Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northen Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) responded to a large grass fire in Humpty Doo yesterday afternoon.
Around 2:50pm, Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received repots of a large grass fire on Trippe Road, Humpty Doo.
A short time later, NTFRS members arrived on the fire ground and commenced a response.
Twelve NTFRS career and 4 Volunteer firefighters attended with 12 appliances including Grassfire Units, as well as 4 waterbombers, 1 helicopter and 5 appliances from Bushfires NT.
Multiple inoperable vehicles and an uninhabited structure were affected by the blaze.
Initial reports indicate that the fire was not suspicious, and it ignited from a backfiring exhaust.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University – 4th year students with Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, NSU — Polina Anisova, Valeria Belitskaya, Irina Voronina, Arina Goryacheva, Ksenia Gladysheva and Kristina Raiko — took part in the 28th Far Eastern Energy Forum “Sakhalin Oil and Gas”. This major event brought together leading industry experts to discuss current issues of energy development and the region’s ecology.
At the forum, students attended lectures and seminars on offshore projects, hydrocarbon production and processing, logistics issues, sales markets, and the professional development of young specialists. During the plenary session, the results of 30 years of work in the field of offshore projects were considered, as well as strategies for developing the energy sector in Sakhalin and the Far East. Liquefied natural gas technologies, support measures for oil and gas projects, and the role of interaction between science and industry in the process of developing and implementing innovations were discussed.
In addition to the business program, the participants were able to enjoy a rich cultural and entertainment program: exhibitions, concerts and excursions made the forum even more memorable. This year, a special track for young people was organized, within the framework of which NSU students met with company representatives and HR managers, leaving their resumes for possible employment.
— The forum left a deep impression — the atmosphere was filled with energy and innovation. Excitement for the future and the desire to develop were felt in every conversation. We felt how important it is to exchange experience and knowledge in our field, and the opportunity to directly interact with professionals inspired new ideas and undertakings. The cultural program added bright colors, allowing us not only to study, but also to relax, find like-minded people and strengthen connections. It was a unique experience that charged us with optimism and confidence in our future, — Irina Voronina shared her impressions of the forum.
In addition to the business part, the students were also able to enjoy the natural beauty of Sakhalin Island.
— Sakhalin Island captivated us with its stunning mountains, beautiful beaches and green forests. The region’s desire for development is also clearly visible. Sakhalin left vivid memories and a feeling that this place combines a rich history and a dynamic future, — Irina notes.
The Sakhalin Oil and Gas Forum became a unique opportunity for our students not only to deepen their professional knowledge, but also to establish useful contacts for further development in the energy industry.
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.
Ascom is pleased to announce the expansion of its innovative App “Security Support System”, to nine penal institutions in Canton Zurich. The rollout of the first installation in Winterthur’s prison is scheduled for late 2024 and will continue through 2026 to eight additional correctional facilities in Canton Zurich. The entire project has a total value exceeding 3 million CHF.
Ascom’s Security Support System has been exclusively designed to improve supervision and care in prisons and reintegration institutions to increase the safety and operational efficiency of employees working in prisons. It displays inmate profile for identification and location tracking data, and records further information for optimal care support. Currently, there is no comparable application in the market.
The core of the solution is the Ascom’s Alarm Management System, featuring the Ascom Security Support Software and the Myco 3 and Myco 4 DECT/WiFi devices. Key features are:
Real-time communication and alarm management: Improving response times for correctional staff and ensuring continuous access to critical information.
Infrastructure integration: Compatibility and seamless integration with existing facility systems such as telephone, security systems, and mobile devices, allowing smooth deployment without the need for extensive upgrades and ensuring minimal disruption and maximum operational efficiency.
Enhanced supervision and monitoring capabilities: Ensuring a higher level of safety for both inmates and staff.
In close collaboration with the Department of Justice and Home Affairs of the Canton of Zurich, the Ascom Security Support System has been successfully tested and recently implemented at the Zurich West Prison and will now be extended to nine other prisons. The project includes the installation of the solution into the facilities’ existing infrastructure (Ascom Unite Platform), and a 5-year contract for software maintenance and support services for each location.
Around the world, roughly one in every eight people are living with a mental disorder. No community or society is spared. Suicide remains a major cause of death among young people, and millions of individuals continue to suffer in silence.
This year, World Mental Health Day focuses on prioritizing mental health in the workplace. Sixty percent of people over the age of fifteen are in employment, spending the majority of their time in the workplace. And these spaces are far more than just where we carry out our jobs. Safe, healthy workplaces can provide a sense of purpose, connection and stability, while oppressive or chaotic work environments can take a heavy toll on the mental health of those who work there.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new age of teleworking, the boundaries between home and work are increasingly dissolving, creating even greater challenges for protecting the mental health of employees.
Work is important for well-being; but well-being is also important for work. When employers address risks to the mental health of their employees, they boost morale, lower absenteeism, and increase employee engagement and productivity, strengthening their businesses and our economies.
Everyone, both in the workplace and beyond, should have the knowledge and resources to prioritise mental health, as well as access to quality mental health services without stigma or barriers.
On this World Mental Health Day, and every day, let us remember that there is no health without mental health. Let us commit to creating and maintaining safe, healthy work environments where people can flourish.
***** Environ une personne sur huit dans le monde vit avec un trouble mental. Aucune communauté ou société n’est épargnée. Le suicide demeure une cause majeure de décès chez les jeunes, et des millions de personnes continuent de souffrir en silence.
Cette année, à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de la santé mentale, l’accent est mis sur la santé mentale au travail. Quelque 60 % des personnes de plus de 15 ans ont un emploi et passent la plus grande partie de leur temps sur leur lieu de travail. Or ce lieu représente bien plus qu’un simple espace où l’on exerce son activité. Lorsqu’il est sûr et sain, il peut donner un sentiment d’utilité, d’appartenance et de stabilité ; en revanche, lorsqu’il y règne un climat d’oppression et de chaos, la santé mentale de celles et ceux qui y travaillent peut s’en trouver profondément atteinte.
Avec la pandémie de COVID-19 s’est ouverte une nouvelle ère de télétravail. Depuis, les frontières entre le domicile et le travail deviennent de plus en plus ténues, ce qui rend la protection de la santé mentale des employés encore plus difficile.
Le travail est important pour le bien-être, mais le bien-être l’est également pour le travail. En prenant des mesures contre les risques qui pèsent sur la santé mentale de leur personnel, les employeurs améliorent le moral de leurs équipes, réduisent l’absentéisme et accroissent la motivation et la productivité des employés, renforçant de ce fait leur activité et nos économies.
Sur le lieu de travail ou ailleurs, tout le monde devrait avoir les connaissances et les ressources nécessaires pour faire de la santé mentale une priorité, et tout le monde devrait pouvoir accéder à des services de santé mentale de qualité sans être stigmatisé ou se heurter à des obstacles.
En cette journée mondiale de la santé mentale, comme chaque jour, souvenons-nous qu’il n’y a pas de santé sans santé mentale. Engageons-nous à créer et à cultiver des environnements de travail sûrs et sains où les gens peuvent s’épanouir.
Attributable to Senior Sergeant Richard Miller, Eastern Bay of Plenty Police:
Police have today located the body of a person who died following a single vehicle crash into Waioeka River, Ōpōtiki on Friday.
Emergency Services responded to the scene around 10:20am on 4 October after we were alerted that a vehicle had gone down a bank into the river, around 2.5km south of the Tauranga Bridge, State Highway 2.
