Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 21) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Red flags hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach
Red flags hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach
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Attention TV/radio announcers:Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 21) that due to inclement weather, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
Ends/Saturday, September 21, 2024Issued at HKT 11:29
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GUIYANG, Sept. 20 — In recent years, Guizhou Province has strived to upgrade its transportation system with an eye toward modernity and connectivity. Currently, more than 30,000 bridges have been built or are under construction in the province. Today, Guizhou boasts about half of the world’s 100 highest bridges. Some not only help shorten travel time from major cities to scenic spots but also become tourist attractions.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
A weather observation platform at a 5,287.71-meter altitude has been recently put into operation in the middle section of Kunlun Mountains in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said that the comprehensive weather observation platform, the highest of its kind in China, is located in the Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang. It is designed to observe artificial weather modification and scientific research for cloud-water resources in the Kunlun Mountains, ScienceNet.cn reported on Thursday.
The platform integrates various systems of ground-based meteorological observation, unmanned aerial vehicle high-altitude detection, cloud ice microphysics research and monitoring, and aerosol lidar detection.
According to the CMA, together with high-performance lidar, high-definition video imaging technology, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and a stable solar power supply system, it has thus formed a comprehensive ground-air-space monitoring network.
The integration and application of these technologies have significant scientific research value and application potential in accurately capturing cloud dynamics, optimizing artificial rain (snow) operations, evaluating the impact of climate change, and exploring adaptive strategies for ecosystems in extreme environments, the CMA said.
This is the only comprehensive scientific research platform for cloud water resources in the Kunlun Mountains. Xinjiang has reached new heights in artificial weather modification and cloud water resource development and utilization.
It is also of great significance for water resource security, agricultural irrigation, disaster prevention and mitigation in Xinjiang and the entire northwest region. According to the CMA, it will also provide valuable first-hand data for global climate change research and ecological environmental protection.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Beijing’s sub-center in Tongzhou district is making sound progress in high-quality development, featuring solid investment, booming industries, prosperous culture and tourism, and coordinated regional development, according to officials at a recent press conference.
The sub-center has received investments of over 100 billion yuan (US$14.2 billion) for four consecutive years, said Zheng Hao, head of Tongzhou district, at the press briefing.
The district is actively developing six industrial clusters, namely the digital economy, modern finance, advanced manufacturing, commercial services, cultural tourism, and modern seed industry, while exploring three future-oriented sectors: information, energy, and healthcare.
In the first eight months of the year, Tongzhou district added 25,000 new market entities, leading the capital city in this regard. The financial industry has become a pillar industry of the sub-center, with over 460 registered financial institutions.
Furthermore, 102 subsidiaries of centrally-administered state-owned enterprises have established operations in the district. In addition, the sub-center has been improving its business environment, rolling out 26 measures to facilitate high-quality industrial development.
The new municipal administrative center has also been improving its urban layout. A highlight in urban construction is East 6th Ring Road, which connects five areas with diverse functions. Additionally, the High Line Park, currently under construction, will stretch 14 kilometers and feature running, cycling, and tourism lanes, along with over 200 public leisure zones. Upon completion, the park is expected to increase the regional greenery coverage from 50% to 80%.
The sub-center is also focusing on developing the culture and tourism sectors. The three major cultural venues – the Beijing Performing Arts Center, the Beijing Library, and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing – have received more than 7 million visitors so far this year. Moreover, another three major projects are under construction, including Beijing’s biggest outlet shopping complex, an amusement park, and the Haichang Ocean Park, which are expected to attract tens of millions of visitors upon completion.
The district is also advancing regional integration by building the Chaobaihe Bridge, which will connect with neighboring counties in Hebei province. The district has organized project matchmaking events with counties in Hebei for five years straight, which witnessed the signing of over 210 projects. Moreover, the district has collaborated with neighboring Hebei counties to facilitate cross-regional services for over 3,600 administrative items.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The 27th Beijing-Taiwan Science and Technology Forum kicked off at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area on Thursday. Nearly 500 attendees, including entrepreneurs and tech professionals, will dive deep into the economy, trade, and sci-tech exchange and cooperation between Beijing and Taiwan during the three-day event.
The event will feature a summit, four parallel sessions, and several sub-forums. The four parallel sessions will look into energy and digitalization, fin-tech, healthcare, and intelligent electric vehicles, while the sub-forums will discuss topics including youths, women, human resources, and intellectual property protection.
At the opening ceremony on Thursday, the Cross-Strait Sci-Tech Innovation Center, which was established last year, signed strategic cooperation agreements with several research institutions. The center also unveiled a second batch of policies, which include over 10 measures to support businesses from Taiwan to develop in Beijing. The measures cover a range of issues including research and development, financial support, industry upgrade, and talent recruitment.
