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  • MIL-OSI Security: COMLOG WESTPAC Holds Award Ceremony, October 3, 2024 [Image 2 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (October 3, 2024) Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC), left, presents a Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal to Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class John Zhu, assigned to COMLOG WESTPAC, during an awards ceremony on Sembawang Naval Installation (SNI), Oct. 3, 2024. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 10.02.2024
    Date Posted: 10.09.2024 02:07
    Photo ID: 8686906
    VIRIN: 241003-N-ED646-1064
    Resolution: 7538×5025
    Size: 7.89 MB
    Location: SG
    Web Views: 2
    Downloads: 1

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    This work, COMLOG WESTPAC Holds Award Ceremony, October 3, 2024 [Image 4 of 4], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: The Honorable Ms. Laura L. Updegrove Visits COMLOGWESTPAC, October 16, 2024 [Image 1 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (October 16, 2024) Ms. Laura L. Updegrove, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, signs a guest book during a scheduled visit to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOGWESTPAC/CTF 73), Oct. 16, 2024. COMLOGWESTPAC supports deployed maritime forces, along with regional Allies and partners, to sustain Western Pacific operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 10.15.2024
    Date Posted: 10.23.2024 03:42
    Photo ID: 8713176
    VIRIN: 241016-N-ED646-1028
    Resolution: 7170×4780
    Size: 6.25 MB
    Location: SG
    Web Views: 2
    Downloads: 0

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    This work, The Honorable Ms. Laura L. Updegrove Visits COMLOGWESTPAC, October 16, 2024 [Image 4 of 4], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: The Honorable Ms. Laura L. Updegrove Visits COMLOGWESTPAC, October 16, 2024 [Image 2 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (October 16, 2024) Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOGWESTPAC/CTF 73), right, and Ms. Laura L. Updegrove, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, pose for a photo during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation (SNI), Oct. 16, 2024. COMLOGWESTPAC supports deployed maritime forces, along with regional Allies and partners, to sustain Western Pacific operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 10.15.2024
    Date Posted: 10.23.2024 03:42
    Photo ID: 8713177
    VIRIN: 241016-N-ED646-1022
    Resolution: 7035×5025
    Size: 6.79 MB
    Location: SG
    Web Views: 3
    Downloads: 0

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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – The 2024 Māori business leaders shaping Aotearoa’s future – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    Aotearoa’s best and brightest Māori business leaders were honoured at the 2024 Ngā Tohu Kaiārahi Pakihi Māori o Aotearoa | Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards.

    Whakatō te kākano, marotiritiri ai te māra, ka māea ngā hua | Plant the seed, cultivate the garden, reap the benefits.

    A macadamia pioneer, sustainable fisheries champions and a plastic waste-to-product business, were among those honoured at the 2024 Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards.

    The event, held on 23 October and hosted by the University of Auckland Business School, celebrated the remarkable contributions of the Māori entrepreneurs, leaders and organisations shaping Aotearoa’s business landscape.

    Six awards were presented, acknowledging the unique and powerful contributions of Māori leaders, each with their own inspiring story and unique approach to business.

    Vanessa Hayes, founder of kaupapa Māori business Torere Macadamias, won the Entrepreneurial Māori Business Leader award.

    Vanessa and her team are growing the New Zealand macadamia industry, which has historically relied on imported macadamias.

    Torere Macadamias is working with Plant and Food Research, expanding its nursery and encouraging other growers and grower collectives by providing training, workshops and supplying plants from their nursery.

    The company’s orchard produces around 20 tonnes of macadamias annually. And recently, Vanessa and the Torere team celebrated a milestone, winning a contract to supply Air New Zealand on their long haul and business class flights.

    Moana New Zealand was honoured with the Kaitiaki Business Leader award for their dedication to sustainable fisheries management. The seafood company is a 100 percent iwi-owned organisation with a deep sense of responsibility and respect for New Zealand’s fisheries.

    Māori Women’s Development Inc., a charitable trust formed, managed and operated by Māori women, earned the Mānuka Henare award for its continued support of Māori women in business, offering loans and wrap-around support.

    Traci Houpapa, chair of the Federation of Māori Authorities, won the Māori Governance Leader award for her extensive leadership in business and governance, shaping the Māori business landscape. She holds a number of directorships and Ministerial appointments, including Chiefs Rugby and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

    The Outstanding Māori Business Leader award went to Harry Burkhardt, co-founder and managing director of Replas Ltd, an innovative company transforming waste plastic into valuable products.

    Meanwhile, the Dame Mira Szászy Alumni Award went to Karleen Everitt, a University of Auckland Business School graduate who has had a stellar career and is currently leading Te Ao Māori Strategy at ANZ Bank.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ7: Combating vaping of “space oil”

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Lam So-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):

    Question:

         “Space oil” is a kind of liquid to which harmful substances have been illegally added. Usually, its main ingredient is etomidate, an anaesthetic that can only be prescribed by a doctor according to the law. Anyone who illegally possesses and uses the substance commits an offence. It has been reported that space oil, often vaped through e-cigarettes, can produce transient euphoria and cause addiction, and has gained popularity amongst youth communities since last year, with some sellers even blatantly putting space oil up for sale on social media platforms. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the respective numbers of persons arrested for illegal sale and possession of space oil in the past three years, together with a tabulated breakdown by age;

    (2) whether it will bring etomidate under the control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) whether the authorities have put in place measures to prevent members of the public (especially young people) from vaping space oil by, for example, stepping up education and proactively taking law enforcement actions such as decoy operations; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         “Space oil” is a kind of liquid to which harmful substances have been illegally added and is often inhaled through electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). There is no standard formula for “space oil”, but its main ingredient is usually etomidate, an anaesthetic which can only be prescribed by a doctor according to the law. Etomidate is regulated as Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A). Illegal supply or use of etomidate is liable to imprisonment upon conviction. Abuse of “space oil” will cause harm to one’s health and lead to addiction. It will also lure abusers to try other kinds of drugs. Taking “space oil” is equivalent to taking drugs.

         â€‹My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Lam So-wai is as follows:

    (1) Frontline anti-drug workers noticed an emergence of “space oil” in Hong Kong in 2023 after the COVID-19 pandemic, and it had begun to gain traction among local young people and some of them even started taking it. Records of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have reflected the same trend. In 2023, we started to observe persons arrested for offences involving “space oil” containing etomidate by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department. The number of persons arrested in the past three years by age groups are set out at Annex.
         
    (2) To ensure that the LEAs can effectively respond to the drug abuse situation and enhance deterrence, it is indicated in the Supplement to “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” published last week that the Government will step up control on etomidate. Specifically, we propose bringing etomidate under control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). We have already consulted the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and relevant stakeholders, with a view to listing etomidate as a dangerous drug in the first half of 2025. By then, illegal possession or smoking, inhaling, ingesting and injecting “space oil” containing etomidate is liable to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million. Trafficking or illegal import of such a substance is liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
       
    (3) The Government has all along been closely monitoring the trend of emerging drugs. Apart from strengthening the control on etomidate by way of legislation, the Government has taken prompt actions to combat “space oil” through reducing demand and intercepting supply.

         Preventive publicity and education is the backbone of demand reduction and forms the first line of defense for our anti-drug work. Targeting the emergence of “space oil” among the youth, we have started with the school sector. First, earlier this year, the Commissioner for Narcotics from the Security Bureau (SB) wrote to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong alerting them to the problem of “space oil” inhaling through e‑cigarettes. In addition, the Narcotics Division (ND) of the SB is in the course of including information on the harmful effects of “space oil” in its anti-drug educational talks and interactive drama for schools. 

