Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The Academy of Defence Sciences of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted a test-fire of 240 mm-caliber controllable multiple rocket launcher shells on Tuesday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday.
The test-fire aimed at reconfirming the hit accuracy of the rocket launcher shells at a maximum range of 67 km while checking the reliability of the automatic firing system, the KCNA said.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Following the A-share market’s recent robust recovery buoyed by a number of stronger-than-expected stimulative policies, increasingly confident investors are attaching more attention to the stock market, whose upward momentum can be further consolidated by more supportive measures and the ongoing optimization of China’s economic growth, said industry experts.
Preparations were made during the National Day holiday, which ended on Monday. The Shanghai Stock Exchange announced on Sunday that it will add an extra five minutes, from 9:25 to 9:30 on each trading day, for designated transactions. The new policy will take effect on Tuesday, the first trading day after the holiday.
As explained by industry experts, a designated transaction is a step that an investor must take between opening a new stock account and commencing trading on the SSE.The latest adjustment at the SSE has been made to address the surging number of newly registered retail investors over the past few days and to facilitate trading efficiency once the market resumes, they said.
The market’s upbeat sentiment can be felt at securities brokerages. Leading brokerages provided round-the-clock online account opening and consulting services during the recent holiday. Sinolink Securities said the account opening appointments they received during the holiday jumped 150 percent from a month earlier. Minsheng Securities said the number of daily requests for opening stock accounts over the past seven days was four times the amount before the holiday.
To meet such surging demand, the securities account platform and identification information checking system at China Securities Depository and Clearing Co resumed operation on Sunday and Monday.
Investor confidence has been supported by the A-share market’s recent strong rebound. Ever since the batch of incremental policies was introduced on Sept 24, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 20 percent by the end of September, with the Shenzhen Component Index up 29 percent. The combined trading value at the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges hit a new single-day record of 2.6 trillion yuan ($370 billion) on Sept 30.
Laura Wang, chief China equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, said on Oct 3 that Chinese equities will gain another 10 to 15 percent on average if a new round of fiscal expenditure measures can be released in the following weeks.
At a news conference scheduled for Tuesday, officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s top economic regulator, will explain their measures to better implement the range of supportive policies released in late September, in order to further advance economic growth and optimize China’s economic structure.
Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said the 140-trillion-yuan Chinese household savings will provide more capital for the A-share market after the National Day holiday, providing more upward impetus for the indexes.
The increase in the Hong Kong stock market has already overtaken that of the A-share market as the latter took more days off for the holiday, said experts at Shenwan Hongyuan Securities. Therefore, a continued rally can be expected from the A-share market in the short run to narrow the price gap with Hong Kong, they added.
Dai Kang, managing director of the development research center at GF Securities, said private equity investment funds have increased their exposure to the A-share market, which has just seen the strongest rebound in months. Chinese policymakers have smartly used the time window of interest rate cuts made by the US Federal Reserve to introduce stronger-than-expected supportive measures, he said.
Goldman Sachs upgraded its call on Chinese stocks to overweight, saying that recent stimulus measures have bolstered confidence, and Chinese equities’ valuations are below historical averages while their earnings could further improve.
Qiu Xiang, joint chief strategist at CITIC Securities, said that the current A-share market rally is mainly supported by reversed market expectations, as a result of the innovative monetary policies and a relaxed grip on the property market announced in late September. A further market recovery can be expected, with companies showing improving earnings and those benefiting from a recovery in domestic demand offering more opportunities to investors, he added.
Analysts from Huafu Securities also warned investors of the possibility of adjustments and fluctuations in the A-share market after it experienced a drastic increase. But the recent bull run is far from its end. The overall rise will last longer, they said.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
This file photo shows a renovated residential building in a community in Yanta District of Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Home sales and inquiries by potential buyers rose considerably in benchmark cities including Beijing and Shanghai during the just-concluded National Day holiday, thanks to a number of optimization measures rolled out by the central government and first-tier cities, industry experts said on Tuesday.
This is playing a positive role in digesting the housing policies and shoring up market sentiment, they added.
After announcing policies to free up restrictions on home purchases ahead of the weeklong holiday, China’s top-tier cities saw a market recovery during the holiday period, despite it being a conventional low season for home transactions, the experts said.
Some 59,000 square meters of new home space were traded across Shanghai in the first six days of October, doubling from that of last year’s 29,000 sq m, said Lu Wenxi, a market analyst with Centaline Shanghai.
In the pre-owned homes market, 2,133 units of existing residential properties changed hands during the weeklong holiday, more than twice the 1,064 units registered during the same period last year, Lu said.
According to Lu, the market recovery followed a batch of favorable local policies effective on the first day of October, such as the lowering of a threshold for non-local buyers, reduction in down payments for both first-time and second home purchases, and expanding VAT exemptions during home trading.
“There is an evident warm-up in market confidence as we see some 20 percent rise in business inquiries and visits,” said Ye Yongxiang, an agent with Sinyi Realty in Shanghai’s Xuhui district.
Ye said it has been an extremely busy holiday season for himself as well as his colleagues, a sharp contrast from the same period during the past two years.
“Being in the business for nearly a decade, I can really feel the vibes of the market on the rise,” Ye said.
Beijing saw new home transaction volumes surge 730 percent during the first six days of the month from the same period last year, and its existing home market also experienced a gradual growth since the latter half of the holiday, with trade volumes rising 58 percent compared to last year, according to a report on the official website of Beijing Youth Daily.
Guangzhou, the capital of South China’s Guangdong province, saw more than 3,000 units of new homes traded at real estate brokerage platform Beike as of 2 pm Monday, more than tripling from that of last year, the local Guangzhou Daily reported.
The rising market demand could be seen in a broader scale in the secondary home market of major cities.
As many as 384 units of pre-owned homes were sold daily in six key cities, soaring 117.6 percent year-on-year, according to Linping Real Estate Data Research Institute.
“The market confidence index has been on an upward trend three weeks in a row, according to the weekly data collected in 50 cities, indicating that the supportive measures introduced one after another have boosted market confidence,” said Wang Xiaoqiang, chief analyst at the institute.
“The encouraging messages delivered by both local and central governments will certainly help stabilize the property market and improve market confidence,” Wang added.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
An attendee takes photos of a billboard during a pre-expo supply-demand matchmaking meeting for the Intelligent Industry & Information Technology Exhibition Area and Automobile Exhibition Area of the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in east China’s Shanghai, Aug. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
With less than 30 days left before the seventh China International Import Expo, due preparations are in place while multinational companies from around the world are looking forward to the annual expo to showcase their new products and technologies.
During a meeting held by the executive committee of the 7th CIIE on Monday, Wang Wentao, minister of Commerce, said that efforts should be made help companies expand the impact of the show. The exhibition should also help to nurture new-quality productive forces and serve the country’s high-quality development, he said.
By aligning with the world’s highest standards and best levels, Shanghai has stepped up its preparation for the 7th CIIE by addressing new issues and optimizing services in all aspects, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said at the Monday meeting.
Various steps have been taken to further facilitate the entry and exit of people and exhibits.
Shanghai has launched measures such as renewing valid visas for multiple entries and residence permits for this year’s CIIE.
Customs clearance instructions and supportive measures have been released. The market supervision department continues to implement supportive policies such as exemption from China Compulsory Certification and temporary licenses for special food exhibitors.
More convenient payment methods have been introduced. Dazhong Transportation (Group) Co Ltd, a taxi-hailing service provider in Shanghai, will complete the installation of 2,000 POS machines accepting foreign bank cards before the CIIE. All restaurants and catering service providers in the exhibition hall have installed POS machines accessible to foreign bank cards.
Sustainability is another highlight of this year’s CIIE. The green construction rate and material recycling rate of the exhibition will achieve 100 percent. Up to 10 million kWh of green power will be used at the show.
The 7th CIIE will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. According to the exhibition’s organizer CIIE bureau, companies have signed up for over 360,000 square meters of exhibition area. More than 70 countries and international organizations will be present at the country exhibition area, overtaking last year’s scale. Norway, Slovakia, Benin, Burundi and Madagascar will participate in the country exhibition for the first time.