The Beijing-Taiwan Science and Technology Forum was established in 1998, and has since become an important economic and trade exchange platform for companies across the Taiwan Strait.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not raise prices in January 2025 for Market Dominant products, which includes First-Class mail. This announcement comes after Baldwin called out USPS leadership for unsustainable price hikes and poor service.
“Wisconsinites rely on the USPS to run their businesses, pay their bills, and communicate with loved ones,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “The proposed price hikes would have burdened hard working Wisconsinites, and I’m pleased to see they heeded my calls and will not be raising the price of stamps at the postal counter. I will continue to push the USPS leadership to halt rate increases, especially as Wisconsin families and small businesses continue to be hurt by unprecedented mail delivery delays.”
Senator Baldwin has repeatedly called on the USPS to address rate hikes and delays Wisconsinites are experiencing. Just this week, Senator Baldwin called on Postmaster General Louis Dejoy to immediately address costly mail delays suffered by Wisconsin newspapers that rely on the USPS. These delays have already resulted in lost revenue, customer complaints, and canceled subscriptions. In April, after USPS announced the price increase for First Class Mail stamps, Senator Baldwin questioned DeJoy’s leadership, which has resulted in higher prices for Americans and worse service. Despite the USPS enacting their new “Delivering for America” plan – which they promised would modernize and transform the Postal Service – customers continue to experience poor customer service and significant mail delays, including for rural newspaper delivery.
Source: United States Coast Guard
09/20/2024 11:28 PM EDT
For breaking news follow us on twitter @USCGHawaiiPac
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Red flag hoisted at Clear Water Bay First Beach
Red flag hoisted at Clear Water Bay First Beach
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Attention TV/radio announcers:Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 21) that due to inclement weather, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
Ends/Saturday, September 21, 2024Issued at HKT 11:59
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Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Shanghai finds itself in the grip of a prolonged spell of inclement weather as the aftermath of Typhoon Pulasan continues to unfold, following its landfall on Thursday night, marking the city’s second typhoon encounter in a week. With the impending convergence of cold air from the north, residents are bracing for further challenges amid heavy downpours and disruptions.
Pulasan, the 14th typhoon of the year, made its presence felt with a maximum wind force of 23 meters per second near its center, striking Fengxian district at 9:45 pm on Thursday, after its initial landfall earlier in Zhoushan’s Daishan county in Zhejiang province. The storm’s impact has been significant, exacerbating the already fragile conditions in the aftermath of Typhoon Bebinca, the year’s 13th typhoon, which ravaged Shanghai just days prior.
The relentless downpours unleashed by Pulasan have inundated Shanghai, with heavy to severe rainfall affecting the entire city. Particularly hard-hit areas — Pudong and Fengxian districts — have borne the brunt of the storm, with Situan town in Fengxian experiencing exceptionally severe rainfall, according to the Shanghai Meteorological Service.
Notably, Pengzhen Water Station in Nicheng town, Pudong, recorded 308 millimeters of rainfall in six hours, while the Yangjiazhai Meteorological Observatory Station in Situan tallied 327.7 mm of rainfall during the same period, marking a historical deluge not witnessed since 1978, the Shanghai Meteorological Service said.
The repercussions of the torrential rainfall have been swift and widespread, prompting the suspension of classes in 334 schools across Shanghai, the city’s education authority said. Beyond the city limits, neighboring cities in Jiangsu province, including Changzhou, Wuxi and Jingjiang in Taizhou, have taken preemptive measures by suspending classes to safeguard the well-being of students in the wake of Pulasan’s trajectory, local flood control officials said.
As Pulasan gradually weakens and moves northeastward, Shanghai has witnessed a gradual subsiding of winds and rains as of late Friday. However, the meteorological department has issued warnings of an impending resurgence of downpours over the weekend, fueled by the lingering effects of Pulasan and the convergence of cold air from North China, heightening concerns over potential flooding and disruptions in the Yangtze River Delta region.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
South China’s island province of Hainan will fully restore its tourism industry by the week-long National Day holiday starting Oct. 1, after being struck by Super Typhoon Yagi, the provincial government said on Friday.
According to the provincial tourism authority, as of Thursday, the resumption rate of tourism and culture related work across the island reached 93.75 percent. This includes 92 scenic spots, 581 hotels, and 82 cultural and sports venues.
Hainan will be ready to accommodate domestic and overseas tourists during the upcoming holiday, during which 71 activities will be held, including 27 cultural and performing arts activities and 20 sports events, the authority said.
Source: ASEAN
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this morning delivered remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) Regional Business Roundtable, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
The Roundtable brought together key stakeholders with an aim to foster deeper policy dialogue between governments and the business community. This can help strengthen public-private partnerships and fully leverage the AANZFTA provisions to drive trade and investment growth across the region.