         To further enhance the vigilance against and responsiveness to “space oil” among the school sector and anti-drug community, the ND in collaboration with the Hong Kong Poison Control Centre of the Hospital Authority and a frontline social service organisation organised two seminars on the issue of “space oil” abuse in August and October with a total attendance of nearly 500 people. At the seminars, different professionals, anti-drug workers, social workers, and teaching staff from over 100 primary and secondary schools shared their observations of the abuse situation of “space oil” among young people and the related harms. There were also exchanges of views on how to prevent “space oil” abuse and handle abusers. After the seminars, the Narcotics Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force distributed an infographic to all schools in Hong Kong. As young people often inhale “space oil” through e-cigarettes, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health also gave a presentation on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes in one of the aforementioned seminars. 

         As regards publicity, to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of “space oil”, a new zone dedicated to “space oil” was set up at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre in mid-September with promotional videos, publications and exhibition panels showing the harms of “space oil” on display. Since the middle of this year, the ND has been starting to publish social media posts and has launched an animated video on the harmful effects of “space oil”. They serve to alert the public, in particular young people, to the harms of “space oil”. The animated video has been uploaded onto the ND’s website and social media platforms, and schools and anti-drug organisations have been encouraged to show it often. We will continue to work with ACAN, other departments and various sectors of the community to step up preventive education and publicity efforts in view of the “space oil” abuse situation.

         To intercept the supply of “space oil”, the LEAs have stepped up various inspections including cyber patrol and carried out intelligence-based law enforcement actions. For example, the Police seized 2.17 kilograms of a substance claimed to be “space oil” during the past summer. More recently in mid-October, the Police raided a residential unit in Tai Kok Tsui, which was used as a drug storage and distribution centre, resulting in the seizure of “space oil” and other drugs. Upon the commencement of control of etomidate under the DDO (Cap. 134), the LEAs will definitely step up their enforcement against all etomidate-related offences.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Quarantine period for pet cats/dogs entering Hong Kong from Mainland

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):

    Question:

         It is learnt that in recent years, more members of the public exit or enter the territory carrying pet cats/dogs. On the other hand, for the sake of preventing the spread of rabies into Hong Kong, pet cats/dogs carried by members of the public back to Hong Kong from Group III places (including the Mainland) as specified by the Government are required to comply with the quarantine procedures prescribed by law, including a quarantine period of at least 120 days. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the number of cases applying for quarantine of pet cats/dogs entering the territory that were received by the Government in each month of the past three years; among these cases, the respective numbers of cats and dogs which had fallen sick and died during the quarantine period and the reasons for that;

    (2) whether it will increase the number of quarantine institutions and quarantine centres as well as the number of animals that can be quarantined, so as to meet the immigration needs of pet cats/dogs; if so, of the plans and timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) as information shows that some advanced regions in Asia adopt more lenient quarantine requirements on pets entering the territory than Hong Kong, such as the seven-day and 30-day quarantine periods adopted respectively by Taiwan and Singapore, whether the Government will make reference to the practice of those regions and shorten the present quarantine period for pet cats/dogs brought into the territory from Group III places; if so, of the specific arrangements and the earliest possible date of implementation; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         Rabies is a contagious disease that can cause fatality to mammals (including humans). No specific treatment is available at present and rabies is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear, and nearly 60 000 people die of rabies globally every year. To safeguard public health, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) currently regulates the import of live animals through a permit system, and controls the import of cats and dogs under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), aiming to prevent the transmission of animal diseases including rabies into Hong Kong. Under effective control measures, Hong Kong has long been widely recognised as a rabies-free place; therefore, animals of Hong Kong residents generally face less stringent quarantine requirements when entering other places, for example places with strictest quarantine requirements like Australia and New Zealand permit the entry of cats and dogs from Hong Kong.

         For importation of cats and dogs, the AFCD classifies places into three groups according to different risk of rabies, with reference to information about the surveillance of animal diseases from the World Organisation for Animal Health. Group I includes rabies-free places (i.e. where rabies has been absent for a long time); Group II includes places where rabies cases are few and under effective control; and Group III includes places where rabies cases are reported and not under effective control. In general, places that do not meet the requirements of Group I or II (or their situations cannot be determined) will be included in Group III.

         Since Groups I and II places are considered of lower risk of rabies, cats and dogs imported from these places are exempted from quarantine upon fulfilling relevant requirements (such as providing Animal Health Certificate, Residence Certificate, Anti-rabies Vaccination Certificate, etc.). For Group III places, the risk of rabies is higher or uncertain. Since the incubation period of rabies can be up to several months, to prevent the transmission of rabies into Hong Kong, the AFCD requires a quarantine period of no less than 120 days for the cats and dogs imported from Group III places.

         On the questions raised by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng, I would like to reply to the question as follows:

    (1) The AFCD will immediately arrange to send cats and dogs imported from Group III places upon arrival in Hong Kong to its Animal Management Centre for quarantine. If an animal falls ill during quarantine, the AFCD will inform the animal owner to take the animal to a vet clinic under the escort of the AFCD, or arrange a vet to the quarantine centre for treatment. If an animal shows an urgent health problem and the AFCD is unable to contact the animal owner, the AFCD will arrange for the pet to be examined by a vet as soon as possible. Over the past three years, a total of three animals (including two cats and one dog) passed away during quarantine, due to their own severe health issues such as kidney failure. In the past three years, the number of applications received by the AFCD for reserving a quarantine space for importing cats and dogs, the number of cats and dogs which received veterinary treatment during the quarantine period, and the number of cats and dogs deceased during the quarantine period are at the Annex.

    (2) and (3) The AFCD is actively adopting a two-pronged approach to facilitate animal owners from Group III places in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong. On the one hand, the AFCD is increasing the number of quarantine facilities; on the other hand, the AFCD is exploring ways to refine the quarantine requirements for cats and dogs.

         Regarding quarantine facilities, two Animal Management Centres (i.e. Kowloon Animal Management Centre and Hong Kong Animal Management Centre) operated by the AFCD provide quarantine services for cats and dogs imported from Group III places. The two centres provide a total of 20 spaces for cats and dogs respectively. The Kowloon Animal Management Centre is currently undergoing works by the AFCD to increase the number of quarantine facilities, with the works expected to be completed in the first half of next year. Upon completion, the total number of quarantine facilities for cats and dogs in the two centres will increase to 34 and 30 respectively. To further increase the number of facilities, the AFCD is actively exploring the feasibility of operating and providing some of the cats and dogs quarantine facility by the private sector. Organisations are required to obtain a licence from the AFCD to operate a quarantine centre under the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), and the relevant quarantine facility is a designated project under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) which requires obtaining an environmental permit. The Government is now discussing with the private sector about the relevant arrangements and is providing assistance, and is striving to implement a pilot scheme in the first half of next year.