Search and rescue teams, including a boat, helicopter and Coastguard jet skis conducted sweeps of the river and riverbank on Friday. Unfortunately, the person and vehicle were unable to be located.
Since that time Police and rescue teams have been on standby ready to respond once the river conditions were right to safely deploy a team to the area.
Today, the river conditions had cleared sufficiently and Police along with search and rescue teams, local jet boat operators, and the Police National Dive Squad responded, searching the river. The vehicle was located at about 12:05pm, around 400 metres from the original crash site.
The victim was located deceased inside the vehicle and has since been successfully recovered.
While located deceased, police are pleased to have been able to reunite whānau with their loved one.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kay Cook, Professor and Research Director, School of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, Swinburne University of Technology
Australia’s child support system can not only increase women’s poverty, but can actually facilitate financial abuse, according to our recent research.
Child support is an important system that aims to share the financial burden of raising children between separated parents.
But there are some serious problems with the way it operates, putting already vulnerable women further at risk.
Drawing on the experiences of 675 single mothers, we sought to examine women’s experience with the child support system from start to finish.
Our research suggests four key changes could improve both women’s safety and financial wellbeing.
How does child support work?
Where deemed necessary, child support arrangements typically require one separated parent to make payments to the other, on a regular basis.
How much is paid and how it is collected can vary in different circumstances.
The amount agreed to be paid in child support can take in a range of factors, such as the cost of childcare. AKIRA_PHOTO/Shutterstock
In some families, a child support recipient’s income will be too high to receive the family tax benefit – a key payment that assists with the costs of raising children.
In this instance, a family can decide for itself how much will be paid, to whom, and how.
This is called self management, but it is very difficult to navigate when abuse is present in a relationship.
For families that do collect the family tax benefit, separated parents can use Services Australia to calculate the amount that will be paid.
Services Australia will consider factors including what it costs to care for and educate a child, as well as the difference in income between the two parents.
Once the amount has been calculated, separated parents can transfer payments privately between themselves, an approach called “private collect”.
Alternatively, this group can also use a service called “agency collect” to manage the transfer. Here, Services Australia collects the funds from the paying parent, then gives it to the agreed recipient.
For parents using agency collect, payments can also be “garnisheed” – deducted from a paying parent’s salary.
The system is failing the most vulnerable
Government reports reveal that across the agency collect system, a staggering $1.7 billion is owed to a third of single-parent households, representing 475,000 children.
The vast majority of this money is owed to women, two-thirds of whom have children in their care 86% or more of the time.
Across the child support system, 28% of paying parents fail to submit tax returns on time, reducing the accuracy of assessments.
Centrelink’s Family Tax Benefit A (the first part of a two-part payment) is linked to child support, with every dollar of child support above a certain threshold reducing this payment by 50 cents.
Concerningly, while reports indicate that 60% of single mothers receiving income support have experienced violence prior to separation, less than 15% receive exemptions from having to seek child support on the basis of this violence.
By not applying for either child support or an exemption, single mothers could lose a significant portion of their Family Tax Benefit A payments.
These sobering statistics are only part of the picture. Others remain invisible.
There are another 500,000 or so children in the private collect system. Many of their situations are a mystery. Services Australia doesn’t know how much those women and children are owed, as they don’t trace this amount and assume that payments are fully compliant.
What we uncovered
Our mixed methods survey of 675 single mothers asked women about their experiences in the child support system from start to finish.
We asked women how they made various decisions about child support, such as when to apply for it and when to change how it is collected and calculated.
Many women avoid chasing what’s owed to them for fear of retaliation from an ex-partner. rigsbyphoto/Shutterstock
78% of women reported experiencing some form of violence at the time of separation.
But the research also showed how the nature of this abuse can change post-separation, when financial abuse becomes the primary mechanism.
Just over half the women reported currently experiencing either emotional or psychological abuse, and 60% financial abuse.
Women shared they were often fearful of retaliation from their ex-partner if they applied or changed child support payment arrangements.
I was advised not to apply at the time because of the family violence and he had made threats to kill me so [it] was recommended I didn’t give him any reason to act on this so I went without child support for some period of time.
Others had to ask for an exemption to apply.
A Centrelink social worker changed my son’s father to unknown so I wouldn’t be murdered.
The results show how the current system’s logic can force women to risk their financial welfare to ensure their own safety.
I withdrew my application to avoid further conflict by telling CSA [Child Support Agency] there was a private agreement but there isn’t and he doesn’t pay anything.
Often, women are paying back debts to Centrelink due to retrospective changes in their ex-partner’s income or level of care, at the same time they themselves are owed thousands of dollars in child support arrears.
I’ve at times been living on as little at $72 a week of FTB [Family Tax Benefit] as my sole income to feed, house, clothe and educate myself and two children. I don’t understand how that is possible.
How could we fix it?
Based on our findings, our report makes four recommendations that could bring about meaningful improvements, give women choices to suit their family, and create a system that is safe.
De-link family payments from child support.
Co-design family violence processes in the child support system.
Move all payment collections back to being handled by the tax office.
Make all payment debts owed to and enforced by the Commonwealth.
Any meaningful solution to this problem will need to include the voices of victim survivors, advocates, researchers and social support organisations to co-design an effective system.
The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Terese Edwards, chief executive of Single Mother Families Australia (SMFA), in the preparation of the report.
Terese and SMFA provided in-kind support in the form of survey design feedback and recruitment assistance. Terese also contributed to writing the report.
Kay Cook receives funding from the Australian Research Council in the form of a Discovery Project grant. She is Secretary of The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) and a Member of the federal Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee. She is the PhD supervisor of Terese Edwards, CEO of Single Mother Families Australia.
Adrienne Byrt is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on a Discovery Project funded by the Australian Research Council.
Ashlea Coen’s research assistant position for this research was funded by Swinburne University of Technology.
Marg Rogers received funding from the Commonwealth-funded Manna Institute for her Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2022-24.
The Government today published a gazette notice to declare Lo Pan Temple in Kennedy Town and the Residence of Tang Pak Kau in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, as monuments under the Antiquities & Monuments Ordinance.
Lo Pan Temple is a well-recognised historic temple dedicated to Lo Pan, the patron of builders and contractors. It was first built in 1884 and rebuilt at the same site in 1928.
The temple is embellished with intricate murals, plaster mouldings, wood carvings and pottery decorations, including decorations on its ridges that were produced by Junyu, a renowned pottery sculpture shop in Shiwan.
The distinctive stepped gable walls of the temple are rare in Hong Kong. Since its establishment, the local construction sector has followed the tradition of paying homage to Lo Pan at the temple on his birthday.
The Residence of Tang Pak Kau was probably built in the early 20th century. The late businessman Tang Pak Kau was a distinguished member of the Tang clan in Kam Tin. He made remarkable contributions to the development of Kam Tin, Yuen Long and the New Territories, in particular in the areas of education and medical services.
These contributions included setting up a private school inside his residence to provide education for children of the Tang clan. The residence is a testament to the development of the local area and to Tang Pak Kau’s achievements.
The residence is a rectangular-shaped single-storey grey brick building with a three-storey watchtower. The building’s structure and decorations demonstrate a blend of Chinese and Western styles. Most of the building’s original fabric, finishes and decorations are preserved.
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
7 mins ago
EIT Te Ūranga Waka Senior Lecturer Hiria Tumoana (Ngāi Tūhoe) has been awarded the Te Tohu Reo Māori Award.