Download the full opening remarks here.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Regional Business Roundtable appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: United States Navy
BALTIMORE (Sept 20, 2024) – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that the future Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine SSN 812 will be named USS Baltimore. Del Toro made the announcement during a ship naming ceremony held in Baltimore aboard the historic USS Constellation, Sept. 20.
The future USS Baltimore honors the city of Baltimore, the crews of one Continental Navy ship, and the five previous Navy vessels named Baltimore.
The naming selection of the future USS Baltimore (SSN 812) continues the recent trend of naming Virginia-class submarines after cities. Del Toro previously named USS Long Island (SSN 809), USS San Francisco (SSN 810), and USS Miami (SSN 811).
“The city of Baltimore maintains a strong connection with our maritime services and is a critical enabler of our National Maritime Statecraft,” said Del Toro. “It is my honor and privilege to announce the name of the next Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine, SSN-812, USS Baltimore.”
Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin joined Del Toro for the ceremony honoring Baltimore.
“Maryland is proud of our connection to the Navy and our strong history as a coastal state,” said Cardin. “I am excited that the next USS Baltimore will be sailing the seas again as the Navy’s newest submarine. Our Navy maintains and protects free and open international waters. From defending our young nation from pirates in the late 1700s to ensuring freedom of navigation today in the Red Sea and Taiwan Strait, our Navy is always on watch.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also served as a guest in the official party and spoke about the honor and meaning behind the naming of the Navy’s newest submarine.
“We are honored that Baltimore is being represented across the globe once again with the naming of this future ship,” said Scott. “As a city with such a rich naval and maritime history, the naming of the USS Baltimore ensures that legacy will continue to live on for decades to come. I want to extend my deepest thanks and gratitude to the U.S. Navy for this honor and for continuing to uplift our city, including all Baltimoreans who choose to serve.”
Along with the ship’s name, Del Toro also announced Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will serve as the ship’s sponsor. In her role as sponsor, she will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.
“When Baltimore joins the fleet, with a world-class crew, it will be among the most agile, lethal, resilient, and capable conventional nuclear-powered submarines we’ve ever made,” said Hicks. “Make no mistake about Baltimore’s purpose, like all of our submarines, conventional and otherwise, we build them not to provoke war, but rather to prevent wars, through deterrence.”
The city of Baltimore has significant ties to American and Naval history. The Port of Baltimore was established in 1706 and the Town of Baltimore in 1729. One of the Navy’s six founding frigates, USS Constellation, was built in Baltimore, and the city’s skilled ship workers later would construct the famous Baltimore clipper ships. In 1814, the Battle of Baltimore inspired the American national anthem.
The first Baltimore served in the Quasi-War against France, while the second Baltimore served during the Civil War. The third Baltimore fought in the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War and later conducted mine-laying operations in World War I. The fourth Baltimore earned nine battle stars during World War II, fighting in campaigns for the Caroline Islands, Gilbert and Marshall Islands, and Okinawa. The fifth Baltimore participated in undersea operations against the Soviet Union, completing a variety of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The Navy simultaneously decommissioned and struck the most recent vessel from the list on 10 July 1998.
After the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024, the Navy provided equities to the established “Key Bridge Response Unified Command.” NAVSEA’s Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) led critical efforts to support the clearance of the Port of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry Federal Channel, responsible for managing all on-scene assets tasked with debris removal and channel clearing. Del Toro personally assessed the site and met with Navy personnel on April 19, 2024.
Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces (SOF); carry out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Guangdong) Statistical Forum held in Foshan (with photos)
Third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Guangdong) Statistical Forum held in Foshan (with photos)
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The Third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Guangdong) Statistical Forum was held on September 19 and 20 in Nanhai, Foshan. Under the guidance of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the forum was hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Statistics (GPBS) and co-organised by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and other government statistical agencies from the “9+2” cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, led a delegation to participate in this meaningful event. During the forum, the C&SD signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Statistical Exchange and Cooperation in the GBA with the GPBS and the Macao Statistics and Census Service, with a view to promoting co-operation among the relevant government statistical agencies in the three places. This year’s forum, themed “Innovation and Measurement of Statistical Methods from an International Perspective”, aimed to foster statistical exchanges and co-operation in the GBA. It provided a platform for statistical professionals from the “9+2” cities to leverage the collective wisdom and insights to explore how to innovate and reform statistical work from an international perspective to address the current complex and ever-changing environment. In addition to the participation of leaders from the NBS and the GPBS, the forum brought together statistical experts from various fields, including representatives from the government statistical agencies of the “9+2” cities in the GBA, as well as those from higher education institutions and research institutes on the Mainland. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum, Mr Yu remarked, “To achieve high-quality development, it is essential to rely not only on technological innovation but also on the power of talent. People are the core element for driving development. Therefore, we continue to strengthen the attraction and cultivation of statistical talent, uplift their capabilities in applying data science techniques, broaden their international perspectives, enable them to reach international standards in their professional work as well as encourage them to think innovatively. We also actively promote the inheritance and exchange of statistical management. All these efforts aim to consolidate Hong Kong’s position in the international statistical community, allowing Hong Kong to fully leverage its role as a window of the country to the world and provide more precise and robust support for the prosperous development of the GBA. Thus, we can use our strengths to serve the needs of the country.” Senior Statistician of the C&SD Mr James Cheng also delivered a presentation entitled “Three Major Restructuring Measures: Modernising the Planning of the 2026 Population Census in Hong Kong” at one of the sessions of the forum. Colleagues participated in the forum unanimously expressed that it was a very valuable experience for them to exchange knowledge and learn from statistical professionals from the Mainland cities. It enabled them to acquire insights into the ongoing advancement of statistical techniques on the Mainland, and reminded them to strive for innovation and actively pursue breakthroughs in the dynamic era of big data, in order to seize opportunities and tackle challenges in the future. The forum was held in Foshan and was attended by representatives of statistical organisations from Beijing, Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao, etc, through online and in-person participation. Relevant officials from the statistical systems of the cities in the GBA, as well as experts and scholars from national think tanks and renowned universities, also shared their valuable insights on the statistical measurement of new quality productive forces, statistical monitoring of digital economy, research on data science and big data statistical applications, statistical reform and innovation, and etc.
Ends/Saturday, September 21, 2024Issued at HKT 12:00
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Source: China State Council Information Office
The German carrier Lufthansa has said the airline is looking to further expand capacity to China, after restoring capacity to Shanghai to pre-COVID levels.
“For Lufthansa, China is one of the most important markets in the world outside Europe. We are pretty happy that we already received pre-pandemic capacity here in Shanghai,” said Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines. “Hopefully in the next couple of years we can extend our network also here in China.”
Having a strong connection and close relationship between Germany and China, Lufthansa will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, as well as the carrier’s first connection between the two countries.
“I think it is a great relationship we have here for almost 100 years. There’s a strong connection between the fourth-biggest economy in the world Germany and the second-biggest economy China,” Ritter said. “We are pretty proud of our strong connection. We truly believe in the recovery of air travel between Germany and China for the next years.”
Currently operating the most flights to China among all European carriers, Lufthansa offers 40 weekly direct connections between the German cities of Frankfurt and Munich to the Chinese cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing in the summer time.
“In comparison to last year, we increased our capacity by over 70 percent,” added Ritter. “Hopefully next year with the introduction of new aircraft we can increase this capacity further.”
The expanding capacity is accompanied with a rapid recovery in the passenger load factor, “especially during the summer time with a seat factor of more than 90 percent,” Ritter said.
“We are looking forward to further development and we are pretty sure that we will come back to pre-pandemic capacity here between Europe, Germany and China,” said Ritter.
Plus, in a bid to boost the China travel market during the holiday season and further enhance the customer experience onboard, Shanghai was the airline’s first Asian destination, as well as the fourth worldwide following Vancouver, Toronto and Chicago, to introduce the carrier’s brand-new cabin products on a daily basis since Aug 14.
Under the name, Lufthansa Allegris, the completely new travel experience is available on select long-haul routes for passengers of economy, premium economy, business and first class.
“We truly believe that people do not want a standard product anymore, they would like to have more choices, more exclusivity and they would like to have more individuality,” explained Ritter. “I think also the Chinese people would like to have a choice. One standard product does not fulfill the needs of the requirements for the premium sector of Chinese people. They would like to have more individuality, more possibility for exclusivity and they would like to choose. We are pretty happy to introduce our new Allegris product because we definitely believe that this will fulfill the needs of our Chinese customers.”
Confidence in the Chinese market is based on the optimistic outlook of China’s economy, the strong economic ties between China and Germany, and China’s visa-free policies.
“Germany has a strong connection with China, because so many companies are based from Germany here in China,” Ritter said. “It is a long-lasting relationship and we truly believe in those two economies and we need to tie them.”
Figures provided to the Financial Times by Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank, show that Germany’s direct investment in China totaled 2.48 billion euros ($2.76 billion) in the first three months of 2024, and the figure rose substantially to 4.8 billion euros in the second quarter.
“I think this represents a strong relationship between our two economies,” said Ritter.
In the meantime, China’s visa-free policy presents new opportunities for carriers such as Lufthansa, as eligible ordinary passport holders from countries including Germany can enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.
Thanks to the collaborated efforts of Civil Aviation Administration of China and related government divisions, international passenger flights have been restored to nearly 80 percent of the 2019 level during the first week of July, and passenger flights to 30 countries, including the UK and UAE, surpassing the 2019 level, according to Xu Qing, an official with the CAAC.
