MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The Active Citizen project has summed up voting results, in which Muscovites chose the best open-air swimming pools in the capital. Over 250 thousand people shared their opinions.
All summer long, city residents could sunbathe and swim in the pools opened this year at 10 city and 12 festival sites of the Moscow Seasons. Voters chose up to five of their favorite recreation areas.
According to the survey results, the best city venue was the open-air swimming pool in Sokolniki Park, where up to 130 guests could relax at a time, and lifeguards and doctors monitored safety. 18 percent of users voted for it. The second place was taken by the pool in Izmailovsky Park, which received 13 percent of the votes. It was rated by 63,498 city residents. In third place, with a minimal gap of 1,084 votes, was Beach No. 2 in the Serebryany Bor recreation area. 13 percent of “active citizens” (62,414 people) voted for it.
The swimming pool in the Teply Stan district was recognized as the best at the Moscow Seasons venues. 49,743 people (11 percent) voted for it. A slightly smaller number of votes — 48,088 (11 percent) — were for the pool on Michurinsky Prospekt. Third place goes to the swimming pool in the Veshnyaki district, for which 41,246 users (nine percent) voted.
All the areas were equipped with comfortable sun loungers and umbrellas, spacious changing rooms, showers and toilets. The water temperature was constantly maintained at around 30 degrees, and the pools were cleaned after each session. The areas were equipped with medical posts and rescue towers. Some were equipped with children’s pools and jacuzzis. The pools were open to visitors from morning until evening, and worked according to a schedule – in four shifts.
Its results can be found here on the website or in the Active Citizen mobile app.
Project “Active Citizen” has been operating since 2014. During this time, over seven million people have joined it, taking part in more than 6.6 thousand votes. Every month, 30-40 decisions made by Muscovites are implemented in the city. The project is being developed by the capital Department of Information Technology and the State Institution “New Management Technologies”. The use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve the quality of life of city residents corresponds to the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” and the regional project of the capital “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found on a special page.
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.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The oldest electric depot “Severnoye” of the Moscow metro turned 90 years old. On October 15, 1934, a test metro train departed from it on its first trip. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.
“90 years ago, a test train of type A cars left the Severnoye depot for the first time on the line. That day became the starting point for the depot’s work. Now, more than 850 professional employees work there, 153 of whom have been working there for over 20 years. They provide high-quality maintenance and operation of Rusich and Nomernoy trains. Yesterday, a unique event was held for the depot’s specialists, where reenactors recreated the atmosphere of that time and demonstrated the process of running in the first train. On behalf of Sergei Sobyanin, I congratulate the staff of the oldest metro depot on their professional holiday!” said Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.
Construction of the electric depot began in the spring of 1932, and by March 1934 its building and the connecting branch to Komsomolskaya station were ready to launch the first trains.
On September 24, 1934, when the depot was still being completed, the first two Type A metro cars were delivered here from the factory. The metro train consisting of them set off on its maiden journey on the evening of October 15, 1934. It was driven by the outstanding transport engineer Mikhail Shpolyansky, who led a group of workers from the Dynamo factory preparing the first domestic metro cars for operation. In total, six journeys were made from Komsomolskaya to Sokolniki that evening.
In January 1935, the experimental operation of the Komsomolskaya-Sokolniki section began. On February 4 of the same year, the first train traveled along the entire section, and from February 19, regular training traffic began. During the testing period, thousands of distinguished workers of enterprises received invitations to travel on the metro.
After the opening of the Moscow Metro on May 15, 1935, the trains of the Severnoye electric depot fully serviced the line that stretched from Sokolniki station to Gorky Park Kultury (now Park Kultury) with a branch at Okhotny Ryad to Smolenskaya.
Before the Great Patriotic War, several dozen female train drivers had already worked in the metro. Leaders began to emerge among them. Thus, in the spring of 1942, under the leadership of second-class train driver Ekaterina Mishina, who received the right to operate metro trains in 1937, the first female train was formed, which went out on the line on March 8, 1942. It also became the first train in the Moscow metro with a name — the “March 8 Train”.
During the Great Patriotic War, it was from the Severnoye electric depot that the Moscow Metro armored train departed for the front along the railway line and took part in the battles on the Kursk Bulge, making a significant contribution to the outcome of the battle. The funds for its creation were raised by the metro employees.
In 1959, the Kirovsko-Frunzenskaya Line (now Sokolnicheskaya) crossed the Moscow River and extended to the Universitet station. In 1963, Prospekt Vernadskogo and Yugo-Zapadnaya stations appeared on it. Simultaneously with the construction of new sections of the red line, the electric depot was also developing: in 1958, a lifting repair shop was put into operation, and in 1960, a second building for storing trains was erected. In the 1960s and 1970s, a group of innovative specialists introduced a number of highly effective developments for trains and repair production.
In August 1990, the Kirovsko-Frunzenskaya line (renamed Sokolnicheskaya in November of that year) was extended from Preobrazhenskaya Ploshchad station to Ulitsa Podbelskogo station (now Bulvar Rokossovskogo). At the same time, the Cherkizovo electric depot was established on the line, for which Severny employees prepared equipment, carriages, and a staff of professional specialists.
In the 21st century, the development of the red line continued, its southwestern part was extended: in 2014, the Troparevo station opened, in 2016 – Rumyantsevo and Salaryevo, and in 2019, a new section to Kommunarka (now Novomoskovskaya) opened with four stations at once.
In 2020, the rolling stock of the Severnoye electric depot was partially replaced with Nomernoy trains by Rusichi, and the Cherkizovo depot was fully equipped with modern Moskva trains. In September 2024, the Potapovo station was opened in the south of the Sokolnicheskaya line.
Over the past 90 years, the Sokolnicheskaya line, which is served by the Severnoye depot, has changed dramatically. Today, its length is more than 40 kilometers, and the fleet of the first depot in the history of the metro has 39 trains of two types – 81-717/714 (“Numbered”) and 81-740/741 (“Rusich”). In addition, the depot operates two theme trains that are loved by many passengers: the Sokolniki retro train, stylized as the first train of the Moscow metro, and the Red Arrow. The monthly mileage of the depot’s cars is more than 4.5 million kilometers.
The team of the Severnoye electric depot preserves and multiplies the traditions of its predecessors, develops the depot and receives recognition on a metro scale. In 2019, Severnoye won first place in the metro as the best electric depot in organizing work to improve working conditions and labor safety. It is famous for its special family atmosphere. Today, five labor dynasties work here, and over the past five years, 10 families have formed.