The first inbound exhibit for this year’s show, the three-wheeled concept car made by Japanese manufacturer Yamaha Motor, arrived in Shanghai in September. It will make its debut to the Chinese market via this year’s CIIE.
It is the seventh year in a row for French beauty giant L’Oreal at the CIIE. This year also marks the fifth consecutive time for the company to work as the chairman of the exhibition’s enterprise alliance.
“It is both a testimonial of our belief in China and the fact that we want to continue to invest in China,” said Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oreal.
As Hieronimus further explained, the CIIE is the “only event like this in the world” in which L’Oreal is so involved by introducing new brands, demonstrating the latest innovation results and showcasing technology breakthroughs.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
An Indian passenger (L) asks about Weixin Pay, one of China’s major mobile payment platforms, at Terminal 2 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, April 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China’s just-concluded National Day holiday has seen strong consumption momentum, as indicated by a surge in the number of transactions made via Weixin Pay, a major e-payment method in China.
Over the week-long holiday ending on Monday, the total number of online and offline transactions going through Weixin Pay increased by 20 percent year on year, said a report released by WeChat, an all-in-one social media app operated by Tencent.
According to the report, cross-border transactions using the service during the period surged by 68 percent compared to last year, suggesting high demand for overseas travel. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Macao SAR, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Japan are among the most popular overseas destinations based on the transaction figures.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong residents were also active shoppers on the Chinese mainland during the holiday, with both the number and amount of transactions using WeChat Pay approximately doubling year on year, it said.
A boom in tourism and consumption has characterized this year’s National Day holiday, during which 765 million domestic trips were made, marking a yearly increase of 5.9 percent, while domestic tourist spending climbed 6.3 percent to 700.8 billion yuan (about 99.11 billion U.S. dollars), according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
China filed a request on Tuesday for consultations with Türkiye at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over tariffs and licensing measures for imported electric vehicles and other vehicles from China, the Ministry of Commerce said.
Türkiye announced the imposition of a 40 percent additional tariff on imported electric vehicles and other vehicles from China, in addition to setting import license restrictions.
“This discriminatory action is a violation of WTO rules and a typical protectionist practice,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.
“We urge Türkiye to abide by its relevant commitments at the WTO and immediately correct its wrong practices,” said the spokesperson, adding that China will take all measures available to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its industries.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
This aerial photo taken on April 4, 2023 shows the Haikou International Duty-Free Shopping Complex in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Offshore duty-free shops on south China’s island province of Hainan generated 785 million yuan (about 111 million U.S. dollars) in sales during the recent National Day holiday, local customs said Tuesday.
Hainan’s offshore duty-free shops received some 110,200 customers with per capita consumption of 7,124 yuan during this period, Haikou Customs confirmed.
China released a master plan in June 2020 to build Hainan into a globally influential and high-level free-trade port by the middle of the century. During recent years, the island province has become an attractive shopping destination for domestic consumers.
Following years of efforts to enhance the local tourism and shopping sector, Hainan now boasts 12 offshore duty-free shops.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) received the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) “Friend of Farm Bureau” award, recognizing her steadfast commitment to Wisconsin farmers and rural communities. Senator Baldwin accepted the award while visiting Messerschmidt Farms in Fall Creek, Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin farmers are the backbone of our state’s economy and the fabric of our rural communities, and it’s my job to hear their concerns and fight for them in Washington,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I’m honored to be named a ‘Friend of Farm Bureau,’ and look forward to continuing to fight in Washington to give Wisconsin farmers and rural communities the tools they need to succeed for generations to come.”
“The Wisconsin Farm Bureau supports Senator Tammy Baldwin for her continued dedication to Wisconsin’s agricultural community,” said Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson. “Senator Baldwin has led efforts to enforce FDA labeling standards through the Dairy Pride Act and increased funding in Wisconsin businesses through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, which has directed almost $40 million to help Wisconsin dairy businesses. Her leadership on key legislation like the Meat Business Innovation Act and the Farmland Security Act reflects her commitment to the future of our farmers and rural communities. Senator Baldwin understands the unique challenges facing Wisconsin agriculture and has consistently been a strong voice in Washington, advocating for policies that promote sustainability and growth in our state’s farming industry.”
AFBF gives the award to members of Congress who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the AFBF Board of Directors. Senator Baldwin was given the award based on her legislative efforts to support Wisconsin’s farm families and agriculture economy. Senator Baldwin has introduced several pieces of legislation backed by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, including:
Downloadable pictures from the visit and of Senator Baldwin receiving the award can be found here.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Miscellaneous amendments to marine legislation to be gazetted tomorrow
Miscellaneous amendments to marine legislation to be gazetted tomorrow
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The Government will gazette tomorrow (October 10) a proposal to amend and update marine legislation by enacting eight pieces of amendment regulations/orders/notices, including the Pilotage Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 3 and 4) Notice 2024; the Dangerous Goods (Shipping) Regulation 2012 (Amendment) Regulation 2024; the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2024; the Shipping and Port Control (Ferry Terminals) (Amendment) Regulation 2024; the Shipping and Port Control (Ports) (Amendment) Order 2024; the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) (Amendment) Regulation 2024; the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Safety and Survey) (Amendment) Regulation 2024; and the Merchant Shipping (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2024. The proposed amendments aim to update and unify the types and formats of the geodetic reference datum used in marine legislation. It also makes miscellaneous amendments to various pieces of marine legislation in relation to designating new special anchorages, updating the radio channels and sectors under the vessel traffic services, updating the definition of Radio Regulations, removing obsolete cable reserves, adjusting boundaries of various bridge areas due to shoreline changes, removing the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal from the legislation which specifies terminals for use by cross-boundary ferry vessels given its cessation of cross-boundary passenger transport, as well as prescribing the fees for surveying Hong Kong ships in relation to an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate and other fees in relation to that certificate. A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, “To uphold Hong Kong’s standing as an international maritime hub, the Government is committed to updating marine legislation regularly to reflect the latest developments in the local and global marine landscape. The current amendments are pivotal to ensuring that Hong Kong’s marine legislation remains contemporary.” The Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council (LegCo), as well as the Local Vessels Advisory Committee, Pilotage Advisory Committee, Port Operations Committee and Hong Kong Fleet Operation Advisory Committee of the Marine Department, have been consulted on the legislative proposal respectively. Members supported the proposal. The proposed legislative amendments will be tabled at the LegCo for negative vetting on October 16.
Ends/Wednesday, October 9, 2024Issued at HKT 12:00
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yvette Grant, PhD (Dance) Candidate and Dance History Tutor, The University of Melbourne
Artistic director Rafael Bonachela’s latest work for the Sydney Dance Company, momenta, had its Melbourne premiere on October 8 at the Playhouse Theatre in the Arts Centre.
Bonachela says that he wanted the full-length work to represent both momenta – the plural form of momentum from the Latin movimentum – and moments.
And it does exactly that.
The work is a maelstrom of macro and microcosmic momentums, capturing mundane and monumental moments.
The 17 dancers move through unmarked yet distinct worlds of perpetual motion.
Sometimes they are suggestive of atoms under a microscope that collide and react, constantly forming new molecules and compounds. They randomly meet each other in physical entanglements, only to move on in a moment to another cluster of moving bodies.
Other times they evoke the relentless rolling of the sea with waves of unison movement. These repetitively sweep in one line after another through the bodies as they traverse across the stage.
Still other times they stand in distinct separation in a grid pattern with minimal but identical movements that beat like a collection of pumping hearts.
The movement never stops. It gains momentum.
The dancers become human and through a series of duets we encounter the momentum of relationships.
A solo from within the crowd shows us the secret internal flows of emotion that are a relentless apsect of the human experience.
Using lighting, one intimate scene seems to capture the flickering motion of old grainy film. It briefly transports the audience back in time to a voyeuristic peep show.
Damien Cooper’s lighting design acts as the narrator throughout, directing our attention to small sections of the action or opening the whole stage. The lights are rigged on a large horizontal circle over one side of the stage. It starts near the stage’s surface and moves incrementally, upward scene by scene, sometimes tilting at angles. It is suspended and moves silently until it is no longer visible, at which point it begins its decent.
