This photo shows the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) during their patrol in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, on May 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Sixteen countries of the European Union (EU) contributing troops to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have agreed to increase political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to avoid further incidents involving the mission.
This decision was reached after a videoconference led by Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu on Wednesday, amidst escalating clashes between the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The videoconference involved key EU nations, including Ireland, Germany, Spain, Austria, and Greece, among others.
These countries collectively condemned attacks on UNIFIL bases, which have endangered the safety of the mission’s over 10,000 personnel coming from 48 countries, and urged Israel to take preventive measures to ensure no more such incidents occur.
The Italian defense ministry said in a statement that a key conclusion of the meeting was “the shared will to exert utmost political and diplomatic pressure on Israel, so that no further incidents occur.” Meanwhile, the statement also stressed that Hezbollah cannot use UNIFIL personnel as a shield in the context of the conflict.
The call followed a series of IDF strikes on UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon since Oct. 9, which resulted in injuries to several peacekeepers.
Although Israel had asked UNIFIL to withdraw its troops within 5 km of the Israeli-Lebanese border, which would mean leaving all UNIFIL positions in south Lebanon, all countries contributing to the mission declined.
On Wednesday, the EU countries reiterated their commitment to maintaining a stable UNIFIL presence in the region and asserted that any changes to the mission’s future should be decided collectively by the UN.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday presented to parliament his “victory plan,” outlining Ukraine’s strategy in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
“If we begin implementing this Victory Plan now, we could end the war no later than the next year,” Zelensky was quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying.
Zelensky said the five-point plan covers geopolitical, military, economic, and security goals, emphasizing that inviting Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the “near future” is its key element.
Other proposals include lifting the current restrictions hindering Ukraine from using long-range Western weapons on targets inside Russia and placing a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package in Ukraine, Zelensky said.
He also said the document envisages that Ukraine will jointly protect, use and invest in its critical resources with partners.
Besides, Kiev stands ready to replace U.S. military contingents in Europe with Ukrainian units after the end of the conflict, according to the plan, which also contains three classified annexes.
Starting Wednesday, foreign residents living in Hong Kong and Macao can apply for multiple-entry visas to the Chinese mainland with a validity period of up to five years by following a simplified procedure, according to the central government. The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced on Wednesday that non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents and non-Chinese Hong Kong residents who are traveling to the mainland for tourism, business, family visits or cultural and academic exchanges can apply for a visa valid for up to five years, which will allow them to stay on the mainland for up to 180 days. Under the new arrangement, applicants are not required to provide proof of round-trip tickets or hotel reservations when applying for visas, the office said. Those who successfully applied for visas from overseas Chinese visa-issuing authorities and had their fingerprints collected during the process will be exempted from fingerprint collection when applying from Hong Kong, the office added. The office stressed that the validity of the visa and duration of stay will be decided case by case, and applicants may also be asked to submit additional documents or attend interviews. The visa policy does not apply to foreign domestic helpers, the office noted. Also on Wednesday, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR announced a similar optimization for permanent and temporary foreign residents of the city. People who apply from Macao for short-term activities such as tourism, trade and family visits can get visas with a validity period of five years and a stay for no more than 180 days, the office said, adding that proof of outbound transportation and hotel bookings are no longer required under the new arrangement. Starting July 10, non-Chinese permanent residents of both Hong Kong and Macao can apply for a new mainland travel permit, which allows multiple entries into the mainland within a five-year validity period, with each stay capped at 90 days.
PARIS, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From October 14 to October 21, Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “SEVB”), a leading Chinese power battery provider, made a significant appearance at the Paris Motor Show, showcasing its core products. Concurrently, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony at its manufacturing base in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion.
SEVB Chairman Mingwang Wang stated, “Our participation in the Paris Motor Show showcases the company’s five core strengths: leading technology, superb intelligent manufacturing, ultra-high quality, reliable delivery, and extensive service experience for major customers. SEVB will leverage nearly 30 years of lithium battery expertise and the local service advantages of our Hungarian base to continue providing first-class solutions for our European customers.”
SEVB presented a range of products at this year’s Paris Motor Show, including its HEV batteries, PHEV batteries, the globally launched 6C Super-fast Charging Battery 3.0, as well as cutting-edge solid-state and sodium-ion batteries.
Among these, the Dacia Spring model, powered by SEVB’s HEV battery, was previously awarded the title of “Best-Selling Electric Vehicle in Italy” and ranked second in electric vehicle sales in France. The 6C Super-fast Charging Battery 3.0, making its global debut, can charge to 80% SoC in just 10 minutes, significantly easing charging anxiety. The PHEV batteries, known for its practicality and environmental benefits, holds strong value in Europe, where usage of electric vehicles has slowed, and environmental standards are high.
To align our global strategy with “REGULATION (EU) 2023/1542”, SEVB is, firstly, strengthening its supply chain management system and enhancing carbon emission controls. Secondly, promoting the implementation of a “China Battery Passport,” aligning domestic battery systems with international standards. Thirdly, expanding into battery recycling.
To date, SEVB has established 12 manufacturing bases worldwide. The company has reached Benchmark’s top tier EV battery cell manufacturer status and was recognized as a “Greater Bay Area New Energy Innovation Enterprise” by KPMG. According to SNE Research, from 2021 to 2023, SEVB ranked first in China for HEV battery installations, and in H1 2024, it entered the global top ten for power battery installations.
In the future, SEVB will continue to base itself in China and look to the world, promoting the globalization of its power battery and energy storage battery solutions to empower customers with world-class products and services.
The next federal general election will be conducted on new electoral division boundaries in Victoria after a notice was published today in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette.
While final names and boundaries for House of Representatives seats in Victoria were announced on Thursday 5 September 2024, today’s gazettal is the step that formally sets them in place. Today’s gazettal also provides people with further details about the boundaries.
Maps and geospatial data for the new electoral divisions now available.
More detailed division maps and the final redistribution report will be available after the Minister has tabled material in both houses of Parliament.
Editor’s notes:
People on the electoral roll who are affected by the redistribution will now be moved into their new federal electoral division in readiness for the election. No action is necessary.
While the new electoral divisions will be in place from Thursday 17 October 2024, they will only apply from the next federal election onwards. Any federal by-election conducted before that point must be conducted on existing divisions to avoid overlap in, or missing, representation.