“The expansion of China’s visafree policy to more countries has created an incentive effect on the aviation market,” Xu said.
Source: Minister for Trade
Source: New Zealand Government
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is pleased to announce that New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, taken hostage in Papua, Indonesia, is now safe.
Mr Mehrtens was taken while working as a pilot at a remote airstrip in Paro, Papua on 7 February 2023.
“We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family. This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones,” Mr Peters says.
Mr Peters says for the last 19 and a half months a wide range of Government agencies has been working with Indonesian authorities and others towards securing Mr Mehrtens’ release.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with staff in both Indonesia and Wellington, has led a sustained whole-of-Government effort to secure Phillip Mehrtens’ release, and has also been supporting his family, Mr Peters says.
Mr Peters also wanted to acknowledge the cooperation and restraint showed by many media outlets in relation to this case.
“The case has taken a toll on the Mehrtens family, who have asked for privacy. We ask media outlets to respect their wishes and therefore we have no further comment at this stage.”
Source: United Nations secretary general
Download the video:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+Intl+Day+of+Peace+16+Aug+24/3246503_MSG+SG+INT+DAY+OF+PEACE+16+AUG+24.mp4
Everywhere we look, peace is under attack.
From Gaza, to Sudan, to Ukraine and beyond we see:
Civilians in the firing line;
Homes blown apart;
Traumatised, terrified populations who have lost everything – and sometimes everyone.
This catalogue of human misery must stop.
Our world needs peace.
Peace is the ultimate prize for all humanity.
And as this International Day of Peace reminds us – the solutions are in our hands.
Cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division, disempowerment, and despair with justice, equality and hope for all.
It means focusing on preventing conflict;
Propelling the Sustainable Development Goals;
Promoting human rights.
And tackling all forms of discrimination and hate.
This month’s Summit of the Future is a vital opportunity to advance these aims.
Let’s seize it.
Together, let’s lay the groundwork for peace.
And let’s nurture a culture where equality, peace and justice thrive.
Thank you.
***
La paix est assaillie de toutes parts.
À Gaza, au Soudan, en Ukraine, et au-delà, nous voyons :
Des civils dans la ligne de mire.
Des maisons anéanties.
Des populations entières traumatisées et terrifiées. Des gens qui ont tout perdu, qui n’ont parfois plus personne.
Il faut en finir avec ce cortège de misères humaines.
Notre monde a besoin de paix.
La paix est le but ultime de l’humanité.
Et comme nous le rappelle cette Journée internationale de la paix, les solutions sont entre nos mains.
Cultiver une culture de la paix, c’est remplacer la désunion, l’exclusion et le désespoir par la justice, l’égalité et l’espoir pour toutes et tous.
C’est donner la priorité à la prévention des conflits ;
Accélérer les Objectifs de développement durable ;
Promouvoir les droits humains ;
Et lutter contre toutes les formes de discrimination et de haine.
Le Sommet de l’avenir qui se tiendra ce mois-ci est une occasion vitale d’avancer dans cette voie.
Saisissons-la.
Ensemble, jetons les bases de la paix.
Et faisons prospérer une culture de l’égalité, de la paix et de la justice.
Je vous remercie.
***
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ULAN BATOR, Sept. 20 — A photo exhibition marking a long-standing friendship between China and Mongolia opened here in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, on Friday.
The event, co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia and the Mongolia-China Friendship Association, was part of a series of activities of the China-Mongolia Friendship Week, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
A total of 75 photographs showcasing significant events in the history of bilateral relations over the past 75 years were on display at the exhibition.
Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Shen Minjuan said at the opening ceremony that the exhibition reminded all of a deep friendship between the two countries, expressing hope that bilateral cooperation will yield more fruits in the years to come.
The exhibition will run through Sept. 27.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Innovation capacity, the digital sector and green industries have significant potential to be major engines of China’s growth, fueled by the nation’s commitment to reform and opening-up, said Japanese scholars.
Hidetoshi Tashiro, chief economist at Japan’s Infinity LLC, predicts that China’s economy is poised to enter a new phase of growth.
Speaking at a seminar on Chinese-style modernization in Osaka last week, Tashiro highlighted China’s significant share of the global market in various industries. While noting the nation’s leading position in sectors such as electric vehicles and solar panels, he also said that as digitalization expands globally, demand for products and services supporting this shift will continue to rise.
Tashiro stressed the digital sector is the key driver of China’s economic growth. Reflecting on his visit to China last November, he observed that cash payments had become obsolete in the nation.
“The rise of this vast digital ecosystem, unlike anything the world has ever seen, is now powering China’s economy. This momentum is driven by advancements in semiconductor design and application development,” Tashiro said.
A World Intellectual Property Organization report shows that from 2014 to 2023, China-based inventors filed more than 38,000 generative artificial intelligence patents, six times the number filed by inventors in the United States.
