NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day

    Source: United States Navy

    WASHINGTON — Since 1936, the last Sunday in September has been designated as Gold Star Mother’s Day to recognize and honor those who have lost a child while serving our country in the United States armed forces. In 2009, fallen service members’ families were officially recognized and added by presidential proclamation, renaming the observance to Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day. Each year, the president signs a proclamation reaffirming our commitment to honor the individuals “who carry forward the memories of those willing to lay down their lives for the United States and the liberties for which we stand.” This year, on September 29, 2024, we pay tribute to those mothers and families who have sacrificed so much.

    The Navy Gold Star Program provides survivors a safe environment to experience their own unique grief while assessing needs and ensuring appropriate resources are provided. The program supports Gold Star Families while they adjust to the new normal and provides opportunities for remembrance so they will know they will forever be a part of the Navy community.

    As we observe Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, let us all remember that that no one has given more for the nation than the families of the fallen and let them know they will never be forgotten. For more information on the Navy Gold Star Program please visit http://www.facebook.com/navygoldstar or http://www.navygoldstar.com or call 1-888-509-8759.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Manufacturing That Returns to Nature—In Pursuit of “Nature Positive”

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Manufacturing That Returns to Nature—In Pursuit of “Nature Positive”

    The Panasonic Group is promoting a long-term environmental vision, Panasonic GREEN IMPACT (PGI). Complementing initiatives for carbon neutrality and circular economy, Panasonic Holdings Corporation (PHD) is also investing in the nature positive* economy, promoting research and development with green transformation (GX) as a pillar of its growth strategy. In August 2024, Dr. Naoki Adachi, CEO of Response Ability, Inc. and Executive Director of the Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB), sat down with Tatsuo Ogawa, PHD Executive Officer and Group CTO, for a dialogue on the importance of corporate initiatives for nature positive, what the Panasonic Group should be aiming for, and examples of nature positive initiatives within the Group. 
    * Nature Positive: halting and reversing biodiversity loss

    Why corporate commitments to nature positive matter

    The session began with Dr. Adachi explaining why biodiversity is critical to human economic activity:
    The global target agreed to at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) in December 2022 is referred to as “nature positive.” With 2020 as the base year, the goal is to stop biodiversity loss and put it on a recovery track by 2030 and to fully restore our ecosystems by 2050.
    Climate change, resource cycles, and biodiversity are all “nature” issues. Ecosystem services—regulating, supplying, cultural, and infrastructure functions—have yielded a variety of benefits to humans but are breaking down under the burden of human economic activity. Biodiversity is “natural capital.” We must acknowledge that our lives and business activities depend on biodiversity—and that if we negatively impact biodiversity, then that natural capital will disappear and human economic activity will no longer be possible.

    Dr. Naoki Adachi

    The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review, a report commissioned by the UK Treasury and published in 2021, states that “the economy is only one part of the environment (biosphere).” Along with this awareness is the importance of utilizing nature to solve problems in the future—and to do that, we need to increase the amount of nature.
    Companies must hone their technical ability to harness the power and functions of nature and strengthen their managerial skills so they can launch businesses that increase nature.

    What nature positive action is required from Panasonic Group?

    Ogawa asked Dr. Adachi about the direction the Group should take in its nature positive efforts, and shared his own thoughts on the realization of nature positive from a corporate perspective.

    Conversation between CTO Tatsuo Ogawa and Dr. Naoki Adachi

    Ogawa: The Panasonic Group’s nature positive initiative is just getting started. What direction should we be taking?
    Dr. Adachi: It’s wonderful that you are broadly disclosing the Group’s impact on nature in the Sustainability Data Book and other publications. I think you can find some clues by reviewing your impact not only within the Group but also across your supply and value chains.
    Ogawa: As a company, our perspective tends to be limited to things that have a direct impact on our business today. Based on our firm understanding of “the concept that biodiversity underlies all economic activity,” we will thoroughly promote our circular economy initiative. By expanding our perspective to the entirety of nature and the planet, we believe that we will be able to create new relationships with partner companies.
    Dr. Adachi: In the coming age of nature positivity, a new market will emerge. I think it would be a good idea to take another look at nature, to make good use of nature to solve problems, and to be conscious of the upfront investment that will be required.

    Specific initiatives for becoming nature positive

    The Panasonic Group has multiple initiatives under way to develop and commercialize technologies and realize a nature positive economy, driven by the passion of employees who want to make a positive impact on the environment.
    Let’s take a closer look at three initiatives:

    Bio CO2 Transformation technology “Novitek”

    Bio CO2 Transformation technology uses atmospheric CO2 as the main source to produce a component that stimulates plant growth by harnessing photosynthetic microorganisms. Expected to be commercialized as “Novitek” by the end of FY2025, it can promote decarbonization while stimulating plant growth and increasing crop yields.

    [Related Article] Panasonic in Numbers: Bio CO₂ Transformation Technology

    Left: Biomolecules are diluted by a factor of 500 and then applied to the leaves of crops Right: A single application of Novitek to the spinach on the left increased yield by 40 percent compared to untreated spinach on the right.

    Seiji Kojima, Green Innovation Center, PHD Technology Division

    Novitek developer Seiji Kojima of the PHD Technology Division had this to say:
    Kojima: We sought a dual vision of reducing environmental burden and creating economic value. When working with nature, the idea is to chain and amplify value in multiple stages, leveraging the power of nature at each stage.Bio CO2 Transformation starts with atmospheric CO2. Even when crops are being sprayed, the system seeks to improve productivity by making use of atmospheric CO2. Depicting this kind of value chain and amplification structure for initiatives that focus on the environment and nature is important. 

    2-step plan to reduce environmental burden and create economic value (value chain/amplification)

    Restoring regional flora—Kusatsu Factory “Forest of Coexistence”

    The Forest of Coexistence covers 13,000 m2 at Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic)’s Kusatsu Factory of in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture and is positioned as an important green space under Panasonic’s Ecological Network Concept, which seeks to contribute to local biodiversity while preserving the landscape.

    The overview of the Panasonic Kusatsu Factory and the Forest of Coexistence

    Takahiro Nakano, from the General Affairs Department of Panasonic’s Living Appliances and Solutions Company, manages the Forest of Coexistence and explains its significance:
    Nakano: When founder Konosuke Matsushita visited the Kusatsu Factory in 1970, he said, “Kusatsu (Factory) is made with an emotional atmosphere by fully utilizing (or taking advantage of ) nature. In fact, that’s how I want it to be.” Since then, the Kusatsu Factory has been developed as a “park factory” surrounded by greenery and flowers and cherished by local residents, the “most advanced factory in the Orient” that enriches people’s lives.The company introduced the Ecological Network Concept to create a green space in a corner of the site and secure a habitat for wildlife while connecting it with the surrounding green space and waterfront. Known as the “Forest of Coexistence,” development began in October 2011.

    The significance and role of the Forest of Coexistence

    Nakano: The site includes waterfront, grassland, and woodland and serves as a model for “satoyama” (rural spaces in which humans and nature coexist). A team of experts monitors the restoration status of the satoyama environment. Employees manage green areas, monitor for invasive species, and raise seedlings and plant trees. The number of plant and animal species has recovered from approximately 580 species in 2011 to approximately 840 in 2016. 

    Plants and animals living in the Forest of Coexistence

    Takahiro Nakano, General Affairs Department, Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic Corporation

    Nakano: In October 2023, the Ministry of the Environment certified the area as an “OECM (Other Effective area based Conservation Measure) site” and the site was registered in an international database as one of Japan’s OECMs in August 2024.

    Open Innovation “Nawashiro” Initiative

    Since April 2023, PHD has been launching our system for nurturing technologies in their seed stage, called “Nawashiro.” Inspired by the Japanese practice of growing rice seedlings, which requires careful attention and effort, “Nawashiro” reflects our commitment to nurturing technologies without cutting corners. It leverages collaboration with academia, providing resources and mentorship to help emerging technologies develop until they are ready for the market, embodying our dedication to fostering innovation. Koichi Matsumura of PHD’s Technology Planning Office, explains: 
    Matsumura: This initiative is known as “Nawashiro” because it nurtures the seeds of technology. Our goal is to create themes that actively utilize industry-academia collaboration.

    Koichi Matsumura, Open Innovation Promotion Department, Technology Planning Office, PHD

    Matsumura: Our approach is to study the subject area and then “go into the field for hands-on work.” We analyze data and facts using the knowledge we’ve gained, and then compile the results, hypotheses, and facts we think will be of interest to professors at Kyoto University and other universities with whom we collaborate. Today we are exploring and analyzing the following activities:
    Collaboration with Kyoto University: Understanding the Mechanism of Natural CyclesBased on hill-to-ocean linkage studies, we seek to establish sensing, modeling, and actuation methods for material circulation in forests/soil. We collect and analyze data from sensors that have been installed at various sites.

    Left: Academics from collaborating universities inspect the Forest of CoexistenceRight: Sound data collection experiment at Kyoto University’s Kamigamo test site. Sound data is analyzed using Panasonic sound analysis technology.

    Matsumura: We want to create opportunities to accelerate research by sharing the findings and data obtained here with researchers, including those outside of “Nawashiro.”

    At the conclusion of their dialog, Dr. Adachi and Ogawa offered some closing comments. 
    Dr. Adachi: As part of our efforts to realize nature positivity, we would like you to promote recycling-based manufacturing from the design stage.
    Ogawa: In July 2024, the PHD Corporate Technology Sector formulated a “Technology Future Vision” that includes themes that cannot be separated from nature—including energy, water, and food. Nature is the source of everything. Using this as our starting point, we will consider new ways of doing business, of creating new communities, of producing food and new energy, and new ways of recycling resources—all aligned to the theme of “nature.” We will also consider combining nature and AI. By doing so, a new future will open up for the Panasonic Group.

    Related Articles

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: E10 buses started running to Salaryevo metro station

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    After the opening of the Troitskaya metro line, route E10 was extended to the Salaryevo metro station. 23 modern extra-large class buses run between the major transport hub of TiNAO and the center of the capital.

    “We continue to improve transport accessibility of TiNAO on behalf of Sergei Sobyanin. Residents of the new districts now have another convenient and fast way to get to the city center, rail frame stations and social facilities. Since September 8, buses of route E10 depart from the Salaryevo metro station. On average, they are used by about 24 thousand passengers per working day outside the holiday season,” said Deputy Mayor of Moscow in the Government of Moscow for Transport and Industry

    Maxim Liksutov.

    Now trips from Pervomaysky, Troitsk, Moskovsky and other settlements of TiNAO to the center can be made with just one transfer at the Salaryevo metro station.

    The travel time on the E10 express buses from Salaryevo to the Novatorskaya metro station is about 24 minutes without transfers, to the Ploshchad Gagarina station of the Moscow Central Circle – just over 40 minutes without transfers. The interval between E10 buses is up to 10 minutes.

    City residents can transfer between ground transport routes free of charge. To do this, you need to link your Troika card to your personal account in the Moscow Metro or Moscow Transport app. Remote replenishment of the Troika card can be activated at any validator on buses.

    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://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144116073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Convocation of the General Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting of INVL Technology and draft resolutions on agenda issue

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Special closed-ended type private equity investment company INVL Technology, legal entity code 300893533, the registered address Gyneju str. 14 Vilnius, Lithuania (hereinafter – the Company or INVL Technology), informs that on the initiative and decision of the management company INVL Asset Management, UAB (hereinafter – the Management Company), the General Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting (hereinafter – the Meeting) is to be held on 21 October 2024.

    The place of the Meeting: the office of Company, the address Gyneju str. 14, Vilnius.

    The Meeting will start at 09:00 a.m. (registration starts at 08:45 a.m.).

    The Meeting’s accounting day 14 October 2024 (the persons who are shareholders of the Company at the end of accounting day of the Meeting or authorized persons by them, or the persons with whom shareholders concluded the agreements on the disposal of voting right, shall have the right to attend and vote at the Meeting).

    The total number of shares of the Company is 12,175,321 units shares; the number of shares giving the right to vote at the general meeting of shareholders is 11,989,855 units shares.

    Agenda of the Meeting:

    1. Regarding the election of an auditor to carry out the audit of the annual financial statements and setting conditions of payment for audit services.

