Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis appeared on CBS’ Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan to discuss North Carolina’s recovery efforts from Helene.
Watch the full interview HERE.
Senator Tillis on the state and federal disaster response:
“Resources are beginning to move. I think they’re moving a little bit more slowly than I hoped, but that is why we’re working on the ground. I want to thank all of the local, state, federal responders out there. They’re doing extraordinary work, but we’ve got to plus up the resources out there into some of the hardest hit areas, areas that we haven’t reached yet. I think that could be done through the leadership of active-duty DOD personnel working with the state and with the National Guard. We just need to surge more resources.”
Senator Tillis on calling for a military leader to take charge of recovery efforts:
“We’ve got to clear roads, most roads are closed in Western North Carolina. I’ve been out there twice last week and [will be out] every day this week. Just the basics of debris removal, rescue operations, things that the Department of Defense, the 82nd Airborne, the 101st Airborne are accustomed to doing in battle situations are exactly what we need in Western North Carolina…It has to be a coordinated response and FEMA knows how to do this well. They’ve done it in other major disaster events. The American people and people in North Carolina need to understand the scope of this storm is more like Katrina. It may look like a flood to the observer, but again, this is a land mass roughly the size of the state of Massachusetts with damage distributed throughout. We have to get the maximum resources on the ground immediately to finish rescue operations and then sadly be there for recovery and rebuilding.”
Senator Tillis on the spread of misinformation during recovery efforts:
“I’ve been involved in a number of storm responses and this is when I believe discipline is absolutely essential…Many of the observations are not even from people on the ground. I believe that we have to stay focused on rescue operations, recovery operations, clearing operations, and we don’t need any of these distractions on the ground. It is at the expense of the hard-working first responders and people that are just trying to recover their lives…If there are any challenges, call my office and we’ll track them down if there are real issues, but most of what I’ve seen is a distraction and not helping the core of the effort right here which is to save lives and start rebuilding.”
Senator Tillis on North Carolina protecting voting access for residents affected by Helene:
“North Carolina is doing a great job. I’ve spoken with state leaders and they’re coming back and taking lessons from Louisiana and a number of other states that have had to provide ballot and voting access in difficult situations like this. They’ll be passing legislative matters this week to address it and I think that North Carolina will be prepared to make sure that everybody who wants to vote will have access to the ballot and vote before election day or on election day.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tania Signal, Professor of Psychology, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia
Mental health is the second-most common reason cited for getting a dog, after companionship. And many of us say we “feel healthier” for having a dog – and let them sleep in our bedroom.
Here’s what it means for our physical and mental health to share our homes (and doonas) with our canine companions.
Are there physical health benefits to having a dog?
Having a dog is linked to lower risk of death over the long term. In 2019, a systematic review gathered evidence published over 70 years, involving nearly four million individual medical cases. It found people who owned a dog had a 24% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who did not own a dog.
Having a dog may help lower your blood pressure through more physical activity. Barnabas Davoti/Pexels
Dog ownership was linked to increased physical activity. This lowered blood pressure and helped reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
The review found for those with previous heart-related medical issues (such as heart attack), living with a dog reduced their subsequent risk of dying by 35%, compared to people with the same history but no dog.
Another recent UK study found adult dog owners were almost four times as likely to meet daily physical activity targets as non-owners. Children in households with a dog were also more active and engaged in more unstructured play, compared to children whose family didn’t have a dog.
Exposure to dirt and microbes carried in from outdoors may also strengthen immune systems and lead to less use of antibiotics in young children who grow up with dogs.
However, dogs can also pose risks to our physical health. One of the most common health issues for pet owners is allergies.
Dogs’ saliva, urine and dander (the skin cells they shed) can trigger allergic reactions resulting in a range of symptoms, from itchy eyes and runny nose to breathing difficulties.
A recent meta-analysis pooled data from nearly two million children. Findings suggested early exposure to dogs may increase the risk of developing asthma (although not quite as much as having a cat does). The child’s age, how much contact they have with the dog and their individual risk all play a part.
Slips, trips and falls are another risk – more people fall over due to dogs than cats.
Having a dog can also expose you to bites and scratches which may become infected and pose a risk for those with compromised immune systems. And they can introduce zoonotic diseases into your home, including ring worm and Campylobacter, a disease that causes diarrhoea.
For those sharing the bed there is an elevated the risk of allergies and picking up ringworm. It may result in lost sleep, as dogs move around at night.
On the other hand some owners report feeling more secure while co-sleeping with their dogs, with the emotional benefit outweighing the possibility of sleep disturbance or waking up with flea bites.
Proper veterinary care and hygiene practices are essential to minimise these risks.
Many of us don’t just share a home with a dog – we let them sleep in our beds. Claudia Mañas/Unsplash
What about mental health?
Many people know the benefits of having a dog are not only physical.
As companions, dogs can provide significant emotional support helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. Their presence may offer comfort and a sense of purpose to individuals facing mental health challenges.
Loneliness is a significant and growing public health issue in Australia.
In the dog park and your neighbourhood, dogs can make it easier to strike up conversations with strangers and make new friends. These social interactions can help build a sense of community belonging and reduce feelings of social isolation.
For older adults, dog walking can be a valuable loneliness intervention that encourages social interaction with neighbours, while also combating declining physical activity.
However, if you’re experiencing chronic loneliness, it may be hard to engage with other people during walks. An Australian study found simply getting a dog was linked to decreased loneliness. People reported an improved mood – possibly due to the benefits of strengthening bonds with their dog.
Walking a dog can make it easier to talk to people in your neighbourhood. KPegg/Shutterstock
What are the drawbacks?
While dogs can bring immense joy and numerous health benefits, there are also downsides and challenges. The responsibility of caring for a dog, especially one with behavioural issues or health problems, can be overwhelming and create financial stress.
