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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh performs Shastra Pooja with troops at Sukna Military Station on the occasion of Dussehra

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh performs Shastra Pooja with troops at Sukna Military Station on the occasion of Dussehra

    Lauds soldiers for their vigilance & critical role in maintaining peace & stability along the borders

    “India has never attacked any country out of hatred or contempt, but if our interests are threatened, we will not hesitate to take a big step”

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 12:02PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh performed the traditional Shastra Pooja at the Sukna Military Station in West Bengal on October 12, 2024 on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra. This significant ceremony in the Indian Army symbolises the respect for weapons as the protectors of the nation’s sovereignty.

    Raksha Mantri initiated the rituals with Kalash Pooja, followed by the Shastra Pooja and Vahan Pooja. He also offered prayers to a range of modern military equipment, including state-of-the-art infantry, artillery and communication systems, mobility platforms, and drone systems. The event concluded with Raksha Mantri’s interaction with the troops.

    In his address, Shri Rajnath Singh commended the vigilance and critical role of the Armed Forces in maintaining peace & stability along the borders. He stated that Dussehra symbolises the victory of good over evil, and the soldiers possess the same respect for human values.

    “India has never attacked any country out of hatred or contempt. We fight only when someone insults or tries to harm our integrity and sovereignty; when war is waged against religion, truth & human values. This is what we have inherited. We will continue to preserve this heritage. However, if our interests are threatened, we will not hesitate to take a big step. Shastra Pooja is a clear indication that if need be, the weapons/equipment will be used with full force,” Raksha Mantri said.

    The rituals, performed to seek blessings for strength, success & safety reaffirm the cultural and spiritual depth of Dussehra, underscoring the pivotal role of weapon systems in safeguarding the country. They symbolise the preparedness, resolve, and unwavering dedication of the Armed Forces to protect the nation. The ceremony highlighted the Indian Army’s blend of tradition and modernisation, with a focus on preserving India’s sovereignty and promoting indigenous defence systems & platforms.

    The event was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary-designate Shri RK Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, DG Border Roads Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps Lt Gen Zubin A Minwalla and other senior officers.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HARBOUR ACTIVITIES OF MALABAR- 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 2:30PM by PIB Delhi

    As part of the ongoing harbour activities during the Multilateral Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024, participating navies – India, Australia, Japan, and the United States – have been actively engaged in various collaborative events since 09 Oct 24, at Visakhapatnam, coordinated by the Eastern Naval Command. These activities include Key Leadership Engagement (KLE), Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and pre-sailing discussions, all aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation, building camaraderie, and fostering operational synergy.

    Key leadership engagement of the senior naval hierarchy has been a special feature of the exercise, with Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command, Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander US Pacific Fleet, Vice Admiral Katsushi Omachi, Commander-in-Chief, Self-Defense Fleet, Japan, and Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Commander Australian Fleet, meeting to discuss ways to strengthen mutual naval interoperability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the future of Malabar exercises.

    Further reinforcing this bond, the Subject Matter Expert Exchanges and cross-deck visits have provided valuable opportunities for the participating nations to exchange knowledge and best practices towards promoting deeper engagement and understanding. These interactions have highlighted the importance of collaboration to enhance maritime security and achieve shared goals in maritime operations.

    The crews from Australia, India, Japan and the United States participated in friendly sports fixtures, further reinforcing the camaraderie and bonhomie among the teams. From the seas to the fields, the spirit of teamwork and friendship embodied the theme of Stronger Together, exemplifying the spirit of Malabar 2024 beyond naval operations. The crews also enjoyed a memorable Indian dinner, with the rich flavors of Indian cuisine setting the stage for enhancing cultural familiarity between the navies.

    As the harbour phase of Malabar 2024 draws to a close, pre-sailing discussions have taken center stage, focusing on strategies to ensure maximum operational synergy during the upcoming sea phase in the Bay of Bengal, scheduled from 14 Oct 24. The multifaceted interactions at various levels have all been instrumental in cementing cooperation, sharing expertise, and enhancing maritime security.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh virtually dedicates to the nation 75 BRO infrastructure projects, worth Rs 2,236 crore, across 11 States/UTs

    Source: Government of India

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh virtually dedicates to the nation 75 BRO infrastructure projects, worth Rs 2,236 crore, across 11 States/UTs

    Terms it as a testament to the Govt’s commitment to further strengthen border infrastructure, defence preparedness & ensure socio-economic progress

    “India will be one of the safest & strongest nations in the times to come”

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 1:28PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on October 12, 2024, virtually dedicated to the nation 75 infrastructure projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of Rs 2,236 crore. These projects – 22 roads, 51 bridges & two others – are spread across 11 States/Union Territories. Nineteen (19) are in Jammu & Kashmir, 18 in Arunachal Pradesh, 11 in Ladakh, nine in Uttarakhand, six in Sikkim, five in Himachal Pradesh, two each in West Bengal & Rajasthan and one each in Nagaland, Mizoram and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

    Raksha Mantri inaugurated the projects from the Headquarters, Trishakti Corps in Sukna, West Bengal. One of the main highlights was the inauguration of the Kupup-Sherathang Road in Sikkim which serves as a crucial link between Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and Zuluk axis.

     

     

    In his address, Raksha Mantri termed the projects as a testament to the Government’s unwavering resolve to keep strengthening the border infrastructure and ensuring socio-economic progress of these areas. He added that these projects will go a long way in enhancing the defence preparedness of the country. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’ can be realised through such infrastructure projects, he said.

    With the inauguration of these 75 projects, BRO has completed a total of 111 infrastructure projects in 2024 at an overall cost of Rs 3,751 crore. This includes 36 projects worth Rs 1,508 crore, such as the state-of-the-art Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, inaugurated by the Prime Minister earlier this year. Last year, 125 infrastructure projects of BRO were dedicated to the nation at a cost of Rs 3,611 crore.

    Raksha Mantri commended the grit and determination of the BRO personnel for completing the projects in a time-bound manner even in most challenging terrains and harsh weather conditions, adding that the government, in its third term, aims to further bolster the border infrastructure with more promptness. Referring to the increased allocation of Rs 6,500 crore for BRO in Union Budget 2024-25, he expressed hope that it would not only contribute to strategic infrastructure development, but will also prove helpful in socio-economic progress in the border areas, including the North East region.

     

    Raksha Mantri pointed out that the governments before 2014 were of the view that the development of border areas can have an adverse impact as it may be used by the country’s adversaries. He emphasised that border infrastructure development has been the priority area of PM Modi-led Government ever since it came to power as these regions, especially the North-east, is crucial from the socio-economic & strategic perspectives. “In the last decade, we have built a vast network of roads from villages to cities, which has resulted in the country witnessing progress at an unprecedented pace,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh assured the people that new dimensions will be added to the development of border areas. India will be one of the safest and strongest nations in the times to come, he said.

    Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary-designate Shri RK Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, DG Border Roads Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps Lt Gen Zubin A Minwalla were present with Raksha Mantri during the virtual inauguration, while Sikkim Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang was at the main site in Sherathang.

     

    Governors of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram; Lt Governors of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh; Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand; Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences & MoS in Prime Minister’s Office and Personnel & Public Grievances and MoS of Law & Justice and Parliamentary Affairs attended the event virtually.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Minister Dr Jitendra Singh presents Indo-US Endowment Awards:

    Source: Government of India

    Minister Dr Jitendra Singh presents Indo-US Endowment Awards:

    17 Indo-US teams given opportunity to work together primarily to develop AI-enabled tech and Quantum Technologies;

    USISTEF award function focuses on Critical and Emerging Technology;

    Government of India creating enabling innovation ecosystem with recent reforms like design linked incentives for semi-conductors

    US-India iCET to expand international collaboration in a range of areas to build a robust innovation ecosystem: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    17 Indo-US teams given opportunity to work together primarily to develop AI-enabled tech and Quantum Technologies

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 3:50PM by PIB Delhi

    While presenting the Indo-US Endowment awards to 17 winning teams, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS (I/C) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasized AI enabled collaboration between the two countries.