    Draft resolutions of the Meeting:

    1. Regarding the election of an auditor to carry out the audit of the annual financial statements and setting conditions of payment for audit services.

    Considering that PricewaterhouseCoopers, UAB has audited the Company for 10 years and, in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council, can no longer continue to provide audit services, it is decided to:

    1.1. Based on the results of the Company’s surveys of audit firms and the recommendation provided by the audit committee, to appoint BDO Auditas ir Apskaita, UAB, as the Company’s audit firm for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, and for the assessment of the Company’s management reports.

    1.2. To authorize the person appointed by the Management Company to sign the audit services contract, according to which the payment for the audit of the financial statements for the three financial years and the evaluation of the management reports will be the price agreed by the parties, but not exceeding 52,500 euros (excluding VAT) for the entire three-year period.

    1.3. To stipulate that the Board of the Management Company reserves the right to increase the remuneration of the audit company by no more than 25 percent of the total remuneration approved by this decision if the scope of audit work changes significantly.

    The documents related to the agenda, draft resolutions on every item of the agenda, documents that have to be submitted to the General Shareholders Meeting and other information related to the realization of shareholders’ rights are published on the Company’s website http://www.invltechnology.lt section For investors, and also by prior agreement available at the premises of the Company, located at Gyneju str. 14, Vilnius (hereinafter – the Premises of the Company) during working hours. Phone for information +370 5 279 0601.

    The shareholders are entitled:

    1. to propose to supplement the agenda of the Meeting submitting draft resolution on every additional item of agenda or, then there is no need to make a decision – explanation of the shareholder (this right is granted to shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes). Proposal to supplement the agenda is submitted in writing sending the proposal by registered mail to the Company at Gyneju str. 14 LT-01109 Vilnius, Lithuania, or, by prior agreement, delivered in person to the representative of the Company at the Premises of the Company on business hours or by sending proposal to the Company by e-mail info@invltechnology.lt. The agenda is supplemented if the proposal is received no later than 14 days before the Meeting. In case the agenda of the Meeting is supplemented, the Company will report on it no later than 10 days before the Meeting in the same way as on convening of the Meeting.
    2. to propose draft resolutions on the issues already included or to be included in the agenda of the Meeting at any time prior to the date of the Meeting (in writing, sending the proposal by registered mail to the Company at Gyneju str. 14 LT-01109 Vilnius, Lithuania, or, by prior agreement, delivered in person to the representative of the Company at the Premises of the Company on business hours or by sending proposal to the Company by e-mail info@invltechnology.lt or in writing during the Meeting (this right is granted to shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes).
    3. to submit questions to the Company related to the issues of the agenda of the Meeting in advance but no later than 3 business days prior to the Meeting in writing sending the proposal by registered mail to the Company at Gyneju str. 14 LT-01109 Vilnius, Lithuania, or, by prior agreement, delivered in person to the representative of the Company at the Premises of the Company on business hours or by sending proposal to the Company by e-mail info@invltechnology.lt. All answers related to the agenda of the Meeting to questions submitted to the Company by the shareholders in advance, are submitted in the Meeting or simultaneously to all shareholders of the Company prior to the Meeting. The Company reserves the right to answer to those shareholders of the Company who can be identified and whose questions are not related to the Company’s confidential information or commercial secrets.

    The shareholder participating at the Meeting and having the right to vote, must submit the documents confirming personal identity. A person who is not a shareholder shall, in addition to this document, submit a document confirming the right to vote at the Meeting. The requirement to provide the documents confirming personal identity does not apply when voting in writing by filling in a general ballot paper.

    Each shareholder may authorize either a natural or a legal person to participate and to vote on the shareholder’s behalf at the Meeting. An authorised person has the same rights as his represented shareholder at the Meeting unless the authorized person’s rights are limited by the power of attorney or by the law. The authorized persons must have the document confirming their personal identity and power of attorney approved in the manner specified by law which must be submitted to the Company no later than before the commencement of registration for the Meeting. The Company does not establish special form of the power of attorney. A power of attorney issued by a natural person must be certified by a notary. A power of attorney issued in a foreign state must be translated into Lithuanian and legalised in the manner established by law. The persons with whom shareholders concluded the agreements on the disposal of voting right, also have the right to attend and vote at the Meeting.

    Shareholder is entitled to issue power of attorney by means of electronic communications for legal or natural persons to participate and to vote on its behalf at the Meeting. No notarisation of such authorization is required. The power of attorney issued through electronic communication means must be confirmed by the shareholder with a safe electronic signature developed by safe signature equipment and approved by a qualified certificate effective in the Republic of Lithuania. The shareholder shall inform the Company on the power of attorney issued through the means of electronic communication by e-mail info@invltechnology.lt not later than on the last business day before the Meeting. The power of attorney and notification must be issued in writing and could be sent to the Company by electronic communication means if the transmitted information is secured and the shareholder’s identity can be identified. By submitting the notification to the Company, the shareholder shall include the internet address from which it would be possible to download software to verify an electronic signature of the shareholder free of charge.

    Shareholders of the Company are urged to use the right to vote on the issues in the agenda of the Meeting by submitting properly completed general voting bulletins to the Company in advance. The form of general voting bulletin is presented at the Company’s webpage http://www.invltechnology.lt section For Investors. If shareholder requests, the Company shall send the general voting bulletin to the requesting shareholder by registered mail or shall deliver it in person no later than 10 days prior to the Meeting free of charge. If general voting bulletin is signed by a person authorized by the shareholder, it should be accompanied by a document certifying the right to vote.

    The Company invites its shareholders who decide to participate in the Meeting to choose one of the following alternatives:
    __________

    Alternative No. 1:

    A shareholder or person authorised by them should complete and sign a written voting bulletin and send it to the Company by e-mail (info@invltechnology.lt) and send the original bulletin by registered or ordinary post to the address Gynėjų str. 14, LT-01109 Vilnius. Properly completed written voting bulletins may be sent by registered or ordinary post to the address Gynėjų str. 14, LT-01109 Vilnius without submitting a copy to the e-mail address specified or delivered in person to the Company on business days at the Company‘s registered address mentioned above. Along with a bulletin, a document confirming the right to vote must also be sent. Those voting bulletins shall be deemed valid which are properly completed and are received before the start of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

    __________

    Alternative No. 2:

    A shareholder or person authorised by them should complete a written voting bulletin, save it on their computer and sign it with a qualified electronic signature. Send the written voting bulletin which is properly completed and signed with a qualified electronic signature to the Company by e-mail at info@invltechnology.lt.

    The Company suggests using the following free qualified electronic signature systems: Dokobit and GoSign.

    __________

    Alternative No. 3:

    If shareholders of the Company do not have the possibility to use voting alternatives No. 1 or No. 2, the Company will provide conditions for the shareholders or persons duly authorised by them to come on 21 October 2024 to the address Gyneju str. 14 in Vilnius, to the Company’s Meeting.

    The person authorized to provide additional information:
    INVL Technology Managing Partner
    Kazimieras Tonkūnas
    E-mail  k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: School caving tragedy was preventable

    Source: Worksafe New Zealand

    WorkSafe has uncovered multiple failures that contributed to a teenager’s death on a school caving trip in Northland last year.

    Whangārei Boys’ High School student Karnin Petera drowned in floodwaters from torrential rain at Abbey Caves in May 2023. Sixteen other students on the trip and their two supervisors were lucky to survive.

    Karnin’s parents contacted the school multiple times to express their concerns about the weather in the lead-up to the trip, but were told it would go ahead as the school didn’t expect heavy rain until later.

    A full day before the group ventured in, MetService had issued an orange weather warning forecasting heavy rain. The school’s own risk assessment for the caving trip noted it would be cancelled in the event of heavy rain warnings. However, WorkSafe found there was no shared understanding among organisers and decision-makers of exactly what heavy rain meant, or when trips would be cancelled.

    Overall, the school Board had ineffective oversight of high-risk activities and critical decisions, and its emergency planning failed to identify the risk of rising water trapping students while caving. The Board fully cooperated with WorkSafe throughout the entire investigation.

    “This tragedy is the worst nightmare of any parent, and could easily have involved multiple casualties. Our heartfelt sympathy remains with Karnin’s friends and whānau who continue to mourn his loss and the survivors who live with ongoing impacts,” says WorkSafe’s Inspectorate Head, Rob Pope.

    “Outdoor education plays a crucial role in providing students with valuable, real-world learning experiences that enhance their overall education. However, there must be gold standard risk management whenever schools take rangatahi into the great outdoors. This drowning should be a moment for every school board in the country to ensure its oversight of outdoor education is robust – and if you’re at all unsure, get an expert involved,” says Rob Pope.

    Education outside the classroom (EOTC) safety management systems should be regularly reviewed by school boards.

    “It is essential that the person responsible for EOTC in each school is registered on the EOTC coordinators database and participates in ongoing professional development, so schools can continue delivering safe, engaging, and high-quality education outside the classroom,” says Education Outdoors New Zealand’s chief executive, Fiona McDonald.

    Schools must manage their risks under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. WorkSafe is proactively engaging with the Ministry of Education, Education Review Office, and Education Outdoors NZ to raise awareness of the issues and drive improvements across the sector.

    Read more guidance from Education Outdoors New Zealand(external link)

    Background

    • The Whangārei Boys’ High School Board was sentenced at Whangārei District Court on 27 September 2024
    • The charges were filed against the legal entity of the Board, not individuals
    • Reparation payments of more than $500,000 were ordered but the details are suppressed
    • The Board was charged under sections 36(2), 48(1) and 2(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
      • Being a PCBU, having a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking, namely the outdoor education caving activity to Abbey Caves Reserve, did fail to comply with that duty, and that failure exposed other persons, including Karnin Petera, to a risk or death or serious injury.
    • The Board was charged under sections 36(1)(a), 48(1) and 2(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
      • Being a PCBU, having a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who work for the PCBU while the workers were at work in the business or undertaking, namely undertaking an outdoor education caving activity to Abbey Caves Reserve, did fail to comply with that duty, and that failure exposed workers to a risk of death or serious injury.

    Media contact details

    For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively:

    Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Baltic Horizon Fund requests for partial early redemption and temporary waiver under the bond terms and conditions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Baltic Horizon Fund (the Issuer) applies for temporary waiver of debt service coverage ratio covenant in relation to Baltic Horizon Fund EUR 42 million 5-year floating rate bonds maturing in 2028 (ISIN EE3300003235, the Bonds). The current outstanding nominal amount of the Bonds is EUR 22,000,000 as Baltic Horizon Fund has mandatorily redeemed Bonds in nominal amount of EUR 20,000,000 as foreseen under the terms and conditions of the Bonds (Terms and Conditions).

    In the light of the current situation of Baltic economies, the outlook for next year as well as the associated effects on the fund, Baltic Horizon Fund has decided to request the holders of the Bonds (the Holders) to amend and lower the debt service coverage ratio covenant in the Terms and Conditions for a period of 24 months starting from 30 September 2024 until 30 September 2026. Baltic Horizon Fund confirms to all Holders that its ability to fulfil the monetary obligations provided in the Terms and Conditions has not been affected.

    Baltic Horizon Fund also applies for a consent to stipulate an additional obligation for mandatory early redemption of the Bonds concerning total nominal amount of EUR 3,000,000  by 7 November 2025.

    Northern Horizon Capital AS as the fund manager has been in contact with the Holders and received preliminary consent for the requested amendments which is now to be confirmed in the official Holders’ written consent procedure in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.

    Holders who were entered in the registry of bond-holders maintained by Nasdaq CSD SE on the preceding business day before initiation of the written procedure, i.e. at the end of business of Nasdaq CSD SE on 25 September 2024, are entitled to vote in the written procedure. All Holders are sent a notice by Triniti Collateral Agent IX OÜ acting as the agent for Holders (the Agent). 