Dogs have shorter lifespans than humans, and the loss of a beloved companion can lead to depression or exacerbate existing mental health conditions.
Lifestyle compatibility and housing conditions also play a significant role in whether having a dog is a good fit.
The so-called pet effect suggests that pets, often dogs, improve human physical and mental health in all situations and for all people. The reality is more nuanced. For some, having a pet may be more stressful than beneficial.
Importantly, the animals that share our homes are not just “tools” for human health. Owners and dogs can mutually benefit when the welfare and wellbeing of both are maintained.
Tania Signal does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (7 October 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $42 million loan to provide coastal and riverbank protection to increase resilience of local communities and natural ecosystems in the state of Maharashtra, India.
The Maharashtra Sustainable Climate-Resilient Coastal Protection and Management Project will establish coastal erosion and riverbank protection solutions such as offshore reefs, sheet piles, beach nourishment, and vegetation planting to restore and stabilize the coastline.
“The project will demonstrate the benefits of adopting new engineering hybrid approaches such as offshore reefs construction and rock protection works, as well as soft nature-based solutions such as beach and dune nourishment,” said ADB Water Resources Specialist Marie L’Hostis.
“The project responds to Maharashtra’s climate adaptation needs as outlined in the state’s Shoreline Management Plan and address climate change threats as shown by increasing rates of sea-level rise and coastal erosion though flexible nature-based and hybrid solutions, which can adapt to different climate scenarios,” said ADB Senior Climate Change Specialist (Coastal Adaptation) Alessio Giardino.
ADB will help build the capacity of the Maharashtra Maritime Board in shore management planning, including the establishment of a coastal infrastructure management unit. The project will support capacity building of stakeholders on gender equality and social inclusion, coastal management, and livelihood activities.
The project builds on the ADB-financed Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Program. It aims to enhance fisheries and tourism, while encouraging increased participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in coastal zone management.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.
Topics include agriculture, education, energy, environment, gender, governance, health, transport, urban development, and water. Most of these publications can be downloaded for free from the ADB Publications pages. Hard copies of listed titles can be ordered from Amazon online; or via the “Order print publication” button on the relevant web pages. Orders can also be placed through our commercial distributors, booksellers, and copublishers when indicated in the publication’s description.
Headline: Secretary Kody H. Kinsley to Donate Blood Monday in Raleigh
Secretary Kody H. Kinsley to Donate Blood Monday in Raleigh stonizzo
As part of efforts to help people and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is sharing opportunities for people to contribute to relief efforts, including donating blood. NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley will participate in a blood drive at the American Red Cross in Raleigh on Monday afternoon to encourage other North Carolinians across the state who are eligible to consider donating blood in support of people and communities impacted by the storm.
The Red Cross is working to restock critically needed blood products after the cancellation of blood drives across the southeast, causing more than 2,500 blood donations to go uncollected. In the aftermath of Helene, patients are fighting their own battle. Those outside the affected areas are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS to help restock the shelves.
What: Secretary Kody H. Kinsley to give blood and encourages others to donate following Hurricane Helene
Who: Kody H. Kinsley, Secretary, NCDHHS
When: Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 2:30 p.m.
Where: American Red Cross 100 N. Peartree Lane Raleigh, NC 27610
Media: Credentialed media are invited to attend and should arrive at 2:15 p.m. Secretary Kinsley will speak with media following his donation. Please RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov and be mindful of other donors and their privacy.
MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Republic of France in FrenchThe French Republic has issued the following statement:
Image 1Credits: AB Stock Solution – stock.adobe.com
A craftsman who is an individual entrepreneur ceases his activity. He is then removed from the trades register and placed in receivership and liquidation. The liquidator requests that the auction of the craftsman’s main residence be ordered. The latter opposes this sale because his main residence is unseizable and takes legal action.
The Court of Appeal rejects the craftsman’s request and authorises the sale of his main residence to continue. In its view, the craftsman’s main residence can be seized because the collective proceedings were opened after the craftsman was removed from the trade register.
The Court of Cassation quashes and annuls the appeal decision. According to it, the exemption from seizure of the main residence remains as long as the rights of the creditors to whom it is enforceable have not been extinguished. Thus, the cessation of professional activity does not put an end to this exemption from seizure.
Please note
In this case, it remains possible for the creditor to initiate proceedings against the sole trader’s main residence only if his claim does not arise from the latter’s professional activity.
Reminder
The exemption from seizure of the main residence does not apply when the tax administration is responsible for the entrepreneur’s share:
fraudulent maneuvers (concealment of purchases and sales, failure to declare taxable transactions not recorded in the accounts, etc.); serious and repeated failure to comply with tax obligations.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Rosneft has opened a scientific and educational center based on the Mining and Oil Faculty of the Ufa State Petroleum Technological University. The Rosneft-USPTU center is equipped with the latest equipment, some of which has no analogues. More than 800 students and postgraduates will be trained here annually.
A large educational project is being implemented with the participation of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia – the founder of USPTU.
With the support of the Company, a comprehensive modernization was carried out in the five-story building of the Mining and Petroleum Faculty with an area of 6 thousand m2. The building is equipped with advanced scientific and educational equipment, intended, among other things, for core research and the study of hard-to-recover hydrocarbon reserves.
The scientific and educational center has 15 educational clusters, which consist of 26 specialized laboratories (exploration and drilling; development and exploitation of deposits), 8 digital modeling classes and 2 technosphere safety laboratories.
The educational center has a modern drilling simulator, which students can use in virtual reality to conduct, among other things, major well repairs.
Rosneft – USPTU opens up broad opportunities for masters and postgraduate students who carry out scientific research in areas relevant to the Company, including in the field of hard-to-recover hydrocarbon reserves and new materials used in drilling to improve the efficiency of well construction.
The scientific and educational equipment of the faculty allows students to master modern technology, laboratory equipment and software to develop competencies relevant to the Company.