China’s economy is shifting from a labor-intensive to a capital-intensive model, making intellectual contributions increasingly important. The country is producing a huge number of highly-skilled scientists and engineers, fostering the growth of a vast and expanding digital ecosystem, he added.
Yangchoon Kwak, a professor at Rikkyo University’s College of Economics, emphasized that green industries will be the main driver of China’s future economic growth.
“China’s focus is not just on quantitative expansion but on pursuing environmentally-friendly development that contributes to global peace and prosperity,” Kwak explained.
Another key growth area is tourism. With a history spanning several millennia, China has a rich cultural heritage to share with the world. If the nation continues to open up, it could attract more than 100 million visitors, fostering a deeper international understanding and appreciation of the country, he said.
“China’s dynamism will continue to accelerate, and it’s vital for Japanese companies to seize this opportunity,” Kwak added. He advised them to engage in proactive capital and technology partnerships with China, aligning with the country’s evolving trends, rather than focusing on low-cost labor as they did in the past.
Confidence emphasized
Satoshi Tomisaka, a professor at the Institute of World Studies at Takushoku University, emphasized the importance of fostering an environment in China where people feel confident in their spending.
“As Western economies face stagnation and institutional difficulties, China’s model is starting to make a significant global impact,” said Tomisaka.
However, for the world to truly acknowledge China’s achievements, soft power is crucial. International recognition would not only elevate China’s global reputation but also strengthen its domestic standing, he added.
Kiyoyuki Seguchi, research director at the Canon Institute for Global Studies, said that the future of China’s economic growth will be driven by the innovation capacity of its companies. If policies continue to energize private companies, China still has significant potential for further growth, he added.
Seguchi’s remarks came after a recent lecture in Tokyo organized by the Japan-China Belt and Road Initiative Promotion Association.
The foundation for China’s growth is rooted in its reform and opening-up policy. Seguchi emphasized that the focus given by the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which was held in July, on reform and opening-up is essential. He stressed the need to create mechanisms that deliver specific reform measures desired by private enterprises, noting this is critical for sustained development.
According to Seguchi, the major challenges facing China’s economy include the end of high-speed growth, issues in the real estate sector and local fiscal problems. While the government has introduced policies to address these issues, he highlighted the importance of accurately implementing them in a way that responds to market needs, maintaining a market-oriented approach to enhance policy effectiveness.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Chinese green vehicle technology is boosting the adoption of e-mobility in Africa, experts said Friday.
Warren Ondanje, managing director of the Africa E-mobility Alliance, said in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that Chinese e-vehicle manufacturers have positioned themselves as key partners for the growing number of e-mobility startups on the continent.
“Chinese firms have played a key role in accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in Africa,” Ondanje said during the Africa E-Mobility Week 2024 conference.
The five-day event brought together more than 200 delegates, including representatives from United Nations agencies, senior government officials and innovators from across Africa, to foster collaboration and advance the sustainable mobility movement on the continent.
Michael Muchiri, deputy superintending engineer at Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Transport, said that Chinese e-vehicle brands are attracting significant interest from environmentally conscious Kenyan consumers due to their high-quality, clean transportation solutions offered at affordable prices.
Muchiri said that taxi and public transport operators have embraced Chinese e-vehicles because their low operational costs make them more competitive than conventional fossil-fueled cars.
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Kenya currently has an estimated 5,000 e-vehicles, comprising two-wheel, three-wheel, passenger and commercial vehicles.
Hilina Legesse, president of the Addis Ababa E-mobility Association, said that Chinese e-vehicles had facilitated Ethiopia’s enforcement of its ban on importing fossil-fueled cars, which took effect in January, by providing affordable green vehicles.
Legesse said that several Chinese e-vehicle manufacturers have set up local assembly plants to meet the growing demand for clean modes of transport.
Claire Liu, sales manager at Chogori Technology, a Chinese manufacturer of e-vehicle accessories, said her firm has partnered with e-mobility companies in Africa to expand access to and affordability of electric-powered cars on the continent.
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
State Highway 6, Whangamoa, near Kokorua Road, is closed following a serious crash this afternoon.
Police were called to the single-vehicle crash at around 5pm.
Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit will be attending.
Motorists are advised to take care and expect delays.
ENDS
Source: ASEAN
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today attended the 29th ASEAN Economic Ministers – Closer Economic Relations (AEM-CER) Consultation, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
The Meeting reaffirmed their commitment to expedite the entry into force of the 2nd Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), which aims to promote economic cooperation between ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand, with a particular focus on MSMEs to engage with and take full advantage of AANZFTA’s provisions.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends 29th AEM- CER Consultation in Vientiane, Lao PDR appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: United Nations – English
strong>Download the video:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+Intl+Day+of+Peace+16+Aug+24/3246503_MSG+SG+INT+DAY+OF+PEACE+16+AUG+24.mp4
Everywhere we look, peace is under attack.