World Mental Health Day on 10 October is a time to put mental health in the spotlight, raise awareness and break down stigma.
This year for Mental Health Australia’s World Mental Health Day campaign we have focussed on why meaningful connections matter, and why they are so important for good mental health.
At the heart of our campaign are the voices of those with lived and living experience of mental ill-health.
12 advocates from across the country have shared their experiences of how meaningful connections have shaped their mental health journey and supported them on the road to good mental health.
From Outback Queensland to Australia’s capital, these stories show us that regardless of income or postcode, mental health is an issue that touches each and every one of us in different ways.
Mr Butler said, “The consumer voice, the carer voice, are incredibly important in making sure we get the design and the implementation of mental health programs – perhaps more than any other area of health – right.”
“I want to thank all of you for the work that you do. These are really tough times. We’ve gone through an incredibly traumatic period with the pandemic that really impacted people’s mental health, impacted young people’s and children’s mental health, in some ways in a way that we hadn’t seen before, with the impact particularly of lockdowns, and that’s been followed by other crises… You have the best ideas of how we can do better to support people in mental distress, whether that’s relatively temporary mental distress or whether it’s lifelong relatively severe mental illness. I just want to thank you again for coming out this morning. I want to thank you for putting together this terrific expo.”
In one of the last federal parliamentary sitting weeks of 2024, our members were able to showcase the incredibly important work of their organisations to parliamentarians, feature sector achievements, and promote the availability of mental health supports and services in local electorates.
By building these meaningful connections in a bipartisan way, mental health sector professionals, policymakers and people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health, along with their family, carers and supporters, can all work together to continue building a mental health system that supports the needs of all people in Australia.
Two films celebrating the dedication and tenacity of Korean and South Australian performers with and without disability will hit the big screen as part of the Asia-focused arts festival OzAsia.
Counterpoise,which features nine artists from Adelaide-based Restless Dance Theatre and the Korean 29Dong Dance Theatre, is a contemporary black and white dance film created at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Directed by Larissa McGowan and Matt Byrne, the 20-minute dance film highlights the noise of life, as well as quiet loneliness within ourselves. Counterpoise’s detailed choreography melded with electrifying music by KOREAN MUSIC PROJECT using a combination of traditional and western instruments embedded with digital technology.
Dancing Against the Odds, a documentary directed by Adelaide filmmaker Matt Byrne, follows the innovative and inclusive journey of making Counterpoise over three years. Produced by University of South Australia arts management experts Dr Boram Lee and Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM, the 60-minute film embraces diversity, inclusion and self-expression.
The project began in 2020, when dancers could only collaborate virtually due to COVID-19. It wasn’t until 2022, when members from the three companies – Restless, 29Dong Dance Theatre, and KOREAN MUSIC PROJECT – could meet face-to-face in Adelaide for the first time and continue the bonds formed online.
In 2023, Restless Dance Theatre had the opportunity to travel to Seoul, reuniting the team for a public preview of Counterpoise and workshops with Korean artists with and without disabilities. This journey not only expanded the project’s reach but also nurtured community connections, inspiring a deeper appreciation for inclusive arts.
Dr Boram Lee says the project connected people across Australian and Korean borders to help foster a network of inclusivity and diversity through the arts.
“After a three-year saga of overcoming international borders, language barriers, and perceptions of disability, we’ve transformed the impossible into a breathtaking reality,” she says.
“This collaboration showcases the incredible power of public initiatives, made possible by the steadfast support of the Korean and Australian governments and our diverse partners.
“With multiple layers of collaboration among dancers, musicians, academics and filmmakers, we’ve fostered deep people-to-people connections, and we’re excited to share our learning with communities around the world.”
Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM says the project embraced diversity, inclusion and self-expression to help shift stereotypes around the capabilities of artists with disability.
“These films present disability in a new light. They showcase what the dancers can do rather than focusing on what they can’t do,” she says.
Counterpoise and Dancing Against the Odds is supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and KOFICE as part of Kore·A·Round Culture 2023, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program, Australia-Korea Foundation, and Arts South Australia.
Screening of the two films Counterpoise and Dancing Against the Odds
When: Tuesday 29 October, 5:45pm
Where: Palace Nova East End, Adelaide
The screening will be followed by an artists’ talk moderated by Prof Ruth Rentschler and including selected dancers in the film, and Dr Boram Lee.
Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcome today’s ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which found that a Hobson’s Pledge advertisement regarding customary marine titles was misleading and socially irresponsible.
The two-page wraparound ad, published in The New Zealand Herald, suggested that nearly the entire coastline of Aotearoa is under threat of being awarded to Māori through customary marine titles, implying that this would lead to widespread restrictions on public beach access.
The ASA upheld more than 650 complaints, stating that Hobson’s Pledge’s claims were materially misleading and failed to substantiate their arguments. The Board also recognised that the advertisement unnecessarily perpetuated fear, further marginalising Māori.
“This is exactly the kind of divisive and racist rhetoric that has no place in Aotearoa,” says Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Rawiri Waititi.
“Hobson’s Pledge is playing on misinformation to sow fear and division. This campaign feeds into the age-old tactic of pitting Pākehā against Māori in an attempt to undermine Māori rights that are legally recognised, culturally significant, and protected under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
“The ruling highlights what we already knew—that this ad was not only misleading but also socially irresponsible on the part of Hobson’s Pledge and NZME,” said Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
“NZME and advertising outlets must take responsibility for the content they publish and promote, especially when it is harmful to Māori and perpetuates dangerous narratives.”
“It is everyone’s duty to stop giving a platform to this kind of fear-based, racist, and misleading propaganda. It must continue to be called out for what it is,” Waititi said.
“Te Pāti Māori stands strong in protecting the rights of tangata whenua and upholding our responsibilities as kaitiaki. It’s time for all of Aotearoa to stand with us in rejecting these damaging and deceptive campaigns.”
“As we have demanded, NZME must now apologise to all tangata whenua across its platforms. It must apologise to all staff, their standards must be reviewed and there must be a commitment to the protection of tangata whenua,” said Ngarewa-Packer.
“This ruling is a win for the truth and a reminder of our collective duty to honour Te Tiriti. This is the type of rhetoric this government continues to embolden.