    The Department of Science & Technology and the USA are working together to elevate and expand the Indo-US strategic technology partnership and to connect scientists from both the countries to collaborate on emerging technologies such as AI and smart connected cities, said Dr Jitendra Singh.

    The Minister was speaking at the United States – India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) award function here, in which United States Ambassador Eric Garcetti also participated. These awards are given in the field of Critical and Emerging Technology.

     

    Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated all the 17 winning teams who have been given the opportunity to work together to develop AI-enabled technologies, decision support system, GPT-powered AI, development of technologies for quantum communication, robust quantum sensors under themes of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies.

    Dr Jitendra Singh said, “I am happy to say that as a part of the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), new implementing agreements have been executed between the science agencies to expand international collaboration in a range of areas to build a robust innovation ecosystem. The DST – National Science Foundation joint call in the areas of (i) Computer and Information Science and Engineering, (ii) Cyber-Physical Systems and (iii) Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace has resulted in the award of 11 high pitch proposals.”

     

    India and the US are at the pivotal point with the technologies shaping up for the future like Artificial Intelligence, Advanced manufacturing, block chain, green energy, quantum computing, getting ready to make one of the biggest technology transformations of the century.

    Appreciating the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he said, Government of India is creating an enabling innovation ecosystem with recent reforms like design linked incentives for semiconductors, PLI schemes for automobiles, drone policy and removing barriers through initiatives like faceless assessment.

    Advancing the Research and Innovation Value chain and fostering the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in young minds has witnessed a phenomenal growth in India, said Dr Jitendra Singh, as evident from the Start-Up ecosystem gathering speed, scale and momentum. From 350 odd start-ups in 2014, the number swelled to over 1,40,000 Start-Ups. India is also home to over 110 Unicorns where 23 of them emerged only last year, which is a sign of India’s rapid upward ride on STI (Science, Technology & Innovation) ladder.

    Governments of both the countries established the USISTEF in 2009 for supporting promising joint US India entrepreneurial initiatives on co-developing products or technologies that are beyond the ideation stage. Over the years, the program has had a significant impact, both in terms of the development of new products and technologies and in seeding new sustainable collaborations between US and India inventors.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM GatiShakti National Master Plan completes 3 years of transforming India’s Infrastructure landscape

    Source: Government of India (2)

    PM GatiShakti National Master Plan completes 3 years of transforming India’s Infrastructure landscape

    PM GatiShakthi has reduced logistics cost and enabled better service delivery:Shri Piyush Goyal

    More than 44 central Ministries and 36 States and Union territories onboarded: Secretary DPIIT

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 3:57PM by PIB Delhi

    The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) for muti-modal connectivity, launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 13th October 2021, completes three years today having achieved significant milestones in transforming the country’s infrastructure landscape.

    On this occasion, the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal said, “PM GatiShakti has brought about a paradigm shift in how India plans and implements infrastructure projects. By integrating data from multiple Ministries and States, we have created a more efficient, transparent, and outcome-driven system. The impact is visible in faster project execution, lower logistics costs, and better services reaching every corner of the country.”

    According to Secretary DPIIT, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, “PM GatiShakti NMP launched as the transformative approach 3 years ago by Hon’ble Prime Minister, has accelerated the infrastructure planning & development process leveraging geospatial technology and the Whole of the Government approach. During the last three years, more than 44 Central Ministries and 36 States/UTs have been onboarded, their data layers have been integrated and are provided with their own geospatial planning portal.”

    With its vision to bring synergy across Ministries/Departments, and States/UTs, the PM GatiShakti has successfully laid the groundwork for seamless, multi-modal connectivity and accelerated economic growth. The PM GatiShakti has redefined how India plans and executes large-scale infrastructure projects. By harnessing geospatial data from 44 Central Ministries and 36 States/UTs, the platform has significantly improved inter-ministerial coordination and streamlined project execution.

    Key Achievements:

    On boarding Whole of the Government on the Single platform

    PM GatiShakti has integrated 44 Central Ministries and 36 States/UTs with more than 1600 data layers, making it a crucial tool for planning and executing infrastructure projects. To date, over 200 big-ticket infrastructure projects have been evaluated by the Networking Planning Group (NPG) from the perspective of the principles of the PM GatiShakti viz. integrated planning & development of multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, intermodal connectivity, enhance logistics efficiency and synchronised implementation of projects.

    Social Sector Impact: Extending the PM GatiShakti to the Social Sector Ministries, the focus is on increasing the usage of the PM GatiShakti for social development, identifying social gaps (schools, hospitals, anganwadis) using, and developing applications and planning tools for capturing data. This has enabled better infrastructure planning in essential areas such as primary healthcare, education, postal services, and tribal development, ensuring that even remote and underserved areas are part of India’s infrastructure growth story.

    PM GatiShakti State Master Plans (SMPs): All 36 States/UTs have developed the PM GatiShakti State Master Plan (SMP) portals, aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan platform to synchronise infrastructure assets and enhance regional development. This unified approach has helped States streamline their capital investment for accelerating infrastructure development. Over 533 projects have been mapped by States/UTs on the PM GatiShakti portal.

    EXIM and Trade Facilitation: Aligned with the National Logistics Policy (NLP), the PM GatiShakti has been instrumental in addressing critical infrastructure gaps, reducing logistics costs, and improving India’s logistics performance. According to the World Bank’s ‘Logistics Performance Index Report (2023) India’s rank (38) has improved by six places from 44 in 2018.

    Regional Workshops and Stakeholder Engagement: Following the spirit of cooperative federalism, over the last three years, five regional workshops have been conducted, covering all 36 States/UTs to facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices, and project demonstration by Central and States Governments. These engagements have played a key role in strengthening local adoption and ownership of the GatiShakti framework.

    Driving Sustainable, Data-Driven Development: The PM GatiShakti’s data-driven approach is powered by GIS-based tools and a real-time monitoring system that enables faster and more informed decision-making. The platform ensures that projects are aligned with national priorities and completed on time, minimising delays and reducing cost overruns. This integration is key to meeting India’s Net Zero by 2070 commitments, as the platform promotes the use of green infrastructure and sustainable logistics solutions.

    Training and Capacity Building: As the PM GatiShakti is a new initiative with an advanced GIS platform, DPIIT has undertaken the task to train officials for build their capacities. The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP) has seen significant progress in capacity building through the institution of courses and workshops. A course on the PM GatiShakti, available on the iGoT platform, has already been completed by over 20,000 officials. Additionally, all Central Training Institutes (CTIs) have integrated a course module on the PM GatiShakti into their regular officers’ training curriculum. The resource persons and master trainers from DPIIT and BISAG-N conduct regular sessions on the PM GatiShakti across various CTIs and ATIs, including institutions like Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), and Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS). There have also been approximately 150 interactive training sessions on the PM GatiShakti with Ministries/Departments, and States/UTs, engaging over 1,000 officials.