         For the refinement of quarantine requirements for cats and dogs from Group III places, different places conduct their own risk assessments and establish import requirements based on their acceptable level of risk. The risk of rabies transmission is influenced by various factors, including the number of imported cats and dogs, whether the importing places can take effective control measures to prevent the introduction of rabies, the rabies immunisation status of the importing places, the rabies situation of neighbouring places, etc. As biotechnology has developed in recent years, the AFCD has earlier conducted a risk assessment, and considered that the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from some Group III places (including the Mainland and Macao) could be shortened by measures such as rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titer testing. The AFCD is discussing the proposed arrangements with the places concerned to finalise the implementation details. The AFCD will announce the details of the arrangements once the discussion is completed. With the gradual implementation of the revised measures, the waiting time of quarantine facilities would decrease, thereby further facilitating animal owners from Group III places in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Man Group PLC : Form 8.3 – International Paper Co

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: Man Group PLC
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 International Paper Company
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 22/10/2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 YES / NO / N/A
    Offeree – Smith (DS) plc

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: common stock
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 300,124.00 0.09 486,649 0.14
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:     1,758,811 0.51
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 300,124.00 0.09 2,245,460 0.65

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    common stock Sale 700 47.530 USD
    common stock Sale 1 47.540 USD

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 23/10/2024
    Contact name: Matthew Irwin
    Telephone number: +442071447255

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Despite overwhelming hype, Jabra research finds only 26% of office workers use AI in daily work

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Workplaces believe in the power of AI, with 84% of leaders saying AI can enhance work, but 82% are unprepared for integration of the tech into the workplace
    • 90% of knowledge workers wouldn’t trust AI for tasks that require human judgement or creativity
    • Workers are equally not using AI in their personal lives, with only 26% reporting regular use

    LOWELL, Mass., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jabra, a global leader in enterprise audio and video solutions, released a new report, Great ExpectAItions – Work in the Age of AI, which reveals that while many business decision-makers (84%) express high levels of trust in AI, very few office workers (26%) are using it in their daily roles due to a variety of perceived challenges. This disconnect suggests that even though leadership is optimistic about AI’s potential, they may yet lack the necessary vision or skills to effectively implement it across the workforce.

    The study, conducted among 1,800 AI decision makers surveyed across 6 countries and 4,200 employees from 14 countries, highlights that despite strong enthusiasm for AI, there is a clear disconnect between trust in the technology and its actual use in the workplace. While 85% of decision-makers express high interest in AI, the vast majority (82%) acknowledge they need to better understand how AI can improve workplace efficiency.

    Additionally, although 54% of employees believe AI can improve their work and 54% feel confident in their ability to collaborate successfully with AI, there’s still a significant gap in actual adoption in regular use at work. Jabra’s data found this appears due to several perceived challenges and demographic considerations:

    • 90% of employees wouldn’t trust AI for tasks that require creativity and innovation. This reluctance isn’t just about trust, it’s also about the satisfaction that comes from being personally involved in these more meaningful tasks.
    • There’s a clear generational divide in AI adoption, with 47% of Millennials and 37% of Gen Z indicating they feel positive about AI versus only 15% of Boomers. Adoption wise, 28% of Millennials and Gen Z use AI day to day at work, versus just 15% of Boomers.
    • AI decision-makers are relatively young – 58% are between the ages of 18 and 39 – and 71% are not from the IT department.

    Paul Sephton, Head of Brand Communications at Jabra, said: “We see many organizations eager to jump on the AI wave, but some are still dancing in the dark when it comes to effective implementation and meaningful use. As tools rapidly shift toward voice-driven input rather than text alone, it’s crucial for organizations to recognize how this evolution will change our interactions with AI and enhance productivity.”

    “To avoid what we call ‘AI-washing’ – simply jumping on the AI bandwagon – organizations must carefully evaluate the productivity gains that AI can offer and actively involve their employees in this journey. At Jabra, we believe in harnessing the power of AI not just to enhance productivity, but to foster a more connected and capable workforce, driving innovation and collaboration at every level.”

    Read more and download full report here:

    https://www.jabra.com/thought-leadership/ai-at-work

    Note to Editors
    The Great ExpectAItions – Work in the Age of AI Report leveraged two quantitative surveys conducted in August 2024. The first surveyed 1800 AI decision-makers from six countries (300 per country) – USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and India. The second surveyed 4200 knowledge workers from 14 countries (300 per country) – USA, UK, France, Germany, Poland, UAE, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, India, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong.

    PR contact
    Hayley Minardi
    Manager, PR & Communications, Jabra
    hminardi@jabra.com

    About Jabra

    Jabra is a world leading brand in audio, video and collaboration solutions – engineered to empower consumers and businesses. Proudly part of GN Group, we are committed to bringing people closer to one another and to what is important to them. Jabra engineering excellence leads the way, building on over 150 years of pioneering work within GN. This allows us to create integrated tools for contact centers, offices, and collaboration to help professionals work more productively from anywhere; and true wireless headphones and earbuds that let consumers better enjoy calls, music, and media. http://www.jabra.com

    Founded in 1869, GN Group employs more than 7,000 people and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (GN.CO). GN’s solutions are sold in 100 countries across the world. Visit our homepage GN.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

    © 2024 GN Audio A/S. All rights reserved. Jabra® is a registered trademark of GN Audio A/S. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners (design and specifications are subject to change without notice).

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/70547059-e2bb-4ea5-866f-e1e9f844fb5b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WithSecure to host an Investor Day on 22 November 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     WithSecure Corporation, Press Release 22 October 2024 at 11.00 EEST

    WithSecure to host an Investor Day on 22 November 2024

    WithSecure invites investors and analysts to an Investor Day on 22 November 2024 at 9:00 EET. During the day WithSecure’s management will present the company’s future strategic priorities and financial targets. In addition, WithSecure will present how the company will move forward in each business area considering the new strategic priorities and financial targets.

    Preliminary agenda for the Investor Day (Finnish time, EET):

    • 8:30-9:00 Registration and breakfast
    • 9:00-12:30 Presentations (with a coffee break)
    • 12:30-13.30 Lunch and 1-on-1 discussions

    Venue: WithSecure’s headquarters in Wood City, Välimerenkatu 1, 00180 Helsinki, Finland.

    On-site participants are requested to register by Friday 15 November 2024 by sending an email to: investor-relations@withsecure.com.

    In addition to the physical event, there will a live webcast of the presentations, starting at 9:00 EET. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions online via the chat function on the webcast platform. The webcast link will be available closer to the event on the company website.

    A recording of the event and the presentation materials will be available after the event on: Materials | Investor Relations | WithSecure™

    We warmly welcome you to WithSecure’s Investor Day 2024!

    For more information, please contact

    Laura Viita,
    Vice President, Controlling, investor relations and sustainability
    WithSecure Corporation
    +358 50 487 1044
    investor-relations@withsecure.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: 6 trapped in coal mine cave-in in north China

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Six mine workers were trapped after a coal mine collapsed early Wednesday in north China’s Hebei Province, the mining company said.
    The cave-in happened at 4:37 a.m. in the Qianjiaying mining subsidiary of Kailuan (Group) Limited Liability Corporation, a major state-owned coal mining company in Hebei, the group said in a statement on its official WeChat account.
    The Qianjiaying subsidiary is located in Fengnan District in the city of Tangshan.
    Rescuers are racing against the time to reach the trapped miners.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Switzerland at 2024 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings and G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Finance

    Federal Councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin, accompanied by Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 23 to 25 October 2024. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors will also take place during the Annual Meetings. The Swiss delegation will additionally use the event for bilateral talks.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has expanded the list of sports tournaments, victory in which guarantees admission to a university without exams

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Order dated October 19, 2024 No. 2930-r

    Document

    Order dated October 19, 2024 No. 2930-r

    Winners of the CIS Games, BRICS Sports Games and the CIS Spartakiad among children with disabilities have received the right to enter universities in sports specialties without entrance exams. The order to this effect was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    Athletes who win the three named tournaments will be able to apply for budget places in state universities without competitive tests, and also become students of non-state universities. Bachelor’s and specialist’s degree programs are available to them.

    Until now, the right to enter universities without exams for sports specialties was enjoyed by champions and prize winners of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Deaflympic Games, as well as world champions and European champions.