“Te Pāti Māori will continue to fight for a future where Māori rights are respected, and all New Zealanders understand the truth about our shared history and our collective path forward,” she said.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (October 17) removed four compact fluorescent lamp models, one washing machine model and three induction cooker models from the record of listed models under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (the Ordinance). Supply of such products is no longer allowed in Hong Kong with immediate effect.
Details of the products are as follows:
Compact fluorescent lamp
Importer/ Hotline/ Email Brand Model Reference number
The EMSD administers the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance and selects samples of the listed models regularly for conducting compliance monitoring tests to check whether they conform with the energy efficiency and performance characteristics submitted to the EMSD. As the test results of the products concerned showed that they failed to reach the relevant energy efficiency and/or performance characteristics, the EMSD has decided to remove such products from the record of listed models.
The EMSD has served notices under the Ordinance to the importers concerned. The importers will publish newspaper notices to announce the termination of supply of the products concerned.
Members of the public can contact the above importers for enquiries.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The opening ceremony and programme “Sound River” of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival will be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum this Saturday (October 19). The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has arranged a live broadcast of the programme at 8pm that night. Members of the public should not miss the concert.
The music piece “Sound River” is a new work by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. It will be performed by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra, newly formed by members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and the Macao Orchestra, under the baton of Tan as the world premiere. Sixteen meticulously crafted videos capturing precious footage during Tan’s journey from Europe, through the Arab world to Central Asia, then to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area over the past 12 years, will be screened during the performance. Through an audio-visual process, audience members can explore the past and future of the “Silk Road of sound”. The programme will also feature a performance by distinguished Mainland singer Zhou Shen as a special guest.
Members of the public can enjoy the live radio, television and online broadcast of the programme at 8pm on RTHK Radio 4 (FM97.6-98.9), RTHK TV32, Phoenix Hong Kong Channel (Channel 85), Festival’s website (www.gbacxlo.gov.hk), RTHK website (www.rthk.hk), Ifeng (www.ifeng.com) and Feng Show APP. For more information about the programme and live broadcast, please call 2734 2960 or visit the above-mentioned website.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival is presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong is the host city of the festival for the first time this year. It is organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the rich programme line up of the festival, please visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) issued letters today (October 17) to remind payers of rates and/or Government rent who have not yet responded to the requisition form (Form R1A) issued to them in August to complete and return the form to the RVD immediately. They can complete and submit an electronic form (Form e-R1A) by using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the RVD website (www.rvd.gov.hk). The website also provides answers to commonly asked questions on completing the form.
The RVD issued about 350 000 R1A forms to payers of rates and/or Government rent in August to obtain occupation particulars, rents and tenancy details for different types of properties for assessing rateable values for the next general revaluation.
“Irrespective of whether premises are vacant, let or owner-occupied, payers of rates and/or Government rent should complete and return the form within the specified period,” a spokesman for the RVD said.
Under the Rating Ordinance or the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance, any person who knowingly makes a false statement or refuses to furnish any of the particulars specified in the form commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $25,000 or $10,000 respectively and an additional fine equivalent to three times the amount of rates and/or Government rent undercharged.
Payers of rates and/or Government rent are reminded to affix sufficient postage if they return the form by post to ensure a timely and successful postal delivery.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) will hold the HKO Open Day on November 30 and December 1 (Saturday and Sunday), with the theme “Working Together for a Better Climate”.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Open Day activities will not only showcase the various services of the HKO and enhance public understanding and awareness of climate change and extreme weather, but they will also provide a brief overview of the long-standing collaboration between the HKO and meteorological authorities in Mainland China and around the world over the years.
Online pre-registration is required for the Open Day activities. Each applicant may request a maximum of four tickets free of charge. If there is an oversubscription, selection will be made by computer balloting. The online registration system will accept applications from today (October 17) to noon on November 1. Successful applicants will receive tickets with a QR code by email on or before November 16.
Open Day details:
Venue: Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters (134A Nathan Road, Kowloon) Date: November 30 and December 1 (Saturday and Sunday) Time: 9.30am to 5pm Remarks: The duration of each session is around one hour
Today, U.S. military forces, including U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers, conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. U.S. forces targeted several of the Houthis’ underground facilities housing various weapons components of types that the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region. This was a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened, or fortified. The employment of U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrate U.S. global strike capabilities to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere.
For over a year, the Iran-backed Houthis, Specially Designated Global Terrorists, have recklessly and unlawfully attacked U.S. and international vessels transiting the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis’ illegal attacks continue to disrupt the free flow of international commerce, threaten environmental catastrophe, and put innocent civilian lives and U.S. and partner forces’ lives at risk. At the direction of President Biden, I authorized these targeted strikes to further degrade the Houthis’ capability to continue their destabilizing behavior and to protect and defend U.S. forces and personnel in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
Again, the United States will not hesitate to take action to defend American lives and assets; to deter attacks against civilians and our regional partners; and to protect freedom of navigation and increase the safety and security in these waterways for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels. We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks. I am grateful for the professionalism and skill of the brave American troops who took part in today’s actions and who continue to stand guard in defense of our Nation.
For Deaf people, train travel can be a gamble. On an average day, nothing goes wrong: they catch their train to their destination and carry on with their business.
But when something out of the ordinary happens, the situation can quickly get scary, because most updates are only delivered by audio announcements. A Deaf traveller may miss their train because it was moved to a different platform, or watch as their station whizzes by because the train isn’t stopping there today. They may also remain on a train carriage in an emergency after everyone else has evacuated, and have to be rescued by station staff.
Every single one of these examples has been drawn from the real life experiences of Deaf people in Sydney. But my colleagues and I are working with Sydney Trains and members of the Australian Deaf community to develop an advanced, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered signing avatar which can automatically translate audio announcements into Auslan.
Our work on the avatar also builds towards the next step: developing AI systems which can “understand” Auslan.
Journeys don’t always go to plan
Earlier this year, my colleagues and I ran a pilot study with three Deaf train travellers in Sydney. As well as the stories they shared about what can go wrong during train travel, we learned they use tried and tested strategies for making their journeys go smoothly.
Their strategies might be familiar to regular commuters. For example, they would plan their journeys with an app, arrive early and look for signage to let them know if anything had changed.
