National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology organizes its Job Fair 2024- “Yuva Rojgar Mela” in Delhi 16 companies shortlisted candidates against 1000+ job openings in their respective companies
Posted On: 29 SEP 2024 7:03PM by PIB Delhi
National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), an Autonomous Scientific Society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, organized NIELIT Delhi’sJob Fair – “Yuva Rojgar Mela”on 29thof September, 2024. The job fair was held at NIELIT Delhi’s office at Pankha Road, Janakpuri, New Delhi for facilitating placement opportunities for NIELIT’s alumni and students.16 companies shortlisted candidates against 1000+ job openings in their respective companies. More than 1300 candidates registered for the Job Fair.
Bridging the skill divide
The Director General, NIELIT and Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, NIELIT Deemed to be University, Dr. Madan Mohan Tripathi graced the event as the Chief Guest who was warmly welcomed by Shri. Subhanshu Tiwari, Executive Director, NIELIT Delhi. He inaugurated the event by lighting the inaugural lamp followed by address to the attendees.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Tripathi highlighted the importance of the job fairs organized by NIELIT across India every year. He said that at least 6000 offer letters were given in the job fairs organized by NIELIT across India last year and the number is set to increase this year. The job fairs empower our skilled students to secure fulfilling careers, contribute to the growth of organizations, and fuel economic progress. He appreciated the efforts of team NIELIT Delhi for successfully organizing the job fair in Delhi. He also acknowledged the companies who participated in the job fair.
An informative technical session on “Soft Skills – CV Building” was also conducted by Shri. Mohammad Junaid, Assistant Manager, Digital India Corporation, MeitY during the Job Fair for the participants.
During the event, placement desks were set up for companies, such as, Tech Mahindra, PAYTM, Frankfinn (Shavsi Global Services), Axis Bank, Hinduja Housing Finance, Access Health Care, Card Expertise India Pvt Ltd, Ebix Cash, I Process, PNB Metlife, Siddhi Infonet+Sony, The KhushbooConsulting Partners (Professional Recruitment & Consultant), VCOSMOS, Kaidoko, ShrijiEntertainment, and Ritras Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Kanjhawala.
National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology
Over the years, NIELIT has firmly established itself as a premier institution in the field of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology (IECT) and emerging technologies. Its extensive PAN India network includes 52+ Own/Extension Centers, coupled with numerous upcoming centers, and 8000+ training partners. As such, the status of Deemed To Be University under Distinct category has been granted to NIELIT Ropar (Punjab) with 11 constituent units located in Aizawl, Agartala, Aurangabad, Calicut, Gorakhpur, Imphal, Itanagar, Kekri, Kohima, Patna, and Srinagar.
Job Fair – ”Yuva Rojgar Mela”
The Job Fair – ”Yuva Rojgar Mela” represents NIELIT’s unwavering commitment to providing holistic support to its students, including but not limited to their capacity building, fostering skill development, and providing placement support. NIELIT remains committed to organizing more such Job Fairs in the coming years.
Antarctic-related activities based in New Zealand contributed nearly a quarter of a billion dollars to the New Zealand economy last year.
Antarctica New Zealand has released a report that analyses the economic impact of Antarctic-related activities on the Canterbury and New Zealand economies. The biennial report, produced by Lincoln University and supported by the Christchurch Antarctic Office, highlights substantial economic benefits and underscores the strategic importance of Antarctica to New Zealand.
Key findings reveal that Antarctic-related activities based in New Zealand continue to be a significant economic driver, contributing $229.3 million* to the national economy in 2023.
The study covers five industry sectors: National Antarctic Programmes, tourism, fishing, education and research and Antarctic heritage. In 2020 and 2021, economic contributions from these sectors were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the figures have now surpassed pre-COVID levels.
Antarctica New Zealand Acting Chief Executive, Jordy Hendrikx says, as one of only five Antarctic Gateway cities around the world, Christchurch serves as New Zealand’s Antarctic hub.
“Christchurch has been used as a deployment port to Antarctica for more than a century. It’s an important part of the city’s history. It’s also an important part of the economy, with Antarctic-related activities generating $158.3 million in the region.
“Being a gateway city is part of our DNA. When the US Airforce Globemasters fly into Christchurch in October for the start of the research season, the whole city comes out to see them fly over,” he says.
David Tayler, head of the Christchurch Antarctic Office, says the city plays a crucial role in Antarctic operations and its connection with Antarctica is an opportunity for innovation, research and climate awareness.
“The Antarctic community supports over 3,000 full-time jobs in Canterbury, which delivers significant economic impact. Our gateway status is ingrained in Ōtautahi Christchurch. While our geographic location provides a strategic advantage, it is our network of businesses and world-class infrastructure that truly distinguishes us. State-of-the-art airports, ports and specialised services make us a pivotal hub for National Antarctic Programmes and the expertise and support provided by Christchurch’s Antarctic Network sets us apart globally.”
More than 800 firms were identified as supplying goods and services to the four National Antarctic Programmes based in Christchurch (New Zealand, United States, Italy and South Korea).
The report’s findings underscore the critical role of ongoing investment and collaboration in Antarctica, positioning New Zealand as a leader in Antarctic research and environmental stewardship.
In response to a domestic and global shortage in aviation engineers, NMIT has extended its aeronautical engineering programme.
A refreshed Certificate programme, developed in consultation with national industry partners, is kicking off in Nelson in 2025, complementing NMIT’s popular Woodbourne-based programmes. This means budding engineers can choose both their location and their time commitment – with either a one or two-year programme available – before embarking on a career in aviation, ultimately helping to address the shortfall in aviation engineers.
NMIT has a proud history as New Zealand’s only tertiary institute training our future aeronautical engineers. Current programmes are all based at Woodbourne Airbase, and a close relationship with New Zealand Defence Force and the commercial aviation industry has meant NMIT’s programmes have grown and developed according to the needs of the industry and learners. The programmes have an excellent reputation with aircraft maintenance engineers in the aviation industry in New Zealand and abroad.
The updated Level 3 Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering (Specialist Support) (General Aviation) means students can complete their qualification in one year. They can then choose to continue into the Level 4 Certificate programme or enter the workforce.
The first Nelson-based cohort in the updated Level 3 Certificate programme will begin in February 2025. A newly fitted-out hangar-style building on NMIT’s Hardy Street campus offers world-class specialist equipment. With the choice of either Nelson or Woodbourne to study in 2025, word has already spread, and the programme is gaining a lot of interest, with the February intake almost full.
The programme equips students with core aircraft maintenance skills such as using aeronautical engineering tools, adhering to safety protocols, and performing aircraft repairs and overhauls. It also delves into aircraft systems, the role of human factors in engineering, and the importance of teamwork. It attracts learners already in the aviation industry who want to level up their skills, as well as those wanting to pursue a career in aviation in New Zealand or overseas.
Reid Carnegie, Curriculum Area Manager for Aviation says the programme ticks a lot of boxes.
“We’ve historically seen high demand for the two-year Certificate and we’ve been looking at ways to expand and update the programme. We know aviation engineers are highly sought-after and it’s crucial we keep meeting the needs of the industry. After listening to our industry partners, including Air New Zealand, we’re confident this new format and additional location will prove very popular,” he says.
As the next step, from 2026 the Level 4 Certificate will become a one-year qualification in block course format, meaning learners can either study fulltime or continue working throughout the year and attend one-week blocks of learning as they work towards the Certificate.
International students enrolling in NMIT’s Level 3 and then the Level 4 Aviation Engineering programme can apply for a New Zealand study visa. Studying these programmes meets the visa requirements, allowing students to live, study, and work in New Zealand. After completing their studies, students may also be eligible for a post-study work visa. For assistance with the visa application process, students can visit Immigration New Zealand or contact NMIT’s International Enrolment team to enquire about this programme.
Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today released its revised strategy, which will see the Co-op deepen its focus on its high-performing Ingredients and Foodservice businesses to grow value for farmer shareholders and unit holders.
This follows a strategic review that confirmed the Co-op’s strengths as a B2B dairy nutrition provider, resulting in Fonterra’s decision to explore divestment options for its global Consumer businesses.
Chairman Peter McBride says the revised strategy creates a pathway to greater value creation, allowing the Co-op to announce enhanced financial targets and policy settings.
“The Co-op exists to provide stability and manage risk on farmers’ behalf, while maximising the returns to farmers from their milk and the capital they have invested in Fonterra.
“Through implementation of our strategy, we can grow returns to our owners while continuing to invest in the Co-op, maintaining the financial discipline and strong balance sheet we’ve worked hard to build over recent years.
“We have increased our target average return on capital to 10-12%, up from 9-10%, and announced a new dividend policy of 60-80% of earnings, up from 40-60%. At all times, we remain committed to maintaining the maximum sustainable Farmgate Milk Price,” says Mr McBride.