    The consents the Holders are requested to grant are the following:

    1. to amend the undertaking set out in Clause 13.3.1(b) of the Terms and Conditions in the following wording: the Debt Service Coverage Ratio of the Group (i) is above one point ten (1.10) until 31 December 2023 (inclusive), (ii) is above zero point eighty five (0.85) for the period of 1 January 2024 (inclusive) until 29 September 2024 (inclusive), (iii) is above zero point seventy five (0.75) for the period of 30 September 2024 (inclusive) until 30 June 2025 (inclusive), (iv) is above one point zero (1.00) for the period of 1 July 2025 (inclusive) until 30 September 2026 (inclusive), and (v) thereafter as of 1 October 2026 is above one point twenty (1.20);
    2. to amend the undertaking set out in Clause 12.4.1 and to stipulate an additional obligation for mandatory early redemption of the Bonds under Clause 12.4.1(c) of the Terms and Conditions concerning Bonds with a total nominal value of EUR 3,000,000 by 7 November 2025;
    3. to introduce an amendment fee to the Terms and Conditions payable by the Issuer to the Holders for granting consent to request no 1 as described above in total amount of EUR 95,000 (i.e., total amount payable to all Holders jointly) and payable within 10 business days as of the decision for the amendment of the Terms and Conditions.
    4. to introduce an amendment fee to the Terms and Conditions payable by the Issuer to the Holders for granting consent to request no 2 as described above in total amount of EUR 200,000 (i.e., total amount payable to all Holders jointly) and payable together with the completion of the additional mandatory early redemption (i.e., at or before 7 November 2025).

    Voting can be carried out by sending the filled-in voting form to the Agent by mail, courier or e-mail no later than 23:59 (EET) of 1 October 2024. The notice sent by the Agent along with the voting instructions, the voting form and template Power of Attorney are attached.

    For the quorum to be reached and the resolution taken the Holders representing at least 55% of the nominal amount of the Bonds should vote and Holders representing at least 2/3 of the nominal amount of the Bonds participating in the voting need to be in favour of the decision. Once a requisite majority of consents have been received by the Agent, the relevant decision shall be deemed to be adopted, even if the time period for replies has not yet expired. Information about the decision taken will be sent by notice to the Holders, published on the website of Baltic Horizon Fund and published by way of stock exchange release. If the request is approved by the Holders it will be binding on all Holders whether they participated in the voting or voted against the request or not, in accordance with Clause 16.12 of the Terms and Conditions.

    For additional information, please contact:

    Tarmo Karotam
    Baltic Horizon Fund manager
    E-mail tarmo.karotam@nh-cap.com
    http://www.baltichorizon.com

    Baltic Horizon Fund is a registered contractual public closed-end real estate fund managed by Alternative Investment Fund Manager license holder Northern Horizon Capital AS. Both the Fund and the Management Company are supervised by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority.

    Distribution: Nasdaq, GlobeNewswire, http://www.baltichorizon.com

    To receive Nasdaq announcements and news from Baltic Horizon Fund about its projects, plans and more, register on http://www.baltichorizon.com. You can also follow Baltic Horizon Fund on http://www.baltichorizon.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and YouTube.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statement on advisory against travel to Lebanon

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Statement on advisory against travel to Lebanon – Government.se

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    Statement by Ministry for Foreign Affairs

    Published

    The security situation in Lebanon is serious and unpredictable, and it could deteriorate very quickly.

    Since October 2023, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has advised against all travel to Lebanon. The Ministry also urges all Swedes who, despite the official advice, are currently in the country to leave as soon as possible. 

    Despite the serious situation and the advice against travel, it is estimated that at least 2 000 Swedes are currently in Lebanon. In addition, more than 5 000 Swedes are expected to travel to the country in the coming weeks. This is deeply concerning and serious.

    An advisory against all travel to a country and urging people to leave is the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ most stringent advisory. It is a very strong signal that the security situation is serious and can rapidly change. It means that the Ministry and the Embassy have very limited opportunities to help people who may need consular support. 

    Anyone who chooses to stay in, or travel to, Lebanon bears a high degree of personal responsibility.

    It is important that anyone who – in the current situation – chooses to stay in or travel to Lebanon be aware that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Embassy will have severely limited possibilities to provide consular support if the situation deteriorates. 

    Short cuts

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Health calls on Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council and National Medical Products Administration (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and his delegation conducted the last day of their visit to Beijing today (September 27), and called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).     The delegation called on the Executive Deputy Director of the HKMAO of the State Council, Mr Zhou Ji, this morning. Professor Lo expressed gratitude to the HKMAO for its continuous support and trust in the work of the Health Bureau (HHB), and introduced to Mr Zhou the latest developments of various healthcare reform initiatives in Hong Kong, including the initial achievements in the area of health and medical innovation.     Professor Lo said, “The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC Central Committee) adopted the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization, and Deepening the Medical and Health System Reform was identified as one of the key tasks. It is essential for Hong Kong to press ahead with reform and innovation in the healthcare system to cater for the mounting service demand of society posed by an ageing population.     “The HHB will stay committed to implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and reform the healthcare system in a progressive manner. We have been progressively implementing the Primary Healthcare Blueprint and developing new healthcare services and management models to promote primary healthcare development on all fronts. We have enhanced the mechanism of healthcare professional training and created new pathways for admitting non-locally trained healthcare personnel to practise in Hong Kong so as to strengthen the healthcare manpower supply, and made every effort to formulate the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint in collaboration with the Chinese medicine sector to promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicine, etc. At the same time, we will give full play to the medical strengths of Hong Kong and complement the advantages of other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to vigorously develop new quality productive forces in biomedicine according to local conditions, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.”     “The HHB will adhere to the objectives of ‘Government dominating; be bold and committed; improving the healthcare system; caring for all patients; be creative and innovative; leading the GBA; seeking common ground while allowing differences; and winning mutually in the reforms’, and make breakthroughs and changes through an innovative mindset, so as to build a ‘Healthy Hong Kong’ for integration into the nation’s ‘Healthy China’,” he emphasised.     Professor Lo and his delegation then met with Deputy Commissioner of the NMPA Mr Zhao Junning to exchange views on fostering closer collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong in key areas such as the regulatory and approval of drugs and medical devices, cross-boundary clinical trials, and real-world data research.     Professor Lo highlighted the efforts to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, and establish an authority that registers drugs and medical devices under the “primary evaluation” approach in the long run.     He said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will leverage the city’s medical strengths in a more proactive and efficient manner. The Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute established by the HHB in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Centre in the Shenzhen Park will jointly set up a regional clinical trial collaboration platform leveraging the GBA population base of over 86 million, with a view to attracting more local, Mainland and overseas pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises to conduct research and development (R&D) as well as clinical trials in Hong Kong, and build up the capacity, recognition and status to ensure that the eventual approval mechanism of drugs and medical devices in Hong Kong would be widely recognised internationally and by the Mainland.     The HKSAR Government implemented the new “1+” mechanism for approval of new drugs (“1+” mechanism) on November 1 last year. Since the implementation of the “1+” mechanism, the Department of Health (DH) has received over 250 enquiries from more than 70 pharmaceutical companies, including many overseas and Mainland pharmaceutical companies, and has approved five new drug applications under this mechanism, bringing new hope to patients. The “1+” mechanism has effectively accelerated the R&D and registration and approval of innovative drugs and medical devices in Hong Kong, bringing the benefits of good drugs and R&D to Hong Kong patients. At the same time, the HKSAR Government established the Preparatory Office for the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) under the DH on June 5 this year to comprehensively study and plan a regulatory and approval regime for drugs and medical devices suitable for Hong Kong, as well as put forward proposals and steps for the establishment of the CMPR.     Members of the delegation include the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Sam Hui; the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan; and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko. They will return to Hong Kong tonight.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia may be facing another La Niña summer. We’ve found a way to predict them earlier, to help us prepare

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mandy Freund, Lecturer, Climate Science Geography, The University of Melbourne

    Meteorologists are again predicting a possible La Niña this summer, which means Australia may face wetter and cooler conditions than normal.

    It would be the fourth La Niña in Australia in five years, and highlights the need for Australians to prepare for what may be an extreme weather season.

    Typically, a La Niña or its counterpart, El Niño, signals its arrival earlier in the year. Signs of this potential La Niña are emerging fairly late. That’s where new research by my colleagues and I may help in future.

    La Niña and El Niño explained

    La Niña and its opposite phase, El Niño, are created by changes in ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean’s equatorial region. Together, the two phenomena are known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation.

    The oscillation is said to be in the positive phase during an El Niño and the negative phase during a La Niña. When sitting between the two, the cycle is in neutral phase.

    Earlier this month, the World Meteorological Organization said there was a 60% chance of La Niña conditions emerging by year’s end.

    In the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration put the likelihood at 71%. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology is in “watch” mode, predicting a 50% chance of a La Niña weather pattern forming later this year.

    La Niña occurs when strengthening winds change currents on the ocean surface, pulling cool water up from the deep.

    The winds also cause warm surface waters in the western Pacific and north of Australia, bringing increased rainfall and clouds. This usually means above-average rainfall and cooler temperatures for Australia, particularly in the east and north.

    Conversely, an El Niño weather pattern generally brings hotter temperatures across Australia, and less rainfall in the east and north.

    The Bureau of Meteorology is in La Niña ‘watch mode’.
    Bureau of Meteorology

    Paths of destruction

    La Niña or El Niño events can cause devastation around the world.

    The El Niño in 2015–16, for example, caused crops to fail and affected the food security and nutrition of almost 60 million people globally.

    In Australia, El Niño events can bring increased risk of drought, bushfires and heatwaves, and water shortages.

    Meanwhile, rainfall associated with La Niña conditions can lead to greater crop yield. But particularly heavy rainfall can wash crops away. It also heightens flood risks for some communities.

    These far-reaching impacts mean it’s essential to plan ahead when a La Niña or El Niño is on the cards. But predicting these events has always been tricky.

    Both types of events usually develop in the Southern Hemisphere autumn, peak in late spring or summer, and weaken by the next autumn. But it’s now late spring without a clear La Niña declaration. Why the delay?

    Climate change is one factor. The Bureau of Meteorology says as oceans absorb heat from global warming, it’s harder to spot the specific warming patterns linked to La Niña.

    The sheer complexity of the ocean-atmosphere system adds to the difficulty. The computer models used to predict El Niño and La Niña are improving all the time.
    But scientists still need more information on deep ocean processes, and how winds affect the oscillation.

    Predictions are hardest during the Southern Hemisphere’s autumn. That’s because the cycle then is very susceptible to change – teetering at a point where either a La Niña or El Niño could develop.

    That’s why the earliest an El Niño or La Niña can be predicted is usually around May or June.

    But new research offers a way to predict the events much earlier – and start preparing if necessary.

    Better, earlier forecasts

    The study, which I led, assessed the likelihood of La Niña or El Niño events occurring in succession – either in the eastern or central region of the Pacific Ocean.

    This distinction is important. For Australia, El Niño and La Niña events peaking in the Central Pacific, close to our continent, have greater impacts here compared to those peaking in the east, closer to South America.

    We analysed weather observations, and the sequence of past El Niño and La Niña events, over the past 150 years. We also examined climate models for future changes in transitions between El Niño and La Niña events.

    From this, we determined the likelihood of an El Niño or La Niña occurring in two consecutive years.

    We found most El Niño events are followed by neutral conditions the next year (with a likelihood of 37–56%).

    But La Niña behaves differently. In 40% of cases, a Central Pacific El Niño could follow an Eastern Pacific La Niña. And there is a 28% chance of two consecutive La Niña events in the Central Pacific.

    These results allow for more advanced predictions. By identifying patterns in this way, the odds of an El Niño or La Niña can be predicted up to a year in advance.

    El Niño or La Niña are the result of complex interactions between winds and sea in the Pacific Ocean.
    Shutterstock

    Looking ahead

    So, what does our research suggest for Australia? Will a La Niña develop here this year?

    From September last year, Australia experienced a strong Eastern Pacific El Niño. So our findings suggest there is only a 17% chance of La Niña this year.

    If the La Niña arrives, it will likely peak in the Central Pacific, potentially affecting Australia rainfall. But overall, any La Niña that develops this late is likely to be weak and relatively short-lived.

    Our research also found that as climate change accelerates, the El Niño Southern Oscillation is likely to shift. For example, the odds of two consecutive El Niños peaking in the central Pacific region will likely increase. And we can expect fewer calm, neutral years between events.

