Police kick off third cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics (with photos)
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The Hong Kong Police Force today (April 6) launched the third cohort of the Leadership Institute on Narcotics (L.I.O.N.), a dedicated programme to develop young anti-drug leaders.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, noted the resounding success achieved by L.I.O.N. since its establishment in 2021—the emergence of 200 young anti-drug leaders and the dissemination of the “Drugs? Never, Ever!” message to over 50 000 students and members of the public, paralleled by a cumulative decrease of 52.4 per cent in the number of arrestees aged under 21 for drug offences, from 624 in 2021 to 297 in 2023. Among them, those arrested for serious drug offences were reduced to 178, including 48 students. The cumulative drop in the number of cases involving students was greater than that of non-students.
Mr Siu also mentioned that the number of mentees signed up for this year’s programme had reached a record high. He expressed appreciation towards L.I.O.N.’s sponsors, executive committee members, professional trainers and mentors, as well as the principals of the 20 participating secondary schools for their unwavering support—the bedrock of L.I.O.N.’s continuous development and its commitment to passing on the anti-drug torch to future young generations.
Mr Siu added that an evaluation study conducted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on the second cohort of L.I.O.N. showed that the programme had effectively raised anti-drug awareness among mentees and enhanced their communication skills, leadership capabilities and self-confidence. The third cohort of L.I.O.N. will include new modules on stress management, digital media publicity, creative thinking and video shooting and editing skills, to further develop the potential of the participants.
During the ceremony, mentees from the second cohort shared their valuable insights gained from an overseas exchange tour. They broadened their horizons by telling good stories of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts and learnt about drug harms and the anti-drug policies of different countries. The kick-off ceremony also featured the premiere of a new video jointly presented by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Correctional Services Department. The video showcased the experience of a young inmate who was sentenced to imprisonment for drug manufacturing, using her own story to caution young people against making similar mistakes.
Founded by the Police Narcotics Bureau in 2021, L.I.O.N brings together different sectors of the community and it is committed to nurturing 80 secondary school students and 20 undergraduates each year to become anti-drug leaders. Through participating in drug knowledge workshops, leadership training camps, Mainland and overseas exchange programmes, as well as anti-drug campaigns on campus, mentees learnt to spread messages against drugs within the community. Coupled with relentless and utmost enforcement efforts, the Police will continue working with the public to protect the youth from drug harms and to build a society embracing a “Drugs? Never, Ever!” culture.
Feb 27, 2024 | International
TCU’s third quarterly report of 2023 released
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The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:
The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 11 500 complaints and suggestions in the third quarter of 2023, with 260 being pure suggestions.
The complaints and suggestions received during the quarter were mostly related to public transport services (91 per cent), enforcement matters (6 per cent) and traffic conditions (2 per cent).
The number of cases on public transport services increased from 9 055 in the previous quarter to 10 439 this quarter, while that on illegal parking and other enforcement matters decreased from 844 to 656. The number of complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions increased from 182 to 267 and that on road maintenance remained the same as in the previous quarter, i.e. 59 cases.
All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU in the quarter were referred to the relevant government departments and public transport operators for follow-up action.
During the period under review, investigations into 8 793 cases were completed. Of these, 7 586 cases (86 per cent) were found to be substantiated, 21 cases (less than 1 per cent) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1 186 cases (13 per cent) could not be pursued due to lack of evidence.
For the substantiated cases, the relevant government departments and public transport operators have either taken steps to rectify the situation or are considering possible solutions to the problems identified. Among these cases, 25 drivers were summonsed by the Police.
During the quarter, the relevant government departments and public transport operators took on board 10 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases is in the Appendix.
Members of the public may make their suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service is available outside office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by email to info@tcu.gov.hk or by filling in a form on the TCU website (www.tcu.gov.hk).
Oct 27, 2023 | Business
SAN FRANCISCO – WEBWIRE – Thursday, October 26, 2023
Gap Inc.(NYSE: GPS) will report its third quarter fiscal 2023 financial results by press release onNovember 16, 2023,at approximately 1:15 p.m. Pacific Time.
In addition, the company will host a conference call to review its third quarter results on Thursday, November 16, 2023, beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
A live webcast of the conference call will be available online atinvestors.gapinc.com.A replay of the webcast will be available at the same location.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc., a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, is the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under theOld Navy,Gap,Banana Republic, andAthletabrands.The company uses omni-channel capabilities to bridge the digital world and physical stores to further enhance its shopping experience. Gap Inc. is guided by its purpose, Inclusive, by Design, and takes pride in creating products and experiences its customers love while doing right by its employees, communities, and planet.Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites.Fiscal year 2022 net sales were $15.6 billion.For more information, pleasevisitwww.gapinc.com.
Aug 22, 2023 | Books, Business
The harmolodic jazz series “Third Thursdays” continues in Sept. w/Tony Malaby (tenor sax), John Turner (bass), Eric Rosenthal (drums), joining keyboardist/series host Dave Bryant. This concert is rescheduled from June, cancelled due to Covid.
“Third Thursdays” jazz series cont. on 9/21/2023.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Aug. 18, 2023 – PRLog — Improvising keyboardist Dave Bryant, curator and host of the “Third Thursdays” series of monthly harmolodic jazz concerts, has invited tenor sax player Tony Malaby, bassist John Turner, and drummer Eric Rosenthal to join Bryant in a freewheeling acoustic performance, their first performance together as a quartet.
