The Life News Singapore Jan 1, 2020 by The Life News

News from World, Worldwide readership.

Vol. 02 Issue 17 January 01, 2020

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2 civilians and firefighters died in Australian drastic bushfires from last many weeks. TL Bureau, Sydney

Specialists affirmed Tuesday that three individuals are dead including a fireman and someone else is absent in southeastern Australia where a huge number of firemen fight more than 100 bushfires that are dispensing across the board harm. New South Wales Police said in an announcement it was accepted that two men, ages 63 and 29, were executed medium-term on their property west of Cobargo. An anonymous lady said she had found the bodies Tuesday morning, as indicated by police. The lady said she had gone out the night past yet her better half and child remained behind to secure their property and ranch gear. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said police found the assemblages of the two men prior Tuesday in the Cobargo house. “That’s, obviously, a catastrophe for their loved ones and the extraordinary network,” he said. A third individual, depicted as a 72-yearelderly person, is missing west of Narooma, somewhere in the range of 25 miles east from where the two bodies were found.

Worboys said police will attempt to advance toward the house “where, tragically, we imagine that the news there won’t be great either.” The passings pursue NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons declaring prior Tuesday during a question and answer session that Samuel McPaul, a 28-year-old volunteer fireman, had kicked the bucket Monday night when

a 10-ton fire engine he was a traveler on was brushed off the street by a “fire tornado” in the community of Jingellic close to the outskirt with the territory of Victoria. Fitzsimmons, noticeably shaken, said McPaul was “all around regarded and respected all through the nearby network” and deserts a spouse pregnant with their first kid. “As you would expect,

the family is lamenting and it’s been a troublesome night and it would be reasonable state I don’t think appreciation has set in yet the monstrosity of the catastrophe and the misfortune,” he said. Two others on the truck were likewise harmed, including one individual who was moved to a medical clinic in Melbourne in the wake of having continued genuine wounds.

Protests angered over U.S. airstrikes on American embassy in Baghdad

TL Bureau, Baghdad

Dissidents raged the U.S. consulate compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, impugning a progression of savage American airstrikes against an Iranian-supported Iraqi civilian army bunch in Iraq and Syria. Several dissenters walked through the intensely strengthened “Green Zone” close to the compound in outrage regarding Sunday’s negative marks against the Kata’ib Hezbollah civilian army, which had been accused by the Pentagon for the passing of a U.S. temporary worker in Kirkuk, Iraq, toward the end of last week. Internet based life posts demonstrated nonconformists breaking the international safe haven’s windows and setting fires outside its dividers. The Turkish Anadolu Agency cited Iraqi security powers saying a large portion of the U.S. consulate staff members had been cleared from the compound as the nonconformists accumulated at the front doors.

OCLC 1101190095

2 A Catholic bishopric in North Carolina in United States on Monday distributed the names of 14 ministry it says have been believably blamed for having explicitly mishandled youngsters during its about 50-year history. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte likewise distributed the names of six soundly denounced ministry, presently all perished, who served in western North Carolina before the Charlotte ward was set up in 1972 and a rundown of 23 names of pastorate who served the bishopric without any claims against them in Charlotte however who were named by different sees and strict requests of having manhandled kids. “To the sum total of what who have been exploited by Catholic pastorate, I am sorry for the benefit of the ward and express to you actually my sincere distress for the physical, enthusiastic and profound torment you have endured,” Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis wrote in a letter that went with the rundown of names. No dynamic pastorate individuals in the bishopric were recorded among those with trustworthy charges against them. The bishopric characterizes a tenable claim as one that seems to be “bolstered by data deserving of conviction, for example, an affirmation of misuse, a substantiated charge or the pastorate has been named by another ward or strict request. A believable charge, it says, isn’t a finding of blame however requires the minister to be expelled from the service and doled out obligations until the claim is demonstrated not solid. “You merited a minister in whom you could put your trust, a model of Jesus the Good,” Jugis composed. “Unfortunately, it is clear in our history that the Catholic Church including this see - didn’t

Another Sexual assaults by Catholic Bishopric

completely comprehend the pathology of youngster sexual maltreatment or react to claims as forcefully as it could have, as we do today.” Nine of the 14 named pastorate are expired and the rest of either expelled, resigned or both. Two, notwithstanding, were indicted on sexual unfortunate behavior accusations. Of the two who were indicted, Robert Yurgel conceded in February 2009 to lawful offense seconddegree sexual offense and served eight years in jail and Richard Farwell argued no challenge to a wrongdoing accusation of adding to the misconduct of a minor and was condemned to probation, as per the bishopric. “It is agonizing to try and attempt to appreciate such gravely improper conduct, especially for the individuals who have worried about the concern of sexual maltreatment by ministry,” Jugis composed. “In any case, in talking with survivors and hearing their accounts, it is obvious to me that creation known the names of their abusers can advance recuperating for them and their families. I supplicate this progression accomplishes that objective.”

The see, which serves in excess of 400,000 individuals in 46 districts in western North Carolina, said the rundowns were the result of over a yearlong survey of in excess of 1,600 records returning almost 50 years, finding that occurrences of maltreatment in the Charlotte bishopric crested during the 1970s and dropped during the 2000s because of new insurances set up by the congregation with just a single believable claim happening over the most recent 20 years. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein called the claims in an announcement “obliterating.” Stein, who

editorial

is pushing enactment to reinforce the security of kids from sexual maltreatment, said he trusts this activity “is a piece of a procedure to carry some conclusion and equity to the unfortunate casualty survivors.” Be that as it may, promoters of the individuals who have been manhandled by the Church scrutinized the rundown as inadequate. The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests said in any event four other people who were denounced were excluded from the see’s rundown, including Paul L. Berrell, a music serve at St. Eugene Catholic Church in Asheville who conceded to creating kid erotic entertainment in 2010. “This data that Catholic authorities in Charlotte without a doubt approach but then decided not to make open for no good reason,” composed SNAP in an announcement. “It is difficult to consider this to be anything other than proceeded with endeavors by chapel initiative to minimize instances of sexual viciousness and make the issue show up less normal - and less later - than it is.” SNAP is approaching the ward to refresh its rundown to give a total look of misuse that was submitted by its ministry. The bishopric said the greater part of those named in the rundowns were recently known.