You can join the Moscow transport team and find out more about vacancies on the website Moscow Metro, by phone: 7 800 220-22-02, 7 495 622-22-22, in recruitment centers at the Delovoy Tsentr and Cherkizovskaya metro stations, as well as at the corporate university of Moscow transport.
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.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The audio guide in the Moskino cinema park was voiced by actor Sergei Burunov. It is his voice that speaks for the heroes of many foreign films, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt.
“The Moskino Cinema Park amazes with its scale, it’s great to become part of such a grand project. The magic of cinema has always attracted thousands of people, but it must be admitted that this is a rather isolated world. I like the idea of lifting the veil of secrecy and showing everyone what is on the other side of the camera,” noted Sergey Burunov.
Muscovites and guests of the capital will be able to use an audio guide and learn about unique natural sites that recreate different cities and historical eras. Participants of the “Film Walk” project, voiced by Sergei Burunov, will visit the sites “County Town”, “Pitersky Bar”, “Cowboy Town”, “Streets of Berlin”, “Moscow of the 40s”, “Cathedral Square”. Each of them can be visited depending on the filming schedule. Guests will learn about the secrets of creating scenery, the intricacies of film production in the Moskino cinema park and projects that have already been implemented here.
The excursions will be held all year round according to the schedule. The duration of each is one hour and 30 minutes, the meeting place is the educational center. The walk will be interesting for children over 10 years old and adults. The service is paid, its price includes entrance to the cinema park. Detailed information can be found on the film park website.
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.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Today, there are about 370 enterprises in Moscow engaged in the production of computers, optics and electronics. Thanks to the active support of the city, they develop and bring innovative products to market, and also increase the range and volume of production. In just eight months of the year, companies have almost doubled the production of high-tech products compared to the same period in 2023. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.
“From January to August 2024, the capital saw a 96 percent increase in the production of computers, electronic and optical products. Shipments to customers increased by almost 40 percent and exceeded 386 billion rubles. Such results were achieved thanks to the support that the city provides to industrialists on behalf of Sergei Sobyanin. Today, companies have access to over 20 systemic tools, in particular, they can localize production in the territory of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”, as well as obtain the status of a resident of the SEZ, attract a preferential investment loan or rent land for one ruble to implement a large-scale investment project,” said Maxim Liksutov.
For example, last year thanks to Moscow Fund for Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship The capital’s optical equipment manufacturer was able to attract almost three billion rubles under the preferential investment lending program. The enterprise has the status of a resident of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”. The funds received were used to purchase new equipment for the production of high-speed optical transceivers and create a test bench. The term of financial support is three years.
“In the first eight months of 2024, Moscow saw an increase in the production of printed circuit boards, electronic computers, electricity production or consumption meters, semiconductor devices and much more. The products manufactured by the capital’s factories meet high quality standards and are in demand on the domestic and international markets. Thus, during the specified period, industrialists supplied customers with computers and peripheral equipment for more than 121 billion rubles, control and measuring and navigation devices for 117 billion rubles, and the volume of communications equipment shipped amounted to almost 68 billion rubles,” added the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of Investment and Industrial Policy.
In addition, manufacturers who want to enter foreign markets can benefit from the support of the Mosprom center. It offers information and methodological assistance, including verification of counterparties and participation in business missions and international exhibitions. Since 2022, with the support of the center, Moscow companies have found new partners in the markets of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and other CIS countries.
Moscow is the largest industrial and scientific-engineering center of Russia. There are more than 4.5 thousand industrial enterprises in the capital, employing over 750 thousand people. Every year, 150 new technology companies open here and dozens of investment projects are implemented, providing the city with additional jobs.
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.
Business student Emily Laput ’26 (CLAS) created her own marketing and consulting firm when she was in high school. That impressed interviewers at NBC Universal in New York City, and helped her capture a coveted summer internship.
Across the city, recent alum Peter Spinelli ’24 (BUS, CLAS), is working as a production intern at ABC News. He is passionate about increasing the percentage of Gen Z adults who watch TV news.
And alumna Emilia Kwasniak ’24 (BUS) —a self-described “theater kid” who loved the Nickelodeon show “Victorious” when growing up—is now a long-term temporary employee at the first TV channel created exclusively for kids.
Students Eager to Apply Business Knowledge in Creative Industries
Professor Sami Ghaddar, of the Boucher Management & Entrepreneurship Department in the School of Business, says the news and entertainment industries have become increasingly attractive to UConn students because they offer a compelling combination of creativity, adaptability, and strategic opportunity.
“The diversity of work within these industries is undoubtedly a key factor. The ability to work across various mediums and platforms allows our students to apply their business skills in dynamic and innovative ways,’’ he says. “Moreover, the versatility of a business degree is evident in how students can navigate these rapidly changing fields, leveraging their entrepreneurial mindset to succeed in new and exciting ways.’’
Kelly Kennedy, Director of Transformative Learning at the School of Business, agreed. She’s meeting more business students who are looking for opportunities beyond traditional employment paths, reflecting a larger generational shift toward more personally meaningful work.
“Creative industries need to hire analytical business students who are adaptable, driven, and can navigate a fast-paced environment with ease,’’ she says. “The proximity to New York City offers UConn business students both alumni networking opportunities and access to prestigious companies, making it easier to secure competitive internships. Their success speaks to the quality of our academic and experiential programs that equip our business Huskies with the confidence, tenacity, and grit to redefine work on their own terms.’’
Emily Laput Applied for 200 Summer Jobs
This summer, Laput, an honors student majoring in marketing and communications, worked as a corporate communications intern at NBC Universal in New York City. But getting a dream summer internship wasn’t an easy task.
“Professor Kennedy forced me to think about what I want to do and where I want to be. I had worked at an energy nonprofit recently and wasn’t interested in the industry, but entertainment and media offered something new every day,’’ she says. “I applied for more than 200 summer positions, including 20 at NBC Universal, all with customized applications.’’
She got five first-round interviews at NBC Universal, two second-round interviews, and then the offer.
Emily Laput ’26 helped promoted a new Minions movie this year (contributed photo).
“I think what helped me stand out is that in high school I created my own marketing and consultancy firm, and I did fundraising and event planning,’’ says Laput. “Creating my own opportunities really gave me a great start. I’m a junior and I enjoy forging my own opportunities and finding a path to get ahead.’’