    The signed order was prepared to implement the new provisions of the federal law “On Education in the Russian Federation”, which were adopted in June 2024.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Man Group PLC : Form 8.3 – Centamin plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: Man Group PLC
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Centamin plc
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 22/10/2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 YES / NO / N/A
    Offeror: AngloGold Ashanti plc

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: Ordinary NPV
      Interests  
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 7,185,959 0.62    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives: 2,318,734 0.20    
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 9,504,693 0.82    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    Ordinary NPV Sale 17,429 1.72 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 99,657 1.739 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 34,859 1.74 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 31,373 1.732 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 20,915 1.73 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 4,920 1.732 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 6,557 1.751 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 32,845 1.747 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 461,000 1.728 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 370,597 1.73 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 287,060 1.728 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 33,796 1.733 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 287,060 1.742 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 743,846 1.739 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 53,998 1.751 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Sale 270,478 1.747 GBP

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 11,289 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 5,282 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 159,702 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 12,192 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 1,812 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 52,613 1.743 GBP
    Ordinary NPV Equity Swap Increasing a long position 21,882 1.743 GBP

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 23/10/2024
    Contact name: Matthew Irwin
    Telephone number: +442071447255

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff in Honor of Wethersfield Firefighter Robert Sharkevich

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of Robert Sharkevich Sr., a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and former member of the Hartford Fire Department who died in the line of duty while responding to a brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin.

    Flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full staff.

    “I am very heartbroken to learn the news of the tragic loss of Firefighter Sharkevich, who died while bravely and courageously responding to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin,” Governor Lamont said. “His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing less than heroic. On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for the service he has provided to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department.”

    “This is a tragic reminder of the sacrifice and risk that our professional and volunteer firefighters face day in and day out when they put on their uniforms,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Firefighter Sharkevich bravely answered the call to assist the area’s fire crews in responding to this brush fire, and he will forever be remembered as a hero. My heart breaks for his loved ones and the members of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Hartford Fire Department, and Connecticut’s whole firefighting community. I am keeping each of them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”

    In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: WHO – Ten additional countries in the Western Pacific Regionpledge to invest in WHO

    Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

    MANILA, 23 October 2024 – In a historic show of support, 10 more countries in the Western Pacific Region pledged to provide an additional US$ 12.1 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) through its first-ever Investment Round. This comes in addition to US$ 18 million announced by Singapore in May. The WHO Investment Round aims to secure predictable, flexible, and resilient resources for WHO’s core work over the next four years.

    The seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific began on Monday with Member States formally endorsing the new regional vision Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025-2029): Working together to improve health, well-being and save lives.

    The financial commitments were made during a Special Event on the Investment Round at the Regional Committee today. Governments and partners from across Asia and the Pacific in attendance emphasized the importance of ensuring WHO has robust financing to implement its global strategy for the 2025-2028 period, the 14th General Programme of Work, which was approved by Member States at the World Health Assembly in May 2024.

    The Government of the Philippines co-hosted the Special Event and made a historic pledge of US$ 10 million to the WHO Investment Round. During his remarks, Secretary of Health Dr Teodoro J. Herbosa of the Philippines said “A robust, reliable, and sustainably funded WHO is crucial for the Western Pacific Region and the world to address inequities and inequalities in health which were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we have taken a significant first step towards a future where health and well-being are accessible to everyone.”

    Malaysia also demonstrated its support of WHO’s work through a US$ 2 million pledge towards the Investment Round.

    In a powerful symbol of Pacific leaders’ commitment to health and WHO’s pivotal role in supporting them, eight Pacific Island countries pledged to double their funding contributions to WHO for 2025.  First-ever voluntary contributions to WHO were announced today by Papua New Guinea, and Cook Islands, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

    Speaking to the Regional Committee through a live video connection on Tuesday morning, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that to support the implementation of the Organization’s new global strategy, “we have launched the first WHO Investment Round, which aims to mobilize the sustainable and predictable resources we need to do our work. Thank you all for your commitment to promoting, providing and protecting health, for all people of the Western Pacific.”

    During the Investment Round Special Event, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, thanked Member States and partners for their pledges, which will enable the Organization to support countries more effectively.

    “The commitments made today are truly historic,” Dr Piukala said. “They include a doubling of financial contributions from several of our small island developing states, and significant sums from the Philippines and Malaysia.

    “It’s a sign of governments’ confidence in WHO as their partner in health, and a recognition of the need for sustainable financing in order to deliver on the vision of weaving health for families, communities and societies in the Western Pacific,” he said.

    Prior to the meeting, WHO launched the document All for Health, Health for All: WHO Investment Case 2025-28 Western Pacific to capture the impact of a fully-funded Western Pacific Region over the next four years.

    Partners joined Members States in statements of support for WHO. Organizations including the Asian Development Bank, the Institute of Philanthropy and Temasek Trust committed to working closely with WHO during the next four years. Earlier this month, the Institute of Philanthropy made a US$10 million pledge to the Investment Round during the World Health Summit in Berlin, following a $1.2 million pledge in May at the World Health Assembly. The Temasek Foundation also pledged $10 million on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

    “We are off to a great start for the Investment Round in the Western Pacific based on today’s event,” said Dr Piukala. “Today we also heard that we should expect to see more countries and partners stepping up to provide additional resources in the coming weeks.”

    With a fully and sustainably funded operating budget for 2025–2028, WHO will be better able to tackle emergencies and outbreaks that jeopardize health security and threaten lives, reduce the burden of both infectious diseases and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and continue working to improve the health and well-being of everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

    Launched at the World Health Assembly in May 2024, the Investment Round aims to mobilize contributions that are flexible and thereby aligned with WHO’s strategy as approved by its Member States, predictably provided at the start of the four-year programme cycle to enable strategic decision-making, and resilient in that they will derive from a larger, more diverse set of donors.

    WHO’s Investment Round will culminate at the G20 leaders’ summit chaired by Brazilian President Lula da Silva next month.

    Notes:

    The seventy-fifth session of the Western Pacific Regional Committee began on 21 October and runs through 25 October at WHO’s Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines. The agenda (https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/wpro—documents/regional-committee/session-75/wpr-rc75-01-provisional-agenda.pdf ) and timetable (https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/wpro—documents/regional-committee/session-75/tentative-timetable_rc75.pdf ) are available online. A livestream of proceedings, all other official documents, as well as fact sheets and videos on the issues to be addressed can be accessed here. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/about/governance/regional-committee/session-75

    Working with 194 Member States across six regions, WHO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for public health. Each WHO region has a regional committee – a governing body composed of ministers of health and senior officials from Member States. Each regional committee meets annually to agree on health actions and to chart priorities for WHO’s work.

    The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than 1.9 billion people across 37 countries and areas: American Samoa (United States of America), Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (France), Guam (United States of America), Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Kiribati, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Macao SAR (China), Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, New Caledonia (France), New Zealand, Niue, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States of America), Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Pitcairn Islands (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Viet Nam, Wallis and Futuna (France).

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) – 23 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) –

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Rishi Sunak MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWlUy6vEdWo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Prime Minister’s Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) – 23 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Rishi Sunak MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqvw5q64AtM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Emergency beds for people experiencing rough sleeping this winter

    Source: City of Oxford

    As the nights get colder and longer, Oxford City Council has confirmed how it will offer emergency beds to people experiencing rough sleeping this winter.  

    The Council activates its severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) during freezing weather.  

    While the Council commissions St Mungo’s to deliver an intensive outreach service helping people off the streets all year round, not everyone is usually entitled to support – for example, people from abroad with no right to claim benefits or housing. 

    Other people experiencing rough sleeping may have previously refused all offers of support or have returned to the streets even though they have accommodation available to them.  

    SWEP is emergency accommodation for anyone experiencing rough sleeping. 

    The Council will activate SWEP on every night the Met Office forecasts freezing overnight temperatures. It will also use its discretion to open emergency beds in other severe weather conditions. 

    These can include snow on the ground, sub-zero ‘feels like’ temperatures or a warmer night in the middle of a prolonged freezing spell.  

    SWEP provision 

    Working with a range of partners, the Council has secured a minimum of 41 bed spaces in Oxford.  

