinbaum, referring to China-made household appliances and utensils.

    She also stressed that Mexico and China, as important economies and markets, collaborate in various multilateral forums such as the Group of Twenty (G20) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.

    Mexico’s position at multilateral forums remains aligned with its foreign policy, focusing on “the search for peace because of what the world is experiencing,” said the president.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Lecture By Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group On the occasion of the 90th Birthday of H.E. General Yakubu Gowon (rtd…

    Source: African Development Bank Group
    Your Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic
    of Nigeria, ably represented by Senator George Akume, CON, Secretary of the Government of the Federation.
    Your Excellency, General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – the celebrant.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing man in Tsing Yi (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Police today (October 19) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tsing Yi.

         Lo Ka-leung, aged 67, went missing after he left his residence in Cheung On Estate yesterday (October 18) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
       
         He is about 1.67 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and is bald with short black and white hair on both sides. He was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeved T-shirt, blue jeans, dark blue sport shoes and a grey cap.

         Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1174 or 6103 4963 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system
    Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system
    ******************************************************************************************

         Organised by the Transport Department (TD), the Bus Parade cum Exhibition for Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, featuring buses from the past and present, was launched today (October 19) in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. It is one of the highlight events held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government amid National Day celebrations this year.     Speaking at the kick-off ceremony this morning, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, “Bus services have long been an indispensable and important part of Hong Kong’s economy and people’s livelihoods. Buses have not only met the travel needs of Hong Kong people every day, but have also witnessed the city’s developments.” The event marked the evolution of franchised buses in Hong Kong from the past to the present, engaging with the public to experience the crucial role of bus services in the public transport system, he added.     Mr Lam said, “The rapid development of new energy technologies of our country in recent years has enriched Hong Kong’s choices of new energy public transport. Numerous electric double-decker buses and hydrogen fuel cell buses introduced into Hong Kong in the past few years were China-made models. Our country has been forging ahead steadfastly in the last 75 years and continuous innovations in such areas as energy and transport technology not only reflect our country’s leading role in this field, but also bring the convenience of technology into the lives of the general public.”     Also officiating at the ceremony were Legislative Council (LegCo) Member (Transport) Mr Frankie Yick; the Chairman of the LegCo Panel on Transport, Dr Chan Han-pan; the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san; the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Eddie Cheung; the Commissioner for Transport, Ms Angela Lee; the Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, and the management of franchised bus operators co-organising the event. Some 750 participants from the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the TD, LegCo Members, the TAC, major public transport operators, Members of District Councils and district personalities attended the ceremony.     The officiating guests then boarded an open-top bus themed on the 75th National Day to lead a parade of eight retired and in-service buses from Victoria Park to Man Kwong Street, via Gordon Road, King’s Road, Causeway Road, Hennessy Road, Fleming Road and Lung Wo Road, which was about 6 kilometres long. Members of the public enjoyed the parade along the route across districts and took photos to share the joy. The convoy engaged with the public and tourists at locations such as Hennessy Road near Jardine’s Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the destination at Central Pier.     In addition, the four-day bus exhibition at the soccer pitches of Victoria Park is open to registered members of the public free of charge from this afternoon. The exhibition features a total of 10 retired and in-service buses, including the first-generation double-decker bus introduced 75 years ago and the newly introduced China-made new energy double-decker buses. Bus model exhibits, photo-taking spots simulating a bus driver and passengers, a neon light installation as well as bus service-related memorabilia including bus captain uniforms of different generations and vintage bus tickets are also on display.     The TD reminded members of the public registered to queue up and enter the exhibition via its entrance at Soccer Pitch No. 4 of Victoria Park (near the jogging track) with a QR code at the selected time slot. Each visitor can obtain one commemorative ticket on-site. Following an overwhelming response to the exhibition, all quotas including those for additional sessions are full. The TD thanked the public for their support.     The event is fully supported by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). The public may refer to the RTHK and the RTHK Radio 5 Facebook page for the live ceremony webcast.

     
    Ends/Saturday, October 19, 2024Issued at HKT 12:26

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Minister completes successful visit to Thailand

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters wrapped up a successful programme of engagements in Bangkok today, where he met with Thai political and business leaders. 

    “Thailand is an important economic and security partner for New Zealand. We are seriously focused on achieving our joint ambition of lifting our relationship to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ by 2026,” Mr Peters says. 

    “High-level contact between our two countries is key to taking our relationship to the next level. That is why we have agreed to re-establish regular and substantial Foreign Minister consultations. 

    “We look forward to hosting Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa in New Zealand for the first of these consultations in the coming months.” 