One of her favorite summer tasks was helping promote a new Minions movie, “Despicable Me 4.” Prior to the movie’s release on July 3, she led the creation of a “Day in the Life of a Minion” reel. A native of Beacon Falls, Laput had been the mascot at her high school, which gave her an edge in starting the project. She created an Instagram reel that showed the Minion at the Kelly Clarkson Show, watching a movie trailer, and even buying bananas at the company commissary.
“This job brings me so much joy, it’s so cool,’’ she said over the summer. “Who else walks into work with the Today Show filming when you enter your office? I was on the Today Show elevator and [anchor] Hoda Kotb said hello to me. That made my day, my whole summer, actually.’’
In addition, the network partnered with America’s VetDogs to socialize a puppy named Atlas, who will soon be placed with a veteran. Laput handled Atlas’ Instagram posts. She also worked on employee engagement projects and edited the company newsletters. She says the variety of work made the days interesting.
“When I’d walk into work every day, I’d think, ‘This job was made for me!,’” she says. Originally leaning toward event planning, she now wants to work in internal communications and employee engagement.
Laput says she’d advise other interns not to wait around for an assignment, but instead suggest projects that interest them.
“If you have an idea, there’s no risk in throwing it out there. If it isn’t possible, move on,’’ she says. “I think what makes me different is that I ask for work, express interest in things, like video editing, and come up with ideas. If you express your career goals clearly, it lets others know what projects you would enjoy working on, and that’s more exciting.’’
Peter Spinelli Believes It’s Important to Be Informed
Only 11% of Gen Z adults routinely watch the news on television. When Spinelli discovered that fact, as part of a research project for his Content Entrepreneurship class at UConn, he was disappointed.
“Now that I’m of voting age, I think it is important to know what’s going on in your state and in your country. I want to make sure people are watching,’’ Spinelli says. He believes that 24-hour news streaming and social media can help leverage engagement.
He has spent the last few months working as a production intern at ABC News in New York. His team recruits on-air talent for the network and some of its affiliates. Spinelli has traveled to journalism conferences in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Austin, Texas, to connect young journalists to the company.
Peter Spinelli ’24 added journalism courses to his academic work during his senior year (contributed photo).
“I feel lucky to be traveling with the team. I enjoy the recruiting aspect,’’ he says. “I could see myself being with this team permanently one day. But before I do, I want to gain experience in production.’’
Spinelli has also vetted potential employees, reviewing their reels and previous work. He has learned more about what the company seeks in on-air talent and gained insight into the decision making that goes on behind the scenes.
“Being a younger person in the room, they would ask me who I liked and what’s appealing to a younger person. I appreciated being included in the discussion,’’ he says.
Spinelli, a native of Shelton, had a marketing internship at a health-insurance company, but wasn’t enamored with the work. In 2023, he pursued an internship at WTNH in New Haven, and that fueled his interest in broadcast journalism and production. He helped reporters with their scripts, edited some videos, and got a chance to try many aspects of the business.
“I’d be at an animal shelter one day, surrounded by puppies, and at the site of a shooting the next day,’’ he says. “It was fast-paced, and I loved that it was something different every day.’’
In addition to his coursework as a double major in management and communication, Spinelli says serving as a UConn Tour Guide and as Vice President of the Undergraduate Student Government prepared him well for his current job.
“As a tour guide, you’re working to present UConn in a positive light and answer questions about the university,’’ he says. “On the other side, the student government is often calling on the administration to do something better. During my time there, we created a food pantry because we knew there were students who were struggling and living on ramen. I have seen both sides.’’
“Those two jobs both involved telling the student story, from recruiting to advocacy,’’ he says. “Those two experiences prepared me for what I’m doing now, especially when it comes to being impartial and telling both sides of the story.’’
He credits the flexibility of UConn’s academic programs for allowing him to add journalism courses during his senior year. Before graduation, he applied to 50 jobs and internships. He says he feels lucky to have been hired by ABC, which is a Disney-owned company. His job runs until January, and he would love to stay on permanently.
One of the most surprising aspects of his job is how welcoming the talent is.
“They are very responsive to any request. They always come up to chat and never say no to posing for a photo or appearing in a silly video that I’m making for our team’s Instagram,’’ he says. “It’s great to know they’re the people they come across as on TV.’’
Emilia Kwasniak Enjoys the Business Side of Media
Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., Emilia Kwasniak was a proud theater kid. One of her favorite TV shows was “Victorious,” a Nickelodeon sitcom revolving around Tori Vega, a promising talent who attends Hollywood Arts, a fictional performing arts high school.
“It aligned well with me as a theater kid. In that show, all the performing arts kids are super cool,’’ she says, laughing.
Kwasniak says her long-term temporary job as a media planning coordinator at Nickelodeon involves importing shows, commercials, promos, and ratings, as well as scheduling and marketing strategy. She distinguishes herself by being a quick study and a conscientious worker.
Emilia Kwasniak ’24 is working at a place that inspired her as a child (contributed photo).
“I’m so happy to work somewhere that impacted me as a kid,’’ she says. “It is very collaborative here and I’m working with phenomenal people. I’m very lucky.’’
During her time at UConn, Kwasniak was an Honors student, photo producer for The Daily Campus, and Vice President of Internal Services for UConn Student Television.
But perhaps the most impactful experience was serving as Director of Media for the HuskyTHON Miracle Network Dance Marathon, which required a year-long commitment to strategizing and executing the fundraiser’s marketing campaign, including photography, videography, and managing a team of 10 student photographers. The event raised a record-breaking $1.7 million for Connecticut Children’s Foundation.
“Before this experience, working in the entertainment business seemed like a far-fetched dream. But HuskyTHON helped me realize that I could truly succeed in that environment. It’s the largest student-run organization on campus, so on top of the marketing experience I gained, it was also a big time commitment. I had to collaborate with a lot of people and cross-functional teams, which even included employees and families from Connecticut Children’s,’’ she says.
“There were so many email chains, meetings, and projects that I had to shift my attention to on a daily basis, while consistently maintaining the high quality of my work, so it taught me a great deal about what a professional workplace looks like,’’ she says. “It was essentially like an internship and equipped me with all the professional skills I needed to succeed.’’
Kwasniak’s greatest accomplishment in that role was producing the announcement video that brought the year-long campaign to life. “It surpassed 100,000 views on Instagram, which is an impressive accomplishment that helped me stand out during my Nickelodeon interview,’’ she says. “As the media planning coordinator, my role is to promote Nickelodeon’s short-and long-term campaigns on our channels, so it was helpful to mention my campaign announcement video and the tangible results that came from promoting it.’’