EIT Te Ūranga Waka Senior Lecturer Hiria Tumoana (Ngāi Tūhoe) has become the first recipient of the prestigious Te Tohu Reo Māori Award.
Presented by Ako Aotearoa, the Te Whatu Kairangi Awards celebrate outstanding educators who make a profound impact on their learners, their whānau, and the wider community.
Hiria, who will receive the award at Parliament next month, is overwhelmed by the honour.
“It’s amazing. They have a lot of people to work through. So, for someone like me, I must be doing something really good. I think I’m just really privileged and lucky to get this,” the 70-year-old said.
Hiria’s journey with te reo Māori began in Ruatoki, where she was raised in a community where Māori language and culture were central to everyday life.
Te reo Māori was her first language, and it has remained the foundation of her life’s work.
“For me, English doesn’t tell me who I am. Only te reo Māori does that,” Hiria reflects. “I will never stop teaching te reo Māori and hope to continue until my time is up.”
Hiria began teaching Te Reo Māori at Victoria University in 1977.
Since then, she has gone on to gain her BA Honours, train and examine translators for Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission), and co-design and teach te reo Māori on Radio Kahungunu and across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Her passion for revitalising the language has driven her more than 40-year career at EIT, first starting in Wairoa, and now at the Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale.
Hiria is renowned for her engaging teaching style, which blends humour, tradition, and modern techniques to create an inclusive environment for learners of all ages.
She believes that helping students discover their full potential is her greatest achievement.
“I want them all to be successful and I want them to know their full potential. They don’t always know what they know but when they understand, they feel good about who they are and what they can do.”
Pareputiputi Nuku, Pouarataki, Te Uranga Waka, says: “Hiria is an inspiration to all staff of Te Ūranga Waka, the majority of whom she has taught over the years and now they themselves are teachers”.
“Congratulations Hiria as the inaugural winner of this very significant award. E poho kereru ana mātau i a koe!”
Ako Aotearoa Deputy Director Māori, Dr Joe Te Rito says the proverb, ‘Te puna o te kī, te whītiki o te kī’ describes Hiria most aptly.
“She is an authority on the Māori language, as a native speaker and linguist, and she has a special gift for teaching it. Hiria is an icon for her life-time commitment to the revitalisation and teaching of the language dating back to the 1972 te reo Māori Petition.”
Hiria Tumoana will join the 10 other Te Whatu Kairangi awardees at Parliament on November 4 at the official awards ceremony hosted by the Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills.
A time-warping miniseries shot into public view on social media over the recent National Day holiday — a tale depicting modern youth contributing to the remarkable Long March of 1934-36.
The army of the Communist Party of China left its base in southeastern China to evade its foe, winding its way 12,500 kilometers to the north. The epic journey took two years but ultimately meant the army’s survival and victory for the Chinese nation.
Now it has captured the hearts of the Chinese youth who wish they had been part of it. The miniseries — I Opened a Supermarket on the Long March — went viral on social media during the National Day holiday, capturing imaginations and rekindling the patriotic spirit.
The five-episode series tells the time-traveling story of Su Meimei, who finds herself magically back in the Long March era with her supermarket. She uses a game-like “system” to complete tasks and earn rewards, providing food and supplies to Red Army soldiers who are facing severe shortages.
Going back in time, combined with the historical theme of forming a nation, have resonated with a younger audience, many of whom fantasize about returning to revolutionary times to make a difference.
Zhang Yihan, a 22-year-old viewer, commented on social media: “If only the Red Army had such a supermarket back then. We all wish we could have contributed something to those who fought for the revolution.”
Related topics have been trending on Chinese social media, drawing tens of millions of views, such as “If I had a ton of penicillin during World War II, how could I support the revolution?” The drama brings such fantasies to life, exploring what one might do if it were possible to return to the era of the Long March.
The drama found immediate success, reaching 10 million views within seven hours of its release. In 24 hours, the total view count had doubled to 20 million across multiple platforms.
Unlike previous Long March-themed works, which often rely on grand storytelling, I Opened a Supermarket on the Long March focuses on personal stories and relatable characters.
The series features three stories set in the magical supermarket, each inspired by real historical figures and events.
Zhang was particularly moved by the moment when the soldiers left the safety of the supermarket to march through the snow. “The detailed and realistic plot resonated deeply with me,” he said.
Yi Mingrui, a university student in Beijing, was struck by one character, a cook.
Despite the cook following a strict revolutionary rule — “Do not take a single needle or piece of thread from the people” — Yi shared the cook’s love of noodles and ham sausages.
“I felt a strong sense of connection,” he said. “Although the drama has its flaws, its vivid expressions of patriotism are truly moving. I hope to see more works featuring such real, vibrant characters.”
Developed by Beijing Shiyue Media, the series is interwoven with elements of supermarket management, and what it manages to deliver to its audience is a fresh and captivating narrative.
The series has already surpassed 100 million views and created 500 million discussion posts, news outlet ThePaper.cn reported.
The story’s protagonist, Su Meimei, a modern university graduate, offers a rich tale from her unique perspective. The storyline not only highlights the courage and challenges of the soldiers but also makes history vivid and relatable through a contemporary lens.
In discussions about the target for the series, executive producer Ling Ling emphasized the desire to resonate with a diverse young audience.
Rather than creating a sense of detachment, the series — through meticulous character portrayals — breathes life into actual historical figures. Each character transcends being a mere symbol of bravery and sacrifice to become a whole, vibrant person laden with emotions and a sense of duty.
As each of the 5-episode miniseries airs, increasing numbers of viewers have engaged in robust discussions to make their points and express their emotions — many on Douyin, Chinese version of TikTok. One college student said: “I feel like crying. It would be wonderful if those Long March soldiers could witness present-day China.”
Middle-aged viewers contributed their perspectives as well, emphasizing the educational value of the series. One remarked: “It should be mandatory viewing in every school for our children. I want my kids to watch it.”
Daiichi Sankyo has recently announced the final two-year follow-up data from the German cohort of the MILOS study. The MILOS study is a real-world investigation into the use of bempeodoic acid for managing high cholesterol levels. Bempedoic acid and its fixed dose combination with ezetimibe, with or without other lipid therapies, have been shown to significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidaemia. Hence, bempedoic acid in combination can advance dyslipidemia treatment, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Conducted across Germany, patients LDL-C levels were measured at pre-treatment, year one, and year two. Over the two-year period, LDL-C levels showed a mean reduction from 3.1 mmol/L at pre-treatment to 2.0 mmol/L at year two, representing an average decrease of 30.3%. The safety profile of bempedoic acid observed in this real-world population was consistent with that seen in the CLEAR clinical trials.
Dr Shireen Mohammad, Senior Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The market for bempedoic acid in the dyslipidemia space is highly competitive, with several established players such as statins and PCSK9 inhibitors. However, bempedoic acid offers several advantages over these therapies, including a different mechanism of action and a lower risk of adverse effects such as muscle pain and liver toxicity. As such, bempedoic acid is expected to see significant growth in the dyslipidemia market, particularly in patients who are unable to tolerate or do not respond to other lipid-lowering therapies.”
Several Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) from GlobalData have expressed that the combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe has the potential to become a widely used treatment option. Particularly in patients with statin intolerance, this may lead to the consideration of combining bempedoic acid with ezetimibe as an alternative treatment option.