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Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s New Year’s message, 31 Dec 2020

TL Bureau, Helsinki

Today we stand on the cusp of a new decade. The new year will bring many changes in its wake, but it will also bring much that is familiar and safe. After the Christmas holidays, we will resume our daily routines, as schools open and we return to our work and our hobbies. Our family and friends will still surround us, and we will take the experiences of the past year with us into 2020. The start of a new decade provides the perfect opportunity to gaze into the future. However, at the same time we would do well to pause for a moment to look back, to consider how Finland has grown over the generations into the country we know today. Finland’s strength lies in its people and their knowledge. We have survived because of our desire and ability to learn. We have risen from modest beginnings to become one of the most highly educated and skilled nations in the world. This was the secret of our success yesterday; this will

Attack on Iraqi military base: Foreign Office Statement TL Bureau, London

The UK condemns the recent rocket attack by Kataib Hizballah on the Iraqi military base near Kirkuk. We support US action yesterday to defend Coalition forces. Coalition forces, including UK, are in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi Government to defeat Daesh and to build a secure and prosperous Iraq.

remain the key to our success tomorrow. That is why we must have the courage to keep investing in people and knowledge. We must dare to create something new. In a rapidly changing world, simply reworking old recipes is not good enough. The Finnish Government has taken up the challenge of delivering bold, stable and sustainable reform. The aim of our Government programme, and of our efforts to implement it, is to build up Finland as a financially responsible, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable society. We believe that society can and must be developed in a balanced way, keeping all citizens and regions on board. We are aiming to achieve economic sustainability by strengthening employment. In addition to pursuing an active labour policy, this means investing in education, research and infrastructure, and carrying out climate-sustainable reforms of our economic structure. A great deal depends on global economic developments.

Finland is a sparsely-populated country on the edge of Europe, with an economy that relies heavily on exports. The Government is not omnipotent, but it can do its part. A stable and predictable operating environment is essential for companies. We need to avoid purely reactive policies, while responding to cyclical changes. Indeed, this is the approach we adopted in the national budget for next year, which is mildly expansionary in view of slowing growth. We are aiming for social sustainability by reinforcing basic security and services. As of the beginning of 2020, the smallest pensions will rise, increases in basic security will enter into force, funding for education and training will increase at all levels, and financing of basic services will be strengthened. Equal rights for all children to full-time early childhood education and care will be restored, and group sizes in child care will be reduced. As of January, low-income pensioners will have more euros to live on. The pensions

of more than 600,000 Finns will increase. 70 per cent of Finns will enjoy a higher disposable income. With the repeal of the activation model, unemployed jobseekers will be able to focus on looking for work without having to worry about losing income. The strength of a society is measured not by the wealth of its most affluent members, but by how well its most vulnerable citizens are able to cope. The question we need to ask is whether everyone has the chance to lead a life of dignity. We are seeking to attain environmental sustainability by doing our part in mitigating climate change and safeguarding biodiversity. We are committed to making Finland carbon-neutral by 2035. We are entering a decade during which we must find solutions for combating climate change. This calls for decisions that reduce emissions and strengthen carbon sinks. We will rely on scientific data, while taking account of the social and regional impacts of the solutions proposed.

UK welcomes the release and exchange of prisoners in Ukraine TL Bureau, London FC Office of UK said, “We welcome the recent prisoner exchange in Ukraine. The return of Ukrainians detained by Russian-backed separatists in

eastern Ukraine is long overdue. This prisoner exchange is another example of President Zelenskyy’s determination to bring an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, and we commend his commitment

Cyclone Alert Forces Mauritius to Close Stock Exchange, Airport TL Bureau, Port Louis

Mauritius closed its only airport at midday on Monday and the Indian Ocean island nation’s stock exchange was shut for the day after the meteorological service warned that tropical storm Calvinia could intensify into a cyclone.

The center of the storm was situated about 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of Mauritius at 9 a.m. local time, the Mauritius Meteorological Services said. It warned that the island could experience winds gusting up to 120 kilometers an hour by early afternoon and localized flooding. Banks and most other business were also shut.

Switzerland involved in release and transfer of more than 200 HM Coastguard volunteer saves man detainees in eastern Ukraine who was choking in Paris restaurant TL Bureau, Bern

TL Bureau, London/Paris

Switzerland welcomes the latest prisoner exchange between Kyiv and the non- government controlled areas of eastern Ukraine which took place on 29 December 2019, two years after the last such large-scale exchange. FDFA is pleased that it was able to play a significant role in the preparations towards this latest release.

In fact, you don’t know their full name, whether you will ever see them again and have only a tiny clue to who and where they might be. Back in September of this year, holidaymaker Liam Muns, 34, who was in Disneyland Paris, suffered a major health scare after choking on his food at a restaurant one evening. A first aider was needed and thankfully

sitting just a few tables away from Liam and his family was Harry Patrick, a volunteer with Mullion coastguard rescue team, who was on holiday too, with his family. Earlier this year – in June, Harry acquired new-found first-aid and life-support training skills as part of his operator role with HM Coastguard, and he was able to put that knowledge to use there and then, in the heat of the moment.

to seek justice for those protestors murdered in 2014. Russia must fulfil its obligations under the Minsk agreements and immediately release all remaining Ukrainian political prisoners.”

Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE

TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates. Secretary Pompeo and Crown Prince Al Nahyan expressed their deep concerns regarding the Kata’ib Hizbollah attacks on Coalition Forces in Iraq. The Secretary and the Crown Prince agreed that the U.S. actions taken in response to protect coalition interests were defensive, proportionate, and justified. The Secretary thanked the Crown Prince for the UAE’s support and engagement across many regional challenges and agreed to continue to work together to counter Iran’s malign behavior.

world

Egypt and Italy Stress Need to Intensify Efforts to Restore Security and Stability in Libya TL Bureau, Cairo

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry made here today a telephone call to his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio to discuss the latest developments in Libya. In a statement, Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated today that the communication comes within the framework of the continuous consultation between Egypt and Italy on Libya, noting that the two sides stressed the need to intensify efforts to restore security and stability in Libya, while rejecting external interventions that would hinder a comprehensive political settlement.

Finnish gas market opens up TL Bureau, Helsinki

From 1 January 2020, the Balticconnector gas pipeline will connect the Finnish and Baltic gas markets, thus opening up the Finnish market to competition. EU legislation requires that gas transmission be unbundled from the sale of energy in an open market. The unbundling requirement also concerns the ownership structures of companies operating at present. From the start of the year, Gasum Oy’s gas transmission business will be run by Gasgrid Finland, a new company unbundled from Gasum. Gasum is owned jointly by the State and the special assignment company Gasonia Oy. Gasonia will be split up to form the special assignment company Suomen Kaasuverkko Oy. Suomen Kaasuverkko and the State will be joint owners of Gasgrid Finland, and responsibility for the ownership steering of these two companies will rest with the Ministry of Finance. Gasum will continue as a gas production and sales company, and the unbundling has no impact on the ownership relations of the remaining parts of Gasum. Now that the Balticconnector gas pipeline has been completed, gas can be imported to Finland from Russia and via the Baltic States.