USPTU is a “forge of personnel” for the oil and gas industry of our country and one of the main suppliers of highly qualified specialists for Rosneft enterprises conducting production activities in various regions of Russia.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 19, 2022
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Provisional Driver caught driving 80km/hr over the speed limit
Monday, 7 October 2024 – 11:03 am.
A 17-year-old male p-plater from Cygnet has been charged with reckless driving and aggravated evade after he was observed travelling south on the Southern Outlet, Kingston, about 9.30pm on 18 September at high speed. Police attempted to intercept the vehicle; however, it continued at speed and weaved between other motorists to avoid police. The youth was observed travelling at approximately 160km/hr in an 80km/hr zone. He was later intercepted and arrested. Police are continuing to investigate the incident and are calling for motorists who witnessed a Black Ford Fiesta or who have dashcam footage of the dangerous driving at the time to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously. Please quote OR754261.
Please attribute to Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders:
Waikato Police are continuing to make enquiries after a sighting of Tom Phillips and his children was reported on Thursday evening.
Investigators received information about 7pm on Thursday that Tom had been seen in bush area west of Coutts Road in Marokopa with Jayda, Maverick and Ember.
Our enquiries have established that this was a credible sighting, and Police believe it was indeed Tom and his children.
Police dispatched staff to the Marokopa area on Thursday night and a three-day search was commenced.
Part of the search phase included air support from the Police Eagle helicopter and a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter.
While nothing further of significance was located, investigators will now assess information gathered to determine any next steps.
This is the first time all three of the children have been sighted, which is positive information, and we know it will be reassuring for the children’s wider family.
Police continue to urge those in the Marokopa community to remain alert and report any suspicious activity, no matter how minor, to us.
If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.
Please use reference number 211218/5611.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Headline: At the Direction of FEMA Administrator Criswell, U.S. Fire Administrator Visits Firefighters in Support of Hurricane Helene Response
At the Direction of FEMA Administrator Criswell, U.S. Fire Administrator Visits Firefighters in Support of Hurricane Helene Response
Local firefighters and first responders face the dual burden of operational response and personal recovery for Hurricane Helene
WASHINGTON — At the direction of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to support the whole of government response, U.S. Fire Administrator, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, met with firefighters and emergency response teams last week in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee to discuss ongoing recovery efforts and assess their urgent needs. Today, the Fire Administrator met with fire chiefs in Augusta, Georgia to visit the Emergency Operation Center and fire stations, survey devastation, and work with the fire chief in a food and water distribution line.
“I had the opportunity to visit multiple active scenes across the impact zones and talk with the responders.” said Fire Administrator Moore-Merrell. “As you look into their eyes, it is completely evident that they are mission-driven and passionate about what must be done. Every block is searched not once, not twice but often three times as these rescuers dig down through debris. For each person, they’re not just here to help a community, it is personal. Seeing so much destruction on this large scale in their own communities means that they are rescuing or helping people to recover that they might know. These are their neighbors, friends and even family members.”
Throughout this multi-state visit over several days, the Fire Administrator supported ongoing efforts by FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to expedite the deployment of additional resources, personnel and equipment to the hardest-hit areas. The Fire Administrator pledged continued support and coordination with state and local governments to ensure first responders can continue to serve their communities effectively in the weeks and months to come.
During the visit to South Carolina, the Fire Administrator met with a family of a fallen firefighter killed at the beginning of the storm and expressed the federal family’s gratitude and continued support.
In North Carolina, the Fire Administrator visited Asheville Fire Department Station 13, Swannanoa Volunteer Fire Department, Garran Creek Fire Rescue, and Fairview Volunteer Fire Department. FEMA Incident Management Teams were complemented by local firefighters at every stop. One of the most valued assets on any team were the peer counselors and clinicians. Going forward, USFA will prioritize mental health resources for all Helene responders.
The visit to Kingsport and Johnson City EOC and to the town Erwin, Tennessee displayed the need for multifaceted search techniques involving firefighters, K-9, LEOs, heavy equipment operators, and structural engineers was widespread. The coordination among federal Urban Search & Rescue, local responders, and state teams was seamless.
On her visit to Shreveport, Louisiana, she met with firefighters from San Diego Fire Department and Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 8
who were injured in a traffic accident on their way to help Hurricane Helene survivors.
For more information on the U.S. Fire Administration, visit U.S. Fire Administration (fema.gov).
Asheville, N.C. – (Oct. 4, 2024) – U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell meets firefighters at fire departments across Buncombe County, North Carolina, on Friday, October 4, 2024.
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Asheville, N.C. – (Oct. 4, 2024) – U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell meets firefighters at fire departments across Buncombe County, North Carolina, on Friday, October 4, 2024.
Asheville, N.C. – (Oct. 4, 2024) – U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell meets firefighters at fire departments across Buncombe County, North Carolina, on Friday, October 4, 2024.
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Asheville, N.C. – (Oct. 4, 2024) – U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell meets firefighters at fire departments across Buncombe County, North Carolina, on Friday, October 4, 2024.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Large-tonnage equipment – two reactors for the gasoline catalytic reforming unit – was delivered to the production site of the Ryazan Oil Refinery Company (part of Rosneft). The reactors are 6.5 and 7.5 meters high, respectively, and weigh 30.7 and 39.1 tons. The reactors were delivered to the plant by specialized motor transport. The equipment was designed and manufactured at a Russian enterprise.
The catalytic reforming unit plays an important role in the production of high-octane gasoline of the Euro-5 environmental class. The plant produces up to 300 thousand tons of stable catalysate annually.
Replacing the reactors at the plant will allow the production of a catalyst with a higher octane number (96 or more) and will also increase the catalyst’s regeneration life, which will further improve the quality of the gasoline produced.