    Extending PMGS to the Districts: As India moves forward, the PM GatiShakti is expected to continuously evolve to keep playing a pivotal role in expanding multi-modal infrastructure, developing Smart Cities, and enhancing the country’s industrial capabilities through Industrial Corridors and Mega Investment Regions. Building upon the vision of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and the significant usage demonstrated by Central Ministries/Departments as well as States/UTs, a PM GatiShakti District Master Plan (PMGS DMP) portal is being developed with technical support of BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics) for collaborative planning at the District level by State/District authorities. The NMP platform’s emphasis on cross-sectoral cooperation and emerging technologies such as AI and IoT will further revolutionise infrastructure management and planning.

    Taking PMGS to international level and for promoting the use of  PM GatiShakti and Geospatial technology in the integrated planning of infrastructure, diplomatic engagements are underway with countries in the neighbourhood and other developing countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Senegal and Gambia.

    The government is also considering providing access to non-government users for the data (non-sensitive and shareable) relevant to the planning of the infrastructure and developmental activities by the sector. Such access to the data shall be provided in the most secure manner.

    As India celebrates three years of the PM Gati Shakti, the initiative continues to fulfil its promise of creating a modern, interconnected infrastructure network that is key to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates 75 Infrastructure projects built by BRO worth Rs 2,236 crore

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates 75 Infrastructure projects built by BRO worth Rs 2,236 crore

    These include 07 roads and 12 bridges constructed at the cost ofRs731.22 crore in Jammu and Kashmir

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh takes part in inaugural function virtually

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 3:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh today virtually inaugurated and dedicated 75 BRO (Border Roads Organisation) road and bridge projects to the nation at a cost of Rs 2,236 crore.

    These include 7 road and 12 bridge projects in Jammu & Kashmir worth Rs 731.22 crore virtually today. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS (I/C) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also Lok Sabha MP from J&K also joined the inauguration function virtually.

    The J&K road projects are Bishnah-Kaulpur-Khojipur (Km 0.0 to 24.328) worth Rs.73.26crore, Basoli-Bani-Bhaderwah (Km 70.00 to 89.00) Rs.97.76 crore, Basoli-Bani-Bhaderwah (Km 89.00 to 102.00) Rs81.42 crore, Galhar-Sansari(Km 0 to 10) Rs.37.69 under Project Sampark of BRO. Bandipur-Gureizin Rs.230.54 crore, Mohura-Baaz Rs.134.99 and Tutmarigali-Kaiyan Bowl Rs24.35 crore under Project Beacon of BRO.

    In addition, 12 bridges at Sawan, Sanu, Naigarh, Channani, Nantoo, Korga, Sewa-II, Biyalu, Dersu, Nirunar, Gurai and Garjun were constructed at the cost of Rs 51.21 crore in different areas of J&K.

    Overall, these Projects have been constructed in 11 border States/UTs of the country, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    The ceremony was organised by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)at Sukna in West Bengal. The Defence Minister inaugurated 22 Roads, 51 Bridges and 02 other miscellaneous projects. These Infrastructure Projects have been constructed under challenging weather conditions at places with most inhospitable terrain.

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh lauded BRO’s commitment towards establishing connectivity in far-flung areas by ensuring timely completion of these roads & bridges. He mentioned that in the last five years BRO had completed 450 infrastructure projects with a cost of more than Rs16,000 crore and this year, in 2024 with these 75 infra projects BRO has dedicated a record 111 infrastructure projects to the Nation.

    The Defence Minister appreciated the feat of construction of these 75 infrastructure projects at such an expeditious pace during this year. He mentioned that such performance by the BRO is unprecedented and is a reflection of the grit and determination of the entire Border Roads Organisation.

    Shri Rajnath Singh also lauded BRO’s effort of always being at the forefront in constructing more than 40% of Roads in high altitude areas with hostile terrain, harsh weather, low Oxygen levels and extreme cold. Despite these challenges BRO remains committed towards its mission of Connecting Place Connecting People.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Empowers District Authorities in NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and UP to Prosecute Officials for Inaction on Stubble Burning Enforcement

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Empowers District Authorities in NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and UP to Prosecute Officials for Inaction on Stubble Burning Enforcement

    CAQM Directs Districts Administrations and State Governments to Intensify Vigilance Against Paddy Stubble Burning During Harvest Season

    It has deployed 26 Central Teams to Punjab and Haryana, Sets Up Paddy Stubble Management Cell for Coordinated Action and Monitoring

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 5:03PM by PIB Delhi

    Paddy stubble burning is a matter of grave concern due to its impact on air quality in NCR and the Commission has been deliberating upon the issue in consultation with the concerned stakeholders including with the State Governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, GNCTD, State Pollution Control Boards of NCR States, Punjab and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and knowledge institutions.

    Based on the field experience and learnings during 2021,2022 and 2023, the action plans for Punjab, Haryana and U.P. (NCR Districts) focusing prevention and control of paddy stubble burning during the paddy harvest season were updated for 2024 which targeted elimination of this unsustainable agricultural practice.

    However, a total of 267 and 187 paddy residue burning events were reported during the period from 15th September – 9th October, 2024, from the States of Punjab and Haryana respectively.

    Taking into account the current situation and with a view to ensure effective implementation of the action plans at the field level, the CAQM in exercise of the powers vested upon it under section 14 of the CAQM Act 2021 has authorized the Deputy Commissioners/ District Collectors/ District Magistrates in the States of Punjab, Haryana, NCR areas of Rajasthan and U.P. and in the NCT of Delhi to file a complaint/ prosecution before jurisdictional judicial magistrate, in case of inaction in respect of officials, including nodal officers and supervisory officers at various levels and Station House Officers, responsible for effective enforcement towards ensuring elimination of paddy stubble burning in their respective jurisdiction.

    CAQM has also directed the respective District administrations and the State Governments to shoulder higher responsibility and maintain constant and strict vigil to control any further paddy stubble burning in the harvesting season.

    Further, the CAQM has deputed 26 Central teams to the hotspot districts in Punjab and Haryana to maintain close liaison with the district level authorities in their endeavours to optimize the utilisation of all available resources/ means for various in situ/ ex situ management applications, besides setting up a “Paddy Stubble Management Cell” at Chandigarh, for coordinated and continuous monitoring of the field level actions.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expresses grief over loss of lives in wall collapse incident in Gujarat

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expresses grief over loss of lives in wall collapse incident in Gujarat

    Announces ex-gratia to victims

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 5:09PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to a wall collapse in Gujarat’s Mehsana district. 

    Shri Modi also announced a financial aid of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and Rs 50,000 to those injured. 

     The Prime Minister posted on X:

    “गुजरात के मेहसाणा में दीवार गिरने से हुई दुर्घटना अत्यंत दुखद है। इसमें जिन्होंने अपनों को खोया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी शोक-संवेदनाएं। ईश्वर उन्हें इस पीड़ा को सहन करने का संबल प्रदान करे। इसके साथ ही मैं घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। राज्य सरकार की देखरेख में स्थानीय प्रशासन पीड़ितों की हरसंभव सहायता में जुटा है: PM @narendramodi”

    “An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Mehsana, Gujarat. Rs. 50,000 would be given to those injured.”

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON CONCLUDES VISIT TO MUSCAT, OMAN

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 6:12PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Naval Ships Tir and Shardul along with Indian Coast Guard Ship Veera of the First Training Squadron (1TS) concluded visit to Muscat, Oman on 09 Oct 24. During the four day visit, the Indian Navy engaged with Royal Navy of Oman on various fronts, forging deeper bonds and strengthening the Bridges of Friendship between two maritime nations.

    VAdm V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command (FOCINC, South) along with Commanding Officers of visiting ships called on VAdm Abdullah Bin Khamis Bin Abdullah Al Raisi, Chief of Staff Sultan’s Armed Forces (COSSAF) and RAdm Saif bin Nasser bin Mohsen Al- Rahbi, Commander of Royal Navy of Oman (CRNO). The discussions were focused on enhancing defence cooperation through avenues of training exchanges, shared knowledge and joint training exercises. During the visit, FOCINC (South) emphasised the importance of growing strategic partnership, greater engagement & interoperability between the two Navies.