The colour palette of the lighting – whites, yellows, browns, greens and blues – changes the mood from hot to cool, soft to hard, today to yesterday.
Elizabeth Gadsby and Emma White’s costumes are mostly neutral tones with some black accent pieces. They provide almost nude surfaces on which the lighting plays. As the work progresses some of the costumes of the male dancers are removed as they appear bare-chested, even more naked, implying an increasing emotional exposure.
The dancers show extraordinary vulnerability, athleticism and stamina.
There is a consistency and persistence to the movement quality in momenta: sweeping, sliding, extending and contracting in cyclical patterns which contain traces of elements of the patterns that came before them.
It is breathtaking.
Nick Wales’ score has the same cyclical nature with repeated music motifs. The score is varied in an imitation of life and includes musical solos on viola and piano, contrasted with orchestral pieces and percussive and electronic elements.
In momenta’s penultimate scene dancers spread out evenly across the stage and dance in unison. The scene is very light but with a black background when suddenly silver sparkles begin to fall from above. There is a powerful sense of both the universe and the universal.
This cuts to a final intimate and human solo exquisitely danced by Piran Scott. In and out of the light, he slides and turns and rolls sometimes with propulsion, other times with suspense.
He brings us back to ourselves. Perpetually in motion.
The Sydney Dance Company’s momenta is on until October 12 at the Arts Centre, Melbourne.
Yvette Grant does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Sydney Dance Company’s momenta – a breathtaking study in perpetual motion – https://theconversation.com/sydney-dance-companys-momenta-a-breathtaking-study-in-perpetual-motion-240320
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Audit Commission personnel attending 16th Assembly and 9th Symposium of Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (with photos)
Audit Commission personnel attending 16th Assembly and 9th Symposium of Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (with photos)
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The Director of Audit, Professor Nelson Lam, attended the 16th Assembly and 9th Symposium of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) held from September 21 to 27 in New Delhi, India. At the invitation of the National Audit Office of the People’s Republic of China (CNAO), Professor Lam participated as a member of the People’s Republic of China Delegation, which was led by the Auditor General of CNAO and Secretary General of ASOSAI, Mr Hou Kai. The Assembly and Symposium were hosted by the Supreme Audit Institution of India and focused on “Digital Public Infrastructure and Gender Divide – Issues of Inclusion and Accessibility”. Mr Hou participated in the meetings and chaired some agenda items. The President of India, Mrs Droupadi Murmu, attended and spoke at the opening ceremony. Attended by 201 delegates from 44 ASOSAI members and observers, the Assembly endorsed the work report of the ASOSAI Secretariat, made additions and amendments to the ASOSAI Regulations, and held discussions on issues related to the three newly established working groups on state-owned enterprise, information technology audit and data analytics, and regional and municipal audit. Also, members of the new term of the Governing Board and the Audit Committee of ASOSAI were elected. It was affirmed that the next Assembly will be held in Saudi Arabia. Professor Lam, along with Senior Auditor Mr Alfred Wong, who also joined the meetings and activities, exchanged ideas and experiences with Mr Hou, the Commissioner of Audit of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Ho Veng-on, and leaders of audit institutions of various Asian countries on the theme of the Assembly, as well as on the management and development of public sector auditing bodies. Professor Lam also shared on the current work and updates of Audit, and expressed his wish to have further exchanges with the participating audit institutions. Professor Lam said that the ASOSAI Assembly and Symposium, which were held physically for the first time since the pandemic, brought together representatives from various audit institutions to engage in face-to-face exchanges that proved to be fruitful and beneficial. He thanked CNAO and Mr Hou for their support and care for Audit. With strong support from the motherland, auditors from Hong Kong have had the privilege to, as part of the national teams, connect with the world through taking part in worldwide audit forums and United Nations audit assignments. These forums and assignments have provided great opportunities for Hong Kong auditors to assimilate good audit practices from around the world and apply the acquired knowledge in their roles at work. Not only did these valuable experiences enhance professional development within Audit, but they also enabled Audit to tell good stories of China, Hong Kong, and auditing on international platforms.
Ends/Wednesday, October 9, 2024Issued at HKT 11:42
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Source: Reserve Bank of India
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (October 9) that stalls at the 2025 Lunar New Year (LNY) fairs will be put up for open auction in batches starting from October 22 (Tuesday).
The LNY fairs are to be held at 15 locations and will be open for seven days from January 23 to 29, 2025. A total of 910 wet goods stalls, 633 dry goods stalls and 27 fast food stalls will be provided.
The upset prices range from $380 to $6,530 for wet goods stalls, $450 to $8,540 for dry goods stalls (regular size), $680 to $12,810 for dry goods stalls (large size) and $2,290 to $120,470 for fast food stalls.
The six fairs on Hong Kong Island, in Islands District and in Kowloon will be located at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Tat Tung Road Garden in Tung Chung, Cheung Sha Wan Playground and Fa Hui Park in Sham Shui Po, Tsz Wan Shan Estate Central Playground in Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong Recreation Ground in Kwun Tong. A total of 812 stalls will be put up for auction.
The auction for stalls of the LNY fair in Victoria Park will be held for three days from October 22 to 24 (Tuesday to Thursday) at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon. The first auction day (October 22) is scheduled for fast food stalls and wet goods stalls, while the second auction day (October 23) and the third auction day (October 24) are scheduled for dry goods stalls. The auction sessions are scheduled from 9am to 12.30pm (AM session) and 2pm until completion of the auction (PM session). Due to the limited number of seats, those who are interested in bidding for a specific type of stalls at the Victoria Park LNY fair are invited to participate in the respective auction at the Lai Chi Kok Government Offices on the designated date.
The auction for stalls of Tat Tung Road Garden LNY Fair in Tung Chung will be held at the above-mentioned venue on October 25 (Friday). The auction session is scheduled from 9.30am until completion of the auction.
The auctions for stalls of the LNY fairs in Cheung Sha Wan Playground and Fa Hui Park in Sham Shui Po, Tsz Wan Shan Estate Central Playground in Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong Recreation Ground in Kwun Tong will be held at the above-mentioned venue from October 28 to 31. The auction sessions are scheduled from 9am or 9.30am to 12.30pm (AM session) and 2pm until completion of the auction (PM session).
Details of the auctions are as follows:
Victoria Park (Causeway Bay)
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Number of stalls: 395
Auction date: October 22 (Tuesday)
AM session: Fast food (Stall Nos. A to D) and wet goods (Stall Nos. 217 to 276)
PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 277 to 391)
Opening prices:
Fast food: $120,470
Wet goods: $6,530
Auction date: October 23 (Wednesday)
AM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 1 to 20 and 51 to 76)
PM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 21 to 40 and 77 to 109)
Opening prices:
Dry goods (regular size): $8,540
Dry goods (large size): $12,810
Auction date: October 24 (Thursday)
AM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 41 to 50 and 110 to 168)
PM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 169 to 216)
Opening price:
Dry goods (regular size): $8,540
Dry goods (large size): $12,810
Tat Tung Road Garden (Tung Chung)
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Auction date: October 25 (Friday)
Number of stalls: 27
Stall types: Wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $380
Dry goods (regular size): $450
Dry goods (large size): $680
Cheung Sha Wan Playground (Sham Shui Po)
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Auction date: October 28 (Monday)
Number of stalls: 89
AM session: Wet goods
PM session: Fast food and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $500
Fast food: $2,290
Dry goods (regular size): $550
Dry goods (large size): $830
Fa Hui Park (Sham Shui Po)
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Auction date: October 29 (Tuesday)
Number of stalls: 136
AM session: Wet goods
PM session: Fast food and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $3,540
Fast food: $17,480
Dry goods (regular size): $7,800
Dry goods (large size): $11,700
Tsz Wan Shan Estate Central Playground (Wong Tai Sin)
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Auction date: October 30 (Wednesday)
Number of stalls: 76
AM session: Wet goods
PM session: Fast food and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $1,500
Fast food: $5,000
Dry goods (regular size): $1,370
Dry goods (large size): $2,060
Kwun Tong Recreation Ground (Kwun Tong)
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Auction date: October 31 (Thursday)
Number of stalls: 89
AM session: Wet goods
PM session: Fast food and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $2,180
Fast food: $3,030
Dry goods (regular size): $2,130
Dry goods (large size): $3,200
In the New Territories, 521 wet goods stalls, 230 dry goods stalls and seven fast food stalls will be set up at nine fairs. They are located at Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan, Tin Hau Temple Fung Shui Square in Tai Po, Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground in Yuen Long, Tin Hau Temple Plaza in Tuen Mun, Man Yee Playground in Sai Kung, Po Hong Park in Tseung Kwan O, Shek Wu Hui Playground in North District, Kwai Chung Sports Ground in Kwai Tsing and Yuen Wo Playground in Sha Tin.