Kwasniak credits a one-credit career development course she took with Kennedy for giving her a foot in the door at Nickelodeon. Kennedy had assigned the students to reach out to conduct an informational interview with someone at a company where they might want to work.
“I knew someone who worked at Nickelodeon and asked for advice,’’ Kwasniak says. They had a great conversation, and the woman gave Kwasniak guidance to enhance her professional experiences.
“Right before graduation, she called and asked if I’d be interested in a temporary job. I said, ‘I’m beyond interested!’’’ she recalls. “If it weren’t for that class, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to reach out and ultimately wouldn’t have the job.’’
Kwasniak applied to UConn as a political science major, capitalizing on her love of history and social studies. But she kept exploring other options and wound up majoring in finance.
“I realized I can work on the business side of media and entertainment. I didn’t think I could create the content, but I could certainly help put it out,’’ she says. Today she promotes events and premiers, including the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show and The Kids’ Choice Awards.
“If I told 10-year-old me that I work at Nickelodeon now, she would probably think that I’m pranking her,’’ Kwasniak says. “As a kid, I didn’t even realize that working in entertainment was an option for me. I always had this expectation that becoming an adult and working an ‘adult job’ would be boring. Ten-year-old me would be so proud of me for finding a job that I am truly passionate about, and that I look forward to every day. And she would definitely think that I’m the coolest person in the world!’’
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Two non-residential development sites with an area of 1.15 hectares in northwest Moscow will be reorganized under the integrated territorial development program (ITD). In their place, public and business facilities will appear, including offices, shops, bank branches, cafes and restaurants. The corresponding decree was signed by Sergei Sobyanin.
“Under the program for the integrated development of territories in the Shchukino district, we will build over 63 thousand square meters of real estate for public and business purposes, including offices, shops, bank branches, cafes and restaurants. The project will provide the city with about 1.8 thousand new jobs. We will also carry out work on landscaping the territory and developing the street and road network,” he wrote in
Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin
The land plots are located in the Shchukino district at the following addresses: Volokolamskoe Shosse, Building 32, and Aviatsionnaya Street, Buildings 17–22.
In Moscow, 96 projects for the integrated development of territories with a total area of over 1.1 thousand hectares have been approved and are being implemented. Over 23.6 million square meters of real estate will be built on the sites and about 247 thousand jobs will be created.
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.
For nearly 30 years, there have been no new medicines to treat stroke patients, but UConn is testing a small-molecule drug in its laboratories shown to reduce damage and restore function after stroke.
UConn School of Medicine has received a follow-up research grant award of more than $2 million from the NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to further advance UConn’s testing of its promising stroke drug discovery.
Inventors and principal investigators of the experimental, brain-permeable, anti-inflammatory therapy are Rajkumar Verma, M.Pharm., Ph.D., assistant professor of neuroscience at the Calhoun Cardiology Center, and Dr. Bruce T. Liang, cardiovascular physician-scientist at UConn School of Medicine.
“This renewed NIH grant funding will enable us to further advance our laboratory testing and ultimately apply to the FDA for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. If approved, it will lead to first-in-human testing,” says Liang.
The NIH’s initial phase 1 funding allowed this collaborative UConn research team to screen for and discover the experimental chemical that has been proven effective in animal models to be both neuroprotective and heal the brain damaged by a stroke by reducing inflammation.
The innovative stroke therapy getting closer to human clinical trials inhibits an important receptor, P2X4, implicated in ischemic stroke damage. This novel P2X4 receptor inhibitor works by stopping and reducing the expansion of brain damage caused by a stroke – the leading cause of disability in the U.S. – to combat its long-term, debilitating effects, such as paralysis of one side of the body, memory loss, speech, language, depression, and vision problems.
The level of P2X4R increases after stroke exacerbating damage with increased inflammation in brain tissue. But UConn’s promising medication blocks P2X4R mediated increase in brain inflammation and promotes recovery from stroke.
Most strokes are ischemic, which occur when a blockage in an artery leading to the brain causes damage or death of brain cells because of reduced blood flow and oxygen supply. The damaged or dying brain cells release excessive amounts of stored adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that serves as a danger signal, leading to over-stimulation of its receptor P2X4 (P2X4R), mainly found on immune cells of the blood and brain. When P2X4R is overactive, it causes a cascade of detrimental effects in brain cells, leading to a large stroke.
“Our medication crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain and heal it by blocking the receptor implicated in ischemic stroke damage. It also reduces the brain damage that a stroke inflicts, enhances the possibility for both short-term and long-term stroke recovery and restored function, while expanding the time window available for stroke treatment,” says Verma.
If soon proven successful in animal models for safety and then human clinical trials, the research team believes this neuroprotective drug intervention would have a groundbreaking impact on the future of stroke patient care.
This innovative UConn research, in collaboration with NIH’s Kenneth Jacobson, Ph.D., was initially supported by the NIH via a small business “STTR phase 1 grant: A New Anti-inflammatory Therapy for Ischemic Stroke” grant to the UConn Technology Incubation Program (TIP) start-up company Provascor Pharmaceuticals.
According to the NIH, this follow-up phase 2 grant award’s objective is to continue UConn’s innovative research and development efforts of the drug initiated in phase I with larger, renewed funding based on the already promising results, along with the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of this new medicine.
The UConn researchers look forward to presenting their research findings to the FDA in the foreseeable future, says Verma.
Derby City Council is encouraging people who live in, work in, or visit Derby to share their views on safety in the city by participating in the Community Safety Survey. Now live on the Let’s Talk Derby website, the survey, which is open until December, seeks to gather feedback on how safe people feel in the city centre and their local areas.
The survey is a part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to making Derby a safe place to live, work and visit. The results will ensure that residents’ concerns are addressed and will help to shape future initiatives to improve public safety in Derby.
With questions ranging from how safe residents feel walking in their local area to asking what measures help them feel safe, it is estimated to take 10-15 minutes to complete and will help the Council to better understand the key issues relating to public safety.
Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure said:
Public Safety is a top priority for the Council. We have been working hard to create a safe city for all, and we want to ensure that every resident feels safe, whether in the city centre or their local area.
I encourage all members of the community to take part in this survey. The feedback that we gather will help us to improve the safety and wellbeing of residents and visitors in Derby. Together, we can create a safe city for all.