    SWEP was activated on 24 nights last winter, providing 534 stays for 104 different people. The number of people accessing a SWEP bed on any one night ranged from 15 to 34.  

    While weekly estimates for the number of people sleeping rough are now typically in the mid-40s, not everyone will accept the offer of an emergency bed and others will already have accommodation available to them.  

    The Council therefore believes there will be enough SWEP beds to meet likely demand. Contingency plans are in place to provide more spaces if the need arises.  

    Accessing SWEP  

    The St Mungo’s outreach and assessment team will allocate SWEP beds to people experiencing rough sleeping during the day – letting them know where and when they need to go.  

    People who have not been allocated a SWEP bed in advance will be able to present at O’Hanlon House between 11 pm and midnight.  

    One of the SWEP venues is suitable for people with dogs and St Mungo’s can also arrange free kennels if necessary. Kennels must be arranged in advance and are not available on the night.  

    Find out more about how SWEP works on the Council website 

    Comment  

    Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Nobody should have to sleep rough in Oxford and SWEP provides a lifeline for people at risk during freezing winter weather. SWEP also gives us another chance to offer the support they might need to leave the streets behind for good.  

    “SWEP relies on people in Oxford’s homelessness services stepping up and taking on extra shifts on top of their day jobs, and I’m grateful for everyone who will help us deliver this vital service.  

    “St Mungo’s works intensively with people on the streets and will allocate SWEP rooms during the day, telling them how to access the service and where and when to go. If you are concerned about someone experiencing rough sleeping, please contact the outreach team.”   

    How to report concern about someone experiencing rough sleeping  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Housing maintenance and improvement

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    A SERIES of major policy documents aimed at protecting and enhancing public housing in Dundee are set to be discussed by councillors.
    Updated versions of Dundee City Council’s empty homes strategy, five-year strategic investment plan and the annual review of rents will be tabled next week.
    Mark Flynn, convener of the neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee said: “To be able to deliver strong communities where people feel empowered, safe, and proud to live and where the root causes of poverty are being tackled needs a good supply of warm, easy to heat homes.
    “But these things do not appear from nowhere, they need detailed, well thought out and realistic documents like these to put down in black and white what we need to do, how we are going to do it and how long it is going to take to get where we want to be.”
    Lynne Short, the committee’s deputy convener added: “The framework that these policies and others provides is crucial not only to delivering on our goals, but also in allowing people to see what progress is being made towards them over time.”
    The new 22-page empty homes strategy aims to build on the 132 empty homes already brought back into use by using the 1,067 unoccupied houses in the city to provide accommodation. This figure is put into context in the report which notes that there were 1,430 new homeless applications made to Dundee City Council in 2022/2023.
    Empty homes are classified as dwellings that have been empty for six months or more and are liable for council tax. The most recent figures published by the Scottish Government in September 2023, show that almost 75% of the long-term empty properties in Dundee are privately owned.
    It has been developed through a clear understanding of the impact of empty homes across Dundee on neighbourhoods, communities, homeowners and residents.
    The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2025-2030 sets out Dundee’s affordable housing priorities for the next five years and aims to ensure that the city continues to successfully deliver new-build affordable housing for rent.
    It reveals that 286 new build social homes are expected to be completed before spring 2027, with more than 500 more “in the pipeline” with start dates between 2025 and 2028.
    According to the SHIP. the council will work with partners to ensure that all new build properties constructed within the investment programme meet or surpass the current building regulations.
    In addition, where possible energy efficiency measures such as insulation, solar energy, wind power or other suitable measures will be integrated into the construction to help reduce carbon emissions, address fuel poverty and ensure that tenants live in warm, affordable homes.
    It also includes additional accessible housing for adults with learning, physical or mental health disabilities, to allow them to receive the appropriate care and support that they need within their local community.
    Members of the neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee will be asked to approve discussions with tenants on annual increases ranging from an average of £3.92 to £4.36 per week.
    Council house tenants could be consulted on three proposed rent increases between 4.5% and 5% if councillors back the move.
    During the two-month consultation as many tenants as possible will be encouraged to share their views on the three options before a report is prepared and considered in January.
    Cllr Flynn added: “Every year we try to offer tenants a balanced choice between services remaining at the same high standard they have now or giving the council additional resources to spend more on the things tenants have told us that they want, such as tackling anti-social behaviour.”
    As well as using as many ways as possible of gauging tents’ opinions including face to face engagement, social media and continued collaboration with Dundee Federation of Tenants Association and registered tenants’ organisations; information will also be made available about the support services available for people affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
    The neighbourhood resources, housing and estate management committee meets on Monday (October 28).

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students, postgraduates and young scientists discussed current issues of modern construction at a conference at SPbGASU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Information Systems and Technologies Section

    The LXXVII National Scientific and Practical Conference of Students, Postgraduates and Young Scientists “Current Issues of Modern Construction” was held at the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering from October 15 to 18. The conference brought together more than 1,000 participants and listeners not only from SPbGASU, but also from Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography, National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Chuvash State University named after I.N. Ulyanov, Saint Petersburg State University of Railway Engineering named after Emperor Alexander I, Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Donbass National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture and other universities, giving them the opportunity to exchange ideas and test scientific results.

    The topics of the reports covered a wide range of issues in modern construction, including those related to computer science, information systems and technologies, technosphere safety, economic security, legal regulation of urban development and transport, and many others. The work was organized within 31 sections.

    Several reports at the architectural design section were devoted to the topic of Arctic development. Nikita Milov, a second-year master’s student at the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture, presented a report entitled “Functional Zoning of a Site and Planning Structure of a Marine Terminal in the Northern Conditions (the City of Kandalaksha)” (supervised by Aleksey Mikhalychev, Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design).

    According to the author of the report, Kandalaksha can become a cultural and tourist hub for water routes of river and sea cruise transport. Nikita proposed breathing new life into this city by creating a new sea passenger terminal in it. It could include hotels, exhibition transformable spaces, and office centers.

    Museum complexes are necessary in the cities of the Far North, says Artem Martynenko, a second-year master’s student at the Faculty of Architecture of our university (his academic supervisor is Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design Sergey Ivanov). According to Artem, the development of territories located in the Arctic zone is one of the main tasks of the Russian Federation. To do this, it is necessary to create a pleasant, well-maintained environment, including for cultural leisure. It is also worth considering the modern policy aimed at patriotic education of youth and awakening interest in studying the history and culture of our country. Given these factors, the design and construction of museum complexes is becoming an urgent task for architects. Artem formulated the principles of designing museum complexes beyond the Arctic Circle: multifunctionality, which allows the complex to gather the maximum number of consumers and remain in demand all year round, taking into account climatic features when choosing design solutions, etc.

    Anzhelika Ivanikhina, a fourth-year bachelor’s student at the Faculty of Architecture (supervised by Milena Zolotareva, Deputy Dean for Research, Associate Professor of the Department of History and Theory of Architecture), spoke about the algorithm for using generative neural networks to form an architectural concept using the example of creating a glamping site at the section on the history and theory of architecture. The audience learned how work on one of the projects was carried out in the workshop where the student works. According to Anzhelika, there is nothing wrong with using generative neural networks. You need to start with analyzing the territory and the initial data; then you should develop a functional plan and functional zoning, determine the concept of a specific part of the general plan and develop sketches. After that, you can start creating a prototype for the neural network, then analyze and adjust it. The final stage will be color correction of the result, post-processing in editing programs.