    While in Thailand, Mr Peters also met with Deputy Prime Minister, and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, Thai political and business leaders, and New Zealand alumni. He also witnessed the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding between New Zealand and Thai businesses. 

    Thailand is the seventh member of ASEAN that Mr Peters has visited this year. 

    Mr Peters travels to Jakarta today to represent New Zealand at the inauguration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to promote high-level financial opening up

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with members of the International Advisory Council of the National Financial Regulatory Administration at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 18, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China will steadily expand the institutional opening up in the financial sector, and support more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest in China, Vice Premier He Lifeng said here on Friday.

    He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with members of the International Advisory Council of the National Financial Regulatory Administration.

    He said that China will further deepen the reform of the financial system, steadily expand the institutional opening up in the financial sector, facilitate cross-border investment and financing, and support more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest and start businesses in China, in order to provide high-quality financial services for China’s modernization.

    The advisory council members expressed their anticipation for the financial reform and opening up, and the development prospect of China’s economy and financial market. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hamas confirms death of its leader Yahya Sinwar

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This file photo taken on May 1, 2017, shows Yahya Sinwar (front) in Gaza City. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Hamas confirmed on Friday the death of its leader Yahya Sinwar, without giving details about how Sinwar died or who would be his successor.

    In a statement, Hamas said the hostages in the Gaza Strip “will not return unless the aggression on Gaza stops, the withdrawal (of Israeli forces) from it, and our heroic prisoners are released from the occupation prisons.”

    Meanwhile, Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said in a statement that the resistance “will continue and escalate until the legitimate goals of our people are achieved.”

    Also on Friday, Khalil Al-Hayya, deputy chief of Hamas in Gaza, mourned Sinwar’s death in a televised speech.

    Calling his death inspiration for a new generation who will confront the Israeli “occupation” and liberate the Palestinian territories, Al-Hayya said his movement is holding its requirements to release the Israeli hostages in Gaza.

    “For those who are crying over the fate of the Israeli hostages, we will never release them without ending the war, reaching a prisoner swap and ending the Israeli blockade in Gaza,” he said.

    On Thursday evening, the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency confirmed in a joint statement that Sinwar was killed in an Israeli attack on southern Gaza on Wednesday.

    Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others taken hostage.

    The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 42,500, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Friday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s consumer goods trade-ins unleash market potential

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s consumer goods trade-ins have unleashed new market demands, with over 1.4 million applications for automobile scrapping and renewal subsidies recorded so far, Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping said on Friday.

    As of Wednesday, more than 10.8 million consumers across the country had purchased some 15.6 million pieces of household appliance included in China’s consumer goods renewal program, Sheng told the 2024 Haihe International Consumption Forum that opened on the same day in Tianjin, north China.

    Household appliance trade-ins have driven a total sales of 73.36 billion yuan (about 10.3 billion U.S. dollars), according to the vice minister.

    During the first half of this year, consumption alone contributed 60.5 percent to China’s economic growth, driving its GDP growth by 3 percentage points, said Sheng.

    He said the ministry will join hands with other departments to further boost consumption and consolidate the stable and positive momentum of the market.

    In March this year, China unveiled an action plan to implement the equipment and consumer goods renewal program to expand domestic demand and shore up the economy. In July, it further stepped up policy support for the program with an extra fund injection of 300 billion yuan via ultra-long special treasury bonds.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Financial opening-up under spotlight at key forum

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2024 is held in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 18, 2024. The Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2024 opened here on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Heavyweight guests from home and abroad discussed financial opening-up and cooperation as well as economic development on Friday as they gathered in Beijing for the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2024.

    Yin Li, secretary of the Communist Party of China Beijing Municipal Committee, said as an important destination for global financial investment, the Chinese capital will move faster to develop a vibrant modern financial system and enhance its capacity to serve national financial management functions.

    Toward that end, efforts will focus on improving financial service facilities, building a financial market system that fosters innovation, strengthening international financial exchanges, and maintaining a safe and sound financial environment, Yin said.

    Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, said the central bank will focus on serving high-quality development while strengthening counter-cyclical adjustments through monetary and macroprudential policies.

    The central bank will work to make financial support policies more targeted and effective, create a favorable monetary and financial environment for stable economic growth and structural adjustments, and steadily push forward financial opening up, said Pan.

    Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, said the administration will guide financial institutions to increase financial supply, improve resource allocation, and accelerate the flow of funds, therefore fully supporting the country’s economic recovery.