The auctions for stalls of the LNY fairs in Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long and Kwai Tsing will be held at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, on November 1, 5 and 11. The auction sessions are scheduled from 9am to 12.30pm (AM session) and 2pm until completion of the auction (PM session).
The auctions for stalls of the LNY fairs in Tai Po, Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O, North District and Sha Tin will be held at the above-mentioned venue on November 4, 7, 8 and 12. The auction session is scheduled from 9am or 9.30am until completion of the auction.
The auction for stalls of Tin Hau Temple Plaza LNY fair in Tuen Mun will be held at Tseng Choi Street Community Hall, 27 Tseng Choi Street, Tuen Mun, on November 6. The auction session is scheduled from 9.30am until completion of the auction.
Details of the auctions are as follows:
Sha Tsui Road Playground (Tsuen Wan)
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Auction date: November 1 (Friday)
Number of stalls: 126
AM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 1 to 64)
PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 65 to 96) and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $1,770
Dry goods (regular size): $8,480
Dry goods (large size): $12,720
Tin Hau Temple Fung Shui Square (Tai Po)
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Auction date: November 4 (Monday)
Number of stalls: 61
Stall types: Dry goods, wet goods and fast food
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $1,450
Wet goods: $2,270
Fast food: $5,480
Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground (Yuen Long)
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Auction date: November 5 (Tuesday)
Number of stalls: 158
AM session: Dry goods and wet goods (Stall Nos. 57 to 72)
PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 77 to 156) and fast food
Opening prices:
Dry goods (regular size): $1,350
Dry goods (large size): $2,030
Wet goods: $700
Fast food: $5,480
Tin Hau Temple Plaza (Tuen Mun)
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Auction date: November 6 (Wednesday)
Number of stalls: 57
Stall types: Wet goods, dry goods and fast food
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $1,490
Dry goods: $2,140
Fast food: $2,740
Man Yee Playground (Sai Kung)
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Auction date: November 7 (Thursday)
Number of stalls: 20
Stall types: Dry goods and wet goods
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $450
Wet goods: $380
Po Hong Park (Tseung Kwan O)
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Auction date: November 7 (Thursday)
Number of stalls: 90
Stall types: Dry goods, wet goods and fast food
Opening prices:
Dry goods (regular size): $1,540
Dry goods (large size): $2,310
Wet goods: $830
Fast food: $4,570
Shek Wu Hui Playground (North District)
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Auction date: November 8 (Friday)
Number of stalls: 73
Stall types: Wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $710
Dry goods (regular size): $1,540
Dry goods (large size): $2,310
Kwai Chung Sports Ground (Kwai Tsing)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 11 (Monday)
Number of stalls: 98
AM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 1 to 56)
PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 57 to 76) and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $490
Dry goods (regular size): $2,250
Dry goods (large size): $3,380
Yuen Wo Playground (Sha Tin)
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Auction date: November 12 (Tuesday)
Number of stalls: 75
Stall types: Dry goods and wet goods
Opening prices:
Dry goods (regular size): $4,570
Dry goods (large size): $6,860
Wet goods: $3,580
Bidders for LNY fair stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong.
Anyone can bid for more than one stall. A bidder must pay the bid price and register in person with his or her own name as the licensee of the stall immediately after successfully bidding for a stall. The bidder is also required to sign at once a licence agreement with the FEHD, or he/she will forfeit the rights to operate the stall.
All fair sites will be made available to the licensees three days in advance of the fairs (from January 20 to 22, 2025) for the setting up of stalls. In the event of any unforeseeable incident that will cause reduction of the whole licence period (including the duration for setting up stalls and the business period of the fair), the Government has the right to postpone the commencement date and shorten the duration of the period. The bidding price (licence fee) paid will be refunded to the successful bidder on a pro-rata basis without interest.
Stall licensees must completely remove the stall structure and all paraphernalia, together with all refuse, debris and unsold commodities (whether damaged or otherwise), from the licensed area before 7am on January 29, 2025 (9am for the Victoria Park LNY Fair).
The FEHD reminded licensees that the stalls are solely for the purpose of selling and promoting the sale of the permitted commodities, and no other activities are allowed in the licensed area. If the FEHD considers that any activity conducted by the licensee to publicise, promote, display, show or sell any permitted commodities in the venue is unlawful, contrary to the interest of national security, immoral or incompatible with the object of the LNY fair, the FEHD is entitled to direct the licensee to stop conducting such activities, and the licensee must immediately comply with the direction.
Stall licensees should not destroy, damage or abandon any unsold commodities at or in the vicinity of the stall. They may surrender unsold flowers and plants left behind at the stall to the FEHD at no charge, cost or compensation whatsoever, before 7am on January 29, 2025 (9am for the Victoria Park LNY Fair).
According to the licence agreement, except inside designated stalls, licensees must not keep, store or use any compressed helium cylinder in the licensed area. Whereas licensees of the designated stalls may keep, store or use helium cylinders in the licensed area, the quantity of helium should be such that a licence is not required pursuant to the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulation 2012 (Cap. 295E), i.e. equivalent to 150 litres of helium. Sales of floating LED glowing balloons and aquarium fish by stall licensees are prohibited at the LNY fairs.
In addition, as stated in the licence agreement, the height of dry goods stalls must not exceed three metres from ground level. The height of wet goods stalls and fast food stalls must not exceed 4.5m from ground level. For wet goods stalls and fast food stalls with a height of more than 3m from ground level, the licensee must, at his own costs, provide the FEHD with the original certificate issued by an authorised person, a registered structural engineer, or a competent person under the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (Cap. 59I) to certify the structural safety of the structure in the licensed area before the fair is opened to the public. The licensee must also affix a copy of the aforesaid certificate on the structure of the stall.
Successful bidders shall comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.
Details of the 2025 LNY fairs, such as the public notice, the locations and layouts of the fair venues, commodities allowed for sale at the fair stalls, open auction arrangements and related rules, and a sample of the licence agreement, are available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call the FEHD hotline 2868 0000.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launches Maintenance Mediation Pilot Scheme
Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launches Maintenance Mediation Pilot Scheme
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The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) announced today (October 9) the launch of the Maintenance Mediation Pilot Scheme through the Community Care Fund to subsidise a non-governmental organisation in providing mediation services on maintenance to people in need who are eligible for the Pilot Scheme (including maintenance payers and payees), to provide an alternative way for parties concerned other than court proceedings. The Government is committed to improving the effectiveness of the system for collecting maintenance payments and enforcing maintenance orders. In this regard, the Chief Executive announced in his 2023 Policy Address the launch of the Pilot Scheme to assist the parties concerned to resolve disputes on the related matters through a more time-saving way, which is mediation. The three-year Pilot Scheme is expected to process a total of 1 200 cases, benefitting 2 400 separating or divorcing persons. Parties involved in maintenance payment disputes are eligible to apply for the Pilot Scheme free of charge, provided that one of the parties (applicant) is a Hong Kong resident and meets the income limit. This can encourage maintenance payers in default of payment to engage in mediation. Based on Hong Kong Family Welfare Society (HKFWS)’s extensive experience and well-established network in relation to the relevant mediation services and publicity work, the HYAB has appointed HKFWS as the service operator of the Pilot Scheme. Persons interested in participating the Pilot Scheme can visit the dedicated webpage (www.familyandwomen.gov.hk/en/story/2024091920185069798.html), or contact HKFWS at 2561 9229.