    We hope our research enables more accurate, long-range forecasts, giving communities additional time to plan and prepare.

    Mandy Freund receives funding from the ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather

    – ref. Australia may be facing another La Niña summer. We’ve found a way to predict them earlier, to help us prepare – https://theconversation.com/australia-may-be-facing-another-la-nina-summer-weve-found-a-way-to-predict-them-earlier-to-help-us-prepare-239826

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tourist flow to Moscow exceeds 2019 record figures — Sergei Sobyanin

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The trend of increasing tourist flow to the capital continues. In the first six months of this year, Moscow received 12.2 million guests, which is six percent more than in the same period of 2019. This was reported by Sergei Sobyanin in his blog.

    “The absolute majority of tourists are our compatriots from other regions of Russia. Most often, people come to Moscow for vacation or holiday from St. Petersburg, Krasnodar Krai, Vladimir, Rostov, Tula regions,” the Mayor of Moscow noted.

    The average occupancy rate of hotels increased by 75 percent, which is 10 percent higher than the first half of 2023 and three percent higher than the first half of 2019. At the same time, the number of places to accommodate guests is also growing: five hotels with 507 rooms have opened since the beginning of the year.

    The contribution of tourism to the city’s economy is steadily growing. The volume of tourist and excursion consumption reached 650 billion rubles, of which budget revenues are estimated at 89 billion rubles. Both figures are a third higher than similar figures for 2019.

    Tourism growth is the result comprehensive support for the industry and close cooperation between the city and business.

    The majority of tourist traffic occurs during the May holidays and the summer vacation and holiday season.

    In the summer, 7.4 million tourists vacationed in Moscow. The average hotel occupancy rate was 78 percent, which is six percent more than the year before.

    At the same time, domestic tourism figures are also growing. This year, the capital was visited by 6.7 million people, which is 12 percent higher than the peak figures of the summer of 2019.

    Although the majority of travelers are Russians, every fifth guest at Moscow hotels this summer is a foreigner.

    The summer period brought 54.5 billion rubles to the city budget, and the volume of tourist and excursion consumption amounted to 398.1 billion rubles.

    The capital’s guests were especially fond of summer festivals, such as “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030” and “Summer in Moscow. Everybody out on the streets!”

    Sergei Sobyanin: More than 12 million people visited the forum-festival “Moscow 2030”

    The United Arab Emirates Culture Days, which took place this summer on Manezhnaya Square, attracted over 300,000 people in five days. Visitors enjoyed fashion shows accompanied by traditional music, tried popular national dishes, and learned about unusual crafts. At the site, one could become a guest of a wedding show or see oriental landscapes at an open-air photo exhibition.

    The Moscow Estates Festival was held for the third time and became a record-breaker both in duration and scale. The number of visitors exceeded 700 thousand – this is 1.6 times more than in the two previous seasons combined.

    More than three thousand events took place: masquerades, theatrical performances, symphonic music concerts and musicals in the scenery of old estates, historical picnics, outdoor games of gorodki, badminton and serso.

    The festival brought together 40 estates in the capital.

    “We have managed to form a new weekend culture among Muscovites and tourists: the number of visitors to some estates has increased several times compared to the same period last year,” added Sergei Sobyanin.

    Post stations where you could sign a postcard with a quill pen were popular. From there, tourists sent over 65 thousand such messages to different cities in Russia.

    Almost every second guest of the festival visited the pavilions of the “City Dacha”, 255 liters of jam were cooked from seasonal berries.

    This season of “Moscow Tea Party” guests tried and chose the tea blend that is most associated with Moscow. Now golden-amber black tea with the taste of black and red currants, strawberries, with the addition of cornflower petals, safflower, rosebuds and orange slices can be purchased in the capital’s coffee shops.

    The real discovery was the iced Moscow tea. Restaurants and cafes presented more than 800 types of the soft drink, and also offered unique recipes. Muscovites and tourists drank about 50 thousand liters of iced tea.

    More than 500 events took place on Tverskaya Square, the festival’s flagship venue. They were attended by over 400,000 people. The most popular were thematic theatrical performances, musical talks, and interactive lectures related to tea culture, which were accompanied by useful master classes.

    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.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11815050/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Reappeal: Detectives seek driver of white hatchback

    Source: South Australia Police

    Major Crime Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder of a man in Seaton earlier this month.

    About 10.20pm on Tuesday 10 September, emergency services were called to Carey Avenue after reports a man had been stabbed in the stomach.

    Ambulance officers assisted the man however he died at the scene.

    The victim is a 19-year-old from the address.

    On Friday 13 September, Major Crime Detectives arrested a 19-year-old man from the Eastern suburbs and charged him with murder.

    CCTV footage seized from a neighbouring property shows a white hatchback passing the scene immediately following the murder. The car travels slowly west on Carey Avenue, appearing to pause outside of 38 Carey Avenue and then turn right to travel north along Fidock Avenue.

    The vehicle, pictured below, is similar in size and shape to a Hyundai i30 or a Toyota Corolla hatchback.

    Major Crime Detectives would like to speak to the driver of the white hatchback, as it is believed they may be able to assist with the investigation.  The driver is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Media Release: Exploration exit a blow to Victoria’s energy security as gas supply dwindles – Australian Energy Producers

    Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

    Headline: Media Release: Exploration exit a blow to Victoria’s energy security as gas supply dwindles – Australian Energy Producers

    A global exploration company’s decision to cease its search for new gas supply in Victoria’s Otway Basin is a major blow to the state’s energy security and will compound looming gas shortfalls in eastern Australia. 

    Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the announcement from seismic surveyor TGS highlighted the increasingly difficult regulatory and investment environment in Australia, particularly in Victoria where new gas supply is most needed.  

    “Victoria is facing gas supply shortfalls from 2027 and already came close to running out of gas during peak periods this winter,” Ms McCulloch said.

    “With Victorian gas production declining rapidly, immediate action is needed to find and develop the new gas supplies so crucial to eastern Australian homes and businesses.  

    “Instead, we are seeing increased regulation, long delays to project approvals, and the continued demonisation of gas by the Victorian Government, including the recent decision to force all households to replace gas appliances with electric ones.

    This is scaring off investment and delaying urgently needed new gas supply which will only increase the risk of blackouts, disruptions and higher energy bills.” 

    “Decision-makers must recognise that capital is global and mobile, and Australia is fast losing out to other countries that are actively supporting investment.”  

    Ms McCulloch said the Federal Government’s granting of two production licenses today to Beach Energy  offshore of Victoria was a welcome step to boost domestic energy security, but more supply will be needed. 

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s latest quarterly gas inquiry report, released today, shows eastern Australia faces peak period gas shortfalls from next year, and structural shortfalls from 2027.

    “The ACCC recognises the efforts of industry to ensure that additional gas is available during periods of peak demand,” Ms McCulloch said.

    “But without further exploration and development, future gas shortfalls are almost inevitable.”  

    Ms McCulloch said activists targeting TGS’ planned seismic surveys were at odds with the science and misrepresented a proven technology.

    “Seismic surveys are a safe and essential technology used in Australia and around the world for more than 60 years. It is the same technology used by the offshore wind industry, and the independent national regulator NOPSEMA has found seismic surveys to be safe for the marine environment,” she said. 

    “The Greens and activists want to stop all new gas developments, with no regard for the devastating impact on Australia’s economy and energy security.

    “A recent independent report by EnergyQuest found the Greens’ policy to ban new gas investment would trigger ‘major economic disruption’ on both coasts of Australia, leading to a high risk of blackouts, manufacturers closing and inevitably higher energy prices in a decade.” 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for flag-raising ceremonies and fireworks display in celebration of 75th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Special traffic and transport arrangements for flag-raising ceremonies and fireworks display in celebration of 75th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China
    Special traffic and transport arrangements for flag-raising ceremonies and fireworks display in celebration of 75th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Transport Department (TD) today (September 27) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in phases on September 30 (Monday) and October 1 (Tuesday) on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the holding of the flag-raising ceremonies at Wan Chai North, Central and Tin Hau and the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour on October 1 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.(I) Flag-raising ceremoniesRoad closures     Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in the vicinities of Wan Chai North, Central and Tin Hau from 0.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1 until the closed roads reopen to traffic.Public transport service arrangements 

    In connection with the above-mentioned road closure arrangements, CityBus route Nos. 2, 5X, 81, cross-harbour route Nos. 104, 900, 914, 961, A11, H1 and H2K operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted, and the associated bus stops of the said roads located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated; and
    The taxi stand at Expo Drive will be suspended from 0.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1, and the cross harbour taxi stand at Harbour Road westbound opposite Harbour Centre will be suspended from 5.30am to 1pm on October 1. 

    (II) Fireworks displayRoad closures     In connection with the holding of the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour at 9pm on October 1, road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from about 7.30pm in the road sections concerned in Wan Chai, Central District, the Peak and Eastern District on Hong Kong Island. During the period of fireworks display, the section of Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic except for franchised buses.       In Kowloon, road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon Cultural District from about 6pm until the crowds disperse and the roads reopen.     During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.Public transport service arrangements 

    To facilitate the above-mentioned road closure arrangements, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;
    For MTR services, Island Line, South Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, East Rail Line (Admiralty – Sheung Shui), Tuen Ma Line (Hung Hum – Tuen Mun and Austin – City One) and Tung Chung Line will be strengthened from 8pm that night;
    The tram service will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;
    Star Ferry, Sun Ferry, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Discovery Bay Transportation Services, Park Island Transport and Fortune Ferry will gradually adjust and suspend part of their services from 5.20pm on October 1 to facilitate the holding of the fireworks display; and
    For the cross-boundary coach services, the terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service between Wan Chai and Huanggang Port at Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from about 6.30pm until the roads reopen. A temporary terminus will be provided on Hennessy Road westbound near Southorn Centre. The short-haul cross-boundary coach service between Jordan and Huanggang Port will add a temporary pick-up point at the coach pick-up and drop-off area on Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station from about 9pm to 11pm. The en-route stop of this service at China Ferry Terminal Bus Terminus will be suspended from about 8.15pm until the roads reopen. 

    Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System service arrangements     The service of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System will be extended to 2am on October 2.     Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic along Hong Kong Island North and the vicinity (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the Island Eastern Corridor), the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon Cultural District in Kowloon, and the Cross Harbour Tunnel as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.     Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements, subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile application “HKeMobility”.     For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or its mobile application “HKeMobility”. Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.

     
    Ends/Friday, September 27, 2024Issued at HKT 12:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police remembrance ceremonies ‘particularly poignant’

    Source: South Australia Police

    People across the state today paused to honour police officers killed in the line of duty, including South Australia Police’s (SAPOL) Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig PBM LEM.

    Ahead of National Police Remembrance Day on Sunday, many united to pay their respects at locations including SAPOL’s Police Academy, the Riverland’s Banrock Station and at Mount Gambier and Port Pirie police stations.

    Observed on 29 September each year, the national day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the dangers of policing. This year recognises the 62 dedicated SAPOL members and those from other Australian and South West Pacific police jurisdictions who have made the ultimate sacrifice when protecting the community.

    Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM attended the National Police Remembrance Day memorial service in Canberra, where Brevet Sergeant Doig’s name was added to the National Police Memorial.

    “This year’s remembrance is particularly poignant as we reflect on the life of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig who died in the line of duty last November after being shot by an armed offender at Senior,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    “Brevet Sergeant Doig served his community with distinction, displaying honour and courage in performing his duties while knowing the risks his job entailed.

    “The profound outpouring of grief across South Australia Police and throughout the South Australian community, highlighted the esteem in which Brevet Sergeant Doig was held.”

    Brevet Sergeant Doig’s family attended a private ceremony on 5 September 2024 to unveil his plaque on the Wall of Remembrance at SAPOL’s Academy. At this ceremony, Brevet Sergeant Doig was also posthumously awarded the South Australia Police Bravery Medal and Leadership and Efficiency Medal, adding to other accolades.

    Commissioner Stevens recognised the commitment of all police officers, past and present.

    “National Police Remembrance Day provides a valuable opportunity to reflect upon those who serve and those who have fallen, recalling their unquestionable dedication to our profession and our community at large,” he added.