    Regarding the capital market, Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, said the regulator will deepen capital market reform, and improve institutions and mechanisms that promote the high-quality development of listed companies and strengthen the market’s intrinsic stability.

    Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, said media should move to create a favorable “soft” environment with boosted market confidence. Boosting trust and confidence is particularly of great significance when the Chinese economy is at a critical stage of overcoming challenges, he told the forum.

    Fu said Xinhua will make every effort to amplify the “main theme” of economic development, and contribute new and greater strength to advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality financial development.

    Zhu Hexin, head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, said the administration will make solid efforts to deepen reform and promote high-standard opening up in the field of foreign exchange.

    Work will be done to improve the opening up of capital accounts, enhance the evaluation of policies and communication with the market, and boost regulation and risk control capabilities, according to Zhu.

    Agustin Carstens, general manager of the Bank for International Settlements, said via video link that as a key engine for global growth, the strengthening of China’s domestic demand will benefit the world, inject fresh momentum into the global economy and safeguard global monetary and financial stability.

    Themed “Trust and Confidence — Work Together to Promote Financial Openness, Cooperate for Shared Economic Stability and Growth,” this year’s conference is jointly hosted by the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the People’s Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Xinhua News Agency, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Allen & Overy top M&A legal adviser in Middle East & Africa during Q1-Q3 2024, finds GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Allen & Overy top M&A legal adviser in Middle East & Africa during Q1-Q3 2024, finds GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Allen & Overy was the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal adviser in the Middle East & African region during the first three quarters (Q1-Q3) of 2024 by value as well as volume, according to the latest Legal Advisers League Table, which ranks legal advisers by the value and volume of mergers and acquisition (M&A) deals on which they advised, by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Allen & Overy achieved this leading position by advising on nine deals worth $9.7 billion.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Allen & Overy was the top adviser by value during Q1-Q3 2023 and managed to retain its leadership position by this metric during Q1-Q3 2023 as well. Interestingly, despite experiencing a year-on-year fall in the total value of deals advised by it during Q1-Q3 2024, Allen & Overy outpaced its peers by a significant margin in terms of value. Meanwhile, its ranking by volume improved from second position during Q1-Q3 2023 to the top position during Q1-Q3 2024.”

    Bernitsas Law, Latham & Watkins and Simmons & Simmons collectively occupied the second position in terms of value, with each of them advising on $3.4 billion worth of deals, followed by Linklaters with $2.3 billion worth of deals advised.

    Meanwhile, White & Case occupied the second position in terms of volume with nine deals, followed by Webber Wentzel with six deals, ENSafrica with six deals, and Naschitz Brandes Amir with four deals.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Rothschild & Co top M&A financial adviser in Middle East & Africa during Q1-Q3 2024, finds GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Rothschild & Co top M&A financial adviser in Middle East & Africa during Q1-Q3 2024, finds GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Rothschild & Co was the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) financial adviser in the Middle East & African region during the first three quarters (Q1-Q3) of 2024 by both value and volume, according to the latest Financial Advisers League Table, which ranks legal advisers by the value and volume of mergers and acquisition (M&A) deals on which they advised, by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Rothschild & Co achieved this leading position by advising on eight deals worth $4.2 billion.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Rothschild & Co was also the top adviser by volume during Q1-Q3 2023 and retained its leadership position by this metric during Q1-Q3 2024 as well. Meanwhile, its ranking by value improved significantly, as there was a more than three-fold increase in the total value of deals advised by it during Q1-Q3 2024 compared to Q1-Q3 2023. As a result, Rothschild & Co went ahead from occupying the ninth position by value during Q1-Q3 2023 to top the chart by this metric during Q1-Q3 2024.”

    HSBC occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $2.3 billion worth of deals, followed by Fort Capital Investment with $1.6 billion at the third position, whereas Citi and KPMG jointly occupied the fourth position, with each of them advising on $1.4 billion worth of deals.

    Meanwhile, HSBC occupied the second position in terms of volume with seven deals, followed by Rand Merchant Bank with seven deals, Deloitte with seven deals, and Clairfield International with six deals.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: UNI-494 trial results highlight Unicycive’s potential to differentiate in AKI space, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    UNI-494 trial results highlight Unicycive’s potential to differentiate in AKI space, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    Unicycive Therapeutics recently announced positive results from its Phase I trial of UNI-494, showing that the drug’s use was observed to be safe and well-tolerated in both single ascending and multiple ascending doses. The trial results also showed that UNI-494 absorption was fast, rapidly metabolized, and plasma concentration increases when dose increases. The drug potentially fills an unmet need in the acute kidney injury (AKI) space as it has an alternate mechanism of action to current marketed therapies, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    AKI can cause a buildup of waste products in the blood and make it difficult to maintain the right balance of fluid and minerals in the body. It can also cause permanent kidney damage, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

    According to GlobalData’s latest report “Chronic Kidney Disease: Epidemiology Forecast to 2033,” the total prevalent cases of CKD are expected to increase from 110,299,913 cases in 2023 to 121,072,673 cases in 2033, across the seven major markets (7MM*).