    The architectural and spatial features of Omsk, using the central part of the city as an example, became the topic of the report by the second-year undergraduate student of the Faculty of Architecture Arina Peteshova (supervised by Milena Zolotareva). Arina believes that the central part of Omsk has unique architectural and spatial characteristics that can be successfully used for the further development of the city. It is necessary to optimize the planning of the urban environment, pay attention to the development of integration solutions for historical and modern buildings, and study the impact of new architectural projects on the existing urban structure.

    The creation of tools for processing data on the working hours of the organization’s employees is being carried out by a second-year master’s student of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Economy Egor Abramov under the supervision of the acting head of the Department of Information Systems and Technologies Olga Yarkova. Egor gave a report on the topic of his research at the section of information systems and technologies. The student analyzed the information environment of the enterprise, formulated the requirements for the developed tools, and determined the methods and technologies for implementation. The researcher plans to develop an application for solving work tasks and performing additional functions.

    The conference “Current Problems of Modern Construction” was held within the framework of a subsidy from the federal budget to educational institutions of higher education for the implementation of events aimed at supporting student scientific communities No. 075-15-2024-854. Scientific materials of the conference will be published in a collection of materials indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Import expo in Shanghai to promote high-level opening up: official

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 23 — The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), scheduled to be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10, will play its role as a platform to promote high-level opening up, an official said Wednesday.

    The CIIE serves to showcase China’s major opening-up measures and confidence, to share China’s new development opportunities with other countries, and to help improve global economic governance rules and promote the building of an open world economy, Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce, told a press conference.

    This edition of the CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations, and achieved a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders set to attend, Tang said.

    As an important part of the CIIE, the Hongqiao International Economic Forum will include a main forum and 19 sub-forums.

    Since its first edition in 2018, this expo has become an important stage spotlighting China’s new development paradigm, a platform for high-level opening up, and a public good for the whole world.

    The previous six editions saw nearly 2,500 new products, technologies and services make their debuts, with combined intended turnover reaching over 420 billion U.S. dollars.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ4: Application for refund of stamp duty in respect of redevelopment project

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Louis Loong and a reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):
     
    Question:
     
         During the past decade or so when demand-side management measures for residential properties were in place, the Government levied the Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) on residential property transactions and applied a higher rate of ad valorem stamp duty (AVD) to collect AVD. Under sections 29DD and 29DE of the Stamp Duty Ordinance, an applicant may apply for a refund of the BSD paid and a partial refund of the AVD paid upon redeveloping a residential property, thereby reducing the effective stamp duty rate after the refund to no more than 4.25 per cent. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the respective numbers of refund applications involving BSD and AVD and the amounts involved in the past three years, as well as the time taken by the authorities from receipt of applications to completion of refunds (set out in a table);
     
    (2) among the applications mentioned in (1), of the respective numbers of those for which refunds have been completed and those still being processed; and
     
    (3) as it is learnt that the Government is not required to pay interest on the refund amounts concerned, what measures the Government has put in place to expedite the processing of applications and the completion of refunds under the current high interest rate environment?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         To maintain steady development of the private residential property market, the Government had implemented a series of demand-side management measures for residential properties before, which included imposing Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) and charging Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (AVD) at higher rates (i.e. the rates at Scale 1). BSD applied to acquisition of residential properties by a non-Hong Kong permanent resident (HKPR) or a company. The higher rates of AVD applied to all transactions of residential properties except for circumstances where the buyer was a HKPR and did not own any other residential property in Hong Kong at the time of acquiring the relevant property. The Government has been closely monitoring changes in the residential property market and timely adjusted relevant measures. Since the end of February this year, all stamp duty measures relating to demand-side management of residential properties have been abolished.
     
         When formulating demand-side management measures for residential properties, the Government established a duty refund mechanism in order not to hinder redevelopment projects. Any person acquiring a residential property for redevelopment purpose may apply for refund of the BSD paid and part of the AVD paid under sections 29DD and 29DE of the Stamp Duty Ordinance respectively. The refundable amount of AVD paid is the difference between the duties calculated at the higher and lower rates.
     
         My reply to Hon Loong’s question is as follows:
     
    (1) In the past three financial years, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) received 2 724 applications for refund of BSD in respect of redevelopments, involving about $8.1 billion, and 2 688 applications for refund of part of the AVD in respect of redevelopments, involving about $5.4 billion. The breakdown by each financial year is set out in Table (1):
     

    Table (1)：The number of applications and the amounts involved in applications for refund of part of the stamp duty in respect of redevelopment projects

    Financial Year in which the application was received
    BSD
    Part of AVD

    No. of applications
    (Note 1)
    Amount of refund applied for
    No. of applications
    (Note 1)
    Amount of refund applied for

     
    $ million
     
    $ million

    2021-22
    723
    3,100
    688
    2,100

    2022-23
    828
    2,147
    831
    1,331

    2023-24
    1 173
    2,860
    1 169
    1,967

    Total
    2 724
    8,107
    2 688
    5,398

    Note 1: As an applicant may apply for refund of BSD and part of AVD in respect of the same residential property transaction, there is overlap in the properties involved in the applications in Table (1).
     
         In the past three financial years, the time taken by the IRD from receipt of applications to completion of processing them is set out in Table (2):
     

    Table (2)：Time taken to complete the refunds of BSD and part of the AVD (Note 2)

    Financial Year in which the application was received
    Below three months
    Three months to below five months
    Five months to below nine months
    Nine months or above

    2021-22
    25
    352
    292
    738

    2022-23
    94
    127
    642
    709

    2023-24
    24
    337
    480
    363

    Total
    143
    816
    1 414
    1 810

    Note 2: As at end of September 2024

         The time taken set out in Table (2) includes the time for the IRD to wait for some applicants to submit all the required information and documents. Almost all the applicants of applications that took five months or above to process failed to submit all the required information and documents when submitting the applications, and needed to make further submission(s) afterwards. Some applicants would take a few months or even more than a year to submit all the required information and documents. Generally speaking, the IRD is able to complete the approval and refund procedures within three to four months after receiving all the required information and documents.
     
    (2) In respect of the applications received from 2021-22 to 2023-24, as at end of September this year, the IRD has finished processing 2 097 applications for refund of BSD and 2 086 for refund of part of AVD. A total of 627 applications for refund of BSD and 602 for refund of part of AVD are still being processed, involving 11 redevelopment projects. As an applicant may apply for refund of BSD and part of AVD in respect of the same residential property transaction, there is overlap in the properties involved in the above approximately 1 200 applications.
     
    (3) Redevelopment projects typically involve dozens, or even more than a hundred stamp duty refund applications, involving a significant amount of stamp duty. Therefore, the IRD needs to carefully examine a large number of documents, including the agreement for sale and purchase, information about the applicant and the associated body corporate(s), the consent or approval issued by the Building Authority in respect of the new development, etc. for each application, so as to avoid any abuse of the refund mechanism. As previously mentioned, most applicants whose applications took five months or longer to complete processing needed to submit supplementary information after making the applications. In order to reduce correspondence between the IRD and the applicants regarding the submission of required information and to shorten the time to wait for applicants to supplement required information, the IRD will update the stamp duty refund application form and guidelines by the end of this year. The updated form will provide a detailed list of all necessary documents and remind applicants that their applications will only be considered valid after all documents have been submitted. Following the updating of the stamp duty refund application form, the IRD will organise a briefing session for the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong and developers to help the industry understand the IRD’s requirements. The IRD will also publish guidelines to explain the common issues encountered during the processing of stamp duty refund applications and how the IRD handles them. Furthermore, the IRD will review the current application processing procedures and deploy resources to expedite the processing of applications.
     
         After implementing the aforementioned enhancement measures, the IRD anticipates that most of the stamp duty refund applications can be completed within two months after receiving all the documents.