From Gaza, to Sudan, to Ukraine and beyond we see:
Civilians in the firing line;
Homes blown apart;
Traumatised, terrified populations who have lost everything – and sometimes everyone.
This catalogue of human misery must stop.
Our world needs peace.
Peace is the ultimate prize for all humanity.
And as this International Day of Peace reminds us – the solutions are in our hands.
Cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division, disempowerment, and despair with justice, equality and hope for all.
It means focusing on preventing conflict;
Propelling the Sustainable Development Goals;
Promoting human rights.
And tackling all forms of discrimination and hate.
This month’s Summit of the Future is a vital opportunity to advance these aims.
Let’s seize it.
Together, let’s lay the groundwork for peace.
And let’s nurture a culture where equality, peace and justice thrive.
Thank you.
***
La paix est assaillie de toutes parts.
À Gaza, au Soudan, en Ukraine, et au-delà, nous voyons :
Des civils dans la ligne de mire.
Des maisons anéanties.
Des populations entières traumatisées et terrifiées. Des gens qui ont tout perdu, qui n’ont parfois plus personne.
Il faut en finir avec ce cortège de misères humaines.
Notre monde a besoin de paix.
La paix est le but ultime de l’humanité.
Et comme nous le rappelle cette Journée internationale de la paix, les solutions sont entre nos mains.
Cultiver une culture de la paix, c’est remplacer la désunion, l’exclusion et le désespoir par la justice, l’égalité et l’espoir pour toutes et tous.
C’est donner la priorité à la prévention des conflits ;
Accélérer les Objectifs de développement durable ;
Promouvoir les droits humains ;
Et lutter contre toutes les formes de discrimination et de haine.
Le Sommet de l’avenir qui se tiendra ce mois-ci est une occasion vitale d’avancer dans cette voie.
Saisissons-la.
Ensemble, jetons les bases de la paix.
Et faisons prospérer une culture de l’égalité, de la paix et de la justice.
Je vous remercie.
***
Source: ASEAN
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (AEM-METI) Consultation, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
The Meeting discussed ways to advance ASEAN-Japan economic relations, including through the continued implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement. The Meeting also discussed collaborative initiatives to foster ASEAN-Japan economic cooperation, with an emphasis on digital economy, sustainability, and private sector collaboration.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends 30th AEM- METI Consultation in Vientiane, Lao PDR appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Local teams within the Met have worked tirelessly to bring a prolific shoplifter to justice for stealing more than £14,100 worth of goods.
Martin Jackson (20.09.1983) of Frobisher Road, Erith, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, 19 September for 98 offences, including theft and breaches of a restraining order.
Jackson has also had a restraining order updated, meaning he’s banned for five years from entering a Boots store and bp service station on Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, from which he stole thousands of pounds worth of goods.
He was previously handed a Criminal Behaviour Order with conditions including not to enter those two stores. However, he continued to visit the shops and steal food, alcohol, toiletries and other goods.
Officers scoured hours of CCTV after Jackson was arrested and charged back in July, and built a significant evidence package which showed him brazenly stealing in broad daylight.
The weight of their evidence led to Jackson’s guilty plea to all offences in court on Monday, 2 September.
Acting Superintendent, Rav Pathania, who oversees neighbourhood policing in Greenwich, said:
“At the heart of our plan for London is focusing on the things that our communities, including our business communities, are most concerned about. Over the course of many months Jackson caused misery to businesses in Greenwich, that’s why we have been determined to get him off our streets and put behind bars.
“We’ve worked hard to build closer relationships with businesses in our area, and build their confidence in our ability to tackle their concerns. I hope this goes some way in demonstrating we are listening and taking action on local issues.
“I’m grateful to the support bp and Boots in particular provided to this investigation, which was central to us achieving justice for Jackson’s crimes.”
Iona Blake, Europe mobility & convenience security manager, bp, said:
“Safety comes first at bp, always. Nothing is more important. We want our colleagues to feel safe at work and our customers to have a great experience when visiting us. This is another great example of how collaboration can help us – and the sector – combat crime at our stores”.
As part of the New Met for London strategy, officers are taking a precise and proactive community –first approach to tackling local crime and anti-social behaviour.
More information on how to spot and report a shoplifter is available on the Met website. Meanwhile, Shopwatch is a community-based crime prevention scheme that promotes communication between retailers and local police to reduce crime.
Source: US State of California
Friday, September 20, 2024
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement after Senate Bill 976 (SB 976) was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), SB 976, also known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, interrupts the ability of social media companies and other website operators to use addictive algorithmic feeds, notifications, and other addictive design features to coerce children and teens to spend hours and hours on their platforms. The law will require parental consent for these features, empowering families to create healthy boundaries around kids’ social media use.