Ryazan Oil Refinery is implementing a large-scale investment program to modernize production, aimed at increasing the depth and volume of processing, improving operational efficiency, environmental and industrial safety. The projects implemented within the program allow the plant to produce gasolines with improved environmental and operational properties – Euro 6, AI-100, as well as low-sulfur marine fuel. The use of digital technologies has made it possible to automate the management of technological processes and industrial safety systems at the main technological units of the enterprise.
Reference:
JSC Ryazan Oil Refining Company is one of the four largest oil refineries in Russia in terms of refining volumes and range of products.
RNPK produces a wide range of high-quality petroleum products, including motor gasolines with improved environmental characteristics, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, road and construction bitumen, etc.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 16, 2022
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Performance staged to mark 70th founding anniversary of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps
URUMQI, Oct. 6 — An artistic performance was staged in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Sunday night to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.
Vice Premier He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, led a central delegation to watch the gala together with people of various ethnic groups from all walks of life.
The performance displayed notable achievements made by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps over the past seven decades, especially its progress in deepening reform, promoting high-quality development and pursuing modernization since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.
The central delegation comprising 24 members arrived in Urumqi on Sunday afternoon to attend celebration activities.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Rosneft has opened a network of ultra-fast charging stations for electric vehicles at its own filling stations in the Moscow region. The Company’s filling stations have 27 charging stations with a capacity of 150 kW, allowing the battery of an electric vehicle to be charged to 80% in just 20 minutes. The equipment supports various international charging standards (CCS, CHAdeMO and Type2) and fully complies with international requirements.
The project to develop charging infrastructure in the Moscow region was implemented jointly with Rosseti as part of an agreement signed at SPIEF 2021.
Currently, 52 charging stations have been installed at Rosneft filling stations in St. Petersburg near the Lakhta Center, the Leningrad, Moscow, Lipetsk, Voronezh regions, Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Buryatia.
Expanding the range of customer services is one of the key areas of the retail business of Rosneft Oil Company. The company is systematically developing related services. Currently, at the filling stations managed by Rosneft, you can not only fill up and wash your car, but also drink freshly brewed coffee, have a snack, buy goods in a store or use other convenient services.
The development of the charging infrastructure will allow drivers to charge electric vehicles at the extensive network of Rosneft gas stations in Russia. The company will continue to further develop the charging infrastructure at gas stations in accordance with demand forecasts and the development of the electric vehicle market.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 16, 2022
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Oct. 6 — China has seen a robust tourism market during the week-long National Day holiday. While patriotic sentiments were present, cultural tourism and new travel trends, such as small-town trips, stood out as defining aspects of the 2024 holiday.
Official data showed that during the first three days of the holiday that started on Oct. 1, nearly 900 million people traveled across regions in China. The Ministry of Transport predicted that the total number of cross-regional travelers during the holiday would reach 1.94 billion, with an average of 277 million travelers per day — a 0.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Ranging from traditional clothing performances to immersive heritage experiences, cultural tourism flourished across the country. In the Ancient Culture Street in Tianjin, north China, a Hanfu performance captivated onlookers, many of whom wore traditional attire. This heritage-rich area saw over 300,000 visitors and generated more than 25 million yuan (about 3.56 million U.S. dollars) in revenue in just two days.
Beijing’s Central Axis, newly recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also proved a popular destination. Tourist interest in visiting the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and other locations along the axis grew significantly — with bookings increasing by 69 percent compared to last year. Cultural souvenirs, such as creative postcards and themed merchandise, further enriched the tourist experience.
Museum visits have become an important part of holiday activities for many travelers. In northeast China’s Liaoning Province, the Liaoning Provincial Museum displayed an original painting by an emperor of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), attracting tourists from across the country. Some museum-goers have queued for hours to view this artwork.
A tourist surnamed Li from Shanghai considered visiting the exhibition a key part of her family trip. “Visiting museums can plant the seeds of culture in children’s minds from a young age. It’s a great way to travel,” she said.
Data show that the number of traditional culture-themed scenic spots in China had increased from 2,230 in 2013 to nearly 4,000 in 2022, with approximately 80 percent of A-level tourist attractions incorporating various intangible cultural heritage projects.
Small-town trips have also become popular in China, drawing young travelers seeking unique and indigenous experiences. According to data from leading online travel agency Ctrip, nearly half of the travelers bound for counties during the holiday were young people in their 20s and 30s who came from major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Many of them opted for the tranquility of natural landscapes and local traditions to avoid urban crowds.
On the morning of Oct. 1, a total of 123,000 people from across the country gathered at the Tian’anmen Square to witness the historic moment of the national flag being raised on the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Many had been waiting there since the previous night.
“I hope to give my child an unforgettable patriotic education. Watching the flag-raising ceremony is the most important part of our trip to Beijing,” said Zhang Ningli, a tourist from Zhejiang Province in east China.
Ctrip data reveal that during this year’s National Day holiday, average daily orders for revolutionary-themed tourism in China had increased by 40 percent year on year.
Zhao Wenzhi, president of the Guangdong Travel Service Association, believes that changing tourist demands are continuously fostering new cultural and tourism consumption scenarios, business formats and models, with the tourism market offering both more diverse experiences and richer options for travelers.
Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, predicted that based on factors such as people’s travel intentions, booking indices and local tourism preparations, the number of travelers during the 2024 National Day holiday would likely reach a new record high.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China sees surge in return trips as holiday nears end
Updated: October 7, 2024 08:40Xinhua
A policewoman helps passengers on the platform at Taizhou Railway Station in Taizhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Oct. 6, 2024. China sees a surge in return trips on Sunday as the week-long National Day holiday draws to a close. [Photo/Xinhua]Passengers wait to board a train at the platform at Hengyang East Railway Station in Hengyang City, central China’s Hunan Province, Oct. 6, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 6, 2024 shows the traffic on the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]Passengers walk towards the exit at Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Oct. 6, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 6, 2024 shows the traffic on a bridge in Nantong, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]Passengers walk on the platform at Yantai Railway Station in Yantai, east China’s Shandong Province, Oct. 6, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
A man has been charged in relation to an assault on Courtenay Place in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Emergency services were called to Courtenay Place outside the old Reading Cinema about 3.20am after a 21-year-old man was injured.