         Thank you, President.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Food retailer convicted of supplying and in possession of duck liver with false claims (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Food retailer convicted of supplying and in possession of duck liver with false claims (with photo)
    Food retailer convicted of supplying and in possession of duck liver with false claims (with photo)
    ******************************************************************************************

         A food retailer was convicted of supplying and in possession of a kind of Chinese duck liver that was falsely claimed as “Hungarian goose liver”, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), and was fined $30,000 at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (October 23). A total of 27 packs of duck liver involved in the case were also confiscated.     During a territory-wide inspection conducted earlier, Hong Kong Customs purchased a food product claimed to be goose liver from the food retailer and sent the samples to the Government Laboratory for testing. The testing results revealed that the products were actually duck livers.     Customs subsequently took enforcement action and seized a total of 27 packs of related products with a total value of about $3,900 from four branches of the food retailer.       Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and urges consumers to procure products at reputable shops.     Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO 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/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 16:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Result of the auction of 2.25 per cent DGB 2026 and 2.25 per cent DGB 2033 G

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bids, sales, cut-off price, pro rata and yield are presented in the table below:           

    ISIN Bid mill. DKK (nominal) Sale mill.DKK (nominal) Cut-off price Pro rata Yield
    99 24888 DGB 2.25% 15/11/2026 510 510 100.785 100 % 1.86 % p.a.
    99 24615 DGB 2.25% 15/11/2033 G 1,510 1,410 101.00 100 % 2.13 % p.a.
    Total 2,020 1,920      

    Settlement: 25 October 2024

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Exclusive Markets’ Mr. Lambros Lambrou Honoured with ‘Top 50 Financial Markets CEO Awards 2024’ in Dubai

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exclusive Markets proudly announces that Mr. Lambros Lambrou, CEO of the esteemed organization, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Top 50 Financial Markets CEO Awards’ at the Middle East Financial Markets Awards Ceremony Dubai 2024 – 2ndEdition. This award is not only a testament to his exceptional leadership, visionary approach, and significant contributions to the financial sector but also highlights his dedication to excellence and his role in driving the success and growth of Exclusive Markets.

    Lambros Lambrou leads Exclusive Markets, guiding the firm through dynamic market landscapes and ensuring sustained growth. His strategic vision has been instrumental in positioning Exclusive Markets as one of the top players in the global trading sector. Under his leadership, the firm has expanded its portfolio and consistently delivered exceptional value to its clients.

    On receiving the award, Lambros Lambrou expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, “I am deeply honoured. It reflects the collective efforts of the entire team at Exclusive Markets. Together, we have strived to create an environment that fosters innovation, integrity, and excellence. This award inspires us to continue our journey towards setting new standards in the industry.”

    This marks the relentless commitment to excellence of Lambros Lambrou. His innovative strategies and client centric approach have set new benchmarks in the industry. The leadership in Exclusive Markets is characterized by a deep understanding of market dynamics, a keen eye for emerging trends, and a passion for nurturing talent within the organization.

    About Exclusive Markets

    Exclusive Markets is committed to delivering a robust, secure, and transparent platform for investors in various financial instruments. With a strong emphasis on advanced technology and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Certification from MSECB, Exclusive Markets provides traders with an outstanding platform that seamlessly blends advanced features with user-friendly interfaces.

    Traders can explore a diverse selection of trading instruments, including CFD stocks, commodities, currencies, and spot metals. The company’s expert team is dedicated to meeting the evolving demands of clients by broadening the array of products and services, enabling traders to invest according to their unique preferences.

    Risk Warning: Trading involves risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25d6ff93-af6f-4d51-b584-4e27a0ed10ed

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Suspended trading due to challenges with NAV calculations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                                                                              Lysaker, 23 October 2024

    The below funds are suspended from the live trading on Nasdaq Copenhagen due to technical issues which affect NAV calculations, and hence, challenges to provide intrinsic values for the funds.

    Regards

    Storebrand Asset Management AS

    Contacts:

    Kim Toftegaard Andreassen, Director, Kim.Toftegaard.Andreassen@storebrand.com

    Frode Aasen, Product Manager, fdc@storebrand.com

    Fund name and share class Symbol ISIN
    SKAGEN Focus A SKIFOA NO0010735129
    SKAGEN Global A SKIGLO NO0008004009
    SKAGEN Kon-Tiki A SKIKON NO0010140502
    SKAGEN m2 A SKIM2 NO0010657356
    SKAGEN Vekst A SKIVEK NO0008000445
    Storebrand Indeks – Alle Markeder A5 STIIAM NO0010841588
    Storebrand Indeks – Nye Markeder A5 STIINM NO0010841570
    Storebrand Global ESG Plus A5 STIGEP NO0010841604
    Storebrand Global Solutions A5 STIGS NO0010841612
    Storebrand Global Multifactor A5 STIGM NO0010841596

    Storebrand is Norway’s largest private asset manager with an AuM of around DKK 900 billions, and also a leading Nordic provider of sustainable pensions and savings. The company has been a global pioneer in ESG investing for over 25 years, offering broad and scalable solutions for both institutional and private investors in the Nordic region and other European countries. Storebrand delivers sustainable investment solutions and client value through a multi-boutique platform, with the brands Delphi Funds, SKAGEN Funds and Storebrand Funds.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Irina Dolzhenko, People’s Artist of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Mikhail Mishustin congratulated the opera singer, teacher, and soloist of the Bolshoi Theater on her anniversary.

    The telegram states, in particular:

    “Your uniquely beautiful voice, artistry and rare charm have brought you professional recognition and the love of opera lovers. Your teaching activities and worthy contribution to the preservation and development of the best traditions of the national opera school deserve special respect.

    I wish you new creative ideas, inexhaustible inspiration, good health and prosperity.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: WHO – Government leaders and multisectoral partners unite to tackle noncommunicable diseases and mental health issues in the Commonwealth

    Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

    APIA, Samoa l 23 October 2024 – High-level government leaders and multistakeholder partners came together today to strengthen their commitment to addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health at a side event held during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa. The event, titled “Weaving a Healthy Commonwealth Aiga for Combating Noncommunicable Diseases and Promoting Mental Health,” was jointly organized by the Ministry of Health, Samoa, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office in Samoa, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

    The event highlighted the importance of strong political commitment, partnerships and community involvement in tackling the global health challenges posed by NCDs and mental health issues. Participants from various sectors, including health, education, sports, finance, agriculture, trade, and media, shared their insights and strategies to create environments that promote healthier lifestyles and build more resilient health systems.

    Noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are the leading cause of death in most countries. These diseases account for 150 million premature deaths among people aged between 30 and 70 years, most living in developing countries.

    Director General of Health, Professor Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, highlighted Samoa’s unique approach, “The Ministry of Health has successfully introduced the ‘Package of Essential NCD Services (PEN) Fa’a Samoa’ into our communities, demonstrating our strong commitment to tackling NCDs and mental health issues. We continue to seek innovative ways to strengthen our partnerships with other sectors to reduce NCDs and improve mental health. The Samoan government is dedicated to fostering these collaborations to ensure sustainable and impactful health outcomes for our people.”

    “Tackling NCDs and mental health is not just a job for the health sector. It requires the dedicated involvement of the whole-of-government and whole-of-society. By working together across different sectors and tapping into community strengths, we can significantly reduce the burden of NCDs and mental health conditions,” said Dr Kim Eva Dickson, WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.

    NCDs have also become a serious challenge for people under 30, who make up 60% of the Commonwealth population. In the previous CHOGM held in Rwanda in 2022, the Commonwealth youth-led NCD Guiding Framework was developed to provide a road map for collective action to address the root causes of NCDs and promote healthier lifestyles, especially among the younger population.

    Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, KC said, “In Rwanda, we committed to take bold multisectoral action to reduce the incidence of NCDs. This year here in Samoa, the Commonwealth remains committed to strengthening partnerships that support health equity and sustainable development. By coming together as a Commonwealth ‘aiga’ or family today, our leaders and stakeholders have underscored the collective resolve to combat NCDs and promote mental health.”

    Alongside the focus on addressing NCDs and mental health, the event also highlighted the importance of healthy ageing. A report, authored by Professor Dame Carol Black, the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Ageing Well was presented at the event. As people live longer by prioritizing strategies to prevent NCDs, it is equally important that they continue to thrive and live productive lives.

    The event concluded with renewed commitments from various sectors and stakeholders to work together to combat NCDs and promote mental health, helping set the stage for continued collaboration and action within the Commonwealth.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bazaar Carnival in Celebration of 75th Anniversary of Founding of People’s Republic of China to run from October 25 to 29

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Bazaar Carnival in Celebration of 75th Anniversary of Founding of People’s Republic of China to run from October 25 to 29
    Bazaar Carnival in Celebration of 75th Anniversary of Founding of People’s Republic of China to run from October 25 to 29
    ******************************************************************************************

         ​The Home Affairs Department and 28 provincial-level Clansmen Associations will hold the Bazaar Carnival in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China from October 25 to 29 at Sha Tin Park, sharing the joyful atmosphere of the National Day with members of the public. The Bazaar Carnival is free for entry and does not require admission tickets.     The five-day Bazaar Carnival will feature 75 market stalls, offering specialty foods and hometown products from across the country. There will also be diverse cultural performances, film screenings and culture introductions of the different provinces, enabling members of the public and tourists to experience a rich variety of customs and unique cultures from across the country.     For information about celebratory events of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, please visit http://www.nationalday75.gov.hk.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 17:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    I’d like to thank LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith, for the warm invitation to this year’s annual conference.

    It’s really great to be here with you.

    It’s also nice to be in QLD without my kids! 

    Don’t get me wrong, I know how important family holidays are for your economies across Queensland.

    But it’s actually quite nice not to be running around in swimmers at a water park!

    Just don’t tell my kids I said this!

    I’d also like to give a huge shout out to Mayor Matt Burnett, and congratulate him on his appointment as the new Australian Local Government Association National President.

    He’s a strong, passionate voice for the sector and I look forward to working with him in this new capacity.

    Once a regional mayor myself, I’m can’t help but note that Matt and the two new Vice Presidents all hail from regional Australia!

    Like all of you in the room, I’m committed to strengthening the local government sector. 

    The Albanese Government takes this seriously, because when we work together, we get the best outcomes for our communities.

    You are a trusted deliver partner of the services every community across Queensland relies on.

    We value this, and we’re investing in it.

    We’ve brought you back to the national conversation, at both National Cabinet, and at our two successful Australian Council of Local Government forums. 

    We had over 770 people from the local government sector participate this year, many from the Sunshine State! 

    This open-door, collective dialogue is incredibly important, because there’s nothing worse than decisions being made for you – without you – from Canberra. 

    It’s how we can deliver funding where it’s needed, so that we can continue to get projects that matter to your communities off the ground. 

    It’s why your input into the federal inquiry into local government sustainability underway right now is incredibly important, because it will help us shape how we can deliver the support you need.

    This is one of the reasons we’ve significantly increased road funding to all local councils across Queensland – acting on feedback from you.

    Much like my home state of NSW, your roads have more people on them than ever before.

    Many of them are regional, and many of them have been totally washed away by extreme weather events.

    We are progressively doubling Roads to Recovery from $500 million to $1 billion nationally, which will have a huge impact on how you upgrade and maintain your local roads.

    Almost $900 million is flowing to local governments in Queensland over the next five years, a boost of over $353 million thanks to the Albanese Government. 

    A pipeline of new work will build on the thousands of projects being delivered under Roads to Recovery.

    Projects on the roads your communities drive every day – the ones they call or email you about to improve!

    This builds on funding under our Road Black Spot program – which is also increasing from $110 million to $150 million per year. 

    Under this program in this financial year, we’re already supporting 31 Black Spot sites across Queensland, with more than two thirds of this funding supporting projects in regional areas.

    Projects like upgrading Kajabbi Road in the Cloncurry Shire – fixing a problem which often saw this road closed during wet weather.

    But it’s not just roads that our local communities want to see delivered.

    We obviously need safe and reliable roads to get around, because we all have somewhere to go – from work, holidaying, to catching up with family and friends.

    That’s why we’re also investing in projects that bring our communities together.

    Projects that unlock new jobs and economic opportunities.

    We’ve introduced our Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs programs.

    For the first time, a funding opportunity for everyone community – regardless of your postcode.

    Projects supported through these programs will be truly region-shaping.

    Out of the 40 successful projects under Round 1 of Growing Regions, nine are in Queensland.

    Among them is the Agnes Water Skate Park Revitalisation at Gladstone.

    This is something long called for by the community – and will really be a whole community facility, because skate parks really are for all ages.

    Trust me, there’s vision on my socials to prove that! 

    I don’t know how good I was, but there’s vision!

    In Mackay, the Regional Council will construct the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

    This will be a central gathering place for the community, and really change how they come together for major events and activities.

    Applications for Round 2 – now with a single stage process, which is updated after feedback from you – closed earlier this month.

    A further $393 million is available, and we look forward to seeing many more amazing projects under this round! 

    One of the big things councils across Queensland talk to me about is housing.

    It’s why we’re investing $32 billion in housing initiatives – the biggest investment in over a decade.

    This will see 1.2 million new homes built over the next five years, including many in our regions.

    But increasing housing supply requires collaboration and investment across all levels of government.

    It’s why we launched our $1.5 billion Housing Support Program, to get enabling infrastructure underway, and build more homes sooner. 

    And they say imitation is the best form of flattery, and I note the Opposition have copied this program, so good on them.

    $7 million is flowing to Queensland under Round 1 of our program to 16 projects, with 15 of these in regional locations.

    This is where we know more people are moving to, but where we need more housing to attract and retain the workers our community needs.

    Among the Queensland funding is support for precinct planning around the new Bundaberg Hospital development.

    Support for developing and delivering a Townsville Housing Strategy.

    Plus funding to the Torres Shire Council, to develop and deliver a Horn Island Housing Growth Master Plan.

    Getting more people under a safe and secure roof starts with strengthen your planning abilities.

    The second phase of this program is support for the enabling infrastructure we need to get underway. 

    Successful applications for those programs will be announced later this year. 

    I mentioned before roads getting washed away – and that’s just one of the things that happens when our communities are struck by disasters.

    All of us in the room can agree that when a disaster does hit us, response and recovery is led from the local level up.

    I had this experience myself as Mayor of Bega Valley Shire in NSW – where I had nine declared disasters.

    Black Summer bushfires, which were only put out from extreme floods!

    Ensuring communities are in the best possible position to recover, but that they’re also better prepared, is something very close to my heart.

    My community is still rebuilding, as are so many across Queensland.

    I’m really proud of our $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund.

    We not long had 165 successful projects under Round 2 this program announced nationally.

    This included over $55 million for 29 local projects across Queensland.

    Among them is funding for the Burke Shire towards establishing a multi-sensor warning system.

    Funding towards a back-up generator for the Badu Council Administration Centre in the Torres Straits.

    And funding for a 120-metre long stepped concrete seawall in Deception Bay, to replace a failed rock and shotcrete seawall.

    When we work together we get more done – and this is especially the case for Disaster response and recovery.

    A partnership approach has been our focus since we came to government.

    You’re central to turning federal funding into local results – and I want to thank you for this.

    I’d also like to thank LGAQ for your continued support of the sector, and for your advocacy.

    I know there will be many productive conversations today, so I’ll let you get to it. 

    MIL OSI News –