But they also said they felt they needed to stand near information screens to watch for updates, and ask station staff or other passengers for information when the situation had changed. They also reported being hypervigilant while on the train, watching to make sure they don’t miss their stop.
But these strategies didn’t always ensure Deaf travellers received important information, including about emergencies. For example, while usually helpful, station staff were sometimes too busy to assist.
The greatest frustration came in situations where other passengers weren’t willing or able to provide information, leaving our Deaf travellers to just “follow the crowd”. This often meant ending up in the wrong place.
Developing a signing avatar
Speech-to-text software might seem like an easy solution to some of these problems. But for many Deaf people, English is not their native language and Auslan can be processed far more easily and quickly.
Our Deaf travellers told us that, in a perfect world, they would want live interpreters. However, automatic, AI-powered translation using a signing avatar displayed on a platform or train screen which could identify key words in an audio announcement, generate a sentence with correct Auslan grammar, and stitch together the corresponding signs from our vocabulary library was appealing for a number of reasons.
Avatar by Maria Zelenskaya, QUT. Auslan by Julie Lyons, QUT.
First, it allows for real-time translation of announcements that use known vocabulary – which is relevant in the trains-and-stations context, where many announcements cover similar topics.
Second, an avatar and its signing can be customised to the needs of a given situation, such as using information about screen location to ensure the avatar signs in the right direction while pointing out exits or other platforms.
Third, multiple signers can contribute signs to an avatar’s vocabulary, which can then be smoothly stitched together to make a sentence.
And importantly, an avatar means no real person has to be the “face” of an organisation’s automatically generated announcements. This is particularly important because the Australian Deaf community is small and close knit, and if something goes wrong with the translation, nobody suffers any reputational damage.
From a technical point of view, an avatar also allows us to ensure a minimum quality threshold for signing. We’re using motion capture to make sure each sign in our vocabulary library is accurate, and movements are clear.
It also helps us avoid the “uncanny valley” – an effect where something human-like but subtly wrong is unsettling. We don’t want any of the many-fingered monstrosities you may have seen recently generated by AI.
AI for everyone
This work is one step in our broader aim of creating an AI system which can understand Auslan. This AI could be used to help Deaf and hearing station staff converse, or to create “chatbot booths” or app-based assistants that would allow Deaf people to get information on demand in Auslan about their train journeys or other daily tasks.
Sign languages and Deaf cultures around the world have nuances and complexities that hearing researchers and developers of AI may not be aware of. These nuances and complexities must be embedded in new technologies, and researchers and developers must take a language-first approach to AI data collection and design with – not just for – Deaf people.
Only then will AI meet Deaf people’s real needs: to ensure their safety and independence in every aspect of daily life.
Jessica Korte has received funding from Qvest Australia, a technology solutions partner to Sydney Trains.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Buyers from emerging markets are steadily taking the lead at the 136th session of the China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, replacing those from Europe and North America as the primary participants, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The global trade event, held twice a year in Spring and Autumn, is being held from Tuesday through Nov 4, in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province.
A total of 125,000 overseas buyers had registered for the 136th session of the fair by Oct 9. Among them, about 76 percent are from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, while 12.5 percent are from North America and Europe, said the Ministry of Commerce.
The driving forces behind this trend include the diversification of China’s export markets, rising business and consumer demand in emerging markets and shifting global trade dynamics, as economies in Southeast Asia, North Africa and South America become increasingly integral to global supply chains.
“These economies often show strong demand for the industrial products and consumer goods available at the Canton Fair,” said Chu Shijia, director of the Guangzhou-based China Foreign Trade Center under the Ministry of Commerce, one of the Canton Fair organizers.
As China is in the midst of a green transformation, its traditional exports — like household appliances and industrial equipment — are also making room for a fresh wave of technologically advanced and eco-friendly products, further meeting the needs of buyers from both developed and developing markets, said Han Yonghui, a professor specializing in foreign trade at Guangzhoubased Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
Emerging markets represented by Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, with their vast market potential and promising development prospects, are attracting a growing number of Chinese enterprises seeking business opportunities, according to a report jointly released by Deloitte and WorldFirst, an international payment services provider.
As the internationalization of Chinese manufacturers and traders reaches a more mature stage, an increasing number of enterprises are embarking on a deeper level of internationalization — transitioning from product exports to establishing operations overseas — according to the report released on Monday in Guangzhou.
This involves contract fulfillment supported by the integration of “local entities, local operations and local supply chains”. For instance, according to data from WorldFirst, the number of Chinese merchants using the payment platform to expand their overseas operations in the first quarter surged 56 percent year-on-year.
Between 2018 and 2023, China maintained high growth rates of exports to its major trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East and Latin America, with compound annual growth rates generally exceeding 10 percent, according to the report.
“Over years of development, we have seen an increased number of trade partners from emerging markets,” said Li Zhaoying, CEO of ChillSun Technology Co.
The company, based in Huizhou, Guangdong, is attending the Canton Fair. “In addition to maintaining sustainable growth in developed markets, we are making efforts to reach more trade deals with buyers from emerging markets, especially those from member countries of ASEAN,” said Li.
Xiao Lu, deputy director of the department of foreign trade at the Ministry of Commerce, said China’s new trade growth drivers are gaining momentum. Armed with accumulated capital and technology, Chinese companies are eager to demonstrate their innovation and technological strengths, leveraging digital and green concepts to shape the future direction of the market.
“For instance, China-made new energy vehicles are now reaching over 170 countries and regions worldwide,” Xiao said.
Over a million new products and items with proprietary intellectual property rights will be showcased at the Canton Fair this time, including a range of humanoid robots, smart devices and autonomous driving products making their debut, said the Ministry of Commerce.
Oct. 16, 2024 Release Number 20241016 – 01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted multiple, precision airstrikes on numerous Iran-backed Houthi weapons storage facilities within Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen that contained various advanced conventional weapons used to target U.S. and international military and civilian vessels navigating international waters throughout the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
These actions were taken to degrade the Houthi’s capability to continue their reckless and unlawful attacks on international commercial shipping and on U.S., coalition, and merchant personnel and vessels in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, and to degrade their ability to threaten regional partners.
CENTCOM forces targeted the Houthi’s hardened underground facilities housing missiles, weapons components, and other munitions used to target military and civilian vessels throughout the region.