He was transported to hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
A 29-year-old man has now been arrested in relation to this incident. He has been charged with wounding with reckless disregard, and is due to appear in Wellington District Court today.
Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this assault, or who has any knowledge of it or of those involved. In particular, we want to speak to two women who were sitting close by when the incident occurred, and who would have witnessed what happened.
If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105 and use the reference number 241006/5414.
Police have also opened an online portal where anyone who has any relevant video footage or images can upload their material.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Oct. 6 — With China’s week-long National Day holiday nearing its end, return travel levels started to rise on Sunday, but the overall traffic situation remained stable, according to the traffic management bureau of the Ministry of Public Security.
The National Day holiday, also known as “golden week,” is usually one of the peak seasons on China’s domestic tourism calendar. Expressways in China have run at full capacity, especially as they are toll-free during the holiday period.
Data from the Ministry of Transport showed that from Oct. 1 to 4, cross-regional passenger turnover had surpassed 1.1 billion across the country. Additionally, it predicted that more than 1.5 billion self-driving tourist trips would be made during this year’s golden-week holiday from Oct. 1 to 7.
As of Sunday, the overall traffic situation in China was stable and smooth, with no serious traffic jams or accidents reported.
Return travel will peak on Monday, the last day of the holiday. The traffic management bureau has warned of speeding and driver fatigue, as well as possible poor weather.
The latest cutting-edge research has confirmed that there are nine different species of the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander.
Published recently in the Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society, the research led by the conservation charity that runs London Zoo has shone a new light on the ancient animal.
A team from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), an international conservation charity driven by science, working with partners in China, used genetic data to study the world’s largest amphibian, once thought to be a single species found across central and southern China.
Chinese giant salamanders can grow up to 1.8 meters long. Their loose, baggy skin helps them absorb oxygen from the water, while tiny sensors across their bodies detect vibrations from worms, crustaceans, small fish, and frogs, compensating for their poor eyesight.
“There is a high likelihood that Chinese giant salamanders face extinction in the wild, and it is extremely important to work collaboratively to prevent extinction being the fate of these ancient animals,” Ben Tapley, curator of reptiles and amphibians at London Zoo and one of the paper’s co-authors, told Xinhua.
“Our research shows that there are up to nine different species of Chinese giant salamander, but only four have been named by scientists, and only two have had their conservation status assessed, with both being categorized as critically endangered,” Tapley added.
“Chinese giant salamanders are recognized as critically endangered. All of the species we’ve now identified are at high risk of disappearing forever,” said Samuel Turvey, a researcher at ZSL and an author of the paper. “If we are to avoid losing the world’s largest amphibians, we need to act urgently to ensure that these newly-recognized species are formally recognized and legally protected.”
“The possibility that Chinese giant salamanders may not be a single species has been suggested by researchers for 20 years, but by comparing levels of genetic difference seen across giant salamander populations with differences shown by other known salamander species, we can now confirm this for sure,” said Turvey.
Three people were arrested this morning following a traffic stop in the Dinsdale area.
At around 3.45am, a Police unit sighted a vehicle of interest relating to a burglary in Te Kowhai on Sunday.
Senior Sergeant Leo Belay says a traffic stop was carried out and the vehicle was stopped without issue.
“A search of the vehicle located a number of items relating to multiple burglaries across the Waikato District, along with the seizure of drug utensils.
“Police followed positive lines of enquiry after reviewing CCTV footage of the Te Kowhai burglary, these arrests highlight the value that CCTV provides Police when investigating such offenses.”
Some items recovered include car keys, passports, power tools, watches, and jewellery.
All three occupants of the vehicle were arrested at the scene without incident.
“This is another good example of our staff remaining vigilant in the community, and a great example of proactive Police work by frontline officers,” says Senior Sergeant Belay.
“Waikato Police are committed to ensuring our community is safe and we hope these arrests provide reassurance to the community.
“Due to the amount of evidence located in the vehicle, investigators will be continuing to make enquiries, to ensure the stolen property safely returns to their rightful owners over the coming days. Identification of further victims through these enquiries will likely result in further charges being laid.”
A 43-year-old man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court today facing six charges of burglary, while a 47-year-old man is due to appear facing one charge of burglary.
A 33-year-old man was charged for possessing a drug utensil and was remanded on bail to reappear at a later date.
Tunisian President Kais Saied (R, front) registers at a polling center in Tunis, Tunisia on Oct. 6, 2024. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)
Exit polls showed that Tunisian President Kais Saied is expected to win the presidential election on Sunday, Tunisian State TV reported.
According to the estimated results of a poll by Sigma Conseil, a Tunisian survey company, Saied won 89.2 percent of the vote, followed by Ayachi Zammel with 6.9 percent and Zouhair Maghzaoui with 3.9 percent.
In a press briefing following the election, Farouk Bouaskar, president of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), said the preliminary turnout in the presidential election reached 27.7 percent.
According to statistics from the ISIE, a total of 2,599,252 Tunisians voted in Tunisia and 104,903 Tunisians went to the polls abroad.
The official TAP news agency said the Chahed Observatory reported a turnout of 28.8 percent when the polling stations closed.
The total number of voters registered on the electoral register is around 9,753,217 people.
The preliminary results of the election will be announced Monday evening, according to the ISIE.
Two Chinese nationals were killed, one Chinese national injured, and several Pakistani nationals were killed and injured in a terrorist attack in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Sunday night, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan confirmed.