Ends/Wednesday, October 9, 2024Issued at HKT 11:30
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Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney said the decision by the Reserve Bank to cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points (0.5%) to 4.75% will be a welcome relief to workers facing higher unemployment and a struggling economy. “The Reserve Bank has been forced into a significant cut because the economy has failed to fire. Weak consumer spending, weak business investment, weak house prices, and a weakening labour market all put our economic recovery at risk.”
“The Government is expecting the Reserve Bank to do all the work and support economic growth. Rather than supporting the economy and working people through difficult times, this Government has chosen to cut spending and investment, and is happy to see unemployment rise to levels not seen for a long time. These are choices, and the Government could invest now to deliver the growth we need for the future. Simply cutting interest rates returns to the economy of the past – and all the problems it already had”.
“While many people will welcome lower interest rates, and some retailers will welcome the potential for additional spending, the rate cut is not a sign of strength in the economy but is a recognition of its weakness. We need to build a better economy, one with good work and higher incomes. Nothing in the government’s plan for cuts delivers that.” Renney said.
Source: Department of Conservation
Date: 09 October 2024
Te Tapatoru ā Toi Joint Management Committee Chair Vince Copeland says the plan has been under development by Te Tapatoru ā Toi (TTāT), with the support of DOC, to put taiao at the centre of all decision making for the reserves – Moutohorā/Whale Island Wildlife Management Reserve, Ōhope Scenic Reserve and Tauwhare Pā Scenic Reserve – known collectively as Te Tāpui Tokotoru.
“The Committee worked closely with hapū, technical experts and stakeholders to develop a plan of how we expect to care for, protect, and relate to Te Tāpui Tokotoru over the next 10 years.”
TTāT was established through the Ngāti Awa Settlement Act in 2005 and has representatives from Ngāti Awa, the community, and the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board.
The floor is now open for the community to have their say on whether the plan meets the needs and interests of all who enjoy Te Tāpui Tokotoru (the three reserves).
“We invite you to share your feedback with us, and to be part of bringing the vision to life over the next 10 years,” says Vince.
Submissions will be open from 9 October to 1 December, with public hearings on 15/16 November at Te Whare o Toroa Marae.
The draft plan can be viewed on the DOC website copies can be viewed at DOC Whakatāne or Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa reception.
Submissions may be emailed to ttat@doc.govt.nz, or posted to 9 Louvain Street, Whakatāne, 3120.
The Te Tapatoru ā Toi Conservation Management Plan (TTāT CMP or CMP), is a statutory planning document describing how public conservation lands and waters will be cared for, protected and managed into the future.
The CMP sets the strategic direction for the management of Moutohorā (Whale Island) Wildlife Management Reserve, Ōhope Scenic Reserve, and Tauwhare Pā Scenic Reserve, known collectively as Te Tāpui Tokotoru.
The name Tapatoru-ā-Toi symbolises the connection between, and the shared responsibility to care for, these treasured reserves. The name draws upon the symbolism of the triangle (tapatoru) to:
Toi-te-huatahi is the esteemed ancestor of Ngāti Awa who dwelled within the bounds of the land and sea of these three significant places.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Expect to see more road crews and traffic managers out and about repairing and re-sealing highways and keeping everyone safe around the West Coast and Buller from now into the New Year, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
Please give them a friendly wave, says NZTA.
“Most road maintenance can only happen over the summer months, as the increased daylight hours, warmer temperatures and dry air are needed for the chip seal surfacing to stick to the pavements below,” says Moira Whinham, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA on the West Coast.
”Our crews – contractors and sub-contractors – have a tight schedule, working through extremely variable conditions over the summer. We all appreciate people building in extra time to reduce stress when the highways are getting busy, often with people unfamiliar with the local road layouts.”
On the West Coast there are two major rehabilitation sites this summer maintenance season:
There will be single lane and Stop/Go traffic management at both these sites, with minor delays, depending on the activity on the day.
Keep up to date with actual delays on the NZTA Journey Planner:
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions(external link)
All work is funded through the State Highway Maintenance and Pothole Prevention activity classes in the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
The West Coast reseal programme for summer 2024/25 includes 131 lane kilometres between Mohikinui north of Westport to the Haast Pass in the south and all places in between, between now and the end of March 2025. Expect up to 20-minute delays if you strike a crew busy at work.
“Maintenance crews also will be out in force completing other pavement repairs throughout the network,” says Miss Whinham.
“We also have asphalt work planned on Tainui and High Streets in Greymouth, and further details of this will be provided closer to the time.
“Thanks for your patience and supporting our crews while this work is done.
“And if you have any concerns with the work being carried out, contact NZTA 0800 4 HIGHWAYS – 0800 44 44 49.”
Source: Auckland Council
A significant milestone has been reached as Auckland’s major cultural organisations join forces to tackle long–standing challenges and enhance collaboration.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum, MOTAT, and Stardome, each operate independently under different outdated laws. These individual arrangements have not encouraged collaboration within the sector or enabled Auckland Council to specify and monitor outcomes to make the most of available funding.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Desley Simpson, who has led a political working group to come up with this solution, says agreement has now been reached on how to address these concerns.
“For years, the council has acknowledged our cultural institutions were set up to work separately and we invested significantly on reports and reviews to try and fix that,” Cr Simpson says.
“Now, after a lot of time, effort, debate and discussion, we have delivered a way forward. Most importantly, we’ve found an approach that is supported by our wonderful cultural institutions themselves who have been an integral part of this journey.”
The working group’s two-stage solution will address issues identified in external reviews dating back to 2015. Previous discussions have not led to tangible changes to address these, until now.
Phase one will focus on achieving better outcomes through collaboration, and a newly formed alliance will play a key role in this effort. The new alliance will bring together the Auckland War Memorial Museum, MOTAT, Stardome, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, which owns and operates Auckland Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum and Auckland Zoo, to leverage shared resources and talent. This collaboration will lead to more efficient promotion and programming, coordinated advertising and marketing, and the ability to tell a culturally cohesive Auckland story.
Phase two will involve updating outdated laws to better support this collaboration and enhance outcomes relative to the council’s funding.
Cr Simpson says she’s pleased that all her fellow councillors have chosen to support a more sustainable and effective path forward for each of these key cultural institutions that are unique, valued and much loved.
The council’s Governing Body unanimously agreed to progress the recommendations at its meeting on 26 September 2024.
Read more about the recommendations here.
Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
The aviation simulator has state-of-the-art mixed reality goggles with a 280-degree view of the surrounding landscape which provides real-world training and skill testing in a safe, controlled environment.
The simulator was officially launched today (9 October) at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) at Bangholme by Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes alongside CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, FFMVic Deputy Chief Fire Officer Fiona Dunstan and aviation specialists.
The $640,000 project was jointly funded by CFA and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
A prototype trailer of the aviation simulator was originally designed and developed by CFA Aviation Commander John Katakouzinos AFSM, who started the project in his garage during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
This trailer-based prototype is still being utilised by aviation members across the state.
CFA Aviation Commander John Katakouzinos AFSM said due to the success of the prototype, the need for a permanent aviation simulator became evident.
“The simulator allows aviation volunteers and staff to undertake mapping, air attack missions, direct aircraft and practise communication and radio skills in a simulated environment,” John said.
“It replicates the interior of an aircraft and uses photorealistic mapping software and communication technology to immerse pilots and students in the flight experience.
“It’s also designed to be programmed to train students in any scenario in any of the aircraft used for aerial firefighting in Australia, including re-enacting past operations for pre-season training.”
Both the prototype and new permanent aviation simulators have achieved successful training outcomes with over 300 Air Attack Supervisors, Air Observers and Airborne Mission Commanders trained or reaccredited over the past few years.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan commends John and everyone who worked hard to develop this world-first technology.
“The new aviation simulator at Bangholme as well as the existing simulator trailer are vital assets for aviation training across Victoria,” said Jason.
“Aviation is important for providing intelligence and support to our crews on the ground during a fire and we’re excited to be able to share this simulator with our partner agencies.”
There has already been further interest from our airborne partners with a portable aviation trailer being built for NSW Parks and Wildlife.
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Works begin next week alongside State Highway 2 (SH2), south of Taradale Road roundabout, to remove vegetation and prepare the site for further works.
Contractors will set up on the section of land adjacent to the Kennedy Road off-ramp in Napier from Monday 14 October, with these works expected to take a few weeks.
