Latest news with #NPCC
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
AMPO Poyam will supply valves for ADNOC
AMPO POYAM VALVES has been selected to supply highly engineered cryogenic valves for the Maximising Ethane Recovery and Monetisation (MERAM) project, one of Adnoc's major strategic initiatives aimed at boosting the recovery of ethane from gas and enable its monetisation. The project, awarded to the joint venture between Técnicas Reunidas and National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), will be executed in the United Arab Emirates, with the main facilities located at the Habshan 5 gas processing plant in Abu Dhabi. With an investment of $3.6 billion, MERAM is set to become a key pillar in Adnoc's long-term strategy to enhance ethane recovery and support the country's industrial growth. As part of this ambitious project, AMPO will deliver a total of 116 cryogenic valves in 2025 and 2026, including 68 valves larger than 12', and 48 valves smaller than 12', with some valves reaching up to 24″, 30″, and 36″ in size. These valves will operate under extremely low-temperature conditions, ensuring maximum reliability and safety throughout the ethane recovery process. The selection of AMPO is a testament to our proven expertise and track record in cryogenic valve technology. Técnicas Reunidas and Adnoc turned to AMPO POYAM VALVES not only for our product quality and technical reliability, but also because of our long-standing experience with large-scale energy projects and cryogenic applications. This partnership reinforces AMPO's position as a trusted global leader in highly engineered cryogenic valve solutions for the most demanding service conditions. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
ABC News
a day ago
- General
- ABC News
Heritage poultry auction attracts bidders stocking up on backyard birds
Early on a brisk Sunday morning in the middle of winter, a shed in the Naracoorte Showgrounds in South Australia's south-east is drawing a crowd. Families, children and cage-carrying feather fanciers are ready for a bidding battle to rival any good country clearing sale. Lining the walls of the poultry pavilion are dozens of pens of purebred and heritage chickens; preened, plump and full of plume. From speckle-feathered Anconas to lace-winged Wyandotte, mighty Australorp and sentimental favourites, the White Leghorn, the birds will find their way to new pastures after the last auction hammer falls. "These are definitely an upgrade from the common backyard layer," Naracoorte Pigeon and Poultry Club (NPCC) president Kim Hebberman said. "As a club, we've been sourcing these heritage hens from across South Australia to promote purebreds and rare breeds with a view to growing numbers and keeping historic breeds alive." Poultry and pigeon fancying has been a staple of country shows, something Mr Hebberman wanted the next generation to continue. Mundulla farmer William Peck, who showed chickens when he was growing up, said his 19-year-old daughter Paris had also taken up the hobby. They attended the NPPC June sale on Sunday, which attracted buyers and sellers from across the state. Ms Peck said she fell in love with raising chooks as a way to improve her mental health after a period of illness. "I think they're just very relaxing animals," she said. "It's been great for stress relief to go out there and watch them and take care of them. "I see a few kids at home who go out there and read to their chooks and get right into it, which is good." Mr Peck said it was a great experience to share with his daughter and had allowed him to re-enter the showing community. "I'm only just getting the bug back again, but definitely there's a little community there," he said. "A lot of the older breeders are pretty supportive of the younger guys now getting in, setting them up with a good trio and some advice. "It's a great hobby for anyone to get into." Pigeon and poultry club member Eddie Locke, 17, said he had been involved in poultry showing since he was a kid with the help of his dad. He helped facilitate Sunday's auction. "There's so many fancy breeds, so many characteristics and when you breed them and hatch them out, they have a great nature," he said. "You can spend hours out in the chookyards hanging out with your birds and picking what you want for a show. "Even though it's a bit of a strange hobby, you get a lot of enjoyment out of it." Mr Hebberman ran the auction as seasoned poultry fanciers and backyard enthusiasts placed their bids. Ms Peck said she enjoyed the adrenaline rush. "I actually like the nervousness of it all and going along and seeing what they all go for," Ms Peck said. The highest trio sale of a rooster and two hens reached more than $700, while others grabbed a bargain hoping to cut down on their grocery bill. While egg production is not the main aim of the poultry auction, Mr Hebberman said he expected a number of buyers would be bidding to shore up their own egg supplies. "It costs as much to feed an ordinary bird as it does a good one," he said. "So we see an opportunity for people to get a start in heritage breeds as well as reap the benefits of their laying potential."
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Telegraph
Gun thefts surge amid violent crime wave
The number of guns being stolen from their owners has hit a five-year high amid fears that 'opportunistic' thieves are supplying them to criminals. Police chiefs have issued a nationwide warning to owners that they must keep their weapons secure because of the risks to the public from their use in 'serious violence' by criminals. Two men, aged 18 and 41, have been shot dead in two outbreaks of street gun violence in just the last week in London. Official figures, analysed by The Telegraph, show that the number of shotguns, rifles or pistols stolen last year rose by 24 per cent to 312, equivalent to nearly one a day. That is the highest number for at least five years. Data for previous years is not publicly available. Over the past five years, some 2,194 legally owned firearms and shotguns were reported lost or stolen. Of these, 1,383 were taken in burglaries or other thefts. Last year, the 312 stolen weapons included 250 shotguns, 36 rifles and three pistols, according to Home Office figures. Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, the National Police Chiefs' Council's (NPCC) lead on firearms, said any lost or stolen firearm could end up in the hands of criminals, posing a direct threat to the public. However, while criminals sought to access weapons, the UK remained the lowest in the world for gun-related criminality. The number of firearms offences fell last year by 20 per cent to 5,252, according to the Office for National Statistics. However, the number of people killed by guns has remained steady at an average of 28 a year over the past decade. Robbery and violent offences have increased while knife crime is close to its record high. 'A lost or stolen firearm could end up in the hands of criminals who would pose a clear threat to the public. I want to remind gun owners to check their security measures are up to scratch so that they are not inadvertently putting people at risk,' said Mr Metcalfe. Non-criminals rarely the victims In its annual threat assessment, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said most firearms discharges were in public spaces such as streets and parks, which increased the risk to members of the public. 'People who are not connected to criminality are rarely the intended victims of firearm discharges, but are on occasion hit by stray bullets or in crossfire. Isolated, tragic incidents are inevitably high profile and lead to a perception of heightened firearms crime in an area,' it said. Christian Ashwell, the NCA's head of the criminal use of firearms, said: 'Shotguns stolen from residential premises or private vehicles enter the criminal marketplace, but thefts of legally-held firearms remain opportunistic, rather than targeted.' He said most weapons were smuggled in from abroad. Post and parcels were common methods, while firearms were also imported through ferry routes in small numbers. 'Items ordered online are sometimes legal in the country they are bought from, but illegal in the UK and are frequently detected at the border,' he said. Nicholas Prosper, 19, murdered his mother, sister and brother in their home in Luton in September with a shotgun bought the day before using a fake licence. He was jailed for life in March. Firearms licensing was tightened after Jake Davison, 26, shot dead five people in Plymouth in 2021 including his mother, with a shotgun for which he had been granted a licence despite a history of violence and having had it confiscated when he attacked two children a year before the shootings. A Home Office spokesman said: 'The UK has strong firearms controls and we work tirelessly with partners to stop firearms coming unlawfully into the country and keep them off our streets. 'We are tackling the threat posed by the trafficking and misuse of illicit firearms and keep firearms controls under constant review to address evolving threats.'
USA Today
6 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Needle spiking at festivals: What to know before partying abroad
As Americans travel abroad this summer for music festivals and nightlife, authorities and advocates are warning of a growing threat: needle spiking. Nearly 150 people reported being pricked with needles across France over the weekend, during its nationwide music festival Fête de la Musique. The French Interior Ministry said 13 cases were recorded in Paris, and police have arrested at least 12 people in connection with the attacks so far. Investigations are ongoing, and it wasn't immediately clear if the victims were injected with anything. However, the scale of the incident and its potential to produce similar ones this summer is a "shock" and a cause for caution, according to Colin Mackie, founder of Spike Aware UK, a non-profit that raises awareness about spiking. This recent attack highlights the need for travelers to be aware of spiking risks while partying abroad. It's important to be prepared and know what to do if it happens to you. What is needle spiking? Needle spiking involves people being unwantingly jabbed, typically in the arm or leg, by an attacker via a hypodermic needle, Mackie said. Victims may see a bruise or small red mark at the injection site and, if injected with an unknown substance, report blurry vision, nausea, or feeling woozy, dizzy, and even loss of consciousness, according to Spike Aware UK's website. Needle spiking can happen anywhere to anyone: Cases have been reported mostly at public places such as festivals, bars and clubs, according to 2023 data from the U.K. government. While women made up 74% of reported incidents, a YouGov poll from December 2022 reported 10% of women and 5% of men had been spiked. While varied, the injected substances are typically cheap and easy for perpetrators to access, Mackie said. A report by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee found the types of substances people are injected with vary and include prescription drugs, tranquillizers, amphetamines or GHB (also called liquid ecstasy). There's no consensus on a predominant substance type injected, according to a spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) in the U.K. 'Spiking is a complex offense to investigate as drugs can pass through the system quickly and there is often a lack of evidential opportunities, which is why quick reporting and early evidence gathering, including forensic testing, is key," the NPCC spokesperson said to USA TODAY via email. Interestingly, the motive behind needle attacks is largely not sexual assault, robbery, or other obvious crimes, according to Mackie. They almost seem like "pranks," he said, making it even harder to find justice under the law. Even if you're feeling well, you should take any sensation of a needle prick seriously and seek medical attention, Mackie advised. This is important because serious diseases can be transmitted through intravenous exposure. Additionally, it would be wise to consider getting travel insurance beforehand, as this can help cover the costs of any medications that doctors may prescribe to prevent related illnesses. "It can be quite a long course of drugs to protect (victims) from HIV and hepatitis," Mackie said. "They don't know what was in the needle or where the needle's been." A longstanding issue with incremental progress Needle spiking isn't a new phenomenon overseas. Attacks surged in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to social media campaigns and boycotts across Europe and the U.K. as partygoers advocated for better reporting protocols and safety measures at venues. According to Mackie, activism has led to a relative slowdown in incidents in recent years, and the U.K. is at the forefront of policy reform in response. The advocate, whose son died in a spiking-related incident in 2017, is currently lobbying the U.K. parliament to strengthen a proposed law that would make spiking a stand-alone crime. This would give law enforcement "clear procedures" for these cases, Mackie said, and lead to more actual prosecutions. "Police are certainly more active and engaging with victims," Mackie said. Venues have stepped up measures, too, implementing surveillance cameras and extensive security checks at the door. What you can do to protect yourself (and still have fun) Travelers should heed extra caution if heading into large party crowds this summer. A few simple steps can look like: This story was updated to fix a typo.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
What travelers should know about needle spiking in Europe
However, the scale of the incident and its potential to produce similar ones this summer is a "shock" and a cause for caution, according to Colin Mackie, founder of Spike Aware UK, a non-profit that raises awareness about spiking. This recent attack highlights the need for travelers to be aware of spiking risks while partying abroad. It's important to be prepared and know what to do if it happens to you. What is needle spiking? Needle spiking involves people being unwantingly jabbed, typically in the arm or leg, by an attacker via a hypodermic needle, Mackie said. Victims may see a bruise or small red mark at the injection site and, if injected with an unknown substance, report blurry vision, nausea, or feeling woozy, dizzy, and even loss of consciousness, according to Spike Aware UK's website. Needle spiking can happen anywhere to anyone: Cases have been reported mostly at public places such as festivals, bars and clubs, according to 2023 data from the U.K. government. While women made up 74% of reported incidents, a YouGov poll from December 2022 reported 10% of women and 5% of men had been spiked. While varied, the injected substances are typically cheap and easy for perpetrators to access, Mackie said. A report by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee found the types of substances people are injected with vary and include prescription drugs, tranquillizers, amphetamines or GHB (also called liquid ecstasy). There's no consensus on a predominant substance type injected, according to a spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) in the U.K. "Spiking is a complex offense to investigate as drugs can pass through the system quickly and there is often a lack of evidential opportunities, which is why quick reporting and early evidence gathering, including forensic testing, is key," the NPCC spokesperson said to USA TODAY via email. Interestingly, the motive behind needle attacks is largely not sexual assault, robbery, or other obvious crimes, according to Mackie. They almost seem like "pranks," he said, making it even harder to find justice under the law. Even if you're feeling well, you should take any sensation of a needle prick seriously and seek medical attention, Mackie advised. This is important because serious diseases can be transmitted through intravenous exposure. Additionally, it would be wise to consider getting travel insurance beforehand, as this can help cover the costs of any medications that doctors may prescribe to prevent related illnesses. "It can be quite a long course of drugs to protect (victims) from HIV and hepatitis," Mackie said. "They don't know what was in the needle or where the needle's been." A longstanding issue with incremental progress Needle spiking isn't a new phenomenon overseas. Attacks surged in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to social media campaigns and boycotts across Europe and the U.K. as partygoers advocated for better reporting protocols and safety measures at venues. According to Mackie, activism has led to a relative slowdown in incidents in recent years, and the U.K. is at the forefront of policy reform in response. The advocate, whose son died in a spiking-related incident in 2017, is currently lobbying the U.K. parliament to strengthen a proposed law that would make spiking a stand-alone crime. This would give law enforcement "clear procedures" for these cases, Mackie said, and lead to more actual prosecutions. "Police are certainly more active and engaging with victims," Mackie said. Venues have stepped up measures, too, implementing surveillance cameras and extensive security checks at the door. What you can do to protect yourself (and still have fun) Travelers should heed extra caution if heading into large party crowds this summer. A few simple steps can look like: Make a plan. If in a foreign country, make sure your group's phones have cellular data set up abroad so you can always reach one another. Pick a meeting point for the night in case you get separated -- but prioritize the buddy system (even if you have to walk away from the music for a bit). Research and save the nearest hospital and local police contact information in your phone. If in a foreign country, make sure your group's phones have cellular data set up abroad so you can always reach one another. Pick a meeting point for the night in case you get separated -- but prioritize the buddy system (even if you have to walk away from the music for a bit). Research and save the nearest hospital and local police contact information in your phone. Report right away. If you feel a jab-like sensation, go to a trusted person and tell them (in case you pass out and they need to step in). Don't let strangers help you -- they may be the person who injected you. If you're able, alert venue staff and security personnel, Mackie said. The event may have medical staff on site you can go to, but if not, it's important to transit to a hospital as soon as possible. If you feel a jab-like sensation, go to a trusted person and tell them (in case you pass out and they need to step in). Don't let strangers help you -- they may be the person who injected you. If you're able, alert venue staff and security personnel, Mackie said. The event may have medical staff on site you can go to, but if not, it's important to transit to a hospital as soon as possible. Your drink is still the biggest risk. It's easy to feel carefree this time of year, but Mackie says drink spiking is still by far the biggest threat. Take the coaster or napkin a bartender gives you and put it over your drink when not sipping. If headed to the bathroom, don't leave your drink unattended. And make sure to watch your drink being made: If a stranger offers to buy you one, go with them to the bar and ensure a professional is mixing the beverage. This story was updated to fix a typo.