The attack happened at about 11:00 p.m. local time on Sunday (1800 GMT) when a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was attacked by terrorists near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, the capital city of the country’s south Sindh province, the embassy said in a statement.
“The Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist act, express deep condolences to the victims of the two countries, and extend sincere condolences to the injured and their relatives,” the statement said, adding that the Chinese side has been working with the Pakistani side to do their best to deal with the aftermath of the incident.
A big fire following a huge blast on Sunday night engulfed several vehicles near an airport in Karachi, police said.
The Chinese missions in Pakistan have initiated emergency response work as soon as possible, requiring Pakistan to do its best to treat the injured, conduct a thorough investigation of the attack, and severely punish the perpetrators, the statement said.
The embassy stressed that practical and effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions, and projects in Pakistan should be taken by the Pakistani side at the same time.
“The Chinese embassy and consulates in Pakistan remind Chinese citizens and companies in Pakistan to be vigilant, pay close attention to the local security situation, strengthen security measures, and make every effort to take safety precautions,” said the statement.
The banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack through a statement on a social media platform, while the Pakistani authorities have not confirmed it.
China’s Shanghai, an economic powerhouse and also a popular tourist destination, is seeing a boom in cultural and tourism consumption following the launch of a tourism festival ahead of this year’s week-long National Day holiday, also known as “golden week,” which started on Oct. 1.
From dazzling parades to exciting cultural exhibitions, the 35th Shanghai Tourism Festival dropped its curtain on Sunday, having created an unforgettable experience for both residents and travelers from around the world.
This year’s festival, which opened on Sept. 14, generated total tourism consumption of 92.4 billion yuan (about 13 billion U.S. dollars), a 4.2-percent increase compared to the previous festival. The occupancy rate of hotel rooms in Shanghai during this period was 61 percent — 2 percentage points higher than during the previous edition, data from the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism shows.
Notably, the “Great Art of Dunhuang” exhibition, which started during the festival and will run through December, features 168 sets of the most representative and rare artworks from the Dunhuang Academy collection. Since its launch on Sept. 20, this exhibition has attracted more than 40,000 domestic and international visitors, with over 200,000 tickets sold. Many young tourists came to the exhibition in traditional Chinese Hanfu clothing.
Overseas performance teams also returned after a five-year hiatus at this year’s festival, appearing in the opening parade and various celebration activities. Philipp Betschart, a performer from Switzerland, was fully immersed in the charm of the “China Travel” fiesta. Lauding China’s expanding visa-free policy, he said it has allowed foreign performers more time for both rehearsals and sightseeing.
Betschart and his team were deeply impressed by the historical buildings of the Bund in Shanghai and the Zhujiajiao ancient town, while they fell in love with delicacies such as Xiaolongbao (or steamed soup dumplings).
During the festival, authorities in the city’s 16 districts have taken advantage of their unique resources and organized a variety of festive events, turning Shanghai into a vast “urban theme park.”
“We will foster more innovative scenarios, business models and formats that synergize culture, commerce, tourism, sports and exhibitions, aiming to enhance the quality of urban tourism in Shanghai and draw more visitors from home and abroad,” noted an official with the municipal administration of culture and tourism.
This photo taken on Oct. 6, 2024 shows destroyed buildings after Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
Eleven people were killed and 17 others injured Sunday evening in Israeli airstrikes targeting different areas in Lebanon, according to Lebanese official and military sources.
According to the Ministry of Health, six people were killed and 13 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the village of Kayfoun in Aley district, Mount Lebanon Governorate.
Another Israeli airstrike killed five people and injured four others when an Israeli drone launched an air-to-ground missile on a motorcycle traveling at the northern entrance to the town of Marjeyoun, east of southern Lebanon.
“An Israeli air strike destroyed a mosque in the village of Yaroun in the central sector of the border area this afternoon,” according to the military sources, who required anonymity.
The Israeli army has been carrying out extensive operations in Lebanese territory intending to diminish Hezbollah’s military capabilities and facilitate the return of Israelis to the northern region of the country along the border with Lebanon.
Since Oct. 8, 2023, Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border.
A Chinese hospital specializing in cardiovascular care has widely applied a radiation-free percutaneous intervention method in its treatment of heart disease. The treatment, introduced by Fuwai Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), is guided by ultrasound images and involves sending the treatment instruments from the peripheral blood into the heart in a minimally invasive manner. This method avoids the use of surgery and radiation, and even allows patients to remain awake during the treatment process. Pregnant women, allergy sufferers and cancer patients can also receive this treatment, and the technical difficulty has been reduced as expensive imported large devices are not required, according to the hospital. This procedure is expected to enhance the capacity of primary medical services and make effective heart disease treatment available to outpatients. Therefore, access to heart disease treatment in countries and regions with limited medical resources will be improved. This form of heart treatment has received funding from the United Nations. Thus far, Fuwai Hospital has invented more than 17 new treatments to deal with different types of cardiovascular diseases such as congenital heart disease, valvular disease and arrhythmia — achieving 65 patents. In addition, the hospital has also developed a series of therapeutic instruments and equipment, including an ultrasonic catheter and a surgical robot. Of these items, 23 are available both in China and abroad. Medical teams from the hospital have been invited to conduct surgeries and introduce Chinese treatment solutions in more than 30 countries, including France, Germany, Canada, Russia and Kenya.
The event is being held on Saturday 19 October between 10 am and 1 pm at the DOC Punakaiki workshop and is part of the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition. It will include a demonstration of how to butcher a goat, as well as a chance to taste goat cooked by a variety of methods.
There will be talks about hunter and firearms safety and on DOC’s work protecting the environment from wild goats. People will also be able to meet some of the dogs and hunters who work to reduce wild goat populations on the West Coast.
Community Ranger Maire Hearty, who is helping to organise the event, says it is a great chance to learn how to break a goat down to different cuts and get some ideas about how to prepare the meat in different ways.