“SH2 is an incredibly important connection for the region – the spine connecting Napier to Hastings and beyond. This section of SH2 between the roundabouts at Taradale Road and Pākowhai/Links Road, where the vegetation will be cleared away, is the most congested section during peak traffic,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Rob Partridge.
“When we do this work we’ll also put environmental controls in place by way of silt fences to ensure debris doesn’t enter Purimu Stream once the vegetation cover is removed.
“NZTA will be doing everything we can to minimise disruption and work as quickly as possible. We thank road users and residents nearby in advance for their patience and understanding as this important site clearance work is carried out,” says Mr Partridge.
As a result of the work, from 14 October, the right-hand turning lane into Kennedy Road from the northbound offramp will be closed.
NZTA encourages road users to instead drive to the Taradale Road roundabout and exit the highway there. The detour route will be clearly sign posted.
People still wishing to exit onto Kennedy Road will need to turn left onto Kennedy Road towards Greenmeadows and then right at the roundabout onto Taradale Road.
Road users are also advised of a lower 50km/h temporary speed limit in place on this stretch of the highway, while the work is carried out.
Traffic will also be held (where traffic is temporarily stopped) for short periods at a time during this work.
A section of the shared-user path adjacent to the northbound lane of the highway will be closed for the duration of this work. Alternative pathways on Konini Crescent and Downing Avenue will be available.
Detours will be in place for the duration of this work (expected to be a few weeks) and may be in place for up to 3-4 months if further works are approved.
Section of highway where the clearance work will be undertaken.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Moscow Innovation Cluster launched a service to establish connections between science and business R. He told about this Sergei Sobyanin in his telegram channel.
“It will help to integrate scientific developments into the real sector of the economy more quickly and efficiently. Two scientific organizations and 14 universities of the capital have joined the service, eight of which have the special status of national research university,” the Mayor of Moscow noted.
Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin
These include Lomonosov Moscow State University, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and N.E. Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
Scientists and students conduct research for the subsequent implementation of developments at large businesses. Research teams have more than 400 laboratories equipped with advanced equipment at their disposal.
More than 300 requests have already been received from oil refining, transport, medical, metallurgical, energy, railway, and electric grid companies. Each application is accompanied by experts and the necessary laboratory is selected to implement the project.
Sobyanin: Lomonosov Cluster Plays Leading Role in Import Substitution Development
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.
https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11874050/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: New Zealand Labour Party
Labour is pleased the Samoan Citizenship Bill has unanimous support as it enters second reading.
The Bill would provide the right to New Zealand citizenship to people who were born in Samoa on or after 13 May 1924 and before 1 January 1949, and whose citizenship was removed by the 1982 Act.
“This is about righting a historic wrong for those born in Samoa who had their citizenship revoked under the 1982 Act, when they were rightly entitled to it,” Pacific Peoples spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said.
“I want to firstly thank the tens of thousands who made submissions, marched in the streets, and shared their stories with the committee. Your voices helped shape this Bill.
“I also acknowledge our Cook Island colleague Teanau Tuiono for putting this member’s bill in the ballot.
“This shows the importance of having Pacific representation across political parties and the way issues pertaining to our communities can be prioritised. We may be Pacific MPs from different parties, but on issues like this, we work together for the good of our people.
“Labour has supported this Bill from the start and will continue to fully support it.
“We know how much this means to our Samoan aiga and we’re certainly standing with them – it is the right thing to do and honours the spirit of the Government’s formal Dawn Raids apology,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
“During the select committee process, we also heard from the community that they want Samoa-New Zealand visas to be reviewed. We would be supportive of the Government exploring these settings,” Labour Pacific Caucus Chair Jenny Salesa said.
“I know our Pacific Labour MPs have been consistently engaging with their local Samoan communities. We’ve attended numerous public hearings where our communities’ confronting stories were heard and pleas for justice were made.
“Labour has heard the call and encourages our Samoan and wider-Pacific whānau to stay engaged on this issue as it enters the House for second reading,” Jenny Salesa said.
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MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
More than 90 clinical departments, a flagship emergency center, minimally invasive surgery, innovative equipment, organ transplantation, scientific research and implementation of advanced technologies. This is what it looks like today City Clinical Hospital named after S.P. Botkin. It recently received a new status – Moscow Multidisciplinary Scientific and Clinical Center (MMNCC). This is a natural result of the evolution that the hospital has undergone over the past 10 years. A mos.ru correspondent spoke with doctors about its key transformations.
What specialized medical centers have opened in renovated buildings, how are cancers treated at stage zero, what surgeries are performed by robots, how innovators create cutting-edge technologies, and why is city recognition important to them – in our article.
The transformation of the Botkin Hospital began about 10 years ago, since then 11 buildings have been built and renovated. Specialized medical centers are being opened in them, where they provide a full cycle of care – from diagnostics to treatment and dynamic monitoring.
In 2024, the hospital will celebrate 114 years since its foundation. All these years, it has been providing emergency medical care in various areas. We maintain centuries-old traditions and introduce new technologies into our work. We create unique specialized centers, use innovative equipment, develop minimally invasive surgery, train doctors, conduct scientific research and develop advanced treatment methods. Thanks to the achievements of recent years, the hospital has received the status of a scientific and clinical center Dmitry Grekov Deputy Director for Clinical Work of the Moscow Multidisciplinary Scientific and Clinical Center named after S.P. Botkin
In 2019, the only city ophthalmology center in the capital began operating — one of the largest and most modern specialized centers in Russia and Europe. It treats any eye pathologies. Later, the hematology building was modernized, where courses of chemo-, immuno-, and targeted therapy, as well as bone marrow transplantation, are now conducted. In the outpatient oncology care center, under the supervision of one team of doctors, you can undergo pathomorphological examinations, receive radiation and surgical treatment. The interdistrict nephrology center specializes in the treatment of kidney pathologies: hemodialysis, replacement therapy, transplantation. Another transformation of the Botkin Hospital is the launch in 2021 of the first high-throughput endoscopic center in Moscow for the early diagnosis of oncological diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Patients from the risk group are referred here.
“Every fourth patient in the capital has neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract. But they can be avoided if screening is performed in time. The center conducts gastro- and colonoscopy under intravenous anesthesia, and if polyps are detected, endoscopists remove them immediately. Sometimes we already see tumor cells in the removed polyps, this is stage zero cancer. After the procedure, the patient does not need medications or operations – only regular examinations. Over three years of work, the center has conducted almost 130 thousand studies and removed about 15 thousand formations. That is, we have already prevented oncology in so many people,” Dmitry Grekov emphasized.
Last year, the Botkin Hospital opened a flagship emergency medical care center; during the first 24 hours of hospitalization, patients undergo diagnostics, surgical treatment, and intensive care. That same year, the Moscow City Urology Center opened, which became the largest in Russia.
Sergei Sobyanin spoke about the comprehensive modernization of the Botkin HospitalThanks to nephrology centers in Moscow, the number of emergency hospitalizations for kidney diseases has decreasedThe capital reported on the results of the work of endoscopic centers over three yearsOperations of any complexity and high technology: a tour of the flagship and urological centers of the Botkin Hospital
The S.P. Botkin MMNCC is a leader in the number of high-tech surgeries performed. Innovative equipment has made it possible to develop minimally invasive surgery. During laparoscopy, the doctor does not make large incisions, but inserts an endoscope with a camera transmitting an image to the screen and instruments through punctures into the organ. With the endovascular method, vessels are operated through punctures.
“Minimally invasive surgery has become commonplace for us. We are also pioneers in robotic technologies. In 2013, the first Da Vinci robot appeared in the hospital in Moscow, now we have six of them. They operate following the surgeon’s commands. Their “hands” can perform complex manipulations, as they rotate 540 degrees. Robots remove tumors in the liver, lungs, stomach, mediastinal tumors (this is an anatomical space in the middle sections of the chest cavity). They have no equal in narrow places: the rectum, pelvis, prostate gland. With the help of the Da Vinci robot, more than 10 thousand operations have already been performed in our clinic,” said Dmitry Grekov.