KOLs from GlobalData have also highlighted the unmet need for effective triglyceride-lowering therapies in the field of dyslipidemia. High triglyceride levels are a common lipid abnormality that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. While current standard-of-care therapies for dyslipidemia, such as statins, are effective at lowering LDL cholesterol levels, they have limited efficacy in lowering triglyceride levels.
Dr Mohammad concludes: “There is an unmet need for better therapies to specially target high triglyceride levels, and this study offers promising prospects for effective dyslipidemia treatments.”
Despite the phenomenal growth of ecommerce during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the premium beauty sector in Southeast Asia is experiencing notable growth within physical retail environments, through collaboration with omnichannel brand-builders. Companies can adapt to this trend and position beauty as a significant driver of revenue in their retail strategy, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Jaya Dandey, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The premium beauty sector in Asia’s physical retail is thriving, driven by a combination of strong consumer demand, innovative retail strategies, and an increasing emphasis on personalized shopping experiences. The high single-digit growth rates of prestige beauty categories is notable even in the context of broader retail performance, where beauty products are often seen as high-margin categories that outperform other areas such as food sales.”
Tim Hill, Key Account Director, SE Asia, GlobalData, notes: “Consumers are becoming more discerning, not only regarding product quality, but also in terms of the shopping experience. They like to try multiple products in person before making an informed choice, especially in the premium domain where prices can run high. Though companies are eager to leverage these consumer preferences and enter the market, they sometimes face infrastructural challenges. A key strategy to overcome this is to partner with omnichannel players such as beauty ecommerce giants, which are increasingly moving into the physical retail space. Individual consultation stalls in these stores promote customer engagement with a wide variety of brands.
“The ability to integrate online and offline experiences will be vital for survival in this rapidly changing landscape. Maintaining a robust omnichannel presence allows retailers to connect with consumers across various platforms, including online and physical stores. This strategy not only caters to different shopping preferences but also ensures that brands remain accessible to a wider audience. A hybrid approach allows these companies to leverage their online success while maintaining a physical presence, creating a seamless shopping experience for consumers.
“Southeast Asia is home to a burgeoning upper middle class, who are eager to splurge on luxury beauty. They are more aware of international brands, and given their higher disposable incomes, they are willing to spend on premium beauty products. GlobalData 2024 Q2 Consumer Survey reflects this, wherein about 25% of respondents deemed low price as good value for money while purchasing beauty and grooming products, and a much higher 34% responded that high-quality ingredients represent more value for money^.”
Luxasia, Southeast Asia’s leading network in beauty and luxury, has enabled market entry and penetration for several brands. It recently captured the Vietnamese market by launching escentials, an omni-retail concept for luxury fragrances, in one of the country’s prestigious malls. Similarly, premium skincare brand SK-II launched a unique concept store at the Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Indian beauty ecommerce giant Nykaa is actively expanding its physical retail spaces across the nation.
Dandey concludes: “By returning to the essentials of the beauty industry—where sensorial experiences are paramount—brands can cultivate customer loyalty in a competitive market. As the premium beauty sector evolves, embracing omnichannel strategies and personalizing experiences will not only ensure success but also foster enduring relationships with discerning consumers, shaping a vibrant future for beauty retail.”
^GlobalData 2024 Q2 Consumer Survey – Asia and Australasia, published in July 2024, with 6,506 respondents
Detectives have named the victim of a fatal collision in Whitechapel as they appeal for witnesses or anyone with footage to come forward.
Police were called at 00:33hrs on Saturday, 6 July to reports of a collision involving a car and a cyclist near to the junction of Cable Street and Cannon Street Road, E1.
Police attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals the cyclist, Matheus Piovesan, aged 36, who was a Brazilian national, sadly died at the scene.
His next of kin were informed. They continue to be supported by specialist officers.
The car that struck Matheus failed to stop at the scene.
Following an investigation by detectives from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) six people were arrested in connection with the investigation.
Three men, aged [A] 45, [B] 24 and [C] 23 were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision. They were subsequently released on bail pending further enquiries.
Two women and a man were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision. They were later released with no further action.
Any witnesses, or those who have dash cam footage of the incident or moments leading up to it, are asked to call 101 quoting reference 230/06 July. You can call the SCIU directly on 020 8285 1574.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northen Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) responded to a large grass fire in Humpty Doo yesterday afternoon.
Around 2:50pm, Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received repots of a large grass fire on Trippe Road, Humpty Doo.
A short time later, NTFRS members arrived on the fire ground and commenced a response.
Twelve NTFRS career and 4 Volunteer firefighters attended with 12 appliances including Grassfire Units, as well as 4 waterbombers, 1 helicopter and 5 appliances from Bushfires NT.
Multiple inoperable vehicles and an uninhabited structure were affected by the blaze.
Initial reports indicate that the fire was not suspicious, and it ignited from a backfiring exhaust.
I refer to the June 2023 report prepared by the late Peta Murphy – a report I signed concerning online gambling restrictions. In December 2023, the Minister said she would ensure their policy would be resolved “expeditiously” and would be announced “without delay.” It is October 2024 and the Government has not arrived with a policy. Which parts of the Murphy report does the Minister disagree?
Answer–Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland:
I thank the Member for her question – I acknowledge her interest in this matter. As I am sure all Members in this place are concerned about the harms that occur when it comes to wagering in certain contexts. Of course, we understand, given the high level of community concern here, and the fact that Australians lose some $25 billion every year in response to gambling, that this is an area in which improvements need to be made. That is why I commend the Member for Hughes’ work on the Committee and all Members in this place that worked on that report.
There are three things I would say to the Member. The first is that this is a report that set out some 30 recommendations, many of which go to the interaction between Commonwealth and State Governments and their regulatory arrangements. We are working carefully through those with the States and I’m doing that in conjunction with a number of other Ministers including the Minister for Social Services. It is a complex area in that aspect. It is complex because there are certain regulatory arrangements the States obviously have a keen interest in – that it is one that where of course they want to ensure that we have the most robust response when it comes to dealing with wagering harms.
The second point is of course we know that the high level of gambling harms not only in terms of economic but social consequence [inaudible] that we need changes that go to that, but also go to cultural change. The first is breaking the nexus between sport and wagering. Second, it is concentrating on the exposure of children to gambling harms and thirdly that it is the saturation of ads particularly as they are targeted towards young men aged around 18 to 35.
The first goes to reduction in gambling harms and secondly the way in which they can actually be implemented. The point that I’m making, and I know she asked this question from a good place, is that we need to understand but we also need to ensure that the impacts in responding to this report actually achieve their desired outcomes and to give some example of that, the need to be forward-looking and comprehensive in this response that is really not only whole of Government, but is whole of nation as well. We are doing this through looking at areas where exposure might not be prevalent yet but could be in future and we are also looking at areas in which we need to ensure there is a strong legislative response from the outset. So these are complex areas, we are determined to make a difference and the status in relation to advertising is unacceptable.
The brakes have been put on contractor and consultant spending and growth in the public service workforce, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
“Workforce data released today shows spending on contractors and consultants fell by $274 million, or 13 per cent, across the public sector in the year to June 30.
“Over the course of the year, the number of public servants grew slightly to 63,537 but the details reveal a year of two halves – ballooning growth under the last government offset by a 3.3 per cent reduction under this government.
“The annual increase of 0.7 per cent, or 421 employees, compares to average increases of almost 5 per cent over the previous five years.