“Goat meat is great in curries, on the barbeque and roasted, and people will be able to try meat cooked these ways on the day.”
Fiona Anderson, DOC Regional Lead for Wild Animals, says wild goats are prolific breeders, and can double their population every year when there is lots of food around and limited hunting pressure.
“There are thousands of wild goats around Punakaiki, they really love the limestone country. They heavily browse native plants which threatens forest health and prevents regeneration. Over time, goats change the composition of the forest as they eat the seedlings of their favourite species.
“DOC cannot manage their numbers alone and we encourage as many hunters as possible to get involved in the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition, which runs until November 26.
“Bring your tails along to the event to enter the competition. NZDA’s Shane Hall will be on site to officially measure goat heads for the NZDA greatest of all time (G.O.A.T) category.”
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has a variety of categories for all age groups and levels of experience. The competition aims to encourage hunters, agencies, and landowners to get involved and help reduce the damage wild goats cause to the environment.
Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Paul Chan said on Sunday that the HKSAR government’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises will announce next month a list of more than 10 enterprises that will establish a foothold in Hong Kong.
These enterprises are from the Chinese mainland, the United States, Europe and other places, with more than half of them specializing in artificial intelligence and big data. Some of them are leading enterprises in their fields.
Chan said that entering the fourth quarter of 2024, the overall market atmosphere has improved significantly. From September to last Friday, the average daily turnover was about 192 billion HK dollars (about 24.72 billion U.S. dollars), which was double of that in August.
Chan said that the continuous reform and innovation of Hong Kong’s listing system over a past period of time have enhanced Hong Kong stock market’s attractiveness and vitality.
In 2018, Hong Kong allowed pre-revenue/pre-profit biotechnology companies, and new economy companies with different share structures, to list in Hong Kong.
There are more than 330 new economy companies listed in Hong Kong. Although they only account for about 30 percent of the listed companies, their total market value exceeded 9.6 trillion HK dollars, accounting for more than 26 percent of the total market value of Hong Kong stocks and accounting for nearly 23 percent of the average daily trading volume of Hong Kong stocks. This has brought the Hong Kong stock market to a new level.
Last year, Hong Kong further introduced a special listing rule for specialist technology companies to support these companies to raise funds.
These reforms have made Hong Kong a preferred listing destination for many tech companies, Chan said.
At the end of this month, Chan will lead a delegation from the financial and innovation sectors to the Middle East to promote Hong Kong’s latest development as an international financial, trade and innovation center, Hong Kong’s unique advantages and functions under “one country, two systems,” as well as new opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. (1 HK dollar equals 0.13 U.S. dollars)
China’s railway operator is expecting a surge in return trips on Sunday as the week-long National Day holiday draws to a close. On Sunday, 18.73 million train trips are expected, with more than 1,400 additional trains scheduled to meet the growing travel demand, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. The operator said that the railway network is experiencing a peak in return travel, with a sharp rise in long-distance trips. For six consecutive days since the holiday rush began, daily passenger numbers have surpassed 17 million, reflecting the sustained high demand during this period. As of 9 a.m. Sunday, 155 million tickets had been sold through China’s official railway ticket-booking website, 12306.cn, and its mobile app, during the “golden week” travel period. To accommodate the surge, railway authorities across the country have added extra trains on popular routes and boosted capacity to ensure smooth travel. Local stations have also enhanced services by optimizing entry and exit processes, ensuring safe and orderly returns of the passengers. China’s railway network is expected to handle 175 million passenger trips during the 10-day National Day holiday travel rush from Sept. 29 to Oct. 8.
Efforts to redress global inequality are facing an unexpected adversary: the white saviour. It’s the idea that people of colour, whether in the Global South or North, need “saving” by a white Western person or aid worker.
An eclectic mix of white activists have been publicly accused of being white saviours for trying to help different causes in the Global South. They include celebrities who adopted orphaned children, organised benefit concerts such as Live Aid, or called out rights abuses.
We conducted a series of studies with 1,991 representative Australians to find out what people thought made a white saviour, how charity appeal photographs create this impression, and how it affected donations.
White saviourism and charities
The concern is that white people’s overseas charity, even when well-meaning, can inadvertently hurt rather than help the cause. It could perpetuate harmful stereotypes of white superiority, disempower local people, or misdirect resources to make helpers feel good rather than alleviating genuine need.
The fear of being labelled a white saviour could make people think twice about giving time or money to worthy causes. It might stop aid organisations using proven appeals to raise donations they need.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), for instance, released a video apologising for using photos depicting white people in aid settings and which aren’t representative of the majority local staff they employ.
Therein lies the dilemma: white donors can relate to photos of white helpers, but this is easily interpreted as white savourism.
What makes someone a white saviour?
Very little research exists into exactly what white saviourism means. Broadly, it seems to describe people in the Global North who support international causes for selfish reasons, to satisfy their own sentimentality and need for a positive image. We wanted to go deeper.
In the first of our studies, we showed our participants 26 photographs depicting different Global South aid settings with a white helper.
The helpers that participants thought of as highly “white saviour” typically had these characteristics:
they appeared to be privileged and superior
they gave help sentimentally and tokenistically
they conformed to the colonial stereotype of the helpless local and powerful foreigner.
Further analysis showed these characteristics boil down to two essential features: ineffectiveness of the help and entitlement of the helpers.
These two perceptions of the white saviour explain the problem for charity. Behavioural economics research has identified two main reasons for donating, and these perceptions undermine both.
Why do people donate at all?
So to see how much white saviourism affects charities, we need to know why people donate in the first place.
One reason for giving is pure altruism, the desire to help others with no direct benefit to oneself. The effective altruism movement encourages people to make every donated dollar count – getting the maximum bang for the buck in terms of measurable outcomes for those in need.