This concert had been originally scheduled for this past June, but was postponed due to Covid. Bryant notes that: “I’m looking forward to connecting with new friend Tony Malaby in the company of old friends John Turner and Eric Rosenthal, with whom I’ve probably spent more time than any other rhythm section. It will be a long-awaited reunion combined with a wonderful new adventure.”
Listings information for September:
“Third Thursdays” with Dave Bryant and Friends: a monthly harmolodic jazz series. Continues on Thursday, September 21, 8:00 pm, with Dave Bryant (acoustic piano) joined by special guests Tony Malaby (tenor sax), John Turner (bass), and Eric Rosenthal (drums). Admission at the door: $10/person (cash/check/charge). Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, 1555 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138. Contact information: bryantequilibria@gmail.com, 617-447-3030. For further updates, visit dbryantmusic.com/third-thursdays/.
“Third Thursdays” monthly harmolodic jazz concerts, now in its second twelve-month cycle (running from April 2023-March 2024), are all held in the Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, located just outside Harvard Square. The “Third Thursdays” series will continue to periodically feature artists who are also former Ornette Coleman colleagues. The ultimate goal of “Third Thursdays” is to share experiences of free jazz played using Coleman’s unique approach. Each month’s concert is a totally different experience, catapulting performers—and their listeners—out of their usual comfort zone with ear-catching transcendent musical moments. Take note that past “Third Thursdays” performances and interviews (with specifically Ornette Coleman colleagues) have been documented and direct links to those reside at dbryantmusic.com/third-thursdays and at youtube.com/@davebryantmusic/videos (https://www.youtube.com/@davebryantmusic/videos).
Further background information on “Third Thursdays” curator and host:
Dave Bryant (“Third Thursdays” host, keyboards) has been based in Cambridge, MA for many years. Early in his musical career, Bryant was a protégé of harmolodic jazz genius Ornette Coleman, having studied with him, then invited by Coleman to be the first electric keyboardist to perform in his Prime Time group. Bryant joined Prime Time in 1990, touring worldwide and performing on Prime Time’s Tone Dialing album. Bryant’s own first album, Shock Exchange, with liner notes by Coleman, was recorded in 1986 with his trio at that time, bassist John Turner and percussionist Chris Bowman. In 1999, Bryant released The Eternal Hang with Turner, Bowman, George Garzone, Bob Gullotti, and recording engineer Roger Nichols. That same year he performed on the John Tchicai/Charlie Kolhase Quintet disc, Life Overflowing, which was named “Jazz Album of the Year” by Boston Music Awards. In 2015, Bryant released The Garden of Equilibria, which features performances by Bryant, performing in a variety of settings, both acoustic and electric, with Tom Hall, Neil Leonard, Curt Newton, Eric Rosenthal, Jeff Song, and Jacob William. Bryant’s most recent recording Night Visitors is a 2020 collaboration with bassist Charnett Moffett and percussionist Gregg Bendian, which “finds Bryant adapting the Coleman aesthetic to an intensely personal ripple and rumble piano style” (Mike Hobart, jazz critic for the Financial Times). Jazz journalist Howard Mandel considered Night Visitors one of the best jazz albums of 2020. Other credits include performances with Leroy Jenkins, Bern Nix, Eric Person, Badal Roy, Wadada Leo Smith, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Calvin Weston, and more. Bryant has also performed and lectured in Chicago, San Francisco, Paris, and Istanbul. Bryant teaches at Longy School of Music of Bard College. dbryantmusic.com (http://www.dbryantmusic.com/)
Further details on the “Third Thursdays” monthly series:
The “Third Thursdays with Dave Bryant and Friends” harmolodic jazz series began in April 2022, with the overall goal of showcasing a diverse range of Boston-area musical artists, as well as Dave’s fellow Ornette Coleman sidemen. A few months ago, it was announced that the funding for “Third Thursdays” monthly series would be extended for another year, starting in April 2023. Dave Bryant is honored that the series has received additional support from the Appalachian Springs Foundation (ASF) in order to continue this 12-month cycle extension.
The intent of “Third Thursdays” is to provide a venue for free jazz improvising artists, both local and national, to perform their work in an acoustically sympathetic performance space with professional video and sound recording to document the event. Dave Bryant was a long-time student and sideman of free jazz legend Ornette Coleman as a member of Coleman’s Prime Time group. Consequently, another key purpose of the series is to document the experiences, reminiscences, and musical contributions of members of Coleman’s bands for presentation in a podcast. The series is providing well-deserved exposure locally and internationally for local free jazz artists and for Coleman collaborators as well as first-hand insights and information from those collaborators about Coleman’s musical processes and philosophy.
All “Third Thursdays” sessions are held monthly at the Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, located a short walking distance from Harvard Square. Audience seating capacity will abide by whatever health and safety protocols are in place on any given month. The “Third Thursdays” harmolodic jazz series is funded in part by the Appalachian Springs Foundation (ASF), a private foundation located in Charleston, WV. As a nonprofit arts and educational organization, ASF has supported dance, film, music, and educational projects. All of the “Third Thursdays” concert and interview videos that have been recorded since April 2022 can be found at dbryantmusic.com/third-thursdays.
Media Contact
–submitted by marycurtinproductions
(on behalf of “Third Thursdays”)
mary.c.curtin@gmail.com
6174705867
Contact