“This shows the steps the Government is taking to restore discipline to public expenditure and drive more value for money are working. The growth in public service numbers in the first half of 2023/24 was largely due to the decisions, work programmes and priorities of the previous government.
“The latest data also reflects a shift of back-office resources to the frontline.
“There has been a 10.8 per cent decline in the number of clerical and administrative staff and an 8.3 per cent drop in policy advisors.
“This has been offset by increases in service delivery roles, including a 16.9 percent increase in contact centre workers who are often the first point of contact for members of the public. There has been a 5.7 per cent increase in the number of inspectors and regulatory officers and a 1.5 per cent increase in the number of social, health and education workers.”
Nicola Willis says she expects the downward trend to continue.
“The 3.3 percent decrease in the overall size of the public service between December and June aligns with the Government’s commitment to a public service focused on performance and the delivery of essential services for New Zealanders.
“We’ve had to make some tough decisions. I feel for anyone who has lost their job, but no government can live beyond its means indefinitely, and we have to restore discipline to public spending by spending taxpayers’ money as carefully as they do.”
SEYCHELLES, Victoria, Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As part of the broader WOO Ecosystem, which includes the WOOFi protocol, a leading decentralized exchange, and WOO X, a global centralized exchange, the WOO Innovation Hub is excited to announce a strategic partnership with SphereX, a cutting-edge decentralized exchange (DEX) known for redefining digital asset trading with its meme-focused order-book perpetual exchange. This collaboration aims to bring innovation and excitement to decentralized finance (DeFi) while making advanced trading tools accessible to a wider audience.
SphereX sets itself apart as one of the first decentralized exchange designed with meme culture at its core, catering to traders who enjoy the fast-paced world of crypto memes while maintaining serious trading functionalities. The platform combines the freedom of DeFi with an innovative order-book perpetual trading model, delivering high-performance, on-chain security and capital efficiency. With off-chain matching for rapid execution and on-chain settlement for secure trades, SphereX provides a fun yet professional environment for DeFi enthusiasts.
The cooperation between WOO Innovation Hub and SphereX is built on a shared vision to enhance DeFi accessibility and improve capital efficiency across chains. SphereX’s multi-chain launch marks just the beginning, with plans to expand its reach to even more blockchain networks, driving innovation and inclusivity in the DeFi landscape.
Abby Huang, WOO Innovation Hub Lead, said: “SphereX’s unique approach to combining the viral excitement of meme culture with professional-grade decentralized trading is something we’re excited to support. This collaboration allows WOO Innovation Hub to foster even more creativity in the DeFi space, while SphereX’s meme-driven order-book model adds a fresh layer of engagement and entertainment for our users.”
SphereX stands out by addressing key issues in the current DeFi landscape, such as fragmentation and centralization, while making trading fun and engaging. Their order-book perpetual exchange, designed for meme traders, allows users to access cross-margin trading and enjoy seamless trade execution through off-chain matching. By adding an element of humor and creativity to high-stakes trading, SphereX creates a trading environment that is both inclusive and enjoyable.
Kai, SphereX CEO stated: “Collaborating with WOO Innovation Hub is a major milestone for SphereX as we continue to expand our vision of making decentralized trading not only fun and fast but also highly scalable. With WOO’s extensive ecosystem and their unwavering commitment to innovation, we’re excited to collaborate in reaching new audiences and transforming the way people engage with DeFi.”
About WOOFi WOOFi is a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) with over $42B in cumulative trading volume and more than 250k monthly active users. It supports 11 blockchains and offers a diverse range of products, including earn vaults, simple swaps, cross-chain swaps, and perpetual futures. The native token of WOOFi, WOO, can be staked to share 80% of all protocol fees.
About SphereX SphereX is a cutting-edge decentralized exchange (DEX) designed to make crypto trading accessible, secure, and user-friendly for everyone. By prioritizing decentralization, SphereX ensures that users have full control over their assets, with transparent and low-cost transactions. Committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community, SphereX embodies the spirit of Robin Hood, providing financial opportunities for all, especially those new to crypto trading or with limited resources. Join the SphereX community today and experience the future of decentralized finance.
Disclaimer
The content above is neither a recommendation for investment and trading strategies nor does it constitute an investment offer, solicitation, or recommendation of any product or service. The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or professional advice of any kind.
Cryptocurrencies involve significant risk and are NOT suitable for the majority of investors. The value of digital currencies can be extremely volatile, and you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite before participating in any staking or investment activities. We strongly recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional before making any investment or financial decisions related to cryptocurrencies. We shall in NO case be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article.
The collaboration between WOO and SphereX highlighted in the content above does not indicate in any way that WOO provides, or will provide financial service. WOO does NOT endorse, guarantee or provide advice for any products or services of its business partners. This cooperation shall in no event be interpreted as an assurance or guarantee for the listing of any tokens, whether presently existing or to be generated in the future, on WOO X or any associated exchange platforms, nor does it imply any commitment from WOO X to list any tokens on its platforms or others. The decision to list any tokens is governed by and subject to a series of separate criteria and procedures, independent of this cooperation or business partnership.
Nothing in this article or any related content shall be construed to create or suggest the existence of a partnership, joint venture, agency relationship, or any form of legal association between WOO and SphereX. Each party is an independent entity, acting solely in its own capacity, and is responsible for its own actions, decisions, and associated risks. The collaboration mentioned does not imply any form of shared liability or financial obligation, and each party will bear its own risks and responsibilities. Furthermore, this article should not be interpreted as providing any guarantees regarding the outcome of any business ventures or collaborations mentioned, nor shall be an indication of guaranteed success or profitability for either WOOFi, WOO X or SphereX, or any of their business partners.
ZURICH, 10 October 2024 – 21Shares AG (“21Shares”), one of the world’s largest issuers of crypto exchange traded products (ETPs), today announced the launch of the 21Shares Future of Crypto Index ETP (FUTR) on Euronext Paris and Euronext Amsterdam. FUTR represents the latest addition to its growing European product lineup, representing the firm’s 44th crypto ETP, its 10th crypto basket ETP, and its first-ever crypto megatheme ETP.
Exchange
Product Name
Ticker
ISIN
Fee
Euronext Paris
21Shares Future of Crypto Index ETP
FUTR FP
CH1382892102
1.49%
Euronext Amsterdam
21Shares Future of Crypto Index ETP
FUTR NA
CH1382892102
1.49%
“Global excitement, demand and momentum for crypto is undeniable. And 21Shares has been at the forefront of increasing global access to the crypto asset class since inception in 2018 – offering investors a six-year track record of developing, launching and managing crypto ETPs,” said Hany Rashwan, Co-Founder and CEO of 21Shares. “As 21Shares’ first-ever crypto megatheme ETP, FUTR represents the next evolution of the firm’s European product lineup and a potential opportunity for investors looking for the next step after allocating to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).”
Rashwan continued: “With the launch of FUTR, 21Shares is thrilled to leverage the firm’s world-class product development and research capabilities to bring investors access to a future-oriented, broad-based index offering easy exposure to the most promising sectors of the crypto ecosystem.”
FUTR provides investors with comprehensive exposure to the top sectors and themes anticipated to drive the future growth of the crypto market. By tracking a broad-based index that covers over 80% of the market, the ETP offers exposure to six key megathemes expected to drive long-term growth in the crypto market:
Payment Platforms: Payment platforms are blockchains or protocols specialized in transferring value.