world

UK satellites to help lead the fight against climate change

A new satellite data centre will use cutting-edge satellite technology to help combat climate change. TL Bureau, London New government-backed virtual satellite data centre will analyse the impact climate change is having on the UK, help shape policies on reducing carbon emissions, and contribute to reaching net zero targets 50 new PhD researchers and £5 million investment to enable use of satellite images to better predict future weather trends and protect communities from flooding and pollution Earth Observation experts from the Universities of Edinburgh

and Leeds will work with 18 businesses on pioneering work to monitor the impact of climate change Ministers today (30 December) announced backing for ground-breaking research analysing satellite images that will better predict the future impact of climate change in towns and cities and inform future government action. A new £5 million satellite data centre involving the Universities of Edinburgh and Leeds will use cutting-edge satellite technology to help combat climate change, including helping lower the

risk of people being affected by flooding. The data centre will bring together 50 of the UK’s brightest and best PhD researchers to help solve climate change. Measurements from satellites on rising sea levels, greenhouse gases and shrinking glaciers and forests will help provide policy makers, government and industry with the data and knowledge they need to better understand the impact of climate change and make future predictions. This knowledge and data could lead to the adaptation

of preventative measures for vulnerable areas such as installing flood defences to protect coastal towns, identifying areas increasingly at risk of flooding and monitoring pollution levels in towns and cities. Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: The UK is leading the world in tackling climate change and we have set the bar high, as the first country to legislate to eliminate our contribution to climate change by 2050, and the fastest in the G20 to cut emissions. This

Continued airstrikes in western Libya ‘utterly unacceptable’, says UN mission chief

TL Bureau, UN HQ Ghassan Salamé, head of the UN Support Mission in the country, UNSMIL, called for greater civilian protection following the incidents, which occurred in three locations in the west. “We have said it loud and clear that indiscriminate attacks against civilians not only constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, but also further escalate the conflict and incite future acts of revenge, which threaten the social unity in Libya,” he warned in a statement issued on Saturday, adding that “this is utterly unacceptable.” Week of airstrikes Libya has been facing ongoing instability

since the fall of President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Thousands have been killed in fighting between factions of the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded

by Khalifa Haftar, based in the east, and the internationally-recognized government in the capital, Tripoli, located in the west. Mr. Salamé reported that the Institute of Applied Engineering in the city of Al-Zawiya, which is located near a centre hosting hundreds of migrants, was attacked in an airstrike on Saturday. No casualties were reported. However, he said two civilians were killed and eight injured on Thursday in airstrikes carried out in the city by General Haftar’s forces. Furthermore, one person died and six others were injured, including two children, in attacks in Abu Salim on Friday, while several casualties were reported in airstrikes in Tajoura on Tuesday.

new satellite data centre will give us instant images showing us the true impact of climate change and in doing so, help us develop innovative new ways of tackling it. Dr Anna Hogg, co-director of the centre in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, said: Earth observation satellites collect hundreds of terabytes of data per day, delivering important information about how fast glaciers flow, the size of forest fires in the Amazon, and the quality of the air that we breathe.

Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Compound under Israeli Police Escort TL Bureau, Ramallah

Dozens of Jewish settlers on Monday broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, a Palestinian source confirmed. The raids were carried out from Al-Magharebah Gate under the heavy protection of Israeli police, Jordan News Agency (Petra) reported

49th border co-ordination conference between Director Generals of BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) held in New Delhi

TL Bureau, New Delhi Border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh held Directors General level talks from 25th Dec 2019 to 30th Dec 2019 in New Delhi. Indian delegation was headed by DG BSF Shri Vivek Johri and BD delegation was headed by DG of BGB Maj Gen Md Shafeenul Islam, BGBM (BAR), ndc, psc. The items for agenda items for talks related to all issues related to the border including but not limited to smuggling of drugs, gold, fake currency, cattle, action against remnant of Indian Insurgent Groups, construction of fence within 150 yards of IB, developmental works within 150 yards of IB, deaths and injuries to civilians and BSF personnel along the IB, death/injuries to Bangladesh civilians, human trafficking and illegal immigration. Discussions were held on each agenda point to

make the border guarding more effective despite the difficulties posed by the topography. After through discussion on the Agenda Points, both sides agreed to adhere to the conclusions reached. Highlights of the Joint Record

of Discussions signed by both D’sG are: For injuries or loss of life of BSF personnel on borders while preventing criminal activities, both forces agreed to make all possible efforts to curb the menace of cattle

smuggling or any other criminal activity and to ensure tranquility on the borders. For the concerns of BGB for death of Bangladesh Nationals on borders, it was told that non-lethal weapon policy is strictly followed by BSF personnel

on border. Firing is resorted to only in self defence, when BSF patrols are gheraoed and attacked by Dahs etc. It was specified that BSF does not discriminate between criminals based on nationality. For the camps of Indian insurgent groups in Bangladesh the BGB had informed that Bangladesh does not allow its soil to be used by any entities or elements hostile to any country but agrees to take action against miscreant, if there are any. Both sides agreed to take strong measures for prevention of illegal border crossing and to intensify the simultaneous coordinated patrol in vulnerable areas. For the concerns of BGB of smuggling of drugs, narcotics, arms etc, both sides reviewed the steps being taken for prevention and agreed for sharing of real time information, if any, including the relevant information of the apprehended criminals.

Singapore

Commencement of Amendments to the Penal Code and Other Legislation on 1 January 2020

TL Bureau, Singapore

Amendments to the Penal Code and criminal provisions in other legislation will come into effect on 1 January 2020. They comprise the majority of amendments introduced through the Criminal Law Reform Act (CLRA) and Protection from Harassment (Amendment) Act, which were passed by Parliament on 6 and 7 May 2019 respectively. These amendments keep our legislation up-to-date with emerging trends and enhance protection for vulnerable victims. Tackling Emerging Crime Trends Advances in technology have facilitated the commission of sexual offences such as voyeurism and the distribution of intimate images without consent. To better tackle such cases, specialised offences were introduced to criminalise the: a. Making, distribution, possession of, and access to, voyeuristic recordings or intimate images; and b. Distribution of or threat to distribute intimate images or recordings. A new offence of sexual exposure was also introduced. This offence criminalises the non-consensual exposure of genitals, whether in the physical or the virtual space, such as sending unsolicited images of genitals over an electronic medium to another person (also referred to as “cyber-flashing”). Enhanced Protection for Vulnerable Victims The maximum punishment for the following offences was doubled: a. Certain Penal Code offences committed against vulnerable victims, i.e. persons (i) who are below 14 years old, (ii) whose mental or physical disabilities render them substantially unable to

protect themselves from abuse or neglect, or (iii) who are domestic workers;[1] b. Most offences affecting the human body, such as rape, hurt, or wrongful confinement, when committed against persons who are in an intimate relationship[2] or in a close relationship[3] with the offender.[4] The enhancements apply even if the persons are not married; c. Harassment of persons in an intimate relationship with the offender, and harassment of persons with disabilities; and d. Repeated breaches of Protection Orders and Expedited Orders. New offences were introduced to: a. Better protect minors from sexual exploitation. New offences were created to criminalise: (i) exploitative sexual penetration of a minor of or above 16 but under 18 years of age; (ii) exploitative sexual grooming of a minor of or above 16 but under 18 years of age; (iii) sexual communication with a minor below 16 years of age; (iv) engaging in sexual activity before a minor below 16 years of age; (v) causing a minor below 16 years of age to look at a sexual image; and (vi) the conduct in (iii) to (v) where the minor is of or above 16 but under 18 years of age and is in a relationship with the offender that is exploitative of the minor; b. Criminalise the spectrum of offences to deal with every person involved in the supply and consumption of child abuse material. The new offences include the production, distribution, advertising, and possession of child abuse material; and c. Address the increasing trend of victims