The MMNCC has modern CT and MRI machines at its disposal. Angiographs visualize the lumen of blood vessels and heart cavities. In neurosurgery and ophthalmology, intraoperative microscopes are indispensable for detailing deep lesions. The neuronavigator builds a route to the affected area of the brain so that the surgeon does not touch functionally significant areas.
“Our center has one of the largest experience in Russia in using minimally invasive methods to treat people with complicated malignant neoplasms. We have almost all medical specialties, which has allowed us to form multidisciplinary teams and make decisions at a single consultation. For example, we have already performed more than 10 operations for kidney tumors, when the tumor thrombus grows along the inferior vena cava and reaches the heart. In such a situation, the operating team consists of urologists, cardiac surgeons, vascular and abdominal surgeons,” the doctor said.
Treatment should go hand in hand with science – this is the principle of the S.P. Botkin MMNCC. Since its foundation in 1910 to the present day, the institution remains an innovator. All scientific staff are practicing doctors.
Our goal is to improve treatment methods and medical technologies based on our experience. We see a weak point and try to find a solution. We start by analyzing the results. We performed surgery on 300 people, and 10 percent had postoperative complications. What factors influenced the procedure — age, smoking, diabetes? Statistics indicate the cause, and the team begins to create a medicine, a new treatment strategy, or a device. The development is tested at the center, and then the database is collected again. One study takes an average of three years. In emergency surgery, the results are immediately visible: on the 10th day after the operation, it is clear whether there are complications or not. In oncology, you have to wait for years for the results Pavel Drozdov Deputy Director for Science, S.P. Botkin Moscow Multidisciplinary Scientific and Clinical Center
If the effectiveness is proven, the new technology is “broadcast” to the capital’s medicine. In 2015, the city’s first simulation center opened in the hospital. There are simulators for endovascular and maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery, and endoscopy. For example, Moscow doctors are taught to perform laparoscopic surgeries on organ dummies. Some simulators recreate acute cholecystitis and appendicitis, and intestinal obstruction.
The MMNCC team has repeatedly received the Russian Federation Government Prize in Science and Technology. Success was achieved in the treatment of pancreatic necrosis, a condition in which part of the pancreas becomes necrotic, causing its juice to digest nearby tissues. The team determined the types of this pathology (the tail, head, or entire gland died) and treatment tactics for each of them, for which they were awarded.
Doctors were also awarded for developing minimally invasive methods of surgical treatment of abdominal tumors: they wrote instructions on how to use laparoscopy and robots for interventions on the liver, stomach, and intestines. Doctors were also encouraged for creating a technology for machine perfusion of donor kidneys and liver. In order for organ cells to function while waiting for a transplant, they began to be enriched with a solution saturated with oxygen. This way they take root faster in the recipient.
“Awards are not the goal of our work, but they are recognition of our contribution to the development of medicine. We managed to prove that we are not just a hospital, and as a result, we received the status of a scientific and clinical center. We plan to expand the staff of scientific employees and continue to improve the quality of care,” added Pavel Drozdov.
Scientific work has been carried out in neurology, cardiology, neurosurgery, hematology and other areas, many projects receive grants from the city. The endoscopic method of operating on ulcers complicated by bleeding comes from the MMNCC. Within the walls of the center, a synthetic prosthesis-loop with a tension control mechanism for people suffering from urinary incontinence has been developed, as well as a program based on artificial intelligence, which helps diagnose prostate cancer, select therapy, and predict the course of the disease.
Currently, doctors are working on an algorithm for performing different types of keratoplasty (surgery to restore the cornea). MMNKTs has something to share: it is the only city clinic that performs corneal transplants.
Moscow doctors have introduced the latest method of treating a common disease in menNeural networks helped the capital’s radiologists process 13 million studiesTechnologies on guard of health: what high-precision equipment is used in Moscow hospitalsThe era of technology. Doctors spoke about new standards in the capital’s healthcareSaving Hearts. Moscow’s Chief Cardiac Surgeon on Minimally Invasive Techniques and Disease Prevention
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.
https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145005073/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
In October, the Technograd Innovation and Educational Complex at VDNKh invites everyone to face-to-face intensive courses for media industry experts. The meetings will be useful for those who want to get acquainted with creative techniques in producing and advertising, as well as master techniques for developing emotional intelligence. The events are designed for beginners and experienced representatives of the media and creative industries and for entrepreneurs who want to promote their business with the help of advertising and media content.
The meetings will be held by the creative producer of the Gazprom-Media Holding group of companies Georgy Ryumin and the creative director of the ManaMake comics production studio Artem Zhukov.
The events are free, but pre-registration is required. All meetings start at 6:00 PM.
First intensive “Producing as a lifestyle” will take place on October 18. Georgy Ryumin will tell guests about the secrets of a producer’s work, key competencies of a specialist, reveal the basics of dramaturgy and teach how to look for ideas for a project. At the end of the meeting, visitors will learn interesting facts from the expert’s personal professional experience.
The next lesson is called “Advertising, Original Content and Attention Management” will take place on October 24. Artem Zhukov will discuss with the audience the role of unusual ideas in advertising, methods of managing the audience’s attention and the latest trends in marketing. The audience will learn how advertising is created, information products are developed in companies of different levels and what tools are used to promote them.
Third intensive “Emotional Intelligence, or How to Learn to Understand People” is scheduled for October 31. Artem Zhukov will help guests develop communication skills and gain confidence in communication. Participants will be told how to recognize other people’s emotions and influence them, how to avoid thinking errors and increase personal effectiveness.
All intensive courses will be held in person at the Art. Technograd pavilion at the following address: Moscow, Prospekt Mira, Building 119, Building 318. Each meeting will last two hours. The number of places is limited.
The Technograd Innovation and Educational Complex is a unique venue at VDNKh, offering a new format of career guidance, training and educational leisure for residents and guests of the capital. The Career Development Center is one of the Technograd divisions. Its specialists help with training, choosing a profession and career planning. The project is supervised by Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow.
Read more on the project 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.
https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145011073/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
The decision to create a joint group was made at a meeting held at NSU. It was attended by Rector of the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi Zhanseit Kanseitula Tuimebayev, Rector of NSU Mikhail Fedoruk and Head of the NSU Endowment Fund Igor Kim. The main task of the working group will be to work out the possibilities of opening a branch under the public-private partnership scheme. Until now, there have been no such examples in the practice of Russian universities.
At the present moment, together with representatives of the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi and the NSU Alumni Association in Kazakhstan, a lot of preparatory work has already been done to open the branch, a list of natural science and interdisciplinary areas (profiles) of higher education training at NSU has been compiled, which may be of interest to Kazakhstani applicants to the NSU branch.
Representatives of the two universities also signed an agreement to extend cooperation in the educational, scientific and cultural spheres for 5 years – until 2029. The main areas are:
– development and implementation of joint scientific research and activities in priority areas of the Parties;
– organizing the exchange of teachers and staff for giving lectures, conducting classes, and supervising diploma and dissertation research;
– organization of academic exchange and internships for teachers, master’s and doctoral students;
– improving the qualifications of the teaching staff and research staff;
– development of joint educational programs.
As the rectors of the universities noted at the meeting, in the near future the main focus will be on cooperation in the field of science, part of which will be joint developments. Interaction in the educational sphere will also be strengthened. In order to achieve these goals, the parties agreed to draw up a roadmap for the development and expansion of cooperation between the two universities.
Currently, NSU cooperates with 16 leading universities of Kazakhstan, 6 of them in the field of IT technologies. Currently, about 180 Kazakhstani students study at Novosibirsk State University, mainly at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Humanities Institute and the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies.