    “While our people on the frontline of operational policing face the inherent dangers of the profession, it takes commitment and support from all members of the organisation to ensure the South Australian community receives the best possible service.”

    SA Governor Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC joined Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams APM, Minister of Police Dan Cregan, and other dignitaries at SAPOL’s academy this morning to pay their respects at the wall of remembrance. A riderless horse also formed part of the commemoration.

    Minister for Police Dan Cregan said the day is a reminder of the bravery shown by South Australian Police.

    “Every officer deserves the right to come home and we must never forget those on the frontline who put themselves in danger to keep our community safe,” Minister Cregan said.

    “Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig paid the ultimate price for doing his job and this is a solemn occasion to pay tribute to the courage, commitment and dedication of police.”

    In further acknowledgement, on Sunday several venues and locations across metropolitan Adelaide will light up in blue and white police chequering, including Adelaide Oval’s southern stand, Riverbank precinct footbridge, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Town Hall, and the O-Bahn tunnel. SAPOL’s police headquarters on Angas Street will also light up from tonight (Friday) through to Sunday.

    Breakout

    This year we remember: South Australia Police: Brevet Sergeant Jason Christopher Doig who died on the 17November 2023 after being shot at Senior in the South East.

    New South Wales Police:Sergeant Peter Thomas Stone who drowned on the 1 January 2023 while attempting to rescue his son.

    We also commemorate another addition to this year’s honour roll: Western Australia Police: Senior Constable Glenn Murray who died on the 6 December 2022 after receiving serious injuries in a car accident.

    We also acknowledge two historical additions to the National Police Memorial: Northern Territory Police: Mounted Constable Thomas Edward McNulty who died on the 28 November 1917 from drowning after falling overboard from the ‘Albatross’. Mounted Constable Arthur Robinson Clapp who died on the 5November 1927 from a gunshot wound to the leg after seizing a pistol and securing it in his belt.

    Caption: The National Carillon building in Canberra lit up as a tribute to Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.

    SA Governor Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC with Deputy Commissioner of Police Linda Williams APM at the Police Academy’s service on Friday 27 September.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police seek video of fleeing driver

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are seeking witnesses to a fleeing driver incident that began in Central Hawke’s Bay and ended in the heart of Palmerston North some 90 minutes later.

    The event started about 3pm on Thursday, when a distinctive orange/red-coloured Ford Falcon, sporting white mags, wide-profile tyres, and tinted windows, failed to stop for Police on State Highway 2, near Te Hauke.

    Police units followed the car as it headed towards Palmerston North, watching as it crossed onto the wrong side of the road several times and dodged sets of road spikes. At one point, the vehicle mounted the footpath.

    Road spikes were deployed on Main Street as the vehicle approached Palmerston North and the car was successfully spiked.

    The driver came to a stop after crashing on Fergusson Street shortly before 4.30pm. The driver fled on foot and was located on Ada Street by a Police dog unit a short time later. 

    The driving behaviour put every other road user at risk, and for no good reason, says Senior Constable Tim Rowe.

    “Police are speaking with a 19-year-old Hastings man in relation to the incident but we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the vehicle’s driving, and anyone who recorded video of the incident.”

    If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 240926/2862.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Almost 90 panel houses with tile cladding will undergo major repairs in Moscow

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    This year, 87 residential panel houses built according to standard designs will undergo major repairs in Moscow. These will be buildings whose facade panels were faced with small and medium-sized tiles during production at the factory. Over time, they lost their color or crumbled. The Moscow City Services Complex noted that a special technology using polymer-cement mixtures on reinforcing meshes was developed for repairing the walls of such houses. This will extend the service life of the facades by at least 30 years.

    Two shades of white house on Kosygina street

    This technology is already being used in the major renovation of the building at 7 Kosygina Street. The 16-story residential building was erected in 1967 according to a standard series design, which was considered an achievement in the construction industry at the time. Hotels or hostels were often located in such buildings.

    The specialists have already restored the facade. The work was carried out in several stages for the convenience of residents. At the first stage, the surfaces were cleaned, then they were sanded and cracks were eliminated. And at the third, final stage, they applied glue, polymer-cement mixtures on reinforcing compounds, and a layer of textured plaster. The house was painted creamy white and papyrus white.

    Later, the basement and entrance were repaired, and the double-glazed windows in common areas were updated. Currently, the roofing is being put in order, having previously dismantled the old one.

    Intense yellow house in the southwest

    In a similar way, this year the building at 11 Tsyurupy Street, Block 1 was renovated. The work also took place in several stages, at the end of which the building was painted creamy white and intense yellow. In addition, the basement was renovated, new windows were installed in common areas and the balcony screens were replaced. In addition, the entrances were put in order, the slopes were repaired and a new blind area was installed. The nine-story residential building was built in 1976 according to a standard series project. The plasticity of the facade is formed by rhythmic rows of balconies and loggias.

    House with projections on Simferopolsky Boulevard

    Another facility in the South-West Administrative District that has undergone a major overhaul this season is located at 4a, Simferopolsky Boulevard. The main work on restoring the building’s façade has already been completed. In particular, specialists knocked off the old small tiles, filled the resulting voids, applied a new layer of glue and primer, laid insulation in the seams and sealed them. The building is painted white and “blue aragonite”. In addition, the windows and balcony screens were also replaced and the entrances to the building were renovated. The 16-story residential building was erected in 1981. The plasticity of the façade is supported by risalits, which house common areas and kitchens.

    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://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144422073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China among fastest risers in world’s most innovative economies ranking: WIPO

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China moved up one spot to 11th place in the ranking of the world’s most innovative economies, making it one of the fastest risers over the past decade, according to the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024 released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Thursday.

    China remains the only middle-income economy in the top 30 while Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom are the world’s top-ranked innovative economies, according to the GII.

    The 17th edition of the GII, which serves as a critical benchmark for global innovation trends, reveals that despite some countries’ rapid climb, the broader innovation landscape faces challenges.

    Venture capital funding dropped by about 40 percent in 2023, reversing the boom between 2020 and 2022. Additionally, growth in research and development expenditures has slowed, alongside a decline in international patent filings and scientific publications.

    “However, technological progress remained strong in 2023, particularly in health-related fields like genome sequencing, as well as in computing power and electric batteries,” said WIPO Director-General Daren Tang.

    “Technology adoption also deepened, especially in 5G, robotics, and electric vehicles. This year’s GII also reveals positive trends in key indicators, including a decline in global poverty and rises in labor productivity and life expectancy,” he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, EU willing to resolve disputes through dialogue

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Both China and the European Union (EU) have clearly expressed political willingness to address disputes through consultations, China’s Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

    The remarks came from ministry spokesperson He Yongqian in response to a media inquiry about recent consultations between Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on the EU’s anti-subsidy case involving Chinese electric vehicles.

    The spokesperson described the talks as “comprehensive, in-depth and constructive.”

    During the talks, the two sides agreed to push forward negotiations on a price commitment agreement and fully commit to achieving a mutually acceptable solution through amicable dialogue and consultations, according to the spokesperson.

    Currently, technical teams from both sides are actively discussing a flexible price commitment solution, following the direction set during the talks. They are striving to reach a consensus on a solution framework before the final ruling, the spokesperson said.

    The spokesperson emphasized that China has the “utmost sincerity” to appropriately resolve disputes through dialogue and consultations. “At the same time, we are fully determined to safeguard the legitimate interests of Chinese companies.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The train schedule on the Belorussky and Savelovsky directions of the MCD-1 will change

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    From 20:20 on September 27 to September 29, the train schedule on the Belorussky and Savelovsky directions of the first Moscow Central Diameter will change.

    On the Belorussky direction, some suburban trains heading to Belorussky Station will arrive on tracks No. 14 and 15 instead of tracks No. 1–5. The changes can be found on the information boards at the stations.

    Some suburban trains will be cancelled, some will only go from and to Fili station. Some express trains to Mozhaisk and Zvenigorod have been cancelled. Some trains will pass Begovaya and Testovskaya stations without stopping. Trains from Usovo station will only go from and to Rabochy Posyolok station. The intervals will be increased to 15 minutes.

    On the Savelovsky direction, some trains will be cancelled, some will follow shortened routes from and to the Savelovskaya station. The intervals will be partially increased to 15 minutes.

    During the period of restrictions, work will be carried out to modernize the track infrastructure.

    The schedule of some Aeroexpress trains will change. To travel to Sheremetyevo Airport, you can use buses from the Khovrino metro station – these are routes No. 1195 (to terminals B, C) and No. 1195D (to terminal D).

    You can find the schedule of buses and Aeroexpress trains here on the company’s website. The schedule of suburban and city trains is available in the applications “Moscow Metro”, “Moscow Transport”, and also in the application Andon the carrier’s website.

    Passengers are asked to plan their trips in advance.

    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://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144534073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Find yourself in the metropolis of the future: how the Smart City pavilion at VDNKh will celebrate its eighth anniversary

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    For eight years now, guests of the pavilion “Smart City” at VDNKh can learn more about the capital’s IT projects and key solutions that make Muscovites’ lives even more comfortable and safe. In honor of the pavilion’s birthday, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of innovations and entertainment of the future, as well as receive memorable gifts.Department of Information Technology of Moscow told about the program they had prepared for guests of the interactive exhibition on September 28.

    “Moscow is one of the smartest megacities in the world, a city where technologies help people every day and make their lives more comfortable, brighter and more interesting. Muscovites can no longer imagine their lives without convenient services, gadgets and an intelligent urban environment. But technological progress does not stop for a minute, so on the pavilion’s birthday we invite all visitors to imagine themselves as residents of the megalopolis of the future and take part in the everyday entertainment of the new era: compete in robotic races, create your own robot, walk through the VDNKh metaverse, assemble a quantum computer and clean space from garbage. The interactive and varied program will be interesting for both children and adults. Through a fascinating immersion in the world of future technologies, guests will be able to expand their knowledge of the IT projects of the capital of the present,” noted Anastasia Sharova, Head of the Exhibition Activities Department of the Moscow Department of Information Technology.

    VDNKh Metaverse and Roboball Races

    While getting acquainted with the interactive exhibition and learning more about high-tech projects and services, riding a real bicycle through the VDNKh metaverse or traveling through digital twins of iconic places in a cable car cabin, guests will get acquainted with the achievements and technologies used in the capital in an entertaining and interactive format.

    Thus, all comers will be able to stroll through a virtual digital copy of the country’s main exhibition. The VDNKh metaverse is more than 80 objects and 400 exhibits, recreated with such a high degree of accuracy that you can examine the smallest details of buildings or the entire architectural ensemble, see the splashes of fountains and leaves swaying in the wind, and get acquainted with the exhibits of some pavilions. City residents will be offered to go on a unique gamified excursion in the company of a digital double of the singer Vanya Dmitrienko, during which they will travel in time, visit space, look into a nuclear reactor and find themselves on a film set.

    For those who love speed and competition, there will be robotic ball races. The track is designed as a labyrinth, and participants will have to guide their ball through all the obstacles – ramps, swings and dead ends. To control their robotic ball, each racer will have a tablet in their hands. In the pavilion, you can also learn about the principles of quantum computers and their potential for solving complex problems, as well as feel like nuclear physicists and independently launch a virtual computing device of the future.

    Basics of Robotics and Space Debris Removal

    In addition, visitors will be immersed in the world of innovation and will understand how artificial intelligence is used on Earth and beyond. They will be able to sort space debris on their own and learn about technologies that will help clean up space pollution.

    The pavilion will host master classes where city residents will learn the basics of robotics and create their own robot assistant. Under the guidance of an expert, participants will design a robot from construction set elements and learn how to create and program mechanisms to perform the necessary operations. As a souvenir of the visit, they will be offered to take photos in the branded photo zone “MetaVDNKh” together with a life-size figure of the guide to the metaverse Vanya Dmitrienko.

    Guests are welcome from 12:00 to 18:00. Branded gifts for participation in the events are also provided: portable batteries, notebooks, sets of stickers with logos of Moscow digital services, cardholders and more. And the winners of the competition, which is held in the official group pavilion “Smart City” on the social network “VKontakte”, will be able to receive one of the super prizes – a sweatshirt, backpack, shopper or baseball cap, which can be decorated with the included patches on Velcro.