Smart Contract Platforms: A smart contract platform is a base blockchain with built-in general-purpose programmability that allows developers to write smart contracts and launch decentralized applications (dApps).
Blockchain Accelerators: A blockchain accelerator is a separate blockchain that helps augment the network capacity of a settlement blockchain by orders of magnitude while inheriting the security guarantees of the latter.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Decentralized finance is internet-native financial infrastructure that does not rely on a centralized institution such as a bank, broker, or similar intermediaries.
AI and Data Solutions: This refers to platforms that leverage artificial intelligence and data technologies to enhance various aspects of crypto ecosystems.
Social and Gaming: This refers to an overlaying sector between blockchain, crypto, and the gaming industries, along with social elements that enhance player interactions and community building.
FUTR takes a market-capitalization weighted approach, with leading assets from each of these six megathemes. In addition, FUTR offers dynamic allocation, a strategy that evolves with the market to provide alignment with emerging trends and opportunities. Further, FUTR excludes meme tokens, privacy tokens and assets below a $2M liquidity threshold, focusing on quality investments. FUTR is 100% physically backed by the underlying assets stored securely in cold storage by an institutional-grade custodian, offering enhanced protection.
21Shares worked with MarketVector Indexes as the index provider for FUTR. MarketVector Indexes brings deep market knowledge in crypto indices to the digital assets landscape.
“The 21Shares Future of Crypto Index provides a dynamic framework for tracking key sectors driving the next phase of crypto growth. We’re excited to partner with 21Shares on this forward-thinking, innovative product”, said Steven Schoenfeld, CEO of MarketVector Indexes.
The launch of FUTR also represents an expansion of 21Shares’ collaboration with Flow Traders, who will act as the market maker for the product.
“This is another step forward in supporting the broader adoption of digital assets, and we are thrilled to continue to expand our role in being the leading liquidity provider in the crypto ETP space as well as our partnership with 21Shares,” said Michael Lie, Global Head of Digital Assets at Flow Traders. “Innovative products like FUTR with diversified exposure to key themes in crypto, much like sector ETFs in TradFi, are going to be essential in expanding the full reach of digital assets and its value to financial markets. In our role, we will continue supporting innovative products and driving the convergence of TradFi and crypto.”
For more details about the 21Shares Future of Crypto Index ETP, including the factsheet, please click here.
21.co is the world’s leader in providing access to crypto through simple and easy to use products. 21.co is the parent company of 21Shares, one of the world’s largest issuers of crypto exchange traded products (ETPs) – which is powered by Onyx, a proprietary technology platform used to issue and operate cryptocurrency ETPs for 21Shares and third parties. The company was founded in 2018 by Hany Rashwan and Ophelia Snyder. 21Shares is registered in Zurich, Switzerland with offices in Zurich, London and New York. For more information, please visit 21Shares.
MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS®, and BlueStar® names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with more than USD 50 billion in assets under management.
About Flow Traders
Flow Traders is a leading multi-asset market maker founded more than twenty years ago, the firm expanded into digital assets trading in 2017, focusing on centralized exchanges before expanding its operations to include over-the-counter trading, options trading and decentralized finance. Additionally, Flow Traders strategically invests in builders and teams driving the convergence of centralized and decentralized finance.
DISCLAIMER
This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.
This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.
This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.
Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under http://www.21Shares.com.
The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.
This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2023 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with SIX Exchange Regulation AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2023 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).
Headline: Maritime crime and piracy incidents lowest since 1994, but threats to crews remain
IMB reported 79 incidents for the period of January-September 2024, down from 99 incidents in the same period last year. This marks a significant overall reduction and the lowest reported numbers since 1994.
From January to September, 62 vessels were boarded, six were hijacked while nine faced attempted attacks and two were fired upon. In 86% of incidents, perpetrators successfully gained access to the vessel with most incidents occurring at night.
Violence towards crew members remains concerning, with 111 crew taken hostage, 11 kidnapped and three threatened. Perpetrators were armed with weapons, guns, and knives in 45 of the reported incidents.
IMB Director Michael Howlett said:
“With reported incidents at their lowest since 1994, the decline in reported piracy and armed robbery incidents is encouraging. This is an important time to reinforce our message not to be complacent, and for vessel owners and operators to adhere to IMB guidelines. We commend governments and law enforcement for their excellent work, which has made this improvement possible.”
Escalating violence in the Indonesian Archipelago
The Indonesian Archipelago remains an area of concern with a steady rise in the number of reported incidents. From January to September 2024, 17 incidents were reported compared to 12 in 2023 and nine in 2022. Weapons were reported in 11 incidents, 27 crew were taken hostage and one crew was threatened. Two hijackings were reported in February and September in nearly the same location South of Tanjung Malatayur, Central Kalimantan where oil cargoes were stolen from barges under tow. IMB calls upon local authorities to increase their on-water presence to act as a deterrent to these crimes.
Fewer incidents in Gulf of Guinea, Somalia and Singapore Straits
In the first nine months of 2024, 12 incidents were reported in the Gulf of Guinea region, the lowest number of reports since 1996. While the drop in the number of reported incidents is welcome, there remains concern over the safety of crew, with 11 crew kidnapped and 21 taken hostage.
Eight incidents have been reported in the waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, with three hijacked vessels and two fired upon. IMB has not received reports of any maritime piracy incidents from vessels transiting these waters between July and September, possibly due to the prevalence of monsoons.
Incidents in the Singapore Straits have dropped to 23, compared to 33 over the same period last year. Perpetrators were successful in boarding the vessels in 96% of the cases. Considering the navigational challenges of these waters, IMB warns that even low-level opportunistic incidents on board such large vessels could potentially increase the risk to navigation.
IMB urges vessels to continue adhering to the latest Best Management Practices to ensure safety of crew, vessel and cargo.
IMB commends local authorities for investigating reported incidents and renews calls for accurate and timely reporting of maritime incidents.
The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre
Founded in 1991, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre serves as a crucial, 24-hour point of contact to report crimes of piracy and lend support to ships under threat. Quick reactions and a focus on coordinating with response agencies, sending out warning broadcasts and email alerts to ships have all helped bolster security on the high seas. The data gathered by the Centre also provides key insights on the nature and state of modern piracy.
IMB encourages all shipmasters and owners to report all actual, attempted and suspected global piracy and armed robbery incidents to the Piracy Reporting Centre as a vital first step to ensuring adequate resources are allocated by authorities to tackle maritime piracy.
Download a copy of the January to September 2024 Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships report here.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Last summer, the program of events at the Yauza Ecocenter expanded by a third. This became possible thanks to proposals from Muscovites within the framework of the eponymous project on the City of Ideas platform. His goal— development of an innovative environmental education center.
Most of the initiatives are new directions of open lectures and educational and entertainment events. They will help to form a careful attitude towards the environment in children and adults and draw attention to current environmental issues.
From idea to implementation
For example, on June 29, Natalia Shpachuk, a postgraduate student at RANEPA, told users during an online broadcast how nature inspires modern painters. And the idea for the lecture “Nature on the canvases of Russian artists” belongs to Muscovite Nadezhda Tyurina.
Thanks to Yana Andrievskaya, on June 4, a lecture was held for Ecologist Day with the participation of Elena Lesnevskaya, head of the department for supervision of compliance with environmental protection and nature management laws of the Moscow City Prosecutor’s Office. The audience learned how the department identifies, suppresses and prevents environmental violations.