    Kajal Jaddoo, Senior Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The aging global population will lead to an increase in the prevalence of AKI, leading to an expansion of the market as well as a growing need for more therapeutic options.”

    UNI-494 exhibits therapeutic intervention activating SUR2 subunit of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP channel) and thus reduces oxidative stress and restores mitochondrial function.

    The Phase I study was a randomized, open-label, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose, multiple ascending dose, and single centered study to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of UNI-494. The single ascending dose from 10mg to 160mg was well-tolerated. The multiple ascending dose of 40mg twice daily for five days was also safe and well-tolerated.

    Jaddoo concludes: “Key opinion leaders interviewed by GlobalData have emphasized that a drug that specifically shows enhanced efficacy in kidney disease patients will most likely receive breakthrough or fast track designations and gain market share.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug dealer with £1.5 million worth of property convicted after tireless Met investigation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man with a multimillion pound property empire has been convicted for supplying drugs and money laundering as a result of proactive investigation by Met officers.

    Richard Baxter, 50 (20.07.1974), of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the following offences at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 18 October:

    • Conspiracy to supply Heroin
    • Conspiracy to supply Cocaine
    • Conspiracy to transfer criminal property – cash

    The conviction demonstrates the Met’s proactive work in tackling the crimes that matter most to London residents. The public regularly tell officers about their concerns of drug dealing within local communities, and how it can bring violence and anti-social behaviour into the neighbourhood. This is why the Met is working harder than ever to tackle these crimes.

    In August 2024, Spanish police arrested Baxter in Valencia and he was extradited back to the UK to be remanded in custody.

    As part of their investigation, specialist officers investigating criminal gangs operating in London discovered that Baxter was one of the key figures of a group smuggling hundreds of kilos of cocaine and heroin, before laundering money through various companies.

    As part of their investigation, officers discovered Baxter owned a home in Surrey, with a property empire across the south-east of England. All four properties and a holiday chalet with a total approximate value of £1.5m of houses have been seized as part of the investigation.

    Detective Constable David Lawn, who led the investigation, said: “We have zero-tolerance for anyone who engages in criminal activities and are committed to combat the sale of dangerous and illegal drugs which pose a threat to the public.

    “The Met are deploying specialist resources to tackle drug criminality and make the capital a safer place to live.

    “Baxter’s conviction sends out a strong message to those who seek to profit from illegal drug trade – you will be held accountable for your actions in front of the court.”

    Met officers are working alongside communities to crack down on individuals who supply drugs in London. As part of the Met’s drive to tackle issues that matter most to communities through our A New Met for London plan, officers are focusing on community crime fighting, acting on residents’ concerns, making London safer for those who live, work and raise a family in the capital.

    The supply of drugs has devastating consequences on communities across London and beyond – it causes addiction, having devastating health impacts, as well as leading to anti-social behaviour and violence.

    With the help of local communities sharing information, Met officers are acting swiftly to pursue those who seek to cause harm by supplying drugs.

    If you want to report a drugs crime, call 999 in an emergency, 101 or report online. Alternatively, this can be reported to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    Baxter has been remanded for sentencing at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, 5 December.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tougher regulation to address payment arrears to enterprises

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China will strengthen regulation of government-funded projects to address payment arrears to enterprises, according to a new official guideline.

    Relevant authorities should regularly verify the availability of government funds, intensify oversight of government procurement payments, and urge state-owned enterprises to standardize and optimize their payment management systems, said the guideline issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council.

    Efforts should be made to establish a national platform for small and medium-sized enterprises to report related complaints, and optimize the punishment mechanism for acts of bad faith, said the guideline.

    Addressing payment arrears to enterprises is vital to protecting businesses’ rights and interests and boosting their confidence, according to the guideline. It urged all local governments to implement tailored measures based on their conditions and fulfill their responsibilities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese drone maker sues US government

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese drone maker DJI filed a lawsuit to challenge the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on Saturday, seeking to be removed from the blacklist of alleged Chinese military companies.