CEO Miles Hurrell says Fonterra is in a strong position, delivering results well above its five-year average, which puts it in a position to think about the next evolution of its strategic delivery.
“The foundations of our strategy – our focus on New Zealand milk, sustainability, and dairy innovation and science – remain unchanged. What’s changed is how we play to these strengths.
“Following our recent strategic review, we are clear on the parts of the business that create the most value today and where there is further headroom for growth. These are our innovative Ingredients and Foodservice businesses, supported by efficient and flexible operations.
“By streamlining the Co-op to focus on these areas, we can grow greater value for farmer shareholders and unit holders, even if we divest our Consumer businesses,” says Mr Hurrell.
Looking out to the next decade and beyond, Fonterra has made six strategic choices. These are:
Deliver the strongest farmer offering – work alongside farmers to enable on-farm profitability and productivity and support the strongest payout.
Unleash the Ingredients engine – deepen Fonterra’s position as a world-leading provider of sophisticated dairy ingredients and build trading capability to grow both the Farmgate Milk Price and earnings.
Keep up the momentum in Foodservice – expand our successful Foodservice business in China and other key markets to grow earnings.
Invest in operations for the future – an efficient manufacturing and supply chain network that allows flexibility to allocate milk to the highest returning product and sales channel.
Build on our sustainability position – further improve the Co-op’s sustainability credentials and strengthen partnerships with customers who value this position.
Innovate to drive an advantage – use science and technology to solve the Co-op’s challenges and build on competitive advantages.
“As previously announced, we are exploring divestment options for our global Consumer businesses to free up capital and allow the Co-op to focus on what it does best.
“This process is ongoing and progressing well. It remains our intention to seek shareholder approval prior to divesting these businesses,” says Mr Hurrell.
Targets & policy settings
Alongside the highest sustainable Farmgate Milk Price, the performance measures Fonterra will track its progress against are:
Outcome
Targets and policy settings
FY18-23 average
Strong shareholder returns
Return on capital: 10-12%
Average ROC FY24-30
8.6%
Dividend policy: 60-80%
50%
Capital distributions: guided by Resource Allocation Framework
Stable balance sheet
Gearing Ratio: 30-40%
35%
Debt to EBITDA: 2-3x
2.5x
Enduring Co-op
Capital investment requirements: ~$1 billion per annum in essential, sustainability and growth capital
$650 million
Emissions reductions by 2030 (from an FY18 base year)
Absolute Scope 1&2 emissions: 50%
On-farm emissions intensity Scope 3: 30%
“The Co-op’s improved returns will primarily be driven by increased earnings in Ingredients and Foodservice along with operational efficiencies.
“We continue to have significant capital investment needs ahead of us to maintain fit for purpose assets and we can meet these investment requirements while maintaining our strong balance sheet. We also intend to make a significant capital return to shareholders if we divest our Consumer business,” says Mr Hurrell.
Fonterra will provide farmers and the market a rolling three-year forward-looking view of the financial assumptions underpinning its performance targets annually and will measure progress through its annual business updates.
“This is the right strategy for the Co-op. It has a clear-eyed view of where we best generate returns for farmer shareholders and unit holders and will see us unlock value at every point in our supply chain by focusing on our strengths.
“Together, Fonterra’s Board and Management are looking forward to working alongside our Co-op’s farmers and employees to deliver on our vision to be the source of the world’s most valued dairy,” says Mr Hurrell.
For further information, see the strategy pack available here:
Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together.
Five pairs have each successfully raised a juvenile bird on the Hauraki Gulf island, which is a sanctuary site for the threatened bird. On 1 October the five juveniles will officially be counted in the total national population for the species of just over 500 birds.
Takahē only breed once a year, raising 1–2 chicks. These five hatched in November to December 2023.
Department of Conservation (DOC) and Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki play active roles on pest-free Motutapu with staff regularly observing the birds and undertaking a range of conservation work to support takahē and other native species.
“Years of work by many different people on Motutapu, from intensive biosecurity and pest responses, to planting native species, observing and health management, support the takahē to live and breed in a stable environment,” says Kat Lane, DOC Hauraki Gulf Inner Islands Operations Manager.
Auckland Zoo staff bring their specialised skills to the field, supporting the takahē population on island with regular health checks, veterinary support, banding and sexing the juveniles, as part of their mahi for the wider North Island meta-population.
Motutapu is the largest of New Zealand’s 17 sanctuary sites in terms of land area and takahē population. It’s home to 28 takahē including these juveniles, who will remain on island and join the breeding population as they mature.
“You can see the takahē during a trip to Motutapu – they’re often spotted around the causeway between the two islands or at Home Bay. We ask the public to keep a good distance away and not feed them,” adds Kat.
DOC Takahē Recovery Programme Senior Ranger Glen Greaves says the local success is heartening news.
“After a decade of ups and downs, it’s fantastic to see the takahē population on Motutapu flourishing. Five juveniles being raised from five breeding pairs, along with several years of good adult survival, is comparable with the top tier of takahē sanctuary sites and bodes well for the future.”
“Although we know weather can play a big part in the success, we think fewer transfers of takahē to Motutapu has resulted in better population stability, and habitat restoration through years of planting is likely having a positive impact on bird health. This coming breeding season will build on our understanding,” says Glen.
Motutapu has plenty of grasses and sedges for the birds to feed on and areas of native bush provide edge habitat while supporting the overall ground moisture. The island is free from mammal pests – in particular stoats, ferrets and feral cats which pose a risk to the eggs and juveniles.
Glen Greaves says DOC will be working closely with Ngāi Tahu in the South Island and Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki as kaitiaki for Te Motutapu a Taikehu to make the most of the success and align local strategy with wider recovery goals.
“The overarching goal for the Takahē Recovery Programme is to create multiple self-sustaining wild populations, within the historic range of the species. We hope that the success continues so that Motutapu can join other sites in contributing birds to our wild populations, particularly as we look to build on the return of takahē to the Whakatipu in the Greenstone Valley.”
DOC Takahē Recovery is privileged to have the ongoing financial support from our national partner, Fulton Hogan Ltd.
Background information
Takahē chicks are dependent on their parents for at least a year. They’re included in the takahe population figure when they reach a year old. Their peak breeding age is five to 14 and they can live up to 20 years.
Takahē begin breeding in September and continue breeding through the summer months.
DOC and Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki have been responding to a rat incursion on Motutapu. Rats are not a known threat to takahē.
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, about the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Trudeau expressed concern over the devastating effects of recent events on civilians in Lebanon, recognizing the hundreds killed in airstrikes, and he emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation to preserve unity. The people of Lebanon deserve to live in peace and security and should not bear the consequences of actions by Hezbollah, a terrorist organization. Prime Minister Trudeau also underscored the impact on the families of Canadians who have been affected, especially those who have been killed or injured.
The two leaders discussed efforts underway to support de-escalation across the region, including for an immediate ceasefire. Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated that Canada is committed to continue working with the international community to help advance peace in the region, as underscored by our call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border. The Prime Minister expressed his support for a diplomatic settlement consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, as well as for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735 regarding a ceasefire in Gaza.
The leaders expressed their shared concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation resulting from the conflict. They agreed on the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law, ensuring humanitarian access to the affected areas, preserving the safety and security of civilian infrastructure, and protecting civilians. Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to humanitarian support in Lebanon through the recent announcement of $10 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of civilians in Lebanon.
Prime Minister Trudeau and caretaker Prime Minister Mikati highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between Canada and Lebanon and the ongoing contributions of Lebanese Canadians to Canada’s national fabric. They agreed to remain in close contact as the situation continues to evolve.
Headline: Disaster Response Surges in Western North Carolina Following Hurricane Helene
Disaster Response Surges in Western North Carolina Following Hurricane Helene mseets
Critical supplies are starting to reach Western North Carolina communities hit hard by devastating Hurricane Helene as crews make progress toward restoring power and cell phone service and repairing roads.
Food, water and other needs are arriving in Asheville and also being airlifted by the North Carolina National Guard into counties across Western North Carolina. Cellphone providers are working to fix the damage and get stopgap solutions in place and rapid progress is being made. Across the region, more than 500,000 customers remain without power, down from a peak of more than one million.
“People are desperate for help — and we are pushing to get it to them. Please know that we are sending resources, and coordinating closely with local governments, first responders, state and federal partners, and volunteer organizations to help those impacted by this tragic storm,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response.”
NC National Guard members are working alongside local emergency responders conducting search and rescue missions, delivering needed supplies, and helping to restore infrastructure. Approximately 550 North Carolina National Guard personnel have been deployed in response to the storm, along with more than 100 vehicles and 11 aircraft.
Twenty-four emergency shelters have opened, providing capacity for 942 residents. Shelter information can be found at readync.gov.