being harassed through doxxing. A new offence was introduced to criminalise the publication of personally identifiable information (e.g. photographs, contact numbers, addresses or employment details) with the intention of harassing, threatening or facilitating violence against the person. The intention or knowledge of the person posting the information is key to the offence. The new offence does not stop people from legitimately sharing information, such as posting videos of an incident to give a factual account of the incident, or to seek help identifying the perpetrators of crimes. Updating the Penal Code Attempted suicide is no longer a crime. To ensure that distressed persons are provided with the necessary assistance, the Police Force Act and Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act have also been amended to empower Police officers to intervene in cases of attempted suicide, to prevent injury or loss of life. However, the abetment of suicide or abetment of attempted suicide will continue to be a crime. Marital immunity for rape is fully repealed.Sexual relations in any relationship should be based on mutual consent. This amendment ensures that all women are protected from sexual abuse. Amendments Taking Effect at a Later Date The following amendments will be operationalised at a later date. a. Raising the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR). The CLRA raised the MACR from 7 to 10 years of age. The amendments will be brought into force when the framework to intervene in and address offending

JTC LAUNCHES TWO SITES UNDER INDUSTRIAL GOVERNMENT LAND SALES (IGLS) PROGRAMME TL Bureau, Singapore

JTC has launched two sites under the second half of the 2019 IGLS Programme. The launch is part of the Government’s efforts to offer more choices for industrial development. Both sites are available for tender. Details of the sites and location plans can be found in the table below and Appendix A respectively. These information are also available on JTC’s website at http://www. jtc.gov.sg/IGLS. The site at Jalan Papan (Plot 6) is the last of four Confirmed List sites for the second half of the 2019 IGLS Programme. The site at Tuas Avenue 6 was made available for application through the Reserve List system under the second half of the 2019 IGLS Programme. JTC received an application for the site to be put up for public tender, with a committed

behaviour in children below 10 years of age is finalised. b. Introducing new variants of Fraud. To target novel and complex schemes which the current offence of cheating may not cover, such as the LIBORfixing scandal in the UK where it would be very difficult to show that the victims relied on the deception, two new variants of Fraud were introduced: (i) Fraud directly in connection with written or oral contracts for goods or services; and (ii) other types of Fraud. The former will be brought into force after a mechanism allowing victims to seek recourse for more common cases involving smaller losses is developed. The latter will be brought into force on 1 January 2020. c. OtherHarassment- related amendments. We are working with relevant agencies to operationalise these amendments and to establish the Protection from Harassment Court. [1] The enhanced penalties apply unless the offender proves that the victim’s age/ disability/domestic worker status (as the case may be) did not adversely affect the victim’s ability to protect himself/herself from the harm caused by the offence. [2] The court will determine whether the offender was in an intimate relationship with the victim having regard to all the circumstances, including whether they shared the care and support of a child, were financially dependent on each other, or shared tasks and duties in their daily lives. [3] Persons who are members of the same household and who have frequent contact with each other. [4] The enhanced penalties apply unless the offender proves that the relationship did not adversely affect the victim’s ability to protect himself/herself from the harm caused by the offence.

UPGRADED SINGAPORE-NEW ZEALAND AGREEMENT ENTERS INTO FORCE ON 1ST JANUARY 2020

TL Bureau, Singapore

Singapore and New Zealand have ratified the upgraded Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP), which will enter into force on 1 January 2020. Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said, “The swift ratification and entry-into-force of the upgraded ANZSCEP signals Singapore and New Zealand’s commitment to upholding an open and rules-based trading system. This modernised agreement will further reduce barriers to trade and enhance regulatory cooperation and e-commerce efforts, benefiting businesses from both our countries. I look forward to the deepening of economic relations between our countries.” The ANZSCEP, which entered into force on 1 January 2001, is Singapore’s first and New Zealand’s second bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Negotiations for the

upgraded ANZSCEP were launched in June 2017 under the trade and economic pillar of the Singapore-New Zealand Enhanced Partnership, and the upgraded ANZSCEP was signed on 17 May 2019. The upgraded ANZSCEP has improved trade rules and provisions that are in line with newer FTAs to which Singapore and New Zealand are parties. It incorporates some of the most flexible and trade facilitative rules of origin among Singapore’s FTAs and the shortest release times for goods and expedited shipments. It also addresses modern trade issues and includes two new chapters on E-Commerce and Regulatory Cooperation. Singapore and New Zealand share strong trade and investment ties. In 2018, bilateral trade registered a 12.1% year-on-year increase to S$4.1 billion. Singapore was New Zealand’s 6th largest investor with a stock of approximately 1 S$3.9 billion worth of investments as of end-2017 .

MALAYSIA & NEARBY

CONTINUATION OF INTERMITTENT ROAD CLOSURE ALONG PERSIARAN APEC (PUCHONG AND CYBERJAYA BOUND) Date: 1 January 2020 - 30 June 2020 Time: 9.00pm - 6.00am Duration: 6 Months. CONTINUATION OF FULL BOUND CLOSURE AT ACCESS OUT OF BANDAR SRI DAMANSARA TO JALAN KUALA SELANGOR (SUNGAI BULOH-BOUND) Date: 1 January 2020 – 31 March 2020 Time: 10:00pm – 6:00am Duration: 3 months CONTINUATION OF LANE CLOSURES FROM KM47 TO KM52 ALONG JALAN KUALA SELANGOR (SUNGAI BULOH-BOUND AND KEPONG-BOUND) Date: 1 January 2020 – 30 June 2020 Time: 10:00pm – 6:00am; 10.00pm – 8.00am Duration: 6 months CONTINUATION OF FULL BOUND CLOSURE ALONG JALAN KUALA SELANGOR (SUNGAI BULOH BOUND) AND ACTIVATION OF CONTRA FLOW ALONG KEPONGBOUND - KM50 Date: 1 January 2020 - 31 March 2020 Time: 10:00pm – 6:00am; 10:00pm – 8:00am CONTINUATION OF LANE CLOSURES ALONG PERSIARAN JATI, DUKE2 & MRR2 AT JALAN KUALA SELANGOR Date: 1 January 2020 - 31 January 2020 Time: 10:00pm – 6:00am Duration: 1 month CONTINUATION OF SLIP ROAD CLOSURE TO JALAN KUALA SELANGOR FROM LEBUHRAYA DAMANSARA PUCHONG (SUNGAI BULOH-BOUND) Date: 1 January 2020 - 31 January 2020 Time: 10:00pm – 6:00am Duration: 1 month

BUSINESS

Ruth McWilliam, Founder of MAXIpickers is winner of Business Woman of the Year in 26th Belmont & WA Small Business Awards TL Bureau, Perth