The survey is available to view on the Let’s Talk Derby website. All responses are confidential, and residents are encouraged to take part before the survey closes at midnight 22 December.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Builders have begun commissioning work on the traction and step-down substation at the Kornilovskaya station on the Troitskaya metro line. The premises are located behind the second vestibule of the station complex. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.
“Work on the installation of utility networks is actively underway at Kornilovskaya. The project includes 54 different utility systems and almost 3.7 thousand units of primary equipment. The station’s traction and step-down substation, where commissioning has begun, consists exclusively of domestically produced components. The builders have installed the primary equipment and are tying it with cable and wire products. The next stage will be the commissioning and testing of high-voltage and power equipment,” said Vladimir Efimov.
The Kornilovskaya station of the Troitskaya metro line is located along Kaluga Highway at the intersection with Admirala Kornilova Street. It will become part of a transport hub. About 600 people work at the construction site every day.
“At the Kornilovskaya station complex, about 40 percent of the electric and low-current cables have been installed. At the same time, pipelines and air ducts are being installed, and external networks are being installed,” said the head of the Department for Construction of Transport and Engineering Infrastructure of the City of Moscow.
The traction and step-down substation is the power center of the station complex. It is designed to distribute power supply between all elements of equipment and the operation of engineering systems. According to the operating technology, polymer floors are installed here for the required level of dustlessness, water resistance and antistaticity.
The Troitskaya metro line will run from the ZIL station of the Moscow Central Circle to the city of Troitsk. It will become one of the longest radii of the Moscow metro and the largest outside the Moscow Ring Road. The line will have 17 stations, its length will be more than 43 kilometers. The expected passenger flow at the entrance will be more than 300 thousand people per day.
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.
Jon Dean has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in succession to Harriet Cross.
Mr Jon Dean
Mr Jon Dean has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in succession to Ms Harriet Cross, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
Mr Dean will take up his appointment during December 2024.
Curriculum vitae
Full name: Jon Mark Dean
2022 to 2024
N’Djamena, His Majesty’s Ambassador
2020 to 2022
New York, Counsellor Internal
2018 to 2020
United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Secondment, New York
2015 to 2018
FCO, Head of Iraq Team, Middle East and North Africa Directorate
2013 to 2015
Juba, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul
2013
Yaoundé, Deputy High Commissioner and Consul (3 months)
2012
New York, UK Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Second Secretary Political (3 months)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Update on Queen Mary Hospital missing patient incident Update on Queen Mary Hospital missing patient incident ******************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for Queen Mary Hospital made the following update today (October 16) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without notification earlier: The 26-year-old male patient who left the orthopaedics and traumatology ward of the hospital without notification on October 14 has been located this afternoon. The hospital will continue to follow up on his condition.
Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024Issued at HKT 19:20
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Women’s Commission welcomes “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” Women’s Commission welcomes “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” *********************************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Women’s Commission: The Women’s Commission (WoC) welcomes the initiatives on promoting women’s development in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 16). The Chief Executive announced in the Policy Address that the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) will establish a network run by leading women from all walks of life and launch a mentorship programme, “She Inspires”. Under the programme, female university students will be paired with mentors from the senior management of different sectors, and will be provided with relevant training and activities. ???The Chairman of the WoC, Dr Eliza Chan, said, “The WoC is committed to enable Hong Kong women to have more opportunities to showcase their talent and promote the advancement of their careers. Hong Kong women have excelled across various sectors and demonstrated exceptional professionalism and leadership, while young people play an important role in shaping the future of our country and Hong Kong. I am very delighted to learn the launch of the mentorship programme ‘She Inspires’ by the Government to equip Hong Kong female university students with the strength to ‘hold up half the sky’. I hope that with the support of the Government, we could work together with outstanding women leaders across various sectors and unleash the power of women, thereby contributing to the development and advancement of women.” It is also mentioned in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address Supplement” that the HYAB will continue to put forward several women-related projects, including continuing to organise the Family and Women Development Summit, keeping the one-stop family and women information portal under review and enriching its content, continuing to encourage women’s groups and non-governmental organisations to make good use of the Women Empowerment Fund, and continuing to implement, through the Community Care Fund, the Maintenance Mediation Pilot Scheme. The WoC was established in 2001 and is committed to enable women in Hong Kong to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life. It adopts a three-pronged strategy, namely the provision of an enabling environment, empowerment of women through capacity building and public education to promote the well-being and interests of women.
Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024Issued at HKT 19:28
From bespoke gene editing to AI-powered healthcare, we are living in an age of breakthroughs propelled by advances in AI. What are the trade-offs societies and industries need to manage as AI adoption progresses?
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Family Council:
The Family Council (Council) welcomes the initiatives on promoting good family values in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 16).
The Chief Executive mentioned in the “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address Supplement” that the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) will co-operate with the Council to organise the Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards and continue the implementation of the Funding Scheme on the Promotion of Family Education to subsidise non-profit-making community projects in promoting family education.
The Chairperson of the Council, Ms Melissa Pang, said, “I am pleased to note that the Government continues to promote the healthy development of families in Hong Kong, advocating good family values and reinforcing work in relation to family building, family education and family values through different channels to enhance family and social harmony. The Council will actively discuss with the HYAB on the relevant details of the activity in due course.”
The Council also supports the initiatives to enhance women’s development as announced in the Policy Address, including establishing a network run by leading women from all walks of life and launching a mentorship programme, “She Inspires”. Under the progamme, female university students will be paired with mentors from the senior management of different sectors. Related training and activities will also be provided. Ms Pang hoped that the relevant initiatives will enable young females to pursue their career and contribute to the development of the country and Hong Kong society.
The Council was established in 2007. It is committed to publicising the culture of loving families through organising various promotional activities. The Council has also been promoting the three sets of family core values, namely “Love and Care”, “Respect and Responsibility” and “Communication and Harmony” in the community.
The IMF predicts 3.2% global growth over the next two years, persistently below pre-pandemic levels. But averages are misleading and fail to illustrate the quality of such growth and its impact on the health of people and planet.
In a world characterized by fragmentation as well as rapid technological advancement, what will be the next drivers fuelling the quantity and quality of growth we need?
This session has been developed in collaboration with Bloomberg News
The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.
Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L
Rapid technological advancements are driving disruption in everything from employment, skills and education to international trade and industry. Meanwhile a fragmented geopolitical and geo-economic landscape has sidelined traditional models of international cooperation.