In the Chermyanka Park, on the initiative of Svetlana Astashina, regular classes are held where children are taught to recognize different species of animals and plants listed in the Red Book. And on June 29, a master class called “Drawing Nature” was held there, proposed by another participant in the project, Irina Motkina.
In addition, on June 9, the Garden of the Future Park hosted an eco-festival with master classes and an entertaining and educational program, and on May 16, the Rostokinsky Aqueduct Park gave out seedlings to everyone who wanted them. City residents were able to visit the historical terrain cure, which covers the Rostokino, Bogorodskoye and Sokolniki districts, on June 23 and 30. And on June 20, an eco-walk was held along the Chermyanka River valley in honor of World Flower Day.
The Ecocenter’s immediate plans
In total, experts selected 103 ideas within the project — all of them will be taken into account when drawing up the program of events at the eco-center. Thus, in October, lessons about the world around us will be held for preschoolers and primary school students.
Open lectures on the work of the park’s environmental service specialists are planned for October 19. Visitors will also be told about methods for measuring the ecological footprint and how a person can reduce environmental pollution. Another meeting will be devoted to the importance of preserving rare endemic species of Moscow and the region, and the consequences of their disappearance from the region’s ecosystem.
On November 23, the eco-center will host a program of events called “Ecological Day for Families,” where participants will be offered to make an eco-feeder, take part in a thematic brain ring, and much more.
At the beginning of December, visitors will be told about volunteering in the field of ecology and environmental protection, the legal status of organizations and how to become their member.
Platform “City of Ideas” has been operating since 2014. During this time, more than 500 thousand users have joined it. They share suggestions on how to make life in the capital more comfortable. More than six thousand ideas have already been implemented. They concern electronic services, culture, entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, transport and other important aspects of city life. The project is being developed by the State Institution “New Management Technologies” andThe capital’s Department of Information Technology.
The use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve the quality of life of city residents corresponds to the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” and the regional project of the capital “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow, You can find out on a special page.
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.
Scotland must use every lever available to cut emissions.
More in Climate
Any change to Scotland’s climate targets must be met by robust plans for accelerated climate action, says Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie.
Mr Harvie’s comments come ahead of today’s Stage 1 Scottish Government debate on the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Bill, which will amend its targets following confirmation from the UK Climate Change Committee that Scotland’s 2030 targets are now out of reach.
“If the Scottish Government is changing its climate targets then it must urgently upscale and accelerate the action it is taking to meet them. Business as usual isn’t good enough, we cannot continue as we are, not if we want to have any kind of liveable future.
“The reality is that we are years behind where we need to be. The collective failure to hit our targets must be a source of shame for all parties, but it must also be a wake-up call.
“From rejecting new fossil fuel exploration to meaningfully investing in public transport and active travel to reduce the number of cars on our roads, we need to see bold new thinking and robust plans to get there.
“The challenge has been made far harder by 14 years of Tory governments who were actively working against our climate, but that does not excuse the failures of successive Scottish Governments.”
Last month the Scottish Greens published The Climate Reset, a policy paper by the Scottish Green MSP group that called for the Scottish Government to decarbonise transport by removing peak rail fares and diverting funding from its climate wrecking plans to dual the whole A96 into public transport.
The paper called for a real and urgent transition plan for the energy sector, urging the Scottish Government to maintain its presumption against new oil and gas exploration while rejecting the proposed expansion of the gas-fuelled power station at Peterhead.
The friendly Whiteley health walk gathers on Wednesdays at 2pm outside Meadowside Leisure Centre and heads off for some fresh air and conversation. Its members say that coming along has helped not only their physical health but their mental health.
Clive, who lives in Whiteley, said: “I was pre-diabetic and the doctor put me on an app to encourage me to become more active and do more walking. Then I noticed the wellbeing walk poster and when I realised I lived so close to it, it was really a no-brainer. It has all made a big difference. I have lost two stone and my blood pressure has come down.
“I love being out and about and meeting people. What’s great with the walk is that you can just come and turn up if you want, which takes a lot of the pressure off. It probably sounds silly but I was surprised that were so many men walking too. It’s enjoyable to chat to different people, and the walk leaders are brilliant.”
Ian lives in Fareham and joined a few months ago after a health scare: “I spotted the poster about the walk in the doctor’s surgery – it was just what I was looking for and it’s much more enjoyable than I expected as it’s not only the walk, it’s meeting the people too – the other walkers are lovely.
“I needed short walks as I had a serious blood clot so I needed to get moving, but not go too far. I have gradually expanded how far I walk and it’s been absolutely fantastic. I love talking to so many different personalities and I enjoy it when we go for a coffee together too.”
Stephen from Whiteley enjoys the company too: “After I lost my wife four years ago, I needed something to get me out of the house and into the fresh air where there were other people to talk to – I have been coming to this walk now for a couple of years.
“I am from Lancashire originally and we moved down here in 2017 as two of our daughters live here and the other is in London. I enjoy the walks a lot; I do all three walks in the area every week.”
Why not give one of the walks a go? We work with Community First on our supported health walks, which take place in Winchester, Bishop’s Waltham, Weeke and Colden Common as well as Whiteley. There’s a new Winnall walk too.
There’s also a new seated exercise class in Whiteley community centre – pop along on Fridays at 10am (£4 a session).
Our walks rely on fantastic support from our volunteer walk leaders, and we’re always searching for more people to join the leaders team. If you would like more information please email Calum: cdrummond@winchester.gov.uk
Thank you to the walk participants for their help and welcome.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for North Lantau Hospital (NLTH) gave the following update today (October 10):
Following a contact tracing investigation, two more patients, males aged 82 and 70 in the emergency medicine ward, were identified as carriers of Candida auris without signs of infection. One patient was discharged earlier, and the other patient was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for further isolation treatment and is in stable condition.
The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned.
The hospital has reported the cases to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up and will continue to closely monitor the situation.
The Transport Department today announced the route of a bus parade, scheduled for October 19, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Starting at around 11am that day, parade buses will depart from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay for Man Kwong Street in Central. They will transit along Gordon Road, King’s Road, Causeway Road, Hennessy Road, Fleming Road and Lung Wo Road.
The route is about six km long and will take about 30 minutes to complete. Members of the public can observe the parade and take photos at viewing locations such as Hennessy Road near Jardine’s Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, and Central Pier, where the parade ends.
Police will lead the convoy and may implement traffic and crowd safety measures, depending on conditions.
In case of adverse weather, the bus parade will be cancelled. The public should watch out for the updates on the department’s website.
A meeting of the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS) was held today, chaired by Vice-President of the Committee and Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, and with the CIPESS Secretary, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alessandro Morelli, in attendance. The meeting approved a number of important measures regarding infrastructure.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Rosneft summed up the results of the XIX Review-competition “Best in Profession”, which is held annually among representatives of the main blue-collar professions and engineering specialties of the Company. In the final stage, 600 workers competed for the title of the best, and taking into account the selection stages, more than 10 thousand workers and engineers took part in the competition.
The “Best in Profession” competition is an important part of the motivation program, corporate training, as well as raising the level of professional skills of employees, the prestige of blue-collar jobs, production culture and industrial safety. The competition helps to strengthen team spirit and employee involvement.
In order to expand the geography of the Competition and disseminate best practices among the Company’s enterprises, the final stage was held separately for each area in three cities of Russia.
Contestants in the “Oil Refining and Petrochemistry” category competed in Ufa at the production sites of Bashneft. 140 employees from 21 subsidiaries took part in the competition in 9 nominations.