MAXIpickers was one of many Western Australian small businesses awarded in the 26th Belmont & WA Small Business Awards on the Wednesday, October 30th. The winners were showcased at the ‘Night of Stars Event’ in the ballroom of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre with over 300 attending. The welcome address was delivered by Mayor Cr Phil Marks, City of Belmont, with a message from WA Premier Mark McGowan presented by Member for Belmont, Cassie Rowe MLA. VIP guests included WA Senator Sue Lines, Consul General of India Dantu Charandasai, Commercial Consul SK Ray, Hon Consul Slovakia Paul Faix. Belmont BEC Chair Jules Lewin and TCF WA Chair Irving Lane welcomed many WA State and Club Presidents who attended the presentation awards night. Entertainment was provided by singers Kaylene Taylor and Ezereve, with Ken Haywood presenting the Welcome to Country. The WA Designer Showcase wowed all attendees with design talent from Jonte Designs, Kalani, Kirrikin, Mummactiv, Sally C Australia and Silverstar Designs with models supplied from Metro Modelling and Dance

Academy. MC’s for the ‘Night of Stars’ evening included Belmont BEC Patron Louise Percy & Past BEC Board Member Hannah Beazley. Based in Kewdale, MAXIpickers specialises in Wet and Dry hire truck mounted electrically insulated Elevated Work Platforms or the more commonly known “Cherry Pickers”. Starting out by buying her first Elevate Work Platform

in mid-2011, Ruth has been on a steep learning curve acquiring both mechanical and hydraulic knowledge to service her vehicles. Since taking the initial steps to launch MAXIpickers and moving her business from Bunbury to Perth, Ruth now manages a fleet of 12 cherry pickers for hire. Ruth McWilliam, from Maxipickers said, “Our success in business is based on a focus on customer needs and safety,

and we look after high profile and longterm clients across Australia.” The 2019 Business Woman of the Year Award was presented by BPW WA State President Carol Hanlon with the award jointly sponsored by BPW Western Australia & BPW Business Incubator. BPW WA is part of a global network of Business and Professional Women, which makes real differences in women’s lives by creating awareness, leading discussion and driving change in gender equality and issues affecting women and girls around the globe. BPW Business Incubator provides support to women in business through online training & mentoring projects. Carol Hanlon, Founder of Belmont BEC and the Belmont & WA Small Business Awards said, “The awards provide a fantastic opportunity for small and growing enterprises from Belmont and across Western Australia to be recognised for their achievements.” Ms Hanlon said, “This is the 26th year we have held our Small Business Awards and it is exciting to see the awards grow each year to provide recognition to those striving for business excellence and acknowledging community achievements. We sincerely thank the valuable support from our Category Sponsors which make this amazing small business event possible”.

ICC issues tenders Amazon Continues Investment in for travel anagement Florida with Deltona Fulfillment Center services for New facility will total more than one million ICC 2020 to 2023 square feet and create 500 new, full-time jobs T20 WORLD CUP

TL Bureau, Dubai

The ICC today announced that tender documents for the provision of Travel Management Services for the ICC for 20202023 are available on application from interested parties. Travel Management Services The ICC is seeking proposals from travel management agents to provide Travel Management Services for group travel relating to ICC events, board meetings and conferences as well as individual corporate travel for the period 2020 to 2023. Interested Travel Management Agents are expected to have appropriate experience, a global presence, infrastructure, staffing, resources, capability and financial standing to provide outstanding levels of service in Travel Management Services. Applications from consortia or joint applications will not be entertained.

All interested companies should submit their full corporate legal name, company number and registered office address by email to TravelITT@icc-cricket. com as soon as possible. Once the above email and required details are received by the ICC, interested parties will receive a confidentiality agreement for signature and return, together with further instructions, before being issued with any of the tender documents.

TL Bureau, SEATTLE Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced plans to open a fulfillment center in Deltona, Florida, creating more than 500 new, full-time jobs with industryleading pay of $15 an hour and up, and comprehensive benefits starting on day one. Employees at the more than one millionsquare-foot fulfillment center will pick, pack and ship large customer items, such as sports equipment, patio furniture, fishing rods, pet food, kayaks, bicycles, and larger household goods. “We’re excited to continue our investment in Florida and further expand our presence in the state with this new fulfillment center in Deltona,” said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s vice president of global customer fulfillment. “Since 2013, Amazon has invested more than $5 billion in Florida through local fulfillment centers and cloud infrastructure, research facilities, and compensation to thousands of employees in the state.” Amazon has created more than 13,500 full-time jobs in Florida since first launching fulfillment

operations in the Sunshine State in 2013. Currently, Amazon operates facilities in Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville. “I applaud Amazon for this newest fulfillment center and their continued investment in Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Amazon is proving that by investing in modern supply chains, consumers are wellserved, environmental impacts are minimized, and infrastructure is best utilized. I look forward to the positive impacts this center will have on Volusia County.” “Deltona’s strategic location along the I-4 Corridor will serve Amazon well, and hosting Amazon telegraphs the fact that Deltona is open for business,” said Mayor Heidi Herzberg. “Analysis of the site confirms it as a prime location. And Amazon’s selection of the site represents great employment and economic development opportunities for Deltona, its residents and neighboring communities.” On top of Amazon’s $15 minimum wage, the company offers fulltime employees comprehensive benefits including full medical,

vision, and dental insurance as well as a 401(k) with 50 percent match, starting on day one. The company also offers up to 20 weeks of maternal and parental paid leave and innovative benefits such as Leave Share and Ramp Back, which give new parents flexibility with their growing families. In addition, Amazon has pledged to invest over $700 million to provide upskilling training for 100,000 U.S. employees for indemand jobs. All associates at the Deltona center will go through hours of safety training and have access to continuing education opportunities through Amazon’s upskilling programs such as Career Choice. In this program, the company will pre-pay up to 95 percent of tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon. Since the program’s launch, more than 25,000 employees have pursued degrees in disciplines such as game design and visual communications, nursing, IT programming and radiology, to name a few.

8 BY BETH GIUDICESSI, California

antor Arts Center hopes its newest sculpture, OY/YO by artist Deborah Kass, acts as an extension of the museum’s new vision to present art and ideas in contemporary and inclusive ways. The piece was installed Dec. 20 and is now on view to the public. Deborah Kass (U.S.A., b. 1952), OY/YO, 2019. Aluminum, polymer and clear coat, 96 x 194.5 x 52 in. Installation view at the Cantor Arts Center. Gift of Debi and Steven Wisch and the Rehmus Family. (Image credit: Farrin Abbott) “This brightly colored, monumental piece has something to say – and not just because it’s a play on words,” said Susan Dackerman, the John and Jill Freidenrich Director of the Cantor Arts Center. “One thing we hope it conveys to students and visitors is a good-natured ‘Come in! You are welcome here.’” Brooklyn-based painter, printmaker and sculptor Kass is known for working at the intersection of art history, popular culture and identity. All three of these elements come together in OY/YO. The concept for the piece was inspired by Edward Ruscha’s OOF (1962). Upon seeing it in the Museum of Modern Art, Kass thought to herself, “Oy.” In 2009, she painted the word in the same colors Ruscha used: yellow text on a blue background. When a friend remarked about the work’s reflection, she turned it into a companion painting, YO. Thereafter, she made prints, billboards and tabletop forms before a large-scale version was originally commissioned for a 2015 public art project

Saying hello to OY/YO at Cantor Arts Center Deborah Kass’ bold sculpture welcomes guests from its new home at Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center.