Amid these powerful forces, how is the United Arab Emirates navigating these headwinds to define the next decade?
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Spokesperson Matthew Miller leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on October 16, 2024
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Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.
Since their July 2024 report, EY, the external auditors of the GLA Group have made the following change:
In light of the cyber-attack on TfL, the audit team will be required to “evaluate the effects of the attack on the scope of [their] work and reporting requirements” and the overall reporting timeline is likely to be delayed as limited system access hampered the GLA finance team’s ability to respond to audit requests.
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Audit Panel will examine the GLA External Audit Status Report and the Corporate Risk Register, both of which contain responses to the TfL cyber-attack. The Panel will also discuss the Register of Gifts and Hospitality and the procurement exercise for the New Year’s Eve fireworks event.
The guests are:
Stephen Reid, Partner, EY
Chloe Wilkinson, Audit Senior Manager, EY
Enver Enver, Interim Chief Finance Officer, GLA
Fay Hammond, Chief Finance Officer, GLA
David Esling, Head of Audit Assurance – Risk Management, MOPAC
Mark Woodley, Group Audit Lead, MOPAC
Karen Welsh, Senior Risk and Assurance Auditor, MOPAC
Dianne Tranmer, Executive Director Corporate Resources & Business Improvement, GLA
The meeting will take place on Thursday, 17 October 2024 from 2pm, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Brylea Huitt, a proud native of Dallas, Texas, has carved out a distinguished path in the Navy, blending her passion for healthcare with service to her country.
Starting as a nurse’s assistant at the young age of just 16, Huitt’s calling to serve others naturally led her to the Navy, where she took on the role of a Corpsman.
“Joining the Navy was a clear choice for me — it allowed me to serve my country while pursuing my passion for helping others,” she said.
Huitt arrived at Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms in Dec. 2022 and plans to separate from the Navy in Jan. 2025.
Throughout her career, challenge coins have become meaningful symbols of her most memorable experiences in the Navy, each representing a personal story.
Challenge coins have a long-standing tradition in military history, believed to date back to World War I, when service members carried coins as symbols of camaraderie and loyalty. Over the years, these coins have evolved into personalized tokens that represent unit pride, special achievements, or moments of recognition. Often given by commanding officers or peers, challenge coins serve as a meaningful reminder of the bonds formed and the milestones reached throughout a service member’s career.
Out of the many challenge coins Huitt has earned, three stand out as her favorites.
The First Coin: Gifted from an Admiral
Huitt’s most cherished challenge coin came as a surprise, as it was given to her by an Admiral.
“My top favorite challenge coin is the first one I ever received, which was from Rear Admiral Timothy Weber,” Huitt recalled. “During my time as a Hospital Apprentice at the 13 Area Branch Clinic at Camp Pendleton, I had the honor of giving him a tour and discussing all the impactful work we were doing there. Although I was initially nervous, it turned into a moment of immense pride for me.”
“Naval Medical Forces Pacific” is engraved on the coin. Naval Medical Forces Pacific is a key command within the U.S. Navy’s medical structure, overseeing Navy Medicine’s healthcare operations and support across the Pacific region. It provides medical expertise, readiness, and support to naval and joint forces, ensuring that service members are healthy, prepared, and able to perform their duties. It also plays a vital role in supporting humanitarian missions, disaster relief efforts, and maintaining force readiness in the Indo-Pacific area.
The coin represents a significant moment of recognition in the early days of Huitt’s career.
The Second Coin: A Scorpion from Bahrain
Her second favorite coin, shaped like a scorpion, was earned during her deployment from NMRTC Twentynine Palms to Isa Air Base in Bahrain. Modeled after the local ‘death stalker’ scorpion, the coin features the U.S. and Bahraini flags.
“I received this while serving at the Expeditionary Medical Clinic, where I cared for multiple deployed units and took on the roles of MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) coordinator and SAPR (Sexual Assault Prevention and Response) Victim’s Advocate,” Huitt explained.
The coin serves as a reminder of her pivotal role in supporting both the medical and emotional needs of her fellow service members.
The Third Coin: A Holographic Caduceus
Huitt’s third favorite coin is a holographic caduceus that comes complete with a removable sword.
“This thoughtful gift from the Physical Therapy department during deployment (to Bahrain) holds special significance to me, as it features the Hospital Corpsman Pledge on the back,” said Huitt.
The Hospital Corpsman Pledge highlights the Corpsman’s dedication to providing compassionate and skilled medical care to all service members. It emphasizes loyalty to the Navy, maintaining the highest standards of performance, and upholding the trust placed in them by both patients and the Navy. The pledge reflects a commitment to preserving life, relieving suffering, and upholding professional ethics in every aspect of their duty.
Looking back on her years serving at NMRTC Twentynine Palms, Huitt’s deployment to Bahrain stands out as one of her most memorable experiences.
“It provided me with invaluable opportunities to travel to three different countries, assist diverse groups of locals and service members, and immerse myself in cultures I might never have experienced otherwise,” she exclaimed.
Huitt’s time as a Sailor in the Navy may be coming to a close, but her days of serving others in a healthcare setting are far from over.
“After separation from the Navy, I plan to return to Texas and begin school to become a Radiology Technician,” Huitt shared.
Huitt’s story helps exemplify the significance of challenge coins to service members — each one a tangible reminder of the dedication, service, and connections she has built throughout her career.
Unscrupulous attacks with severe collateral damageFor several years now, perpetrators have increasingly been using solid explosives – originating mainly from fireworks – to blow up ATMs. This has significantly augmented the danger and collateral damage of their attacks. The criminals, who are often based in the Netherlands, take extreme risks and act unscrupulously, both at the crime scene and when…
The Office of Information Policy (OIP) is pleased to announce that the Chief FOIA Officers (CFO) Council will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 7th 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET.
The CFO Council meeting is open to all agency FOIA professionals and members of the public. Time will be provided for members of the public to address the Council. Registration is required on Eventbrite. All attendees must register by 11:59 PM ET on Monday, November 4, 2024. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the National Archives’ YouTube channel.
In accordance with the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016, the Chief FOIA Officers Council is tasked with developing recommendations, sharing best practices, and developing and coordinating initiatives to improve agency FOIA administration. The Council is co-chaired by the Directors of OIP and OGIS and is comprised of each agency Chief FOIA Officer and the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management Budget.