Professionals in the Oil and Gas Production sector met in Samara at Samaraneftegaz facilities. 285 workers from 26 enterprises took part in competitions in 11 workers and two engineering and technical specialties.
The best specialists in “Nefteproduktoobespecheniye” were determined in St. Petersburg at the production sites of “RN-North-West”. 175 employees from 35 sales enterprises took part in the competition in 7 nominations.
An objective assessment of the knowledge, skills and abilities of the contestants was given by 147 jury members from the management of Rosneft’s specialized divisions and subsidiaries.
The Company’s priority is to take care of its employees, preserve their lives and health, and create comfortable working conditions. That is why the competition program annually includes sections on industrial safety and labor protection. Following the results of the competition, specialists of all blue-collar professions who showed the best results in the “Safe Labor” direction were awarded.
Congratulations to the winners of the Best in Profession Competition on their well-deserved awards!
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 9, 2024
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Multimedia music programme “After the Rain” to be staged at Western Salt Water Service Reservoirs (with photos) Multimedia music programme “After the Rain” to be staged at Western Salt Water Service Reservoirs (with photos) ******************************************************************************************
The Asia+ Festival, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will present participatory music programme “After the Rain” at the Western Salt Water Service Reservoirs, which is opening for public performances for the first time. Local music group Toolbox Percussion, media arts collective Dimension Plus and Singaporean composer Lee Jiayi will attempt to broaden public imagination and experience with a bespoke multimedia music journey that unveils the mystery of the hillside cavern. Built in rock caverns, the Western Salt Water Service Reservoirs has occasionally been used as a filming location. It will be open for the first time for public performances. In their quest to explore the intricate relationship between humanity, technology and climate change, the artists seamlessly meld live music and interactive multimedia design with the environment. Louis Siu, executive artistic director of Toolbox Percussion, hopes that audiences of “After the Rain” will realise that water resources are indeed hard to come by. During the programme, attendees will each be given a specially designed rainstick and walk through a tunnel about 100 metres long to interact with percussionists. Ink projections on the walls will fuse with people’s silhouettes, together shaping a unique sonic and visual landscape. Both Louis Siu and Lee Jiayi had played in an orchestra before, but they were not entirely satisfied with performing a pre-existing repertoire. Over the years, they have been working with people from diverse backgrounds, such as photographers, choreographers, designers and visual artists, in their challenge to the usual definition of music. Their creative partner Keith Lam from Dimension Plus is also a boundary-pusher who is keen on offering new sonic experiences by, for instance, transforming a theatrical space into a cave-like structure using AI-generated imagery. Multimedia music programme “After the Rain”, in 28 performances altogether, will be held at the Western Salt Water Service Reservoirs with details as follows: October 30, November 1, 6 and 8 (Wednesdays and Fridays): 7pm and 8pmNovember 2, 3, 9 and 10 (Saturdays and Sundays): 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 7pm and 8pm Tickets priced at $360 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app “URBTIX”. The programme contains strobe lighting effects. Attendees are required to walk in the reservoir area and should assess whether their physical condition allows them to participate and whether they need to be accompanied by a carer. Attendees are advised to arrive at the venue early for admission. There will also be a fee-charging activity titled “Immersive Cavern Walk”, where the reservoir decorated with interactive multimedia design is open for public tours during specific non-performance hours. For access information of the reservoir and other programme details, please refer to asiaplus.gov.hk/2024/en/aftertherain. The second Asia+ Festival is running from September to November, highlighting the arts and culture of nearly 30 countries from Asia and the Belt and Road regions. Apart from stage programmes, there are also thematic exhibitions, an outdoor carnival, film screenings, outreach activities and more, numbering over 100 in total. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit asiaplus.gov.hk/2024/en/.
Ends/Thursday, October 10, 2024Issued at HKT 15:35
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for September 2024 Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for September 2024 ******************************************************************************************
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 10) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for September 2024. The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs increased from 41.3 in August 2024 in the contractionary zone to 41.6 in September 2024, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. October 2024) outlook DI on business receipts was 47.0. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts, despite below the 50-mark, rose by varying degrees in September 2024 as compared with previous month for many surveyed sectors, particularly for the logistics (from 35.9 to 40.3) and restaurants (from 34.7 to 36.5). The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades increased from 43.4 in August 2024 to 44.5 in September 2024, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. October 2024) was 46.1. Commentary A Government spokesman said that overall business sentiment among SMEs stabilised in September, and their expectations on the business situation in one month’s time turned better. The overall employment situation also improved further in September. The spokesman added that while various uncertainties in the external environment may have some negative impacts, US interest rate cut should bode well for business sentiment. The Central Government’s latest policy measures for supporting the Mainland economy as well as its various measures benefitting Hong Kong will also provide support. The Government will monitor the situation closely. Further information The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to establishments with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent establishments in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD. The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own establishments rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month. More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300). Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, October 10, 2024Issued at HKT 16:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $12 million (with photos) Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $12 million (with photos) *********************************************************************************
Hong Kong Customs effected two dangerous drug trafficking cases between October 7 and yesterday (October 9), and seized about 24.5 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $12 million. Three persons connected with the cases were arrested. In the first case, through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs on September 27 inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying household goods and personal effects and arriving in Hong Kong from Germany, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized a total of about 15.5kg of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $7.5 million inside three different boxes of goods, including toys, rice cookers and protein powder. Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation on October 7 and arrested a 31-year-old male consignee, who claimed to be a driver, in Sham Shui Po. The investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation. For the second case, through risk assessment, Customs officers on October 7 inspected an express air parcel, declared as carrying monosodium glutamate and arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands, at the airport. Upon examination, about 9kg of suspected ketamine, disguised by packaging of monosodium glutamate, was found in the parcel. The estimated market value of the drugs was about $4.4 million. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a male youth and a man, aged 16 and 20, who were suspected to be connected with the case in Chai Wan and Tsz Wan Shan respectively. An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to enhance enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment. Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Thursday, October 10, 2024Issued at HKT 16:15
Gaelic projects in Islay will benefit from funding as part of efforts to grow the language.
Islay’s Gaelic Centre will receive £150,000 for a virtual experience which will pull viewers into another world as they learn about the island’s history, heritage and geography.
Projectors, touch-walls and a virtual reality headset will create a 360-degree experience of Gaelic Islay. This will enable visitors to experience the scents and sounds of the island as they explore a library of Gaelic stories, songs and language courses.
A further £8,000 will go towards the construction of an outdoor classroom at Bowmore Gaelic Medium Primary school to be used for plays, poems and other drama activities.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced the funding ahead of the opening of the Royal National Mòd in Oban.
Ms Forbes said:
“It is only fitting that this year’s Mòd is in Oban as Gaelic forms a core part of Argyll’s culture, heritage and history.
“Our investment in a virtual experience at the Islay’s Gaelic Centre will help to create a star attraction which will bring new opportunities for the island.
“We are working collaboratively across Parliament to progress the Scottish Languages Bill with the aim of building a sustainable future for Gaelic. This includes creating a system which will enable all parents to apply for Gaelic early learning and childcare services and introducing measures to strengthen Gaelic education in secondary school.”
Manager of Islay Gaelic CentreSìne NicEalair said:
“We are delighted and very grateful to receive this grant enabling us to complete the second phase of our digital project.
“We see this as a great asset to the Gaelic and non-Gaelic community in Islay and off the island.”