Deborah Kass (U.S.A., b. 1952), OY/YO, 2019. Aluminum, polymer and clear coat, 96 x 194.5 x 52 in. Installation view at the Cantor Arts Center. Gift of Debi and Steven Wisch and the Rehmus Family. (Image credit: Farrin Abbott)

in Brooklyn Bridge Park. That sculpture, identical to the one fabricated for the Cantor, became an instant icon admired on social media and by critics alike, in part because it presented “high” art with popular appeal. Kass’ OY/YO explores the nexus of imagery and language in multicultural tongues: “Oy,” as in “oy vey,” is a Yiddish term of fatigue, resignation or woe; to American teens, “yo” is a familiar greeting. “Yo” also means “I” in Spanish and is added in Japanese to make statements more emphatic. “The fact that this particular work resonates so beautifully in so many languages to so many communities is why I wanted to make it

monumental,” Kass told the New York Times. OY/YO is not the first time Kass has riffed on the styles of archetypal male artists by adding her own twist. The piece has drawn references to Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture and Picasso’s self-portrait Oy, Picasso. In her survey exhibition, The Warhol Project, Kass featured a series of portraits of female heroines by appropriating Andy Warhol’s work. Notably, she depicted Barbra Streisand – whom the artist admired for celebrating the traits that made the singer distinct – akin to Warhol’s repeating images of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The piece at once paid homage to Warhol

FEATURE while inserting Kass’ own ideas of glamour into art history. “[OY/YO is] eye-catching in Lamborghini yellow, and the fact that it is the work of a feminist artist is also hugely important,” said Debi Wisch, who along with her husband, Steven (BA ’83), and Marcia and Fred (MBA ’61) Rehmus provided support for the Cantor’s accession of it. “It reads like a welcome to passersby and a nod to the direction the museum is taking under the director’s leadership.” “When I first saw the models of it, I was absolutely convinced that if we did it in final form, we would update [the museum’s] image from the 19th to the 21st century. And it does exactly that,” said Fred Rehmus. Kass cites feminist influences including Barbara Kruger, Pat Steir and Cindy Sherman, but none more than Elizabeth Murray, who helped Kass see herself in a painting for the first time. That led her to join the ranks of women artists who sought inroads into a world that too often excluded them. The Cantor hopes Kass’ sculpture will prove a resource for inclusivity at Stanford, too. “This work should speak to a range of individuals, regardless of their background with art or museums,” Dackerman said. Stanford student Georgia Gardner, ’22, a guide at the museum, was quick to get the message. “It seems more inviting, more modern, more casual,” she said in response to learning about the piece’s arrival. A series of programs about the artist and her other work and influences in Stanford’s collections will be announced. All are invited to attend.

9 QANTAS EXPANDS SPECIAL WEEKEND FARES TO BOOST TOURISM TO EXMOUTH PERTH TL Bureau, Perth

Special weekend fares for Exmouth to return in 2020 for extended 6-month period Three times as many discounted seats on offer compared to the first year trial. Perth to Exmouth fares available from $169 one-way Qantas and the West Australian Government will triple the number of seats available on the popular weekend fares program to Exmouth during an extended six-month period in 2020. Qantas will provide almost 300 special fares each weekend (from Friday through to Monday) for selected flights between Perth and Exmouth (Learmonth Airport) between April and October 2020, bringing the total number of available fares to more than 7800. As part of the 2019 first year trial, there were 150 seats available each weekend over a 3 month period from June to September. More than 2,300 passengers took advantage of the discounted weekend fares to Exmouth in its first year, with 91 per cent of available fares sold. The increase in seats has been made possible by the introduction on some flights of the larger Airbus A320 aircraft, replacing the Boeing 717 on Saturdays and Sundays.

life and real estate

Emirates ushers in 2020 with positive outlook

TL Bureau, Dubai, UAE

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, will conclude 2019 with a successful string of product, network, and customer experience highlights. The airline will usher in 2020 with a continued focus on strengthening its business across operational, commercial and customer experience metrics, and excitement for Expo2020 – the world’s greatest show - which will open its doors to global visitors from October. Remarking on 2019’s milestones and highlights, Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “This was a year of recalibration in terms of our fleet and network plans, when it became clear that the A380 programme will cease. Emirates’ dynamic approach to capacity deployment – during the southern runway renovation at Dubai International, as well as in response to the capricious forces of politics and socioeconomics throughout the year – demonstrated our agility and yielded results. We’ve also stayed focussed on delivering our “fly better” promise to customers through enhancing our product and service proposition at every touchpoint.”

Commenting on Emirates’ outlook for the year ahead, Sir Tim said: “In 2020, we’ll continue to leverage our partnerships to provide even more connectivity and value for our customers. And we look forward to welcoming the world to Dubai for Expo2020, where we will showcase the future of aviation at the Emirates Pavilion.” Connecting the world to and through Dubai In the 12 months since January 2019, the airline has carried close to 58 million passengers

on its modern and efficient fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Emirates operated over 3,500 flights on average per week, or over 186,000 flights in 2019, travelling more than 885 million kilometres around the globe, which is the distance equivalent of more than 2,300 trips to the moon and back.* The airline served nearly 63 million meals on its flights departing Dubai*, and handled over 35 million pieces of baggage in Dubai* alone. In addition, Emirates uplifted

frequencies and upgraded capacity to 12 points within its network. Emirates also expanded customer choice, connectivity and convenience by growing its partnerships. The airline ended 2019 with 26 codeshare partners and 156 interline partners in 200 countries, extending its network by over 1,800 unique destinations. New partnerships forged in 2019 include with China Southern Airlines, Africa World Airlines, LATAM Airlines, SpiceJet and Interjet.

arriving and on departure. After checking in and clearing immigration and security, passengers are also advised to make

sure they get to their boarding gate on time. Gates open 90 minutes before departure, boarding starts 45 minutes before each flight and gates close 20 minutes before departure. If passengers report late Emirates will not be able to accept them for travel. Check-in and gate closure timings will be strictly followed to ensure flights depart on schedule. Customers departing from or arriving into Dubai are encouraged to use the Dubai Metro. The RTA will operate the Dubai Metro for extended periods on certain days during the peak travel period and passengers are allowed to carry 2 pieces of check-in baggage onboard during departure and on arrival. The extended period is as follows: 31st Dec – 1st Jan: Red Line (between Rashidiya and DMCC stations only) 24 hrs Green Line (all stations) 24 hrs 2nd – 3rd Jan: Red Line (between Rashidiya and DMCC stations only) 05:00 hrs to 03:30hrs