    The Indian Naval delegation visited Said Bin Sultan Naval Base and were conducted on a guided tour including ships, maintenance units and medical setup. The sea trainees of 1TS visited various facilities and simulators including Sports complex at Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy. The trainees had the opportunity to visit Fleet Maintenance Unit and troop carrier ship Al Naasir of Royal Navy of Oman. Personnel of Royal Navy of Oman visited ships of 1TS as part of cross deck visit and held interactions, exchanging best practices and fostering goodwill & camaraderie.

    In a school outreach event undertaken by 1TS, the young minds were provided glimpses of the role and capabilities of the Indian Navy. In another event, the Indian Naval Symphonic Band captivated the audience at Oman Avenues Mall showcasing a vibrant display of music transcending language and cultural boundaries. Mrs Vijaya Srinivas, President, Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (Southern Region) visited an Early Intervention Centre, A.B.L.E in Indian School Wadi Kabir. She interacted with the faculty & differently abled children and appreciated the school for their initiatives. During the port call, school children, members of the Indian Embassy at the Sultanate of Oman and the Indian diaspora visited the ships. Shri Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, visited the ships of 1TS and engaged in an interactive session with the sea Trainees.

    A formal reception was hosted by VAdm V Srinivas, FOCINC (South) onboard ships of 1TS.  Shri Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to Sultanate of Oman and Cmde Ali Al Balushi, Asst Chief of Staff, Sultan’s Armed Forces (Admin and Logistics) attended the reception. The event was also attended by diplomats, Omani dignitaries and other esteemed guests.

    The visit of Indian Naval Ships to the Sultanate of Oman concluded on a high note, having significantly strengthened bonds and fostering deeper and long-lasting ties between the two seafaring nations.

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    VM/SKY                                                                                                         205/24

    (Release ID: 2064412) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister approves ex-gratia for the victims of road accident in Kaithal, Haryana

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 5:09PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for the injured in the mishap in Kaithal, Haryana.

    The Prime Minister’s office in a post on X stated:

    “The Prime Minister has approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Kaithal, Haryana. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each.”

     

     

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    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2064392) Visitor Counter : 48

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participates in Vijaya Dashami programme in Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 7:55PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in a Vijaya Dashami programme in Delhi today. 

    The Prime Minister posted on X:

    “Took part in the Vijaya Dashami programme in Delhi. Our capital is known for its wonderful Ramlila traditions. They are vibrant celebrations of faith, culture and traditions.”

    ***

    MJPS/RT

    (Release ID: 2064429) Visitor Counter : 72

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy Inaugurates Rooftop Solar Power Plant in GSITI Hyderabad

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 7:12PM by PIB Delhi

    Further Strengthening Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a cleaner and greener India, Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the Rooftop Solar Power Plant at the Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI) in Hyderabad today. This event, held at the M. S. Krishnan Auditorium, represents a significant step forward in the institute’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy.

    The new solar power plant is a significant step towards reducing GSITI’s carbon footprint while promoting renewable energy use within government institutions. It is expected to generate a substantial portion of the institute’s energy needs, contributing to India’s larger goal of increasing renewable energy’s share in the overall energy mix.

    Inaugurating the Rooftop Solar Power Plant at GSITI, Hyderabad, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy lauded the institute for its commitment to sustainable energy, stating, ‘This is a significant step towards environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and sustainable development. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India has emerged as a global leader in climate action, with initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana empowering households to harness solar energy. The 150-kilowatt rooftop solar plant at GSITI will meet 75% of the institute’s energy needs, saving Rs 30 lakh annually, and set a new standard for renewable energy use in public institutions.’

    Shri S. D. Patbhaje, Additional Director General of the Geological Survey of India (Southern Region), addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of this project for sustainable development. Shri Eatala Rajender, Member of Parliament for Malkajgiri, also highlighted the critical role of renewable energy in national progress.

    The event also featured a sapling plantation and the unveiling of an inaugural plaque for the solar plant, symbolizing GSITI’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Following the ceremony, the dignitaries toured the solar facility to learn about its technical features and benefits.

    This solar power plant stands as a model for future government initiatives in renewable energy, showcasing GSITI’s role in supporting India’s sustainable energy future and advancing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a global leader in clean energy.

    ****

    ST

    (Release ID: 2064418) Visitor Counter : 55

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: AI in Healthcare in UAE, China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: Different Pace of Adoption, Similar Results

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine – Moscow

    The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare is transforming medical practices around the world, significantly reducing patient waiting times and reducing the workload of doctors. This was the key topic at the international session of the Russian Diagnostic Summit, where representatives from the UAE, China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia spoke about their initiatives to introduce AI in radiology.

    Despite the different speeds of AI adoption, the results in each country were strikingly similar. During the session, experts from these countries shared their experiences with AI in medical imaging. China is prioritizing standardization and regulation of AI technologies in healthcare, while the UAE is advancing the use of AI in ultrasound diagnostics.

    Saudi Arabia uses remote CT and MRI scanning to address access to healthcare in rural areas, while Russia has developed a Unified Radiological Information Service that centralizes patient records, giving doctors access to diagnostic data in real time.

    This innovative system attracted the attention of international delegates, who expressed interest in implementing similar solutions in their countries. According to Yuri Vasiliev, Senior Consultant for Radiology and Instrumental Diagnostics at the Moscow Department of Health, the implementation of AI in all participating countries has led to faster patient care and a reduced workload for doctors.

    In his presentation on musculoskeletal diagnostics, Dr. Abdulla Alremaithi, President of the Emirates Radiological Society, highlighted that in the UAE, AI has reduced scanning times by 88% and improved image quality.

    Peijun Wang, professor and vice chairman of the Chinese Society of Radiology, spoke about China’s comprehensive efforts to regulate and validate AI-enabled medical devices. As of 2022, China had issued 22 regulations, and by 2023, 62 companies were involved in the development of AI-based medical imaging tools, with 45 products supporting the diagnosis of a wide range of diseases, including tumors, cardiovascular diseases, chest diseases, and fractures.

    In Saudi Arabia, Dr. Mashael Alrujaiba, board member of the Saudi Arabian Radiological Society, spoke about how remote diagnostic technologies such as CT and MRI are improving access to healthcare for patients in rural areas.

    Shazia Khan, a professor of radiology from Pakistan, highlighted the impact of AI on workflow efficiency, citing automation of measurements as one of the key benefits.

    The Russian Diagnostic Summit was attended by over 13,000 people, including representatives from all regions of Russia and delegations from 28 countries, such as Abkhazia, Turkey, Serbia, Israel, India and Syria.

    The event featured 236 scientific and educational sessions in 21 conference halls, including forums, seminars, round tables and master classes. More than 800 leading experts presented their reports, and more than 230 companies presented their latest technological innovations at the Diagnopolis exhibition.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits

    Source: ASEAN

    We, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), gathered in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), on 9 October 2024, for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits under the Chairmanship of the Lao PDR. The Summits were chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR, and convened in accordance with the ASEAN Charter.We reaffirmed our support for Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience, which focuses on enhancing connectivity through integrating economies, forging an inclusive and sustainable future, and transforming for the digital era, and strengthening resilience by supporting the development of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans, strengthening ASEAN Centrality, promoting environmental cooperation, addressing issues related to women and children, and bolstering health systems. We emphasised the importance of these efforts in building a more connected and resilient ASEAN Community that is prepared to seize future opportunities and to overcome challenges. We underscored the significance of maintaining and promoting cooperation and collaboration within ASEAN and with external partners to achieve these objectivesDownload the full statement here.
    The post Chairman’s Statement of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sustainable Habits, No Matter Big Or Small, Can Be Evergreen

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    Data security in e-waste recycling, public hygiene, and hawker culture highlighted this year.