    In an announcement released to Xinhua, the company said the designation is erroneous and decided to seek relief in U.S. federal court after more than 16 months of efforts to engage with DoD.

    The company added that it has been dedicated to promoting the application of civilian drone products and opposes the use of its products for military purposes.

    “DoD itself acknowledges that DJI makes consumer and commercial drones, not military drones,” said the company.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Missing man in Tsing Yi located

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         A man who went missing in Tsing Yi has been located.

         Lo Ka-leung, aged 67, went missing after he left his residence in Cheung On Estate yesterday (October 18) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

         The man returned to his residence this afternoon (October 19). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven jailed following Peckham shootings thanks to work of Met detectives

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Seven men who “retaliated to violence with more violence” have been jailed for a total over 102 years following multiple shootings in Peckham in May 2023.

    Tyreke Smikle, 26, Kai Davis Francis, 25, Duan Correa, 21, Shaquille Marsh, 26, Tyreece Quartey, 25, Malachi David Francis, 21 and Timothy Newton, 18 appeared at the Central Criminal Court on Friday, 18 October.

    The investigation comes as part of the Met’s strategy to tackle firearms and make the capital safer.

    Met detectives launched an investigation into the group in May 2023 after an escalation of violence in the Peckham area.

    Officers pieced together the movements of the group, speaking to multiple witnesses and analysing hours’ worth of phone data and CCTV.

    Enquiries revealed how in the early hours of Sunday, 7 May an acquaintance of Smikle and Newton was stabbed in Peckham. The pair had visited the victim in hospital before going to collect a bag containing weapons. The two men then met with the rest of the group to form a ‘revenge plan’ for those who had assaulted their friend earlier that day.

    CCTV showed the group wearing balaclavas and all splitting up between three vehicles, including a stolen moped. Smikle was carrying a loaded shotgun and ammunition, while the others had machetes and knives.

    The groups’ two vehicles pursued a vehicle before Tyreke Smikle fired a shotgun through the driver’s window. The group then pull alongside another vehicle on a nearby street and fired a second time at a second victim. They continued to chase the car, which crashed and flipped over as it tried to drive away. As the third victim ran off, Tyreke Smikle chased him into a nearby garden and shot him in the leg at almost point blank range.

    Witnesses also later saw the group in the possession of a large machete.

    Thankfully, no one involved received life-threatening injuries.

    Detective Constable Luke Martinez, who led the investigation, said:

    “This group retaliated to violence with more violence, bringing a firearm and other weapons to the streets of London which could have seriously injured or killed someone.

    “These shootings took place during daylight hours, with one occurring just metres away from a mother and her child.

    “Today’s sentencing has taken dangerous individuals off the streets – I hope it serves as a stark warning to those seeking to threaten the safety of Londoners by brandishing such dangerous weapons.”

    When arresting Tyreke Smikle, officers the shotgun and a quantity of Class A drugs, as well as a stab-proof vest, a knife and burner phones.

    Tyreke Smikle was convicted of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, two counts of wounding with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearms and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

    The remaining defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH).

    In addition to the conspiracy to commit Grievous Bodily Harm conviction, Kai Davis-Francis and Timothy Newton were convicted of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

    The group were sentenced to the following:

    Tyreke Smikle, 26 (20.03.1998) of Rupack Street, was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum term of 17 years and seven months.

    Kai Davis-Francis, 25 (18.09.1999) of Arngask Road, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison.

    Timothy Newton, 18 (30.10.2005) of Brackley Avenue, was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison.

    Duan Correa, 21 (20.07.2003) of Nunhead Lane, was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

    Shaquille Marsh, 26 (19.01.1998) of Rainham South Road, was sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison.

    Tyreece Quartey, 25 (11.08.1999) of Woodmill Street, was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

    Malachi David Francis, 21 (31.05.2003) of Ivydale Road, was sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison.

    Smikle was also granted an indefinite Criminal Behaviour Order whilst the others were also given Criminal Behaviour Orders with fixed terms.

    Specialist detectives in the Met continue to pursue criminals who use guns and endanger the lives of others. Earlier this year, Met police announced a record low in firearms offences in the last fifteen years across London. Last year alone, 386 illegal firearms were seized across the capital – more than one a day. Since March 2023 there has been a reduction from 196 firearms offences to 145.

    Anyone with information relating to firearms or shootings is asked to call 101, while information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

    Breakdown of convictions

    Tyreke Smikle, 26 (20.03.1998) of Rupack Street, previously found guilty of conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and two counts of wounding with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearm and possession with intent to supply class A drugs at a hearing at The Central Criminal Court on the 18 July 2024.