    To take part in the competition, you must fulfill all the conditions: subscribe to the pavilion account, repost the entry about the competition, like it, write a comment and attend the Smart City birthday on September 28. Participants of the competition will need to confirm that they have fulfilled all the conditions at the reception, and at 17:00 the winners will be announced, selected using a random number generator.

    The Smart City pavilion at VDNKh was opened in 2016. Here you can take part in master classes, quests, programming workshops, 3D modeling courses, robotics and other events for free. The exhibition is open to visitors from 10:00 to 20:00 from Tuesday to Sunday. Group tours of the pavilion’s exhibition area are held every hour. To get on them, you will need to pre-register. on the official websiteYou can walk around the center on your own by downloading the “Discover Moscow” app and finding the audio guide in the “Smart City” section.

    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 city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow, you can find out here.

    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.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144513073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Feathers for the Natives and a Crinoline for the Karlitsa. How the Workshops of the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theatre Work

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Any performance is the result of long, intense and painstaking preparation. The work of actors and directors is, of course, always visible at first glance, but the work that remains behind the scenes also makes the production a harmonious and integral work of art. Decorations and costumes, technical solutions and organizational processes are no less important, but not always obvious components of the success of the performance.

    Moscow Academic Musical Theatre named after K.S. Stanislavsky and Vl. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko (MAMT) is unique: hundreds of employees of the workshops work on the seven floors of the building on Bolshaya Dmitrovka – painting and decoration, sewing, shoe, props, metalwork, carpentry and other shops. More details about their work – in the material mos.ru.

    Headwear and fabric painting

    Almost no performance can do without headwear for the artists (and there are more than 40 of them in the repertoire). And the specialists can create almost any product right here in the workshop.

    Making a headdress is an individual job. When an artist joins a troupe, their head is immediately measured so that the product fits perfectly. Of course, the data needs to be updated periodically – for example, if the actor changes his hairstyle. And in the case of opera artists, they have to resort to tricks – under the spotlight and from the stress of performing parts, the head circumference can become significantly larger, sometimes even by several sizes. To make the artists comfortable throughout the performance, the craftsmen sew special elastic bands into the headdresses.

    Another important task is to make the products as light as possible so that the actors can move freely, dance, perform complex pirouettes and jumps. Sometimes it happens that the idea of a particular headdress is technically impossible to implement, and the craftsmen have to compromise – so that the costumes suit both the production designer in appearance and the performers in convenience and functionality. For example, for the round red headdresses of the natives (working title – “tomatoes”) in the play “Robinson Crusoe”, costume designer Vladimir Arefyev suggested using wooden sticks as a frame. But they would have turned out too heavy this way, and the craftsmen came up with the idea of creating lighter structures from polyurethane foam and wrapping them with red threads.

    And the opera “Not Only Love” was the easiest for the specialists, although about 100 different headdresses were made for it. The action takes place in a post-war collective farm, so the headscarves were sewn by hand, but many were not even processed along the edges – to create a more authentic image.

    The fabric painting workshop does a huge and very diverse job – here they “blow” the ballet costumes (darken them on the sides so that the artists on stage look even more slender and fragile), and finish the details, and actually paint the fabrics. For “Robinson Crusoe” the workshop worked almost around the clock – for 40 native costumes it was necessary to blow and paint several thousand feathers by hand, and shell beads were collected (also by hand) by almost the entire team. The craftsmen joked that it seemed that shells had run out in all of Moscow at that time, and there were still few of them.

    The costume designer for the opera Othello, Dmitry Andreyev, took great care to recreate the historical reality. Each woman’s dress made of silk velvet required about 10 meters of fabric, and the entire choir – almost 50 people – had to be dressed in them. And the artist performing the part of the Dwarf in the opera The Tales of Hoffmann moves around the stage on his knees in a short crinoline skirt made of scraps of different fabrics, painted and sewn together by hand. It took the workshop’s master several weeks of continuous work to make it.

    Assistant Director: The Unsung Conductor

    An assistant director is a rare profession even for the theater industry; many theaters simply do not have a person who would be responsible for all the services involved in holding a performance. But at MAMT, this is an indispensable specialist, without whom not a single production would take place. In essence, this is the captain of the ship – he is responsible for changing scenes on time, turning on and off the lights, and making sure that the stage props appear on time. And if during a performance the conductor directs the orchestra from the pit, then from behind the scenes, the assistant director conducts everything that happens on stage.

    Such a specialist must have a musical education, because he directs the performance using a piano score — the musical score of a ballet or opera, which is filled with notes about what should happen on stage at every second. One page of the piano score can contain up to six such notes. The assistant director knows the entire theater repertoire almost by heart and is next to the director throughout the entire process of creating new performances. Moreover, he is a full-fledged participant — together with technologists at the staging stage, he looks for ways to quickly, “cleanly,” and conveniently for employees of all theater services change the scenery on stage. Assistant directors have to literally measure some moments with a stopwatch so that the performance goes perfectly.

    The assistant stage manager’s console at the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theatre is located in the left wings, in the stage pocket. The console can be used to open and close the curtain, as well as maintain contact with all services involved in the performance: lighting technicians, machinists, mechanics and many others.

    The Invisible Work of the Stage Operator

    Other specialists, invisible to the viewer’s eyes, are responsible for the magic that happens on the theater stage – stage machinists. They are the ones who assemble and disassemble the giant scenery and change it during performances.

    More than 60 people work in the MAMT machine and scenery shop, 40 of them are stage machinists who literally physically ensure the performance of all productions. Their tasks include assembling and disassembling scenery, loading and unloading it, and they are also responsible for storage. And there are a lot of scenery – some are located right in the theater, in a huge room underground at a depth of 30 meters, some are stored in 50 containers outside the theater.

    The shop works almost around the clock, and preparations for each new performance begin long before the premiere. Several weeks before the first show, “bau-tests” are held, during which the machinists rehearse the change of scenery so that everything works without a hitch at the premiere. There are so-called “draw-up” performances, which are considered quite simple for stage machinists – the scenery can be assembled in a few hours on the morning of the show. They mainly consist of suspended structures that are installed on the stage fairly quickly. Draw-up performances include the operas “Madame Butterfly” and “The Elixir of Love”, and the ballets “Giselle” and “The Stone Flower”.

    “Norma” is one of the most complex performances in terms of editing. At the beginning, the audience sees a forest of huge trees about 10 meters high, each consisting of three separate parts. The installation of “Norma” takes a day of continuous work. And for the opera “Rigoletto” the machinists literally build a two-story house on the stage. The floors are assembled separately, and then they are connected by raising the second floor on fly rods and lowering the first on plunger platforms. Another example of complex editing is the ballet “Don Quixote”: huge wings, complex rigid wings on frames, towers, gazebos, carts – only a small part of what the machinists must assemble on the stage in two days.

    The opera “Eugene Onegin” requires special participation of the employees of the machine and scenery shop. The floor covering for it is made of natural wood, and before each performance the parquet is assembled from many blocks. Also on the stage are four 10-meter columns that must rotate, and a suspension bridge about 30 meters long – on it Tatyana soars upward when she writes a letter to Onegin. From the auditorium it looks light and airy, and behind the scenes the machinists hold the bridge with special iron rods so that the structure does not wobble, and the actors are safe. And for one of the scenes of the play “Winter Evening in Chamonix”, where two actors travel towards each other in cabins on a cable car above the stage, the simultaneous work of eight machinists is required – they adjust the position of the cabins, raise and lower them.

    A “clean” change of scenery is a special job for stage machinists: the picture in this case changes right during the performance, with the curtain open. Then the employees of the machine-set shop are dressed in costumes so that they do not differ from the actors on stage and continue to do their work. Such a change of scenery is, for example, in the ballet “Snegurochka” – in the first act, the machinists, dressed in fur coats, bring a small fence and a bench onto the stage.

    “Mermaid”. What will be the main premiere of the 105th season at the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theatre

    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.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144521073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Convenient tool for real estate analysis and evaluation: DIT of Moscow spoke about the possibilities of the investment card

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the investment map of the capital portal investtossov.ru in real time you can find current lots at city auctions and sites for the creation and development of production in Moscow. Currently, information is presented here on 2.4 thousand city property objects put up for auction in all districts, as well as more than 1.3 thousand investment sites that can be used to place production in the city.

    “The service’s functionality allows you to assess the attractiveness of a selected site based on several criteria, learn more about the real estate offered by the city, and select an object that suits your needs and goals. Based on the investment map information, entrepreneurs can make a preliminary assessment and make more informed decisions to launch a business project. In addition to comprehensive information on each lot presented, the map provides data on possible support measures for businesses and investors and general analytical information about the capital: investment indicators, human resources, infrastructure facilities,” said the deputy head of

    Department of Information Technology of the City of Moscow Roman Urnyshev.

    The “City auctions” section of the investment map presents capital property: buildings, non-residential premises, non-stationary retail facilities, as well as land plots for the construction of commercial or administrative real estate. Investors and entrepreneurs can buy, rent, or enter into an agreement for the right to conduct trade and other activities in these lots. Using filters, it is possible to select an object suitable for its purpose, location, area, initial cost, and other parameters. The information panel on the left displays the number of offers in each category, which allows you to save time and go straight to searching for current lots.

    Another section of the map is “Investment sites”. It contains information about land plots and premises that are available for the placement of various enterprises. Here you can find out about free areas in the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow” and the capital’s technology parks, provided with infrastructure for the placement of production of any profile: from metallurgy and mechanical engineering to nanotechnology and software development. In addition, the section contains data on industrial cluster facilities, projects implemented within the framework of integrated development of territories, as well as offers from the investment catalog of Moscow.

    The investment map’s capabilities allow you to sort objects by location: within the district boundaries, near the desired metro station, or by exact address. Important tools are analytical layers that allow you to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the object’s potential. New layers are regularly added and the functionality of existing ones is expanded at user requests.

    In the press service of the capital Department of Investment and Industrial Policy They said that the investment map of Moscow has become a universal tool for investors and entrepreneurs when choosing a location to create production facilities in the city.

    Thus, analytical layers allow you to find out about the availability of parking in the area, the intensity of traffic and the possibility of passage of freight transport without issuing permits, the age and gender structure of the population. In addition, the map displays infrastructure facilities located in the immediate vicinity of the selected site – these are stores, public transport stops, educational institutions and construction sites.

    Thanks to the new analytical layer “Industry”, the investor can analyze the distance from the selected site to other enterprises, find out the name, legal data and scope of activities of these companies. This approach is useful when assessing a place according to certain criteria, such as the availability of the necessary communications and capacities for opening an enterprise, possible industrial hazards.

    Last year, the analytical layer “Cargo Framework” appeared, which allows you to assess the logistical accessibility of a future enterprise or retail outlet. It displays information about the roads on which freight transport can move without obtaining permits. And with the help of the layer “Traffic intensity” based on geoanalytics of mobile operators, it will be possible to track the congestion of roads depending on the time of year, day and day of the week.

    Isochrones are another useful investment map tool. They are used to calculate the walking and transport accessibility of any urban object. This indicator measures the distance that can be covered in a certain time, moving from a given point on foot, by bicycle or by car. Isochrones are used when calculating the potential effectiveness of a project to assess the coverage area and the distance of the object from houses, transport stops, schools, road junctions and other infrastructure objects.

    For example, when opening a store, you can build an isochrone and, based on the number of residential buildings in the area, calculate the approximate number of potential customers who live within a 10-minute walk of the future retail outlet. This tool also helps to evaluate the infrastructure of the place of interest and even determine the direction of investment in a specific urban segment.

    The Moscow Investment Portal is one of the most popular specialized resources for investors. It provides all the information on tax regimes, benefits, and support measures, including for industrial enterprises. The portal has more than 40 online services for investors, industrialists, entrepreneurs, and residents of the capital. The resource reduces the time spent searching for a site for opening or developing production, provides the opportunity to evaluate and pre-calculate the effectiveness of a future business, and opens a channel of direct communication with the Moscow Government, which, in turn, allows the city to promptly respond to requests from entrepreneurs and investors.