     

    Singapore, 13 October 2024 – More than 1000 Clean & Green activities in the form of events or talks, involving partners such as schools, grassroots organisations, NGOs and the corporate sector, plus visits to sites of environmental interest and volunteer deployments, have been held so far across Singapore throughout 2024. In total, the activities saw more than 400,000 participants. The CGS movement encourages everyone to do our part as stewards of a Clean & Green Singapore. To continue our journey of sustainable development, we invite all in Singapore to champion a sustainable way of life, conserve our greenery and biodiversity, adopt green practices, and contribute to a more gracious society. 

    2          The National Environment Agency (NEA)’s annual Clean & Green Singapore (CGS) flagship event, CGS Day, will be held on 3 November 2024. Leading up to CGS Day, four satellite events will be held for members of the public, featuring fun family activities.

    International E-waste Day 2024 Celebration

    13 Oct 2024 (Sun), 10 am – 6 pm @ Westgate Mall

    3          This year’s International E-waste Day (IEWD) 2024 “Secure E-Waste Recycling: Let’s Make a Difference Together”, focuses on data security. Launched by Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Dr Amy Khor, IEWD 2024 aims to raise wider awareness of the secure recycling of data-bearing devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Visitors can learn about e-waste management, especially the data sanitisation and dismantling processes that the e-waste recyclers undertake, by going through educational booths and activities by ALBA E-Waste Smart Recycling and other industry and community stakeholders. IEWD 2024 underscores the overall importance of recycling in Singapore as we move towards becoming a zero-waste nation. More information on the recycling of data-bearing devices can be found in Annex A and B.

    4          As part of IEWD 2024, contests such as the E-Waste Song Challenge, Photo Contest and Community E-waste Recycling Drive were organised to encourage members of public to play an active role in e-waste recycling. The song challenge and photo contest received 66 entries in total, while five community groups, comprising NGOs, Institutes of Higher Learning, and grassroots organisations, participated in the Community E-waste Recycling Drive.

    Eco Paddle with Ola

    13 October 2024 (Sun), 8.30am – 11.30am @ Siloso Beach, Sentosa

    5             Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment, Mr Baey Yam Keng, joined a kayak litter-picking and beach clean-up activity at Siloso Beach, Sentosa this morning. Organised by Ola Beach Club, the event saw over 100 volunteers from Coca-Cola Singapore, Singapore Paddle Club, Friends of ACE (a migrant worker volunteer network under the Ministry of Manpower), the NEA Volunteer Corps, and the Public Hygiene Council (PHC). The event highlights the important role volunteers play in contributing to a clean environment, as well as supporting marine conservation efforts. The event was also supported by partners, such as Mount Faber Leisure Group, Sentosa Development Corporation and Soffell Singapore. Members of the public who missed this event can sign up for similar activities under CGS Experiences at https://www.cgs.gov.sg/events/eco-paddles-with-ola/, available till end November 2024.

    Community Clean Up @ Upper Boon Keng

    19 October 2024 (Sat), 9am – 11am, Upper Boon Keng Market & Food Centre

    6         SMS Dr Koh Poh Koon, along with Minister Josephine Teo, Adviser to Jalan Besar GRC GROs, is set to join 50 volunteers for a community clean up at Upper Boon Keng. The event brings together a diverse group comprising SG Clean Ambassadors, Friends of ACE, Kolam Ayer GRO members, and representatives and volunteers from the Federation of Merchants’ Associations Singapore (FMAS), and Kao Singapore. The event will feature litter-picking activities to promote public cleanliness within the estate, as well as the distribution of Magiclean disinfectants and kitchen cleaners, sponsored by Kao Singapore, to hawkers at the Upper Boon Keng Market & Food Centre. The Community Clean Up @ Upper Boon Keng aims to shine a spotlight on good hygiene practices in the F&B industry. The event also demonstrates how stakeholders from different groups, such as residents, merchant associations, corporate partners, migrant workers, and volunteers, can come together for the common cause of keeping shared public spaces clean. This community spirit of taking greater ownership of the environment is the core driver of the Clean & Green Singapore movement.

    Flag-off of Race to Sustainability! 2024

    23 October 2024 (Wed), 9.30am – 10.30am, Gardens by the Bay

    7             Gardens by the Bay’s flagship educational programme, Race to Sustainability!, will return this October. For the first time, it will be open to both lower primary and tertiary students, in addition to upper primary and secondary school students, to engage a wider range of youths. The expanded participation signifies the importance of engaging students and youth of all ages on sustainability issues, to help ensure a Clean & Green future for Singapore. This year’s theme centres on exploring sustainability through imagination and creative play, and offers tailored activities based on students’ levels. These include guided tours, talks, and hands-on challenges in an ‘Amazing Race’ format throughout the Gardens, where participants will learn about Singapore’s sustainability journey, the Gardens’ sustainability strategies, climate change and plant diversity. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Grace Fu, will be flagging off the race on 23rd October 2024.

    8          Additionally, the public can also look forward to a series of exhibitions focused on sustainability, open until 1 December 2024. More details are available at https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/racetosustainability.

    CGS Day 2024

    3 Nov 2024 (Sun), 9am – 11am @ West Coast Park and National University of Singapore (NUS)

    9          The four satellite events will be capped off by CGS Day 2024, with Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat as Guest-of-Honour. The event will feature the opening of a new PHC CleanPod[1] at West Coast Park, followed by a community clean-up activity, a tree-planting at NUS UTown, and the presentation of the Environmental Services Star Awards and Community-In-Bloom Ambassador Awards. CGS Day celebrates the environmental efforts of schools, grassroots, corporate partners and outstanding individuals this past year, as well as reaffirm the community’s commitment to keeping Singapore clean and green. More details on CGS Day will be available closer to date.

    10        CGS aims to inspire Singaporeans to care for our environment by adopting a clean, green, and sustainable lifestyle. Each of us can shape our neighbourhoods and common spaces through our green practices, championing a sustainable way of life, and by being a more gracious society. More information on CGS is available at https://www.cgs.gov.sg/.

    ————

    [1] CleanPods are fully equipped storage sheds that the public can apply to the Public Hygiene Council (PHC) for access to. The public can then borrow tools such as metal tongs and buckets from the sheds, to conduct their own clean-up activities. PHC has set up CleanPods in various housing estates, beaches and parks. To find out more about CleanPods, please visit: https://www.publichygienecouncil.sg/resources/cleanpod/

     

     

    ~~ End ~~

    For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

     

    ANNEX A

    Factsheet on Singapore’s Regulated E-waste Management System

     

    Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme for E-waste

    1          In July 2021, Singapore implemented a nationwide e-waste management system for regulated products, also known as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for E-waste. Producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) are physically and/or financially responsible for the collection and proper treatment of discarded EEE. NEA has appointed ALBA E-waste Smart Recycling Pte Ltd (ALBA) to operate the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) in Singapore. As the PRS Operator, ALBA coordinates the collection and proper treatment of consumer e-waste on behalf of the producers.

    2          Since the implementation of e-waste EPR, ALBA has set up over 800 e-waste collection points that includes e-waste bins and manned collections. They have also partnered organisations such as corporates and public agencies to improve e-waste collections.  As of June 2024, more than 20,000 tonnes of e-waste (equivalent to weight of 73 Airbus A380 airplanes) was collected and recycled under the EPR Scheme for E-waste, up from the total of over 16,000 tonnes as of December 2023.          