“Kids use the internet to find community and learn about themselves and the world. We must protect their ability to do this safely,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Social media companies have shown us time and time again that for profit, they are willing to use addictive design features, including algorithmic feeds and notifications at all hours of the day and night, to target children and teens. SB 976 changes this and puts families in control.”
“Social media companies have designed their platforms to addict users, especially our kids. Studies show that once a young person has a social media addiction, they experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and suicide. But social media companies have been unwilling to voluntarily change their practices,” said Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), author of SB 976. “With the passage of SB 976, the California Legislature has sent a clear message: When social media companies won’t act, it’s our responsibility to protect our kids.”
SB 976 would give parents and guardians the choice of whether users under the age of 18 would receive an algorithmically determined feed of content on social media platforms and other websites. The law does not restrict content in any way, and young users could still search for content, follow or block content from specific sources, and see a chronological feed of posts and content. Algorithmic feeds can be addictive and heavy social media is associated with harms to the mental health of young users. Some social media companies knowingly design platforms in a way that contributes to social isolation and loneliness and harms kids’ mental health during a time that is critically important for brain development.
SB 976 prohibits social media platforms from sending notifications between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. to users who are not established to be over age 18 unless a parent or guardian has provided consent.
The Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act also requires social media platforms to provide parents and guardians the ability to:
SB 976 requires the majority of the above safeguards to be turned on by default because safety should always be the default.
The text of the legislation is available here.
# # #
MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Dear friends!
I welcome the participants, organizers and guests of the Congress of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the XX International Muslim Forum.
It is symbolic that these events are being held in the year of the 40th anniversary of the spiritual service of the outstanding religious figure, Mufti Ravil Gainutdin, whose spiritual authority is recognized not only among Russian Muslims, but also beyond the borders of our country.
Russia is a multinational and multi-confessional state, where the religions of all nations are treated with unwavering respect. Islam is one of the traditional religions of our country, an integral part of the historical heritage.
For many years, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation has made an invaluable contribution to the improvement of interreligious dialogue and constructive state-confessional cooperation.
Thanks to the active work of the muftiate, mutual understanding between peoples, civil peace and interethnic harmony in society are strengthened. And relations between Russia and the Islamic world are also successfully developing. It is important that special attention is paid to charitable and educational projects, the development of Islamic education, and the training of imams and theologians.
The forum will provide a unique opportunity to expand the exchange of experience and best practices between Muslims from different countries and discuss current issues of the role of spiritual leaders in the modern world.
I wish you interesting discussions and constructive work.
M. Mishustin
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
http://government.ru/gov/persons/151/telegrams/52759/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
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Denis Manturov visited the Moscow elevator manufacturing company MEL
First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov visited the Moscow enterprise “MEL”.
MEL has been manufacturing lifting and transport equipment for over 70 years and today specializes in the production of elevators, including high-speed elevators, transformer substations and electrical equipment. Today, the company manufactures elevators with a lifting speed of up to 4 meters per second and is one of the five largest elevator manufacturers, and by the end of this year it is planned to receive a certificate for elevators with a speed of up to 7 meters per second. Russian elevator manufacturers were able to increase production volumes and master new competencies after Western manufacturers left the country: over the past two years, the volume of elevators introduced by MEL has more than doubled.
“Guaranteed demand for Russian elevator products, including those manufactured by this site, is provided by the elevator replacement program supervised by the Ministry of Construction. Our manufacturers have room to grow, and they are trying not to miss this opportunity, occupying the vacant niches in the market. The state provides them with all the necessary support in this,” Denis Manturov noted.
In particular, the support measures offered by the Moscow government help industrialists implement innovative projects, develop new products, expand enterprises and meet market needs. Thus, as part of a large-scale investment project, the MEL plant opened the production of high-speed elevators with a speed of up to 4 meters per second and received a certificate for serial production of this equipment in early 2024. The new workshop will allow the enterprise to increase the annual volume of manufactured products by almost 1.5 times – from 2.7 thousand to 4 thousand units. In addition, 85 people will be able to find employment here.
During the visit, issues of industry development were discussed, including those related to the protection of the domestic market. According to the company’s management, it is necessary so that the Russian elevator-building industry can fully reveal its potential and implement all planned investment projects.
Today, the plant is among the top 5 domestic elevator manufacturers. About 65% of the company’s products are supplied to the Moscow region, the remaining 35% – to other regions of the country. In April 2023, the city assigned the plant the status of an industrial complex, which gives the right to tax benefits. Thanks to this support measure, the company’s annual savings can reach 33.1 million rubles. The company can invest the proceeds in its own development, expansion of the product range and the acquisition of modern equipment.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
http://government.ru/nevs/52764/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.