Eleven storm-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene and dozens of people have been reported missing. This number is the confirmed number reported by North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and is expected to rise. First responders have received hundreds of calls for rescue and more than 1,000 requests for welfare checks. State search and rescue teams have conducted hundreds of rescues and are being assisted from teams from more than a dozen other states.
More than 1,600 North Carolina Department of Transportation employees and contract crews are working to clear roads and get them open again, but 280 state-maintained roads remain closed including parts of Interstate 40 and Interstate 26. NCDOT is getting food and water supply trucks, power and cellphone utility trucks, and other vehicles through damaged roads and into Western North Carolina.
People are urged to stay off Western North Carolina roads so that emergency responders, utility crews, and desperately needed supplies can get through. Real time road conditions are available at drivenc.gov.
The federal government late yesterday granted Gov. Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration, providing immediate help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This disaster declaration will provide both individual assistance for people living in those counties and public assistance to reimburse local governments, state agencies and non-profits for funds spent repairing facilities and infrastructure. Additional information about these resources can be found at disasterassistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
Residents affected by the storm should pay close attention to advisories and updates from their local government and emergency services, as this is an evolving situation. Residents with storm-related issues or questions should call 211 for assistance and press 1. This includes requests for welfare checks for loved ones in the affected area. Call 911 for emergencies only.
Information resources and information regarding Hurricane Helene can be found at www.ncdps.gov/helene. The most up-to-date information on local conditions, shelters, and resources can be found by following county government social media and websites or by visiting ReadyNC.gov, which features traffic, power outage and shelter information.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11)
Dear Friend,
Two days post-disaster and the country is showing up for us. More than 30 swift water and helicopter rescue crews from across North Carolina and seven nearby states have rescued more than 200 people since Thursday. Thousands of linemen from across North America, including crews from Canada, have been deployed to our community to restore power, and we’ve seen the state come together to transport dozens of trucks filled with potable water and food to our shelters.
While resources are certainly on the top of many communities’ minds, I have heard from numerous families that are still trying to connect with their loved ones who may be in areas with limited cell service. Residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state) to report missing loved ones.
Additionally, people in the impacted areas can indicate that they are safe by reporting themselves safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800-ED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Please only use 911 for life-threatening emergencies so the lines remain open for critical situations.
Lastly, North Carolina has officially received a Major Disaster Declaration, making individuals in Buncombe, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians eligible for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Individual Assistance provides financial aid and services to eligible individuals and households that have been affected by a disaster to assist with the recovery process. Individuals can officially begin applying for Individual Assistance online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST.
Just a reminder that today is update number two of many, with more information to follow in the coming days. Please make sure to read everything and share it with your friends and family.
Food and Water
Supplying drinkable water remains a top priority for emergency crews.
Water plants in Haywood, Jackson, Rutherford and Yancey counties are closed, impacting tens of thousands of households.
A total of 17 water plants have reported having no power and an additional 23 are operating on backup power.
A total of 50 water systems are on a system-wide boil water advisory.
Dozens of trucks with potable water and meals have successfully been delivered to western NC, including to the WNC Agricultural Center, and many more are en route.
Air operations for food and water deliveries began Saturday afternoon in areas without roadway access.
Walmart, Sam’s Club, and the Walmart Foundation have committed up to $6 million in support of hurricane relief efforts, including donations of food, water, essential supplies and grants to organizations providing relief.
My office continues to work with additional private companies to get much needed food and water delivered across our district.
Power and Gas
Power outages remain widespread in Western North Carolina, but NCDOT is working diligently to clear roadways and increase accessibility for repairs.
Currently, there is still no established timeline for restorations, but Duke Energy hopes to publish restoration power timelines in the coming days.
I will keep you posted when we learn of those timelines.
Energy providers are working around the clock to restore power and have successfully restored power for over 544,000 customers across the state, but here is the lay of the land in NC-11:
630,000 customer accounts remained without power Saturday afternoon.
The bulk of the outages are in Buncombe County.
3,400 critical customer accounts are out – critical accounts include hospitals, fire stations, police, EMS, water treatment facilities, etc.
1,600 are healthcare accounts
200 are nursing facilities
As of Saturday evening, power has been restored to AdventHealth in Fletcher and my office has been assured that power at Pardee Hospital should be restored later this afternoon, Sunday, September 29.
360 substations are out
A substation is responsible for transmitting electricity throughout Western North Carolina.
Many of these substations were completely flooded and Duke Energy is unable to assess the damage until the flooding has lowered, the water has been pumped out and the equipment is thoroughly dried.
The flooding provides a unique challenge not previously faced by substations in Western North Carolina.
There is a high likelihood that the substations are not reparable, and replacement of the substation equipment will be necessary.
Duke Energy is prepared to both repair or replace damaged equipment once the equipment has been dried and assessments are complete.
Duke Energy continues to warn that Western North Carolinians should be prepared for multi-day outages.
Over 11,000 linemen are continuing to work quickly and safely on repairs, including additional crews from 19 states and Canada.
Fuel planning continues to be ongoing for both rescue operations and communications resources.
Fuel contracts have been activated.
A fuel contract provides a steady fuel reserve during an emergency.
Air deliveries have already begun in hard-to-reach areas.
Roads
A “DO NOT DRIVE” message remains in place from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Western North Carolina.
Unless it is an emergency, please do not travel.
As of 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 385 roads remain closed in Western North Carolina, with the majority being in Henderson (48), Buncombe (25) and Jackson (20) counties.
Over 15 closed roads have been cleared of debris and reopened since Saturday morning.
59 of these are on primary routes including I-40 at mile marker three near the Tennessee-North Carolina border and dozens of U.S. and N.C. routes.
A previously closed section of I-26 south of Asheville has reopened.
Crews have opened a path through the rock/landslide on I-40 near Old Fort to allow stranded vehicles and emergency responders to pass through with assistance from Highway Patrol.
The remaining closures remain due to high water, land/rockslides, downed power lines, pipe failures and fallen trees.
More than 100 additional NCDOT employees have been deployed from across the state to assist Western North Carolina in clearing debris and addressing storm-related road closures, bringing the total number of deployed NCDOT personnel to 1,600 employees.
Asheville Regional Airport
Asheville Regional Airport closed mid-day on Friday, September 27, due to risk of flooding.
The airport was expected to reopen by mid-day Saturday, September 28, but was unable to do so.
The airport was unable to reopen for commercial flights due to a lack of internet service, preventing commercial airlines from processing their passengers for boarding.
No commercial flights are permitted in or out of Asheville Regional Airport at this time.
Asheville Regional Airport has reopened for non-commercial air traffic, including planes delivering National Guard supplies for in-need counties.
Cell Service
Western North Carolina continues to see severe cell service outages due to the flooding.
Service providers have deployed additional Compact Rapid Deployables since Friday, with more on the way.
Current on-air network recovery equipment include:
Buncombe County – 1 Compact Rapid Deployable
Henderson County – 1 SatCOLT
Network recovery equipment en route to in-need counties include:
Buncombe County – 4 SatCOLTs
Cherokee County – 1 SatCOLT, 1 Compact Rapid Deployable
Clay County – 1 Compact Rapid Deployable
Haywood County – 2 SatCOLTs, 3 Compact Rapid Deployables
Henderson County – 3 SatCOLTs, 1 Compact Rapid Deployable
Macon County – 1 SatCOLT
Madison County – SatCOLT
McDowell County – 1 SatCOLT
Transylvania County – 1 SatCOLT
Rutherford County – 1 SatCOLT, 1 Compact Rapid Deployable
Compact Rapid Deployables are a transportable cell tower and internet access point that can generate wired internet and wi-fi coverage anytime and anywhere.
SatCOLT stands for “Satellite Cells on Light Trucks” and are vehicles with mobile cell sites that connect via satellite and do not rely on commercial power supply.
North Carolina National Guard
410 North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to provide support to Western North Carolina so far.
This includes the deployment of 76 High Water Vehicles, 12 Palletized Load Systems for commodity distribution and six Forestry Support Teams for debris clearance.
The National Guard currently has 10 operating aircraft.
The National Guard is actively awaiting 2 additional CH-47 aircraft from New York and two to four additional hoist-equipped aircraft from other states.
The Asheville National Guard Armory remains relocated in East Flat Rock due to lost power.
Despite the relocation, the Asheville National Guard Armory has continued operations and is providing support to Western North Carolina.
The National Guard has Readiness Centers actively monitoring and serving Western North Carolina in the following locations:
Asheville
Morganton
Charlotte
Greensboro
Rockingham
Raleigh – aviation assets only
Readiness Centers can serve as Joint Operation Centers when disasters exceed local capabilities.
The above-mentioned Readiness Centers work with North Carolina’s Office of Emergency Management to respond to western NC as military first responders.