The difficulty for effective altruists is in assessing the impact of different charities vying for their donations. There are now websites that list charities by lives saved per dollar donated.
Alternatively, donors might look at a charity’s appeal images for clues of how effectively it will use their dollars.
Depicting white people as saviours can create the impression of tokenistic aid that only serves the helper’s sentimental needs. Evidence shows people resent impure motives in others (including organisations) and might try to penalise them.
Behavioural economics research also shows, as you might expect, that some people are more concerned about themselves than others when giving. This is known as “warm glow” giving.
Warm glow givers have several self-serving motivations. They include giving to gain self-respect or social status.
People also have a desire to meet their social obligations. For richer folks this could include charitable giving. And giving can reduce guilt they might feel about their privilege.
Just like the effective altruist, the warm glow giver could be put off by any sign of white saviourism. They don’t want to be seen to be endorsing it.
Do people still donate?
All this suggests that seeing a white saviour depiction in a charitable appeal will make people donate less.
We examined this in another study, in which participants were shown each of the previous photos. This time they were asked, for every photo, if they were willing to donate to a charity that uses it.
And as we thought, the photos previously rated as high in white saviourism had low intentions to donate.
Participants were shown photos of white aid workers in the Global South. Shutterstock
But intentions do not always equal actions, as psychologist have demonstrated for many years.
To overcome this, we measured real donations in another study. Again participants saw the same photos, but this time they had the chance to donate part of their participation fee to a real charity when seeing them.
What we found surprised us: the white saviour effect disappeared. How high a photo was on the white saviour scale had no impact on how much participants donated when seeing it.
Does the end justify the motivation?
Our results summarise the dilemma. Donors might object to white saviourism by charities, but in the end feel that it’s the help that counts, not the motivation behind it.
We found some evidence for this when we asked participants about their general views of white saviourism.
Almost 70% agreed that white saviour motives are common in Western help and that this was problematic for recipients. But interestingly, only 42% thought helpers with these motives deserved criticism.
Together, this might suggest that people feel white saviour help is better than no help. There are voices in the charity community who echo this sentiment: imposing conditions on charitable giving will serve to reduce it.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Elise Westhoff, president of the Philanthropy Roundtable in the United States, said “by imposing those ‘musts’ and ‘shoulds’, you really limit human generosity”.
But this doesn’t mean there are no legitimate concerns. There are, but it’s not hard for charities to address them.
Our results show that white saviour perceptions do not affect actual donations, so read another way, suggests charities can safely replace highly white saviour images without losing donations for their causes.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
At Labour’s insistence, Te Whatu Ora financial documents have been released by the Health Select Committee today showing more cuts are on the way for our health system.
“The Government has manufactured a financial crisis to justify stripping back the health system. These cuts are affecting patient care,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said.
“The Government said it wouldn’t touch the front line, but it has broken that promise.
Te Whatu Ora’s internal budget shows all four regions of New Zealand are getting less than the previous year of between about six percent and 14 percent, an average of nearly nine percent across the country.
“We have seen communities in Buller and Dunedin march in the streets demanding better health services for their people. Labour will stand with communities and fight for the health services they need and deserve.
“Te Whatu Ora’s deficit can be explained in part by hiring more nurses, doctors and allied staff such as physiotherapists, necessary and consistent with the workforce plan Labour put in place. This is exactly where the Government should be investing, not cutting.
“However, the FTE numbers show what frontline staff have been telling us – that there is now a hiring freeze starting to take effect.
“The Government also withheld $529 million from Te Whatu Ora to pay nursing, midwifery and allied staff the pay increases they got in 2023. This would account for a big chunk of Te Whatu Ora’s deficit in the last financial year.
“The documents further undermine the Government’s story that Te Whatu Ora’s deficit is fuelled by back office roles. It’s important the health system is staffed by those who care for patients and keep the whole system functioning – like those booking appointments, orderlies and cleaners.
“If there is any bump in non-clinical staff, it’s under Minister of Health Shane Reti’s watch, as there is an almost doubling of management and admin personnel costs in June 2024. Given that he has brought in expensive commissioners and regional CEs he needs to come clean about the cause of this increase.
“These financial documents don’t support the Government’s spin. Shane Reti made up claims about 14 layers of management to justify cuts to frontline services.
“The Government has the wrong priorities – its reckless tax cuts are harming the health services New Zealanders need and depend on,” Ayesha Verrall said.
Hargreaves Mall and part of Williamson Street will be bursting with free activities and live entertainment as part of the City of Greater Bendigo’s 2024 FunLoong Fun Day from 11am to 2pm on Saturday October 19.
City of Greater Bendigo Healthy Communities and Environments Director Stacy Williams said FunLoong Fun Day is an inclusive event that celebrates National Children’s Week with a great range of free activities and live entertainment for children and families to enjoy.
“It is one of the most well attended and anticipated annual events for local children and their families,” Ms Williams said.
“We expect to see big numbers again this year and encourage everyone to come along and enjoy this free family event and all the fun that it offers.”
Highlights of the 2024 FunLoong Fun Day program include face painting, animal petting zoo, bubble fun, safe archery, Lego play, airbrush tattoos, henna painting, toy library, slot cars, craft activities, waste sorting and garbage truck, free fruit, giveaways and more.
There will be a Welcome to Country and didgeridoo performance on the live stage. As well as other live performances by Central Victorian Lion Team and Academy of Creative Arts. Don’t miss the Alice in Wonderland Show and the roving characters.
The Open Street in Williamson Street will feature The Zone big baller, laser tag, meltdown challenge, gymnastics and bike riding, and try-out skateboarding activities as well as displays by Ambulance Victoria, CFA and Victoria Police.
The Kangaroo Flat Rotary Club will be selling sausages and vegie burgers for only $2 each and the Coliban Water refill station will also be available for people to refill their water bottles.
This is a not to be missed annual event with plenty of free fun on offer for local families.