    Data security in e-waste recycling

    3             International E-waste Day (IEWD) is a global initiative to raise wider awareness about the growing problem of electronic waste and its impact on the environment and human health. This year’s IEWD, themed “data security” aims to create awareness on data security measures and provide assurance on secure e-waste recycling. Members of the public are encouraged to perform the following steps to protect their information prior to e-waste recycling.

    4          Before recycling any data-bearing devices such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, the public is advised to protect their personal information by first backing up their data. They should also log out from their personal accounts and remove any storage media before performing a factory reset on their data-bearing devices. A factory reset is an irreversible process; this ensures that any outstanding data is wiped, providing users with a piece of mind before they recycle their data-bearing devices. Detailed steps to recycling data bearing devices can be found in Annex B.

    5          Devices placed in e-waste bins are collected by ALBA E-waste Smart Recycling Pte Ltd and sent to e-waste recyclers for treatment and recycling.

    6            E-waste recyclers take further steps to ensure that data is destroyed before recycling the devices. A data-bearing device is first dismantled to obtain the storage hard drive. The hard drive may then be fed into a degausser machine, which disables the data storage ability of the hard drive using a high magnetic field. Devices may also be crushed or shredded by use of a crusher or shredder machine. This ensures that the data bearing device is physically destroyed and data cannot be recovered by any means.

    Call-for-action to recycle our e-waste

    7          Through proper e-waste treatment and recycling, precious materials such as lithium, cobalt, copper, gold, silver and aluminium can be recovered, which reduces the need to mine for more raw materials. Reducing the need for mining also lowers pollution, as the process of mining has an impact on our environment. In addition, recycled material from e-waste, such as metal and plastic, can be reused to make new products.

    8          Proper recycling of e-waste also safeguards human and environmental health. Improper disposal of e-waste leads to environmental pollution, and this may in turn harm human health. E-waste comprises many different components and requires specialised equipment to dismantle, shred, process and extract the constituent materials. This has to be performed within a controlled environment to prevent pollution while ensuring workplace safety and health. Choosing to recycle instead of discarding e-waste, ensures that they can undergo the proper treatment processes.

    9          To do your part, the public can conveniently drop off e-waste at more than 870 collection points in accessible locations such as electronics retail outlets, shopping malls, community centres, supermarkets, government and commercial buildings.

    – End –

     

    ANNEX B

    Steps to Recycle your Data-Bearing Devices

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UN Chief urges efforts to advance peace in Myanmar

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Declaring that the people of Myanmar need peace, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries to leverage their influence towards an inclusive political solution to the conflict there. In remarks to reporters in Laos, he also said priority should go to the protection of civilians in line with international humanitarian law.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJUdw9tdAnU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE congratulates Sam Hou-fai on election as Chief Executive-elect of Macao SAR

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 13) congratulated Mr Sam Hou-fai on being elected as the sixth-term Chief Executive-elect of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

         Mr Lee said, “Mr Sam has been serving as the President of the Court of Final Appeal of Macao since the establishment of the Macao SAR, leading the courts of Macao in performing judicial functions and contributing significantly to the long-term prosperity and stability of Macao. He has remained committed to serving Macao over the years and made immense contributions. I congratulate Mr Sam on being elected as the sixth-term Chief Executive-elect of the Macao SAR and on leading Macao to new heights again.

         “Hong Kong and Macao enjoy close geographical ties and share the same cultural roots. Our two places share deep bonds and affinity with frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, alongside solid economic and trade relations. As the country’s SARs, both Hong Kong and Macao firmly uphold the principle of ‘one country’ and leverage the benefits of ‘two systems’. As participants and beneficiaries of the country’s reform and opening up, Hong Kong and Macao enjoy the advantages of ‘one country, two systems’, and can directly tap into the huge markets of the Mainland, whilst staying connected to the world. On the other hand, Hong Kong and Macao are both core cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and are engines for regional development. I have every confidence in working closely with Mr Sam in the future to achieve complementarity and mutual benefits for Hong Kong and Macao, giving full play to the cities’ strengths to serve the country’s needs and making new and greater contributions to building a great country and moving towards national rejuvenation through Chinese modernisation.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Osaka Expo faces construction, ticket sales challenges ahead of opening

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on June 27, 2024 shows the construction site of the Grand Ring, the symbol for Expo 2025 Osaka, on the Yumeshima artificial island in Japan. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The preparations for the 2025 World Exposition in the western Japanese city of Osaka are facing significant challenges six months ahead of its opening, local media reported.

    One major concern is the delay in the construction of pavilions and other key facilities. Construction of many of the pavilions has fallen behind schedule, with concern growing some will not be completed by the opening, Kyodo News reported.

    A plan to operate flying taxis, viewed as one of the event’s highlights, has been dropped after all four operators gave up on carrying passengers in their electric aircraft due to safety challenges, according to the report.

    As of Oct. 6, over 7 million tickets had been sold, half of the 14 million advance tickets aimed for, the report cited organizers, adding some officials from participating companies say they are not very optimistic about sales.

    The World Expo 2025 is scheduled to be held from April 13 to Oct. 13, 2025, on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay.

    The budget for construction has grown 1.9-fold from the original plan to 235 billion yen (about $1.6 billion) and that for operation of the venue has risen 1.4-fold to 116 billion yen (about $780 million).

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled dried shark fins, dried sea cucumbers and proprietary Chinese medicine with ingredients of suspected scheduled Gastrodia Elata (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled dried shark fins, dried sea cucumbers and proprietary Chinese medicine with ingredients of suspected scheduled Gastrodia Elata (with photos)
    Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled dried shark fins, dried sea cucumbers and proprietary Chinese medicine with ingredients of suspected scheduled Gastrodia Elata (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         Hong Kong Customs on October 10 seized about 460 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, 200kg of suspected scheduled dried sea cucumbers and 3 300 boxes of proprietary Chinese medicine with ingredients of suspected scheduled Gastrodia Elata, with a total estimated market value of about $2.3 million, at Hong Kong International Airport.     Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected an air consignment, declared as carrying household goods and arriving in Hong Kong from Indonesia, on that day. Upon inspection, the batch of dried shark fins, sea cucumbers and proprietary Chinese medicine suspected to be scheduled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Ordinance) (Cap. 586), was found inside 33 carton boxes.     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up action.     Under the Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited. For licensing requirements for the species listed on different appendices, members of the public may visit the website: http://www.cites.hk. For enquiries, please contact the AFCD through email (hk_cites@afcd.gov.hk) or call 1823.     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

     
    Ends/Sunday, October 13, 2024Issued at HKT 15:15

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE congratulates new Macau chief

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee today congratulated Sam Hou-fai on being elected as the sixth-term Chief Executive-elect of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
     
    Apart from noting that Mr Sam has been serving as Macau’s Court of Final Appeal President since the establishment of the Macao SAR, leading the Macau courts in performing judicial functions and contributing significantly to Macau’s long-term prosperity and stability, Mr Lee said that he has remained committed to serving Macau over the years and made immense contributions.
     
    “I congratulate Mr Sam on being elected as the sixth-term Chief Executive-elect of the Macao SAR and on leading Macau to new heights again.”
     
    In addition to pointing out that Hong Kong and Macau enjoy close geographical ties and share the same cultural roots, Mr Lee emphasised that they also share deep bonds and affinity with frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, alongside solid economic and trade relations.
     