For Local Government Resource Requests
For county leaders: This is a reminder to make sure your Emergency Operation Center has submitted the request for gasoline, food, water, cell service deployables, etc. with North Carolina Emergency Management to have your request processed and resources delivered.
My office stands ready to assist with checking the status of your request if the county or municipality has not heard back from NC Emergency Management within 24 hours.
Shelters
For those unable to evacuate to a safe location or in need of a place to go, the following shelters are currently open and available as of September 29:
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
All-out effort for water main burst repair at Lai Chi Kok Road All-out effort for water main burst repair at Lai Chi Kok Road **************************************************************
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (September 29) received reports of a water main burst at Lai Chi Kok Road (Kowloon bound) near Cheung Sha Wan Police Station, causing a road subsidence covering an area of about four metres by four metres and is about two metres in depth. It was learnt that a taxi with a passenger stopped in time, and that the taxi driver and the passenger left the taxi before the road subsidence occurred. The WSD project team, with the Police’s assistance and the consent of the taxi owner involved, removed the taxi concerned from the scene, and the WSD would render appropriate assistance to the taxi owner on the claims. During the incident, the taxi driver felt sick and was sent to the hospital for medical check-up. The WSD’s management visited the driver at the hospital and expressed condolence to him. The driver was found in a satisfactory condition. The WSD, after dewatering of ponding water at the scene, conducted a further examination and noticed that a burst occurred at a fresh water pipe of 300 millimetres in diameter, which was connected to a water main of 750 millimetres in diameter. The fresh water pipe was a cast iron pipe laid in the 1960s and is providing fresh water to the vicinity of Cheung Sha Wan. As the WSD immediately stopped the water supply of the pipe concerned and completed a diversion of water supply, the water supply to users near the area was not affected. Affected by the incident, all lanes of Lai Chi Kok Road (Mong Kok bound) near Butterfly Valley Road are temporary closed and traffic diversions are implemented to facilitate urgent repair works. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to the public and drivers arising from the incident. The project team is carrying out urgent repair and road reinstatement works. The traffic of Lai Chi Kok Road (Mong Kok bound) fast lane had resumed at around 6pm this afternoon. The traffic of all lanes of Lai Chi Kok Road (Mong Kok bound) is targeted to be resumed before 6am tomorrow (September 30). Also, the WSD had completed ground penetration radar detection in the vicinity near Lai Chi Kok Road (Mong Kok bound). Preliminary detection did not find any irregularities in underground structures nearby. For prudence sake, ground penetration radar detections at Lai Chi Kok Road (Tsuen Wan bound) fast lane have been arranged today and tomorrow. The WSD is carrying out detailed investigation regarding this incident and will submit a report to the Development Bureau in two weeks. The WSD is implementing multi-pronged measures, including adopting a “risk-based asset management programme for water mains”, establishing approximately 2 400 Water Intelligent Network district metering areas and “main burst hot spots” mechanism, etc, with a view to strengthening the monitoring as well as replacing or rehabilitating specific sections of water mains to reduce the risks of water main bursts or leaks. The number of annual main burst cases has been greatly reduced from round 2 500 in 2000 to 34 cases in 2023. As of August this year, the WSD recorded a total of 20 main burst incidents.
Ends/Sunday, September 29, 2024Issued at HKT 22:58
Headline: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina
WASHINGTON — FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of North Carolina to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene from Sept. 25, 2024, and continuing.
The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Thomas J. McCool has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
The author is the late Enos Montour, a Delaware writer from Six Nations of the Grand River. As the title suggests, it is an ironic play on Tom Brown’s Schooldays (1857), Thomas Hughes’s popular novel about his boyhood in an English school.
In Brown Tom’s Schooldays, instead of the main character being an English boy at an elite private boarding school, he is Tom Hemlock, a First Nations boy attending Mount Elgin Indian Residential School between 1910 and 1915. Montour’s narrative is the only known substantive writing by a Mount Elgin student. His stories unfold school life, illuminating the physical and social world of Mount Elgin in powerful ways.
A new edition of Brown Tom’s Schooldays has recently been published by the University of Manitoba Press Series called First Voices, First Texts. This series aims to reconnect contemporary readers with some of the most important Indigenous literature of the past, much of which has been unavailable for decades.
The series reveals the richness of these works by providing re-edited texts that give readers new insights into the cultural contexts of these unjustly neglected classics. The diversity and complexity of Indigenous writers and their work was not appreciated by publishers when authors like Montour attempted to have his book published in the 1970s and 80s.
As a historian and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous People, History and Archives at the University of Winnipeg, and band member of the Munsee Delaware Nation who has been engaged in community-based projects chronicling the history of Mount Elgin, I led the project.
In my introduction, I document Montour’s fascinating life and work and detail Brown Tom’s Schooldays’ publication history, drawing from documents from the United Church of Canada Archives, Trent and McGill University Archives, Library and Archives Canada, private correspondence and other sources. I also show how the book provides insight into the operations of Mount Elgin, as well as social and linguistic histories of the First Nations communities in the area.
20th century Indigenous print cultures
Montour, a minister with the United Church of Canada, published several of the early chapters of Brown Tom in United Church magazines.
After he retired, he gathered these and other Mount Elgin stories together and sought a church or trade publisher for the book. When no publishers moved, Montour felt frustrated that his work might be read as too “mild” for a reading public who expected sensationalized depictions of First Nations life.
In declining health, Montour ensured a legacy for the book by asking anthropologist Elizabeth Graham to transcribe, edit and photocopy the manuscript. Copies were made for family and friends. One copy of the manuscript was sent by Graham to the National Library in Ottawa. Until this fall, that was the only publicly accessible copy of the work.
For this new edition of Brown Tom’s Schooldays, with University of Manitoba Press editor Jill McConkey, I consulted with Graham, as well as Montour’s two granddaughters, Mary I. Anderson and Margaret McKenzie, about how we might frame the book. Using archival correspondence between herself and Montour, Graham wrote a new preface. Anderson and McKenzie shared family records, including photos, and wrote an afterword to the book.
This new edition of Montour’s book is a good reminder that formal published work accounts form a small fraction of the literature by and about Indigenous people and history. A much more representative field is produced in copy shops, and this self-published, limited-run “grey literature” is now held in archives across the country.
Brown Tom’s Schooldays is based solidly in a real place and draws from lived experiences. Like the central tension of Tom Brown’s Schooldays, Montour’s book is about moving toward adulthood and the meaning of that for First Nations students at the time. Montour’s layered story shows how, for “Brown Tom,” this journey involved learning and then working through self-doubt and prejudice and confronting the impossible choice of a white or Indian adulthood.
‘Brown Tom’s Schooldays,’ by Enos Montour. (University of Manitoba Press)
Montour’s formal education at Mount Elgin was based on set curriculum that endorsed colonial domination, racism and discrimination against people of colour and Indigenous people. Moreover, a federal Indian Residential School, Mount Elgin’s purpose was to facilitate assimilation of First Nations children, and this happened in an underfunded, carceral and abusive setting. Mount Elgin, like other residential schools, emphasized children’s manual labour more than academics.
In spite of this early education, Montour loved reading and writing, and he brought this love to his stories of Mount Elgin and the surrounding area, giving the school character and beauty and students humour and agency. The stories are at times strikingly sentimental.
When I first read this collection, I did not know what to think of it. For me, Montour’s consistent references to the Bible and classic works of English literature did not fit with what I expected in an Indian Residential School memoir. I chaffed when reading Montour’s characters written in terms that seem to accept standard racist stereotypes of First Nations at the time. His representation of the early 20th century seemed too funny, or rosy, too Anglophile and too naive.
At the same time, I knew that Montour wrote stories true to his experience, as he understood it, and by his ironic play on English literature through the eyes of a First Nations boy. This way of writing is a window into a sense of humour and way of telling what mattered that reminded me of people of my great-grandfather’s generation.
But I don’t think Montour would have feared how the book would be received and read. He writes compellingly about youth, school life and friendship, but also about the callous and disorienting experience of arriving at Mount Elgin and the everyday pervasive hunger and homesickness felt there.
He also describes extraordinary moments, including the death of a fellow student, Noah, who had tuberculosis. Short, moving and profoundly troublesome, this chapter shows the pervasive apathy towards student life at Mount Elgin and the ungreivablity of student death.
Ultimately, even in retirement and ill health, Montour insisted on completing the book and making it accessible because the stories mattered to him. And they matter to us, too.
Brown Tom’s Schooldays can be purchased from anywhere you buy books.
Mary Jane Logan McCallum receives funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada
On Sept. 18, I was on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations to stand with my Indigenous physician family as the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) delivered its apology to Indigenous Peoples in Victoria, B.C. This wasn’t the first time that we have stood together to witness a collective apology.
That day, we hoped the apology signalled a turning point and that a new day was coming. What we’ve seen since, as evidenced by multiple reports on progress on reconciliation, is that it takes a long time for that new day to come, and progress on reparations and reconciliation is not linear or always forward-moving.
I carried the lessons from that 2008 experience with me to Victoria to witness the apology from CMA — Canada’s national association of physicians — and knew this would be different for me. My experiences of racism in the health-care system are significantly more direct than my experiences of residential schools.
Racism in health care
I navigated medical education as a Cree-Anishinaabe woman, experiencing significant amounts of both non-malicious and malicious racism. This ranged from being asked if there were polar bears where I grew up (the North End of Winnipeg) to being asked by an attending emergency room physician if I had to “jump out of the Indian Posse” to transfer from Winnipeg to Saskatoon.
What would this collective apology for systemic racism in health care mean to me, an Indigenous physician, who has and continues to experience racism from my physician peers?
Did/does the ER physician whose behaviour escalated to include putting his hand in the back pocket of my jeans when I was on call to both grope me and “check if I had stolen their reflex hammer” feel deep shame? Probably not, and that disconnect impacted how the apology landed.
Within “the national voice of the medical profession” are those of us who have experienced and continue to experience anti-Indigenous racism; those we work with in consensual solidarity or allyship to dismantle white supremacy within the profession; and those who are actively perpetuating the spread of false and harmful anti-Indigenous stereotypes that contribute to the unequal health care we receive. Many of these behaviours are described in British Columbia’s In Plain Sight Report
A collective apology cannot speak to this range of experiences or contributions to harm. As racism operates at multiple levels, so must accountability.
This is why on the day of the apology I was apprehensive and feeling somewhat pressured to respond positively to it, to make a show of unity. Since the apology hadn’t really spoken to the breadth and depth of experiences of racism I’ve had or that I know many of my Indigenous physician colleagues have had, I was not ready for that. I suspected some of my colleagues felt the same.
After the apology was delivered, in a small group that included many of the Indigenous physicians who were there, I shared my feelings. I said, “An apology has been offered. Whatever your reaction is to what was said today is valid. You don’t have to accept this apology today, tomorrow or ever. It’s okay to wait and see what comes next.” I saw people nodding and tears being shed.
I sat with that feeling, and then a couple days later I was reading Cole Arthur Riley’s This Here Flesh. Riley is a Black American author and founder of the incredibly popular Black Liturgies Instagram account. Her writing of Black liberation and the reparations needed for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and other injustices strongly parallel the need for Canada’s ongoing truth and reconciliation work — which we will be recognizing on Sept. 30.
This passage from This Here Flesh resonated with me when reflecting on this latest apology:
“There are some of us who have grown weary of talk of reconciliation. This is probably because it comes to us on the tongues of men who have paid no time to the process of true repair. It is both ego and shame concealed in shallow unity-speak that regresses any progress that has been made.”
Based on the fallout after the Indian Residential School apology, we can accurately predict the actions following this apology will not be linear with forward progress.
If we are hesitant to fully accept this most recent apology, it is because we have learned the hard way that our safety, and sometimes our survival, depends on first seeing the integrity of the other party we are in union with.
There is a deep social contract between the medical profession and the public we serve. There is an individual contract between each physician and each patient they see. There is also a contract between physicians as colleagues, teachers and learners, embedded in our Modern-Day Physician’s Pledge.
This apology is meaningful because it addresses a tragic breach between the medical profession and the public. The CMA has committed to followup actions.
This, however, does not offer “true repair” for the past breaches, and the ones still to come, in all of these contracts. That is a gap that remains to be closed and without it we will not see the end of anti-Indigenous racism in health care.
Marcia Anderson received funding from Health Canada to develop Indigenous Cultural Safety and Anti-Racism Training.
The budget surplus for last financial year has come in at $15.8 billion, well exceeding the $9.3 billion that was forecast in the May budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, just back from talks in Beijing on China’s economic outlook, will announce the result on Monday.
The government says the better-than-forecast outcome has been driven entirely by lower spending. Revenue was also lower than the budget anticipated. Areas of savings included the National Disability Insurance Scheme, payments to the states, and various grant programs that don’t exist anymore.
This is the government’s second consecutive surplus. The May budget has predicted deficits for the coming years.
Across 2022-23 and 2023-24 the budget position has improved by a cumulative $172.3 billion, compared with what was forecast in the official Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook, released immediately before the 2022 election.
The government says it has made $77.4 billion in savings, including $12.2 billion in 2023-24.
Payments were 25.2% of GDP in 2023-24. This compared to the PEFO forecast of 27.1%
Chalmers said this was the “first government to post back-to-back surpluses in nearly two decades”. The surpluses hadn’t come at the expense of cost-of-living relief, he said in a statement.
Speaking in Beijing on Friday Chalmers said it remained to be seen whether China’s just-announced stimulus measures would work.
“But we’ve seen on earlier occasions when the authorities here, the administration here, steps in to support activity in the economy that is typically a good thing for Australia – good for our businesses and workers, our industries, our investors, and good for the global economy as well.
“Like a lot of people around the world, we have been concerned about the softer conditions here in the Chinese economy. Subject to the details [of measures] that will be made public in good time, any efforts to boost growth and support activity here is a welcome one around the world and especially at home in Australia.”
Chalmers on Monday is likely to face further questions on the Treasury’s work on negative gearing, news of which leaked out last week.
Michelle Grattan 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.
Headline: North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina
North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina mseets
President Biden has granted Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Helene providing immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
The declaration means that FEMA will be able to speed additional help to the state, and provide Individual Assistance to people living in those counties, as well as Public Assistance to reimburse local governments, state agencies, and non-profits or other eligible organizations for funds spent repairing facilities and infrastructure.
“The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” said Governor Cooper. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”
The counties in the declaration are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. As response operations and eligible damages dictate, North Carolina may be able to add additional counties or programs as assessments move forward. This declaration will also provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for future efforts to mitigate the impacts of future events.
This declaration is in addition to the federal emergency declaration already in place prior to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene.
A man will face court tomorrow following a crime spree spanning from Adelaide to the States Mid North.
Just before 2pm on Saturday 28 September an off-duty police member spotted a Haval SUV in Ary Street, Jamestown bearing false number plates and a man attempting to leave in the vehicle.
The car had allegedly been stolen in early August in Victoria and had committed several petrol thefts in Adelaide and Clare in the last month.
The off-duty officer attempted to speak with the driver who drove at him causing him to take evasive action to prevent being hit by the car.
A second off-duty member together with members of the public rushed to assist the officer and the man was arrested.
Following investigation police searched an address at Springbank Road where several firearms together with suspected stolen property was located.
A 43-year-old man of no fixed address has been charged with a wrath offences including assault prescribed emergency worker, firearms offences, unlawful possession, going equipped, hinder police, serious criminal trespass and theft.
He has been refused police bail and will appear before the Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Monday 30 September.
Investigations are continuing into further offences committed by the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at http://www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.
The Major Sports Events Committee announced today that it has awarded “M” Mark status to Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 set to be held at the Tennis Centre Court in Victoria Park from September 30 to October 6.
Major Sports Events Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng said the tournament can showcase Hong Kong’s vibrancy and bring a wide variety of experiences to citizens, thereby facilitating sports development in Hong Kong and strengthening the city as a centre for major international sports events.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
NEW YORK, United States of America, September 29, 2024/APO Group/ —
The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) (http://apo-opa.co/3ZHg6nA) has been honored as the “Best Investable NDC Adaptation Investment Initiative of the Year” at the 2024 African NDC Investment Awards.
The award, presented during the African NDC Institutional Investment Summit in New York, held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, recognizes the AAAP’s groundbreaking efforts to accelerate climate adaptation across the continent.
Launched by the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in 2021, the AAAP set an ambitious goal to mobilise $25 billion by 2025 to drive transformative climate adaptation actions across Africa. To date, the Bank has committed $12.5 billion and by the end of 2023 had successfully mobilised $9.22 billion.
Sponsored by the African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank and presented by Africa Investor Magazine, the award honors projects that excel in advancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) by mobilizing private climate capital and enhancing investment readiness. Africa’s NDC implementation requires over $3 trillion by 2030 to meet the continent’s adaptation and mitigation goals.
Accepting the award on behalf of the African Development Bank, Professor Anthony Nyong, Director for Climate Change and Green Growth, said:
“This recognition is a testament to the incredible impact the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program is having across the continent. We are not only on track to meet our financial commitments, but we are also transforming lives through resilient infrastructure, food security, and youth entrepreneurship. Together with our partners, we are driving real change and positioning Africa at the forefront of global climate adaptation efforts.”
AAAP’s impact is already being felt throughout the continent, with climate adaptation initiatives integrated into 38 African Development Bank operations and 30 technical assistance activities over 41 countries. These projects cover critical sectors such as agriculture, water and sanitation, transport, energy access, and urban development to the benefit of millions of people. The AAAP exemplifies how innovative financing and partnerships can address the most pressing climate challenges.
The program’s focus on youth entrepreneurship and job creation stands out, with $5.5 million invested to support 41 young climate innovators in 20 African countries, positioning Africa’s youth as leaders in adaptation.
In the critical area of food security, the AAAP has implemented 17 investment and technical assistance projects across the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Zambezi regions, improving food resilience for 9.4 million people. Meanwhile, the AAAP’s work on resilient infrastructure includes 28 projects in 23 countries, ensuring that communities are better equipped to withstand climate shocks.
AAAP’s Technical Assistance Program has enabled 14 African entities to gain accreditation with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), facilitating direct access to vital climate finance. These efforts have led to the development of GCF proposals that mobilized over $250 million, benefiting 4.6 million people across Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Recognized at the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union for its achievements, the AAAP is setting the standard for climate adaptation in Africa and beyond. The program’s success is sparking global interest, with its model being adapted in Asia. Discussions are underway to extend it to small island developing states.
Richard Uku, Director of External Affairs at the Global Center on Adaptation, represented GCA’s CEO Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen. He said: “This award highlights the power of partnership. The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program demonstrates that when we work together, we can achieve scale and speed in climate adaptation efforts.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“M” Mark status awarded to Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 “M” Mark status awarded to Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 ********************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee: The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 which will be held at the Tennis Centre Court in Victoria Park from September 30 to October 6. The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (September 29) that like all other “M” Mark events, the above event can showcase the vibrancy of Hong Kong and bring a wide variety of experiences to citizens, thereby facilitating the development of sports in Hong Kong and strengthening Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events. The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local “national sports associations” and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events. For details of “M” Mark events, please visit http://www.mevents.org.hk.
Ends/Sunday, September 29, 2024Issued at HKT 17:00
We all admire wise people, don’t we? Whether it’s a thoughtful teacher, a compassionate doctor, or an elder in the community, we recognise wisdom when we see it. But have you ever thought about how people in different cultures perceive wisdom? Does someone in Morocco view a wise person in the same way as someone in Ecuador? Our recent study explored how people across cultures think of wisdom.
This large-scale project required a joint effort of 34 researchers across fields of philosophy, psychology, anthropology, social science and psychometrics – and from all over the world, connected in a research consortium called The Geography of Philosophy.
What we found was somewhat surprising. Wisdom may appear to be shaped by cultural differences, but the core aspects of what makes someone wise are largely the same across cultures. From urban college students in Japan to villagers in South Africa, participants associated wisdom with two key characteristics: reflective orientation and socio-emotional awareness. We explain what that means below.
Contrary to widespread stereotypes, people recognise wisdom in a similar way across east and west, south and north. Despite the divisions of the world, we see wisdom in the same individuals and associate it with similar traits. Are we indeed more alike than we are different, when it comes to how we perceive wisdom? And what characterises wise people?
These are the characteristics of wise people
There are two key characteristics. Reflective orientation is about people who think before acting, carefully consider different perspectives, and use logic and past experiences to guide their decisions. They’re the type of person who keeps their cool in difficult situations, taking time to weigh all the options before making a move.
The second is socio-emotional awareness. Wise people are good at understanding and caring about the thoughts and feelings of others. They pay attention to emotions and consider different views on the situation. Such an individual might be skilled at mediating conflicts by understanding each party’s point of view, or be adept at providing emotional support during difficult times.
Together, these two dimensions combine to form the global image of wisdom. The study suggests that the wisest people are those who balance both, showing strong abilities in reasoning while also being emotionally and socially aware.
A highly reflective person who is suppressing their own emotions but doesn’t notice the social context of the problem wouldn’t be called wise. Likewise, someone who is entirely driven by emotion and the social environment but fails to make logical connections wouldn’t be called wise either. Real wisdom, according to our study, is about finding a balance between thoughtful reasoning, social understanding, and emotional awareness.
Cultures do differ, but not as much as you might think
To uncover these dimensions, we employed a method sometimes called experimental philosophy. Participants across 16 different cultures in 12 countries on five continents compared a set of targets to each other. For example, one of the questions asked participants to compare whether a doctor or a religious person was more likely to think logically when making a hard life decision with no right or wrong answers. Our participants also rated themselves. Then we asked how wise each of these persons were.
When we started this project, we expected to find big differences between cultures. Previous research suggested that people in “the west” use and value analytical thinking, which tends to dismiss social and emotional parts of the situation. In contrast, individuals in “the east” emphasise holistic thinking, that is, all-encompassing views of complex situations.
But that’s not what we found. While there were some small differences – people in South Africa, for example, placed more importance on nature and divinity when thinking about socio-emotional awareness – the overall picture was strikingly similar. Across the globe, people rated individuals who were both reflective and socially and emotionally aware as the wisest. For instance, they named a doctor and a 75-year-old person as the wisest, and at the same time the highest on both dimensions.
What was particularly fascinating was that people tended to rate themselves differently from how they rated others. Most people saw themselves as less reflective but more socially and emotionally aware than the “wise” figures they were asked to rate. In other words, people were ready to admit a moderate level of their own intellectual capabilities, but they were quite confident in their ability to understand and care for others.
Why this matters
This research defies stereotypes of a cold analytical ideal of “the west” and a social-minded and emotionally driven image of “the east” and “the south”. The idea that wisdom is purely intellectual, or conversely, purely social or divine, is too simplistic. It also highlights that wisdom manifests in a balance of traits traditionally attributed to different cultures.
In a time when global cooperation is more important than ever, recognising our shared appreciation for certain qualities can help bridge cultural divides.
The study opens up new avenues for research. Could these dimensions of wisdom help us understand how to solve global problems? Are people more likely to trust leaders who show both reflective thinking and socio-emotional awareness? And how do these qualities affect the way we handle personal relationships, difficult decisions, or conflicts?
One thing is clear: wisdom is something we all value, no matter where we come from. By understanding it better, we can not only become wiser ourselves but also learn to appreciate wisdom in others, wherever they may be.
Veli Mitova receives funding from the John Templeton Foundation and the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences.
Maksim Rudnev 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.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Celebration events to mark 75th National Day Celebration events to mark 75th National Day ********************************************
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and senior government officials will attend a flag-raising ceremony and a National Day reception on October 1 (Tuesday) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The flag-raising ceremony will be held at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai at 8am. Community leaders and members of uniformed groups will attend the ceremony. No public viewing area will be set up. The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and a choir from Belilios Public School and Queen’s College will sing the national anthem under the lead of two singers, Chen Yong and Phoebe Tam, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services. The National Day reception, led by the Chief Executive, will be held at the Grand Hall on Level 3 of the HKCEC after the flag-raising ceremony. Motorists are reminded that the Police will implement special traffic arrangements at Golden Bauhinia Square and the nearby area during the celebration events.
Ends/Sunday, September 29, 2024Issued at HKT 16:00
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Maksim Rudnev, Research Associate, Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo
We all admire wise people, don’t we? Whether it’s a thoughtful teacher, a compassionate doctor, or an elder in the community, we recognise wisdom when we see it. But have you ever thought about how people in different cultures perceive wisdom? Does someone in Morocco view a wise person in the same way as someone in Ecuador? Our recent study explored how people across cultures think of wisdom.
This large-scale project required a joint effort of 34 researchers across fields of philosophy, psychology, anthropology, social science and psychometrics – and from all over the world, connected in a research consortium called The Geography of Philosophy.
What we found was somewhat surprising. Wisdom may appear to be shaped by cultural differences, but the core aspects of what makes someone wise are largely the same across cultures. From urban college students in Japan to villagers in South Africa, participants associated wisdom with two key characteristics: reflective orientation and socio-emotional awareness. We explain what that means below.
Contrary to widespread stereotypes, people recognise wisdom in a similar way across east and west, south and north. Despite the divisions of the world, we see wisdom in the same individuals and associate it with similar traits. Are we indeed more alike than we are different, when it comes to how we perceive wisdom? And what characterises wise people?
These are the characteristics of wise people
There are two key characteristics. Reflective orientation is about people who think before acting, carefully consider different perspectives, and use logic and past experiences to guide their decisions. They’re the type of person who keeps their cool in difficult situations, taking time to weigh all the options before making a move.
The second is socio-emotional awareness. Wise people are good at understanding and caring about the thoughts and feelings of others. They pay attention to emotions and consider different views on the situation. Such an individual might be skilled at mediating conflicts by understanding each party’s point of view, or be adept at providing emotional support during difficult times.
Together, these two dimensions combine to form the global image of wisdom. The study suggests that the wisest people are those who balance both, showing strong abilities in reasoning while also being emotionally and socially aware.
A highly reflective person who is suppressing their own emotions but doesn’t notice the social context of the problem wouldn’t be called wise. Likewise, someone who is entirely driven by emotion and the social environment but fails to make logical connections wouldn’t be called wise either. Real wisdom, according to our study, is about finding a balance between thoughtful reasoning, social understanding, and emotional awareness.
Cultures do differ, but not as much as you might think
To uncover these dimensions, we employed a method sometimes called experimental philosophy. Participants across 16 different cultures in 12 countries on five continents compared a set of targets to each other. For example, one of the questions asked participants to compare whether a doctor or a religious person was more likely to think logically when making a hard life decision with no right or wrong answers. Our participants also rated themselves. Then we asked how wise each of these persons were.
When we started this project, we expected to find big differences between cultures. Previous research suggested that people in “the west” use and value analytical thinking, which tends to dismiss social and emotional parts of the situation. In contrast, individuals in “the east” emphasise holistic thinking, that is, all-encompassing views of complex situations.
But that’s not what we found. While there were some small differences – people in South Africa, for example, placed more importance on nature and divinity when thinking about socio-emotional awareness – the overall picture was strikingly similar. Across the globe, people rated individuals who were both reflective and socially and emotionally aware as the wisest. For instance, they named a doctor and a 75-year-old person as the wisest, and at the same time the highest on both dimensions.
What was particularly fascinating was that people tended to rate themselves differently from how they rated others. Most people saw themselves as less reflective but more socially and emotionally aware than the “wise” figures they were asked to rate. In other words, people were ready to admit a moderate level of their own intellectual capabilities, but they were quite confident in their ability to understand and care for others.
Why this matters
This research defies stereotypes of a cold analytical ideal of “the west” and a social-minded and emotionally driven image of “the east” and “the south”. The idea that wisdom is purely intellectual, or conversely, purely social or divine, is too simplistic. It also highlights that wisdom manifests in a balance of traits traditionally attributed to different cultures.
In a time when global cooperation is more important than ever, recognising our shared appreciation for certain qualities can help bridge cultural divides.
The study opens up new avenues for research. Could these dimensions of wisdom help us understand how to solve global problems? Are people more likely to trust leaders who show both reflective thinking and socio-emotional awareness? And how do these qualities affect the way we handle personal relationships, difficult decisions, or conflicts?
One thing is clear: wisdom is something we all value, no matter where we come from. By understanding it better, we can not only become wiser ourselves but also learn to appreciate wisdom in others, wherever they may be.
Amid rising global turbulence, unilateralism and protectionism, China and South Korea, as close neighbors and key partners, should collaborate to manage risks and strengthen bilateral ties, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in New York on Saturday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.
Wang noted that since the beginning of this year, exchanges and cooperation between China and South Korea have become more active in various fields, and the bilateral relationship has shown a positive trend of improvement, demonstrating that the efforts of both sides are in the right direction with promising results.
He stressed that as long as both countries remain committed to the principles of their diplomatic ties, continue their focus on friendship, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, China-South Korea relations will continue to develop healthily and sustainably.
Noting that the close economic ties and intertwined interests between China and South Korea are market-driven and align with their common interests, Wang said China is willing to support South Korea in successfully hosting next year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and advancing regional economic integration.
Emphasizing that the deployment of U.S. intermediate-range missiles in the region undermines regional peace and stability and is not in the interest of regional countries, Wang said that preventing war or chaos on the Korean Peninsula is in the common interest of all parties and that China will continue to contribute constructively to long-term peace and stability in the region.
For his part, Cho expressed congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, adding that South Korea-China relations show a good trend of resuming exchanges.
Cho expressed hope that both sides will maintain this positive momentum, strengthen high-level exchanges, and promote the stable development of bilateral relations.
South Korea is willing to enhance economic and trade cooperation with China and jointly promote regional economic integration, said Cho.
Regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea expects to maintain strategic communication with China, Cho said.
There is no “gray zone” or “room for ambiguity” when it comes to the People’s Republic of China representing the whole of China at the UN, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79).
Delivering a speech during the General Debate of UNGA 79, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told world leaders in the audience that Taiwan being “an inalienable part of China’s territory” is both “the history and the reality.”
Both the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation stated in explicit terms that all the territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese, such as Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China, and this constitutes an important part of the post-war international order, Wang said.
“Right here in this august hall 53 years ago, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China at the UN, to recognize the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN, and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan region from the UN and all the organizations related to it,” he said, adding that “once and for all, the resolution resolved the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN.”
The resolution, Wang continued, made clear that there is no such thing as “two Chinas,” or “one China, one Taiwan.”
“On this matter of principle, there is no gray zone or room for ambiguity,” Wang said.
“The complete reunification of China will be achieved. Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland. This is the overwhelming trend of history that no one and no force can stop,” said Wang.
Renowned director Chen Kaige’s war epic sequel “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death,” the second installment of his ambitious trilogy about the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) army during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), is set for nationwide release on Sept. 30.
Cast and crew of “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death” pose for a group photo at the film’s premiere in Beijing, Sept. 27, 2024. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]
Chen said during an earlier interview that the trilogy, which contains over 200 key characters and was shot over a period of 13 months, is the biggest film project of his career. Boasting an all-star cast, the latest installment pays more attention to the fate of individuals in the war, providing a multi-faceted view of the war’s brutality and the sacrifices made by the CPV soldiers.
At the film’s premiere in Beijing on Sept. 27, members of the cast and crew, including Zhu Yilong, Xin Baiqing, Zhang Zifeng, Zhu Yawen, Chen Feiyu and Wang Yanhui, shared their insights with the audience about their understandings and unforgettable experiences related to the film.
The film is centered on the battle in Cheorwon, where 25,000 CPV soldiers fought nearly 50,000 UNC forces for 12 days and nights. The battle, one of the fiercest during the Fifth Campaign of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, won precious time for the strategic transfer of the CPV army and shattered the enemies’ plot to destroy the CPV army’s rear base and eliminate their main force.
A poster of “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death” at the film’s premiere in Beijing, Sept. 27, 2024. [Photo by Wang Qian/China.org.cn]
Leading actor Zhu Yilong, who portrays Li Xiang, a commissar in the 63rd Unit of the 188th Division of the CPV army, said at the premiere, “This is the first time I have seen such a large crowd in a scene. One scene involved almost 1,500 people.” He recalled that the film’s high number of explosions demanded meticulous planning and countless rehearsals to achieve the perfect long shot.
Actress Zhang Zifeng, stars as Li Xiao, an English translator and younger sister of Li Xiang. She said that Li Xiao also went to the battlefield later where she experienced several brushes with death, and so began to understand why her father and brother wanted to fight in the battle. “As a translator, Li Xiao represented not only herself but also her motherland, which made her more courageous and stronger than ever,” Zhang said.
Actor Zhu Yawen plays military equipment expert Wu Benzheng, who returns to China to serve his country in its hour of need. At the premiere, Zhu spoke about his frustration and shock upon learning about the arduous close combat faced by the CPV soldiers due to their outdated weapons and equipment. “I felt like I’d been transported back in time when I watched the playback — It was like I was watching a documentary,” he said.
Chinese table tennis legend Ding Ning (front row, second left) and Paris Olympic table tennis champion Fan Zhendong (front row, second right) pose for a group photo with the cast and crew of “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death” at the film’s premiere in Beijing, Sept. 27, 2024. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]
Paris Olympic table tennis champion Fan Zhendong also appeared at the premiere to show his support for the film. He said, “Although I’m just a layman when it comes to films, I can tell that the entire cast delivers outstanding performances, and each role is very impressive.” He mentioned that, as a former serviceman himself, the military rules significantly contributed to his personal growth. Watching the film also brought back memories of the vows he made during his service.
During the premiere, Zhu Yilong interacted with the audience and reflected on a past interview with director Chen Kaige. When asked why he felt compelled to make this film, Chen explained that he feared the CPV soldiers might be forgotten. “I believe this is also why we, as actors, chose to be part of this film,” Zhu said. “These soldiers will not be forgotten here. They will always be there on the screen, and we will always remember them.”
Today we removed an article titled “Should we ditch big exam halls? Our research shows how high ceilings are associated with a lower score”, because the original research has been found to contain errors and has been retracted by the academic journal that published it.
The Conversation’s article, published on July 3, 2024, was based on a study published online by The Journal of Environmental Psychology on June 26, 2024. It looked at the impact of ceiling heights on the exam performance of Australian students, and found that even after accounting for other factors such as age or past exam experience, higher ceiling heights were statistically correlated with poorer exam results.
After the study was published, a query from a reader of the journal article led the authors to review their calculations.
The authors discovered some honest errors in their work, leading them to conclude that the relationship between ceiling heights and exam score was “more nuanced” than presented in the paper.
The revised research manuscript was reviewed by the same anonymous peer-reviewers who looked at the original research. One reviewer did not feel comfortable assessing the statistical corrections, one advised against publishing the corrected manuscript, and a third recommended revisions.
On this basis, the Journal of Environmental Psychology rejected the amended version. The journal’s response can be found here.
The authors, lead by Isabella Bower, apologise for the error, and are working to resubmit their updated research to another journal.
The Conversation has decided that, in light of the current status of the research, the most appropriate option is to retract our coverage of the study. We are committed to providing accurate and reliable information, and to acknowledging errors in an open and transparent way when they occur.
A ‘haul-out’ is the term given when seals temporarily leave water to rest or reproduce. Haul-Out, Call-Out allows the community to record the location and time of where they have seen a hauled-out seal, as well as several other factors.
Seal sightings recorded via Haul-Out, Call-Out will be used to complement information collected through ongoing drone surveys along the NSW coastline.
The inaugural drone survey took place at Barrenjoey Headland and will be followed by drone surveys at other known haul-out locations in NSW such as Barunguba Montague Island, Seal Rocks Nature Reserve and Steamers Head.
These activities are part of the S2S program’s broader Seal Survey initiative, which includes tagging and monitoring rehabilitated seals after their release to study their preferred habitats.
Earlier this year, Diaz, a New Zealand fur seal, was the fifth rehabilitated seal to be released under the S2S program. After her release from Sydney Heads, she travelled more than 6,000 km down towards Tasmania.
The Seal Survey will inform various marine conservation initiatives in NSW and reduce gaps in knowledge that will assist in mitigating the risks associated with human and seal interactions.
People must keep at least 40 m from an adult seal and 80 m from a pup, as well as keeping their pets under control. The penalty for approaching seals within prescribed distances is up to $1,320.
The Haul-Out, Call-Out launch coincides with Biodiversity Month, a time to celebrate the value of connecting with and caring for nature in all its diversity.
If you spot a sick or injured seal, you can contact NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 13000 072 757, or the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia on 02 9415 3333 for the animal to be checked and monitored.
The S2S program, launched in August 2022 and is a four-year initiative focused on protecting and managing NSW’s marine ecosystems. It unites 3 key efforts:
Project Restore
The Great Big Little Penguin Count
The Seal Survey.
The New South Wales Environmental Trust funds S2S to help lead and deliver each initiative, with support from its project partners, including:
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Sydney Institute of Marine Science
Taronga Conservation Society Australia
New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
Quotes attributable to Kate Akkerman, Senior Policy Officer, Seabirds to Seascapes:
‘Since its inception in 2022, the S2S program has worked tirelessly to restore important habitat in Sydney Harbour as well as supporting the penguin and seal populations throughout the state.
‘Resting in haul-outs is incredibly important for seals which spend most of their time foraging at sea. We call on the public to please respect these animals and give them space, as it is the safest thing for both them and us.’
Quotes attributable to Dr Ben Pitcher, Behavioural Biologist, Taronga Conservation Society Australia:
‘This research is so important because the marine environment is changing rapidly and is facing threats from climate change and human influences such as pollution.
We really need to know where the seals are and what they’re doing so we can understand the threats they face and work to mitigate these threats in the future.’
Police have arrested and charged three Hawke’s Bay men after large vegetation fires in Waipawa earlier this month.
The 23-year-olds were arrested after weeks of enquiries into the fires, which began about 11.30pm on 7 September – shortly after fireworks were seen being shot out of a vehicle’s window as it drove along Hautope Road.
Three significant fires were sparked as a result, and flames were fanned by strong winds.
The fires had the potential to cause injury and widespread damage and Police want to thank the quick-thinking member of the public who raised the alarm and prevented the situation from getting any worse.
Police made the arrests on 27 September. The men face charges of arson and are due to appear in the Hastings District Court on Tuesday 1 October.
In an Australian-first, New South Wales is charging up for a cleaner cruise industry, with a $20 million contract awarded to begin the landmark Shore Power project at White Bay Cruise Terminal.
Shore Power is wharf-side infrastructure that provides cruise ships with electricity by connecting to a landside charger, which results in fewer emissions as the engine does not have to stay running while docked.
This marks a huge step towards reducing cruise ship pollution, ensuring the cruise industry can be more sustainable and continue to thrive in NSW.
It comes as the summer cruise season officially kicks off in NSW, with the arrival of Diamond Princess into our harbour on Thursday morning and the Pacific Adventure at White Bay on Friday morning.
The latest data shows the cruise industry contributed $2.75 billion to the NSW economy in 2022-23 and created approximately 9,000 jobs.
This project means cleaner air and less noise for the residents of Balmain and Rozelle, with the precinct and population expected to grow in the coming decade as the Bays Metro West opens and much-needed housing is delivered.
Shore Power is estimated to reduce emissions associated with the White Bay precinct by over 4,000 tonnes every year.
The contract for the charger at White Bay berth 5 has been awarded to global leader in shore power technology, Powercon, with initial work to prepare the site set to begin by the end of 2024.
The move puts Sydney on par with other global cities adopting this technology, such as in Europe, where shoreside electricity will be mandatory at all main ports from 2030.
With critical equipment in high demand, the White Bay Cruise Terminal Shore Power project is targeted for completion by late 2026.
Once operational in 2026, it will be mandatory for any ship that docks at White Bay Cruise Terminal that is shore power enabled to use available shore power. The vast majority of ships that use White Bay are already shore power enabled.
Port Authority will determine the best mechanism to implement the shore power mandate, likely to be through contract obligations with its cruise industry partners.
Both NSW and Federal Labor announced their support for shore power in 2019. The former NSW Liberal Government promised to deliver it in 2022 and said it would be ready by 2024 but failed to allocate funding to the project.
The Minns Labor Government is leading the rollout of Shore Power at other ports across Australia by supporting the development of Australian Standards that will inform future projects.
Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek said:
“Five years ago, Labor promised we would deliver shore power for White Bay Cruise Terminal, and cleaner air for the community on the Balmain peninsula. Today that promise is being kept.
“This will be the first project of its kind in Australia, and it will be run on renewables. Awarding the contract for the Shore Power equipment design, fabrication, supply and installation, marks a major milestone in this complex project.
“The community in Balmain has had to wait far too long for shore power to become a reality. They will remember that the former NSW Liberal Government claimed to support this project, but would not commit a single dollar of government funding.”
NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:
“Today the contract to deliver shore power at White Bay Cruise Terminal has been signed, sealed, and delivered, ensuring less cruise ship pollution for generations to come.
“This will be the first major shore power infrastructure in southern hemisphere and the carbon emissions reduction this project at White Bay will achieve is equivalent to taking 1,100 cars off Sydney’s roads or planting 20,000 trees each year.
“The Minns Labor Government has done what the former government could never do. We’ve put pen to paper and begun the process to deliver cleaner air for the Balmain Peninsula and set White Bay Cruise Terminal up for a sustainable future.”
Port Authority NSW CEO Philip Holliday said:
“Port Authority is focused on progressing the Shore Power project to our revised delivery date and creating a world-class, integrated, sustainable port of the future that supports our economy, the community and the NSW Government’s vision for the area.”
Police acknowledge the conviction of John Hope Muchirahondo on 17 charges of sexual violation in the High Court in Christchurch today.
“I would like to acknowledge the significant bravery and strength shown by the many complainants in this case.
Sharing their experiences with police and throughout the judicial process has required grit and courage. They have had their memories attacked and attempts made to discredit their account. They have withstood the challenges and their voices heard. They should be incredibly proud of their actions and I hope these verdicts bring some measure of peace and closure.
I would also like to acknowledge the professionalism and tenacity of the investigation team and Crown prosecutors, and thank them for their tireless work on this case.
And finally, I would like to thank the members of the jury, for their careful attention and deliberations throughout this trial.
The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (Ministry of Justice, 2023) findings estimate that more than one in three New Zealand women experience one or more incidents of sexual assault in their lifetime. I encourage any person who would like some advice or would like to report a sexual assault to contact police.”
Police in Papakura have helped reunite a rider with his beloved scooter, 10 years after it was originally stolen.
Counties Manukau South Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Clive Wood, says officers recently located a youth riding a scooter, which had been reported stolen from a property in Whangārei a decade earlier.
“Officers spoke to the person on the scooter who explained they had just recently bought it from Facebook Marketplace.
“They were quite upset after learning the scooter was stolen so Police assisted in tracking down the seller and negotiating regarding the money.
“Thankfully, the money was reimbursed to a very thankful family.”
Senior Sergeant Wood says the scooter’s registered owner had parked the scooter behind his friend’s house in Whangārei at the time and had forgotten about it.
“He didn’t realise it was stolen and by the time he did it was too late.
“Our staff contacted the owner after locating the scooter, which came as a huge surprise to him given the length of time.
“When he picked it up From Papakura Police Station he was extremely grateful, and we were stoked to be able to return it to its rightful owner.”