    Kai Davis-Francis, 25 (18.09.1999) of Arngask Road, previously was found guilty of conspiracy to commit GBH with intent at a hearing at The Central Criminal Court on the 18 July 2024.

    Timothy Newton, 18 (30.10.2005) of Brackley Avenue, previously was found guilty of conspiracy to commit GBH with intent at a hearing at The Central Criminal Court on the 18 July 2024.

    Duan Correa, 21 (20.07.2003) of Nunhead Lane, previously previously was found guilty of conspiracy to commit GBH with intent at a hearing at The Central Criminal Court on the 18 July 2024.

    Shaquille Marsh, 26 (19.01.1998) of Rainham South Road, previously was found guilty of conspiracy to commit GBH with intent at a hearing at The Central Criminal Court on the 18 July 2024.

    Tyreece Quartey, 25 (11.08.1999) of Woodmill Street, previously was found guilty of conspiracy to commit GBH with intent at a hearing at The Central Criminal Court on the 18 July 2024.

    Malachi David Francis, 21 (31.05.2003) of Ivydale Road, previously was found guilty of conspiracy to commit GBH with intent at a hearing at The Central Criminal Court on the 18 July 2024.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD cancels licence of restaurant in Sham Shui Po

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene today (October 19) cancelled the licence of a general restaurant in Sham Shui Po, as the licensee repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by illegally extending the food business area. The restaurant concerned has had to cease operation with immediate effect.
          
         The restaurant is located at Shop C5 on the ground floor of 353-357 Un Chau Street.
          
         “Two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the restaurant licensee in April and July of this year. A total fine of $6,000 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department’s demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the cancellation of the licence,” a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
          
         The licensee concerned had a record of four convictions for the same offence between August of last year and January of this year. A total fine of $9,900 was levied and 60 demerit points were also registered, resulting in a seven-day and 14-day licence suspension in February and April of this year respectively.
          
         The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR and other relevant regulations, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
                      
         Licensed food premises are required to exhibit their licence and a sign at a conspicuous place of the premises, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-foodPremises-search.html).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government will allocate more than 3.2 billion rubles to develop infrastructure in the regions of the Far East

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    An additional 3.2 billion rubles will be allocated to implement social development plans for economic growth centers in regions that are part of the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD). The orders to this effect were signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    Subsidies allocated on a co-financing basis are intended, among other things, for Primorsky Krai, Khabarovsk Krai and Magadan Oblast.

    Thus, Primorsky Krai will receive 462.7 million rubles for the modernization of the Mine Town Park in Vladivostok. More than 1.4 billion rubles are intended for Khabarovsk Krai, where it is planned to implement more than 20 different events for the repair, equipment and improvement of social facilities.

    In Magadan Oblast, it is planned to reconstruct the building of the regional center for advanced professional training using federal funds. In addition, funding will be used to improve courtyard areas. A total of 303.8 million rubles will be allocated for these purposes.

    Commenting on the decision takenGovernment meeting on October 17, Mikhail Mishustin recalled that issues of repairing hospitals, schools, cultural facilities, and improving walking, children’s, and sports grounds were discussed during his working visit to the Far Eastern Federal District in July 2024.

    The Government has been supporting the implementation of social development plans for the economic growth centers of the Far East regions on a regular basis since 2018. The program of such support was launched at the initiative of the President. Its main goal is to make the cities and towns of the macroregion modern and attractive. Thanks to federal funding, hundreds of social, engineering, urban, and transport infrastructure facilities have been built and repaired in the Far Eastern regions over the past six years, including kindergartens, schools, hospitals, clinics, sports facilities, roads, and boiler houses.

    The documents will be published.

    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://government.ru/nevs/53050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AFCD holds “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is holding the “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo today and tomorrow (October 19 and 20) at Domain Mall in Yau Tong. The Expo showcases the diversity of local leisure fisheries activities through a series of workshops, guided tours, seminars, plays and sales booths featuring fisheries products.

         Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, remarked that the “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo is one of the key promotional initiatives aiming at facilitating the development of local leisure fisheries, as outlined in the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. Through participating in a variety of leisure fisheries activities, members of the public can experience and understand the heritage of fisheries’ history and culture, as well as recognise Hong Kong’s precious marine and cultural resources. This initiative aims at promoting the blue economy, facilitating the sustainable development of fisheries, and creating new opportunities for the development of both the fisheries and tourism industries.