    The implementation of digital solutions in public administration is in line with the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy” and the Moscow regional project “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects being implemented in the capital can be found find out here.

    Sergei Sobyanin told how the updated investment map of Moscow helps to choose a site for localizing a business

    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://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144498073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Redefining the “Health or Wealth” Dilemma through HealthFi with Dynachain

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, Sept. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dynachain, a pioneer in the HealthFi space, is redefining the way we approach health and finance in daily lives, merging them into a single platform that motivates and incentivizes users for living healthier lives through exclusive financial rewards. With this innovative platform, Dynachain envisions a global community where personal wellness and financial prosperity are intertwined, allowing individuals to achieve both simultaneously. By emphasizing on improving well-being through actionable incentives, Dynachain is setting a new benchmark for aligning personal health goals with financial growth.

    At the heart of Dynachain’s platform lies its proprietary Proof of Wellness (PoW) economics, powering a range of innovative products within their ecosystem, including Drink2Earn, Sleep2Earn, and Wave2Earn, each designed to promote healthier behaviors while offering users financial incentives, creating a sustainable cycle of wellness and rewards. These products have gained significant traction over the past three years, with more than 20,000 devices sold globally, demonstrating the value these products bring to users by helping them achieve positive health outcomes alongside financial benefits.

    • Drink2Earn: Hydrate healthily and earn rewards with DC LIFE PROMAX, A Hydrogen Water Machine.
    • Sleep2Earn: Enhance your sleep quality with the DC REVIVE Smart Mattress , rewarding you for restful nights.
    • Wave2Earn: Rejuvenate and relax with the Ultra Long Wave Massage Device, DC WAVE, rewarding you for prioritizing wellness.

    Leading a New Era in Health with Dynachain

    Dynachain’s upcoming listing on MEXC slated for 28 September, is set to offer early participants an exclusive opportunity to secure tokens before the broader rollout. With only 2.1% of the total circulating supply available during TGE, token scarcity is expected to drive early demand for mass adoption as we progress towards the emerging HealthFi era. Early participants will gain access to Dynachain tokens, positioning themselves ahead of the curve as HealthFi continues to attract attention from both the health and finance sectors.

    Dynachain’s Power Boost Staking Program, with its staking period active from 29 September, 05:00:00 (UTC) to 4 October, 04:59:59 (UTC), offers a unique opportunity for users to maximize their returns through timely participation, especially since rewards are calculated by the second. To receive 100% of your potential staking rewards, staking must begin precisely at the start of the campaign. This five-day window is critical for participants looking to maximize their earnings, with daily rewards of 20% for early stakers.

    Stake Early to Join the HealthFi Movement

    To participate, users must first buy Dynachain tokens on MEXC and then access the staking platform via app.dynachain.io. The earlier you stake, the higher the rewards. For instance, staking 25 minutes after the campaign begins still allows users to earn 99.65% of the rewards, whereas waiting until 4 October significantly reduces the potential to 4.16%. With the campaign approaching a close, staked tokens will be made fully withdrawable, and accumulated rewards will follow a 600-day vesting schedule starting from 4 March 2025, encouraging long-term engagement amongst users with the Dynachain ecosystem.

    Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking movement where “health or wealth” is no longer a dilemma. Secure your part in the rapidly expanding HealthFi ecosystem by participating early in Dynachain’s Power Boost Staking Program to make sure you get the most from your investment. Be part of the HealthFi future — stake with Dynachain today!

    For media inquiries or further information, please visit the following:

    X: https://twitter.com/Dynachain

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dynachain.official

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dynachain.io/

    Telegram Community: https://t.me/+wuP60V8ojkBmN2Vl

    Telegram Announcement Channel: https://t.me/dynachaindc

    Media Contact:

    Name: Rayz

    Email: zc.ooi@dynachain.io

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by “Dynachain”. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6823c2f5-737d-4b77-8338-eeeeeb304c44

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The Open Art by Blum, TONX, and TON Society Draws 11,280+ Registered Attendees, Becoming the Largest Event of Token2049 Week

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Open Art, hosted by Blum, TONX, and TON Society and co-hosted by CoinGecko, All At Once, TonBit, and Google Cloud, attracted over 11,280 registered attendees—the highest number of registered attendees during Token2049 Week in Singapore. Held on September 19 at the National Gallery Singapore, one of the most prestigious venues in the country, the event saw thousands of people gathered to explore the latest innovations shaping the TON ecosystem.

    The event underscored the growing influence of the TON ecosystem with over 60 partners from across Web3 collaborating to showcase its potential through live discussions, keynotes, and networking sessions. Recognized as a driving force for Web3 mass adoption, the TON ecosystem continues to push the boundaries of innovation despite the market’s volatility.

    “We at TONX are deeply committed to fostering a culture of innovation within the TON ecosystem. By bringing together thousands of attendees across APAC and beyond, we’re not only pushing the boundaries of what’s possible but also highlighting the power of our SuperApp ecosystem and the new economy,” said Wego, Co-Founder of TONX.

    Attendees were treated to an immersive experience featuring The Open Art-themed event design and merchandise. Every detail was meticulously crafted to reflect the values the TON ecosystem stands for—freedom of expression, creativity, and innovation.

    “We’re proud to have hosted the largest side event at Token2049, setting another milestone for Blum,” said Vladimir Smerkis, CMO and Co-founder of Blum. “While we operate fully online, there’s a unique value of in-person gatherings. This time, unlike April when Blum launched, TON and Telegram were the clear focus, dominating conversations throughout the whole conference period. Sign of times.”

    The Open Art Main Stage Opening (TONX)

    35+ Web3 Leaders Share Visionary Insights on the Future of the TON Ecosystem
    The event began with the iconic TONX paper airplane ceremony led by Steve Yun, President of TON Foundation; Wego, Co-Founder of TONX; Gleb Kostarev, CEO of Blum; and Ekin Tuna, Co-Founder of TON Society.

    The main stage featured opening remarks from Gleb Kostarev, Co-Founder of Blum, followed by keynotes from Wego, Ekin Tuna, Leonard (Co-Founder of All At Once), Ian W. (Co-Founder of TON Ventures), and Eefy Lin (Web3 Solution Architect at Google Cloud). Paul Li, Co-Founder of TonBit, shared TON’s First CTF Challenge to the participants.

    One of the event’s highlights was a fireside chat between TM Lee, Co-Founder of CoinGecko, and Dr. Awesome Doge, Co-Founder of TONX, where they discussed the evolution and future of blockchain technology.

    Another key panel was the discussion between the Co-Founders of Blum, Catizen, TONX, and TON Society on both the opportunities and challenges within the TON ecosystem and the broader Web3 space. Main stage talks concluded with a special presentation by Sam from Jambo Phone.

    The Open Art Speaker Highlights (TONX)

    Side Stage Panels and Highlights
    The side stage kicked off with “TON Security Unveiled,” a critical discussion on security in the TON ecosystem, featuring Norbert (Global Growth at Nubit) and Luis (Co-Founder of TonBit), moderated by Maeveknows (Co-Founder of Pukecast).

    Following this was a fireside chat between Jakob Palmstierna (President & CBO of GSR) and Suji Yan (Co-Founder of Mask Network) was moderated by Andi (Growth Lead of BlockMedia).

    The program continued with a keynote by Lemon (Co-Founder of UTonic). Following this was the DeFi panel, “Harnessing the Power of DeFi on TON,” which brought together Ping Chen (Core Contributor at BeaverLand), Joshua (Head of Growth & Partnerships at Tradoor), Pang Xue Kai (Founder & CEO of ForU AI), and Keer Lau (CSO of Orbiter Finance). The panel speakers discussed how DeFi is being leveraged within the TON ecosystem.

    11,000+ people registered for The Open Art (TONX)

    The Open Art Interactive and VIP Experiences
    The Open Art offered attendees a variety of interactive experiences. Booths from participating partners showcased their projects and gave exciting surprises to attendees. The Open Art VIP attendees enjoyed exclusive fast-pass access, allowing them to skip the lines and engage directly with the Web3 community. VIP attendees also received limited-edition wearable art and tote bags inspired by the event’s theme of freedom of expression.

    Beyond the booths, the attendees enjoyed The Open Art’s dedicated game area where there were games such as an air hockey table and table football. Light snacks and beverages were also available throughout the event, allowing attendees to recharge in a casual setting.

    The Open Art Sponsors and Partners (TONX)

    The Open Art Event Sponsors and Partners
    The Open Art was made possible by the generous support of its partners. The event was hosted by Blum, TONX, and TON Society, with CoinGecko, All At Once, TonBit, and Google Cloud as co-hosts.

    The Gold Sponsors for the event included Catizen, Nubit, IoTeX, The Open Forest, CloudMile, ForuAI, OpenTorch, Tradoor, GGI, and UTonic. The Silver Sponsors were GSR, Yuliverse, Televerse, Beaverland, Orbiter Finance, Duckchain, Duckcoop, PrivateAI, TON Polling, Bitget Wallet, and Miss W.

    Key partnerships also included MPost as the Strategic Partner, MVL/TADA as the Trip Partner, and Jambo as the Phone Partner. The VC Partners for The Open Art were SNZ, Summer Ventures, TON Ventures, EVG, DFG, and JSquare.

     
    The Open Art ID Treasure Hunt by Blum and TONX (TONX)

    The Open Art ID Treasure Hunt by Blum and TONX
    The Open Art featured the exciting The Open Art ID Treasure Hunt (TOA ID), hosted by Blum and TONX. Participants get a chance to win up to 10,000 USDT by minting a TOA ID, creating a Blum account, and completing at least one quest from any of the 12 participating projects.

    Participating projects include: Blum, WONTON, All At Once, Yuliverse, QuackQuack, Tradoor, Beaverland, MVL Chain, JamboPhone, ForU AI, Ton AI, and DUCKS.

    The Open Art by Blum, TONX, and TON Society, has cemented its place as a defining event of Token2049 Week, bringing together over 11,000 registered attendees, 60+ partners, and 35+ industry leaders to share visionary insights on the future of the growing TON ecosystem.

    About The Open Art
    ​​The Open Art, hosted by Blum, TONX, and TON Society during Token2049, is an event where attendees get to immerse in a night where innovation meets freedom of expression. ​Set within the prestigious National Gallery Singapore, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in live discussions and gain exclusive insights into Blum, TONX, and TON Society initiatives.

    Event Page

    About TONX
    TONX is the cornerstone that empowers builders to scale applications with Telegram and TON. As the pioneering partner of TON, TONX offers an open platform that connects developers, investors, and users to shape the new economy. Their acclaimed TON Hacker House in 2024 fueled a wave of innovative Web3 projects. TONX API, a key product of TONX, is the driving force behind the 950 million-user Web3 SuperApp ecosystem.

    Website | X | Telegram | TONX Event X | TONX Event Telegram | TONX blog | Build on TONX API

    About Blum
    Blum is a decentralized exchange on Telegram and beyond, offering access to tokens from centralized and decentralized exchanges, along with simplified derivatives trading—all within one app. Specializing in trading memecoins and new tokens, Blum features a unique memepad for launching new meme-based projects and incorporates gamified mechanics to enhance user engagement. Just like a flower in bloom, Blum represents the potential and beauty in the world of crypto.

    ​Telegram | X | Instagram | Youtube

    About CoinGecko
    CoinGecko is the world’s largest independent cryptocurrency data aggregator, tracking 14,000+ crypto assets across 1,000+ exchanges globally. It provides a comprehensive 360-degree view of the market and empowers users with actionable insights.

    Website | X

    About ​All At Once
    All At Once is a next-gen Triple-A game on TON, inspired by Clash Royale. With over 600K players in one month and 50K+ daily active users, All At Once delivers an immersive and rewarding experience. As a Top 14 Finalist in the “TON Hackathon: Code Summer” at ABS 2024, it promises endless value beyond traditional card games.

    Website | Join Game | X

    About TonBit
    TonBit is an early builder and security expert in the TON ecosystem. Supported by TONX, it is dedicated to providing security audits for TON ecosystem. TonBit is a sub-brand of BitsLab.