NSU also actively interacts with universities in Kazakhstan in the field of scientific research. Thus, NSU teachers and staff regularly travel to Kazakhstan to give lectures, participate in conferences and joint field expeditions on geology and archeology. Every year, NSU hosts participants in scientific events and internships from leading universities in Kazakhstan. In 2020, cooperation agreements were signed with such scientific organizations of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan as the Institute of Information and Computing Technologies and the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch. Ch. Valikhanov. In 2024, a memorandum was signed with the Dermatovenereological Dispensary of the Turkestan Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
http://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/education/a joint-working-group-ngu-and-treasury-to-work-out-the-possibility-of-opening-a-branch-in-Kazakhs/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: Asia Development Bank
The wealth of available data and new data producers entering the scene present opportunities and challenges for traditional statistical agencies. To remain relevant, official statisticians are increasingly required to innovate while maintaining data quality. The special supplement of Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2024 highlights the benefits of adopting the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standard, which provides a comprehensive framework for structuring, managing, and exchanging statistical data. Key findings from the report and experience from ADB’s hands-on capacity building programs demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting SDMX in our region. A panel of experts from the National Statistical Office of Thailand and development partners will offer insights on the benefits of implementing SDMX for enhanced data accessibility.
The wealth of available data and new data producers entering the scene present opportunities and challenges for traditional statistical agencies. To remain relevant, official statisticians are increasingly required to innovate while maintaining data quality. The special supplement of Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2024 highlights the benefits of adopting the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standard, which provides a comprehensive framework for structuring, managing, and exchanging statistical data. Key findings from the report and experience from ADB’s hands-on capacity building programs demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting SDMX in our region. A panel of experts from the National Statistical Office of Thailand and development partners will offer insights on the benefits of implementing SDMX for enhanced data accessibility.
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Source: China State Council Information Office 2
China has outlined detailed policy measures to underpin its “all-encompassing approach” to food and to build a diversified food supply system, which analysts said will contribute to ensuring food security and building up the country’s strength in agriculture.
The guideline on speeding up the building of a diversified food supply system, issued by the General Office of the State Council in September, said the country will take measures to effectively promote the development of new food varieties, fields and technologies.
Efforts will be made to expand food resources through multiple channels, boost sci-tech innovation to improve the quality and effectiveness of food development, and enhance the entire industrial chain, in particular the value chain of the food industry, according to the document.
Both the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the No 1 document of 2024 proposed an all-encompassing approach to food and the expansion of food resources, which analysts said indicates the strong emphasis China has put on the issue.
“The adoption of an all-encompassing approach to food can not only better meet people’s growing diversified food consumption needs, but also constitute an inevitable choice to address food security challenges confronted by China,” said Tang Wei, an associate professor at Sichuan Agricultural University’s Law School.
According to official data, last year China’s total meat production was 97.48 million metric tons, its milk production was 42.81 million tons, and poultry and egg production reached 35.63 million tons. Tang said these figures reflect changes in people’s diets and that there should be higher requirements for the diversity of food supply.
The all-encompassing approach to food emphasizes moving beyond traditional staple crops to address food security, and instead expanding to a broader category that includes meat, eggs, dairy, fruits, vegetables, fish, mushrooms and bamboo shoots.
Despite having only nine percent of the world’s arable land and six percent of its freshwater resources, China feeds nearly 20 percent of the global population.
“In the context of increasing constraints on resources and the environment, embracing the approach will help ensure food security and sustainable development,” Tang said.
The document issued last month called on expanding from arable land resources to encompass the entire territory’s resources under the premise of protecting the ecological environment, encouraging exploring new food resources from natural resources, including forests, grasslands, rivers, lakes, seas and facility-based agriculture.
“Expanding the spatial scope of agricultural production and diversifying supply channels can reduce the pressure on arable land, further consolidating the foundation of food security,” Tang added.
Zheng Fengtian, a professor at the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development at Renmin University of China, underscored the necessity to fully tap resources in accordance with local conditions and highlighted the importance of substantial investment in scientific and technological innovation in boosting agricultural modernization.
He gave the example that the vast majority of western China, which may not be suitable for large-scale farming, is endowed with abundant forest resources. The region can support the development of the understory economy and the cultivation of various cash crops, he said.
The understory economy refers to the development of industries under the forest canopy such as animal husbandry and planting suitable crops.
Official data shows that beyond arable land, China has over 267 million hectares of forest, a similar amount of grassland, and abundant rivers, lakes and seas.
More importance should be attached to these resources, and research and development into corresponding varieties and technologies to foster diversified food supply channels, Zheng said.
Expanding agricultural production space does not mean unlimited extraction, rather, it is about the reasonable use of natural resources, he added.
Zheng warned that the sources of China’s grain imports and transportation capacity of import channels are relatively concentrated, making the country susceptible to geopolitical and shipping risks.
Adopting an all-encompassing approach to food could enhance the resilience of China’s food supply chains, allowing it to actively respond to external instability and uncertainty, he said.
“If China can achieve significant agricultural technological breakthroughs, it will not only facilitate addressing its food security but also set an example for other developing countries,” Zheng said, calling for shoring up innovation in areas including breeding technology and strengthening the leading role of enterprises.
Sheikh Ahaduzzaman, a representative for China at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, said at an event held last year he expects China’s food industry to become more powerful, upgraded, innovative and sustainable. “This will not only benefit the Chinese people, but also make a significant contribution to the positive progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said.
According to the State Council’s September document, China will accelerate breeding innovation to cultivate high-yield, high-quality and stress-resistant new varieties, and encourage enterprises to collaborate with universities and research institutes in a bid to develop and promote new technologies and equipment.
Sun Shujing, a senior agriculture researcher at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, highlighted the significant roles of scientific and technological innovation in nurturing competitiveness in agricultural products and industries.
Sun has previously researched white fungus, with the aim of improving production technologies and increasing yields. “Influenced by the all-encompassing approach to food, research priorities will be given to innovation across the entire industry chain to promote the healthy development of the industry,” she said.
The document specifically mentions developing and expanding the edible mushroom industry, and creating edible mushroom products, which Sun said will strengthen researchers’ confidence in engaging in the industry and motivate them to meet the significant national demand for the product.
Zhong Yu, a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said efforts should be made to achieve a virtuous cycle of mutual adaptation between demand and production to promote the high-quality development of agriculture and better meet the people’s aspiration for a better life.
“We should accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive food safety standard and inspection system, proactively align domestic standards with international standards, and expedite the construction of a traceability system for the entire agricultural product supply chain to effectively reduce food safety risks,” he said.
Zhong underscored the need to match supply with demand, saying technologies such as big data should be fully leveraged to understand what consumers want in a timely manner so that production can be adjusted effectively.
As the all-encompassing approach to food emphasizes nutritious and healthy consumption, he said China should keep improving its system for nutritional health standards while continuing to promote food saving and reducing food waste.
Source: Sydney Airport
Wednesday 9 October 2024
Sydney Airport welcomes the legislation introduced by the Albanese Government today to reform the airport’s slot system, the first changes in 27 years.
The reforms will deliver benefits to passengers in terms of reliability, competition and choice through an improved compliance regime, with potential penalties for misusing slots, and a recovery mechanism that will reduce cancellations and delays when disruptions occur.
Sydney Airport is currently restricted to 80 movements per hour, with no provision for these to be ‘caught up’ following a period of disruption like bad weather. The new recovery mechanism will allow for a temporary, two-hour window where five extra movements per hour will be allowed following disruptions.
This will allow some flights that otherwise would have been cancelled to be recovered, providing a better and more reliable experience for passengers. Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “This is an important and positive step that will deliver better results for passengers by reducing cancellations and delays.
“These are the first improvements to the legislation that governs Sydney Airport’s operation in more than 27 years, and we commend the Government for seeing these through.
“We look forward to the legislation’s passage through the Senate and, once enacted, will continue to work with the Government and its agencies on implementation.”
Source: New South Wales Environment and Heritage
Educating young people on how to preserve Western Sydney woodland habitat, care for marine animals and help threatened species are among the 7 projects sharing an investment of almost $1 million.
The educational projects, which are designed to develop skills, encourage and inspire involvement in environmental protection, have been awarded funding under the 2023–24 round of the NSW Environmental Trust’s Environmental Education Grants Program.
The Environmental Education grants program supports projects that broaden the community’s knowledge, skills and participation in the protection of the environment.
The funded projects include:
‘It is encouraging to see a wide variety of grantees and projects awarded funding under one of the Environmental Trust’s flagship annual contestable grant programs.
‘The Environmental Trust looks forward to working with the grantees to support them in pursuing their unique environmental education opportunities.’
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Wednesday that it will completely cut off roads and railways connected to South Korea beginning Wednesday, reported DPRK’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