Emirates expects peak travel period at start of 2020

TL Bureau, Dubai, UAE

Travel is expected to reach another peak towards the end of this week for Emirates, as the airline expects yet another busy period with outbound travel after New Year’s celebrations and inbound traffic to take advantage of the Dubai Shopping Festival. The busiest days anticipated are 1-4 January 2020. Emirates reminds customers to arrive at the airport at least 3-4 hours before their flight departs, and factor in extra time to arrive to the airport in case of road traffic. Passengers can check-in from 24 hours to 6 hours before departure at the car park check-in area. Customers are also urged to check-in online and then use the convenient baggage drop facilities to expedite their airport experience. Those checking in online are required to check in their luggage no later than 90 minutes prior to departure. Customers holding a mobile pass and travelling with

carry-on bags only, can proceed directly to passport control and security clearance. Eligible visitors (nationals of countries eligible for

visa on arrival) and UAE residents (Emirates ID card holders) can use the smart gates to avoid queuing at passport control, both while

CINCINNATI BENGALS HOLD FIRST PICK IN 2020 NFL DRAFT TL Bureau, California

The Cincinnati Bengals own the No. 1 pick of the 2020 National Football League Draft, which will be held April 23-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tentative order of the first round was announced today by the NFL, subject to the results of the playoffs. If, after all the foregoing procedures have been applied, ties still exist in any grouping except (A) above, such ties shall be broken by figuring the aggregate won-lost-tied percentage of each involved club’s regular-season opponents and awarding preferential selection order to the club that faced the schedule of teams with the lowest aggregate won-losttied percentage. If ties still exist between teams in the same division or the same conference, the divisional or conference tie-breaking method shall be used, whichever is applicable.

The draft order is determined by the following procedures:

(A) The winner of the Super Bowl game shall select last and the loser of such game shall select next-to-last in all rounds, regardless of the record of such participating clubs in the regular season. (B) The losers of the Conference Championship games shall select 29th and 30th in all rounds, according to the reverse order of their standing. (C) The losers of the Divisional playoff games shall select in the 25th through 28th positions in all rounds, according to the reverse order of their standing. (D) The losers of the Wild Card games shall select in the 21st through 24th positions in all rounds, according to the reverse order of their standing. (E) Clubs not participating in the playoffs shall select in the first through 20th positions in all rounds, according to the reverse order of their standing. If ties still exist, the procedures for breaking ties for teams of different conferences shall be applied. Clubs involved in twoclub ties will alternate positions from round to round. In ties that involve three or more clubs, the

club at the top of a tied segment in a given round will move to the bottom of the segment for the next round, while all other clubs in the segment move up one position. This rotation continues throughout the Draft.

Labuschagne light on ‘processdriven’ approach towards breakout yearImage

TL Bureau, Dubai

Having hung together an abundance year in Test cricket in the wake of showing up halfway through the 2019 Ashes arrangement in England, Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne offered a look into his mentality and feeling that has slung him to much accomplishment as his group’s No.3 batsman. Since supplanting Steve Smith as Test cricket’s first historically speaking blackout substitute, Labuschagne has gathered 1104 runs in 17 innings, the most noteworthy run count for any batsman in Tests this year. These exhibitions have taken him up from a positioning of 82 on the MRF Tires ICC Test Rankings for Batting from when he originally landed as a sub to No.4 on the rundown, just behind the large three of Virat Kohli, his colleague Smith, and Kane Williamson. In the wake of counting 353 runs in seven innings, including four fifties, to complete as Australia’s second-most noteworthy rungetter in the Ashes, Labuschagne kept up an amazingly steady degree of execution in the home summer, scoring up three centuries and two half-hundreds of years crosswise over six innings against Pakistan and New Zealand, working at a normal of 103.66 at home. “I simply keeping it process-driven and not on results,” Labuschange told cricket. com.au, after Australia’s arrangement securing triumph in the second Test in Perth. “Ensuring that each inning I come in with a reasonable personality and ensuring I’m

playing what’s before me and not what’s occurred previously and not what I need to accomplish – it’s privilege at the time. “Aside from that, I’m simply cherishing it. It’s an incredible group to be a piece of, and the manner in which we’re playing right now is extremely pleasant.” The technique has received rich benefits for Labuschagne up until this point, as he tops the year as Australia’s find of the period. His scorching Test structure has earned him a call-up to Australia’s ODI squad for the voyage through India one year from now, when they play three ODIs between January 14 and 19. With a home ICC Men’s T20 World Cup drawing nearer, now is the ideal opportunity for Labuschagne to interpret his red-ball achievement and become a power to deal with crosswise over arrangements.

SPORTS

International Rugby League Chair pays tribute to the membership after a year of change TL Bureau, Manchester International Rugby League Chair, Graeme Thompson has thanked the membership for their support and efforts in 2019 and has highlighted some of the significant changes agreed by the members in the last 12 months. All of which continue to develop the platform of governance required to support the burgeoning growth of the sport on an international level. “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank the members of International Rugby League for their supportive approach to the proposed changes to the governance structure of the federation. It was the appropriate time to do so and particularly the introduction of independent persons onto the Board is a progressive move.” “Those changes will be embodied in early 2020 when we announce the two new independent directors and the sport’s first-ever independent chair.” We had many firsts in 2019.

The World Cup Nines for men and women, very well hosted by Australia. The men’s Oceania Cup, which demonstrated, in particular, the continued development on the field of the Pacific Island nations. An England women’s tour to Papua New Guinea, which provided two great test matches. Women’s Rugby League is growing well and no doubt we will see more tours and new nations in 2020. The England wheelchair tour of England for an Ashes series was another opportunity to showcase this dynamic form of our sport. “The Middle East and Africa men’s championship was a great event to witness first-hand. To also see there, the RLWC2021 team’s activity showed the true value of our sport, as developments occurred on and off the field, many of which were unique for those participating in them. Finally, we had a number of new nations make the 2021 World Cup Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments.

International Rugby League Chair pays tribute to the membership after a year of change

TL Bureau, Manchester

International Rugby League Chair, Graeme Thompson has thanked the membership for their support and efforts in 2019 and has highlighted some of the significant changes agreed by the members in the last 12 months. All of which continue to develop the platform of governance required to support the burgeoning growth of the sport on an international level. “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank the members of International Rugby League for their supportive approach to the proposed changes to the governance structure of the federation. It was the appropriate time to do so and particularly the introduction of independent persons onto the Board is a progressive move.” “Those changes will be embodied in early 2020 when we announce the two new independent directors and the sport’s first-ever independent chair.” “We had many firsts in 2019. The World Cup Nines for men and women, very well hosted by Australia. The men’s Oceania Cup, which demonstrated, in particular, the continued development on the field of the Pacific Island nations. An England women’s tour to Papua New Guinea, which provided

two great test matches. Women’s Rugby League is growing well and no doubt we will see more tours and new nations in 2020. The England wheelchair tour of England for an Ashes series was another opportunity to showcase this dynamic form of our sport. “The Middle East and Africa men’s championship was a great event to witness firsthand. To also see there, the RLWC2021 team’s activity showed the true value of our sport, as developments occurred on and off the field, many of which were unique for those participating in them. Finally, we had a number of new nations make the 2021 World Cup Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments. It is vital that these “firsts” are built upon and become regular activities across our sport’s international landscape. We still have a lot of work to do, to be recognised more globally and to increase our number of participants and spectators. At the heart of this, is our member nations, who daily carry our sport forward in their respective nations. On behalf of the Board, I would like to say thank you to them, along with our own staff and those in the Confederations and offer our very best wishes for everyone in 2020.”

tech/auto

2019 – a year full of title wins and awards for BMW.