    Website | Get the TON Security Report 2024 | X

    For press inquiries, please contact:
    CC Chen | hello@tonx.tg

    Company website : https://aao.game
    Contact person name: Jessica Chastain
    Position in the company: Founder
    Official email ID: jessica@aao.game

    Company website : blum.io
    Contact person name: Kristina Vorobeva
    Position in the company: Blum Press office
    Official email ID: kristina@sparrowpr.co

    Company website : http://www.bitslab.xyz
    Contact person name: Paul Li
    Position in the company: Co-founder & CSO
    Official email ID: contact@bitslab.xyz

    Company website : http://www.coingecko.com
    Contact person name:  Julia Ng
    Position in the company:  Growth Marketing & PR Lead
    Official email ID: julia.ng@coingecko.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by “TONX”. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9d55c90-d4a6-440c-bb8d-a2d0fec2922e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/680c5ad2-896d-41c2-82a7-7f7105dd0c51

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2913ce2a-51df-4f8d-b7ed-fc9e383ccbef

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b2507ad7-f073-4041-9548-72f4981f210a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/122f566c-769f-4bce-861e-c22a7c91164d

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f188c925-0892-4cb2-ac51-847fd5ff6227

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH’s enforcement operation “Pipepurge” against waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) conducted an enforcement operation codenamed “Pipepurge” last night (September 26) against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas in Tsim Sha Tsui.
         
         During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) issued a total of seven fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to persons illegally smoking waterpipes at one bar. TACO’s investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the bar who are suspected of contravening the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) (the Ordinance) and the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) for aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also notify the Liquor Licensing Board of the above-mentioned violation.
         
         Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.
         
         Also, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the like offence. A spokesman for the DH appeals to operators and venue mangers of bars/restaurants not to assist any person in breaching the statutory smoking prohibitions, or provide a waterpipe apparatus and tobacco to customers for use.
         
         The DH spokesman stressed that TACO will follow up and investigate every complaint about illegal smoking, and will conduct inspections and take enforcement actions in the venue concerned. TACO will also conduct joint inspections and enforcement action (including plainclothes operations) with other law enforcement agencies from time to time with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement. The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement actions to tackle illegal waterpipe smoking. In the past 12 months, TACO conducted 119 operations against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas. A total of 161 FPNs were issued against smoking offenders, while 78 summonses were issued to staff members and operators of the bars/restaurants for other related offences.   

         The spokesman said that waterpipe is a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that is a by-product from incomplete combustion of any fuel containing carbon, such as charcoals. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; whereas exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
         
         Due to deeper inhalation and longer smoking sessions, waterpipe users usually inhale more toxins than they would when smoking cigarettes. A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Furthermore, areas in bars/restaurants where waterpipes are handled or kept have been found to be unhygienic during previous enforcement operations. The spokesman cautions against waterpipe smoking and the use of other smoking products. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For more information on the hazards of waterpipe smoking, please visit http://www.livetobaccofree.hk/pdfs/waterpipe_leaflet_new.pdf.   

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei and AIS Win Customer Experience Award at FutureNet Asia 2024 Sep 27, 2024

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei and AIS Win Customer Experience Award at FutureNet Asia 2024
    Sep 27, 2024

    [Singapore, September 27, 2024] At FutureNet Asia, held in Singapore on September 17-18, Huawei and AIS won the Customer Experience Award, given to companies that demonstrate the most innovative application of AI & automation to enhance customer experience.

    A leading Thai telecom operator, AIS is among the first in the world and to implement an Autonomous Networks (AN) L4. In recent years, Huawei and AIS have carried out strategic cooperation on AN and have achieved fruitful results. This award represents a recognition of their AN efforts and results, particularly with regards to IP Network Digital Map and Customer Experience (CX) Spatial-Temporal Digital Twins.
    IP Network Digital Map
    IP Network Digital Map is a very powerful capability of Huawei iMaster NCE-IP Solution. It can provide a near-real-time network visualization, where anomalies such as link outages or high latency scenarios are promptly highlighted. As result, the onerous fault identification and location process have been streamlined, reducing the time frame to 30mins, without requiring any manual intervention.
    CX Spatial-Temporal Digital Twins
    Huawei SmartCare can provide the capability of CX Spatial-Temporal Digital Twins. It delivers event management capability, which can be used to predict customers’ potential problems based on geo-temporal digital twin network to monitor service SLAs, and geo-temporal customer experience data model to reflect the customer experience. This successfully reduces customer complaints by proactively informing the customer, increasing first-call resolution, improving auto-optimization tickets, reducing average customer complaint handling time from weeks to days, and reducing repeated complaints.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei and AIS Win Customer Experience Award at FutureNet Asia 2024

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei and AIS Win Customer Experience Award at FutureNet Asia 2024

    [Singapore, September 27, 2024] At FutureNet Asia, held in Singapore on September 17-18, Huawei and AIS won the Customer Experience Award, given to companies that demonstrate the most innovative application of AI & automation to enhance customer experience.

    A leading Thai telecom operator, AIS is among the first in the world and to implement an Autonomous Networks (AN) L4. In recent years, Huawei and AIS have carried out strategic cooperation on AN and have achieved fruitful results. This award represents a recognition of their AN efforts and results, particularly with regards to IP Network Digital Map and Customer Experience (CX) Spatial-Temporal Digital Twins.
    IP Network Digital Map
    IP Network Digital Map is a very powerful capability of Huawei iMaster NCE-IP Solution. It can provide a near-real-time network visualization, where anomalies such as link outages or high latency scenarios are promptly highlighted. As result, the onerous fault identification and location process have been streamlined, reducing the time frame to 30mins, without requiring any manual intervention.
    CX Spatial-Temporal Digital Twins
    Huawei SmartCare can provide the capability of CX Spatial-Temporal Digital Twins. It delivers event management capability, which can be used to predict customers’ potential problems based on geo-temporal digital twin network to monitor service SLAs, and geo-temporal customer experience data model to reflect the customer experience. This successfully reduces customer complaints by proactively informing the customer, increasing first-call resolution, improving auto-optimization tickets, reducing average customer complaint handling time from weeks to days, and reducing repeated complaints.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Unconscious remand person in custody dies in hospital

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Unconscious remand person in custody dies in hospital
    Unconscious remand person in custody dies in hospital
    *****************************************************

         ​A 62-year-old male remand person in custody, who had been found unconscious in Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre, died in a public hospital today (September 27).           The remand person in custody suffered from hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He required continuous medical care and follow-up at the institution hospital and public hospitals. At 6.56am today, the remand person in custody was found unconscious in his cell by a correctional officer. The officer immediately called for reinforcement to provide first-aid treatment to him, and an ambulance was called at once to send him to a public hospital for further treatment. He remained unconscious after being sent to the public hospital. His condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 7.59am today.           The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner’s Court.           The person in custody was remanded for the offence of voyeurism in September 2024.

     
    Ends/Friday, September 27, 2024Issued at HKT 11:31

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Zero-carbon ammonia-hydrogen new energy ceramic production line launched

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The first ceramic roller kiln production line utilizing zero-carbon ammonia-hydrogen combustion technology was put into operation in Foshan, south China’s Guangdong Province, a key hub for the ceramics industry on Thursday.

    This innovative technology uses pure ammonia, which is an efficient hydrogen carrier, as the fuel, replacing traditional fossil fuels and achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions during the ceramic firing process.

    As high-temperature industrial emissions accounted for over 70 percent of China’s national carbon emissions, the potential widespread application of this technology could significantly reduce carbon emissions in China’s manufacturing sector and contribute to global carbon reduction efforts, said Cheng Yibing, a strategic scientist at Foshan Xianhu Laboratory and leader of the ammonia-hydrogen combustion project.

    Foshan Xianhu Laboratory has established a research center for developing industrial zero-carbon combustion technology, aiming to overcome challenges related to the stable burning of pure ammonia, said Cheng, adding that it is the first globally to achieve industrial-scale application of ammonia-hydrogen zero-carbon combustion technology.

    The new production line, located at a ceramics company in Foshan, spans 150 meters with an annual output capacity of 1.5 million square meters. It allows for a flexible mix of natural gas and ammonia in ratios ranging from 0 percent to 100 percent. Utilizing 100 percent pure ammonia as fuel would eliminate combustion-related carbon dioxide emissions entirely.

    Experts said that this production line not only validates the feasibility of large-scale application of ammonia-hydrogen combustion technology in industrial kilns but also provides crucial technical support and data accumulation for promoting the technology across China, accelerating the transition to zero-carbon manufacturing.

    Foshan is a major center of the ceramics industry in China, with the sector’s total output value exceeding 100 billion yuan (14.21 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023. The city produced 745 million square meters of ceramic tiles and over 18 million sanitary ceramics, accounting for approximately 10 percent of the national output. The ceramics manufacturing process is carbon-intensive. It is estimated that producing one square meter of ceramic board would generate about 13 kilograms of carbon emissions.

    Industry insiders predict that if the ammonia-hydrogen zero-carbon combustion technology is implemented across Foshan’s 160 ceramic production lines, the annual carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by approximately 665,000 tonnes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign tourists flocking to Hainan

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

    The number of overseas visitors in Hainan province has been increasing thanks to the convenient immigration policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port, local authorities said.

    The entry and exit policies at the province are considered the most favorable in China, said Wang Haixing, director of the Haikou General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, at a news conference on Thursday.

    In February, the National Immigration Administration implemented new policies to enhance visa-free entry opportunities for people from 59 countries who want to visit Hainan. In May, a 15-day visa-free entry policy took effect for foreign tour groups arriving in Hainan via cruise ships, and in July, visa-free entry for foreign tour groups entering the island province from Hong Kong or Macao was permitted for up to 144 hours.

    As of Thursday, 1.514 million inbound and outbound personnel have been inspected this year, up 278.5 percent year-on-year, according to the station.

    So far this year, 238,500 foreign tourists have entered Hainan visa-free, a 6.5-fold increase compared to last year, constituting over 80 percent of the total number of overseas visitors to the island.

    Wang said that visa exemptions have become the primary method for foreigners who want to visit Hainan, and they have facilitated the hosting of major international events such as the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and the China International Consumer Products Expo.

    Luo Zhengyu, deputy director of the station, highlighted that the border inspection authorities have implemented a series of effective measures to ensure the smooth implementation of travel policies. For instance, the number of passenger inspection channels at all provincial airports has increased from 39 to 98, with the activation of 44 inbound and outbound express channels.

    “This expansion has significantly reduced passenger waiting times and improved customs clearance efficiency,” he said.

    Additionally, passengers from 59 nations who are eligible for visa-free entry in Hainan, as well as foreign tourist groups entering Hainan from Hong Kong or Macao visa-free for 144 hours, no longer have to fill out entry cards. Furthermore, passengers arriving by cruise ships are no longer required to provide fingerprint information.

    “We will introduce innovative measures to enhance the travel experience for Chinese and foreign individuals, further creating a more convenient and streamlined border inspection atmosphere,” Luo said.

    Two of Hainan’s major airports have launched 58 international passenger routes — 36 at Haikou’s airport and 22 at Sanya’s — connecting 31 cities in 18 countries and regions.

    This week alone, two international routes have been launched, and a third will open this weekend, bringing the total number of international flights to and from the island to 61 by the end of this month, according to Hainan Airport Group.

    On Tuesday, the route linking Taiyuan, Shanxi province, and Singapore via Sanya commenced operations. On Thursday, Haikou Meilan International Airport inaugurated its first route to the United States, offering service to Seattle, Washington. On Saturday morning, Boao International Airport will host the inaugural flight ceremony for the first international route from Qionghai to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    “For many foreign visitors, a trip to Hainan without plans has become a reality,” said Mai Weiwen, CEO of Hainan Wenhua Tourism Group. “Thanks to the increasing number of international flights being launched in Hainan, local travel agencies are seizing opportunities to expand their market by venturing abroad to overseas tourist source markets.”

    Russian expatriate Andreev Aleksei, a lecturer at Hainan University, is excited about the preferential visa-free policies.

    “I plan to invite my family members to Hainan due to the ease of travel without the need for visa applications,” he said, also highlighting the convenience of direct flights from Moscow to Haikou and Sanya, as well as from other international cities to Hainan, making travel to the tropical island more accessible for foreign visitors.

    MIL OSI China News –