Do you have ideas for future meeting topics and potential panelists? Please email us at DOJ.OIP.FOIA@usdoj.gov.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
XIAMEN, Oct. 16 — President Xi Jinping has urged east China’s Fujian Province to play a pioneering role in the country’s modernization drive by staying committed to its development goals.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour in the coastal province on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 16, 2024/APO Group/ —
Innovators and leaders from the most influential medical labs, hospitals, healthcare institutions, research centres and academia gathered in Dubai to discuss AI opportunities
Neurology and remote patient monitoring were among the key topics on the agenda for discussion
Tech enterprises and providers showcased the most impactful digital solutions to accelerate connectivity and drive transformation
Transformative health tech solutions were at the heart of conversations at GITEX GLOBAL’s GITEX DIGI_HEALTH 5.0 Dubai (www.GITEX.com), where thousands of tech enthusiasts and healthcare pioneers converged at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for a day of future health discussions.
The world’s largest tech event provided a platform to showcase the latest AI-driven digital health and health tech solutions, spotlighting innovations that are reshaping patient care on a global scale.
The event aligns with the UAE government’s pioneering efforts to advance the digital health ecosystem, with the UAE’s digital health market projected to reach USD $487.30 million by the end of this year. The show also supports Dubai’s commitment to adopting digital practices that benefit medical professionals and patients alike.
With AI-powered healthcare investments projected to make up 20% of global healthcare spending by year’s end, GITEX GLOBAL set the stage for industry leaders to explore how AI is revolutionising delivery and enhancing outcomes for millions of patients.
GITEX DIGI_HEALTH 5.0 Dubai brought together global professionals and leaders to build on that figure and discuss the impact the innovative tool is having on the day-to-day operations while also providing an outlook of what the future would hold. It attracted some of the biggest names in the global landscape including labs such as Biogen, Roche and Sanofi as well as tech giants Microsoft, M42, Lenovo. Also present were established medical institutions including Samsung Medical Centre, Harvard Medical School, Roche and many more.
PioneeringRoboticand AI in Digital Health
The evolving role of robotics in health tech was a major focus of the showcase and conference programme. Denis Ledenkof, Founder ofRobosculptor, showcased how AI-powered robotics is transforming patient care via an autonomous platform for body treatments developed by health industry experts, emphasising robotic technology is providing plenty of benefits.
He said: “AI is a powerful tool and is leading to better patient preferences. When it comes to robotic treatments, they help improve the experience of patients by just giving them access to a wider range of therapies as well as enhancing accessibility.
“One example that we’re using is an application that functions similarly to a taxi or delivery app where people can scan for treatments and displays the information that users would be looking for.”
Alex Aliper, Co-Founder and President ofInsilico Medicine, a Hong Kong digital health unicorn – was part of another panel that delved into genomics. He discussed how precision medicine, powered by AI, is revolutionising genetic profiles – an approach set to transform treatments for diseases previously deemed incurable.
The future of AI in neurology
Meanwhile, following a study which showed that AI can reduce the risk of new vascular events by 25.6% in stroke patients, Aneesh Singhal, M.D, Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center & Vice-Chair of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, gave an overview of what to expect in the field of neurology.
In his presentation, he discussed the Golden Bridge II trial, which showed that the use of an AI-based clinical decision support system had a significantly greater impact on the number of vascular events and stroke care quality than standard care in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
Elsewhere, Jong-Soo Choi, Chief Technology Officer atSamsung Medical Centre, one of Korea’s most renowned hospitals, shared insights into cutting-edge technologies such as Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and gene therapy and how they are setting the stage for the next wave of change.
Smart lens among innovations unveiled
Dubai’s own deep tech company Xpanceo made waves with the unveiling of smart contact lens for 3D imaging, and another for data reading, demonstrating wireless data transmission capabilities integrated directly into the lens. These innovations are set to redefine the boundaries of how data in real time is perceived, pushing the digital health landscape into a new era of smart diagnostics.
Oracle Health also displayed its innovative Clinical Digital Assistant. Leveraging AI-powered driven voice recognition, the assistant autonomously documents physician-patient encounters, interprets the information, and accurately inputs a draft note into the Oracle Health EHR, allowing the physician to quickly review and approve the clinical documentation.
GITEX GLOBAL is seamlessly connecting the world’s largest network of tech events with GITEX EUROPE Berlin, GITEX ASIA Singapore, GITEX AFRICA Morocco, and GITEX NIGERIA all part of its portfolio. These events are fostering collaboration and driving innovation to shape the tech landscape of tomorrow.
GITEX GLOBAL this year announced the launch of GITEX DIGI_HEALTH 5.0 Expo-Summit in Thailand, from 10-12 September 2025, in a destination touted with one of the highest potentials to leapfrog the digital health industry, putting the spotlight on digital solutions to address the rising demands across Asia.
More information on GITEX GLOBAL and to purchase passes, please visit http://www.GITEX.com
U.S. National Science Foundation-funded researchers recently found a fossil that led to thediscoveryof a brand-new dinosaur species,Lokiceratops rangiformis. This horned dinosaur, an earlier relative of the triceratops, has asymmetric horns on top of its head but lacks the typical nose horn found in other relatives.
Fossils are the preserved remains, impressions or traces of any once-living thing from a past geologic age. Fossils can loosely be classified into two categories: body fossils and trace fossils. Body fossils, such as preserved bones, are preserved parts of the living creature. Trace fossils, such as footprints, record the activity of a living creature.
Lokiceratops rangiformiswas discovered in northern Montana by a research team from the University of Utah. The team uncovered skull bones ofLokiceratops,which places this specimen in the body fossil category. These individual skull bones were painstakingly placed into a reconstruction of a complete skull. As more pieces were placed, the team began to see confirmation that they had discovered a whole new species of dinosaur.
U.S. coal exports from the Port of Baltimore rebounded at the end of May 2024, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Shipments from the port’s two coal-loading terminals had stopped for almost two months following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. The main shipping channel into the Port of Baltimore reopened on May 21.
In April, only 63,658 short tons of coal could be loaded for export, compared with 2.3 million short tons in April 2023. This small amount could be exported, even though the main channel into the Port of Baltimore was closed, because one of the loading terminals used barges to transport smaller loads to a vessel anchored in the Chesapeake Bay.