    Furthermore, he expressed that the country’s SARs, both Hong Kong and Macau, firmly uphold the principle of “one country” and leverage the benefits of “two systems”.
     
    “As participants and beneficiaries of the country’s reform and opening up, Hong Kong and Macau enjoy the advantages of ‘one country, two systems’, and can directly tap into the huge markets of the Mainland, whilst staying connected to the world.”
     
    On the other hand, Hong Kong and Macau are both core cities of the Greater Bay Area and are engines for regional development, Mr Lee added.
     
    “I have every confidence in working closely with Mr Sam in the future to achieve complementarity and mutual benefits for Hong Kong and Macau, giving full play to the cities’ strengths to serve the country’s needs and making new and greater contributions to building a great country and moving towards national rejuvenation through Chinese modernisation.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Labour Department investigates fatal work accident in Ho Man Tin

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Ho Man Tin this morning (October 13) in which a man died.
     
         The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: President of the Republic of Palau visits Hawaii

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    HONOLULU — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. of the Republic of Palau visited the Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith, where he participated in an honors ceremony and an office call to discuss combined efforts that promote regional stability, mutual defense priorities and deterrence initiatives, as well as how upholding the rule of law reinforces peace and prosperity on Oct. 11, 2024.

    Whipps participated in a USINDOPACOM hosted barge tour on Oct. 12. He paid respects at the USS Arizona memorial.

    The Republic of Palau is 340-plus islands strategically placed in the Western Pacific bordering the Philippines. The nation became independent in 1981 and entered a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1994.

    USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region with its allies and partners by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Laos achieve more substantive progress in building community with shared future

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

    China, Laos achieve more substantive progress in building community with shared future

    VIENTIANE, Oct. 13 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid an official visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from Friday to Saturday after attending the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation here, stressing to continue to deepen practical cooperation with Laos.

    Li, together with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, attended the inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Mahosot General Hospital building here on Saturday. Speaking at the ceremony, Li extended warm congratulations on the successful completion of the project, highlighting the hospital as the largest in scale, most comprehensive in functions, and best equipped modern comprehensive hospital and medical teaching base in Laos.

    As a flagship overseas project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Mahosot Hospital has played an important role in improving medical conditions and safeguarding the health of the Lao people.

    Vilaphan Keokuman, deputy chief of the ear, nose, and throat department at Mahosot Hospital, said: “The brand-new building, modern facilities and equipment of the hospital, as well as its capacity to accommodate more patients, provide us with greater convenience.”

    Premier Li emphasized in his speech at the ceremony that in recent years, the two countries have closely focused on building a community with a shared future with high standards, high quality, and high level, strengthened the synergy of development strategies, continued to deepen practical cooperation, and worked hard to complete a number of important infrastructure projects, injecting strong impetus into the economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood in both countries.

    During his meeting with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, Li said China and Laos should enhance practical cooperation in trade, investment, production capacity, electricity, minerals and other fields, calling on both sides to further tap potentials, give full play to the driving-effect of the China-Laos Railway, and push for more visible results in all-around cooperation.

    While talking with Sonexay, Li pointed out that China is ready to work with Laos to speed up the development along the China-Laos Railway and juxtaposed border control, and strengthen cooperation in new energy, advanced manufacturing, digital economy and artificial intelligence, among other fields.

    Launched in December 2021, the China-Laos Railway, which serves as Laos’ first modern railway, has facilitated the transportation of over 10 million tonnes of goods valued at approximately 5.74 billion U.S. dollars as of September 2024, according to local authorities.

    During Li’s visit, China and Laos released a joint statement focused on mutually beneficial cooperation of higher quality.

    In the statement, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen practical cooperation under the framework of strategic alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Laos’ strategy to “convert the landlocked country into a land-linked hub”, and jointly implement the outline of the Belt and Road cooperation plan between the two countries.

    Currently, China is the largest foreign investor in Laos, and Laos sees huge potential for further deepening cooperation with China across various fields including the export of agricultural products, the import of electric vehicles and trucks, tourism, hotels and restaurants, and electricity, mining, and solar energy.

    Analysts said that both China and Laos are poised to take Premier Li’s visit, alongside the 15th anniversary of the China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as pivotal moments to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

    Lu Guangsheng, a professor at Yunnan University’s Institute of International Relations, said China and ASEAN, including Laos, have strong industrial complementarity.

    “China requires new drivers from Laos, while Laos looks to China for industrial support,” he remarked, suggesting that this mutual dependence will foster constructive strategies for promoting high-level openness and advancing the shared vision for a community with a shared future for humanity.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Lufthansa Group awarded “Best Airline App 2024” worldwide

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    The Lufthansa Group has been awarded the prize for the world’s best airline app 2024 at the World Aviation Festival (WAF).

    The Lufthansa Group app was previously evaluated by customers and nominated for the final round. A jury of experts compared the four nominees in a competition, the “Battle of the Airline Apps”, and rated the Lufthansa Group app as the best among the biggest players in the industry. The Lufthansa product came out on top against the apps from Emirates, Qatar Airways and Air India.

    Dieter Vranckx, Member of the Executive Board Lufthansa Group, Global Markets & Commercial Airlines Hubs, says: “The Lufthansa Group App puts our customers at the center and provides them with user-friendly services, transparent information and support throughout their journey. I am proud of the entire team for the great progress we have made in recent years. The award for the Lufthansa Group app encourages us to continue developing our digital services for Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS and Brussels Airlines.”

    Oliver Schmitt, Head of Digital Customer Solutions and Managing Director Digital Hangar GmbH, says: “The digital travel experience of our guests is increasingly determined by their mobile devices. The app is playing a growing role as a travel companion. In recent years, we have worked specifically on service offerings, especially in the event of irregularities, on simplifications and better information for our guests, and created numerous benefits for frequent flyers.”

    The World Aviation Festival is a leading global conference for the international aviation industry, focusing on technology, passenger experience, digitalization and sustainability in aviation.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star set to accelerate world’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) economy with market projected to reach $2.7 trillion by 2032

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 13, 2024/APO Group/ —

    GITEX GLOBAL (www.Gitex.com), the world’s largest tech and startup event, takes centre stage in the UAE next week with this year’s 44th edition destined to redefine the world’s digital economy and AI ecosystem.

    Held at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 14-18 October, the incomparable international showpiece will be more influential than ever this time around – presenting an expanded events programme that transforms the UAE into an AI universe epicentre.

    Under the theme “Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy”, GITEX GLOBAL 2024 welcomes the world’s largest technology enterprises alongside governments, investors, experts, startups, academia, and researchers.  

    Expand North Star (http://apo-opa.co/405aSCm), the world’s largest startup and investment show, runs concurrently at Dubai Harbour from 13-16 October – hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and organised by DWTC.

    With over 6,500 exhibiting companies, 1,800 startups, and 1,200 investors from more than 180 countries participating across 38 halls of innovation and business opportunities, these blockbuster events will see the UAE “strategically propel the next generation of AI-driven technologies”.

    Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of DWTC, the organiser of GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star, said: “At GITEX GLOBAL in Dubai, we shall close the year with significant manoeuvres from our tech community by doubling down on global collaborations and intensive engagements amongst all involved. Through these efforts, we shall forge competitive advantages in the race towards regional and international digital supremacy.

    “With international participation in GITEX GLOBAL 2024 rocketing by almost 40 per cent, it’s a barometer of the unstoppable ambitions of many young rising digital nations who are now confidently forging their ways into the future global AI economy through GITEX. As the world’s most global tech event brand with events in Germany, Singapore, Morocco, and Nigeria alongside Expand North Star, we are committed to strategically propelling the next generation of AI-driven technologies via startups, scale-ups and unicorns.”