         The “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo brings together a range of unique leisure fisheries-related activities across Hong Kong, including workshops on fish net weaving, pearl and shell jewellery making, salted fish curing, Gyotaku printing and fish sketching. Additionally, there are Lei Yue Mun Sam Ka Tsuen guided tours and plays showcasing the culture of fishermen. The Expo also features a variety of unique seminars, including firsthand accounts from fishermen about the culture of a fishing village, experts’ sharing on the history of local pearl cultivation and tips on selecting different fisheries products. These activities foster public appreciation of fisheries’ history and culture through the imprints left by the fishermen and the fisheries industry of the past. There are also sales booths offering high-quality local fisheries products and fishery-related handicrafts for members of the public to purchase on-site.

         The “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo is open from noon to 7pm. Members of the public are invited to join for free. No prior registration is required for the seminars and plays, while a limited number of seats for the workshops and the guided tours are available on-site for reservation. The event schedule can be found in the Annex.

         Developing leisure fisheries is one of the key directions outlined in the Blueprint. Through integrating fisheries culture and ecological resources, the Government aims to assist the upgrade and transformation of the industry. The AFCD will continue to provide fishermen with training courses, exchanges and field visits related to leisure fisheries, and encourage the trade to launch pilot projects of developing leisure fisheries activities based on commercial modes of operation through funding support from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund. The AFCD will, at the same time, enhance promotion of local leisure fisheries, as well as explore suitable modes of development for leisure fisheries in Hong Kong and opportunities for jointly developing leisure fisheries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious Crash, Coronation Road, Morrinsville

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are responding to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Coronation Road and Bank Street, Morrinsville.

    The crash was reported around 6:50pm.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

    The road is closed and diversions are in place at the intersections of Bank Street, Williams Avenue and North Road.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New air defence laser engages multiple missiles at once  

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    RAF pilots are one step closer to being equipped with a cutting-edge air-protection laser self-protection system, following 100% successful live-fire trials.

    • Air protection laser defeats 100% of targets in live firing trial.

    • Equipment being fitted to UK military aircraft to defeat missile threats. 

    • Collaboration between Dstl scientists and UK industry partners help support 1950 jobs across Scotland. 

    RAF pilots are one step closer to being equipped with a cutting-edge laser self-protection system, following 100% successful live-fire trials.  

    The laser is being designed to be fitted to a range of RAF aircraft including the intelligence gathering Shadow R2 and A400M transporter, ready to rapidly detect and defeat threats such as missiles.  

    During the trial at the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden, the operational system defeated a range of infrared heat-seeking missiles being fired simultaneously. 

    100% of threats were quickly defeated using a laser with pinpoint accuracy, which has been designed and developed by the Team Pellonia partnership between Leonardo UK, Thales UK, and the MOD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey said:  

    Identifying, tracking and defeating threats from the air in seconds is crucial to having the edge over those who try to do us harm.  

    We’re equipping our Armed Forces with the very latest technology to keep them safe and give them the advantage on operations. 

    This high-tech laser is another excellent example of joint working between our Dstl experts and the UK’s defence industry.

    The system works by Thales’s Elix-IR threat warning system quickly detecting and identifying the launch of missiles, using a series of algorithms to filter out background clutter so that only valid threats are tracked, classified and declared.  

    Once the threat(s) has been classified, an alert is sent to the Leonardo’s Miysis directed infrared countermeasure which moves to track the incoming missile and directs a jamming laser onto the missile with ultimate precision. 

    Threats are defeated faster than the time it takes to read this sentence. This UK engineered capability gives the MOD the latest generation best-in-class protection, whilst enjoying full operational independence, and offering the same freedoms to export customers. 

    The live tests were witnessed by senior military officers from a number of NATO nations.  

    Dstl’s Chief for Air Survivability, Mark Elson, said: 

    The UK defensive aids system is the culmination of MOD’s detailed understanding of changing threats alongside years of sustained defence investment in science and technology nurtured within Dstl. This has been aligned with the development capabilities of our commercial partners through Team Pellonia.  

    The design of the system has the agility to protect platforms now and into the future, providing long-term operational advantage to the UK and our allies. This is enabled through Spiral Development which provides capabilities such as the Dstl developed jamming waveform that defeats the guidance of the missile threat.

    Dstl’s research programme and partnerships like Team Pellonia help boost UK economic growth, sustaining 700 jobs at Thales in Glasgow and 1,250 specialist roles at Leonardo in Edinburgh, supporting both the local as well as national economies. 

    Leonardo’s Senior Vice-President of Radar and Advanced Targeting, Mark Stead, said: 

    The results of these latest trials speak for themselves, and are a testament to the skills and experience within Leonardo as a global leader in directed infrared countermeasures. Miysis DIRCM has again proven itself as a reliable, effective protection system and is flying operationally on many platforms today.  