Coal loadings in May recovered to slightly less than one million short tons, with that activity mostly occurring after the reopening. In June, coal loadings for export soared to 2.9 million short tons, the most in the U.S. Census Bureau data series—which starts in 2000—as terminals worked through their backlog of vessels. Loadings in July declined slightly to around 2.0 million tons, although that amount was still more than the five-year (2019–23) average.
Coal exports in July typically are lower, as mining companies, railroads, and port terminals usually conduct maintenance during that month. This year, the coal industry made up for the suspension of shipments in April and May by increasing shipments in July.
In our Short-Term Energy Outlook, we expect exports from the Port of Baltimore for the 2024 calendar year will be consistent with previous years because we expect exports to remain high in the second half of 2024. In 2023, the Port of Baltimore set a five-year high, with coal exports totaling 28 million short tons. We expect total exports in 2024 should be equal to or greater than the 20 million tons loaded in both 2021 and 2022.
Principal contributors: Jonathan Church, Mark Morey
After the announcement of “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, wrote to civil service colleagues this afternoon (October 16) and met with representatives from the four civil service central consultative councils and the four major service-wide staff unions to brief them on policy initiatives relating to civil service matters in the Policy Address. Mrs Yeung’s letter to civil service colleagues, entitled “Enhance Governance Capabilities and Continue to Strengthen Management”, outlined the policy initiatives including the strengthening of civil service management and promotion of digitalisation. She said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is making all-out, concerted efforts to build a vibrant economy, seek development opportunities and improve people’s livelihood. Civil servants must continue to serve the public proactively and render full support to the Chief Executive in his administration of Hong Kong, and do so with loyalty, dedication and a spirit of embracing challenges, reforms and innovation. This will elevate Hong Kong to new heights and build a better home for people.” Mrs Yeung added, “To move forward, we need a high-quality and efficient government team. For this reason, I had a meeting with civil service unions after the delivery of the Policy Address, so that the unions and civil servants would have a clear understanding and appreciation of the Government’s governing tenets and measures. This would enable them to render better support to the Chief Executive in his administration of Hong Kong and become a solid supporting force for Hong Kong’s advancement.”
Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024Issued at HKT 19:50
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Reduction of duty on liquor with alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent Reduction of duty on liquor with alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent ****************************************************************************
As announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, the Government would reduce the duty on liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent (liquor) by introducing a two-tier system with different duty rates for each tier with effect from today (October 16). Under the new two-tier system, the duty rate for liquor with import price over $200 will be reduced from 100 per cent to 10 per cent for the portion above $200, while the duty rate for the portion of $200 and below as well as liquor with import price of $200 or below will remain at 100 per cent. The new duty rates will only be applicable to liquor of up to one litre. If a larger container is used, the duty payable will be calculated on a “value per litre” basis. A Government spokesman said, “Hong Kong has been adopting a simple ad valorem duty system on liquor since 1994. Given the experience in waiving wine duty in 2008, a reduction of liquor duty should similarly promote high-end liquor trade, thereby giving impetus to the development of other high value-added sectors such as logistics and storage, tourism as well as high-end food and beverage consumption, creating more job opportunities and bringing overall benefits to society. With the introduction of a two-tier system with different duty rates based on value, we believe that the proposal has struck a balance between facilitating the liquor business and guarding public health against binge drinking as a result of the reduction in liquor duty.” The above two-tier system is set out in the proposed resolution to be moved by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development pursuant to section 4(2) of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) (the proposed resolution), which forms part of the Public Revenue Protection (Duty on Liquor) Order 2024 (the Order) made by the Chief Executive today to give full force and effect of law to the proposed resolution so long as the Order remains in force. The Order and the proposed resolution have been published in the Gazette today. The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department has also put up notices at boundary control points and on its websites for travellers and the trade.
Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024Issued at HKT 19:56
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres and detects one case involving illicit cigarette distribution vehicle (with photos) Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres and detects one case involving illicit cigarette distribution vehicle (with photos) ******************************************************************************************
Hong Kong Customs today (October 16) conducted anti-illicit cigarette operations in Hung Hom, Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin, shutting down two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres and detecting a case involving an illicit cigarette distribution vehicle. A total of about 183 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of about $820,000 and a duty potential of about $600,000, were seized. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested. In the first case, Customs officers raided a residential unit on Wu Kwong Street, Hung Hom, this afternoon and seized about 120 000 suspected illicit cigarettes therein. A 50-year-old woman who claimed to be unemployed was arrested. In the second case, Customs seized about 54 000 suspected illicit cigarettes from a residential unit on Hong Ning Road, Kwun Tong, this afternoon. A 47-year-old woman who claimed to be a construction worker was arrested. In the third case, Customs officers intercepted a private car on the roadside in Choi Wan Estate, Wong Tai Sin, this evening. Upon inspection, about 9 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized inside the vehicle and a man, aged 30 and claiming to be a worker, was arrested. Investigations of the three cases are ongoing. Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities. Customs reminds members of the public that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years. Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 1820 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024Issued at HKT 19:50
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:
The Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, welcomed the initiatives related to the construction of transport infrastructure and the development of the low-altitude economy announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” delivered today (October 16).
Professor Cheung said, “The Policy Address pointed out that the Government is actively following through the Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint for Hong Kong, under which the two railways projects, namely the Hung Shui Kiu Station and the Northern Link Main Line, are to commence construction this year and next year respectively, and at the same time pressing ahead with the two cross-boundary railway projects, namely the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) and the Northern Link Spur Line; as well as actively taking forward the three smart and green mass transit systems in East Kowloon, Kai Tak and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen and compressing the time required for construction. I welcome the Government’s effort to implement the major transport infrastructure projects in an orderly manner to drive economic development and strengthen the connectivity between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
“I note that the Policy Address announced that the Government will actively promote the development of the low-altitude economy in Hong Kong. I appreciate the Government’s foresight and eagerly anticipate the application of related technologies in various fields, such as the delivery of goods and passenger transportation.
“I am also pleased to note that the Government has set indicators for different measures and set out the ongoing policy measures, including the provision of automated parking spaces in newly completed government car parks and short-term tenancy car parks, the progressive implementation of the pilot schemes related to smart mobility under the Traffic and Transport Strategy Study, and facilitation of autonomous vehicles technology, in order to enhance transparency and ensure their timely implementation.
“The TAC will, as always, continue to earnestly offer views on various traffic and transport policies and measures for the Government to proceed with building and enhancing our transportation system, with a view to elevating and consolidating Hong Kong’s status as a high-quality liveable city and regional logistics hub.”