    A global agenda for tomorrow’s AI economy

    According to Fortune Business Insights, the global AI market is projected to reach $621 billion in 2024 and soar to $2.7 trillion by 2032. Given its influence and impact now and in the future, the technology takes centre stage at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 with over 3,500 enterprises presenting the latest breakthrough innovations in AI, IoT, data, and the cloud.

    Amongst them is TECOM Group PJSC, which celebrates its 25th successive year at GITEX GLOBAL next week. Ahead of the event, Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of Commercial at TECOM Group PJSC and Managing Director of Dubai Internet City, said: “Dubai’s pro-innovation frameworks are the bedrock of tech advancements that serve a greater purpose. GITEX GLOBAL is a springboard to unlock this potential, and as the region’s leading tech hub, Dubai Internet City has been a proud partner for decades in its mission towards a brighter future. Our community is pleased to connect innovators from more than 3,500 companies across fields like artificial intelligence (AI), Web3, digital transformation, and beyond to realise this vision.”

    Abu Dhabi’s most influential companies and organisations, including the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and G42 Group with its leading enterprises Presight and Khazna, will reinforce the Emirate’s position as an emerging global AI nexus. Other tech giants participating are Adobe, Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Builder Ai, Dell, Google, Honeywell, Huawei, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Salesforce, SAS, solutions by STC, and Tech Destination Pakistan.

    Presenting the year’s largest AI event, GITEX GLOBAL will deliver 120-plus hours of AI and deep tech-focused content across various topics, facilitating discussions on the implications of AI in Future Health, Digital Finance, and EdTech. Following the wildfire pace of AI adoption and the unprecedented growth in data storage demand, the event is also launching the region’s largest Data Centre Symposium in 2024, featuring the industry leaders Datalec, Kerno, Khazna, Legrand, NTT Data, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, among many others.

    The programme will build anticipation ahead of the all-new AI Everything Global 2025. This event – taking place in Abu Dhabi (4 February) and Dubai (5-6 February) will gather some of the world’s most visionary AI tech companies to construct an innovative, fair, and responsible AI industry of the future.

    Fast-tracking the next generation of startups

    The world’s largest startup and investment event, Expand North Star will foster the next frontier of tech and innovation. In another record-breaking edition, the event will connect the most innovative global founders with new markets, enterprise customers, and an influential pool of investors and venture capitalists with over $1.2 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM). These include SOSV, Bessemer Ventures, Lightrock, Sinovation Ventures, and the European Innovation Fund.

    Additionally, Expand North Star will seek to redefine the future of money, blockchain, and creativity through leading co-located events GITEX Impact, Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania. Accelerating the next generation of scaleups, the world’s largest start-up pitch competition, Supernova Challenge 2.0, also graces GITEX GLOBAL with the winners claiming a share of the $200,000 prize pool.

    Historic international involvement

    GITEX GLOBAL 2024 will welcome the highest international attendance in its history, welcoming over 400 government and digital development agencies from around the world. Alongside GITEX GLOBAL regulars, the new nations debuting this year will showcase their latest groundbreaking tech innovations.

    Next week marks the largest European participation at GITEX GLOBAL with over 35 European countries exhibiting alongside 1,000-plus SMEs and 450-plus startups from debuting countries, including Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Serbia, and Slovenia.

    Many rising digital nations from Latin America are also behind the record-breaking international involvement, as are those from Central and Southeast Asia. Joining long-time GITEX GLOBAL participants such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India are several debutants – Singapore, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan amongst them.

    While promoting international business development, entrepreneurship, and investment engagements to benefit enterprises, organisations, and SMEs alike, GITEX GLOBAL welcomes the European Innovation Council for the first time, Europe’s biggest deep-tech investor.

    It will also see significant collaborations with global organisations from all continents, such as the European Innovation Council, Tech Destination Pakistan, IE University, University College London (UCL), Johns Hopkins University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and key corporate ventures from leading tech enterprises such as Sony, Honda, Standard Chartered, QIC, and many more.

    An action-packed agenda

    Throughout its six-day duration, GITEX GLOBAL will become a microcosm of the world, launching industry-defining programmes such as GITEX Editions, an exclusive platform for late-stage advanced tech companies and a premier hub for unicorns, soonicorns and rhinos. In 2024, the event will connect 59 top global unicorns, such as Axelera, DeepL, Insilico Medicine, and Synthesis AI.

    The World Future Economy Digital Leaders Summit is another must-attend show with global innovators and influential leaders set to address critical priorities shaping the future of technology. Additionally, GITEX Cyber Valley is this year’s most anticipated cybersecurity showcase – hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council. With specialists forecasting that damage costs could reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, the show will present a power-packed conference agenda as the world’s most influential CISOs, CIOs, and GRC leaders to discuss the risks of global cybercrime.  

    Leo Chen, Corporate Senior Vice President & President of Enterprise Sales at Huawei, which will be present with a flagship stand at the event, commented on the possibilities unlocked at the event for the industry: “GITEX GLOBAL offers a unique platform for us to engage in meaningful dialogues with industry peers about the trends and perspectives on industrial intelligence. We look forward to sharing our insights and learning from others to explore the endless possibilities of industrial digital and intelligent transformation.”

    For more information on GITEX GLOBAL 2024 and to secure your passes, please visit http://www.Gitex.com. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier urges China, Vietnam to jointly meet external challenges

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

    HANOI, Oct. 13 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Sunday that China is ready to work with Vietnam to firmly advance the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, jointly meet external challenges and better achieve common development.

    He made the remarks when meeting with Tran Thanh Man, chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China ready to strengthen alignment of development strategies with Vietnam — Chinese premier

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

    China ready to strengthen alignment of development strategies with Vietnam — Chinese premier

    HANOI, Oct. 13 — China stands ready to strengthen alignment of development strategies with Vietnam, carrying out the plan of synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative with Vietnam’s Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang here on Sunday.

    Li made the remarks when meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Vietnam stress handling differences via friendly consultation

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

    HANOI, Oct. 13 — China and Vietnam here on Sunday stressed the need to properly handle their differences through friendly consultation.

    In his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged both sides to stick to friendly consultation, properly handle differences and expand maritime cooperation.

    In response, Pham Minh Chinh said the two sides should implement the high-level consensus of the two parties and two countries, properly manage differences through friendly consultation, and jointly safeguard maritime peace and stability.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Ho Man Tin today

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a building in Ho Man Tin this morning (October 13), in which a male worker, while dismantling a bamboo scaffold at the external walls of the building, fell from height to the ground. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

         The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the dismantling, alteration and use of the bamboo scaffold at the external walls of the building. The contractors cannot resume the work until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.”

         The spokesman added, “We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.”

         To prevent workers from falling from height while dismantling bamboo scaffolds at external walls of buildings, the LD reminds employers to take suitable safety measures, including providing every worker engaged in the work with a suitable safety harness that is attached continuously to a suitable and secure anchor point, an independent lifeline or a fall arresting system, and ensuring the proper use of the safety equipment by the workers concerned throughout the work.

         The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.

         In regard to today’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application “OSH 2.0”, website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

         The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

         For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Eight animals found dead in Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (October 14) that eight animals were found dead in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) yesterday (October 13), including one De Brazza’s Monkey, one Common Squirrel Monkey, three Cotton-top Tamarins and three White-faced Sakis. The LCSD had liaised with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Necropsy and laboratory tests have been arranged immediately to help find out their cause of death.

         While awaiting test results, the Mammals Section of the HKZBG will be closed from today for disinfection and cleaning works. We will also closely monitor the health conditions of other animals. During this period, other facilities of the HKZBG will remain open.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –