Joe O'Mara

The delay in the commercialization of Gwadar International Airport has drawn significant criticism. Originally set for earlier operational status, the airport's opening has faced repeated postponements due to technical and logistical challenges, including delays in the delivery of equipment from China. The latest timeline suggests operations might begin by mid-2024. Despite its virtual inauguration in October 2024, concerns about the region's security situation and inadequate planning have impeded progress. Gwadar Airport, a flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is a key piece of infrastructure intended to transform the region into an economic hub. However, these delays have raised concerns about the efficiency of project execution and the region's development trajectory​.

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#PNGNews The national flag carrier, Air Niugini has admitted that they have some disruption and rescheduling to flight as a result of fuel rationing. To read more: https://lnkd.in/gJiugiC8 #FuelShortage #AirNiugini #PapuaNewGuinea #PNG #LoopPNG #LoopNews

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King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam Launches TPA Service to Link Saudi Arabia with Chinese Ports and the Pacific Ocean Shipping Arabia, April 26, 2024 — The Saudi Ports Authority "Mawani" has enhanced King Abdul Aziz Port’s global connectivity with the introduction of the TPA service operated by Evergreen, linking Saudi Arabia directly to Chinese ports and the Pacific Ocean. This initiative is designed to facilitate trade and export activities, thereby expanding the Kingdom’s reach into vital international markets. The service addition aligns with Mawani’s strategic objectives to augment port efficiency and bolster infrastructure capabilities. It follows significant infrastructural investments at King Abdul Aziz Port, including the expansion of two container terminals in collaboration with the Saudi Global Ports Company "SGP." This project, funded by over seven billion riyals and executed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, is anticipated to increase container handling capacity to 7.5 million TEUs, reflecting a growth of more than 120%. Connecting Dammam with 11 regional and international ports, the TPA service by Evergreen includes stops at Kelang, Malaysia; Cai Mep, Vietnam; and prominent Chinese ports like Hong Kong, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, and Yantian, as well as Taipei and Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Um Qasr in Iraq, and Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates. Operating on a weekly schedule, this service offers a capacity of up to 6,000 TEUs. King Abdul Aziz Port serves as a crucial logistical node on the Arabian Gulf, linked by rail to Riyadh Dry Port and acting as a primary channel for the influx of goods to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern and Central regions. This role is crucial in the implementation of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), aimed at establishing Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub bridging three continents. The introduction of the TPA service is expected to significantly bolster King Abdul Aziz Port's capabilities, enhancing its status in the international maritime logistics sector and supporting the Kingdom's economic expansion. Source: Saudi Ports Authority "Mawani" #KingAbdulAzizPort #SaudiArabia #Dammam #Maritime #Evergreen

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CONCESSION UPDATE: DHA MINISTER EXTENDS CONCESSION TO 31 DECEMBER 2024   Please be informed that Minister Leon Schreiber of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) released a statement regarding the extension of the blanket concession whereby he has extended it until 31 December 2024 for those with long-pending waivers, temporary residency visas, and appeal applications. A formal Directive is yet to be issued, however, in terms of the statement by the Department, this means that: - Applicants who have long-pending waiver applications as of 30 June 2024 and are still awaiting their outcomes, have been afforded a further extension until 31 December 2024.   - Applicants who have pending long-term visa applications as of 30 June 2024, have been afforded a further extension until 31 December 2024. The long-term visa applications include those of Visitor Visa Section 11(1)(b), Section 11(6), Business Visas, Study Visas, Relative’s Visas, and Work Visas.   - Applicants who have long-pending appeal applications for long-term visas have been granted an extension on their current status until 31 December 2024. The long-term visa categories’ applications that have been afforded the extension are Visitor Visa Section 11(1)(b), Section 11(6), Business Visas, Study Visas, Relative’s Visas, and Work Visas.   - Applicants who are required to travel during this period and are visa exempt, may do so using their VFS receipt and a copy of the concession. Those who have a pending appeal application must additionally show a copy of the rejection letter with the former mentioned documents.    - Applicants who are required to travel during this period and are not visa exempt, may leave South Africa without receiving a ban but are required to apply for a visitor’s visa from the South African Embassy abroad to be able to return and enter South Africa to await or collect their outcome.   - Applicants who have long-pending applications for either a waiver, visa, or appeal, may abandon their application before or by 31 December 2024 and leave South Africa without being declared undesirable.   - Short-term visa holders issued in terms of Section 11(1)(a) for 90 days or less, and who have applied for a renewal but have not received their visa renewal outcome, are requested to make the necessary arrangements to leave South Africa within 90 days from the date of expiry of the principal visa to avoid being declared undesirable when leaving.    - This concession applies to applicants who have submitted an application via the VFS Global before or on 30 June 2024 and can provide an original VFS receipt to that effect.   - For PR applicants, this concession only applies if you have applied for a temporary residency visa before or on 30 June 2024. We remind you that you need to maintain your temporary residency status while your PR is pending and encourage you to monitor your expiry to apply for the renewal of your visa at least 60 days before expiry. #SouthAfrica #immigration

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Key Points of the New Temporary Concessions by DHA Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber: 1. Extension Until 31 December 2024: Applicants awaiting visa, waiver, and appeal outcomes are granted an extension until 31 December 2024. 2. Protection from Undesirable Status: Applicants are safeguarded from being declared undesirable while their applications are processed. 3. Travel Provisions: Applicants can exit and re-enter South Africa without being declared undesirable, provided they meet specific conditions. 4. Minister’s Commitment: Minister Schreiber commits to reducing backlogs and improving the visa system, signaling a proactive approach to enhancing South Africa's appeal for international talent and investment. For more details, please refer to the attached notice from the Department. #Immigration #Visa #DHA #SouthAfrica #ImmigrationReform #GlobalMobility #VisaExtension #BacklogReduction #ForeignNationals #OstabetAfrica

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🤔 Don't assume a phone call is authentic just because they know your name. #CourierFraud often targets vulnerable and elderly people via calls to their landline or mobile telephones from withheld numbers from someone purporting to be a police officer or figure of authority. The criminal then proceeds to inform the victim of fraudulent activity on their bank account and sometimes claims that their bank staff are involved to deter them from contacting the bank another way. The criminal then often directs the victim to attend their local bank to withdraw a large amount of cash and to return home where it will be collected by a police courier for examination – who is actually a criminal associate. Alternatively, the criminal asks the victim to handover their bank card and personal information to that same courier. Work at the #NEROCU continues to pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice, but officers are also determined to make sure the public feel confident and capable of challenging scammers to help catch them in the act and report them in real time. We want to empower victims and raise awareness of the complex scams being used to dupe people out of their hard earned cash. No reputable organisation will mind if you take your time, challenge them, or ask for proof and hang up. If in doubt, speak to someone you trust, drop into your local bank or call the number given on your official bank statement. If you’re sent a link by text or email don’t click it, report it. 📲 For help and advice visit the #ActionFraud website. If you need to report a crime or suspicious activity please speak to your local police force.

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During a discussion at the Air Service World Congress 2024, Managing Director of Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) Ibrahim Shareef talked about plans of seaplane operations during the night. Seaplanes operations are generally not conducted at night due to several challenges and safety concerns. At night, the lack of natural light makes it difficult for pilots to see obstacles in the water, such as floating debris, other vessels, or even marine life. Unlike airports, which are equipped with runway lights and other navigation aids, water bodies typically lack such infrastructure, making it harder for pilots to navigate safely. Landing on water requires precise judgment and visual cues, which are significantly reduced at night. At present even VFR operations in Maldives is not allowed in night. Advancements in technology could potentially address some of these challenges however the current limitations and safety concerns make night operations for seaplanes impractical and risky. #AviatorsMaldives | www.aviatorsmaldives.com Telegram Channel: https://lnkd.in/gCRbiAv

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"Building a secure tomorrow starts today". Ms Thandi Modise, the Honourable Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, commends the unwavering dedication of the defence sector at the AAD 100-day countdown at the Royal Elephant Hotel. In her keynote address, she emphasised that much more needs to be done for the sake of technological advancement and that much needed focus and support needs to be placed on aspiring innovators, which are the youth of today. #DefenceMinister #StrategicLeadership #AAD2024 #RoyalElephantHotel"

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Discussions about separating Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s(CAAN) regulatory and service provider roles has now taken centre stage. Although this issue has long been a key topic in aviation discussions, recent aircraft accidents have highlighted the pressing need for a thorough reform of CAAN’s regulatory responsibilities and enhanced safety oversight. Why is it problematic for CAAN to hold dual roles, and why is there a persistent push to separate its regulatory and operational responsibilities? Find out more ⬇️ 🔎 Sources: 🔗 ICAO: https://lnkd.in/gT6NrCCU 🔗 Triratna Manandhar: https://lnkd.in/gT6NrCCU 🔗 ADB loan assistance: https://lnkd.in/gpmnpTD4 🔗 EU on-site assessment: https://lnkd.in/gMNWjUNf 🔗 ADB on “Conflict of interest”: https://lnkd.in/gJrc6Uq7 #aviation #nepal #CAAN #saurya #yeti #crash #report #investigation #safety #policy #airlines #law #NPF

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Breaking News: Borno Speaker Raises Concerns Over VP Shettima's Safety Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is facing serious safety concerns after a recent incident involving his aircraft in the United States, according to Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly. During a stopover at JFK Airport in New York, a foreign object damaged the plane's cockpit windscreen, forcing Shettima to cancel his trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa. Lawan claims the aging presidential jet poses a significant risk to Shettima's life and urges the Nigerian Government to provide a new aircraft. "The life of the Vice-President, and that of his crew/officials, stand at risk while using the old and faulty presidential aircraft," he stated. Key Points: - Incident Details:Foreign object damaged cockpit windscreen at JFK Airport - Impact:_Shettima's trip to Commonwealth Summit cancelled - Lawan's Demands:_New aircraft for VP Shettima, thorough investigation by U.S. authorities - Concerns:_Aging presidential jet poses risk to VP's life and crew Lawan's call for action highlights the need for urgent attention to ensure the VP's safety. Will the Nigerian Government heed his warning? #HBReport

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📣 Commerce / BIS Renews Temporary Denial Order Against PJSC Aeroflot for Export Violations On September 25, 2024, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the U.S. Department of Commerce renewed the Temporary Denial Order (TDO) against PJSC Aeroflot, located at 1 Arbat St., Moscow, Russia. 🗓 This renewal, effective immediately for one year, extends the restrictions initially imposed on April 7, 2022, and subsequent renewals. BIS cited that Aeroflot violated U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by operating U.S.-origin aircraft in and out of Russia without required authorization. ✅ The renewal aims to prevent imminent violations and warn entities against engaging with Aeroflot in transactions involving EAR-regulated items.` Original source 👉: https://lnkd.in/grK8upce #USexportcontrols #exportcontrols #exportcontrolsupdate #BIS #Aeroflot #TradeCompliance #Aviation #EAR

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