U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets, including U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers, were part of the operation. The employment of the B-2 bomber demonstrates U.S. global strike capabilities to reach these targets, when necessary, anytime, anywhere.
Our battle damage assessments are underway and do not indicate civilian casualties. We will provide updates as information is confirmed.
Jockey Jamie Kah, former Australian Basketballer Chris Anstey and members of the Trentham Fire Brigade pose with the Melbourne Cup
Trentham Fire Brigade had a day to remember yesterday when the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy, along with the world’s top-ranked female jockey, Jamie Kah, paid a special visit to the local fire station.
Thestopwas part of the annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, which sees the iconic trophy travel across Australia and internationally.
This year, Trentham was chosen as one of thedestinations, thanks to the efforts of local pub owner and Australian basketball legend Chris Anstey, who successfully applied to bring the Cup to the picturesque town.
Chris said he hoped the visit would shine a light on the important work of theTrentham Fire Brigade.
“Bringing the Cup to Trentham was a unique opportunity to celebrate the community, and the CFA are such a big part of that,” Chris said.
“CFA volunteers give so much to protect our community and often go underappreciated.
“We wanted to recognise the work they do, and this Melbourne Cup visit was a small gesture to thank them and let them know how much we appreciate what they do on behalf of the town.”
Captain of the Trentham Fire Brigade, David Wheeldon, said he never imaginedhavingtheiconic trophyin his hands.
“It’s heavier than I thought it’d be!” David said.
“It’s fantastic what Chris has been able to bring to the town, and we’re thrilled he shared the experience with the brigade.”
David added that he hoped the event might inspire a few people to join the brigade, especially with summer fast approaching.
“This kind of event is great publicity.We’realways on the lookout for new members,particularly as we head into what could be a high-risk fire season,” he said.
He also reminded the community of the importance of preparation ahead of the summer fire season.
“As the hotter months approach, it’s essential for everyone to be prepared. On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread rapidly.
“If the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early is always the safest option.
“Plan ahead, talk with your family about when to leave and where you’ll go.”
Headline: Forestry firefighters brief Minister on bushfire preparations
Published: 17 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Regional NSW
Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty has met with Forestry Corporation fire specialists to discuss bushfire preparations on the Mid North Coast.
Minister Moriarty attended Forestry Corporation’s Wauchope depot to speak with fire crews, who are geared up and ready to put their training into action protecting forests and communities during the NSW bushfire season.
Forestry Corporation is one of the state’s four fire authorities joining the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and National Parks and Wildlife.
The organisation oversees land management, bushfire preparation and response across more than 2-million hectares of state forests.
Forestry Corporation has more than 500 trained firefighters rostered on to respond to state forest fires across NSW.
Firefighters are trained in national firefighting competencies and its highly experienced managers undertake Incident Management Team roles on major firegrounds.
Forestry Corporation has a statewide fleet of more than 450 fire appliances, 35 pieces of heavy plant, four contracted aircraft and over 130 drones and trained pilots.
Heavy plant machinery, which the broader forestry industry uses to harvest sustainable timber is also available to fight fires.
This machinery including bulldozers, excavators and specialist harvesting machines are used to create control lines for firefighting, set up back burns and remove dangerous trees for firefighting safety.
In 2023/24 Forestry Corporation firefighters and fire managers were engaged in a total of 184 fires, this impacted 98,250 hectares of land.
During the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, this heavy plant machinery played an instrumental role in stopping the spread of fast burning bushfires saving life, property and assets across NSW.
Outside of the bushfire season, Forestry Corporation also conducts forest hazard reduction burns and undertakes cultural burns in partnership with local Aboriginal communities.
Forestry Corporation also sends its expert fire specialists abroad in the winter months to assist international firefighting agencies in the Northern hemisphere.
Six staff members deployed to the United States and Canada this year and last year Port Macquarie local Matt Model was one of Forestry’s fire specialists, who deployed to Canada bringing back firefighting skills and expertise to the region.
Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty:
“The NSW Forestry Corporation has managed fire in state forests for more than 100 years.
“Forestry Corporation’s trained firefighters work in State forests every day of the year, protecting lives, the environment, forestry resources and local communities.
“They have decades of experience in managing forest fires, working with the RFS, managing heavy equipment across major firegrounds and maintaining thousands of kilometres of fire trails,
“When bushfires are reported in our NSW state forests, our forest firefighters rapidly respond using their large fleet of appliances and bringing in heavy plant machinery from the broader forest and timber industry.”
Forestry Corporation Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards Rebel Talbert:
“As one of the four statutory firefighting authorities in NSW, Forestry Corporation works collaboratively with the other agencies to protect communities, the environment and the State’s essential timber assets from the risk of fire.
“We are well prepared heading into the fire season with a workforce of skilled firefighters, a fleet of equipment, drones and heavy plant ready to deploy and networks of fire trails and fire towers maintained to aid rapid detection and early suppression of fires.
Forestry Corporation Fire and Operations Team Leader, Wauchope, Matt Model:
“In managing more than 200,000 hectares of state forests here on the Mid North Coast, we keep the Mid Coast Bush Fire Management Committee briefed on fuel loads and fire conditions in state forests.
“Since the Black Summer Bushfires here on the Mid North Coast firefighting technology has been rapidly expanded across NSW to include drones and satellite technology, which this summer will help our crews with early detection, mapping, response and containment of forest fires.”
Headline: More homes for Orange to be delivered through new planning pathway
Published: 17 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
As part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to confront the housing crisis, a proposal from Landcom to deliver 330 new homes in Orange, with 20 per cent of these homes being identified as affordable housing, is on exhibition for community feedback.
This rezoning proposal for Redmond Place Precinct at Orange is the first site recommended to progress through the Social and Affordable Housing Rezoning Pathway, one of the Government’s earliest policies to reform the planning system.
The policy implements a faster, simplified rezoning process for the state’s housing agencies; Homes NSW, Landcom and the Aboriginal Housing Office, to speed up the delivery of social and affordable housing.
This pathway adds to the planning reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government over the past 12 months aimed at delivering more homes faster.
The proposal aims to amend the Orange Local Environmental Plan (OLEP) 2011 to allow the rezoning of vacant Council-owned land for a residential precinct.
The public exhibition opens on Monday 21 and will close on Monday November 12, 2024.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“This proposal will deliver good housing outcomes for Orange.
“The NSW Government is committed to exploring suitable housing opportunities across the state which promote economic diversity, innovation and sustainability.
“We need to confront the housing crisis head on by using all levers we can pull to speed up the delivery of new homes.
“The Social and Affordable Housing Pathway is an important part of the NSW Government’s plan to boost affordable housing stock across the State.
“Our State’s future depends on more affordable homes being built for families. This is critical because if NSW loses our young people, then NSW loses its future.”
Member for Orange Phil Donato said:
“The proposal from Landcom in partnership with Orange City Council will help meet the growing demand for housing in regional New South Wales.
“I encourage everyone to have their say on this proposal from Landcom.
“Let’s make the great Australian dream of owning a home a reality!”
Orange Mayor Tony Mileto said:
“There is still work to do but this is a great milestone to reach for Orange. The community has some strong views on how the city should be developed and how we can address affordability. It’s great to see the vision reflected in the rezoning proposal. I urge Orange residents to get involved in this latest step to seek feedback.”
Landcom CEO Alex Wendler said:
“The development will provide new homes to accommodate the changing needs and demographics of the Orange region and offer more opportunity for households to buy their own home.
“I look forward to working with Council and the community as we progress with the project to deliver much needed housing.”
Headline: Workshops to help new councillors Hit the Ground Running
Published: 17 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Local Government
A series of training sessions for almost 1,300 newly elected councillors will kick off today to provide essential information for councillors to effectively serve their communities over the next four years.
The Office of Local Government will be hosting ‘Hit the Ground Running’ webinars for several weeks to help new and returning councillors understand their duties and responsibilities.
The webinars will cover a wide range of important topics including financial management, appropriate conduct and ethical decision making, roles and responsibilities, corruption risks and prevention, meeting practices and strategic planning.
The state’s 128 councils employ more than 50,000 people, invest more than $15 billion each year in the delivery of services and around $7 billion on new and existing infrastructure.
Overseeing this work is a critical responsibility and these training sessions will ensure councillors can commence the new term of council with a strong understanding of the job ahead of them.
The webinars will also assist councils with satisfying the requirement to deliver training for new and returning councillors within six months of their election. Councillors will receive a certificate of attendance for each webinar they participate in to help councils comply with their reporting obligations regarding councillor training.
“I congratulate all the mayors and councillors elected across the state last month for stepping up to serve their community.
“Being a councillor carries significant responsibility and it’s imperative those who have been elected know what’s expected of them so they can carry out their duties to the best of their ability.
“I strongly encourage all councillors to participate in these webinars to learn more about local government and how they can make the most of their time on council.
“Councillors have four years ahead of them to make a difference for the people they have been elected to represent.
“I urge them to grasp this opportunity with both hands and use the time productively to shape a better future for their community.”
More than 225,000 homes and businesses in South Australia are now able to upgrade to a world-class, full fibre NBN broadband connection thanks to investment from the Albanese Government. The Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion in NBN Co over four years to give 1.5 million more households and businesses affordable access to full fibre to the premises, including over 660,000 in regional communities. This is on top of our commitment to ensure the NBN remains in public hands, with legislation introduced just this week to ensure the NBN is not for sale. We know that communities across the country are benefitting from high-speed fibre connections, with speeds up to 18 times faster than the average broadband connection over copper. Only by keeping the NBN in public hands will these significant fibre upgrades continue to be delivered to provide access to affordable, world class broadband speeds. Faster connections also enable South Australians to connect more devices simultaneously, such as smart TVs and home security systems, as we conduct our lives increasingly online. Almost 28,000 homes and businesses across the state have already ordered a full fibre upgrade, and demand continues to grow – with Australians using more data than ever. The local government areas of Port Adelaide Enfield, Playford, Charles Sturt, Salisbury and Onkaparinga lead the way with the highest number of fibre connections.
In addition to those already eligible for an upgrade, a further 13,500 premises across the state, will progressively become eligible for full fibre upgrade by the end of 2025. Average data usage in Australia has increased 10 times over the last 10 years, with the average home now downloading over 450 Gigabytes per month across 22 internet-connected or smart devices. By the end of the decade demand is forecast to increase to 1 Terabyte per household monthly. By the end of 2025, more than 10 million premises on the fixed line network will have access to full fibre connections able to deliver speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second. The fibre upgrades are available on demand when an eligible household or small business takes out an eligible higher speed tier plan. To find out if your premises can access full fibre now or in the future, visit:https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/more-fibre#checkaddress. Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP: “Fast and reliable full fibre broadband can be a gamechanger for families and businesses who have struggled with dropouts and slow speeds over copper.”
“It’s essential infrastructure in 2024 – not a luxury. That’s why the Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion to support NBN Co’s fibre upgrade program, and introduced vital legislation to ensure this critical national infrastructure remains in public hands to keep broadband affordable.” “I encourage households across South Australia to check the NBN Co website to see if you are eligible for a full fibre upgrade to enjoy the benefits of faster broadband speeds at home or work.”
The Government has announced how $101.7 million in Budget 2024 funding for metro rail networks will be split between Auckland and Wellington to address the maintenance backlog and deliver more reliable services for commuters in our main cities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
“The Auckland metro rail network will receive $48.8 million, while Wellington’s network will see investment of $52.9 million. This funding will support network upgrades across Auckland’s metro rail lines and upgrades to the Johnsonville, Kāpiti, and Hutt Valley lines in Wellington.
“Delivering reliable, effective, and efficient public transport is a top priority for our Government. We know that improving service reliability is key for commuters choosing public transport as a travel option in our main cities, reducing congestion on our roads.
“The investment we are making in Auckland and Wellington will enable KiwiRail to carry out critical work on rail assets across the network. This includes upgrades to level crossings, retaining walls, points equipment, sleepers, and tunnels. Culverts will also be replaced, and improvements made to bridges and critical drainage infrastructure.
“Delivering these upgrades in Auckland and Wellington will improve overall reliability and efficiency for commuters. This investment package, coupled with the ongoing investment our Government is making in rail, will enable commuters in Auckland and Wellington to get where they need to go quickly and safely.
“Alongside this investment, the Government is continuing to review the Metropolitan Rail Operating Model (MROM) to develop a more sustainable funding model for metropolitan rail, including who pays for what, and ensure the services and infrastructure is focused on prioritising passenger movements in an efficient and reliable way,” Mr Brown says.
South Korea’s multiplay services market is set for steady growth between 2023 and 2028, driven primarily by tripleplay and quadrupleplay bundles. Increased demand for high-speed fiber broadband and value-added services like IPTV and OTT video will boost household spending on these packages. While doubleplay remains dominant, quadrupleplay is projected to see the fastest growth, supported by fixed-mobile convergence adoption, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s South Korea Multiplay Forecast Model (Q1 2024) reveals that South Korea’s multiplay service revenue is expected to see a gradual yet consistent increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1% from $6.2 billion in 2023 to $6.6 billion in 2028.
The aggregate increase in total multiplay households will be supported by operators discounted multiplay bundles centered on high-speed fiber broadband services. The growth in multiplay households will however remain tepid i.e., at a CAGR of 0.3% over the forecast period, given the growing popularity of OTT video services that are often bundled with fiber broadband plans.
Hrushikesh Mahananda, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, says: “The average monthly household spend on overall multiplay bundles is forecast to increase from $27.09 in 2023 to $28.02 in 2028, driven by the growing adoption of relatively high-cost tripleplay and quadrupleplay services and service bundles offerings inclusive of IPTV services and value-added OTT services.”
Doubleplay services will account for majority of the multiplay households through 2028. Quadrupleplay services, on the other hand, are estimated to increase at the fastest rate over the forecast period and are expected to garner about 23% share of the total multiplay households by the end of 2028, owing to the growth in fixed mobile convergence household penetration.
Mahananda concludes: “The three major operators KT Corp, SK Telecom, and LG Group are offering discounts on fixed broadband and multiplay plans with a goal to bring down churn and increase revenue-generating units (RGUs). KT Corp will lead the overall multiplay services market through 2028, given its strong subscriber base in triple-play and quad-play services.”
Thailand’s food and beverage (F&B) industry is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability as regulatory pressures and consumer demands for eco-friendly packaging continue to rise. With sustainability increasingly at the forefront of business strategies, industry leaders like Tetra Pak Thailand are taking significant steps to drive the adoption of circular packaging solutions. Underlining the trend, 90% of respondents in a recent survey stated that they choose sustainable feature as essential/nice to have when deciding to make a purchase*, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
In response to growing environmental concerns, the Thai government has implemented stronger regulations targeting waste reduction and promoting circularity. The Second National Action Plan on Plastic Waste (2022-2027) and the Sustainable Packaging Act are part of the government’s broader effort to tackle plastic waste and improve recycling rates. These regulations compel F&B manufacturers to adopt Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, ensuring that packaging is responsibly managed from production through disposal.
Kakarlapudi Karthik Varma, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “With sustainability becoming a priority for consumers, brands are adapting to meet these expectations. F&B manufacturers are increasingly turning to renewable and recyclable materials as they seek to meet both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.
“Tetra Pak Thailand has been at the forefront of circular packaging innovations, offering solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but also align with consumer preferences for eco-friendly packaging. Other manufacturers have also taken initiatives, such as Kao Industrial Thailand’s partnership with SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd (SCGC) and Dow Thailand Group to create recyclable, low-carbon packaging.”
Francis Gabriel Godad, Consumer Business Development Manager, GlobalData India, adds: “Tetra Pak’s four-step approach—focused on resource conservation, energy recovery, operational efficiency, and environmentally neutral production processes—highlights the company’s commitment to advancing sustainability in the F&B industry. Their packaging materials, including FSC-certified paperboard, contribute to the shift towards a circular economy by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.”
Varma concludes: “With the introduction of the Sustainable Packaging Act and the continuous pressure from consumers, Thailand’s packaging industry is at a turning point. Collaboration among businesses, government entities, and industry leaders like Tetra Pak is crucial in creating a future where packaging is no longer considered waste but a valuable resource within the circular economy.
“The shift towards 100% recyclable and renewable packaging is on the horizon, and stakeholders in the F&B sector must proactively stay ahead of regulatory trends and consumer demands.”
*GlobalData 2024 Q2 Consumer Survey – Thailand was conducted with 502 participants
In a significant move towards bolstering maritime security, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently approved the indigenous construction of two Project 75-Alpha nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The procurement of indigenous nuclear-powered submarines capable of undertaking hunter-killer operations positions the Indian Navy as a formidable force capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s report, “Global Submarine Market Analysis and Forecast to 2033”, reveals that India will be spending about $31.6 billion on procuring various types of submarines over the next 10 years. Out of which, 30.5% will be directed towards the procurement of Project 75-Alpha SSNs during the same period. India is expected to procure a total of six SSNs under this program at an estimated value of $17 billion.
Udayini Aakunoor, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The acquisition of SSNs is a strategic move by India to modernize its Navy and tackle regional security challenges. To be built at the Ship Building Centre located in Vishakhapatnam with participation from the domestic private sector, they are expected to boost the country’s autonomy in complex naval shipbuilding.
“Designed to operate at greater depths and for longer durations than conventional submarines, the SSNs will enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to perform multiple roles, ranging from offensive operations to intelligence gathering, while also enabling it to maintain a continuous and discreet presence in strategically important maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf.”
With their unlimited underwater endurance and offensive power, the SSNs will enable India to project power in the Indo-Pacific region while supporting self-reliant advancements in critical defense technologies. These advanced SSNs, coupled with the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, would enhance the service’s ability to detect and track Chinese submarines operating in the IOR.
Aakunoor concludes: “India will also likely use these Project 75-Alpha SSNs to protect its in-service Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which serves as the sea-based leg of the country’s nuclear triad. This, in turn, will enhance India’s second-strike capability as the survivability of its fleet of Arihant-class SSBNs will increase significantly owing to the protection provided by the Project 75-Alpha SSNs.”
Do you really know what you look like on the inside? Most people do not, and usually it takes surgery or medical imaging to take a look while we are still alive.
A case study was published last week where researchers made the rare finding of a man with “triphallia”. Most people would say the man had three penises. But anatomists, like myself, who teach health professionals about the structure of the human body, prefer the term penes (plural of penis).
This finding emerged from the dissection of the body of a 78-year-old man who had donated his body to science. It is a case that has left many anatomists scratching their heads, and ignited discussions about typical human anatomy and anatomical variation.
I too have an extra organ – an extra spleen – plus other anatomical variations regarding two muscles. It is highly likely you might also have anatomical variations, and not necessarily know.
Back to this case
According to the latest study, only one penis was externally visible. But when his body was dissected, there were two extra, smaller penises inside the scrotum.
The main penis was 77mm long and 24mm wide, with the smaller ones about half the size. However, the images provided in the study don’t seem to match the written descriptions in all places. So the study does need clarification.
Intriguingly, researchers identified a single urethra – the hollow tube from the bladder that allows urine (and sperm from the testes) to leave the body. This urethra travelled from the bladder through part of one of the smaller penises and along the length of the main penis, leaving out the third penis entirely.
Was there a misunderstanding in identifying these anatomical structures? Could the second penis simply be a misidentified part of the main one? Is this actually a case of diphallia – two penises? In either case, the man’s anatomy was different to what you’d typically see in anatomy textbooks.
The study suggests all three penises contained erectile tissue capable of engorgement. But it remains unclear whether they worked independently or together. Unfortunately, the authors did not confirm structures by examining them under the microscope, or report tracing the nerves or blood vessels, to shed more light.
A separate case of someone with three penises, which was documented in 2020, involved a three-month-old infant.
In this instance, the main penis was in its typical position, but you could see the extra ones on the perineum (between the anus and the scrotum in males).
Neither of the extra penises had a urethra, making them incapable of functioning typically. Ultimately, these non-functional penises were safely removed.
Such cases are rare, with only these two examples reported in medical databases.
So how does this happen? The answer may lie in how embryos develop.
Early in development
The penis begins to develop early in the first trimester of a 40-week pregnancy, a time when a woman may not know she’s pregnant.
During this critical period, the embryo may be exposed to various influences. These include toxins passed through the bloodstream if the mother falls ill, takes certain drugs while pregnant or is exposed to certain chemicals. There are also genetic factors that shape how organs develop.
By the fifth week of pregnancy, cells migrate to the midline of the embryo, where they help form the precursor to the penis.
Problems in this migratory process, abnormalities in a developmental gene (called “sonic hedgehog”), or fluctuations in testosterone levels or receptors during early fetal development, could potentially lead to the formation of additional penises.
While the appearance of triphallia may be startling, these rare cases highlight a broader point: our anatomy can vary significantly. Just as individuals differ in their external appearances, so too does our internal anatomy.
For example, there are anatomical variations in blood vessels, organs, muscles, nerves and even bones that may not be readily visible.
Indeed, incidental findings during my own medical examinations have found I have a supernumerary (or extra) spleen, called a splenunculus, an extra flexor digitorum longus muscle (in my leg), and I’m missing both palmaris longus muscles (in my forearms).
While my anatomical variations are internal, a common example of a visible external anatomical variation are extra nipples. These can be mistaken for moles and can also result from developmental issues in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Why is this important?
Cases like the man said to have three penises are important reminders of the complexities of human anatomy and the many factors that can influence our bodies from the very start of development.
Exploring these rare findings emphasises the importance of continued research in anatomy and embryology.
These findings also highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle for people intending to fall pregnant and who are already. This is so growing embryos can have the best chance of developing typical anatomy.
Amanda Meyer is affiliated with the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists, the American Association for Anatomy, and the Global Neuroanatomy Network.
Headline: Sustainability Data Book 2024: Update on Key Points of Medium-Term Environmental Action Plan GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024
Panasonic Group announced its Sustainability Data Book 2024 on August 30. This fact sheet provides an overview of the key progress of GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024 and our efforts to solve environmental issues in an easy-to-understand infographic-format. For more detailed information, please refer to the full Sustainability Data Book 2024.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Drug and Organised Crime Unit have arrested 6 offenders in relation to the largescale supply of drugs across the Territory.
Operation Kint was launched in May 2024 to specifically target known commercial suppliers and distributors of illicit substances. Since its launch, investigators have been gathering evidence and identifying members from a known Outlaw Motorcycle Gang who have had significant influence on the Greater Darwin drug trade.
Yesterday, Investigators arrested two men, aged 48 and 56, outside a hotel in Darwin. Police will alleged the 48-year-old was in possession of $201,000 in cash while the other had just transported 31kg of cannabis from Melbourne to be distributed.
These arrests prompted investigators to immediately execute 8 separate search and seizure warrants across the Greater Darwin Area.
As a result of these searches, including the hotel arrest operation, police have seized in total:
$447,430 cash
35.5kg of cannabis
3 vehicles
Traffickable and less than traffickable quantities of methamphetamine
A substance believed to be commercial MDMA
An unsecured firearm
Nun chucks, knuckle dusters and an extendable baton
5 ice pipes
An encrypted communication device
Items indicative of drug supply
A further 4 men, aged 33, 50, 51 and 54, were arrested during the searches.
All 6 men have since been charged with:
Possess/Supply Commercial Quantity Sch2 dangerous drug
Possess/Use Tainted Property
All have been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tim Gardiner said “These arrests have significantly disrupted the illicit drug trade across Darwin and are the direct result of hundreds of hours of comprehensive police work.
“ Drug Syndicates, with influences from Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, cause untold harm throughout our community. They fuel crime and financially cripple vulnerable members of the Territory, while having a complete disregard for the impacts of their actions.
“Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are not welcome here, and members should be aware that any attempt to operate an organised crime network will be disrupted by the Northern Territory Police.
Three new members are being appointed to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Board to help ensure it’s focused on bringing value to New Zealanders, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“The trio of new members, James Christmas, Karyn Rachtman and Susannah Robinson, have expertise across fundraising, philanthropy, Crown governance, sector experience and revenue generation.
“James Christmas is a barrister based in Auckland with a background in government and the arts, which will be an asset to the NZSO.
“Karyn Rachtman is a highly experienced music supervisor for iconic film soundtracks. She is a passionate advocate of New Zealand talent which makes her a natural fit for New Zealand’s premier orchestra.
“Susannah Robinson is highly accomplished in fundraising, philanthropy and governance, both in New Zealand and abroad. Susannah’s governance experience in arts and culture has recently included her role as a trustee for the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation.
“I would like to acknowledge the outgoing members, Claire Szabó and Hon Chris Finlayson KC, for the crucial roles they have played on the Board during their terms.”