International recognition for current models, attractive design and technological innovations – Munich premium brand again achieves numerous successes in public surveys and expert rankings.

TL Bureau, Munich

The appeal of the current model range and the progressive character of the latest technological innovations by BMW were also confirmed in the course of 2019 by a large number of coveted awards. The Munich premium brand’s track record includes national and international awards, which are based both on public surveys and on the judgement of experts. The new BMW 3 Series, which was able to collect numerous titles immediately after its market launch, is one of the most frequently chosen prizewinners. The wide range of awardwinning models and technologies is also striking. The list of winners includes the outstandingly sporty BMW M automobiles as well as models with electrified drive. In addition to the new edition of the compact BMW 1 Series, the BMW 5 Series, the BMW X models and the luxury sports cars of the BMW 8 Series were among the winners in various competitions. Further renowned awards were presented to BMW for innovations in the areas of driver assistance systems, operation and networking. At the J.D Power Awards, prizes for “Highest Quality” went to the BMW 2 Series and the BMW X4. Award-winning variety: BMW models successful with conventional and electrified drive. BMW M automobiles won seven categories of the “sport auto Award”. The Swiss “Auto Illustrierte” also awarded BMW M GmbH the title of “Best of the Brands” in its competitive environment. The BMW M2 Competition (fuel consumption combined: 10.0 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 227 g/km) ranked among the “10 Best Cars” of the year for the experts of the US “Car and Driver” magazine. BMW’s leading position as a supplier of vehicles with electrified drive systems was also confirmed by its excellent performance in several competitions. The drive system of the BMW i8 Coupé won the internationally renowned “Engine of the Year Award” (fuel consumption combined: 1.8 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.0 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 42 g/km*) and the BMW i8 Roadster (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions:

46 g/km) won the award in the “Hybrid Drive” category. This is the fifth time in a row that their drive has won an award at this competition. The two hybrid sports cars also took second place in the “Plug-in Hybrid Sedans/Sports Cars” category of the “e-mobility Award” presented by the car journal “Auto Zeitung”. In Great Britain, BMW won the “DrivingElectric Awards” twice: the BMW 330e Sedan (fuel consumption combined: 1.9 - 1.6 l/100 km; power consumption combined: 15.4 - 14.8 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 43 – 37 g/km) won the ”Best Medium Plug-in Hybrid Car” category. The BMW X5 xDrive45e (fuel consumption combined: 2.0 - 1.7 l/100 km; power consumption combined: 23.5 - 20.3 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 47 - 39 g/ km) won in the “Best Premium Plug-in Hybrid Car” category. The plug-in hybrid luxury sedans of the BMW 7 Series were named “Green Executive Car of the Year” in the readers’ poll of the British “Professional Driver Magazine”. Award-winner straight from the start: the new BMW 3 Series. The new BMW 3 Series got off to an outstanding start not only thanks to its successful market launch, but also with top positions in numerous national and international competitions. In Germany, the

new sports saloon immediately won the “Auto Trophy” in the “Middle Class” category awarded by the “Auto Zeitung” and the “Design Trophy” on top of that. The new BMW 3 Series was also honoured with the “autonis” trophy issued by the car magazine “auto, motor und sport” as the “best design innovation of the year”. Its inner values were equally awarded: the new BMW 3 Series won the “best networked car of the year” award in the top category of the “Car Connectivity Award”, also presented by “auto, motor und sport”. The driving dynamics of the new BMW 3 Series led to two class victories in the readers’ choice of the magazine “sport auto”. In their respective competition categories, the new BMW 330i Sedan (fuel consumption combined: 6.1 – 5.8 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 139 –132 g/km*) and the new BMW 330i Touring (combined fuel consumption: 6.4 – 6.0 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 146 – 136 g/km*) and the new BMW M340i xDrive Sedan (combined fuel consumption: 7.4 – 7.0 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 168 – 160 g/ km*) and the new BMW M340i xDrive Touring (combined fuel consumption: 7.6 – 7.2 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 172 – 163 g/km) received the “sportiest cars of the year” award. In Great Britain, the specialist magazines “What

Car?” and “Auto Express” unanimously named the new BMW 3 Series “Executive Car of the Year” and “Compact Executive Car of the Year”. The “Carbuyer” magazine awarded it the title of “Best Compact Executive Car” and “Business Car” named it the “Best Premium Car”. In addition, the British comparison portal “carwow” declared the latest generation of the mid-range model “Car of the Year”. In Asia the new BMW 3 Series was honoured as well. It was named “Premium Car of the year” at the ”Indian Car of the Year” and the “Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan” awarded it the title “Import Car of the Year”. Further titles for the BMW 5 Series and a double “Golden Steering Wheel” victory. The BMW 5 Series was also able to add further successes to its collection of titles in the course of 2019. In the “auto, motor und sport” vote for the “Best Cars”, it secured class victory in the “Upper Middle Class” category. In the race for the “Auto Trophy”, the BMW 5 Series was also victorious in its vehicle class. In addition, the editors of the car magazine “Auto Test” also placed the BMW 530d Sedan (fuel consumption combined: 5.1 – 5.0 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 135 – 131 g/ km) in the top position in their ranking of all models tested

in the course of the year. The British magazines “Auto Express” and “Carbuyer” voted the BMW 5 Series “Car of the Year” in its vehicle segment and “Best Large Executive Car” respectively. The title “Executive Estate Car of the Year” awarded by “Professional Driver Magazine” went to the BMW 5 Series Touring. BMW won a double victory at the “Golden Steering Wheel 2019” ceremony. The new BMW 1 Series prevailed in the “Compact Class”. The new BMW 8 Series was awarded the title “Most Beautiful New Model of the Year” in the “Auto Bild” and “Bild am Sonntag” competitions. The BMW 8 Series Coupé, the BMW 8 Series Convertible and the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé in the luxury sports car segment also made a big impact in Spain. This was reflected in a double success in the “Motor Awards 2019” competition of the online portal “coches.net”. The new BMW 8 Series was named both “Best Car” and “Best Sports Car” here. BMW remains a leader in driver assistance systems, operation and networking. In 2019 BMW once again added to the brand typical driving pleasure with the market launch of further innovations in the areas of driver assistance systems, operation and networking. Numerous awards underline the brand’s leading position, which has been strengthened by recent progress.

world