    My thanks go to the Miysis team who demonstrated superb leadership and technical prowess during the trials at Vidsel, working alongside our partners in Defence and Industry to prove our capabilities which help to protect our Armed Forces.

    Thales’s Managing Director of Optronics & Missile Electronics UK, Stephen McCann, said: 

    Once again, as previously witnessed during SALT 3 in 2018, Elix-IR has proved its world leading capabilities as the latest generation multi-function infrared threat warning system during what was a comprehensive and complicated multi-faceted trial.  

    I am extremely proud of our entire team that supported both the UK, under Team Pellonia, and other NATO member teams in the preparation and execution of this event. UK MOD has adopted Elix-IR as its core reference capability threat warner of choice, based on its maturity and proven capability.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transport Secretary announces urgent action to get a grip on spiralling HS2 costs 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Today’s announcement marks the latest step in the Transport Secretary’s mission to overhaul the railways, ensuring infrastructure works for the whole country.

    • Transport Secretary announces tough measures to bring the cost and delivery of HS2 back under control 
    • follows the launch of an independent review into the oversight of HS2
    • forms part of the government’s mission to rebuild Britain and deliver infrastructure that works for the whole country    

    Action to control the cost of HS2 and bring the project back on track has been announced by the Transport Secretary today (20 October 2024) after years of failed delivery.

    Just months into the role, Louise Haigh has warned the extent of the challenge inherited on HS2 has become clear, with costs being allowed to spiral out of control and failure to deliver to budget.

    Over the years, the cost of Phase One has soared, due to poor project management, inflation and poor performance from the supply chain, without sufficient explanation of what is to be done to deliver to budget.

    In response, the Secretary of State has launched an independent review to ensure lessons are learned to support action and to ensure that the costs for HS2 are brought under control.

    The government has been clear it is not resurrecting Phase 2 of HS2, which was cancelled under the previous administration. The government recognises concerns about connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester, but its primary focus now is the safe delivery of HS2 between Birmingham and London at the lowest reasonable cost, and the Secretary of State has made this objective clear to HS2 Ltd.

    To achieve this, the government is also reinstating ministerial oversight of the project to ensure greater accountability. This will see regular meetings starting immediately, where both the Transport Secretary and Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, alongside the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will challenge delivery and remove obstacles to securing the full benefits of the railway more cost effectively.   

    Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:

    One of my first jobs as Transport Secretary has been to urgently review the position I have inherited on HS2.   

    It has long been clear that the costs of HS2 have been allowed to spiral out of control, but since becoming Transport Secretary I have seen up close the scale of failure in project delivery – and it’s dire.

    Taxpayers have a right to expect HS2 is delivered efficiently and I won’t stand for anything less.   

    I have promised to work fast and fix things and that’s exactly why I have announced urgent measures to get a grip on HS2’s costs and ensure taxpayers’ money is put to good use.  It’s high time we make sure lessons are learnt and the mistakes of HS2 are never repeated again.

    The Major Transport Projects Governance and Assurance Review will be led by senior infrastructure delivery adviser, James Stewart, and will present recommendations back to the government this winter.  

    It will investigate the oversight of major transport infrastructure projects, including the effectiveness of forecasting and reporting of cost, schedule and benefits, as well as actions to deliver cost efficiencies. The review will primarily draw on experiences of HS2 to date to ensure recommendations and learnings are applied to its delivery as well as to future projects. 

    Separately, the incentives of the main HS2 contractors are also being reviewed, which could lead to some contracts being renegotiated or amended.

    Today’s announcement comes as the Transport Secretary writes to the Chair of HS2 Ltd, recognising the collective responsibility in reaching the current position, stressing the need to focus immediately on action to turn things around and bring costs back under control.

    As part of this effort to get a grip on costs, the management of HS2 Ltd will shortly be taken over by a new Chief Executive, Mark Wild, who has an extensive background in delivering transport projects and will be responsible for resetting the project.

    On his arrival, the Transport Secretary will task him with assessing the current position on cost, schedule and culture, and providing an action plan to deliver the remaining work as cost effectively as possible, including at a realistic budget and schedule.

    The government will also continue to publish 6-monthly reports on the progress of HS2, ensuring complete accountability and transparency on the project’s progress.   

    Today’s announcement marks the latest step in the Transport Secretary’s mission to overhaul the railways, ensuring infrastructure works for the whole country.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 20 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –